Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 296 - 295: House Arrest

Zhu Yu’s words left Pang Yuzhen so shocked that she didn’t dare make a sound, staring blankly at Zhu Yu.

At this point, Zhu Yu had no reason to be polite to Pang Yuzhen and continued, "In the past, you relied on your identity as Princess Shuo to lord it over your family.

But over the years, in what you have done in the Prince Mansion, my father has turned a blind eye, not out of fear of the Pang Family supporting you, but for the sake of your marriage.

You should be able to see Pang Yutang’s ambition now. If he really seizes power, you’d lose your husband’s support and be caught between the Zhu Family and Pang Family, and at that time, I’m afraid neither side will accept you.

The Pang Family might not have known my father’s plans initially, but you specifically called them into the mansion and told Pang Yutang everything yourself. Thanks to your ’active facilitation’, the Pang Family has a much greater chance of success, potentially wiping out my father and older brother, leaving the Zhu Family with no chance of recovery."

"What?! Zhu Jie too?!" Pang Yuzhen, realizing it involved her eldest son as well, leaped up from her chair in shock, "Wasn’t he supposed to be overseeing the canal construction at Black Stone Mountain? How did he end up at the Black Iron mine?!"

Zhu Yu looked at her coldly.

Indeed, compared to always worrying about the traitorous Zhu Cheng, Pang Yuzhen valued her ’promising’ eldest son Zhu Jie more.

After all, the title of Princess Shuo wasn’t attached to her head. If Zhu Cheng ever acted ungratefully and decided to divorce, the Emperor Jin wouldn’t care.

But if Zhu Jie someday succeeded to the throne, as the biological mother of the new Prince Shuo, no one could shake her position.

So when she heard Zhu Jie was also within the Pang Family’s scope of siege, she panicked immediately.

"My father actually detected the Pang Family’s plot long ago but chose not to argue over trivial matters due to his affection for you over the years," Zhu Yu took a breath, softening her tone slightly, "He thought of giving a small punishment to prevent future transgressions, forgiving past secretive acts if no lines were crossed.

Unexpectedly, the Pang Family didn’t plan to leave any room for the Zhu Family.

If you still have any care for the tolerance and care my father has shown you over the years, you’d better tell what you know about the Pang Family, maybe it could help my father and elder brother gain some leverage, otherwise..."

Zhu Yu sighed, slowly shaking her head.

Pang Yuzhen was already panicking when she heard Zhu Jie was involved. After hearing Zhu Yu’s words, she became even more at a loss, biting her lips and twisting her hands. After a brief struggle, she still couldn’t let go, revealing the little bit of information she knew to Zhu Yu, saying that although she wasn’t sure, she vaguely knew that Pang Yutang seemed to have some private dealings with a few officials in the capital, and their relationship was quite close.

But she didn’t know anything deeper.

The more Pang Yuzhen spoke, the more guilty she became. Only at this moment did she suddenly realize that she didn’t actually know much about the Pang Family, as it seemed Pang Yutang wasn’t very honest with his married sister.

Instead, she kept thinking about relying on her family for support. Whatever happened in the Zhu Family, unless it was something critical like Zhu Yu’s private return, almost nothing could be hidden from her, and she revealed everything to the Pang Family.

Pang Yuzhen grew increasingly annoyed, but it was to no avail, so she could only wipe her tears while reluctantly lowering herself, begging Zhu Yu to think of a way to ensure her father’s and brother’s safety.

Zhu Yu had no mind to care about her feelings now; having asked all she needed, she supported Miao Family out of the room, taking her back to Li Garden.

Although at this point, Pang Yuzhen and her daughter probably wouldn’t dare trouble Miao Family anymore, Zhu Yu still didn’t feel at ease letting her mother stay with those two. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

She preferred Miao Family to be closer to Yan Shu.

Yan Shu was straightforward and righteous, in case anything happened, she could at least help ensure Miao Family’s safety to some extent.

Currently, allowing Fu Lu and her only temporarily stabilized the situation in Prince Shuo Mansion, and the rest remained uncertain.

Zhu Cheng and Lu Qing had only set out a few days ago, and it was unrealistic for them to return so quickly. During this time, she needed to tread carefully and couldn’t afford any mistakes.

After settling Miao Family, Zhu Yu instructed Fu Lu to release all the loyal and reliable stewards and servants of the mansion, ordering the steward to arrange for people to guard the main courtyard, preventing Pang Yuzhen and Zhu Ning from roaming freely. Apart from food and drink, nothing else was to be addressed, nor were they allowed to leave the small courtyard.

In the past, the steward wouldn’t have dared to comply with such orders, but the situation was different now. On one side was the second young lady who had already become Princess Xiaoyao, and Prince Xiaoyao had left with the prince to suppress the rebellion. On the other side was the lady whose attitude towards the Pang Family, who had previously imprisoned them, remained ambiguous.

The steward knew well that the lady’s mistakes were too serious this time. Although everything must await the prince’s return for resolution, the second young lady’s arrangements were not excessive at all.

For other concubines in the mansion, just the fact they leaked the prince’s whereabouts to the Pang Family would have been enough to execute and discard them in the wilderness.

So he immediately arranged reliable personnel to surround the main courtyard, ensuring that no one could go in or out.

Afterward, Zhu Yu rested for a while, had some food, and when it was completely dark, Fu Lu silently left the mansion to find Wen Qiming in the prison.

Zhu Yu previously considered herself someone who could handle things alone, but for such complex situations requiring expertise, she always felt confident.

But handling such a mess all by herself was truly a first for her.

After sincerely analyzing the situation, Zhu Yu felt slightly more assured.

Zhu Cheng took many followers with him, resulting in fewer available people she could trust in the capital. Though a disadvantage, Pang Yutang also faced similar constraints.

He sent his son ahead while attempting to create an entrapment from behind. This showed a degree of desperation, and he would inevitably go all out.

In this way, she and the Pang Family in the capital were somehow ’evenly matched’. As long as she proceeded carefully, she had a decent chance of victory.