Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 235 - 234: Quarry

Zhu Feng’s expression was solemn as he furrowed his brow in thought. He pulled out a map of the Risun Ridge area from his pocket and laid it on the table, asking Lu Qing, "May I know where exactly the Prince saw that large pack of lingering wild dogs today?"

Lu Qing studied the map carefully, pointing out the place he had visited earlier today, while discreetly observing Zhu Feng’s expression which turned more shocked and grim upon seeing where his finger landed.

"It seems the Second Young Master knows what kind of road this is?" Lu Qing asked.

In fact, he had already noticed something during his daytime visit. After all, in such a remote and sparsely populated place, a wide and smooth country road was unlikely to be naturally formed or built out of sheer boredom.

The only reason could be that someone frequently used this area and had specific requirements for the road’s width and smoothness.

It was evident from Zhu Feng’s expression that he knew the answer to this question very well.

Zhu Feng pondered for a moment, pursing his lips as he tried to maintain a calm demeanor and tone. However, he couldn’t conceal the tension in his voice: "In the Risun Ridge area, there is a quarry owned by my maternal family, including the surrounding area which is all Pang Family’s private property.

The place the Prince pointed out on the map earlier is precisely within the Pang Family’s private estate.

Over twenty years ago, it was indeed one of Pang Family’s main businesses, extracting stone materials, exporting them, and selling crafted stoneware elsewhere.

Later, the Pang Family married into the Zhu Family, and with my father’s approval, they gradually shifted the business focus to weapon manufacturing and iron ore mining and smelting, barely keeping the stoneware business running, almost to the point of abandonment.

If it were in the past, outsiders would not be allowed to enter that ravine easily, fearing someone might steal stone from the quarry, which was guarded by designated personnel.

Even the roads in the ravine were specially constructed by the Pang Family back then for transporting the heavy stones out of the mountains by cart.

This has been at least a decade. No one mentioned the stoneware business, and I always thought this quarry had long been abandoned by them, never expecting that the road still exists..."

Zhu Feng’s words trailed off, seemingly somewhat vexed.

Zhu Yu had already informed him earlier that many strong men in the Black Stone Mountain area mysteriously vanished without a trace.

Now, a pile of bones was excavated at Risun Ridge, and it wasn’t just human remains but the remains of "familiar people."

The missing "bodies" and the inexplicable appearance of packs of wild dogs around the Pang Family quarry inevitably lead to some chilling associations.

The more Zhu Feng thought about it, the tighter his brow furrowed, unable to relax.

His response did not surprise Lu Qing or, rather, it confirmed his previous speculations.

"May I know how the Second Young Master’s relationship with your maternal family compares to that of your elder brother? Is it as close?" Since Zhu Feng had already brought up the Pang Family, Lu Qing decided to cut to the chase and asked directly.

Zhu Feng did not expect such a straightforward question, especially with a comparison to Zhu Jie, causing his expression to shift abruptly from somber to awkward.

"Shamefully, my relationship with my maternal family... is not as close and harmonious as my elder brother’s." After a brief moment of hesitation, he decided to be honest and said, "Perhaps it’s due to my crude nature and lack of talent."

"Second Young Master, today we are being frank with each other, so there’s no need for such modesty." Lu Qing chuckled gently, shaking his head. "I haven’t noticed any particularly outstanding qualities in the Eldest Young Master.

I believe the Pang Family’s choice between the Eldest and Second Young Masters might have other reasons.

Could there have been any discord between you and your maternal family?"

Since Lu Qing had guessed correctly, Zhu Feng decided not to cover it up anymore. He sighed and looked deeply at Lu Qing: "The Prince indeed has keen insight to have noticed these clues.

Though I wouldn’t say there was any outright conflict between my maternal grandfather, uncle, and their family and myself, there is indeed some estrangement.

Ever since my father became the Vassal King of Shuo Land, the Pang Family has been growing its power under his protection.

Initially only involved in business, they gradually overstepped bounds, starting to meddle in affairs where outsiders should originally have no business, leveraging my mother’s constant persuasion at home. Even some parts of the Shuo Land’s Black Iron mines were given to the Pang Family for guard and management.

Not to mention what you asked about before regarding the weapon manufacturing.

These matters naturally overstep the Pang Family’s bounds, and I disagree with them. I believe that even though my father is just a Vassal King, he should not be so careless, allowing in-laws to interfere too much in the internal affairs of the territory, nor should he implicitly let them exercise undue influence in Shuo Land.

Over the years, the Pang Family has operated outside, growing their power but flying the Zhu Family’s flag, to the point where their external prestige and ostentation even exceeded that of my father, the legitimate Prince Shuo. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Given enough time, it might adversely affect my father’s governance of Shuo Country.

I have mentioned this to my father several times. Though he agreed with my views and slightly reined in his indulgence of the Pang Family, he couldn’t withstand my mother’s tears and lamentations. Eventually, he would revert to the old ways.

Later, my elder brother informed my uncle and grandparents about my counsel to my father, so naturally, they did not like me much either."

Lu Qing nodded and asked, "So how do you view your elder brother’s style of handling matters?"

Zhu Feng silently contemplated for a moment, choosing his words carefully, and then replied, "My elder brother is bold and driven in his actions, with a tenacious determination, and a strong sense of ambition, wanting to accomplish something whether in front of my uncle or father."

"Oh? Splendid." Lu Qing smiled with satisfaction upon hearing Zhu Feng’s description." Although the Eldest Young Master took the initiative to oversee work in the Black Stone Mountain area this time, if he hears about such a shocking case as what happened at Risun Ridge, he should also take it seriously, shouldn’t he?"

"That’s true, but..." Zhu Feng looked at him doubtfully, "My elder brother has been very close to our maternal family since childhood and has been heavily favored and cultivated by my uncle all these years. His ties with the Pang Family are also deep...

If this matter were handed over to my elder brother, I’m afraid it would be inappropriate. I worry he might feel constrained, hesitating due to scruples, unable to act, or..."