Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 714: Chapter 713: Making Straw Effigies

Originally, Lu Qing and the others only had some dry flatbreads, which they would roast over a fire and eat with water whenever they took a break, just enough to stave off hunger.

This time, with Cao Tianbao’s group that just set off from the Capital, the food became much more plentiful, including jerky and other items besides the flatbreads.

As they were eating and chatting, a commotion suddenly came from afar. Several of Cao Tianbao’s subordinates surrounded someone, looking awkward as they wanted to stop but dared not act, yet couldn’t just let it pass, moving in this direction.

Then a clear voice rang out in protest, "Am I imprisoned or what?! How can anyone stay cooped up in such a small carriage all day and be okay with it?! Can’t I even get off to stretch my legs?"

Cao Tianbao frowned, as he already didn’t have much goodwill towards the Commandery Princess from Jie Country, and now felt even more troubled, "From the start, Princess Yi didn’t want to ride in the carriage, insisting to travel with us on horseback, claiming it would be faster!

Since we left the Capital until today, she’s caused a scene like this at least twice."

Zhu Yu leaped up from the ground, but her abrupt movement caused her leg’s friction wound to sting painfully, making her gasp.

The group also brought Princess Yan Shu closer.

Princess Yan Shu was dressed in the attire of a high-born lady from Jin Country. Her clothes were bright and intricately styled, but her hair wasn’t done in a complex bun, likely because there really was no one to help her with it en route.

With simple hair, matched with her fiery entrance and elaborate outfit, she looked rather peculiar.

At a glance, Zhu Yu knew that it couldn’t have been her own choice to dress like this.

She gestured to Princess Yan Shu, who was encircled, and Yan Shu looked at her confusedly and quickly looked away without recognizing her.

Soon, however, Yan Shu stopped, a look of disbelief crossing her face.

Because Lu Qing had also stood up, standing beside Zhu Yu, one hand resting on her shoulder, his false skin peeled off, revealing his true appearance.

Yan Shu blinked, looking at Lu Qing, "You...?"

Then looked at Zhu Yu beside him, "Are you... Zhu Yu?"

Zhu Yu nodded, smiling.

Yan Shu’s eyes reddened, reaching out to push aside those blocking her view, she rushed forward in two strides, hugging Zhu Yu tightly, sobbing out, "You’re not dead! You’re not dead! You’re really not dead!"

As she sobbed, she began to laugh through tears, pulling Zhu Yu closer, examining her all around, and tearfully laughed aloud.

"I thought I’d never see you again in this lifetime, believed you’d really been killed by villains in some mountain hollow! You have no idea how many times I’ve cried privately!

I finally made a good sister, only to abruptly lose her, I couldn’t bear it!" she shook Zhu Yu’s hand, unable to conceal her joy, as if she herself survived a calamity.

Cao Tianbao was somewhat taken aback, looking at Zhu Yu and Yan Shu, then at Lu Qing.

The last incident where Yan Shu fled abroad, quietly carried out and concluded with Lu Zhang’s assistance, was only known to Lu Qing and Zhu Yu, leaving Cao Tianbao puzzled now.

As he recalled, anyone related to Zhao Bi and Prince Yi shouldn’t have much interaction with Prince Xiaoyao, as their factions were at least supposed to stay separate.

But now he saw Princess Yi had such a close sisterly relationship with Zhu Yu, looking surprisingly familiar, leaving him astonished.

"It’s a long story," Lu Qing met Cao Tianbao’s gaze, laughed, "but now that we’re traveling together, the Great General needn’t worry about the Commandery Princess being troubled by the journey’s boredom."

Yan Shu immediately caught Lu Qing’s words, her eyes filling with excitement, "Really? You’re also going to Jie Land with me?"

"Yes, we are joining the escort team for you," Zhu Yu nodded to her.

"Wonderful! This is truly heaven’s mercy, seeing me almost suffocated, so bringing my best sister to my side!" Yan Shu clapped her hands in joy.

"Great General, do you have any spare clothing on this trip?" Zhu Yu asked Cao Tianbao.

Cao Tianbao looked at the porter outfits on Zhu Yu and Lu Qing, nodded, "Of course, I’ll have someone fetch two sets for you both to change into."

"Not two sets, three sets," Zhu Yu shook her head at him, pushing Yan Shu forward slightly, "I must trouble the Great General to have someone find an outfit for Commandery Princess Yan Shu as well.

I’ve been thinking, in your group, Commandery Princess Yan Shu is really too conspicuous, dressed so grandly in women’s clothing, not only making movement difficult but also drawing attention. If the opponent decides to shoot from afar, it’d be impossible to defend against, she’s practically a living target."

Her words hit right at Yan Shu’s concerns, and Yan Shu nodded repeatedly.

"I know it’s inappropriate, but those officials insist that before returning to Jie Land, she’s still our Da Jin’s Princess Yi, so propriety must be maintained to avoid others mocking us, a dignified Da Jin, for having a princess dressed unusually, losing face...

I hate those sour, pedantic rules, but with the Holy Emperor’s approval, I’ve had no choice but to act this way, keeping everyone alert."

"Currently, regardless of whether it’s for Jin Country or Jie Country, Commandery Princess Yan Shu’s safety is paramount, what she wears isn’t worth mentioning.

Moreover, Jie Land’s culture is rugged and bold, from what I understand, Jie women never dress this way, regardless of their status.

So I don’t think the Jie King would be concerned about whether the Commandery Princess’s attire meets a princess’s propriety once she reaches Jie Land."

After Zhu Yu finished speaking, she added, "At worst, we can have Commandery Princess change back closer to arrival to meet the Jie King.

The crucial moment is meeting the Jie King, the journey itself doesn’t matter, we can be flexible, which aids in safeguarding the Commandery Princess’s safety."

Cao Tianbao found her reasoning sound and immediately nodded cheerfully, instructing the personnel who had followed Yan Shu, "Go get three clothing sets."

"Hold on," Zhu Yu stopped the soldier who was about to leave, then asked Cao Tianbao, "Could the Great General find two skilled people to gather dried grass and make a grass dummy?"