"Madam’s words are absolutely right. If one day, when the ti is ripe, Princess Yan Shu wishes to divorce Lu Zhang, I naturally would, like Madam, choose to support her.
But this matter involves so much, just like back then, even though the Jie King loved his daughter dearly, he still had to consider the interests of the Jie people and painfully agreed to this marriage. Later, if Princess Yan Shu wants to leave, it’s not a decision she can make alone.
If she didn’t understand this logic when she left in a fit of pique, now, after witnessing firsthand how those malicious individuals sched and frad the Jie and Shuo countries, she should realize this point."
Zhu Yu acknowledged that what Lu Qing said was true. Although she didn’t feel entirely comfortable with it, she could only sigh deeply.
When she was sent to Jin Country to beco Princess Xiaoyao, she also had no choice. Even if Lu Qing was really as unbearable as the rumors said, she couldn’t risk fleeing the marriage.
Even if she disregarded the Zhu Family’s ties, there were so many innocent people in Shuo Country. Zhu Yu couldn’t bear to drag them into labor or war due to her impulsiveness.
Unlike Princess Yan Shu, she was more fortunate. Lu Qing did not treat her carelessly as Lu Zhang did to his betrothed, and he wasn’t like the rumors. They had a full understanding and instant insight into each other’s thoughts, leading to their later harmony, "the husband sings and the wife follows."
Still, no matter how lucky, one cannot exclude oneself from the nurous entanglents and helplessness involved.
Emotions are always the least significant part of solving a problem.
Understanding this, Zhu Yu quickly adjusted her attitude, looked at Lu Qing, and asked, "Why is Lu Yan in such a hurry to set off? Is there sothing happening in his fief?"
"Things are peaceful in his fief," Lu Qing indicated that Zhu Yu need not worry. "Here, soone impersonated Jie soldiers, using Black Iron stolen from Shuo Country to cause trouble. Both Lu Zhang and I are involved with the Jie and Shuo countries.
Originally, Lu Zhang wanted to prove his innocence, but unfortunately, the Fake Castle Master ntioned Gu Lingyun, who had frequently visited both Duke Yan Mansion and Lu Zhang.
From the reaction of those under Duke Yan, there indeed seems to have been so connection, and Lu Zhang should have realized this. That’s why when he left, he didn’t ntion taking people back to prove that Jie Country didn’t conspire with Shuo Country for rebellion.
He has his concerns, but I need the bad reputation of Jie and Shuo countries to be quickly cleared.
The old steward who acted as an accomplice in the Immortal Castle probably survived because the Fake Castle Master fled in panic and didn’t silence him.
Today, Lu Yan and I went early to investigate. Lu Yan tied up that old steward and the few remaining guards, sent soone ahead to the Capital to deliver a report, and will escort the old steward and others to clarify this matter before the Holy Emperor as soon as possible.
Lu Yan has no involvent with Jie and Shuo places, and those impostors who claid to be Jie soldiers even killed his tax collectors. Handling this matter is reasonable both publicly and privately for him."
Zhu Yu thought this arrangent was indeed good, and after so thought, she smiled, "Are you also worried that if Lu Yan stays outside for too long, the Holy Emperor might forget about his brave and good son?
Is this an opportunity to let him show his face before the Holy Emperor, warming up the father-son bond?"
From Lu Qing’s expression, it was clear Zhu Yu was right. However, he didn’t explain further but quietly exhaled, "The Holy Emperor is always shrewd. My intentions are just mine, and how things will develop depends on the Holy Emperor’s will."
"Now that Lu Zhang and Lu Yan have left, what about us?" Zhu Yu asked.
"Since we’re already in Lan Country, returning now makes no sense. It’s better to venture deeper," Lu Qing seed to have made up his mind.
Zhu Yu was happy with this, as this journey, though not leisurely, still offered more freedom than being trapped in the Capital, staring from day to day at the flowers and birds in the courtyard.
Most people here had withdrawn, leaving the surroundings of the Immortal Castle silent. The Fu Lu brothers found so ingredients, cooked a simple porridge, and together with Yan Daoxin, the five had a basic breakfast.
Afterward, Yan Daoxin took so prepared dicinal materials to the True Castle Master they had accidentally saved. After all, he was about to leave, and the unfortunate True Castle Master, having been tortured in the dungeon for so long, would need more than a few days to recover.
It was a while before Yan Daoxin returned. Lu Qing and Zhu Yu had already waited for him in the small courtyard’s guest hall for quite so ti. Over at the Fu Lu brothers’ side, the luggage was packed, ready to depart at any mont.
"Why did it take so long? Did the Fortress Lord nad Jiang Hong develop so other health issues that are hard to recover from?" Zhu Yu asked, puzzled.
"Not at all. He’s much better than when we first found him. I prepared so dicinal decoctions and pills for him, which will last over half a month, and afterward, diet will suffice."
Yan Daoxin waved his hand, indicating that the man was much better: "I took so long because he told an interesting story, sowhat related to the Fake Castle Master."
"Oh?" Hearing this, Lu Qing beca interested as well and gestured for Yan Daoxin to continue, "Let’s hear it."
"He said that before the disaster ca to the Immortal Castle, barely a hundred miles from here, in a place called Lianxiang City, a peculiar incident also occurred."
Yan Daoxin tried to maintain his calm, but his tone inadvertently revealed his curiosity and even excitent: "In Lianxiang City, there’s a Little Mountain Building. No one knows who the owner is, but a sharp-eyed, elderly matron handles public dealings, playing a role seemingly akin to the old steward here.
This old matron scoured the city for young, beautiful won, hoping to persuade their families to send these girls into Little Mountain Building for nurturing if they were pretty enough."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu couldn’t help but frown, "This Little Mountain Building doesn’t sound like a good place. Is it so kind of music hall looking to lure respectable girls?"
"I initially thought so too, but it turns out differently," Yan Daoxin shook his head. "Supposedly, the owner of that Little Mountain Building has connections and specializes in seeking noble concubines or secondary wives for high-ranking officials. The old matron assists in searching for suitable candidates."
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