Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 524 - 523: Brother, You’ve Suffered

Zhu Yu tossed and turned all night without figuring out the troubling questions, but it didn’t affect much because in the days that followed, aside from the constables of the Shackles Prison delivering food to them punctually, nothing else happened.

The Emperor Jin did not summon anyone to mention them, as if they were forgotten after being left there.

Yan Daoxin, apart from eating daily, would just sit in meditation with his eyes closed, not uttering a word.

Zhu Yu didn’t know what was wrong with him. Ever since she knew him, she had never seen Yan Daoxin be so silent.

But in such a situation, she couldn’t speak to Lu Qing, so she only kept her doubts inside.

Another day passed, and the usually quiet Shackles Prison suddenly became lively. The constables, who rarely showed up except for meal deliveries, now reverently surrounded several people approaching Lu Qing’s cell.

In the center, like a star surrounded by a moon, was the Seventh Prince, Lu Ze, whom they hadn’t seen in a long time.

Zhu Yu had only seen him twice; the first time was at Great General Cao Tianbao’s birthday, and the second was at Lu Zhang’s wedding. Both Lu Qing and Lu Ze fell ill consecutively, and neither attended Lu Zhang’s wedding banquet. Lu Ze came to visit Lu Qing.

Among the grown-up princes, he was the youngest. His looks took after Princess Consort Duan and differed from his brothers, having a more exotic appearance, making him more memorable.

The previous two times Zhu Yu saw Lu Ze, he appeared carefree and inexperienced, his mannerisms hovering between a boy and a grown man.

But today, he seemed worried and anxious.

"Brother, you must have suffered these past days!" As soon as he saw Lu Qing, he edged closer to the cell bars, examining Lu Qing from head to toe, "You look much more haggard than before!

Before you said you wanted to travel, I thought you were just roaming around Jin Country, sightseeing. Who would have thought you went to Fan Country!

I’ve heard the place is dangerous and miserable. Why would you go there for no reason, only to bring trouble upon yourself?"

Lu Qing smiled at him, "It seems you already know the ins and outs of this matter, which saves me a lot of explaining.

Just the thought of being questioned by you makes my head ache slightly."

"Brother, you really have a wide heart! Given the situation, you still have the mood to tease me!" Lu Ze seemed quite anxious, but catching the side glance of the people behind him, he impatiently waved them off, "Go down! All of you leave!

We need to talk for a while, and don’t want a crowd around us listening!

Hurry and get busy with what you should be doing!"

The constables of the Shackles Prison knew well that Lu Ze was the most favored by Emperor Jin among all the princes, and his mother, Princess Consort Duan, was the most favored concubine in the imperial harem.

Among all the grown-up princes who have been conferred titles and opened their mansions, only he has the privilege of entering the palace anytime he wishes.

So, as soon as Lu Ze spoke, they did not hesitate to agree respectfully and quickly turned away, not lingering for fear of angering the young Prince Shu.

However, the two attendants who came with Lu Ze stood there without moving.

Lu Ze frowned and glared at them, "What? Didn’t I include you two when I spoke?! Aren’t you going to stand by the side quietly instead of sticking around here?! Are you rooted to this spot?!"

I’m talking with my brother, why are you standing here listening?!"

The younger servant of the two was so startled by Lu Ze’s rebuke that he shivered, wanting to step back, but seeing the other attendant unmoved, he didn’t dare; his face full of indecision.

The elder one, looking over forty, was small and thin, with small eyes and nose. Because of his age, his cheeks were sagging slightly. Though his appearance was unremarkable, he stood there with a stubborn expression.

"Prince, Princess Consort Duan said we must follow you wherever you go, ensuring you’re not alone. If anything goes amiss, she’ll have our heads." He smiled at Lu Ze, "Prince, you go ahead; we’ll just stand here. We won’t bother you..."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Ze had already raised his foot and kicked him.

Expecting the attendant to dodge, he was surprised when the man didn’t move; Lu Ze’s kick landed solidly on his hip bone, knocking him sideways to the ground.

The young servant was so frightened that he shivered, instinctively wanting to help, but seeing Lu Ze’s anger, he dared not move.

"It’s outrageous! Have you forgotten who’s the master?! Am I an ignorant child needing you to follow me every day?!

Now you’ve learned to use my mother’s words against me?!

If you prefer listening to my mother and not my orders, then next time in the palace, you should just be castrated and stay by her side as eunuchs to serve her!"

Hearing this, the young servant shivered, rushing to help the older man up, and neither dared to speak further, retreating obediently.

After scolding his two attendants and kicking one, Lu Ze was still fuming, taking several deep breaths before calming down somewhat.

"Brother, putting everything else aside, you may need to endure a bit longer here," he said to Lu Qing after calming himself, "Father has been ill recently, even canceling court meetings, seeing no one, and resting all day, with the Pharmacy Bureau helping with treatment.

I’ve attempted to see Father these past days, but he hasn’t allowed it. I wanted to plead on your behalf but couldn’t even see him. I’m worried yet helpless, so I just came to see how you’re faring here.

The usual elegant brother is now in such a haggard state, which makes my heart uncomfortable!

But don’t worry, Brother, although I can’t see Father, before I came I already asked for my mother’s help. She’s attending to Father day and night, and I asked her to say good words for you when Father feels well and in a good mood, hoping to calm his anger.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of this situation, at least you should be released from this Shackles Prison first!

This is no place for a prince to be!