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Chapter 468: Taking over as a substitute
“Oh no…” Lu Qing frowned as she looked at Zhu Yu upon hearing this.

Zhu Yu was startled by his reaction and quickly looked at him with a nervous expression.

"In such a short time, you've seen through both the Duke of Yan and his grandson. You truly have the potential to become a major threat to Zhao Bi." Lu Qing rubbed his temples. "It seems I'll need to put more thought into how to protect the Lady in the future."

Zhu Yu then realized that she had been teased by Lu Qing and that nothing bad had happened. She relaxed her brows and gave him a reproachful glare: "So I was right, wasn't I?"

“Perhaps not for others, but that’s exactly Zhao Bi’s style of doing things. We can certainly make a deduction based on that.” Lu Qing sighed slowly. “Zhao Bi’s shrewdness is actually not that deep. It’s just that he has enough power, which gives him enough confidence.”

If it weren't for the immense power he had accumulated over the years, and those capable old comrades who had shared life and death with him... then he would be nothing to fear.

Zhu Yu understood the implication in Lu Qing's words and a knowing look appeared on his face: "So it's no wonder that so many things have been pointing the finger at Cao Tianbao lately."

"I'm afraid that Cao Tianbao is just the biggest target, but not necessarily the most important one." Lu Qing looked at Zhu Yu and saw the change in her expression from thoughtful to sudden realization, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

"By the way, do you think... Lu Zhang won't back down again at this critical juncture?" Zhu Yu thought of Lu Qing's secret report, which clarified the suspicion of Shuo Kingdom, but didn't mention at all that the Jie Kingdom's bandits were also a fabrication. She couldn't help but feel worried. "When the Emperor bestowed the marriage, the King of Jie had already made a grand show for his daughter's marriage, but that old scoundrel actually encouraged and indulged Lu Zhang to neglect Yan Shu."

He clearly didn't want Lu Zhang to get too close to the Jie King's side. At this time, he was too busy clarifying Cao Tianbao's matter to care about anything else, so he definitely didn't want Lu Zhang to do anything to help the Jie Kingdom.

After all, that person's thoughts are hard to fathom, and he's not the type to easily trust others. If Lu Zhang does something to arouse his suspicion at this critical juncture, it would be a loss for him.

In his opinion, Lu Zhang had always been cold to Yan Shu. This marriage was arranged by the Emperor, not by Lu Zhang himself. At worst, the suspicion against the Jie Kingdom could not be cleared no matter what, so he might as well sever ties. Perhaps he could even use the Jie Kingdom to stage a "righteous act of sacrificing family ties" to demonstrate Lu Zhang's righteousness!
And in this way, he could become the one who single-handedly elevated Lu Zhang to a high position. At that time, he and the Zhao family behind him could enjoy unparalleled and supreme prestige, surpassing even their current status, without worrying about the King of Jie taking a share.

“You’re right. Zhao Bi does indeed have that thought, but if we want to legitimize the Jie Kingdom, Lu Zhang has to personally submit a memorial. If I were to do it, it would be overstepping my bounds, and the result might be counterproductive.”

Lu Qing knew that Zhu Yu was somewhat worried about Yan Shu's situation: "Who is the Golden-Faced Censor? Others may not know, but His Majesty does."

Therefore, no matter how I try to prove Shuoguo's innocence, it is perfectly reasonable in his eyes, after all, he is his in-laws. From my own perspective, it is reasonable to help Shuoguo clear his name.

However, if the Jie Kingdom is involved, things will become more complicated. The existing rumors suggest a secret alliance between the Jie and Shuo kingdoms. If I bring up the Jie Kingdom's clarification, who knows if it will be seen as an instruction from your father? That would further confirm the existence of collusion between the two countries, perhaps even indicating malicious intent.

Zhu Yu knew that Lu Qing's words made sense. They had not yet reached the point where they could "benefit the world." It was already good enough that they could take each step steadily and not fall into the pits set by others. Therefore, she did not have the idea of ​​taking on more than she could handle. She was just a little worried about Lu Zhang, who lacked a backbone.

“Actually, you don’t need to distrust Lu Zhang so much.” Lu Qing could guess what she was thinking just by looking at her expression. “What you just said was from the perspective of the Duke of Yan. But Lu Zhang, although he is a bit easily influenced, is not completely brainless. In fact, Lu Zhang has his own calculations and considerations regarding his own situation.”

The reason I chose to be of one mind with Zhao Bi in the past was because the faction of the Duke of Yan had deep roots and was a force to be reckoned with in the court and the capital.

No matter how much the Emperor feared the King of Jie, he was, after all, just a vassal king, far beyond the borders, with no power whatsoever within the territory of Jin Kingdom, and was also a target that was being closely guarded.

In comparison, it's quite obvious who is more likely to help him rise to power one day.

Therefore, Lu Zhang's choice back then was actually understandable and in line with his own interests.

However, now, putting aside his previous interactions with Yan Shu outside the capital, his choices will change based solely on the current situation.

Because the faction of Duke Yan was clearly being targeted, and the other side had repeatedly set traps for them, if there hadn't been a secret report to testify this time, the relationship between Cao Tianbao and the emperor would have essentially come to an end.

Although it turned out to be a false alarm and the previous crisis has been averted, who can guarantee that no one will harbor any resentment?

Given Lu Zhang's personality, at a time like this, he would certainly try to make some plans for himself, at least to avoid things getting too tense with his wife's family.

He was well aware that the Jie Kingdom was the scapegoat in this matter, so clarifying the situation would give him an extra way out.

If my maternal grandfather loses power, at least I won't be left empty-handed and helpless.

Zhu Yu snorted, though he didn't say anything explicitly, but that snort was full of disdain and contempt.

Seeing her expression, Lu Qing finally couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek with his fingers: "There's no need to be so disdainful. He is different from me and Lu Chao. He has been protected by the Duke of Yan since he was a child. He has never faced anything on his own. He can't even imagine being in a situation where he has no one to rely on. Let alone experience it, he probably can't even imagine it."

This is not something he willingly became.

Within that palace, everyone was essentially the same; none of them had a choice in their own destiny.