Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 325 - 324: When Paths Cross

After a moment, just as Zhu Yu was about to repeat her earlier question, the old man suddenly stood up, brushed off his sleeve, and said, "It seems you’ve rested enough. Please feel free to rest here, no need to be reserved."

Everyone else also stood up, nodding kindly at them, and then dispersed in groups of twos and threes, returning to the flower fields.

Soon, the leisurely singing began to drift in the air once again. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Zhu Yu watched in surprise as those people happily returned to work, and Yan Shu was also somewhat astonished.

"Their life here must be particularly joyous, huh?" she whispered in Zhu Yu’s ear, "I’ve never seen people so cheerful while doing farm work.

Back where we’re from, when people are herding, it’s only occasionally that someone sings loudly when they’re in a good mood or after having a drink.

Seeing everyone so happy like this is really a first."

"Not just you, me too." Zhu Yu nodded with a bitter smile, "Perhaps the feeling in my heart that something seems odd yet indescribable is because of this!

If it were just one or two people, or maybe a family that happened to experience some happy occasion, then it would make sense for them to be this joyful.

But for all the villagers here, men and women, young and old, who are just residents of the same village but not family, to all appear so cheerful..."

She paused, listening to the singing coming from afar, "Even their singing is so synchronized, agreeing so unanimously, it’s very peculiar."

"Like a group of puppets!" Yan Shu nodded repeatedly, "Look at them working under the sun, not bothered by the heat, clothes neat and clean, that’s not how farmers usually appear!

Moreover, when it’s time to rest, they all stop to rest, and as soon as they’re rested, they all return to work, how can it be so synchronized?"

"Puppets." Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing, "These people seem just like a group of small puppets!

Earlier, I felt they always gave me an indescribable feeling, and now that Yan Shu said that, I finally found the right description!

They’re like marionettes, acting consistently because they’re all being pulled by the same string.

It’s just that I find it strange, the question I asked them earlier wasn’t difficult at all, right? But they reacted as if they heard something incomprehensible."

Lu Zhang sat there, unable to interject, his gaze constantly moving between the other three, feeling as if they all had a clear thought process, while he was mostly lost and clueless.

It seemed that away from Duke Yan’s side, he suddenly lost his backbone, feeling a deep anxiety whenever he encountered unforeseen circumstances, afraid he might not handle it well or accidentally make a wrong decision, which could lead not only to trouble but also blame and reproach.

This plunged him into an indescribable sense of defeat, with a mood so gloomy as if a thick layer of wax was sealing him off, leaving no room to breathe.

Lu Qing remained silent, just quietly watching those people busy themselves. After a while, he finally said to the others, "There must be something strange here, but we have no reason to investigate rashly, so let’s not act impulsively for now.

Let’s go, it’s getting late. Let’s return to the camp to rest for the night, and set out tomorrow to see if this area around Immortal Castle is indeed free of bandit threats."

Zhu Yu and Yan Shu both agreed, and Lu Zhang also nodded in silence.

They stood up and walked out, the farmers seemingly unaware, continuing to hum and sing while diligently working.

The group rode back along the same road on horseback. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they saw dust rising in the distant front, with the sound of chaotic hoofbeats approaching.

The talisman hurriedly squeezed his horse forward, standing guard in front of Lu Qing and the others, watching the front warily.

The approaching horses and men drew nearer, their hoofbeats rapid, showing no signs of slowing.

The slanted western sunlight shone directly, making them squinting and unable to clearly see who was coming towards them.

The Fu Lu could only make out that there seemed to be quite a few of them, so before they reached, he shouted loudly, "Who goes there?"

Leading the way on the other side was someone in leather armor, looking like a military general. Hearing Fu Lu’s loud inquiry, he responded in a loud voice, "What a joke! I haven’t even asked you who you are and why you’re blocking the road, and yet you question me first!"

As soon as he spoke, even though his face wasn’t visible, Lu Qing and Lu Zhang both relaxed their brows immediately.

"It’s Lu Yan." Lu Qing knew Zhu Yu didn’t recognize the Third Prince, who had long volunteered to serve at the border, far from the Capital’s intrigues, so he immediately informed Zhu Yu to ease her mind.

Zhu Yu indeed breathed a sigh of relief.

Though she didn’t know which side Lu Yan was on, at least being a prince, his actions and words were likely controllable and predictable, far better than encountering an unknown group.

Lu Zhang, seeing Lu Qing promptly explain who the approaching figure was to Zhu Yu, was slightly taken aback, also quickly glanced at Yan Shu.

Yan Shu had already listened when Lu Qing explained to Zhu Yu. Although she didn’t know who Lu Yan was, since they mentioned someone with the surname Lu, it wasn’t hard to guess his identity.

So she seemed composed as well.

Lu Zhang hesitated for a moment, deciding to supplement Yan Shu with something Lu Qing hadn’t mentioned.

After all, they were a betrothed couple, and Lu Qing and Zhu Yu appeared so perfectly in sync, "Lu Yan is my third brother..."

Yan Shu pulled her reins, moving to the other side of Zhu Yu, distancing herself from Lu Zhang.

Lu Zhang’s unfinished words were stuck in his throat, his facial expression looking particularly awkward.

He pursed his lips in frustration, but couldn’t lash out, so he could only spur his horse, passing by Lu Qing, pushing through the brothers Fu Wen and Fu Lu, standing at the very front.

As the hoofbeats drew near, Lu Yan, clad in leather armor, finally saw who was opposite him. He immediately furrowed his brows, about to speak, then saw Lu Qing behind Lu Zhang, and his expression turned to one of surprise.

"Brother..." Lu Yan, being straightforward, unable to hide any emotions or thoughts, had them all displayed on his face, "How did you end up with him?!"