Chapter 696: Chapter 695: Skull
When she spoke, not only did the others become still, but even the recently agitated Hong Liu’er seemed to immediately calm down.
What she said was indeed true.
With Chang Yu’s appearance, coupled with having Lin Kun and others protecting him all these years, Hong Liu’er naturally knew he couldn’t be a fake. But just as Zhu Yu had reminded earlier, knowing that Chang Yu was genuine was of no use.
If the Prince Lan, whom they all suspected as an impostor but had no way to prove, continued to assume the role of the real Prince Lan, then whether Chang Yu, the legitimate granddaughter, was real or not depended entirely on whether he acknowledged it.
And even if he tearfully accepted this long-lost grandson on the surface, as long as the title of Prince Lan remained with him, the fate of Chang Yu and Lin Kun, along with the others, would continue to be a mystery, perhaps to be dealt with under some pretense or orchestrated into another so-called accident as before.
"Then... what should we do now?!" Lin Kun expressed his concern. They had lain dormant for over a decade, and now, aided by Lu Qing and these "celestial troops," they had finally returned to Prince Lan Mansion. They were so close to the final step. If, at this moment, they became lambs in a tiger’s den, it would really be too disheartening.
Zhu Yu pondered for a moment and asked Hong Liu’er, "Are you constantly monitored while coming and going in the Prince Mansion for tasks?"
"Not really," Hong Liu’er shook his head, "Perhaps in earlier years, but after a dozen years, no one pays special attention to us older folks anymore."
"In that case, I want you to find something for me. It may be difficult, but it’s crucial for what follows," Zhu Yu immediately voiced her request.
Hong Liu’er gave a serious nod, "Sure, tell me what you need, and I’ll find a way to get it for you."
"I want you to get me a human skull," Zhu Yu said quietly to him.
"Wha-what?! A human... skull?!" Initially, Hong Liu’er thought Zhu Yu might want some rare herbs not to be known by Prince Lan. He hadn’t expected her request to be so startling.
"Yes, a human skull, but not a child’s, just an adult’s, younger or older, man or woman, it doesn’t matter can you get it?" Zhu Yu’s tone was firm, her expression serious, to make Hong Liu’er know she wasn’t joking.
Hong Liu’er frowned in thought. He had never done such a thing before, so he couldn’t promise too much at once.
Beside him, Chang Yu was also at a loss. In the presence of outsiders, he dared not call Zhu Yu "sister-in-law" and only quietly addressed her, "Chief Historian Yu... this..."
Zhu Yu tilted her head slightly, prompting Chang Yu to bring his ear closer, listening to her whisper a few words that transformed his bewildered and startled expression into one of understanding.
"This is indeed a good idea!" After Zhu Yu finished speaking, Chang Yu appeared quite excited, nodding repeatedly.
"Whether this can be accomplished requires you and Guard Lin to recall as many details as possible carefully," Zhu Yu advised him, "And this plan hinges on Guard Hong’s ability to find an appropriate skull."
Chang Yu watched Hong Liu’er with anticipation. Looking at the face nearly identical to the deceased princely heir brought complex emotions to Hong Liu’er.
Seeing Lin Kun beside him, who didn’t seem to find Chief Historian Yu’s request outrageous, and even nodded after Zhu Yu’s explanation, Hong Liu’er resolved himself, gritting his teeth, "Alright! I will do everything I can to get what you need!"
"When will be the next time letters are likely to arrive?" Lu Qing asked after finishing the discussion on the skull.
This question was much more normal than Zhu Yu’s earlier request, and Hong Liu’er quickly responded, "It should be within five or six days, as letters have become more frequent recently between the Prince and Jin Country for some unknown matters."
"Does the messenger delivering the letters bypass the Jinlan Border?"
"Well... it’s hard to say, sometimes yes, sometimes no," Hong Liu’er pondered before realizing, "The messenger delivering letters... either takes them to the outskirts of the capital or at a certain checkpoint."
"Upon thinking about it... that person, clearly a messenger of Jin Country, seems to move more freely within our Lan territory, without any qualms!"
"This time, when collecting the messenger, whether at the Jinlan Border checkpoint or outside the capital, secretly incapacitate and detain him without alerting anyone," Lu Qing instructed, without much visible reaction.
"This... I..." Hong Liu’er hesitated, "Pardon my incompetence, as I’m tasked with delivering and receiving messages due to my ordinary skills but good endurance... You want me to deliver a message or complete a task, no problem, but to secretly subdue the messenger... I fear I may fail and fall short of your expectations..."
"No worries, I have people inside and outside the capital who can assist in setting an ambush," Lu Qing casually replied, "When you are about to meet with the messenger, I will arrange for someone to assist you."
Relieved, Hong Liu’er hastily nodded in agreement.
Three days later, the herbs listed by Zhu Yu earlier were gathered by the impostor Prince Lan’s orders. Zhu Yu then assumed a "closed door" stance, shutting herself away from the outside world, with even meals brought inside for her, maintaining an aura of secrecy.
About five days into Zhu Yu’s "seclusion," Hong Liu’er snuck in at dawn, bringing her a white human skull.
"I dug this up from a desolate graveyard outside the city, not sure if it will do," Hong Liu’er cautiously asked.
Zhu Yu examined the skull thoroughly before nodding, "Good, it’s quite suitable. This one will do!"
With a sigh of relief, Hong Liu’er turned to Lu Qing, "Sir, I’m departing tomorrow to meet the messenger outside the capital. How should I find the person to aid me?"
Lu Qing gestured for Hong Liu’er to lean in, explaining something that prompted Hong Liu’er to repeatedly nod before solemnly saluting and leaving.
