"Did you notice those few people just now?" Zhu Yu returned the water pouch to Lu Qing, watching as he lifted the curtain to pour the wine from the pouch outside the carriage, and then put the empty pouch back into his sleeve. "Those are the sa ones who crushed their cups earlier."
Lu Qing nodded: "Jie people.
The tune I played tonight is a Jie lody. They reacted when they heard it, so I’m quite sure."
Zhu Yu had suspected this vaguely earlier but couldn’t be certain, yet Lu Qing’s firm judgnt surprised him.
"They’ve deliberately dressed as Jin Country people, but their imposing manner and the savage look in their eyes can’t be hidden." Zhu Yu didn’t feel comfortable saying it, but the ferocity in their eyes, akin to wolves, is sothing Jin Country people lack. "Why would they do that? Are they here for the Jie Commandery Princess?
Could it be that the Jie Commandery Princess is unwilling to marry Lu Zhang, so they have other plans?
Or perhaps...they plan to use the Commandery Princess’s wedding to Lu Zhang as an opportunity to stir up sothing?"
"Whether the Commandery Princess is truly willing to marry Lu Zhang is hard to say," Lu Qing shook his head, "but those people likely aren’t planning anything disruptive. They’re just secretly ensuring their Commandery Princess’s journey goes smoothly, without any mishaps before she enters Prince Yi Mansion.
If the Jie King intended to cause a stir, he’d act before sending the Commandery Princess, otherwise, once tensions arise, it’s uncertain whether his cherished daughter’s life could be safeguarded."
"Once she enters Prince Yi Mansion, will she be safe?" Zhu Yu asked, puzzled. Her situation seed the opposite; she faced no apparent danger until she entered the Prince Xiaoyao Mansion, where the crisis surrounded her.
Lu Qing seed to guess Zhu Yu’s thoughts and spoke: "The Jie Commandery Princess is unlike you; Lu Zhang is Holy Emperor’s own son, and Duke Yan’s grandson. Such power is unique under heaven.
The marriage between Lu Zhang and the Jie Commandery Princess was made possible because both the Holy Emperor and the Jie King have their own considerations."
Zhu Yu frowned.
Regarding Emperor Jin’s considerations, she could fully understand.
Encouraging vassal kings to marry off their daughters to princes or inviting the sons of vassal kings to Jin Country as Prince Consorts is inherently a test. Those harboring intentions against Emperor Jin, the Sovereign of the World, would absolutely refuse.
All those married or invited over from vassal states, along with the offspring born after marriage, would beco hostages for Emperor Jin. By treating these hostages with benevolence and severity, and altering attitudes toward several princes, he easily crafts invisible lines to control the actions of several vassal kings.
Of course, Zhu Yu and Lu Qing were exceptions. Clearly, Emperor Jin assud Zhu Cheng could stir no trouble whilst guarding over Shuo Country, therefore eschewed offering his daughter a politically advantageous marriage.
But for the Jie King’s considerations, she was at a loss.
She knew the Jie King’s household was opposite to General Cao’s; countless sons, yet scarce daughters, particularly this Commandery Princess set to marry, though a legitimate eldest daughter, already had several brothers, thus she is exceptionally cherished.
Before Emperor Jin bestowed the marriage, the Jie King considered hosting a martial contest to find a husband for his daughter. Against whom? Against his most courageous son.
The Jie King declared that not only must the opponent fight evenly with his son, but also be honest and upright; winning through underhanded ans, even if victorious, would not earn the Commandery Princess’s hand.
Originally, the Jie King’s plan clearly was to appoint a son-in-law and keep his daughter nearby. Why he suddenly accepted the bestowed marriage and allowed her to marry into Jin Country, what transpired in between, and what the Jie King’s considerations were, she was entirely in the dark, unable to fathom it.
"General Situ wasn’t just visiting the Northern Border for welcoming the bride," Lu Qing leaned over, shifting to a comfortable position against the soft cushion beside him. "But the Jie King is the sort who is swayed by persuasion rather than force. If Holy Emperor tried to compel him to marry off his daughter, a war between the two nations would be inevitable, so possibly it wasn’t solely due to General Situ’s formidable reputation.
If it wasn’t Lu Zhang, maybe the Jie King wouldn’t have agreed so easily.
Lu Zhang is Holy Emperor’s son and Duke Yan’s grandson; even the Holy Emperor himself must carefully consider before attempting to move him.
Thus, the Jie Commandery Princess marrying Lu Zhang beca an alliance, providing Jie Country extra assurance; the restraint beca mutual."
"Could it be that those people are afraid soone doesn’t want this marriage to succeed and might sabotage it, hence lurking in the Capital, covertly observing and protecting?" Zhu Yu sowhat understood.
"That’s a possibility, though Jie Country is known for its liberated and bold customs, unlike Jin Country’s adherence to archaic traditions of parental orders and matchmaking.
So it’s hard to say whether the Jie Commandery Princess has soone else in mind, soone she’s genuinely connected with, possibly unwilling deep down to marry Lu Zhang, a Jin Country prince, pampered and weak.
Perhaps the Jie King fears this daughter, who’s enjoyed smooth sailing thus far, might stir trouble at this critical juncture?"
As Lu Qing spoke, he suddenly raised an eyebrow at Zhu Yu, "You..."
Zhu Yu raised her hand, "Stop, don’t waste your sharp mind on useless thoughts."
Lu Qing was amused by her reaction, his laughter quiet, his shoulders shaking as he turned his face to the side.
Zhu Yu watched him laugh, yet sighed softly.
Lu Qing glanced at her with so curiosity.
"I think you’re quite stressed," Zhu Yu spoke proactively without his inquiry. "You look three steps ahead wherever you go, considering everything ticulously."
Lu Qing eyed her: "Sa to you, I see you’re always tense, hard to discern your true character."
Zhu Yu was taken aback, montarily unsure how to respond.
When she first arrived, she was full of doubts and unease. Later, as she adapted to her surroundings, she realized that in the Zhu Family of Shuo Country, no one cared what type of person she was. Their sole requirent for won was not to hinder the n’s affairs.
At Prince Xiaoyao Mansion, she inadvertently displayed her extraordinary skills. Lu Qing’s interest and appreciation for her forensic abilities certainly gave Zhu Yu a sense of recognition and self-worth.
But she thought Lu Qing’s concern for her was limited solely to that.
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