Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 532 - 531: None of My Business

His sudden remark not only startled Lu Zhang, but even Zhu Yu and Yan Shu beside him fell silent, casting a somewhat surprised look at the two of them.

"Brother, you can’t speak like that." Lu Zhang was taken aback. He didn’t quite understand why, when earlier in Shuo Land and Lan Country, the two of them seemed to get along fairly well, Lu Qing didn’t seem to harbor any resentment towards him because of his maternal grandfather.

Why does the conversation sound a bit strange this time?

Could it be related to the unpleasant way they parted after returning from Lan Country?

Or is it that even though Lu Qing has been away from the Capital for so long, he’s already heard about certain things...?

Thinking of this, Lu Zhang felt a bit guilty. After a brief struggle, remembering Lu Qing’s previous frankness and sincerity towards him outside, and seeing his current imprisoned and embarrassed state, he finally decided to speak the truth.

"Brother, are you upset with me?" he sighed softly, crouched down, and lowered his voice to speak to Lu Qing, who was sitting by the prison gate leaning against the bars, "Did you hear that I let go of the so-called spies that Lu Yan captured that day?"

Lu Qing didn’t respond, as if he hadn’t heard, lowering his eyelids, an expression on his face that made it impossible to guess his emotions.

This lack of response made Lu Zhang even more uneasy, so he quickly said, "This has nothing to do with me; I can swear by heaven.

I still regret that matter to this day. At the time, Lu Yan refused to hand over the prisoners to me, and I should have given up on that plan.

As a result, because I insisted on bringing the people back to the Capital for questioning, and you allowed it, halfway through the journey, our group was drugged, we slept for a long time, and when we woke up, nothing was missing except the death of those whom Lu Yan had captured.

I immediately ordered a search in all directions, but found no trace of the perpetrators.

The journey back was long and carrying so many corpses was impractical, so we had to bury them in place for rest.

After returning, I told my maternal grandfather and asked him to send people back to check the corpses, but at that time, he was also overwhelmed with General Cao’s issues, so the matter was temporarily put aside.

But I didn’t intend to let it go just like that. I intended to gather people later to dig them up again..."

"Dig them up again, but they might have already decomposed," Zhu Yu couldn’t help but remind Lu Zhang at this point.

Lu Zhang’s face flushed red in an instant, and after a brief struggle, he decided to pretend he hadn’t heard Zhu Yu’s words.

Zhu Yu didn’t mind much, as this result was already within Lu Qing and her expectations. If those people hadn’t died and had been tried thoroughly, she would have been truly shocked.

After a moment of silence, when Lu Zhang was almost impatient, Lu Qing finally looked at him and smiled faintly, "So, it seems His Highness Prince Yi really trusts his grandfather, Duke Yan.

I originally thought His Highness Prince Yi was actually a smart person. Even if he understood many things, he was involuntarily involved.

I also thought that after experiencing those outside events, His Highness should have been alerted.

Now it seems I overthought it.

In that case, this Shackles Prison is not a decent place. His Highness Prince Yi’s visit is appreciated, but I won’t keep you longer, lest it be spread around, harming your reputation and displeasing Duke Yan."

"Brother, being imprisoned here, I understand your discomfort. But please, when Father summons you, don’t speak like this, lest you dishearten him, which does you no good.

Even if you don’t think for yourself, think for your sister-in-law, will you?" Lu Zhang, feeling uncomfortable from Lu Qing’s words, had to swallow his unease and advise him kindly.

"Your Highness need not worry. Family is family, outsiders are outsiders.

I’ve been excluded from the start, and surely His Majesty knows this better than you do, so he wouldn’t be disheartened by such a fact." Lu Qing smirked mockingly, "When titles and offices were granted, you were either Prince Xu, Prince Yi, or Prince Shu, and I was Prince Xiaoyao.

Each of you had responsibilities, even Lu Yan, who repeatedly made mistakes by impulsively executing prisoners, still held military power.

And me? I was just a useless Prince Xiaoyao in the Capital.

Even with marriage, it was the same; your marriage partners were either the most favored Commandery Princesses of a powerful vassal state or a descendant of a scholarly family.

And me, though seemingly allied with a Vassal King, it was actually selected for someone with no backing at all for me."

"Brother!" Lu Zhang widened his eyes in shock at Lu Qing, then quickly glanced at the silent Zhu Yu beside him, "Regardless, this should not be said in front of sister-in-law!

Besides... if you care about responsibilities, you should ask Father for them! Perhaps Father always believed you liked a life without being burdened by duties..."

"So tasks, if I ask, he’ll give them?" Lu Qing asked.

"Why not?" Lu Zhang said, then felt he might have spoken too confidently and quickly added, "If you truly have that intention, once this matter is resolved, you can ask Father for a chance to make amends.

Then... I’ll also help you speak to Father, and he will surely give you an opportunity!"

Zhu Yu glanced up and saw his expression was genuinely earnest, and he had made a great effort to decide on speaking for Lu Qing later.

However, it’s clear Lu Qing wasn’t particularly appreciative of Lu Zhang’s determination, and he merely smiled mockingly at his words.

"Forget it. His Highness Prince Yi should focus on protecting himself right now.

This time, I’ve been framed and accused of plotting against a Vassal King. Even if the death penalty can be avoided, punishment cannot, so in that situation, don’t just think of helping me claim responsibilities, but you might need to follow your grandfather’s wishes and keep away from me to avoid being implicated.

Can you really go against Duke Yan’s wishes?" Lu Qing smiled, speaking to Lu Zhang in a teasing tone.