Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 405 - 404: They’re All Gone

Lu Zhang’s subordinates originally didn’t stay in this fortress either. In essence, it was now only missing two people, Lu Zhang and Yan Shu, but after the previous tumult, the Immortal Castle seemed particularly quiet.

Fu Lu and another were guarding the entrance, not moving an inch, fearing that the Fake Castle Master might return while they were resting and cause trouble.

Lu Yan was quite carefree, having chatted with Lu Qing, then went straight back to his original room to sleep deeply.

Zhu Yu lay on the bed all night, her mind filled with various suspicions, those chaotic and uncertain thoughts making her nerves a bit tense, leaving her sleepless.

Next to her, Lu Qing lay quietly, his breathing steady and light, motionless, making it hard to tell if he was asleep or awake.

Zhu Yu several times wanted to call out to him but was worried that at this critical moment, discussing it might only make sleep more elusive and might not even lead to any conclusions.

Suppressing the urge to probe Lu Qing, she tossed and turned for a while until she finally felt a bit drowsy and fell asleep, worrying about whether Yan Shu would have trouble from Lu Zhang upon returning to the capital.

Early the next morning, as usual, Zhu Yu got up, and Lu Qing was already gone. After tidying up, she went out, and Fu Lu was still there on guard.

"Have you been standing guard all night?" Zhu Yu asked, noticing Fu Lu’s already scruffy face looking even more haggard after these past few days of turmoil. She felt a bit sorry, "It’s broad daylight now; nothing will happen. You and your brother should take the chance to rest!"

"Second Lord, it’s no trouble. My brother and I are like horses; we can sleep standing up!" Fu Lu grinned, "No need to worry about us!"

Seeing Zhu Yu looking around, he quickly added, "The lord has gone to see Third Prince off. They left some time ago, and my brother went along. Don’t worry; they should be back soon."

"Lu Yan has left?" Zhu Yu was a bit surprised. Although last night when Lu Qing and Lu Yan talked, they mentioned that to avoid unnecessary trouble, Lu Yan shouldn’t linger and should return to his fief soon. She didn’t expect that right after mentioning it, Lu Yan would set off at dawn.

Since it was Lu Yan, and Rune was accompanying him, Zhu Yu wasn’t concerned about Lu Qing having any problems, so she went to the courtyard to continue practicing the self-defense moves Lu Qing had taught before.

However, perhaps because during morning exercises Yan Shu was often accompanying her, either cracking the whip or practicing together, suddenly losing that presence beside her left Zhu Yu feeling somewhat empty.

Indeed, it’s easy to go from frugal to extravagant, but not vice versa!

Since arriving in this world, in the Prince Shuo Mansion’s backyard, her sisters around her, with the legitimate daughter Zhu Ning being bossy and the other concubine’s daughters all timid and afraid, fearing that the slightest indiscretion would draw Pang Family’s displeasure, they hardly dared to get close. Except for when Zhu Cheng took everyone hunting and outing, they’d seldom gather.

Zhu Yu usually found things to do alone to kill time, with no one for company, which seemed perfectly normal to her.

Unexpectedly meeting Yan Shu, a straightforward and vibrant sister, the two hit it off, chattering away happily, yet she was Lu Zhang’s wife, and their friendship couldn’t last long.

Even though she knew separation was inevitable, and whether there’d be another chance to meet again was uncertain, parting truly brought about a quite unpleasant feeling of loss.

Zhu Yu didn’t feel energized, so she simply sat on a stone nearby, staring absent-mindedly at the dry pond.

When Lu Qing returned, he saw Zhu Yu sitting on a big rock in a daze, enveloped in the soft morning light, yet appearing quite melancholic.

Lu Qing walked over gently, stood beside her, casting his shadow over Zhu Yu’s head, shielding her completely within it.

The suddenly appearing shadow finally caught Zhu Yu’s attention; she turned her head and saw Lu Qing had returned. She naturally patted the stone beside her.

Lu Qing then sat down beside her.

"Why are you daydreaming here so early instead of practicing?" Lu Qing reached out to touch the fringe of Zhu Yu’s hair, finding it dry, and her forehead wasn’t damp at all, unlike the aftermath of exercise.

"I wonder how far Yan Shu has gotten..." Zhu Yu sighed, looking up at the sky and then turned to Lu Qing, asking, "With your understanding of Lu Zhang, he really wouldn’t trouble Yan Shu, would he?

Or, if Duke Yan finds out Yan Shu ran away secretly, would he incite Lu Zhang to punish Yan Shu?

From previous dealings, Lu Zhang doesn’t seem to have a mind of his own!"

"His mind indeed isn’t firm, but over the years, he’s always tried to prove to his overbearing grandfather that he’s not that incapable.

So for his own reputation, he wouldn’t let Duke Yan know that Princess Yan Shu ran away privately.

Moreover..."

"Moreover what?" Zhu Yu asked curiously. She felt that Lu Qing wasn’t someone to deliberately keep secrets about such matters; his expression seemed to suggest he wasn’t sure how to put it best.

Lu Qing hesitated for a moment: "From various reactions of Lu Zhang lately, it was evident his initial coldness towards Princess Yan Shu was due to some unfounded rumors and preconceived notions.

When he truly met Princess Yan Shu in person, I thought he seemed to have a rather good impression of her.

Maybe...even more than just good."

Zhu Yu didn’t hide her exaggerated roll of her eyes, the overt display of disdain even made Lu Qing chuckle.

"He presumptuously imagined her as a burly, rough-voiced woman warrior and confined her to the side courtyard, leaving her to the whims of the insolent servants to mistreat and neglect Yan Shu.

Then he found out she was a vibrant, charming beauty and couldn’t take his eyes off her.

So what is Yan Shu? Someone to summon and dismiss at will just to please him?!" Zhu Yu let out a snort. She had always been restrained in her attitude toward Lu Zhang, but after hearing Lu Qing’s words, she couldn’t hold back, "Even if Yan Shu isn’t some great beauty, does that mean she deserved to be treated that way?

He married Yan Shu unwillingly, but was Yan Shu overjoyed to marry him?

Both of them were not in control of their situations, yet he wallowed in self-pity, venting his grievances on the girl, without the slightest thought of mutual respect and love.

I don’t see him having feelings for Yan Shu after meeting her as something worth rejoicing for Yan Shu!"