Chapter 289: Chapter 288: Shadow Guard

Zhu Cheng felt a complex mix of emotions upon hearing Zhu Yu praise his second son, Zhu Feng.

“You need not persuade me; my mind is made up. This matter is of great importance, and I absolutely cannot trust Zhu Jie with it. I must take the journey myself,” he sighed slowly, waving his hand at Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu seemed inclined to keep persuading him, but Lu Qing pulled her aside: “No need to persuade him further. Though your concerns for your father’s safety are filial, your father-in-law’s considerations are not without reason.”

He looked at Zhu Cheng: “If you are willing, Father-in-law, I can accompany you on the journey, both as a witness and to affirm that the instigator of these troubles was the Pang Family, having no connection with you.”

“That would be excellent!” At this moment, Zhu Cheng was, instead, free from worries about these matters, eager for Lu Qing to accompany him and assist, agreeing without hesitation.

Although Zhu Yu wore a worried expression, seeing the two had made up their minds, she said nothing further, merely sighed silently, remaining speechless afterward.

Zhu Cheng glanced at Zhu Yu several times, seeing the concern on his daughter’s face, wishing to offer comfort, but he realized that the two had never shared any intimate gestures in the past, leaving him at a loss for words.

Reflecting on his originally polite and distant second daughter, who had been married off to Jin Country by a muddled imperial edict, now toiling inside and out for Shuo Country and the Zhu Family, even cutting her wrist to provide a medicinal primer for him, Zhu Cheng’s guilt deepened.

And then there was the pampered Zhu Ning…

Zhu Cheng sighed again, deciding to shelve these troubling thoughts for now and focus on the pressing issues at hand.

Because this time the matter was grave, Zhu Cheng tirelessly arranged the manpower, while Lu Qing, who had fewer people on hand, remained leisurely and accompanied Zhu Yu for a meal.

The meal was as lavish as ever, and since Zhu Yu had something to say, Lu Qing had the talisman arrange for the meal to be delivered to Yan Daoxin and Yan Shu’s quarters.

“What’s the matter? Worried?” With only the two of them left in the room, Lu Qing asked, his tone as light and casual as if they were going on an outing with Zhu Cheng, “Didn’t you set it up perfectly in front of your father?

If it weren’t for your implications about the benefits and harms, I’d wager he’d still be wondering whether or not to personally undertake this journey.”

“You’re to blame for that!” Zhu Yu glared at him. “Don’t think I didn’t notice. You certainly hoped he would take this trip. Even though I’m unsure of your exact intentions, since you are so confident, as we previously discussed, maybe I don’t believe in my father, but I trust you.

However, the situation there is unpredictable, leaving me somewhat uneasy.

Who do you plan to take with you this time?”

“The rune.” Lu Qing had evidently considered this matter, “Leaving Yan Daoxin and the Fu Lu with you will allow me peace of mind while away.”

“Not suitable.” Zhu Yu shook her head. “Leaving Fu Lu home isn’t right; Yan Daoxin must accompany you.

Traveling outside, the adversary being the Pang Family, there’s uncertainty whether the so-called noble guest from Lan Country is among them.

Recently, we’ve encountered various peculiar toxins, so having Yan Daoxin close is the most secure option.

You needn’t worry about me; I can manage usual situations and treat simple wounds.”

Lu Qing hesitated, pondering briefly before adhering to Zhu Yu’s arrangement.

However, after the meal, he sought out Yan Daoxin, and the two conversed in an unknown manner. After a while, Yan Daoxin appeared, carrying a package, enthusiastically explaining to Zhu Yu.

He left a handful of palm-sized porcelain bottles with Zhu Yu, containing sedatives, non-lethal poisons, antidotes, and stimulants.

Additionally, there were some hemostatic healing antiseptic medicines.

“You already have some skills. With these, handling typical cases should be easy.” He instructed Zhu Yu, then pulled a black gourd from his sleeve, “Make sure to keep this carefully!

Inside is a poison pill I crafted. It won’t kill but will make the limbs weak and feel like being bitten by ants, causing unbearable pain and itch, ineffective even if the skin and flesh are torn apart from scratching.

I haven’t yet concocted the antidote due to time constraints.

So keep it well; if you encounter a truly intractable opponent, make them swallow this, it melts instantly in the mouth, and there’s no time to spit it out!”

Zhu Yu accepted the small black gourd with mixed feelings, carefully storing it, and after listening to Yan Daoxin’s instructions, it concluded.

The following day, Zhu Cheng’s group gathered and prepared to set off.

Before leaving, Lu Qing handed Zhu Yu a small previously written note: “Send this out after we depart.”

Zhu Yu knew he referred to their own Shadow Guard, swiftly tucking the note into her waist pouch and nodding.

Zhu Cheng, Lu Qing, and the others mounted and galloped out of the city to rendezvous with the troops waiting outside the city. Zhu Yu waited until they were out of sight before calling Fu Lu to leave with her.

In a secluded spot, Zhu Yu retrieved the note, quickly glancing at it.

This time the note was brief, merely three words—”Set off.”

Yet these simple words eased Zhu Yu’s worries.

It seemed Lu Qing was indeed prepared and perhaps more assured than she initially anticipated.

She quickly folded the note, blowing the silver whistle.

In a fleeting moment, a movement was heard above, and as she raised her head, a black-clad figure appeared beside them like a phantom.

The speed was so astounding that it was hard not to suspect the Shadow Guard had been trailing them quietly from the beginning.

Zhu Yu handed the note over, and the Shadow Guard swiftly opened it, glimpsed it once, and then burned the note to ash with a flick of fire before saluting Zhu Yu and disappearing upwards.

Zhu Yu gazed upwards, ensuring the figure was truly gone, and then walked back with Fu Lu.

“That person’s Qinggong earlier, how does it compare to yours?” she curiously asked Fu Lu.

Fu Lu grinned, touching his neck: “Second Lady, you jest. If it’s a fistfight, perhaps I stand a chance, but in terms of Qinggong, I’m less than three-tenths that person.”

“No worries, every inch has its strengths, and as far as I’m concerned, you and the rune are already impressive!” Zhu Yu complimented him, “Let’s go, now that we’re out, come with me to buy some pastries for my mother, and then let’s head back.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep