Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 381 - 380: Borrowing the Waist Card

"When the others return from outside tonight, let’s not light the incense left by that Fake Castle Master. We don’t know what purpose that incense serves, and those people have been holding on without eating or drinking while still going out to work; something is bound to happen sooner or later."

Yan Daoxin turned to Lu Qing and said, "Therefore, I’ll get some medicine pills later. When those people return tonight, we’ll let them take it. They won’t wake up for a day or two.

This way, it gives me time to think about how to concoct antidotes for their hot soup and seductive fragrance. It also helps reduce their consumption and minimizes damage to their bodies."

"Alright, we’ll follow your plan."

"Your pills can dissolve in water, right?" Zhu Yu asked Yan Daoxin. "We should minimize variables as much as possible now, so if the pills can dissolve in water, we can disguise ourselves as those delivering hot soup, let them drink it naturally, identical to the usual process. This way, we won’t have to worry about accidentally waking up those villagers when administering the medicine; if they really go mad or die, it’d all be for naught."

"Of course, they can! Your idea is good— go with the flow and let those people drink the medicine!" Yan Daoxin agreed with Zhu Yu’s suggestion and stepped upstairs. "I’ll go prepare the medicine right now, dissolve it ahead of time, and when those people return, we’ll ’deliver hot soup’!"

After Yan Daoxin left, Fu Lu returned after a while, informing Lu Qing that they had locked the old steward very appropriately in a small courtyard, sealed his mute acupoint, without any danger to his life, and there’s no need to worry about him shouting and disturbing others.

Lu Qing nodded in satisfaction and looked at Lu Yan and Lu Zhang, "You all heard clearly what the old steward just said.

According to past customs, that Fake Castle Master might return at any time, so it’s time we switch our personnel inside.

Fu Lu, how about the processing of those guards’ clothes?"

"Rest assured, Sir. When we fed them pills and tied them up, I stripped off their outer robes, tied them with a bundle, and gave them to the brothers on the promised side to change into. This way, they’ll be less noticeable on their return."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan retrieved his waist card from his embrace and handed it to Fu Wen, who was nearest to him.

"Third Prince..." Fu Wen could roughly guess Lu Yan’s intention, but with the importance of the matter, without Lu Qing’s indication, he dared not accept it and only stood there obediently, questioning Lu Yan’s exact wishes in an uncertain tone.

"What are you staring at? Take it!" Lu Yan felt that Fu Wen was usually quite sharp and clever; how could he hesitate now? He continued to pass the card to Fu Wen, saying, "Although the people in Immortal Castle have been temporarily defeated, bringing the troops over from the camp is no big deal—someone carrying my waist card will suffice.

We still need to leave several reliable people here, just in case of any unforeseen accidents."

He pointed to Zhu Yu and Yan Shu, "These two together are not lesser than me, so I remain here for steadiness.

Bind those clothes on the horse’s back and take my waist card alone to bring people over. We’ll stay here, ensuring there’s no possibility of unexpected incidents at Immortal Castle."

Fu Wen glanced at Lu Qing, saw him nod slightly, and then respectfully accepted the waist card with both hands, saluting Lu Yan: "Understood!"

Lu Yan nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on Lu Zhang beside him, "Does Second Brother have anything to say?"

Lu Zhang had already shown a surprised expression when Lu Yan took out his waist card, but quickly masked his astonishment. After Lu Yan gave instructions to Fu Wen, seeing that he indeed called upon him, Lu Zhang feigned calmness and smiled at the others.

"There are so many troops in the two camps; if Fu Wen goes alone to lead them, it might not be suitable—it’s hard to manage, and nobody can support him." He looked at Fu Wen and turned to Lu Qing, who could make decisions, "So it’s better if I return with Fu Wen to gather the troops, which would be more reliable."

His words were quite self-righteous, with a demeanor of supreme calm.

However, upon hearing this, Lu Yan immediately issued a disdainful sneer, which almost caused Lu Zhang’s supposedly stable expression to crack open, making his eyes slightly flicker.

Yan Shu slightly frowned, glanced at Lu Zhang, then shifted her gaze elsewhere.

Lu Qing maintained a calm expression, as if unaware of each person’s individual thoughts and intentions, and nodded at Lu Zhang: "Then I’ll have to trouble Second Prince with this task."

Lu Zhang gave him a grin, nodding, uncertain whether it was gratitude for not exposing his little schemes or joy that Lu Qing didn’t dispute with him over the matter, respecting his wishes.

He promptly signaled Fu Wen to set off with him. Fu Wen, with a tinge of helplessness in his eyes but no significant expression on his face, respectfully responded and left with Lu Zhang.

"Judging others by oneself," Lu Yan coldly snorted, watching Lu Zhang’s departing back.

"Third Brother worked hard just now, and will have to organize and lead troops later on. Why not take this time to rest for a moment?" Lu Qing smiled at Lu Yan, motioning towards his body and head. "Your subordinates haven’t seen you for a long time; it wouldn’t be right to appear like this."

Lu Yan lowered his head, seeing that somehow he had gotten blood from overpowering those Protectors earlier on his robe front.

Although being a military general meant not being overly concerned with minor details, what Lu Qing said made sense; who wouldn’t want to maintain a dignified and heroic figure before their subordinates?

So, he temporarily dropped the topic of belittling Lu Zhang, nodded, and went to his room to find clean clothes to change into.

Seeing Lu Yan leave, Yan Shu also pinched Zhu Yu’s arm on the side: "As for what we discussed just now, tell Lu Qing yourself. I feel awkward with my presence here."

After saying that, she hurried off, leaving Zhu Yu and a somewhat puzzled Lu Qing.

"What happened to Princess Yan Shu?" Lu Qing quietly asked, "Do you have something to tell me?"

Indeed, Zhu Yu understood Yan Shu’s awkwardness as she didn’t deal much with Lu Qing, and from her status, she was Lu Zhang’s wife, making the situation indeed somewhat strange.

"Let’s head upstairs; there’s something I need to show you." She glanced around and gestured toward the small building, indicating to Lu Qing.