Discuss with you

Chapter 234 Quarry

Zhu Feng's expression was solemn as he frowned in thought. He took out a map of the Sunrise Ridge area from his pocket and placed it on the table. He asked Lu Qing, "Where did Your Highness see that large pack of wild dogs lingering there today?"

Lu Qing carefully examined the map, pointed out the place she had traveled that day, and subtly observed Zhu Feng's even more astonished and ugly expression when he saw where her finger landed.

"It seems that the Second Young Master knows what kind of road this is?" Lu Qing asked.

In fact, he had already noticed it when he arrived there during the day. After all, in such a remote and sparsely populated place, there was such a wide and flat country road. It could not have been formed naturally, and no one would be so bored as to go to such a place to build a road.

The only reason is that there are people who frequently need to pass through that area and have certain requirements for the width and smoothness of the road surface.

Clearly, Zhu Feng's expression made it very clear that he knew the answer to the question.

Zhu Feng pondered for a moment, pursed his lips, and tried his best to keep his expression and tone calm, but his voice still revealed a kind of tension: "In the Sunrise Ridge area, there is a quarry that belongs to my maternal family, and the surrounding area is also the private property of the Pang family."

The place that the prince just pointed out on the map is the location of the Pang family's private property.

More than 20 years ago, that area was one of the Pang family's main businesses. They would quarry stone, transport it out, make it into stone tools, and sell them elsewhere.

Later, the Pang family and the Zhu family formed a marriage alliance. With the father's tacit approval, the family gradually shifted its business focus to weapon forging and iron ore mining and smelting. The stone tool business was neglected and almost abandoned.

In the past, outsiders were not allowed to enter and leave that mountain valley at will, for fear that someone would steal the stone from the quarry. There were special people guarding it.

Even the roads in the mountain valleys were specially built by the Pang family back then, so that it would be convenient to transport heavy stones out of the mountains by horse-drawn carts.

It's been at least ten years, and I haven't heard of the Pang family running a stone tool business. I always thought they had abandoned this quarry long ago. I never imagined that the road would still be there..."

Zhu Feng didn't continue speaking, seemingly somewhat agitated.

Zhu Yu had previously told him that many able-bodied men from the Black Stone Mountain area had mysteriously and strangely left, and then disappeared without a trace.

Now, piles of white bones have been unearthed at the foot of Sunrise Ridge, not only human remains, but also the remains of "acquaintances".

The disappearance of the "body" and the inexplicable appearance of packs of wild dogs around the Pang family quarry make it hard not to feel a chill in one's heart.

The more Zhu Feng thought about it, the more his brows furrowed, unable to relax.

His answer did not surprise Lu Qing, or rather, it was exactly as he had predicted.

"I wonder what the relationship is between you and your maternal family, Second Young Master? Is it as close as your brother's?" Since Zhu Feng had already brought up the Pang family, Lu Qing decided to stop beating around the bush and asked directly.

Zhu Feng hadn't expected him to ask so bluntly, especially since he was being compared to Zhu Jie. His expression instantly changed from serious to embarrassed. "To be honest, my relationship with my maternal family... isn't as close and harmonious as my elder brother's." After a brief moment of hesitation, he decided to be frank. "Perhaps it's because I'm uncouth and not very talented."

“Second Young Master, we have been completely honest with each other today, so why do you need to use such humble words?” Lu Qing chuckled and shook his head. “I haven’t seen any particularly outstanding qualities in the Eldest Young Master.”

It's likely that the Pang family had other reasons for choosing between the eldest and second sons.

Could it be that the second young master has had some kind of conflict with your maternal family?

Since Lu Qing had guessed it, Zhu Feng no longer concealed it. He sighed and gave Lu Qing a deep look: "Your Highness is indeed insightful. You were able to see through this."

Although I haven't had any major conflicts with my maternal grandfather and uncle's family, there have indeed been some minor misunderstandings.

Since his father became the vassal king of Shuodi, the Pang family has been growing their power under his protection.

Originally, it was just business, but gradually they extended their reach further and further, and began to get involved in things that were not originally allowed for outsiders to interfere with. Relying on their mother's constant pleading and persuasion at home, they even handed over a portion of the Wutie Mine in Shuodi to the Pang family for guarding and management.

Not to mention the weapon forging matters you asked me about before.

These things were naturally the Pang family overstepping their bounds, and I do not agree with them. I believe that even if my father is just a vassal king, he should not be so careless as to allow his relatives by marriage to interfere too much in the affairs of his fiefdom, and he should not condone their bullying in the northern region.

Over the years, the Pang family has been expanding their own power while operating under the banner of the Zhu family. In fact, later on, the Pang family members' pomp and circumstance in public were even greater than those of the father, the real Prince of Shuo.

Over time, this may have a negative impact on Father's governance of Shuoguo.

I mentioned this matter to my father several times. Although he agreed with my opinion and slightly tightened his indulgence of the Pang family, he couldn't stand my mother's crying and fussing. In the end, he often couldn't hold on for long and would revert to his old ways.

Later, my elder brother told my uncle and maternal grandfather about the several times I had advised my father, and naturally, they didn't like me much either.

Lu Qing nodded and then asked, "What do you think of your brother's style of doing things?"

Zhu Feng pondered silently for a moment, carefully considering his words, before replying, "My brother is decisive and energetic, with a tenacious spirit that will not give up until he achieves his goal. He is also very ambitious, always eager to make a difference, whether in front of my uncle or my father."

"Oh? Very good." Lu Qing smiled with satisfaction after hearing Zhu Feng's description. "Although the eldest young master volunteered to supervise the construction in the Black Stone Mountain area this time, if he hears about such a shocking incident at Sunrise Ridge, he should take it seriously, right?"

“That’s true, but…” Zhu Feng looked at him with suspicion, “My brother has had a close relationship with his maternal family since childhood, and over the years he has been highly valued and cultivated by his uncle, and his ties with the Pang family are also quite deep…”

Entrusting this matter to my elder brother might not be appropriate. I fear it would only make him hesitant and conflicted, unable to act effectively, or perhaps…