Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 395 - 394: Confidante

Upon hearing her question, Lu Qing suddenly burst into laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" Zhu Yu was a bit bewildered by his sudden laugh.

"I’m laughing at your sharpness. You could actually discern the underlying clues from those few cryptic verses." Lu Qing stowed away his smile and nodded at Zhu Yu. "You guessed correctly. There were indeed such rumors in the Capital at that time.

It is said that a few years ago, Lu Zhang was still quite young. The Duchess Yan sent the shopkeeper from the Headdress and Shoes Workshop to have clothes tailored for him at home.

Initially, Lu Zhang paid little attention to the young female shopkeeper until she was captivated by a painting on the wall. She spontaneously recited a poem that resonated with the painting’s essence, which made Lu Zhang see her in a new light.

From then on, unbeknownst to many, the two frequently exchanged letters and maintained much communication. The verses that the Fake Castle Master just recited were the very ones that made Lu Zhang resolute in bringing that female shopkeeper into his home. The enduring companionship like mountain clouds indeed hinted at the layered meaning you suspected.

However, this matter could not bypass Duke Yan. Upon hearing the news, Duke Yan was furious and scolded Lu Zhang mercilessly.

In Duke Yan’s view, Lu Zhang was the dignified Prince Yi and the sole son of the late Consort Zhao, Zhao Bi’s grandson, holding immeasurable nobility.

Not to mention taking a wife or a concubine, even filling a concubine in the household must be chosen with care, only from families of untainted background.

The female shopkeeper from the Headdress and Shoes Workshop was a woman of commerce, albeit from a decent family, considered base and absolutely unfit to be connected with Lu Zhang, lest it become a laughingstock for outsiders.

Thus, Lu Zhang was strictly forbidden to have any further dealings with Gu Lingyun. Subsequently, perhaps realizing Lu Zhang’s preferences, a decision was made to marry him to his wife’s esteemed and well-known cousin.

But no one expected that at this crucial time, the Holy Emperor bestowed a marriage between Lu Zhang and Princess Yan Shu, leading to the subsequent events you know of."

Zhu Yu was suddenly enlightened. So, Lu Zhang’s awkwardness after being teased by Lu Yan wasn’t merely because he was teased about another woman in front of Yan Shu; there were indeed underlying issues!

"Have the matters between Lu Zhang and Gu Lingyun become known throughout the entire Capital?" Zhu Yu asked curiously. "Wouldn’t that mean both he and Duke Yan lost enormous face? But I don’t recall hearing any such rumors after marrying over there?"

"Aside from some rumors among the servants of Duke Mansion and Prince Yi Mansion, the outside world indeed knows little. It’s not exactly a glorious matter, unlikely to create a widespread scandal.

If it had reached such a degree, that old fox Zhao Bi would undoubtedly use every means to silence those in the know."

Zhu Yu nodded knowingly, then couldn’t help but ask, "If that’s the case, how do you know so much about it?

Such an embarrassing matter, with your relationship with Lu Zhang, he certainly wouldn’t tell you proactively."

"Of course not." Lu Qing chuckled. "All of this was told to me by Liu Yueyao."

"Oh..." Zhu Yu nodded with a sudden understanding, then saw Lu Qing staring at her and pushed his face aside a bit. "You don’t have to stare at me like that. I won’t start suspecting you and Liu Yueyao just because I heard about Lu Zhang and Gu Lingyun."

"Oh? Why’s that?" Lu Qing asked with interest, seeing her so calm. "Could it be that I am less appealing in your eyes than Lu Zhang?"

Zhu Yu rolled her eyes secretly, feeling guilty speaking behind someone’s back, she couldn’t help but lower her voice, "Even as a husband, or having a son who has no opinions or judgments like him, I’d probably cry to death.

I don’t doubt you and Liu Yueyao because I’ve seen with my own eyes that Liu Yueyao’s respect for you is more out of awe. She’s somewhat afraid of you, hence always acts cautiously in front of you, fearing any mistakes.

But she must hold someone else in her heart, otherwise, she wouldn’t willingly help you with such tricky things at the Yunyin Pavilion.

Is she perhaps fond of Lu Chao?"

Lu Qing looked at Zhu Yu in surprise, "You’ve only seen those two a few times, yet you could tell?

It took me a long time to notice the clues, and I gently advised Liu Yueyao not to hold such unrealistic hopes and give up early. If she didn’t wish to stay at Yunyin Pavilion, I could secure a future for her to find someone to spend her life with.

But she was unwilling, saying it was enough just to see Lu Chao, not asking for more. I couldn’t persuade her further after that."

"It’s not particularly hard to notice such things. After all, no matter how calm one tries to be, the eyes can’t hide their feelings for someone." Zhu Yu pointed to her eyes.

"I see. Then it seems I should pay more attention to your eyes in the future," Lu Qing replied with a smile, "so as not to miss out on too much affection."

"Shameless..." Zhu Yu glanced at him with a smile, quickening her pace. "Come on, let’s quickly go over there and take a look!"

Lu Qing smiled and followed her as the two weaved through the winding narrow alleys until finally reaching the small courtyard where they had relocated Chang’e Drunk.

As they entered the gate, they saw Yan Daoxin carefully sweeping some black ash-like substance into a wooden box with a small horsehair brush, one hand holding the box. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Upon hearing a noise, Yan Daoxin turned his head warily, only to relax upon seeing Zhu Yu and Lu Qing: "Don’t move! A gust of wind could blow away my treasure!"

"Is that black ash... Chang’e Drunk?" Zhu Yu was startled, "How did this happen at night...?"

"Yes, it’s Chang’e Drunk." Yan Daoxin tried to sigh but held his breath instead, fearing to blow away the black ash in front of him, "When you hurried me back, I rushed back as well, only to find the box already opened and only black ash remaining inside.

I suspect it was singed by being too close to a torch. Not only does this thing react badly to light, but it’s also intolerant to fire."

"If it’s already destroyed, why are you collecting that black ash?" Zhu Yu asked with some confusion.

Yan Daoxin straightened up and smiled at them: "As the saying goes, only the person who tied the bell around the tiger’s neck can untie it. It’s often the same with antidotes; of course, I must carefully keep this rare thing!"