Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 536 - 535: South Study Room

"Me?" Yan Daoxin grinned, "I don’t need to. It’s fine like this."

Zhu Yu, hearing their conversation, also looked over at Yan Daoxin.

Lately, they’ve either been locked together in a prison cart or in this dimly lit prison cell. Aside from her, disguised as a man, the other four have all grown varying degrees of scruffy beards, which she knew, and being locked together every day, it was somewhat seen but ignored.

Now that Lu Qing has shaved clean, essentially returning to his usual appearance, it made her realize how much Yan Daoxin looked different, as if he had transformed into another person.

Previously, when she saw Yan Daoxin, he was always dressed immaculately in white, with hair neatly tied in a Taoist bun, his impeccably beautiful face was clean, possessing an ethereal aloofness, like an Immortal descended from the heavens.

Yet now, his hair was almost completely untied, slightly disheveled, and the beard growing chaotically on his once handsome face seemed to obscure half of his original appearance.

This appearance seemed devoid of an Immortal aura; if one must say what he resembles, he looked more like a mad Daoist rambling nonsense.

"What’s wrong with how I look?" Yan Daoxin touched the stubble on his cheeks and chin, "Isn’t tidying one’s appearance at this time somewhat inauspicious? Like preparing generously for death..."

"No, no, I haven’t lived enough yet!"

"Divine Doctor, you shouldn’t say such things!" Upon hearing this, Fuwen became anxious since Lu Qing had just shaved. When Yan Daoxin said this, it did seem inauspicious, like bringing bad luck to Lu Qing, "What does this have to do with generously facing death! It’s merely about meeting the Holy Emperor with proper appearance..."

"Why are you anxious? I’ve long said he won’t die, don’t worry, don’t worry!" Yan Daoxin casually waved his hand at Fuwen, even with a hint of teasing, "Alright, according to you, it’s not generously facing death, it’s for the royal audience.

Then I need it even less!

We kindly helped in Bhutan yet were thrown into this prison without care for so many days, does that conform to rules on his part as a ruler?

If he truly followed rules, at least among us five, Lu Qing shouldn’t be here.

Since he chose to act first, why can’t I act later? If he doesn’t follow rules, neither will I."

After saying this, he waved his hand, indicating he didn’t want to discuss it further with Rune, and turned to Lu Qing: "Then tell me, what good would tidying my hair and shaving do for me now?"

Lu Qing slightly raised his eyebrows, glancing at Yan Daoxin, seeing Yan Daoxin smiling with determination.

He immediately understood and nodded: "If that’s the case, do as you wish."

Thus, a day passed just like that, and by the next morning, the prison was still quiet.

Zhu Yu was so starving that she lay listlessly, unwilling to move.

By noon, the constables came to deliver food again, seeing they still ate nothing, they became somewhat anxious, fearing that prolonged hunger might lead to death, and with much persuasion and pleading, they asked Lu Qing and the others to eat, swearing that the previous incident was entirely accidental, and now they were fully alert to prevent any recurrence.

In response to their pleas, Lu Qing only had one sentence: "Life is singular, if it ends unjustly in this prison, there’s even less chance to clear our names.

My intent is settled, unwilling to risk, no need for further words."

Those constables usually never have the chance to interact with Princes or nobles, unable to persuade him, nor did they dare force him, they left in frustration, deciding it couldn’t remain unreported.

Previously, because of the one who sneaked in to poison them, they were deeply uneasy, fearing blame, they hadn’t reported Lu Qing’s refusal to eat immediately, but now in light of the situation, it was clear it couldn’t remain concealed.

Lu Qing and the others had been starving for two days; they wouldn’t last much longer like this. Reporting it, whether the Holy Emperor responded or not was his matter; at least the fault wouldn’t fall on them.

So, after deliberation, they nervously reported the matter to Mr. Gao in front of Emperor Jin, asking him to convey the message.

Finally, after the court session on the third day, Emperor Jin finally sent someone to bring Lu Qing and the five others out from the Shackles Prison, heading straight to the South Study Room.

The South Study Room... again the South Study Room...

Zhu Yu followed weak-legged, pondering uneasily.

It’s so coincidental, with so many places not chosen, every summon of Lu Qing always occurs in the South Study Room.

Thus, they familiarly arrived outside the South Study Room.

Mr. Gao saw Lu Qing with cheeks slightly sunken, his expression showed undeniable sympathy.

He had never held grievances against Lu Qing, no matter how the outside world portrayed Prince Xiaoyao, each time he visited the palace, during conversations in the South Study Room, he treated him courteously, making gestures every time.

Mr. Gao has served beside Emperor Jin for half his life, truly unfazed by those golden melon seeds.

But as a eunuch, he knew clearly, no matter how others were polite to him publicly, privately they only regarded him as a higher servant with no real respect.

Some high-ranking ones were even too lazy to pretend, directly showing disdain.

Being seemingly high-status yet serving nobles as a eunuch, his inner sensitivity was heightened; those respectful on the surface, yet with disdain in their eyes, directly unfriendly, constantly reminded Mr. Gao that even as a favored servant beside Emperor Jin, he was still looked down upon.

By comparison, among the royal kin, Lu Qing’s gaze and courtesy made him feel pleased.

This time, Lu Qing made such a huge mess that Mr. Gao dared not rashly plead on his behalf before Emperor Jin. But upon hearing about the attempt to poison them, causing their fear of being poisoned, refusing to eat, he quickly embellished in reporting to Emperor Jin.

And so, Emperor Jin finally relented, sending for Lu Qing and the others right after court today.