Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 715: Chapter 714: Not a Bad Person at Heart

"Scarecrow?" Cao Tianbao looked suspiciously at Zhu Yu, "What’s it for?"

"Dress it in the Commandery Princess’s clothes and put it inside the carriage," Zhu Yu answered straightforwardly.

Cao Tianbao suddenly understood and clapped his hands: "Makes sense! Yes! Let’s do it! You guys, hurry up, get the clothes, find some hay, don’t delay!"

His men started rushing about to their tasks.

In no time, Lu Qing, Zhu Yu, and Yan Shu had all changed their clothes, the hay was brought back, and they hastily fashioned it into a scarecrow. They dressed it in Yan Shu’s removed luxurious attire and placed it inside the carriage. Seen through the window, it indeed looked quite convincing.

After changing, Lu Qing also reapplied her disguise, concealing her true appearance.

That evening, both teams rested quietly in the forest. Yan Shu was overjoyed. Initially, even though she anticipated returning to Jie Country, her homeland, she expected the journey would be dull. Unexpectedly, not only was Zhu Yu alive, but also able to accompany her, instantly making her feel as joyful as a child during New Year.

"Don’t let happiness distract you; this journey is still very dangerous." Though Zhu Yu was reluctant to dampen her friend’s spirits, she couldn’t help but remind Yan Shu: "We’ve only traveled two or three days from the Capital, and there are already ambushes. The further we go, the more dangerous it will become, especially when moving away from the Capital towards the Jie Land.

So, we must stay vigilant and avoid taking risks. It’s crucial to maintain utmost alertness!"

"Yes, I understand what you’re saying. Don’t worry, I won’t cause trouble for myself," Yan Shu sighed and nodded earnestly to Zhu Yu. "Besides, the soldiers escorting me bear no grudge against me. I don’t want to harm the people of Jin Country, nor do I want my brothers and sisters in Jie Land dragged into war.

I’ll be careful not to give wrongdoers any opportunities."

"The matter of capturing Lu Zhang as a hostage... was it agreed upon by you and your father in correspondence before?" Zhu Yu moved closer to whisper to Yan Shu.

Yan Shu immediately shook her head: "No, I never mentioned that.

At that time, no one anticipated he would be sent from the Capital to guard the borders; even if I had such a thought, it couldn’t have been realized."

Upon thinking about it, Zhu Yu realized it was indeed true. When they sent letters to the Jie King for Yan Shu, Zhao Bi was still in power, who would have thought Lu Zhang would be dragged down by his formerly illustrious grandfather.

"I clearly stated in letters with my father that seeking separation was merely a guise for the current chaos, prioritizing the bigger picture. I lived well and without fear in the Prince Yi Mansion in the Capital, and my father always kept his promises. He wasn’t going to go back on our agreement."

Yan Shu seemed even more puzzled than Zhu Yu: "Moreover, I’m bewildered why he was captured by my father!

From what I know, the area he was sent to guard borders seemed closer to your father’s Shuo Land, not where my father assembled forces. The two sides shouldn’t have even met, let alone clashed and captured him as a prisoner!

This matter is indeed curious!"

Zhu Yu nodded and pondered for a moment before boldly suggesting: "Do you think... Lu Zhang himself orchestrating this incident is possible?"

"What?!" Yan Shu was straightforward by nature, comfortable with open confrontations, but less adept at complex scheming. "Why would he do that?"

"Because he was sent to guard the borders, while you were still in the Capital," Zhu Yu explained. "Just now, General Cao mentioned that during our months leaving the Capital, many things occurred, and it turned into chaos.

At such times, even Prince Yi like Lu Zhang was no longer as revered. Not to mention he himself wasn’t in the Capital.

The vast Prince Yi Mansion contained only you, and the entire Capital, although not teeming with dangers, wolves were certainly lurking close.

In such circumstances, you seemed like a little white rabbit among wolves, extremely risky. Thus, if there was a legitimate way to get you out of the Capital and back to Jie Land, it would undoubtedly be safest."

"Hey, what you said somewhat underestimates me," Yan Shu softly protested. "Don’t you remember how well I handle my whip?

Against those lowly crooks, who the wolf is and who the little white rabbit is remains uncertain!"

"Whatever the case, a capable tiger struggles against many wolves. Even if you’re not a little white rabbit but a mighty tiger, there’s no guarantee of advantage," Zhu Yu reminded her.

Yan Shu nodded and, after a brief silence, sighed: "If your suspicion is correct, then Lu Zhang... turns out to be inherently good, a decent man.

Actually, after his grandfather’s downfall, he shut himself inside the mansion for days, troubling his servants.

I felt as if he was a puppet summoned and ordered by his grandfather all these years. When he learned the truth, he was likely unaware of the evil deeds that old man committed externally and got frightened once he knew."

"You..." Noticing that Yan Shu’s attitude towards Lu Zhang seemed different now, Zhu Yu asked, "Are things less strained between you two now?"

"Yes, initially some people stirred him up, treating me disrespectfully with extreme arrogance. I was bothered by him," Yan Shu sighed. "However, after I returned to the Capital with him, he never said much but often acted as if wanting my forgiveness, often offering chances for me to join him on outings.

I realized he wasn’t terribly scheming, just too trusting of his grandfather. I truly hated that despicable grandfather, while I don’t feel strongly against him anymore."

"About the separation...?"

"I still want to separate," Yan Shu answered decisively, without hesitation. "Now, at most, I merely don’t dislike him. Not liking, nor disliking.

Besides, Jin Country’s rules are strict; women seem like caged birds, it truly constrains people.

I still wish to return to Jie Land and live freely!"