Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 531 - 530: Just an Adopted Son

Compared to the awkward small talk between Lu Qing and Lu Zhang, Yan Shu had much more to say to Zhu Yu.

"Let me tell you, being locked in here, you’re out of touch with the news. You have no idea what kind of character that nephew of King Fan is outside!" Yan Shu had already casually sat down on the floor next to the cell bars, legs crossed, facing Zhu Yu and chatting through the gaps, "It’s said the Emperor has been very courteous to him, treating him as an honored guest. Normally, this would just be a matter of proper decorum, nothing much to say about it. But that fellow is flaunting himself.

With nothing else to do, instead of staying put quietly, he insists on going out, and once outside, he starts talking nonsense, saying his uncle, King Fan, was assassinated by Lu Qing and his men under Prince Xiaoyao’s orders.

Now it’s causing a stir in the Capital, not just among the palace members but even the ordinary folks on the streets, the vendors and laborers, they all know about this matter clearly.

The most outrageous thing is that in the Capital, there’s actually a tea house where a tea master is narrating this story in detail, even if they haven’t used your names, anyone with ears and a brain can tell it’s talking about you.

The arrogance is just audacious, betting that you couldn’t possibly turn things around, so you wouldn’t be able to do anything about them!"

After saying this, she suddenly felt it seemed somewhat inappropriate, as if she was delivering a rather pessimistic hint to Zhu Yu, and awkwardly hurried to bite her tongue, looking at Zhu Yu like a child who had done something wrong.

Zhu Yu smiled wryly.

For her, being able to hear about the outside world from Yan Shu, regardless of the type of news, was certainly a good thing.

Moreover, how this matter would ultimately be handled was definitely not something that rumors in the streets could influence.

She was sure those storytellers in the tea houses wouldn’t take this matter as a subject on their own accord without some instigation.

That instigation possibly came from the real mastermind behind King Fan’s nephew, trying to create public pressure for Emperor Jin to make some decisions and not fully protect him.

Another possibility, of course, was someone deliberately using this matter to stir things up, trying to profit from it and getting tea masters to fan the flames.

Which of these possibilities was closer to the truth, she couldn’t say for sure now.

But seeing Yan Shu’s anxious and uneasy expression, she decided to set aside this doubt for the time being.

"It’s quite odd, when you think about it." She sized up Yan Shu, "How did you come to know about the affairs in the tea houses within the streets?"

Yan Shu didn’t expect Zhu Yu to ask this. Being straightforward, she didn’t think too much, pointing to Lu Zhang at the side: "He learned from you guys too. After coming back, he shared with me openly, and confirmed that I wouldn’t rashly go to Jie Country anymore, then learned from you all and got me some men’s attire, making it easy for me to disguise myself and wander around the city streets.

So I could hear those gossipy tales firsthand outside."

This surprised Zhu Yu somewhat.

She had always worried that upon returning to the Capital, Yan Shu would be locked inside Prince Yi Mansion, living like a prisoner within those high walls.

Unexpectedly, her worry was unnecessary! Lu Zhang’s attitude had turned a complete 180 degrees after his outing, treating Yan Shu kindly.

Being scrutinized by Zhu Yu like this, Yan Shu felt a bit uneasy and waved her hand, "It’s already such a time, and you still have the mind to tease me! Every time I think about these things, I feel like there’s a wall built up in my heart!"

"Don’t worry, we’ll survive yet!" Zhu Yu said with conviction to Yan Shu, "I’ve observed the celestial signs and see there’s still a turning point, we have significant opportunities ahead, we won’t be falsely accused without a way out!"

"Really?!" Yan Shu’s previously dim expression suddenly brightened as if reignited, having witnessed Zhu Yu’s forensic skills before, she always believed Zhu Yu possessed significant ability, and she didn’t doubt her words about observing celestial signs.

However, she cast her gaze behind Zhu Yu, her brows soon furrowed again: "But this cell doesn’t even have a window, where did you observe celestial signs? Are you saying this to comfort me intentionally?"

"No, I observed the celestial signs before being locked up." Zhu Yu replied with such certainty, making it sound as though she wasn’t simply making things up.

"Really?" Yan Shu finally breathed a sigh of relief, nodding joyfully, "That’s great! It’s good to have an opportunity to turn things around!"

Unlike Yan Shu’s simple thoughts, Lu Qing and Lu Zhang listened to Zhu Yu’s words, fully aware she was lying to comfort Yan Shu.

Lu Qing glanced at Lu Zhang, who didn’t deny the matters Yan Shu just mentioned.

Lu Qing lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then spoke, "You came to Shackles Prison today to see me, Duke Yan probably isn’t aware of this, right?"

This matter was indeed an unspoken thing between them; Lu Zhang hadn’t brought it up, treating it as tacit understanding between them. Unexpectedly, Lu Qing suddenly asked it outright.

This left him unsure how to respond. After thinking for a bit, he said somewhat vaguely, "Initially, when I wanted to visit my brother, Grandfather indeed disapproved somewhat. He has always required me to act cautiously, not wanting to stir up more trouble at this critical juncture, which wouldn’t be good for either you or me.

However... I’ve seen Lu Ze running back and forth several times recently, and no one seemed to blame or stop him, so I thought it must be okay, and since Yan Shu was also concerned about Sister-in-law, I brought her along.

Because it was a spur-of-the-moment decision and the time was already late, I didn’t specifically go to tell Grandfather. I assume he would be okay with it, as even between brothers, how could we not care for each other?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"That’s not exactly how it goes." Lu Qing, after listening, suddenly smiled enigmatically, "We are not biological brothers, you are true princes.

And me, I’m merely an adopted son taken in due to compassion.

If serious about the matter, my status doesn’t qualify to discuss brotherly affection with Princes Yi, Shu."