Chapter 246: Chapter 245: There Are Still Those Who Know

“No way.” Lu Qing interrupted Zhu Yu before she could finish speaking, expressing his opposition. His brow slightly furrowed, full of disapproval, “Your father isn’t crucial enough for us to require you to pay such a high price for this alliance.”

Zhu Yu found his words rather amusing.

A few months ago, she was just a small concubine’s daughter in the Prince Shuo Mansion with no more presence than a fleeting wind, and most of the time she couldn’t even see her exalted father.

Now, several months later, even the alliance with the mighty Prince Shuo could not weigh more than a bit of her blood.

“I only mentioned offering blood, didn’t say it had to be mine.” Zhu Yu glanced at Lu Qing and whispered, “With such great talisman skills, can’t we just get some chicken blood?”

“Exactly, I don’t believe your father can tell the difference between chicken blood and human blood!” Yan Daoxin exclaimed, clearly delighted by this cunning idea. Watching Zhu Yu, he felt their synergy grow stronger, making her seem increasingly agreeable.

Turning to Lu Qing beside them, he quickly pointed at him: “You shouldn’t say things like ’even so, a cut is still necessary!’ Big executives won’t die from a little cut, don’t be so fussy.”

Lu Qing glared at him and spoke to Zhu Yu: “Madam’s plan is indeed clever, let us go with it.

However, since your father can now realize from this event that Pang Family might be tampering with the medicine, what do you think his reaction will be?”

“Perhaps, for a short period, you’ll see no reaction.” Zhu Yu shook her head, “My father’s character is such that he would first try to find evidence to prove that this has nothing to do with the Pang Family.”

Even Yan Daoxin beside her furrowed his brow upon hearing this.

“For over twenty years, the tangled interests between the Zhu Family and the Pang Family have been deeply entwined, not easily severable.

To separate them will certainly entail risks and losses, and given my father’s nature, stability is his greatest desire. Unless he believes the situation is critical and requires immediate cleansing, he will not act so decisively.” Zhu Yu sighed, “And I can foresee his concerns after this.

Though the Pang Family’s ambition continues to grow, they have the marital ties with the Princess and both families reside in Shuo Land. Unless it is proven that the Pang Family has genuine ambitions and plans to seize power, abandoning such an ally is costly.

Despite our return greatly transforming my father’s impression, our distance in Jin Country doesn’t mean we don’t benefit him. Yet overall, the gamble might be heavier, not aligning with his usual preference for stability.

When Zhu Jie received the news, he began investigating the missing workers, which will take time to threaten the Pang Family. Will the Pang Family indeed sacrifice this puppet as we speculate, and progress will depend on various factors like timing and opportunity.

Before then, we also need to make improvements in other areas, winning hearts where we can, and striking where necessary.”

“Striking isn’t too difficult. Tomorrow I will meet your father and request to inspect that batch of weapons the Pang Family supervised.” Lu Qing said, noticing Zhu Yu seemed to have a question, he guessed what she was about to ask, “The court has regulations that all arms required by the Ministry of War must be personally supervised by the Prince Shuo, not delegated to others.

Only other vassal states reporting to the Ministry can purchase using a recruitment system, then hand the supervision to a skilled iron merchant in Shuo Country.

If the Pang Family merely took on business assigned by the Ministry, earning some profit would be understandable.

But the problem now is, they are handling tasks your father should be supervising.”

Zhu Yu narrowed her eyes: “It seems quite necessary to thoroughly inspect that batch of weapons.

I don’t understand weapon forging, but if the privately manufactured weapons found in Jie and Lan locations are made by the Pang Family, and match with those ordered by the Ministry…could there be a common link?”

“It shouldn’t be difficult.” Lu Qing agreed, nodding, “The journey these past few days has been tiring, let’s not burden ourselves with thinking too much today.

Once the servants bring food, let’s eat well and rest early.

Since Yan Shu is resting, I think there’s no need to wake her.”

“Hmm, she seemed quite exhausted, she was sleeping deeply earlier, missing one meal doesn’t matter. She can eat well tomorrow morning.” Zhu Yu responded, but a vague unease suddenly welled up inside her as Lu Qing mentioned Yan Shu.

The feeling was rather elusive, leaving her unable to grasp it. She vaguely sensed it related to Yan Shu, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why she felt uneasy.

This elusive thought led Zhu Yu to desperately try to sort it out, leaving her somewhat absent-minded when eating; she nibbled at the food quietly, chewing for a long time without swallowing.

Yan Daoxin noticed, signaling Lu Qing with his eyes to ask Zhu Yu what was wrong.

Lu Qing, however, just silently placed a piece of fish with the bones cleaned in her bowl, without interrupting her.

Back in their room after the meal, Zhu Yu continued concentrating on her thoughts while Lu Qing stayed silent, picking up a book and reading quietly at the table.

“Ah! I’ve finally remembered!” After a while, the expression on Zhu Yu’s face became lively again. She clapped her hands, her voice unable to hide the joy of having clarified her thoughts.

But when her gaze landed on Lu Qing across the table, that fleeting joy quickly faded, replaced by deep worry.

“Apart from that person, there must be others who know about your other identity.” She said to Lu Qing, “I mean, apart from the talisman rune Yan Daoxin, myself, and Situ Jing.”

“Madam has been contemplating this matter all night?” Lu Qing couldn’t help but laugh with some resignation at her words.

“Yes, when you mentioned Yan Shu, I always felt uneasy, yet couldn’t articulate why, so I’ve been pursuing this feeling to find direction.” Zhu Yu sighed, “Originally I wasn’t concerned about this matter, since even Mr. Gao by that person doesn’t know about it.

But after careful thought, it seems odd; actually, from the incidents we went through at the Li State camp, signs already started showing.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep