Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 401 - 400: A Way Out

Lu Yan was initially filled with anger, but upon unexpectedly learning that Zhu Yu was actually Princess Xiaoyao, half of the rage that was about to erupt was forcibly suppressed back down.

Now, after listening to what Lu Qing had to say, he found it somewhat reasonable, and his anger subsided a bit more.

However, after thinking it over, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable: "But what about those spies? There truly were no quails here; I heard it clearly, those fools were mimicking quail calls!

Just letting Lu Zhang take all of them away for nothing, do you really believe that once they return, they will sincerely deal with those bastards?

I estimate that once they’ve been taken back, before long it’ll be as if nothing happened, they’ll all be sheltered, how could they possibly conduct a thorough investigation!"

"Whether it’s letting Lu Zhang take them away or keeping them yourself, those people probably wouldn’t live long either way," Lu Qing shook his head, disagreeing with Lu Yan’s assessment, "Since that’s the case, rather than insisting on keeping them and holding a grudge against Prince Yi, not to mention offending Duke Yan, in the end, it’ll be futile and might even lead to accusations of incompetence, it’s better to give them a bit of leeway, which would save us from a lot of trouble instead."

Lu Yan’s mind always worked straightforwardly, so how could he understand Lu Qing’s roundabout way of thinking? Seeing Zhu Yu on the side looking well-informed, he still felt like others were speaking in riddles, which made him somewhat anxious.

"What do you mean? Are you saying that Lu Zhang will kill those people to silence them?! That’s... that’s too vicious!" Lu Yan looked at Lu Qing in surprise, uncertainly asking, "Even though I don’t like Lu Zhang, to say he would do something so cruel and ruthless, disregarding his own subordinates, I’m not entirely convinced either..."

"Indeed, if he were so ruthless and deep-minded, he wouldn’t have been so frightened just now." Lu Qing smiled helplessly.

"Then... what do you mean, brother...?" Lu Yan was completely confused now.

"Do you really think that Lu Zhang ordered his men to let them go?" Lu Qing asked.

"Could it be... it’s not him?" Lu Yan hesitated at the question.

Given that Lu Qing could ask such a question, it naturally meant he didn’t believe Lu Zhang was the one who gave the order.

Lu Yan recalled that when he rushed in and dragged Lu Zhang off the bed, Lu Zhang was obviously very nervous, merely pretending to be calm.

However, when he accused Lu Zhang of deliberately letting the Fake Castle Master escape, Lu Zhang’s reaction became a bit complicated.

He seemed surprised at the Fake Castle Master’s escape yet secretly relieved.

"No, this guy’s reaction indeed seemed off." Lu Yan started to catch on, previously filled with anger and not having spared the thought to notice these things, but now calmed down a bit and finally realized some unusual signs, "Normally, he’d either be furious, threatening to report me harshly to the emperor, or guiltily dodging the issue, desperately finding excuses to counter.

But just now, his reaction truly seemed to be surprised at the Fake Castle Master’s escape and also quite pleased about it. Only when I attributed this to his orders did he feel rather wronged...

Oh—"

He looked at Lu Qing in sudden realization, and then at Zhu Yu: "So you’re saying that while Lu Zhang appears to command his men and struts around, he’s actually merely a surface figure, those people truly take orders from his high-nosed maternal family, Duke Yan, and they don’t truly take him, Prince Yi, seriously!"

As he spoke, he sought confirmation from Lu Qing and Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu nodded, indicating agreement with his conclusion.

"That makes sense! No wonder he was unwilling to hand over the waist card to you, brother, for unified command, and no wonder his men stayed outside, with only a few keeping guard inside the fortress.

I initially thought he was overly suspicious, fearing you might seize control and threaten his position, but now it turns out he suffered a silent loss in this matter!

It’s not that he didn’t trust you with the waist card, it’s that lending it to you would expose his embarrassing inability to command his troops!

Seeing it like this, aside from that group of personal soldiers listening to his orders, all the rest of them are entirely under Duke Yan’s control.

This way, doesn’t it mean everything we’re encountering will be reported back to Zhao Bi down to every detail?!"

Lu Yan frowned in disgust, clenching his fist and slamming it onto the table: "This old man’s hand stretches too far! 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Though he once supported my father to the throne, earned military achievements countless times, and had a daughter in the palace as Imperial Concubine, earning some prestige and honor, no matter how distinguished his reputation is, he’s always just a subject!

An old minister, by virtue of his royal connections, now almost rides on Prince Yi’s head, wielding power! What decorum is there in that!

If this continues, won’t the entire world be unable to accommodate Zhao Bi in time?!"

When Lu Yan voiced these indignant words, he hadn’t thought deeply about it, but upon finishing, he noticed Lu Qing and Zhu Yu solemnly watching him, causing him to pause in slight confusion, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"If he truly forgets who he is and thinks that this world is almost unable to accommodate him, you and I might find it hard to continue living." Lu Qing inhaled slowly and said wistfully.

Lu Yan’s face darkened even more, snorting: "That goes without saying, by then, even Lu Zhang would be a mere puppet, not knowing if he can even protect himself, let alone expect him to have the ability to protect the few of us brothers."

Though impulsive by nature, Lu Yan was no fool. The conversation had reached this point, with Lu Qing’s prior hints, finally bringing him to full understanding. He sighed heavily, took the waist card Lu Qing had returned earlier from his waist, and pushed it back across the table.

"Brother, if you find a way out, don’t forget to take me along, I’m willing to go with you!" he said resolutely, "We can’t let that villain ride over our heads and ruin us!"

Lu Qing smiled slightly and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, you haven’t seen your eldest brother for some time now, have you?

When I drank with Lu Chao before, he mentioned that since you went to your fief, seeing each other has become increasingly difficult.

We brothers should find an opportunity to gather and reminisce." he said.