Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 308 - 307: Not to Be Fully Believed

Zhu Cheng spoke with such emotion that tears flowed, and he had to lower his head, somewhat embarrassedly wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

Zhu Yu, on the other hand, listened with a calm heart, for she had no yearning for paternal affection at this point in her life. Moreover, as Princess Xiaoyao, how others treated her and whether the courtesies were proper no longer seemed significantly related to her origins.

She didn’t think the Miao Family would have much anticipation or surprise about her being rightfully recognized.

Nevertheless, playing the part necessitated going all out. She stifled a yawn diligently, letting a misty film of tears gradually form in her eyes. She said to Zhu Cheng with glistening tears, "It doesn’t matter to me, as long as Father no longer risks being framed and scapegoated, and as long as the people of Shuo Land can live in peace and prosperity, that would be best!"

Zhu Cheng felt even more ashamed hearing her words, and he clasped her hand, patting it vigorously. "Good child! Good child!"

Zhu Yu, while cooperating with a look of being deeply moved, caught Lu Qing’s smiling gaze from the corner of her eye. She quickly lowered her eyes, fearing that if he stared any longer, the emotions she painstakingly mustered might break.

Fortunately, Zhu Cheng was not a person with rich and delicate emotions; once his mood calmed slightly, his gaze fell on Zhu Yu’s attire.

After returning to Li Garden, Zhu Yu had changed out of the outfit that Pang Yutang had torn. She wore a Taoist robe instead, but Zhu Cheng still remembered the spot where her garment was pierced and the flash of gold that had been visible through the tear.

"Earlier today, were you wearing a golden silk armor?" Zhu Cheng was not one for being roundabout, and his current candid mood led him to ask quite directly.

Zhu Yu was slightly taken aback. There was nothing unanswerable about this question, though she hadn’t expected Zhu Cheng to recognize the golden silk armor.

She nodded but before she could ask Zhu Cheng how he knew of it, his gaze had already shifted to Lu Qing. "Is this item yours, dear son-in-law?"

"Indeed," Lu Qing responded calmly, though there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He wasn’t surprised when Situ Jing recognized the item earlier, since General Situ had been a prominent figure in the court back when the Holy Emperor had not yet ascended the throne; knowing about the golden silk armor and its origins was no surprise.

But Zhu Cheng, this secluded Prince Shuo who hadn’t been summoned to the Capital in years, could recognize it at a glance, which was unexpected.

"So it really exists!" Zhu Cheng’s expression was also quite astonished. "I had only heard legends about the golden silk armor before, never seen it or known if it was genuine.

When I saw Zhu Yu being stabbed by Pang Yutang earlier, not only was she not seriously hurt, but his dagger was even broken into pieces. Seeing the golden flash through her ripped clothes reminded me of the rumors I heard many years ago. It seems there’s more truth to it than I thought..."

"The tales you’ve heard, could they be related to my family?" Lu Qing asked nonchalantly.

"Indeed, they are," Zhu Cheng nodded.

If it were in the past, he would have held to the principle of keeping things simple and avoided discussing such matters with Lu Qing to prevent inadvertently getting tangled in trouble.

But this time, Lu Qing and Zhu Yu had helped him tremendously. Without them, he might have borne the charges of conspiracy and treason, risking his family’s demise.

Otherwise, he might have been schemed against by the Pang Family, leading to the downfall of Shuo Land.

Either scenario would spell disaster.

Lu Qing, being a benefactor and now the Zhu Family’s greatest support, made Zhu Cheng unwilling to remain uninvolved.

"Regarding your grandfather and family, I had indeed heard a rumor before. Not knowing its truth and its implications on the current Holy Emperor, it wasn’t something a minor Vassal King could freely discuss.

After keeping it to myself for years, I inadvertently forgot about it.

Who would have thought that destiny would have you become my son-in-law, making us family? Seeing Zhu Yu wearing that golden silk armor today, the old rumor popped right back into my mind."

Zhu Cheng instinctively paused and glanced toward the door.

"Rest assured, Father-in-law, my two guards have keen hearing and are exceptionally skilled. There’s no need to worry about eavesdroppers. Do speak freely," Lu Qing said.

Zhu Cheng nodded. "I heard in the past that your grandfather and father were not only royal kin but also valiant generals beside the current Holy Emperor, supporting him through trials and tribulations, fighting their way through crisis.

Your grandfather’s branch of the Lu Family had a golden silk armor heirloom. No one knows how or by whom it was crafted, but it was impenetrable, deflecting incoming force, keeping the wearer unharmed.

Later, during a critical battle with extreme peril, to protect the Holy Emperor, your grandfather offered the heirloom golden silk armor to the Emperor.

In doing so, he rendered great service. The Holy Emperor got shot in the chest during the melee, and without the golden silk armor, he might not have survived.

However, your grandfather, having given up his armor to protect the Emperor, was ambushed and severely wounded. Though he survived, the injury left him unable to fight anymore, confining him to an advisory role by the Emperor’s side, leaving your father to continue fighting alongside him.

It’s said that because of this deep loyalty and affection, when calamity befell your family, the Holy Emperor took you in and raised you beside him."

Lu Qing listened silently, showing no reaction.

Emperor Jin had once briefly mentioned the armor’s origin to him when handing it over but had not elaborated. Naturally, Lu Qing hadn’t pressed for details.

However, he was hearing for the first time about his grandfather’s sacrifice to save Emperor Jin before he became the Sovereign of the World, resulting in a debilitating injury.

Zhu Cheng, an outsider entirely to these events, appeared quite moved, "There have been many speculations about the whereabouts of the golden silk armor. Most believe it must be with the Holy Emperor.

It seems the armor was indeed returned to you by the Emperor?

If so, the rumors about why your family fell, perhaps they shouldn’t be taken at face value."