They said they would leave, but not so quickly.
After all, when Lu Qing t with Emperor Jin, he was still "not fully recovered," and his wife was still ill at ho, so the Emperor couldn’t push too hard.
And to fully play his role, Lu Qing naturally wasn’t in a hurry to set off.
He used these few days to arrange for talismans to be prepared, as he was about to go on a long journey, and it was best to be thoroughly prepared.
Even though Zhu Yu was playing the role of the "ill" wife, she still didn’t step out of the house, since spies seed to be everywhere in the Capital, and they didn’t want to cause trouble by accidentally revealing sothing. However, because she was considering the upcoming trip, her mood was particularly good, and she didn’t feel bored idle.
Even when she was tidying up the tools she needed to bring, she would unconsciously hum a little tune.
There were a few tis when Lu Qing returned ho and happened to hear her, but he didn’t disturb her. He just stood silently at the doorway, listened for a while, smiled knowingly, and then quietly turned to leave.
As the day for Lu Qing and his party to depart approached, just after breakfast, the steward ca to inform Lu Qing that Prince Shu, Lu Ze, had co to visit, and was already in the front hall drinking tea.
"Oh? Prince Shu is indeed an honored guest, I should go see him." Lu Qing glanced at Zhu Yu, who was dressed in male attire, which Lu Qing had ordered newly tailored for her, so she dressed up early to see how it looked. "Co with ," he said.
Zhu Yu nodded, following behind Lu Qing with the deanor of a personal attendant, heading to the front hall together.
She walked closely behind, feeling she was becoming increasingly skilled at pretending to be Lu Qing’s personal attendant.
Arriving at the front hall, Lu Ze sat alone there, holding a tea cup, amusing himself by blowing tea leaves. His attendant whispered to him, "Your Highness, drink your tea properly, don’t play with the tea leaves lest soone sees..."
"Oh, don’t nag!" Lu Ze waved impatiently at the young servant, "When I’m at my residence, you guys nag ; when I go to the palace to see mother, you nag !
All day telling to do this properly, do that properly, you’re driving crazy!
Now I’m at my elder brother’s house, and my elder brother cares for , he never nags like you lot!
Keep rambling, next ti I won’t take you when I go out, I’ll leave you at ho to scrub chamber pots!"
The young servant looked dejected, probably not wanting to scrub chamber pots, so he kept silent.
Lu Qing brought Zhu Yu from the corridor, and Lu Ze saw him imdiately, casually placing the tea cup on the table and standing up to greet him, "Elder brother! I heard you fell ill before, and I was so worried! Now seeing you’re well, I finally feel at ease!"
"I was also planning to visit you. Seeing that you have co to see now, it seems you are well." Lu Qing reached out and patted Lu Ze’s shoulder, smiling as he looked him over, "I heard your situation was quite perilous before, and I have been worried. Unfortunately, I was also unwell and dared not visit rashly.
What actually happened? How did you get such a strange illness? Were they able to find the cause and cure it?"
Lu Ze wore a pained expression, waving his hand, "Elder brother, you wouldn’t know. I didn’t even know what happened that day. I heard that the Imperial Attendant from the palace’s Pharmacy Bureau personally ca to diagnose , but after a long examination, he couldn’t figure anything out!
In the end, he could only prescribe so dicine.
The servants brought back the dicine to feed , but I didn’t get better. My mother was anxious and begged my father, asking if they could try another thod in case it was sothing supernatural.
My father usually despises such things, but perhaps my mother’s tears softened him, so he agreed in the end.
You don’t know how lively my house was during those days. First, they got a shaman who supposedly could drive out evil spirits, setting up offerings and jumping around the house for half a day. Then they invited a high monk from who-knows-where to chant scriptures at ho. Still unsatisfied, they got a Daoist to perform rituals, ultimately stirring up quite a fuss.
Strangely enough, after all this fuss, I sohow got better. No one can tell if it was the Imperial Attendant’s prescription or if any of those monks, Daoists, or shamans accidentally worked a miracle.
Anyway, I’m fine now, and my mother’s nagging has finally let up!"
After finishing, he suddenly rembered the purpose of his visit and quickly asked, "Elder brother, I went to the palace yesterday, and father said you plan to leave the Capital? Where are you going?"
"Your news travels fast," Lu Qing said with a helpless smile, as if bemused by Lu Ze’s inquiries, "I heard this season is when Qu State’s scenery is most beautiful. I was unwell recently and now feeling better. I thought perhaps visiting a place with clear mountains and rivers for boating and climbing might be beneficial to my health.
So I sent a letter to the palace, requesting leave from morning court."
"I see, I also heard this season is when Qu State’s scenery is at its best. If it weren’t for my mother being frightened by my past condition and refusing to let leave the Capital, I’d want to accompany you!" Lu Ze appeared envious, sighing before casually asking, "Is sister-in-law going with you?"
"She is also ill, only a few days after , and hasn’t shown much improvent. Traveling may not be good for her; it’s better for her to stay ho and rest well," Lu Qing replied, showing a lack of interest when asked about his wife by Lu Ze, "Moreover, being from Shuo Country, she might find the mountains and waters mundane, and perhaps she prefers the lively Capital more."
Lu Ze gave a sheepish grin.
"Did you co today just to ask this?" Lu Qing asked him.
Lu Ze seed a bit troubled, unsure how to phrase it, hesitated for a mont before saying, "Elder brother, you might not know, but the second prince recently volunteered to inspect and oversee the military on the border near Jin Country and Shuo Country, and father agreed. By now, he’s probably already set off."
"Isn’t that good?" Lu Qing appeared indifferent, "Prince Yi has always been able to share the burden with the Emperor, and he will surely accomplish sothing."
"Oh, Elder brother!" Lu Ze grew anxious, "It’s just us brothers here, why say such formal things!
Shuo Country is sister-in-law’s holand, this kind of task should naturally be given to you, it would be most appropriate!
After the inspection, you could also conveniently take sister-in-law ho to visit her family, a joyous reunion for all, having both!"
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