Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 505 - 504: Threat

Lu Qing’s brows were tightly furrowed, as if contemplating how much truth there was in the words of the Fake Castle Master.

And from his reaction, Zhu Yu could roughly guess that at least part of the statement had been accurate. Lu Qing must have tried every method to investigate, but each attempt had been blocked, leaving the past events unable to be traced.

Zhu Yu silently observed the Fake Castle Master. In the past, she could handle a severely decomposed corpse without any expression, let alone a mere disfigured face.

No matter how grim or terrifying the face, seeing it multiple times rendered it ineffective in scaring her.

She wanted to discern some clues from the Fake Castle Master’s face, to detect signs of the elaborate stories he had fabricated to deceive Lu Qing.

The story of Lu Qing’s family being tragically wiped out overnight was, no matter who told it to him, an inevitable source of sorrow, destined to be painful. Yet Zhu Yu disliked hearing it from the mouth of the Fake Castle Master, whose identity and intentions were unclear.

Moreover, a person like the Fake Castle Master, known for committing all sorts of misdeeds with ruthless and inhumane methods, even if he did know the truth, recounting the history of Lu Qing’s grandfather and father seemed like a desecration of the deceased.

However, the Fake Castle Master’s expression was very calm and natural. At least in Zhu Yu’s eyes, he did not appear to be bluffing or setting the stage for a tale but genuinely knew something and was sure what he knew could control Lu Qing.

Lu Qing remained silent, seemingly conflicted. The Fake Castle Master did not press him, patiently waiting for him to speak.

The talisman couldn’t help but look back at Lu Qing with some worry.

For a moment, the strange house of the High Priest was silent, even with five living people inside, it felt as empty as if there was no one.

After a long while, Lu Qing finally spoke, his tone still carrying a hint of doubt as he asked the Fake Castle Master: "What do you know about the events of those years?"

The moment Lu Qing spoke, the Fake Castle Master’s facial muscles relaxed, and he broke into a grin: "Yes! If you want to know, just ask directly!

I came all this way just to be honest with you, for us to speak without reservation!

You should know that when Emperor Jin was still a prince, the late Emperor had intentions to support someone else, and the various ministers had their own plans, which led to the bloody battle for succession back then.

Your grandfather, along with your father and your clansmen, achieved magnificent feats following Emperor Jin on this path.

When the situation was settled, your grandfather was just a step away from immense wealth and glory.

It was precisely because of their integrity that they incurred disaster for themselves and their clan."

Zhu Yu felt disgusted with the Fake Castle Master, yet couldn’t help but want to learn the truth of past events from his retelling, making her emotions complex.

Lu Qing merely furrowed his brows without speaking, his face showing no further expression, quietly listening to the Fake Castle Master’s words.

"By that time, Emperor Jin had basically secured the throne but needed to wait for an auspicious day to perform the ascending ceremony.

After fighting his way through life and death, fraught with danger, Emperor Jin was not exactly broad-minded or benevolent. Once the grand plan was realized and victory was secured, he naturally wanted to vent his accumulated grievances.

The prince who opposed him the fiercest had died in battle, but several half-brothers remained, all of whom had chosen to support or follow that other prince.

Emperor Jin had harbored resentment against them for a long time and, incited by those with ulterior motives, planned to order their execution as a warning to others.

However, your grandfather and father disagreed, believing that they should be deprived of military power and sent to distant territories, where their every move would be monitored. As long as they had no disloyal thoughts, they should be allowed to live in peace without worries.

Your grandfather believed those princes had merely opposed Emperor Jin but did not commit any heinous crimes or pose a direct threat to his life. Killing one’s own royal brothers would not be an act of a benevolent ruler.

Even at the worst, if the grudge could not be swallowed, the most severe action would be demoting them to commoners, provided they no longer posed a threat. There was no need to insist on beheading them.

He joined several ministers to strongly oppose it, arguing strenuously, even threatening to resign and retire to the countryside.

With his new power unstable, Emperor Jin dared not err. If his loyal ministers from the campaign all retired, public opinion would condemn him as ungrateful. So reluctantly, he compromised and did not order the execution of his brothers.

Yet, from that incident on, a thorn remained in Emperor Jin’s heart, realizing that while his supporting ministers were aligned with him, their voices seemed a bit too loud on matters where they disagreed with his intentions."

The Fake Castle Master paused, glancing at Lu Qing, then suddenly raised his hand.

The talisman immediately gripped the sword and stepped forward.

But the Fake Castle Master did not intend to attack, merely pointing at Lu Qing: "Among them, your grandfather’s clan stood out.

Others simply relied on their achievements from following him, giving them face, but ultimately they were still subjects; even with courage, they wouldn’t dare overstep too much.

Your family, however, was different.

Being of the Lu family, a royal bloodline, even if a collateral branch, made you prominent compared to ordinary people, markedly different.

Your grandfather and father were respected figures in court; many old ministers, uncertain of their allegiance, followed suit only because of your family.

So how would you view such kin?

A noble royal bloodline with integrity, benevolence, unmatched achievements in placing the Emperor on the throne, and a following of willing ministers.

Yet, such a person now held opposing views with the newly seated Emperor, forcing compromise.

If you were Emperor Jin, what would you think?"