Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 249 - 248: Walls Have Ears

Zhu Ning had been trying various reasons to see Yan Daoxin for a few days. Unfortunately, apart from visiting Father in the morning for a pulse diagnosis, he stayed inside Li Garden and rarely went outside, leaving her with no chance for an "accidental encounter."

Today, however, was a pleasant surprise. The Divine Doctor with an ethereal, picturesque appearance was practicing swordplay in the courtyard. His moves were neither fast nor slow, and as his robes and wide sleeves swayed, he looked as if he could ascend to the heavens. Zhu Ning wished her feet were glued to the ground outside the ornate window.

Technically speaking, it’s not respectable to stand outside a guest’s courtyard wall and spy. If her parents caught her, they would surely lecture her. But Zhu Ning wasn’t worried because her father had likely run off to deal with his weapons by now.

And her mother would never stroll over to Li Garden.

There was no one else in the family who dared say anything to her face.

As she was engrossed in watching, she suddenly heard Zhu Yu’s voice, seemingly not far from her, just inside the courtyard wall. However, the angle was slightly off. She could only hear the voice without seeing who it was. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Startled, she instinctively crouched down, thinking of sneaking away. But then she heard Zhu Yu’s voice, full of confusion, speaking to someone else: "You clearly know that in a few years it will be the Holy Emperor’s grand birthday, and there will be a Sealing Ceremony. By the latest next year, the Holy Emperor will decree the arrangements for forging the Sealing Ceremony Cauldron.

Although Shuo Land isn’t known for crafting those Golden Seals, when it comes to the cauldron and vessels required for the ceremony, our Shuo Country surely holds the advantage, right?

Why won’t you let me tell my father about it and let him prepare early?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ning became intrigued and quickly moved closer to the wall to avoid being discovered, while pricking up her ears to continue listening. She calculated in her mind about the time she made a fool of herself because she mistakenly thought her father was hiding a mistress, got reprimanded, while Zhu Yu, a mere illegitimate sister, gained fame for becoming Princess Xiaoyao, which felt stifling in her chest.

Today, she must understand the ins and outs of the matter clearly, to tell her father, so he can see who the truly devoted and good daughter for the Zhu Family is.

Then she heard Prince Xiaoyao’s voice: "It’s not that I don’t want your father to prepare early, but the Holy Emperor has already instructed on this. This Sealing Ceremony is a grand event aligned with heavenly timing and harmony. When the time comes, a decree will be issued to select the most skillful craftsmen from across the land, with all selections based on skill, regardless of lineage or qualifications.

Your Shuo Land already has Black Iron and many skillful craftsmen. If this matter is prematurely told to your father, even if it’s not appropriate for him as Prince Shuo to interfere personally, if he secretly leaks it to the Pang Family, they’ll start preparing early and will surely produce a more exquisite product by then.

Thus, it would be unfair to others and wouldn’t align with the Holy Emperor’s intent.

Only I know about this, and no one else is aware. If word gets out, won’t I be embroiled in trouble?

Although you are a daughter of the Zhu Family, you are also my wife, so this matter should prioritize the interests of the Prince Xiaoyao Mansion."

Zhu Yu seemed convinced, albeit a little hesitantly saying: "My father is the most honest and risk-averse person. If it’s secretly leaked to him, how could he take the risk of getting into trouble by telling the Pang Family?

But... you’re also right...

In that case, let’s not mention it for now..."

Zhu Ning was outside the courtyard wall, eavesdropping on the two’s conversation. Hearing them finish discussing, they began to chat about trivial matters. Quietly, she sneaked along the courtyard wall.

After walking a few steps towards the front garden, her pace gradually slowed. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned and walked briskly towards Zhu Garden, where her mother lived.

Zhu Yu watched through the ornate window where Zhu Ning had been spying. Seeing her hesitate, then decisively change her mind to go inform the Pang Family, Zhu Yu felt relieved.

"There, she didn’t actually go to find Father but went to inform her mother. Our little act wasn’t in vain." Stroking her chest, she was just a little worried, fearing Zhu Ning would not take the bait and go tattle to Zhu Cheng.

Even though everything could be explained clearly afterward, it’s still trouble if the bait isn’t taken smoothly.

Seeing everything progressing as she had guessed, Zhu Yu sighed in relief.

"What’s up? Your elder sister left?" Yan Daoxin, with his keen hearing, stopped what he was doing and asked eagerly, as if hoping a plague had left.

Suppressing laughter, Zhu Yu nodded to him.

Yan Daoxin was indeed pleased upon hearing this, happily waving to Lu Qing: "Just right, I’ve been practicing my sword today. You’re free now, aren’t you? Shall we spar?"

"You go practice on your own." Lu Qing shot him a glance and pulled Zhu Yu further into the courtyard. "My wife had previously asked me to teach her some self-defense techniques. I’m free today, so I plan to make good on that promise."

Yan Daoxin, with a teasing glint in his eye, clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he went aside to continue practicing solo.

"Though you’re already physically strong compared to many women from Jin Country, your strength is still lacking compared to ordinary men. So I don’t intend to teach you those skills that require years to become effective." Lu Qing led Zhu Yu to the center of the courtyard and told her, "What you said the other day is correct. It’s most important for you to learn some emergency escape moves, which are more effective in critical moments than how long you can hold a horse stance."

Zhu Yu initially thought Lu Qing was simply humoring her with a few words, but seeing he was serious about it now made her naturally delighted. She quickly gathered her spirits, ready to learn properly.

"With insufficient strength, you should understand how to use the big to defeat the small. If the opponent is bigger and stronger, he’ll use his arms to attack you, and you should use your shoulder or leg to counterattack to be effective, otherwise, it’d backfire."

While speaking, Lu Qing gestured for Zhu Yu to step closer and reach out to grab him.

Following suit, Zhu Yu extended her right hand to grasp Lu Qing’s arm. Unexpectedly, before her fingers could touch his sleeve, Lu Qing deftly twisted his left wrist, reversing the grip to hold Zhu Yu’s hand. With a pull, he twisted her arm behind her back, pinning it at her waist, immobilizing it.

At the same time, his right hand reached forward, pressing against Zhu Yu’s chin, pushing her head back.

Instinctively, she arched her head backward, trying to lessen the pressure on her chin, causing her to uncontrollably lean backward. But with Lu Qing’s hand beneath her waist, he supported and guided her, gently drawing her into his embrace.