Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 279 - 278: Deserved to Die

That night, Zhu Yu did not sleep well. Although she didn’t toss and turn, she was restless throughout the night.

With every experience she shared with Lu Qing, she could increasingly feel the perilous nature of the environment she found herself in.

Coming to Shuo Country this time was indeed a risky move, but as she realized the severity of the issues plaguing Shuo Land, she felt that their visit was worthwhile both publicly and privately.

Firstly, they helped solve the problems for the people of Shuo Land, allowing them to live more comfortably. Secondly, it provided an opportunity for her father to let go of his previous negligence and complacency, and to become more vigilant.

This would, in turn, greatly increase the likelihood that Prince Shuo would become an ally to Lu Qing in the future.

After all the twists and turns, efforts were not spared and much good was done. Yet, with Zhu Cheng’s comment, "intertwined roots," he intended to appease the Pang Family, raising their heavy faults and conspiracies high only to put them down low, indulging them.

If he wasn’t her father, and if it didn’t concern their future plans, Zhu Yu would have wanted to say, "Serves him right!"

Even though she knew Lu Qing was reliable and steady in his work, his calm demeanor indicated he had plans in reserve. But all their efforts hadn’t earned a clear stance from Zhu Cheng, leaving Zhu Yu both anxious and frustrated.

The next day, she arose, troubled by the vexing dreams from the night before, appearing somewhat listless and not in bright spirits. Yet, she insisted on getting up to practice the self-defense techniques taught by Lu Qing in the courtyard.

After breakfast, Zhu Yu and Lu Qing went to see Zhu Cheng, who was busy gathering manpower from reliable personal soldiers, preparing to handle all matters regarding the takeover of the Black Iron Mine.

Upon hearing that Zhu Yu and Lu Qing intended to visit the prison, Zhu Cheng, perhaps aware that his previous attitude towards the Pang Family might have offended his son-in-law, or perhaps due to strained resources, willingly gave full authority over the interrogation to the pair, even handing them a waist card.

Initially, Zhu Cheng removed the waist card and handed it directly to Lu Qing, but Lu Qing seemed not to notice, subtly moving aside to avoid it.

Zhu Cheng, taken aback for a moment, showed some awareness, pausing his action before passing the item to Zhu Yu instead.

"This matter is entrusted to you. You know how to handle it properly," he said to both in a tone full of trust.

Zhu Yu nodded indifferently, her attitude neutral, remaining within the bounds of courtesy.

With the token in hand, they left Prince Shuo Mansion, not rushing directly to the prison, but rather wandering around the capital until mealtime approached before proceeding to the prison.

Upon arrival, the prison guard was about to serve meals to the prisoners. Seeing Zhu Yu and Lu Qing with Prince Shuo’s waist card, he hurriedly approached to greet them.

"Is the food served?" Zhu Yu looked at a nearby wooden bucket containing food.

"No, not yet, Sir!" Although he didn’t know who these two were, holding Prince Shuo’s waist card meant they were surely no ordinary people, so the prison guard was extremely respectful, even somewhat apprehensive.

"Serve the food to everyone except the Chief Historian Zuo and those from the Jia Family," said Zhu Yu after some thought, "Is your meal preparation precise, or do you have a bit of excess?"

"Sir, it’s not so precise; there’s certainly some excess." Upon answering, the prison guard suddenly felt inspired, "Are the two of you yet to have a meal? I shall arrange something palatable for you all right away."

"No need, just the same food is fine. No need to prepare separately for us," Zhu Yu gestured, "Go serve the food first, and give us what’s left afterwards."

The guard agreed repeatedly, ran away looking bewildered, then returned a while later with two bowls, filled with some food that looked rather ordinary and bland.

"Is it not to your taste, Sirs...?" The guard still uncertain, hesitantly asked.

"It’s fine, lead us to Lady Jia Jun’s cell," Zhu Yu said, glancing around, "Bring that wooden stool over, we can’t stand outside the cell holding bowls eating, can we?"

Sitting on a stool and eating outside a cell isn’t appropriate either...

The guard muttered silently, but didn’t dare voice it, and dutifully carried two wooden stools upfront, leading the pair to the cell holding Lady Jia Jun, placing the stools respectfully outside.

Zhu Cheng’s governance of Shuo Land was generally considered lenient, so there weren’t many prisoners. Lady Jia’s cell was quiet, with no others around. She sat slumped on the ground, half leaning against the wall in despair.

Hearing noise, Lady Jia hurried to struggle upright, only to see the prison guard respectfully placing stools for Zhu Yu and Lu Qing. Recognizing the pair she’d seen at her house the day before, she quickly knelt up.

"Sir, I am innocent!" She appeared haggard overnight, likely from crying, with eyes almost swollen shut, "I don’t understand, it’s my husband who was murdered, why bring me to prison!

My family has elderly parents and two children. How is my family to survive with me kept here without reason!"

Probably hungry herself, she spoke sadly yet her eyes involuntarily glanced at the bowl in Zhu Yu’s hand, instinctively swallowing a gulp.

"Bringing you here is for a reason. As long as you’re innocent, are you afraid we’d fabricate evidence against you?" Zhu Yu said coldly, observing Lady Jia’s pitiful demeanor. Holding the bowl, she didn’t bring it to her mouth, "Tell me, before you returned home, did Jia Jun show any strange behavior?"

"No, he was very well." Lady Jia, nearly cried out, "My husband never allowed me to meddle in his official affairs, but I saw he was not only riding high, but at least smooth sailing.

Seeing him hanging from that beam, I didn’t believe he would take his own life!"

"Did Chief Historian Zuo ever wait at your home?" Zhu Yu asked.

Lady Jia shook her head: "Never came; I didn’t know they had such dealings. Seeing him come out of my home felt rather startling."