novelraw Chapter 669 - 668: The Overlooked Matter [Supplementary Update]
Chapter 669 - 668: The Overlooked Matter [Supplementary Update]
Seeing that they all remained silent with complex expressions, Lu Qing took Zhu Yu aside to rest, giving them some time to make a decision.
Zhu Yu took this opportunity to check on the man with the injured leg again. She tested the temperature on his forehead and felt his pulse. Though unconscious, his breathing was steady, his body temperature was normal, and the pulse was weak yet adequate. She relaxed, knowing that, while it was uncertain how well his leg would recover, at least his life was no longer in danger.
After a while, the Big Beard called out to Lu Qing: "We’ve decided. We are willing to send someone back to invite the Young Master to meet with you. But if you use any more despicable tricks, the rest of us will fight to the death to settle this score!"
"Agreed," Lu Qing nodded decisively, signaling them to choose someone to go back with the message, and Fu Lu untied the person.
"Since we’ve reached an agreement, it’s only proper that you release my men together!" The person stretched his slightly stiff and sore limbs as he proposed a new demand.
"As long as Prince Lan’s legitimate grandson comes to meet us and both parties are honest, I naturally won’t trouble you heroes," Lu Qing said with a smile. His attitude seemed sincere and relaxed, without any room for negotiation, "But it’s not possible right now; we must wait until we are open and frank with each other before releasing anyone."
The person wanted to bargain further but was stopped by Big Beard, who urged him to leave quickly and return without delay.
Only then did the person reluctantly depart.
Thus, everyone began to wait quietly.
During the day, Fu Lu gave these men water and pushed some food into their mouths.
It seemed they had agreed to invite the Young Master for a detailed discussion. After previous exchanges, although their hands and feet were bound, the men were less vigilant and accepted the food and drink offered.
Until sunset, the forest around them finally had movements beyond the rustling treetops.
Upon hearing this, Fu Lu immediately became alert, and the "mountain bandits" also perked their ears to listen closely. After a while, they relaxed and showed faint joy on their faces.
Watching their change in reaction, Zhu Yu guessed that Prince Lan’s legitimate grandson must have arrived.
Sure enough, shortly after, the person responsible for relaying the message hurriedly ran out of the forest.
Leading the group, he was followed by several heavily armed brothers, each holding weapons and looking serious.
Seeing Big Beard’s men sitting undisturbed with their hands and feet bound but unharmed, they too seemed relieved.
Behind the towering "mountain bandits" was a young man in his early twenties, surrounded closely and carefully protected at the center of the group.
This man wasn’t tall but appeared solidly built, lacking the fragility often associated with noblemen, and his skin was quite dark, not naturally so but a result of years of exposure to the elements, rare among Lan Country folk.
Surrounded by others, the young man peered through the gaps, observing Lu Qing and the others.
"Is it him?" Zhu Yu whispered.
She knew that before marrying into Jin Country, Lu Qing had kept an eye on the "missing" Prince Lan’s legitimate grandson, though no direct dealings had been necessary before. But the basics should be well known.
Otherwise, they couldn’t have found the hideout of the "mountain bandits" so easily this time.
Lu Qing nodded slightly, affirming to Zhu Yu, as his gaze also bypassed the people in front and locked onto Prince Lan’s legitimate grandson.
Stopping a meter away from Lu Qing and them, the leader halted, clearly not intending to move forward. They held large blades horizontally in front, their defense unrelaxed.
Before Lu Qing could speak, Prince Lan’s legitimate grandson began.
"Who are you? Why do you seek me?" His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, with no trace of tension or fear, as if unconcerned about any threats to his life, his demeanor calm and composed.
Lu Qing didn’t speak, instead reaching into his pocket, producing a tablet, and handing it to Fu Lu.
Fu Lu took the tablet and quickly approached, handing it to Prince Lan’s legitimate grandson.
Most of those around focused keenly on the tablet, their eyes filled with curiosity and confusion as they wondered what identity it represented.
Zhu Yu, however, wasn’t curious; she was shocked.
What Lu Qing pulled from his pocket was the waist card of the Golden-faced Imperial Censor!
Seeing that card suddenly before her, Zhu Yu felt a momentary daze, as if they had not experienced their past events, still operating under the Golden-faced Imperial Censor’s banner for the Emperor Jin.
Suddenly, she felt a pang of alarm, her first thought being—Lu Qing’s boldness is truly astounding! Is he concealing or fabricating the Golden-faced Imperial Censor’s card?
In the past as the Golden-faced Imperial Censor, he had fame; but would impersonating this identity now invite disaster?
This concern arose and was immediately dismissed.
Knowing Lu Qing, although he didn’t mind risk and relished in the thrill, he would never senselessly endanger himself or those around him without benefit.
Zhu Yu’s mind quickly reviewed all their prior experiences, countless images flashed before her eyes, as if those chaotic times were reversed in her memory.
Suddenly, she recalled a crucial matter—at the South Study Room, after a passionate plea, Emperor Jin had "heartlessly" stripped Lu Qing of the Prince Xiaoyao title, demoting him to commoner status, even ordering guards to publicly shame him.
The uproar was significant; coupled with Lu Chao’s assertive defense and careful plea, Mr. Gao’s echoing support, including Emperor Jin’s questioning whether she wanted to divorce Lu Qing, too many chaotic incidents converged, causing them to overlook something, something very important.