Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 329 - 328: To Win

Zhu Yu casually made a teasing remark, not expecting such a serious response, which left her momentarily at a loss.

No matter how busy she was in the past, the complexities were always just work-related; her own life remained simple.

Things like passionate love, feuds, romantic adventures, or wanderlust were just things from stories, having nothing to do with Zhu Yu.

Even if someone had feelings for her, no one had ever said that she was his destiny.

Yet, such an extravagant claim, when spoken by Lu Qing, carried an inexplicable solemnity, making one believe without reason that he wasn’t just joking.

This solemnity made Zhu Yu’s heart race, leaving her momentarily unsure how to respond.

"You must have drunk a lot tonight, quite drunk," she said a bit awkwardly as she stood up, pushing Lu Qing to lie down, "You still have to get up early tomorrow, so you should rest early."

Lu Qing looked at her flustered appearance, smiled silently, and followed Zhu Yu’s gentle push to lay down on the floor bedding.

Zhu Yu extinguished the tent lamps, lay down with a rustle, and as she turned over, suddenly felt Lu Qing’s arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

The faint smell of alcohol mixed with his breath behind her, not unpleasant, yet different from usual, including his sudden embrace.

After all, being outside, Lu Qing remained quite composed and never acted recklessly.

Tonight, he seemed clear-headed, albeit more or less tinged with drunkenness.

Zhu Yu felt Lu Qing’s nose nudging at the back of her head, akin to a large dog, followed by a long sigh.

"I understood early on a simple truth," he said, voice slightly muffled from behind, "to survive, I must overcome those who wish me dead.

I want to live, so I want to win.

But I’ve never thought much about what happens afterward, not expecting anything; occasionally thinking about it, feeling more confused, wanting to quickly get the last laugh, uncertain about what direction life holds once the danger is over.

But now, it’s different.

I still want to win, but I want to win so I won’t worry someone will harm me or kill those around me.

By then, I can peacefully put down the wearisome defenses and calculations, live freely, enjoy the mountains and waters, and live the life we desire together."

Zhu Yu sighed gently.

Wasn’t Lu Qing’s words exactly how she felt too!

On one hand, there was the joy of living a new life; on the other, an aimless void, unsure of her place here or how much control she had over the future.

Unexpectedly, turning a corner, now although faced with complex circumstances never previously encountered, she had a purpose, naturally changing her mindset.

Thinking about it, though she’d been here only a few years, she already felt this way; while Lu Qing, bearing many mysteries since birth, carrying the tragedy of his family’s annihilation, striving to find survival among various forces, every step demanding utmost caution — just thinking about it was tough.

"You’ve had to be cautious, calculating every aspect over these years, it must be... exhausting?" she sighed and softly asked.

After speaking, she waited for a while, but got no response from Lu Qing. Zhu Yu moved slightly, feeling Lu Qing’s head resting against her, his face buried in her hair, breathing deeply and slowly, already asleep.

Zhu Yu sighed in relief, closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep despite the weight of the arm around her waist.

By the time she awoke the next morning, the hour was still early, yet Lu Qing had already gone out.

Zhu Yu tidied up, pulled aside the cloth curtain at the tent entrance, and saw the talisman standing guard outside as usual.

Lu Qing and Lu Yan were practicing swordplay in the nearby open space, now sober, moving with more restraint and caution compared to the relaxed flamboyance of last night.

"Is the Third Prince up so early too?" Zhu Yu softly asked the nearby Fu Lu.

Fu Lu nodded, "Master started training not long ago, the Third Prince came soon after."

"And Prince Yi...?"

"Prince Yi also got up, originally intending to join the sparring, even brought his sword.

The Third Prince mocked him, saying he should be careful, being delicate and precious, lest he sprain his back, as they’re far from the Capital and couldn’t find an Imperial Attendant for Prince Yi.

Prince Yi, embarrassed, took his sword back inside the tent in a huff and didn’t come out," Fu Lu answered.

It seemed Lu Zhang was truly embarrassed, not showing up during Lu Qing and Lu Yan’s practice, even having his breakfast delivered to his tent.

Whereas Lu Yan, perhaps from enjoying the sparring or drinking well the day before, was extremely close to Lu Qing, demanding to have breakfast together in Lu Qing’s tent.

Eating with Lu Qing isn’t unusual for him, but with him around, Zhu Yu, as "Chief Historian Yu," naturally couldn’t eat at the same table as them, and instead ate separately with Yan Daoxin and the talisman.

For Zhu Yu, it didn’t make a difference where or with whom she ate.

Having solved her hunger in far worse environments before, and seeing that no one here evoked aversive feelings disrupting her appetite.

However, though Lu Qing said nothing, remaining calm and composed, his eyes betrayed subtle displeasure.

"Lu Zhang wouldn’t skip breakfast in anger, would he?" Lu Yan teased Lu Qing upon eating more than half and not seeing Lu Zhang.

"Prince Yi’s meal was delivered to his tent," Lu Qing shook his head at him, "Yesterday’s matter was trivial, just some untimely words exchanged, best to let it go today; there’s truly no need for further contention."

"True, it’s nothing major, it’s just his pretentious and sanctimonious manner that irks me!" Lu Yan curled his lips, somewhat irritated, "We grew up in the palace, studying together every day.

Honestly, he wasn’t like this back then, how has he grown to resemble his maternal grandfather more and more!"