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Chapter 109 The Great Battle

"What's the matter with Prince Shu's condition that makes him as cold and stiff as a stone?" Zhu Yu was a little confused. Although saving lives was not her strong point, she did know a thing or two. She had never heard of such a strange emergency.

"That's unknown. It's just that they have the same goal through different paths. I guess the considerations are similar. I just don't know if this is his own idea or the result of his mother's advice to him." Lu Qing curled his lips with a playful look in his eyes.

Just now, Lu Qing suddenly "fell ill". Zhu Yu had already guessed something based on the content of their previous conversation. Now, with the incident at Lu Ze's house, she became even more certain.

Perhaps it was because from the day of Lu Qing’s wedding, with his “one more” incident, and then the “two more” incident of General Cao’s birthday, these “top people” in the capital also smelled the scent of conspiracy.

So the wedding of Prince Yi, which should have been the most sought-after event by all parties, has now become a hot potato. People are afraid of getting burned if they hold it in their hands, but they are reluctant to throw it away.

People like Lu Qing and Lu Ze, who had the capital to throw it away, all resorted to the trick of "being unwell".

"You and Lu Ze are both 'sick', and Prince Xu is no longer in the capital... Based on your understanding, will the Third and Fourth Princes rush back for the banquet?" Zhu Yu asked curiously.

"If Lu Yan and Lu Jun were willing to wade into this muddy water, they wouldn't have volunteered to go guard the border so early," Lu Qing replied.

In this way, a night passed, and on the next day, Fu Wen disguised himself and left the house early, and came back in the afternoon. He told Lu Qing and Zhu Yu that Prince Yi's wedding did seem a bit deserted. Since Prince Xu was not in the capital, Prince Xiaoyao and Prince Shu fell ill one after another and were unable to attend the banquet, so there was no one from the royal family to support the occasion.

Lu Zhang had no shortage of royal relatives. In order to make things look good for his grandson, Duke Yan Zhao Bi brought almost the entire family over.

Zhao Bi's eldest son, Zhao Mo, is nearly fifty years old. He has mediocre talent and has achieved nothing. His only "achievement" is to give birth to a legitimate grandson, Zhao Boce, for the Zhao family.

This man had no ambition. He relied on the fact that he was Zhao Bi's eldest son and that according to the law he would naturally be eligible to inherit Zhao Bi's title and become a county duke in the future. He seemed to think that in this way, he would have nothing else to ask for in his life. He spent his days raising flowers and playing with birds, and was even more carefree than Lu Qing, the free and easy king.

It was precisely because of this that Zhao Bi usually preferred to bring his eldest grandson, Zhao Boce, rather than appear in public with his disappointing son. He seemed to feel that such a son somewhat disgraced his reputation as Duke Yan.

Today, for Lu Zhang's wedding, he actually invited Zhao Mo and his wife to join him.

Not only that, Duke Yan's second son Zhao He also attended the banquet with them.

His second son was quite like his father. At a young age, Zhao Bi sent him to the border army for training, hoping that he could make achievements soon.

Zhao He did live up to his expectations. He gained some prestige in the army in his first year and made military achievements in his second year.

Unfortunately, in the third year, Zhao He was unlucky and accidentally fell off his horse. He was then trampled by the frightened horse, and one of his legs was completely lame, making him a cripple.

From then on, he became depressed and lived in seclusion in the mansion of Duke Yan, refusing to show up again.

"He is wearing a veil today, covering himself completely. If it weren't for the limp way he walks, I really wouldn't have guessed it was him." Fu Wen said to Lu Qing.

"Have you seen Bai Qihong?" Lu Qing asked.

"No," Fu Wen shook his head. "I heard that Minister Bai was sent by the emperor to Huazhou to supervise the construction of canals and water diversion for the Ministry of Works. But his wife, the second daughter of Duke Yan, went with Duke Yan and his men." "By this calculation, all the members of Duke Yan's family who could be there are here. He really loves Lu Zhang very much." Lu Qing nodded.

"Sir, before I came back, His Majesty also went there in person," Fu Wen added hurriedly, "but he didn't stay long. He left in less than an incense stick's time. I guess he just came to ask for a glass of wedding wine and show his support to Prince Yi."

Lu Qing was not surprised by this, and asked again: "What's the situation outside?"

"There are Jie people," Fu Wen answered confidently. "But they don't look like they want to cause trouble. They are all wearing the usual clothing of the Jin people. Some are disguised as peddlers carrying goods on poles, wandering the streets near Prince Yi's palace."

Mentioning this, Fu Wen was a little amused and helpless: "They are really stupid. They knew they could disguise themselves as vendors, so they really did it!
Today is Prince Yi's wedding, and everyone in the palace is probably busy entertaining the guests and guarding against anyone trying to sabotage things. They have no time to pay attention to the outside world, especially the streets around the back door.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be any foolish peddlers carrying loads of goods through the streets around the palace on ordinary days. Wouldn't they have noticed something unusual long ago? "

"This isn't surprising. The Jie are good at fighting, but not at disguising themselves. Isn't this something known to all military strategists?" Lu Qing thought for a moment. "In the next few days, you and Fu Lu should go out more often and keep an eye out for any changes in the Jie people's movements on the streets."

"Yes!" Fu Wen responded immediately.

"How about I help you go out and take a look?" Zhu Yu felt a little bored at home these past two days. Seeing Lu Qing arranging runes and talismans to go out and investigate the situation, he was also tempted.

"I'm afraid Madam will have to stay at home for the next few days to take care of your sick husband." Lu Qing pointed at himself and said, "If His Majesty hadn't gone to Lu Zhang's house for the wedding banquet today, I would still be a little unsure.

Since he went to Lu Zhang today and gave enough face to Duke Yan and Lu Zhang, he had to give face to Concubine Duan later. Naturally, he also needed to visit the sick Lu Ze. "

Having said that, he paused, looked at Zhu Yu with a somewhat helpless look, and nodded slowly.

"I understand." Zhu Yu sighed, "After seeing Lu Ze, I have to treat him equally. Now let's see you.

As your wife, I need to be by your side to wait on you, so as not to reveal my true identity."

Zhu Yu thought he had guessed Lu Qing's thoughts correctly, but he shook his head: "No, you need to stay in the mansion because you are also sick."

"Me?" This answer surprised Zhu Yu a little.

"The day I 'fell ill,' the physician asked Fu Wen where I had been and what I had done. I had been with His Majesty during my time in the palace, so there was no need for him to ask. Afterwards, I returned home and had dinner with you.

If I have something wrong and you don't, then whether or not to suspect you depends entirely on His Majesty's mood.

But if I have a big appetite and you have a small one, and you developed the same symptoms after the doctor left, then this will eliminate suspicion on you and avoid causing unnecessary trouble for you, your father, and even the entire Shuo Kingdom."

(End of this chapter)