Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 96 - 95: A Mastermind Appears

"Then guess, why do I know about the foolish things Cao Chenfeng did outside?" Lu Qing chuckled, "It’s probably not because I’m infatuated with his talents, right?"

Zhu Yu nodded knowingly. She had previously felt that although the surface of the matter seemed to be done by Cao Chenfeng, the uproar was aimed at Cao Tianbao.

However, in all of Da Jin, the power and prestige of Cao Tianbao among the military generals were unique. Offending him was undoubtedly a risky affair.

And taking such a big risk naturally meant one expected to gain something.

Even if the suspicion of murder against Cao Chenfeng was solidified, it would not shake the status of Cao Tianbao in the court. After all, he was just a nephew; Emperor Jin might not even blame Cao Tianbao for this matter.

Although this could provide good writing material for the speech officials, and it might be unavoidable to be presented in several cases, fundamentally, it was inconsequential and could not undermine Cao Tianbao’s core.

This was why she was unsure about her own speculation.

Now that Lu Qing said so, it seemed she indeed guessed correctly.

Over time, Zhu Yu had gradually figured out Lu Qing’s style of conduct. For matters he could discuss, he was always open and honest with her, never covering up.

If he encountered a matter he didn’t wish to discuss with her at the moment, he certainly had a way to change the topic.

So, since he considered it convenient to talk now, Zhu Yu straightforwardly asked, "If today Cao Chenfeng’s suspicion is confirmed, what will the one who planned all this gain?"

Lu Qing raised a finger, shook it left and right, "That’s not correct. Although the matter of Cao Chenfeng killing someone has been cleared up, the one behind all this planning likely already gained what they wanted."

After saying this, seeing Zhu Yu’s confused expression, he further asked, "Do you think today’s farce was executed cleverly enough?"

"In my view, indeed it was." Zhu Yu nodded quickly, "Using the occasion of General Cao’s grand birthday celebration, with many people coming and going carrying birthday gifts, wrapping a coffin in red cloth and pretending it was a box with gifts carried into the mansion—this idea not only required daring thoughts but also bold actions."

Zhuang Zhi showed immense grief throughout. In between, Duke Yan and the Capital Governor attempted to handle this matter privately away from Cao Tianbao, but Zhuang Zhi’s angry rebukes successfully triggered General Cao’s straightforward and fiery temper, making the matter increasingly escalated in the General Mansion.

When identifying the murderer, there were both maid testimonials and boatmen, along with the crucial sword. If we hadn’t been present today, Cao Chenfeng might’ve had no choice but to admit to the murder.

In this way, all of Cao Tianbao’s previous shown anger would become hollow bravado, giving him a reputation for shielding his kin and oppressing the common people."

"Duke Yan and Lu Zhang’s conduct, did you notice?"

Zhu Yu carefully recalled Duke Yan and Lu Zhang’s words and actions today, "Prince Yi has rather soft ears. Initially, Duke Yan explicitly wished for him to stay out of the matter, yet somehow he stepped forward amid others’ conversations."

It was him who urged Cao Tianbao to listen to Zhuang Zhi, and he also sent someone to the riverside to bring the boatman back for testimony. To those unaware, it might have seemed like he was bolstering this matter.

As for his maternal grandfather, Duke Yan was much shrewder. However...though intelligent, it was noticeable that he calculated the benefits behind Zhuang Zhi’s mess too much, always focused on preserving his own interests. Though decisive, he was detached from human emotions.

Duke Yan’s only act today was to imply that General Cao should distance himself from his nephew. While there’s nothing fundamentally wrong from his perspective, it disregarded the familial bonds between General Cao and the Cao Family.

If General Cao were broad and thoughtless, it wouldn’t matter much.

But if he were meticulous, he might wonder, if ever drawn into trouble himself, Duke Yan would likely cast him aside without hesitation and refuse to help."

"You’ve hit the mark." Lu Qing was quite satisfied with Zhu Yu’s reply, his eyes slightly narrowing, "Whether Duke Yan or General Cao, both are deeply rooted and impervious to being shaken by minor scandals.

Without any planning, it’s hard to believe there’s no manipulation at play.

Have you heard of any precious daughters from esteemed households who are not kept in secluded chambers under the tutelage of private instructors, but instead are raised in an embroidery tower by a desolate riverside?

Genuinely well-raised ladies, how many often stand upon an embroidery tower daily, casting handkerchiefs to make acquaintances with men?

Speaking of stratagems, this hardly counts as brilliant, but the cleverness lies in this small trick, where the initiator of the conspiracy calculated the disposition of every involved party correctly.

Through a mere act of false accusation, despite factors like you emerging unexpectedly, the final result achieved was akin to hitting three birds with one stone, proving quite worthwhile indeed." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Three birds with one stone?" Zhu Yu was somewhat surprised. To her, the current outcome seemed only to create a small knot of resentment in Cao Tianbao’s heart, somewhat disrupting his previously solid alliance with Duke Yan’s faction; she couldn’t conceive any other gains.

"Cao Tianbao has daughters and no sons. He originally intended to support his kin, preventing the Cao Family from lacking successors in the court once he aged and was no longer able to maintain his position.

This matter might indeed be known to Your Majesty, generally overlooked considering Cao Tianbao’s merit, as long as it wasn’t excessive.

But this time, although Cao Chenfeng avoided death, the scandal could not be avoided, exposing the family’s lack of discipline and moral conduct.

Henceforth, Cao Tianbao’s attempts to support his family could drown under the piles of memorials from court officials alone." Lu Qing raised a finger, "This was the first outcome.

As you mentioned, the reactions of Zhao Bi and Lu Zhang were anticipated by the planner, one stirring trouble, and the other eager to clarify. Together, they planted seeds of distrust in Cao Tianbao’s heart. This was the second.

"And the third?"

"The third?" Lu Qing chuckled, "Among those eager to align with Duke Yan, many seek not just to ascend to power but also need a strong protector.

If even someone as renowned and deeply connected with Zhao Bi as Cao Tianbao couldn’t attain Zhao Bi’s slight assistance in crucial moments, what hope do others have?"