Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 543 - 542: Allowing You a Divorce

Mr. Gao just realized that Emperor Jin had never punished Lu Qing’s two guards, nor that incredibly daring Princess Xiaoyao. But the tense atmosphere in the main hall earlier made him hesitant to ask.

Now, he had no choice but to inquire, his old, beardless face looking pitiful: "Your Majesty... this... this..."

Emperor Jin glanced at the talisman: "Drag his two guards out. Let them watch their master being flogged."

Upon hearing this, four guards immediately stepped forward to pull the talisman up from the ground and twisted his arms.

After handling everyone else, Emperor Jin finally turned his attention to Zhu Yu, who had been ignored for quite some time.

"You are Zhu Cheng’s daughter, and Zhu Cheng is a king of Shuo Country. Naturally, I must give him some face." Emperor Jin assessed Zhu Yu, "Earlier you said you didn’t want to be confined in the inner residence, hence you disguised as a man and went out with Lu Qing.

I understand that compared to the fewer restrictions on women in Shuo Land, it would be difficult for you to adjust after coming to Jin Country.

The arranged marriage intended to wed the daughter of Prince Shuo to Prince Xiaoyao as Princess.

However, after tomorrow, Jin Country will no longer have a Prince Xiaoyao.

Considering that Zhu Cheng has been honest and decent all these years, I offer you an opportunity.

If you wish to return to Shuo Land for a carefree and stable life, I will allow you to divorce, and you can return to Shuo Land on your own, remarrying without interference from anyone."

"I do not wish to." Before Emperor Jin could finish, Zhu Yu had already responded. She knelt as straight as Lu Qing earlier, her tone exceptionally firm without a hint of hesitation, "The marriage between my husband Lu Qing and I is based on an imperial decree, not for the admiration of his princely status.

Now that my husband is demoted, I naturally won’t abandon him because of poverty, and wealth won’t make me flee when trouble comes.

Being a couple is a blessing from past lives, whether as Prince and Princess or as a poor couple, I am willing to share fate with my husband."

Emperor Jin looked at Zhu Yu, hearing her determined words, slightly dazed as Zhu Yu’s resolute words reminded him of his first wife, Empress Wang, who had passed away but was never forgotten.

But he quickly regained focus and glanced at Lu Qing: "Heaven favors you, not only letting you escape death but also meet a loyal and righteous wife willing to share your honor and disgrace.

Fine, considering Zhu Cheng, I intended to set you free, but since you are unwilling, then go with those two guards and watch Lu Qing being flogged."

With that said, he seemed completely fatigued after handling everything, waving his hand: "Leave, all of you. Lu Chao, you too.

I am tired and do not wish to see anyone today."

"Yes... this old servant will assist you in returning to rest." Mr. Gao hurried forward upon hearing.

However, Emperor Jin stopped him: "You go supervise the punishment, and report back to me how thick this kid’s skin is and how hard his bones are."

Mr. Gao responded somewhat awkwardly and gestured for the other guards to escort the individuals out of the South Study Room.

Zhu Yu was also escorted out by two guards, their grip strong enough to hurt her arms even though she didn’t struggle.

Yet at this moment, she couldn’t afford to care about these things.

On one hand, Yan Daoxin was taken to the death cell.

Previously, regardless of whether it was the prison cart or the Shackles Prison, at least five of them were confined together, sharing the sentiment of enduring and watching out for one another, regardless of good fortune, thus being able to look after each other.

Now, only Yan Daoxin was left.

No matter what situation he encounters in the death cell, he will face it alone.

Although Yan Daoxin wasn’t spoiled all along and the skills learned from Qi Yun Mountain People were certainly not mere reputation—before Lu Qing dragged him into this, he was traveling solo, undoubtedly facing various hardships.

Nevertheless, the thought of the word "death cell" still sparked anxiety in anyone.

On the other hand, what worried Zhu Yu more was Lu Qing, who walked ahead.

She knew Lu Qing was a practitioner, robust and skilled.

Yet no matter how good his build is, fifty strikes are enough to make his skin lacerated, a frail body might perish, and for a strong man, he might not avoid severe injury, possibly ending with immobility or worse disabilities.

Recalling Lu Qing’s burning gaze and confident enthusiasm when discussing their plans earlier, and considering soon Prince Xiaoyao will be dragged outside the palace gates to be publicly flogged.

The physical ordeal barely starts, no time to recover, and by tomorrow morning, they’re officially reduced to commoners.

Despite her concerns, Zhu Yu couldn’t refrain from feeling anxious about their future.

The group was brought outside the palace gates, and Mr. Gao did not rush to arrange the punishment but whispered with a guard, who then hurriedly left.

Lu Qing was asked to kneel there quietly; the talisman looked troubled, they wished to take Lu Qing’s punishment, even preferring to endure it alongside him rather than helplessly watch their master suffer.

Yet just as both were about to speak, Lu Qing warned them with a glance, and they quickly shut their mouths.

Emperor Jin was beyond their ability to negotiate with—a single mistake and they wouldn’t relieve Lu Qing’s hardship but might lose their heads.

Thus, the wiser choice was to remain silent, ensuring their safety to better care for their master and mistress.

After a while, the guard returned, accompanied by King Fan’s nephew, who saw Lu Qing restrained and kneeling, displaying neither particular anger nor pleasure, but instead appeared somewhat nervously.

Behind him was a crowd of commoners, who likely heard rumors about Prince Xiaoyao in Bhutan and ran to witness the spectacle upon hearing he would be publicly punished.

These people knew they couldn’t get close, so they gathered far away craning their necks, ready to watch the show.

The entire affair had nothing to do with them, and they didn’t care about the rights and wrongs, who stood for justice, or whether someone was falsely accused.

They purely sought risk-free amusement watching the public flogging of nobility.

Their enjoyment was likely no different than watching monkeys dressed in human clothes performing a theater play.