Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 449 - 448: Crossdressing

While they were talking, Lu Qing suddenly gave him a signal.

Yan Daoxin immediately understood, realizing there must be something around worth noting or being cautious about, so he closed his conversation and continued riding forward as if nothing was amiss.

Not far ahead, six or seven riders approached, all dressed in coarse gray or black clothes with narrow sleeves, in a short attire.

Simply judging from their attire, they could be hunters, woodcutters, or farmers, without anything seeming off.

But looking at their burly stature and the fierce gleam in their eyes, it was easy to see that these people were definitely not ordinary farmers or woodcutters.

The riders came directly toward them, and upon spotting Lu Qing and others, they cast their gaze over.

Strangely enough, among the five, especially in such a remote and isolated place, the most conspicuous should be Fu Lu, due to his towering and burly physique, looking fierce, a formidable presence hard to conceal.

Alternatively, Lu Qing also needed to suppress his own sharpness.

Yet those men, coming head-on, merely glanced lightly at them, but scrutinized Yan Daoxin and Zhu Yu more closely, observing them as they passed without any sense of avoidance.

Yan Daoxin wasn’t bothered by being scrutinized; his appearance, regardless of being male or female, would attract a few extra glances, whether shy or candid, he’s used to it, remaining calm.

Zhu Yu, although appearing composed, seemingly unfazed by the stares, felt an inexplicable unease, sensing a connection between these men and the absence of young women and wives encountered along the journey.

Being scrutinized deeply unsettled her inside.

Fortunately, encountering no women on the way made her and Lu Qing already vigilant; Zhu Yu tightened her chest wrap further, and Lu Qing specially arranged a high-collared inner garment for her, covering her neck, hiding any Adam’s apple.

Despite these measures, they still felt insecure, so two days earlier when staying at a county inn, Lu Qing skillfully attached a small fake Adam’s apple to Zhu Yu’s neck.

The fake apple wasn’t large, as a larger one is easy to expose; matched with Zhu Yu’s apprentice-like attire, which fits a youth likely lacking a prominent apple, appearing harmonious.

Having that made Zhu Yu slightly more at ease, suppressing the pounding chest, following obediently behind Lu Qing.

Luckily, those men, after scrutinizing her and Yan Daoxin thoroughly, did not stop them in passing but disdainfully looked away, fastened their pace by spurring the horses.

So, it seems, they indeed suspected her and Yan Daoxin of female-to-male disguise traveling, hence the persistent scrutiny? Zhu Yu speculated, disappointed they couldn’t detect anything, perhaps despising these two "male face with feminine features?"

In broad daylight, so blatantly exposed, what background do these people have?

"What do you think those were?" After ensuring the men were long gone, unlikely to retrace their steps, Zhu Yu finally asked Lu Qing.

"Guards," Lu Qing replied with certainty, "Ordinary governmental officials and soldiers wouldn’t have such brash arrogance.

These men are likely guards of someone very influential."

Zhu Yu furrowed her brows, her face reflecting increased concern.

Seeing this, Lu Qing assumed she was scared by the recent event and comforted her, "Don’t worry, although those men seem strong and fierce, in a real fight, they wouldn’t match us; you needn’t fear, no one will lay a finger on you."

"Not about that, I’m contemplating why we haven’t seen even elderly women; it seems people like them are common, roaming around, keeping the people of Fan in panic day and night.

This must have been ongoing for long, urging women to hide more secretively, avoiding buying anything, even necessities, fearing exposure."

After speaking, she suddenly realized she overlooked Lu Qing’s comfort, and added, "With you, I indeed feel safe from anything happening to me.

But managing to go unnoticed is best, as we don’t wish to stir up trouble now."

Lu Qing looked at her, laughing, tapped her head, like a doctor instructing a young apprentice, "I’m compelled by circumstances, making me thorough in speech and action.

Your caution with others is good, but with me, no need to be overly meticulous, leaving nothing to chance."

Zhu Yu laughed too, since witnessing her father, Zhu Cheng’s, treatment toward her in Shuo Country, even after Zhu Cheng learned his lesson and changed his attitude significantly improving their relationship, Lu Qing still seemed to hold grudges.

The group continued for another hour, passing a village, and when passing a farmhouse’s yard, Zhu Yu spotted a child standing at the entrance, probably six or seven years old, holding something.

"Are you thirsty?" Zhu Yu turned to ask the others, "Should we ask for a drink?"

Lu Qing followed her gaze, and immediately spotted what the child held.

A bundle of light goose-yellow, distinctly a dress worn by women.

This was the first women’s garment they saw since entering Fan Country, and though elsewhere it’d be ordinary, here it seemed rare due to prior experiences.

"Now that you mention it, my throat feels parched like a desert!" Yan Daoxin clasped his throat, exaggerating suffering from thirst.

Lu Qing, somewhat speechless at Yan Daoxin’s theatrics, shook his head and nodded towards Fu Wen.