Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 468 - 467: Stroking the Tiger’s Whiskers

In this matter, Emperor Jin finds himself in a dilemma. Regarding Cao Tianbao’s predicament, he can neither overlook it entirely nor handle it with no regard for the situation.

If he overlooks it entirely, more people will continue to stir up trouble in the shadows, labeling genuine schemes as "wrongfully accused."

If he shows no regard, it will chill the hearts of those old ministers and generals who have followed him for years and fought bravely.

At this time, no matter what he thinks in his heart, whether he wants to believe in Cao Tianbao or has already concluded that Cao Tianbao harbors ill intentions of secretly making military weapons, he still cannot rashly act.

If not for Lu Qing’s timely secret memorial as the "Golden-faced Imperial Censor," Emperor Jin would have had to choose the lesser of two evils.

Just like Lu Qing himself said before, he once again timely provided Emperor Jin a "step" when he needed a way out, allowing him not to hurt his relationship with his old ministers, not to tear apart, and not to give a chance to those with ulterior motives.

In another’s place, with Lu Qing’s crucial role this time, a great reward would be inevitable.

However, the subtle relationship between Emperor Jin and Lu Qing made Zhu Yu never even think of associating it with reward.

But she did have a doubt.

"Previously... wasn’t it supposed to be Lu Zhang who clarified this matter on behalf of Shuo Country?" Zhu Yu remembered Lu Qing’s original meticulous plan, which was progressing smoothly, yet it was himself who stepped up in the end.

"It doesn’t affect anything." Lu Qing smiled, "None of us expected beforehand that after Cao Tianbao’s nephew was plotted against, almost tainting the entire Cao Family’s reputation, the opponent would still target Cao Tianbao.

And it just so happened at such a critical juncture, Lu Zhang was expected to return to the Capital soon, and before he could report the truth to Your Majesty, the matter of Cao Tianbao secretly making military weapons was exposed.

Not to mention the entire imperial court, who in the Capital does not know the relationship between Cao Tianbao and Duke Yan.

In such circumstances, how could Lu Zhang stand out to report to the Holy Emperor the things he originally intended to say?

Say Shuo Country is innocent, the Black Iron weapons his Yue Family holds and those received by Cao Tianbao’s subordinates are all counterfeit, say the Jie Country’s bandits are slandered for pillaging, in short, his Yue Family, his maternal family, and the military generals allied with his maternal family are all innocent and suffering from being set up.

How effective do you think such a clearance would be?"

Zhu Yu shook her head without needing to think, "Very ineffective. This is a classic case of something easy to say but hard to hear.

Even if every word is true without any lies, it may not be perceived the same way by others’ ears, let alone... that person does not have a trusting nature.

Already someone is scheming to trap Duke Yan’s faction, and at this time, no matter how aggrieved Lu Zhang is, he cannot and dares not step forward to clarify.

Although I think that person doesn’t have much sense, if he really jumped out recklessly this time, Duke Yan would probably be so angry he couldn’t wait to kick him in the rear, wouldn’t he?"

"Indeed," Zhu Yu’s description made Lu Qing laugh even more, "so at this time, the most persuasive voice is the ’Golden-faced Imperial Censor.’"

"But, Lord Imperial Censor, isn’t your Yue Family precisely Shuo Country, which lost the Black Iron weapons?" Zhu Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

Lu Qing laughed heartily, "No matter, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know, the Holy Emperor knows, but not the court. Thus, it is very good.

No matter what, the secret memorial from the Golden-faced Imperial Censor is the most impartial evidence. Once the Holy Emperor accepted the memorial’s statements and determined Cao Tianbao to be innocent, it meant he also recognized that previous rumors of Shuo Country’s intentions to rebel were equally false. The truth is that Shuo Land was a victim of those with designs to frame General Cao, losing Black Iron and bearing wrongful accusations.

It is said that the monarch does not speak lightly; when the Holy Emperor, in the presence of the courtiers, uses that secret memorial to prove Cao Tianbao’s innocence, it naturally also becomes difficult to use Shuo Country’s intent to rebel as a topic.

This may not be something he is pleased to accept, but making a trade-off between these two matters is much easier than the previous predicament.

Zhu Yu, who initially felt somewhat anxious and worried, couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to tap Lu Qing’s forehead, "You really are a fox! How bold of you to pull the tiger’s whiskers!"

"Regardless of touching the tiger’s whiskers or not, it doesn’t relate to whether the tiger wants to eat you. Not touching doesn’t mean you won’t get eaten, so why not do something beneficial for oneself," Lu Qing smiled, "After Cao Tianbao’s name is cleared, the petition Lu Zhang dared not submit earlier can be submitted with confidence and boldness.

By then, not only can he smoothly wash away the suspicions of his Yue Family, but we can also profit from it—after all, doesn’t everyone in the world know how much Duke Yan wishes to eat my flesh and drink my blood? If even Lu Zhang, who aligns with him, proves Shuo Country’s innocence, then the possibility of intentionally covering up is naturally out of the question, which makes it even more convincing."

Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing’s composed face, feeling an indescribable melancholy in her heart.

Every time he strategized comprehensively, others were only amazed by his meticulous thoughts and deep plans, but Zhu Yu’s heart was full of pity.

The resilience of a blade of grass comes from the rock pressing on it. Without being pressed by the stone, the grass would not need to unleash such amazing force to push the stone aside.

Isn’t this true for people as well? No one who has been cared for since childhood is born to tread cautiously and be adept at plotting.

Lu Zhang, who is easily swayed, is a typical example.

If Lu Qing’s family were still with him, perhaps he would be erudite and eloquent, perhaps graceful and known across the world, but he would never have grown into such a cunning fox as he is now.

Behind those admirable strategies are layered scars and perilous encounters time and again.

"However, I have another question." Zhu Yu, who had been silently feeling sad, suddenly thought of something, having to momentarily set aside her full-hearted lament, "The secret memorial from the Golden-faced Imperial Censor mentioned Shuo Country but didn’t mention Jie Country at all...

How will Lu Zhang and his crafty maternal grandfather view this?

You once mentioned that besides that person, someone else possibly knows you are the ’Golden-faced Imperial Censor.’ So this time, can you ascertain anything?

If Lu Zhang persists with his original plan, clarifying for both Jie and Shuo countries, then he is unaware, even his maternal grandfather is unaware, and someone else is informed.

If he only clarifies for Jie Country without mentioning Shuo Country, it indicates that the grandfather and grandson duo know you are the ’Golden-faced Imperial Censor’."