Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 553 - 552: Serendipity

Lu Qing seemed to have anticipated Zhu Yu’s concerns. He brought his hand, which was behind his back, forward, revealing a few pieces of fake skin.

"These are not a problem." He smiled, watching the light reignite in Zhu Yu’s eyes, speaking in a tone so gentle that even he wasn’t aware of it, "Just tell me, do you want to go out for a stroll?"

"Yes, I do!" Zhu Yu nodded immediately without any hesitation.

The two entered the bedroom and closed the door. When they came out shortly after, they had already changed their appearances, turning into a tall, pockmarked young man and a yellow-faced girl with a long chin.

Their appearances weren’t ugly, but they were the kind that could easily get lost in a crowd.

The talismans, of course, knew this was their master in disguise and quickly approached them.

"Master, it’s too dangerous for you and the madam to go out like this, let us accompany you!" The Fu Lu seemed worried that if they didn’t intervene, the two of them would quickly slip away, hurriedly saying, "We can’t afford any mishaps at this critical moment!"

From the expression on Lu Qing’s face and the look in his eyes, it was clear he did not want to agree, but Zhu Yu quickly sobered up from the joy of going out, pulled Lu Qing aside, and nodded towards him: "I think Fu Lu is right, one can’t be careless, especially at times like this.

Your injury has just healed; you really can’t afford any risks, or it could delay important matters."

Lu Qing was somewhat reluctant, pursing his lips, but he conceded as Zhu Yu wished.

His gaze swept across Fu Lu, then looked at the rune, pointing at him: "You need to put on fake skin too before going out, come in with me."

The rune responded immediately, following Lu Qing into the room.

Seeing the situation, Fu Lu also became anxious, quickly stepping forward twice: "Master, what about me?"

"You stay here and keep watch." Lu Qing glanced at him, "Even if I can change faces, I can’t shrink my bones.

Your stature walking out, who wouldn’t recognize you as my bodyguard?"

Feeling a bit wronged, Fu Lu pursed his lips, scratched his head, and had no choice but to step aside, watching his brother enviously as he followed Lu Qing in to put on fake skin and change clothes.

Zhu Yu, seeing Fu Lu like this, couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him and sat down beside him to comfort him: "How about we buy you some delicious snacks when we get back?"

Fu Lu looked up at Zhu Yu, pulling at his lips: "Thank you, madam, but... I think I’ll skip it!

From today on, I’ll only eat one meal a day, just a small bowl... I’ll slim down too, so the master won’t leave me behind when he goes out..."

Zhu Yu was amused by his demeanor: "If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about such things.

You’re robust, not pot-bellied, nothing to slim down; all that muscle will be useful at critical times.

Besides, even if you could starve yourself into a slimmer self, your height wouldn’t shrink!

Think about it, is your tall, burly frame more useful to Lu Qing compared to a thin, bamboo-like figure?"

Fu Lu pondered, realizing Zhu Yu’s words made a lot of sense, and his previous dejected demeanor disappeared, his spirits lifted again: "Madam, you’re right! I should stay just like this!

Whether I can go out with you and the master to stroll is secondary, the most important thing is that if any villains dare show up, I could subdue them with one hand!"

Zhu Yu nodded in satisfaction, patting Fu Lu’s shoulder: "That’s the spirit."

After a while, Lu Qing and the rune came out.

The rune’s face also had fake skin on, and he had changed into attendant clothes, looking similarly plain-looking, appearing much older than his actual age.

He was not short, but not as strikingly tall as Fu Lu; being low-key now, he looked particularly simple and honest, like an old servant who had served two generations of a family.

Then, the three of them left under Fu Lu’s envious gaze.

Zhu Yu didn’t know how they got to this small courtyard, but Lu Qing seemed familiar with the way. He led Zhu Yu through twists and turns, explaining as they went: "This courtyard is mine, and every time it’s said that Prince Xiaoyao stayed at the Yunyin Pavilion, he was actually living here."

"No wonder it’s so secluded, yet you navigate it so well." Zhu Yu felt dizzy, already unable to tell directions.

Finally, when they made their way out, they soon arrived at the bustling street.

Zhu Yu realized that since marrying Lu Qing, she hadn’t had the chance to leisurely stroll in broad daylight. Either she wasn’t in the Capital, or she would only go to the Yunyin Pavilion with him at night.

Who would have thought that when they finally had the time to wander leisurely in the market, they had already been demoted to commoners?

The two who should, by rights, have fallen from grace, were now roaming the streets nonchalantly, even in a good mood.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would believe it.

The three of them wandered about the street, and to fulfill her promise, Zhu Yu went to a famous pastry shop in the Capital, recommended by Lu Qing, purchasing various pastries the Yunyin Pavilion’s cook wasn’t skilled at making, buying plenty for each type, knowing if she bought too little, Fu Lu, being who he is, would definitely save them for his master instead of enjoying them himself.

Cosmetics and such didn’t interest Zhu Yu; she found applying them cumbersome, and the jewelry and jade were just as much hassle. After wandering for a while, she stumbled upon some fine silk thread in a herb shop.

"This isn’t ordinary silk," Zhu Yu said, holding the bundle with joy, her eyes shaped like crescent moons, "This requires top-quality double-pod cocoons, first fumigated with beeswax and myrrh to make it supple and strong, then coated with egg white and bletilla.

I’d only heard of it before, never seen it.

It’s even better than ordinary silk thread."

Lu Qing watched her silently, proud as she delightedly admired it.

Other ladies might fancy gold and jewelry, jade and silk, or at most some calligraphy and paintings by famous artists.

But his Zhu Yu didn’t panic at the sight of blood or injury and wouldn’t scream or run at the sight of a corpse—brave and intelligent as she was.

In such a vast world, there was indeed such a unique woman, who by chance became his wife.

Wonder if Emperor Jin now regrets that marriage decree from the past...