Chapter 683: Chapter 682: Liao Chengju [Bonus Chapter]
After speaking, Zhu Yu suddenly paused and frowned: "Do you think that Princess Consort Duan has been on the other side from the very beginning?
Could it be that Zhao Bi was handing knives for someone else right from the start?"
"As far as I know, Princess Consort Duan’s background back in the day wasn’t enough for her to be someone’s tool." Lu Qing shook his head, "And beauties are too numerous to count in the world. The reason Zhao Bi chose Princess Consort Duan back then and confidently presented her to the Holy Emperor was nothing more than because she was unsupported and had no background. Given her foreign lineage, it was supposed to be just a plaything when presented in the palace, naturally easy to manipulate.
With Zhao Bi’s personality, he must have been well aware of these matters to step this step confidently.
As for what happened later, it was probably beyond Zhao Bi’s calculations; after all, the development of many things in this world has a divine will in it.
Just like back then, the Holy Emperor intended for me to marry a daughter from the least regarded vassal prince’s family to ensure that I wouldn’t rely on the Yue Family’s power to have any ulterior motives. However, by accident, I encountered a woman unparalleled in this world.
So, for many things, plans are made by man; whether they succeed or not, it’s up to heaven."
Zhu Yu hadn’t expected that while discussing Princess Consort Duan, she would also hear someone praising her with a hint of private feelings. Surprised, she found it very comforting inside, as no one dislikes hearing compliments about themselves, so she smiled slightly and accepted the praise with a smile.
"So, according to your meaning, originally Princess Consort Duan was really just under Zhao Bi’s control, merely a pawn he placed in the harem, and the subsequent events were all due to variables?"
Lu Qing spoke to this point, and it made her understand, "In other words, Princess Consort Duan didn’t initially expect that her lineage would actually earn the emperor’s favor and give birth to the dragon child.
Once there were offspring, people’s mentality would probably change accordingly.
If she were just an ordinary concubine, it might be manageable; with a son, even if her child only grew up to become an ennobled prince, at least she would have something to rely on, not having to worry about a desolate life in the cold palace in her later years.
But she knew from the beginning that she was just a puppet, a tool to be manipulated.
Once she had a child, Princess Consort Duan probably wouldn’t be content anymore, not wanting to be a pawn, or for her child to grow up like her, controlled by others and becoming a small puppet inferior to other princes."
"Perhaps." Lu Qing recalled the past, sneering, "How Princess Consort Duan thought might be just as you guessed. At least Lu Ze, from the beginning, was never a meek, obedient lamb ready to be slaughtered.
All his naivety and innocence, all his zeal and sincerity, were just a disguise to hide ambition.
Even the hot-tempered Lu Yan, when he was living in the palace as a child, was just an innocent child.
Among the Holy Emperor’s many offspring, be they princes or princesses, none could match Lu Ze in winning the emperor’s favor.
Just from this point alone, it speaks to unmatched cunning and methods.
So, likely, this mother and son were unwilling to be manipulated, developed other ambitions, and then through some other means directly colluded with hidden forces.
And Zhao Bi, the conspicuous tree, became their cover, allowing them to secretly transport provisions while outwardly building roads."
Zhu Yu thought of Zhao Bi’s various actions and couldn’t help but snort coldly, but upon recalling everything that had happened and considering what was to happen next, she couldn’t help but sigh: "Actually, Zhao Bi, Princess Consort Duan, and Lu Ze, in the end, are all cut from the same cloth. Each thinks they are the player, but actually, they are just pieces without realizing it."
Lu Qing nodded, lighting the handful of letters in his hand over the oil lamp’s flame until they turned into clumps of black ash, which he crushed clean with his shoe on the ground: "At least Lu Zhang and his grandfather are not of the same ilk, and to have some awakening is a good thing."
So another three or five days passed in waiting for news from Situ Jing and the Shuo Land. During these days, Chang Yu would chat with Lu Qing and Zhu Yu every day. Although this young man was well-read in the Holy Books, he was very curious about the outside world.
In their conversations, they became increasingly familiar. Lu Qing and Zhu Yu both found that Chang Yu had been very well-raised by Lin Kun and the others, with very good acumen and insight within limited conditions.
Previously, Chang Yu had always lived with the guards who treated him with respect. Although these uncles and elders doted on him and carefully taught him, there were limits to their abilities and the knowledge they could impart.
Since meeting Lu Qing and Zhu Yu, it was as if a door had been opened for Chang Yu, allowing him to see many things he had never heard of or experienced before.
Lu Qing’s open and calm demeanor also made Chang Yu feel a kind of admiration and trust akin to how one might feel toward an elder brother. Often when observing Lu Qing’s words and actions, he couldn’t help but secretly sigh, hoping to one day become a person like Lu Qing.
Later, the first to arrive were Situ Jing’s people.
According to the instructions in Lu Qing’s letter, these people arrived in staggered groups so as not to attract external attention or bring trouble to the stronghold.
The soldiers under Situ Jing were easy to identify; they followed strict military discipline, even when in disguise and traveling stealthily, their conduct was impeccable, without a bit of laxity.
For this renowned army, the guards from Prince Lan Mansion were very respectful, even though there were only about a hundred of them this time, they treated them with extra respect and courtesy.
These soldiers evidently came under Situ Jing’s orders, following only Lu Qing’s commands after reaching the stronghold.
Zhu Yu had thought it might be Bian Yong, who had given Lu Qing half of a waist card before, but upon their arrival, she found she was wrong. The leader turned out to be someone familiar, Liao Yu, the capable Chief from the Li State Camp.
"Liao Chengju!" Seeing a familiar face at this time, coupled with the excellent character he previously displayed, made Zhu Yu feel more at ease, and she hurriedly greeted him.
Liao Yu also recognized Zhu Yu and quickly went up to greet both Lu Qing and Zhu Yu.
Lu Qing also had a deep impression of Liao Yu, raising his hand to indicate he needn’t be too formal, saying: "Chief Historian Yu, your words are incorrect. Back then, Liao Yu held the position of Chief at the Li State Camp, and now that he can lead the brothers to come to the rescue, it must mean he was transferred elsewhere for another position when Situ Jing was relocated."
