Lu Qing observed Zhu Yu and the bowl of soup in front of her, pondering but not picking up her chopsticks, then placed so vegetables in her bowl, drawing her attention back again.
"Today, I had an open and honest talk with your second brother," Lu Qing said to Zhu Yu, who was looking at him. "I told him I would support him to beco the Princely Heir of Shuo Country, and later, to inherit your father’s throne."
Zhu Yu was taken aback: "So straightforward?"
"If he were as smart and perceptive as you, I wouldn’t need to be so straightforward." Lu Qing smiled wryly, "After observing for the past few days, it seems your second brother’s mind is much better than Zhu Jie, but he still lacks a bit of awareness. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it’s better to make things clear."
Zhu Yu smiled, holding back her words.
Actually, it wasn’t that Zhu Feng wasn’t smart or aware enough; he was quite sharp-minded among ordinary people.
It just so happened that the person he was dealing with was Lu Qing.
After all, not everyone is full of sly tricks like this fox, so Zhu Feng got caught up in Lu Qing’s "fox eyes seeing others as fools."
"Then what was my second brother’s reaction? Surprise?" Zhu Yu asked teasingly.
"He was a bit hesitant at first," Lu Qing shook his head, "After all, for so many years, the ties and interests between the Zhu Family and the Pang Family are too deep.
If he agrees to my support, it ans cutting ties with the Pang Family completely, even to the point of outright confrontation."
Zhu Yu snorted: "I can see that the Pang Family supporting my eldest brother was just a strategy, and they will surely have more sches in the future.
The stakes you’ve told my second brother are crystal clear.
If he is still worrying about a falling out with the Pang Family by now, then he truly is a blockhead.
The missing laborers and blacksmiths of Shuo Country, those dozens of pale bones, and the inexplicably smuggled weapons into Jie Country, nine tis out of ten have sothing to do with the Pang Family behind the scenes.
If they’ve been able to do this much, even if my father handed over the throne of Prince Shuo to them, they might not even acknowledge the Zhu Family’s favor.
"Your second brother isn’t so naïve," Lu Qing was amused by Zhu Yu’s words, "It’s just that over the years, with your father’s indulgence, the Pang Family has infiltrated too many sectors, and Zhu Feng fears that if I openly support him, giving him backing, the Pang Family might not even bother to maintain appearances and would tear away their disguise, which would be detrintal to your father and the entire Shuo Country."
Zhu Yu scratched her nose: "Oh, I see, I thought he was more timid than he is.
Then how did you persuade him afterwards?"
"I told him, although the Pang Family and the Zhu Family are in-laws, for over twenty years they’ve shared the benefits, but insatiable desires will eventually lead one to crave more, like a snake wanting to swallow an elephant, leaning on a big tree cannot match the temptation of becoming a big tree itself, so they’re not a good ally no matter what.
If the Pang Family continues causing troubles, when things go wrong, it’s the Zhu Family who would take the bla and Shuo Country citizens who would suffer.
So instead of worrying, it’s better to rip the band-aid off quickly, capturing the ringleader first.
And I, as Prince Xiaoyao of Jin Country, have no intentions towards the throne of Shuo or Shuo Land, and being in-laws with the Zhu Family, from my standpoint, it’s not hard to see who truly shares the sa interests with the Zhu Family, without any ulterior motives, being the best mutual support.
The peace and stability of Shuo Country are not only crucial for the Prince of Shuo and Shuo Land citizens, but for Jin Country as well.
At this ti, if Shuo Land falls into chaos, everyone would be dragged into the ss, and if one thread triggers the whole, leading to worldwide chaos, wars, and suffering, no one can bear the consequences."
"With all that said, my second brother had no reason to object, so he agreed, didn’t he?" Zhu Yu nodded, acknowledging that Lu Qing’s words to Zhu Feng were indeed candid, without excuses or fear-mongering.
If it weren’t for the worry of change in Shuo Country, they wouldn’t have dared to take such risks, given that Lu Zhang had heard whispers of a possible "moral cleansing" against Jie Country, nor would Lu Qing have needed to persuade Bai Qihong to divert water to Shuo Land.
"Yes, he agreed. I also promised him to eliminate the hidden threat of the Pang Family and to help him achieve rit in front of your father, and in turn, he will reciprocate when I need his help," Lu Qing said, then asked Zhu Yu, "Based on your understanding of your second brother, is he a man of his word?"
"Yes." Zhu Yu answered with certainty, "In my observation, whether internally or externally, he acts with integrity and never seen him recklessly seeking credit or acting absurdly.
I believe, if soone can behave well for a day, then they are a good person for a day; if they can do so for ten days, then ten days good.
But if one can pretend for many years without any flaw, they are either exceptionally chosen by fate or truly a good person."
"I share the sa view with you, Madam." Lu Qing nodded with a smile, pushing another dish in front of Zhu Yu, "This dish is well made, you’ve worked hard today, please eat more."
As he spoke, Zhu Yu, holding her chin with a puzzled look, glanced over after setting down her chopsticks. Lu Qing noticed and was a bit confused: "Why aren’t you eating, Madam? If you keep staring at like this, I’ll beco suspicious."
"No rush for you to be suspicious." Zhu Yu wasn’t in the mood to listen to his smooth talk, "I was puzzled earlier, but didn’t interrupt as you were discussing serious matters.
Earlier, you could have had give that whistle to Rune, let him deliver the ssage, yet you insisted he accompany .
I thought you wanted to discuss sothing with my second brother that you didn’t want to know, so I went with Rune.
In the end, you told everything just now...
Why did you send away on purpose before? Don’t tell you didn’t an to!"
"I indeed intended to have you and Rune deliver that note together," Lu Qing admitted frankly without any attempt to deny, nodding graciously, "But regarding my agreent with your second brother, I had no intention to hide anything from you, Madam.
As it’s said, ’husbands and wives, one heart,’ there’s no reason for a husband to hide such big matters from his wife.
Moreover, this alliance is with your family, you’re my most crucial advisor in these matters, there’s no way to leave you in the dark.
However, when discussing these matters with Zhu Feng, monts of coercion and persuasion were inevitable, if you were present, it would have been difficult for you, and if Zhu Feng had been stubbornly ungrateful, causing a fallout, your presence would only have made things more awkward.
That’s the first reason."
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