Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 233 - 232: Straightforward

If Emperor Jin truly intended for Lu Chao and Lu Qing to foster a relationship, and then deliberately allowed Lu Chao to take books from the South Study Room, giving him the chance to discover official records about Lu Qing’s heritage, and secretly bring them for Lu Qing to read.

All of this happened precisely when Lu Qing was to be summoned back to the capital in less than a year. If this was merely coincidence, then there would be no greater coincidence in the world.

Emperor Jin clearly hoped that Lu Qing would learn about the events of the past through those official records before returning to the capital.

Then, why would he use such a roundabout way to make him aware?

Unless...

"Was there another explanation regarding this matter back then?" Zhu Yu speculated.

"Indeed, there was another version," Lu Qing nodded, "At that time, there was a rumor circulating in the martial world which stated that ultimately, my grandfather and father believed that the world should be governed with benevolence, especially in the early days of stabilization, when it was crucial to employ talented and virtuous people who initially did not support the ruler but later chose to submit. They should be forgiven and employed, otherwise, it could easily lead to losing popular support.

However, that ruler believed that those who did not share his thoughts and path from the beginning must have different intentions, and even if they were willing to submit now, it was merely due to circumstances, and given another opportunity, they might harbor rebellious thoughts and attempt to eliminate them completely, leaving none behind.

Due to the disagreement in views, my family began to harbor the intention of withdrawing support, which in the ruler’s eyes was tantamount to betrayal. Thus, he secretly ordered to eliminate anyone who did not align with him from the root.

It was just that, by then it was the eve of succession, and naturally, this dirty work could not be done personally. Unfortunately, during the process of cleaning up, it was discovered that I was still alive, unable to kill me, so he took me back and raised me by his side."

"Indeed, such elaborate efforts were made just to prevent you from believing the rumors and resenting him," Zhu Yu reflected on Emperor Jin’s attitude towards Lu Qing, "So even after you’ve seen the official records, he still fears that you might not fully trust the historical accounts?"

"Perhaps." Lu Qing neither affirmed nor denied, "You only need to know that every action he took had its own purpose.

As for whether this purpose aligns with our own interests or diverges, that’s something we need to discern for ourselves."

Zhu Yu sighed.

Thus, the cause of Lu Qing’s clan’s demise remains an unsolved mystery, and Emperor Jin’s favor towards Lu Qing is both sincere and insincere, yet his vigilance is undoubtedly genuine.

While he strives to protect his life, paving paths for him, offering opportunities to learn from esteemed individuals, he also remains cautious and calculating at every turn...

He might be the benefactor who adopted Lu Qing, or perhaps the culprit behind the demise of Lu Qing’s family...

Zhu Yu rubbed her temples.

If there is anything common between fools and wise people, it’s probably that dealing with them can be somewhat exhausting...

After a while, when the water temperature is just right, Lu Qing scooped some out with a wooden basin for her. Zhu Yu carefully washed her hands, face, and hair, then changed into a clean outer robe before entering their tent.

"What did you go off doing today all alone?" She asked Lu Qing while drying her damp hair.

"I’ll speak about this when your second brother arrives later." Lu Qing glanced outside the tent, sat beside Zhu Yu, took the cloth towel from her hand, and said while gently wiping, "For now, while your brothers and the rune haven’t returned, tell me about your two legitimate brothers?"

"Alright." Zhu Yu thought for a moment, "You’ve seen both of them. In the Zhu Family, there really isn’t anyone who conceals their temperament too deeply; you can sense their nature within a few words.

My eldest brother, Zhu Jie, has always been more assertive since childhood. Because he is the legitimate eldest son, and reportedly, due to his frail health since birth, he has been most cherished by Pang Yuzhen, who wouldn’t even trust his care to a wet nurse. Even when he was nearly ten years old, he never left his mother’s sight.

Later, my father couldn’t bear it anymore, saying that if this continued, he might never grow into a true man, and moved him to the side courtyard to live with my second brother, leaving only two nannies and a few servants to care for their daily life, forbidding Pang Yuzhen to favor him excessively.

My second brother, Zhu Feng, has been relatively less worrisome since childhood. Even when in the care of a wet nurse, he wouldn’t cause a fuss, and seldom sought attention from parents, mostly remaining quiet, with a gentler and steadier disposition.

But perhaps because his behavior has always been so worry-free, Pang Yuzhen isn’t particularly fond of him. Among the three sons, she’s attached to the eldest, doting on the youngest. As for my second brother, she’s neither neglectful nor can compare him to the other two legitimate sons."

While wiping Zhu Yu’s hair, Lu Qing listened and then asked, "Does the Pang Family value Zhu Jie more?"

"Yes, because my eldest brother exhibits more intelligence and competence, with a pride befitting a princely heir to inherit the throne, naturally he is the one the Pang Family values most." Zhu Yu answered with a smile, with a tinge of mockery in her voice when she mentioned "intelligence and competence" and "pride," "In other words, Pang Yutang’s regard for Zhu Jie is akin to Duke Yan’s regard for Lu Zhang."

"Does the Pang Family not favor Zhu Feng?" Lu Qing raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Far from it, they almost ignore my second brother’s existence." Zhu Yu nodded, "Pang Yutang believes my second brother’s nature is too much like my father’s, acting too straightforwardly, lacking the ambition and vigor of my eldest brother.

My eldest brother lives up to the Pang Family’s expectations, eager to take on responsibilities and showcasing the spirit of taking initiative, not only vying to handle many of my father’s affairs but also those related to the Pang Family, proving to the Pang Family and my father constantly that he is the most suitable candidate to inherit the throne.

Today, even the villagers who came to help with the canal work knew that the eldest went to Black Stone Mountain because it required engaging with people from Jin Country, and someone with prominence needed to take on the task, whereas Risun Ridge, a barren place, was suitable for the second son to come.

Even the commoners see it clearly, so perhaps this is a foregone conclusion."

Lu Qing rose and hung the towel aside, then turned to Zhu Yu and shook his head, "I think perhaps not.

If your father truly agrees with your mother and the Pang Family’s view, it would be perfectly normal to petition the court to establish Zhu Jie, the legitimate eldest son, as the Princely Heir.

I rather think your father himself has yet to decide who the suitable candidate in his mind is.

I also do not believe that Zhu Jie and Lu Zhang are comparable.

As you observed, Lu Zhang, in actuality, has no ideas of his own. When with Duke Yan, his words and actions come from Zhao Bi’s advice.

And once out of Zhao Bi’s sight, his decisions and style of behavior are noticeably different from when he is under Zhao Bi’s supervision.

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