Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 253 - 252: Scheming Minds

Previously, Zhu Yu only saw how Duke Yan was always with Lu Zhang, constantly by his side, and Lu Zhang indeed was a well-behaved grandson, conducting himself in public according to Duke Yan’s wishes.

However, she didn’t expect that even this wasn’t enough; Duke Yan even wanted to marry off the legitimate granddaughter of the Duchess’s sister to Lu Zhang, to further strengthen the connection between Lu Zhang and Duke Yan’s family.

If Lu Zhang could truly outsmart his other brothers and finally sit on the dragon throne, then the Duchess’s grandniece would become the Empress, and the Zhao Family would once again become the most unassailable royal family in the world.

Obviously, Emperor Jin wasn’t pleased to see such a thing happen, which is why the marriage between Lu Zhang and Yan Shu was arranged.

So... it seems Lu Zhang wasn’t the one Emperor Jin favored most as the successor.

But if that’s the case, then all the previous honors and importance...

Zhu Yu’s previous doubts suddenly became clear at this moment, and what was once hard to see now became crystal clear.

Although Lu Qing wasn’t Emperor Jin’s biological son, being of the same clan and family, there were indeed many similarities.

Emperor Jin really was an old fox.

"But since you understand the stakes involved, why did you still secretly run back to Jie Country? Aren’t you afraid of angering the Holy Emperor by doing this?" Zhu Yu pondered silently while asking Yan Shu.

This question clearly hit the mark, and Yan Shu’s expression suddenly became conflicted. She bit her lip and nervously picked at her fingernails, "It was a moment of impulse, riding a tiger and unable to get off...

At the time, I thought, after all, they’re all two-legged men; for the sake of Jie Country’s people, just marry! Anyway, a weak and frail guy can’t bully me.

I even thought of myself as someone who was wronging herself, putting the greater good first.

But I didn’t expect Lu Zhang to treat me like this. Seeing his disdain towards me, the more I thought about it, the angrier I became. If he could be so disrespectful to me, how could I expect him to bring any benefit to Jie Country!

So... I ran out in a fit of pique..."

She looked at Zhu Yu with a bit of grievance, her eyes filled with helpless anxiety. It was clear that after the recent events and some calm reflection, her determination to run back to Jie Country was no longer as strong as it initially was.

Zhu Yu was somewhat amused and exasperated. She didn’t know the character of other Jie people, but with Yan Shu’s temperament, being Princess Yi after marrying Lu Zhang wouldn’t be an easy role.

Even if Lu Zhang’s courtyard was clean and tidy, without the melodrama of vying for favor, and even if he only resorted to cold violence by avoiding her, just facing Duke Yan alone wasn’t something an impulsive hothead like Yan Shu could handle.

Even Zhu Yu could pick up on Emperor Jin’s intentions in granting this marriage, how could a calculating person like Duke Yan not have the same suspicions?

Even if he couldn’t be sure what Emperor Jin truly thought, he wouldn’t give up easily and would definitely come up with other ways to achieve his goals.

He wouldn’t dare to openly oppose Emperor Jin, but secretly devising plans to make Lu Zhang make things difficult for Yan Shu was something he would likely do.

Zhu Yu looked at Yan Shu with some sympathy, believing that the Jie King was truly at his wit’s end. To make life better for his people, this was the only unwilling method.

Had there been any other option, he probably would have refused Jin Country’s envoy, keeping his straightforward and sincere daughter by his side, finding her a simple and honest husband, and living a simpler life, rather than pushing her into the fire pit of Jin Country’s imperial family.

"Regardless of whether it was impulsive at first, now that you’ve run away, what’s your plan next? Are you going to hide in Jie Country?" Zhu Yu asked.

"I don’t know." Yan Shu shook her head, "I’ve been thinking about this all the way.

Once I go back, if Father can’t help me, what should I do next.

If I go back embarrassed... then all my efforts running back would be in vain.

If I stubbornly refuse to leave, once Lu Zhang finds out, I don’t know how to end this without implicating my father and others..."

It was clear she really regretted it now.

Before, when she was hurriedly on her way, she still had the determination of not turning back, suppressing her inner uncertainty.

Now, having hurt her leg and being "picked up" by Zhu Yu and Lu Qing, the hot-headedness of "I’ve already left" cooled down, making Yan Shu even more indecisive.

At this critical moment, Zhu Yu certainly didn’t want any trouble from Jie Country.

Some people were trying to create an illusion of collusion between Jie and Shuo countries, intent on rebellion. At this time, Shuo Country hadn’t even sorted out its own mess, and if Jie Country stood out, it would inevitably drag Shuo Country into it too.

Then all their efforts would be in vain!

Zhu Yu adjusted her sitting position, her expression became much more solemn, and she said seriously to Yan Shu, "Do you know that Jie Country and our Shuo Country seem to have secret connections with ulterior motives?"

"What?!" Yan Shu, who was still troubled, widened her eyes in shock, looking at Zhu Yu as if she’d gone mad, "Aren’t you the daughter of Prince Shuo? Listen to what you’re saying!

Do you know what it means to speak such nonsense!?

I may not know what your father’s intentions are, but my father has no rebellious thoughts at all!

In the past, he refused to submit to Jin Country not because he wanted to conquer the world, but because he didn’t want his land to be annexed, his people enslaved like beasts.

Later, the Emperor promised not to interfere with our lives, so my father surrendered!

He told us that Jie people spent too much energy fighting others, and in the end, all it led to was fear and uncertainty, living with trepidation, gaining nothing.

Moreover, he said, though we Jie people are good riders and archers and physically strong, Heaven is fair, and we’re simpler than people from other countries, who are full of schemes.

So instead of causing trouble, it’s better to live peacefully on our own land, not disturbing others, living longer, and that’s better than anything!

So he couldn’t possibly have rebellious thoughts!"

At this point, Yan Shu suddenly thought of a piece of evidence she considered very strong. She pointed at Zhu Yu, then at herself, "If Jie and Shuo countries were to rebel, would it be your father who’s gone mad, or mine, by marrying us to the Emperor’s sons!"