Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 374 - 373: Shelter

Yan Shu snorted, and said somewhat mockingly, "It’s fortunate for you Shuo Country to be caught up in this storm, so Lu Qing is still trying desperately to prove your innocence. Otherwise, we Jie Country would only face the fate of being righteously exterminated by the wise and brave Prince Yi.

You say someone wants to trap our Jie Country and your Shuo Country in disgrace; although I don’t know who the mastermind is, I can guess it certainly isn’t Lu Zhang. He isn’t foolish enough to smear his newly married Yue family’s reputation.

However, as for his maternal grandfather, he harbors no goodwill towards us Jie people, he utterly looks down on us, and even thinks my marriage is a stumbling block, delaying their familial alliance.

With him around, how could he possibly allow Lu Zhang to treat us Jie Country well?"

Zhu Yu looked at Yan Shu, not expecting her insight to be this thorough, and thus, their upcoming conversation became easier.

"In this matter, we’re pretty much in the same boat." She gave Yan Shu a wry smile, "Whether it’s people out in the open or those in the shadows, they don’t want the Jie people to live well, nor do they want the Shuo people to live well. Including Lu Qing, all of us are their targets for elimination."

Yan Shu angrily clenched her fist: "We Jie people and Shuo people haven’t provoked anyone, just living peacefully on our own land.

Your husband, Lu Qing, I may not say I understand him, but seeing his actions these days, he appears to be a man of propriety and integrity.

In other words, though I haven’t dealt with him, I’m quite familiar with you.

A person who can connect with you in mind and act in harmony, I don’t believe he can be that bad.

So why should we, harmless and honest people, be treated like fat sheep ready for slaughter?"

"Of course, people can’t just sit and wait for death." Zhu Yu looked ahead, her voice firm, "If we had done infinite evil, then it would be our own undoing, and we’d have to accept that fate.

Since we haven’t provoked anyone, and should peacefully lead our own small lives, why should we be treated as beasts waiting to be slaughtered between others’ chopping blocks?

All the efforts of Lu Qing and me are just for one thing, to prevent that day from coming."

Yan Shu looked at Zhu Yu, her eyes showing envy that soon turned into sadness: "Sadly, I don’t have such luck, being able to rely on and look to each other to weather the storm like you.

The mere thought of one day, being confined in the Prince Yi Mansion, unable to do anything but watch helplessly as Jie Country is dragged into trouble, where neither I, nor my parents, nor so many innocent Jie people can do anything but wait for doom, feels like my heart is clogged with mud, leaving no room to breathe."

"To prevent bringing more trouble to Jie Country, you indeed must stay in the Prince Yi Mansion, not making reckless moves." Zhu Yu turned to look at her, nodded, and seeing Yan Shu’s eyes darken, added unhurriedly, "But your father is not a caged bird; he is still the eagle soaring under Jie Country’s sky."

Yan Shu was startled, looking at Zhu Yu with uncertainty and speculation in her eyes.

Zhu Yu smiled at her, making it clearer: "You’ve seen for yourself what kind of person my father is, no need for me to say.

He was originally engrossed in weapon forging without concerning himself with matters, nearly causing great trouble for Shuo Country, but after this incident, he finally realized his mistakes.

Your father, regarding the governance of the vassal state, should be more attentive than my father.

Now, with the Holy Emperor aging, various factions are eager to move; the Jie and Shuo nations bear the infamous warrior’s reputation and possess the only Black Iron mine in the world, one a perfect scapegoat, the other as a fat piece of ’meat’ others want controlled.

In such a situation, your father wouldn’t remain oblivious or indifferent, waiting for death."

"But at least you can be taken back to Shuo Country by Lu Qing to alert your father, while I can’t run back to Jie Country. Once back in the Capital, it’ll be hard to get in touch with outsiders..." Yan Shu said, worried, then suddenly realized, looking up at Zhu Yu, who was also looking at her, "So... you do have a way to contact my father, right?"

Zhu Yu shook her head, "I can’t say for sure either. After all, compared to you, I only have a little more freedom in my actions, and I’m helpless in many matters.

But I think Lu Qing might have a way.

Jie Country and Shuo Country are as interdependent as lips to teeth, sharing almost the same situation. However, in the past, the two countries had no interactions to avoid suspicions. Although I and Lu Qing are familiar with you, your father may not trust us."

Yan Shu wanted to say something, but Zhu Yu raised her hand, motioning her not to rush to speak, and gently shook her head: "Yan Shu, I know, having been through this time, we naturally trust each other, leading you to also trust Lu Qing more.

But you must understand, this matter isn’t as simple as the friendship among you, me, and Lu Qing.

What Lu Qing seeks is to establish a wise ruler who can allow all citizens to live in peace, with no one turned to cannon fodder or medicinal dregs, to inherit the grand rule after the current Holy Emperor.

His chosen successor is naturally someone in his heart, and this choice means being at odds with others.

This is a choice from which there is no turning back, and a path with no return.

I don’t want you to make any hasty decisions based on your trust in me.

You are not only Lu Zhang’s wife but also the Commandery Princess of Jie Country. You have to also think of the countless common people of Jie Country; it’s no small matter, and its pros and cons need careful weighing.

And regardless of your choice, the final decision rests in your father’s hands."

Zhu Yu’s words were heartfelt and sincere, deeply moving Yan Shu, who pressed her lips and nodded: "Actually, I believe even if I agreed immediately, you wouldn’t plot against me.

But if my attitude is that hasty, it would be an affront to your sincere advice.

Actually, these days, I haven’t been without reflection on my situation. Today, hearing you speak this way, I feel that you genuinely trust me, and it makes me very happy inside.

Although I haven’t met with Lu Zhang since our marriage and met him only after arriving in Shuo Country, through both rumors in the Prince Yi Mansion and what I’ve personally observed here, I clearly see he is different from Lu Qing, not someone decisive. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Though I don’t know why, I feel that his maternal grandfather just doesn’t like us Jie Country, and with such a grandfather behind, I don’t think Lu Zhang can, as my father hopes, become the protector of Jie Country and its people."