Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 313 - 312: Suppressing the Bandits

Since these issues have been resolved, the next step is naturally to prepare for departure as soon as possible.

Lu Qing also mentioned this matter to Zhu Cheng. Zhu Cheng was shocked and hurriedly asked whether he needed to send someone over, lest there be rumors about collusion between Jie and Shuo regarding rebellion.

Lu Qing told him that General Yi has some troops under his command, especially since this matter might require going to Lan Country’s turf. Given Shuo Country and his current situation as Prince Shuo, it’s indeed not quite appropriate.

Zhu Cheng understood this point. He needs to make amends, prepare, and request forgiveness from Emperor Jin for more than a few matters. He’s pretty much unable to care for himself and indeed cannot afford any additional complications.

Because the news came suddenly, the decision to leave was also immediate, and several people hurriedly packed their things.

Although Lu Qing and the others brought some gifts with them when they came, after leaving them with the Miao Family and Zhu Cheng, they could then set out lightly.

Yan Shu was fleeing from a marriage, and actually had nothing at all.

Lu Zhang, however, was originally staying for a few days under the injured identity of General Yi to recover. He should have had nothing, but suddenly had to depart, and he took out a thick stack of landscape paintings from the room.

It turns out that during these days, he asked someone to send paper inside, and he drew the scenery he saw along the way to relieve his boredom.

Although he was embarrassed to ask people from Prince Shuo Mansion for paints, the simple black and white ink paintings were fluent in brushwork, and even with a few simple strokes, the depicted landscapes and rocks had considerable charm.

Zhu Yu caught sight of it from the side and was somewhat surprised. She didn’t expect that Prince Yi, who always posed as a noble in the Capital, would have such talent.

Lu Qing was not surprised by these things, clearly aware that Lu Zhang had this skill.

Lu Zhang originally intended to throw away all those paintings, but holding them in his hand, he hesitated and couldn’t bring himself to crumple them up. In the end, he selected a few he was particularly satisfied with, folded them, and tucked them in his bosom to take with him.

Zhu Cheng also realized they were in a hurry and worried they might starve on the road, so he hurriedly had someone prepare some cakes and beef jerky, suitable for carrying and preserving, and handed them to Lu Qing and the others. When the group set out to join Lu Zhang’s troops, he also sent people to escort them out of the capital.

The Miao Family was reluctant for Zhu Yu to leave again, but restrained herself considerably, afraid that expressing sadness would upset Zhu Yu.

Fortunately, this time she didn’t need to stand outside Prince Shuo Mansion to watch her daughter leave. Zhu Cheng intended to make up for the neglect of the mother and daughter by arranging a carriage, allowing the Miao Family to escort her daughter out of the city.

Outside the capital, Zhu Cheng and the Miao Family could not go any further.

"Mother-in-law needn’t be sad. Once everything is stable, I can send someone to invite you to stay in the Capital for a while." Seeing the Miao Family descending from the carriage reluctant yet unwilling to speak up, Lu Qing took the initiative to speak to her.

The Miao Family paused, surprise flashing in her eyes, and she quickly nodded gratefully.

Her daughter married Prince Xiaoyao. Although these days she watched as her daughter’s noble husband paid close attention and care, this kind of thing, unless the husband offered, she didn’t want to trouble her daughter and didn’t dare to have such thoughts.

Lu Zhang also politely bade farewell to Zhu Cheng, since Zhu Cheng helped arrange many supplies for them this time, he shouldn’t appear too impolite. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

After the farewell, the group spurred their horses to speed up their journey.

After traveling a distance, Zhu Yu couldn’t help but look back, and could still see the carriage the Miao Family was in and the small figure beside it far away.

She felt melancholic, though knowing that after this time, the Miao Family should have better days at home, her heart still couldn’t help but feel a bit sorrowful.

Turning back again, she saw Yan Shu with reddened eyes, trying hard to keep her tears back.

Seeing Zhu Yu notice, she hurriedly turned her head awkwardly and wiped her eyes roughly with her sleeve.

Zhu Yu spurred her horse to catch up, riding alongside her, glanced around seeing Lu Zhang and Lu Qing riding ahead, and then softly asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing, just seeing your mother send you made me suddenly recall my mother when I set out earlier from home." Yan Shu sniffed, shaking her head, "Ah, let’s not talk about it! We’re both men now, with such red eyes it looks terrible! If someone notices, it’ll ruin everything!"

Zhu Yu nodded, responding loudly and boldly to her, "Yan, you’re right!"

Yan Shu laughed, "No need to be so boisterous, with your appearance, even if you stick a big beard on it, you don’t look like a rough man!"

Seeing her laugh, Zhu Yu also laughed, yet felt an indescribable melancholy in her heart.

Back when Yan Shu was sent to marry into Empire Jin’s Capital, the outside world often compared her with Zhu Yu, saying that compared to Princess Xiaoyao, who came from Shuo Country, marrying alone to Empire Jin, the Commandery Princess of Jie had a grander ceremony. Not only did she have a considerable dowry, but she was especially favored and allowed to bring maids, making it truly spectacular.

At the time, Zhu Yu also agreed with such conclusions from the outside world.

But at this moment, she suddenly felt that she and Yan Shu actually weren’t much different. Whether the dowry or the maids, none of them really made a difference; they all fundamentally fled their homes, away from beloved relatives, to marry in a foreign place with no acquaintances.

The difference was, she had relatively good luck, forming a relationship with Lu Qing by chance, and their personalities and actions matched well.

As for how Yan Shu and Lu Zhang will turn out, it remains unknown.

After leaving the capital and parting ways with Zhu Cheng and the others, the group of eight sped up their pace to quickly join Lu Zhang’s troops, took a short rest, and then set off again, heading directly towards the area plagued by bandits at the border of the three countries.

Since they were still in Shuo Country and heading towards Lan Country, Lu Zhang’s men continued calling him "General Yi" based on his previous statement.

Thus, after a few days, Yan Shu still hadn’t discovered Lu Zhang’s real identity, remaining both ignorant.

They had traveled for about two or three days when the scouts sent ahead returned with reports, saying that the area plagued by bandits seemed to be less than ten li ahead.

Upon hearing the news, Lu Zhang almost instinctively made arrangements, "Then let’s speed up and go eliminate the bandits!"

"Hold on." Lu Qing didn’t expect his decision to be so rash and quickly stopped the guard about to convey orders, turning to Lu Zhang, "If we charge in directly, it may not be appropriate."