Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 314 - 313: A Whole New Level of Respect

Lu Zhang paused for a moment: "I wonder what advice my brother has?"

"Rushing forward so blatantly, anyone with eyes can see they’re soldiers from Jin Country. If they were truly Jie Country bandits, they would naturally hide and avoid detection to make sure we return without success, wasting our efforts.

Or perhaps they’re not Jie Country bandits at all, but deliberately putting on a play to make others believe they are Jie.

If we charge forward with such fanfare, they will only work harder to play the part of Jie, baiting us into their trap.

Either way, we are unlikely to achieve the results we want."

Lu Zhang nodded knowingly: "My brother’s words are most insightful! So according to your plan...?"

Zhu Yu couldn’t help but glance at him, realizing that Lu Zhang showed no sign of probing Lu Qing’s intentions, genuinely looking as if he was out of ideas.

"Have your men change into ordinary civilian attire and disperse to ambush around us, secretly following us," Lu Qing had already planned for this beforehand, seemingly anticipating Lu Zhang would ask him, and without being polite, he directly arranged, "The talismans and runes will also act with the others covertly. The few of us will carry personal belongings and walk openly as bait, waiting for those people to show themselves."

"That’s a great idea!" Yan Shu immediately expressed her agreement upon hearing it, even showing eagerness to try.

She didn’t believe that the Jie would leave their lush homeland to travel thousands of miles to Lan Country just to rob with weapons made from Shuo Country’s Black Iron.

There must be something fishy here!

Lu Zhang secretly glanced at Yan Shu several times.

At the Prince Shuo Mansion, her bold appearance always drew his gaze.

However, she didn’t seem to enjoy being scrutinized, often choosing to look away.

Originally, Lu Zhang thought she was either Zhu Yu’s family sister or close friend, but unexpectedly she too joined them in male attire for this journey.

Along the way, her excellent riding skills made him inwardly marvel.

Faced with Lu Qing’s proposal, she surprisingly fully agreed, showing courage that matched Zhu Yu’s, whom he found impressive.

It was Lu Zhang’s first time seeing such a forthright, brave woman without pretentiousness.

Since this girl showed no timidness, Lu Zhang naturally felt embarrassed to discuss with Lu Qing about the risk of becoming bait. He steeled his heart and agreed swiftly.

Yan Shu didn’t notice Lu Zhang’s subtle thoughts; her mind was entirely focused on vindicating the Jie.

Thus, Lu Zhang followed Lu Qing’s arrangement, instructing his subordinates to change clothes and disperse covertly nearby, ensuring their presence remained hidden.

The interaction between the talismans, runes, and Lu Qing went smoothly, the brothers didn’t need much prompting; a glance from Lu Qing prompted silent nods, followed by them separating and disappearing from sight quickly.

Before long, the path was left with only Lu Qing, Zhu Yu, Lu Zhang, Yan Shu, and an unwilling Yan Daoxin.

"Let’s be clear," Yan Daoxin nudged his horse forward to Lu Qing’s side, with a stoic expression he said, "Healing that guy once was a courtesy. If it turns out he gets cut as bait, life and death depend on destiny, all left to fate."

Lu Qing glanced at him amusedly, without responding.

Recently, Zhu Yu managed to understand why Yan Daoxin disliked Lu Zhang.

Though Yan Daoxin and Lu Qing never spare words in banter, in reality, they have the kind of friendship where they’d entrust their lives to each other, thus every action naturally prioritizes Lu Qing’s interests.

In Yan Daoxin’s view, though Lu Zhang himself had no direct conflict with Lu Qing, his maternal family, Duke Yan, consistently made things difficult for Lu Qing. Lu Qing barely escaped with his life back then because of Lu Zhang’s mother’s consort, which constituted a blood feud.

Besides, Lu Zhang always heeded his grandfather’s guidance, taking Zhao Bi’s directives, which is like being birds of the same feather, thus requiring no pretended courtesy, refraining from retaliation was already extreme self-restraint.

But Lu Qing didn’t think this way; his circumstances didn’t allow him to be as loyal to himself as Yan Daoxin.

Whatever the case, Lu Zhang and Lu Chao were ultimately siblings.

Emperor Jin once overcame numerous and perilous obstacles crafted by his own brothers to stand at the top, with treacherous and grim intrafamily struggles that only he fully understood.

So although not spoken often, it’s evident through his actions that it matters to him if any of his sons harbor malicious intent towards their siblings.

Thus, every prince, even when pretending, should portray brotherly harmony.

Lu Qing and Lu Chao were no exception.

Especially Lu Chao.

If one day he wished to inherit the throne and become a wise ruler, it’s essential to avoid leaving a legacy nor let history remember him as one who "harmed siblings."

With long-term goals in mind, Lu Qing didn’t care much for Lu Zhang’s stance and actions.

Walking steadily this way, they covered over ten miles, all aware they reached the area where "Jie Country bandits" frequently appeared.

Zhu Yu and Yan Shu remained relatively calm, their expressions unchanged, chatting and watching the scenery as they rode slowly.

Lu Qing restrained his sharp gaze, showing a focused traveler obliviously riding beside Zhu Yu, never straying far from her.

Yan Daoxin wore a hat concealing his handsome face, revealing only his slender figure; he seemed less like a fighter.

No need to mention Lu Zhang, though he agreed to Lu Qing’s decision to risk himself as bait, he was visibly tense; wind rustled some leaves as they passed a forest, startling him and prompting vigilant glances around.

Yan Shu looked at him with some disdain before turning her gaze away.

Lu Qing didn’t mind Lu Zhang’s behavior; walking through such an isolated forest would naturally be tense for ordinary travelers.

Another hour passed, trees grew denser as they approached a mountain pass, they walked until suddenly strange calls came ahead, several burly men in bizarre outfits leapt out from behind large rocks and trees to block their path.