Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 384 - 383: The True Purpose

Previously, Lu Qing would have definitely asked Zhu Yu to join in such matters, as that silver whistle was always worn around her neck.

But this time, Zhu Yu could only watch Fu Lu leave with a bit of unease in her heart.

Originally, they did not dare to act rashly because they didn’t know if there were other ambushes outside the Immortal Castle. Even when the old steward begged for mercy and told them everything he knew, no one could guarantee that he was telling the truth.

At that time, there weren’t enough people, making it impossible to go out and check directly. Now, there are enough people, but those left outside are all under Lu Zhang.

Though Lu Zhang hadn’t shown any signs of threat recently and his every action revealed his lack of ambition and decisive character, the shadow of Duke Yan still lingered behind him, so they couldn’t let their guard down.

Therefore, Lu Qing arranged for Fu Lu to go out under the guise of delivering clothes to Lu Zhang’s subordinates that were warm and easy to conceal. In reality, he used this opportunity to find out where these people were hiding, making it easier to avoid them later. Moreover, Fu Lu could also seize this chance to hand over two letters to the Shadow Guard.

If the Shadow Guard had been lurking around here recently.

Carrying a belly full of uncertainties, Zhu Yu nervously followed Lu Qing, watching him instruct Lu Yan’s men to help Yan Daoxin act as little servants delivering hot soup. After the villagers returned, Yan Daoxin distributed "hot soup" door to door.

In no time, after drinking the "hot soup," the villagers fell into a deep sleep, unaware that Lu Yan’s soldiers were carrying them away to a designated place and taking off their outer garments to put on themselves.

Thus, the soldiers who didn’t receive the Protector’s robes wore the villagers’ clothes to avoid exposing any flaws should the mysterious Fake Castle Master suddenly return.

"Prince, if we replace the villagers tomorrow and go to work in the fields, won’t we be exposed? We’re all new faces!" a leading Centurion asked worriedly as he tied his hemp clothes with a cloth belt.

"No worries, those villagers were captured to work; they’ll be starved and overworked quickly. So each of them is as new as you said, without any flaw." Lu Qing shook his head, responding patiently without putting on airs before the Centurion.

The Centurion felt at ease upon hearing this, promptly clasped his hands in acknowledgment, and called his men to find a place to rest temporarily, awaiting orders to "do farm work" the next day.

"Also instruct the Second Prince’s men," Lu Qing said to Lu Zhang after ensuring there were no objections from Lu Yan’s men. "Even though we’re outside the Immortal Castle, we must not be careless or abandon our duties. If anything happens, whether it’s collaborating from inside and outside, catching the enemy like a turtle in a jar, or coordinating to send messages, it must serve its purpose."

Lu Zhang nodded hurriedly in an uneasy manner.

Though Lu Qing spoke calmly, he was sternly reminding him that everyone was aware of Lu Zhang’s little tricks, knowing full well and not exposing them only for the sake of brotherhood.

So it’s fine not to bring his people in for assignments, but they shouldn’t stand idle outside; they must do their part if they are to take any banner or title.

Late at night, Fu Lu returned, telling Lu Qing that the small silver tube had been handed to the Shadow Guard, and he gave Lu Qing a familiar Mechanical Box.

The letter inside the Mechanical Box was written by Lu Chao. It wasn’t long, succinctly updating Lu Qing on his current situation.

Over this period, Lu Chao had gathered a group of young guests with foresight and insight, and the relationship between Lu Jun and Lu Chao had shown optimistic signs of improvement. However, Lu Jun remained extremely cautious and, despite the apparent change in attitude, hadn’t fully accepted yet.

Lu Chao also informed Lu Qing that in the place where Situ Jing was relocated, he had already begun to showcase his abilities, clearly organizing the local military discipline.

He himself seemed not to harbor resentment towards being demoted and continued to work diligently.

However, his father and brothers seemed unable to take it as well. Word spread that they held considerable discontent, openly and secretly, against the "Golden-faced Imperial Censor" and were dissatisfied with the Emperor Jin for ignoring the contributions and hardships of the Situ family and treating the Situ family members too harshly.

These matters, after all, are unspeakable yet understandable through tacit understanding.

The Situ family, with its long-standing cunning, naturally hadn’t openly said anything. Others inferred their sentiments from some of their behaviors and attitudes.

Lu Chao also received news that the Emperor Jin recently seemed not as healthy as before, having several instances of discomfort, one time nearly collapsing in the court, frightening the ministers greatly.

Fortunately, after some efforts by the Imperial Attendant of the palace, the Emperor Jin recovered quickly and suffered no serious harm.

Lu Qing handed the letter to Zhu Yu to have a look, then asked Fu Lu, "What’s the situation outside?"

"The Shadow Guard hasn’t dared to take any rash actions around here, but according to his observations, nothing unusual has occurred," Fu Lu cautiously told Lu Qing. "There’s one thing, though, I specifically asked him.

The Shadow Guard, while secretly following us in this area, hasn’t seen any sign of the Chifu Guard."

Zhu Yu looked up from the letter and glanced at Lu Qing.

Since entering Shuo Land, the Chifu Guard had not appeared, and now, having come to Lan Country, they still hadn’t caught up.

It’s worth noting that even Lu Yan could come and go freely around here, so how could the Chifu Guard, under Emperor Jin, fail to follow due to border restrictions?

Lu Chao and Lu Qing’s "shadows" still managed to stay nearby, yet the "Shadow God" secretly trained by Emperor Jin for many years had disappeared.

If before, Zhu Yu had only been speculating about Emperor Jin’s intentions without confident evidence, now she felt the situation had become clear enough to understand.

Perhaps from beginning to end, Lu Qing had always been a tool and pawn for Emperor Jin, and this hadn’t truly changed even till now.

However, it seemed they all misjudged Emperor Jin’s true objective in using Lu Qing as a tool in the past.