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Chapter 523 My Brother Has Suffered

Zhu Yu tossed and turned all night without figuring out the questions that were bothering her, but this didn't prevent anything from happening, because for the next few days, apart from the guards from the shackles bringing them food on time, nothing else happened.

Emperor Jin did not send anyone to mention them; it was as if they had been abandoned and forgotten.

Aside from eating, Yan Daoxin would sit in meditation with his eyes closed every day, without uttering a single word.

Zhu Yu didn't know what was wrong with him. Since they met, she had never seen Yan Daoxin so silent.

However, given her current situation, she couldn't very well ask Lu Qing, so she could only keep this question to herself.

Another day passed, and the quiet prison suddenly became lively. The guards, who had almost never shown their faces except to deliver food, surrounded a few people and came to Lu Qing's cell with great trepidation.

The one surrounded in the middle, like a star surrounded by the moon, is the long-absent Seventh Prince, Prince Shu, Lu Ze.

Zhu Yu had met him twice. The first time was on General Cao Tianbao's birthday, and the second time was at Lu Zhang's wedding. Lu Qing and Lu Ze both fell ill one after the other, and neither of them was able to attend Lu Zhang's wedding banquet. Lu Ze came to visit Lu Qing.

He was the youngest of the princes who had grown up, and his appearance resembled that of Consort Duan, making him quite different from his other brothers. He had a more exotic look and was therefore more easily remembered.

The two times I met Lu Ze before, he looked like a carefree young man, and his words and actions were somewhere between a young boy and a grown man.

He looked quite worried today.

"Brother, you've suffered these past few days, haven't you?" As soon as he saw Lu Qing, he immediately went to the cell bars and looked Lu Qing up and down. "You look much more haggard than before!"

You said you were going to travel, and I thought you were just going to wander around Jin Kingdom and enjoy the scenery. I never expected you to go all the way to Fan Kingdom!

I heard that place is remote and inhospitable. Why did you go there of all people? Now you've just gotten yourself into all this trouble!

Lu Qing smiled at him: "It seems you already know the whole story, which saves me a lot of trouble."

The thought of you pressing me for answers already gives me a headache.

"Brother, you're really too easygoing! What's going on and what's happening? You still have the mind to tease me!" Lu Ze seemed quite anxious, but when he caught a glimpse of the group of people behind him, he waved them away impatiently, "Go down! All of you go down!"
We need to talk for a while, and we don't want a bunch of people standing around listening!
"Hurry up and get to what you're doing!"

The guards in the confinement camp naturally knew that Lu Ze was currently the most favored prince by Emperor Jin among all the princes, and his mother, Consort Duan, was also the most favored concubine in the harem.

Of all the princes who had come of age and been granted titles and fiefdoms, only he had that privilege—the ability to enter the palace whenever he wanted.

So when Lu Ze spoke, they responded respectfully without hesitation, quickly turning away to avoid angering the young Prince Shu. The two attendants who had come with Lu Ze remained standing there without moving.

Lu Ze frowned and glared at the two of them: "What? Did I say they didn't mention you two?! Why don't you get out of here and stay somewhere else?! Are you two rooted to the spot?!"

What kind of nonsense is it for you all to eavesdrop on my conversation with my own brother!

The younger of the two attendants shuddered after being reprimanded by Lu Ze. He wanted to move back, but seeing that the other attendant who came with him hadn't moved, he didn't dare to move either, his face full of struggle.

The other one, who looked to be over forty, was thin and small, with a small nose and eyes. Because of his age, the flesh on his cheeks was loose, making him look rather shabby and unremarkable. However, he stood there motionless with a very determined air.

"Your Highness, Consort Duan said that we must follow you wherever you go and never let you be alone. If anything goes wrong, she'll take our heads." He said to Lu Ze with a smile, "Your Highness, you can go about your business. We'll just stand here and won't get in your way..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Ze had already kicked him.

He thought the attendant would dodge, but to his surprise, the attendant didn't move at all. Lu Ze kicked him solidly in the hip, causing him to stagger and fall to the ground with a thud.

The servant was so frightened that he trembled and instinctively wanted to help him up, but seeing Lu Ze's angry expression, he didn't dare to move.

"This is outrageous! Have you all forgotten who's in charge?! Am I some ignorant little baby who needs you all following me around every day?!"
Now you've even learned to use your mother's words to pressure me?!
Since you're all willing to listen to your mother and disobey my orders, then next time you enter the palace, you might as well castrate yourselves and stay by her side as eunuchs, serving her exclusively!

Upon hearing this, the servant trembled with fright and hurriedly went over to help the older man up. The older man didn't dare to say anything more, and the two obediently stepped aside.

Lu Ze cursed at both of his attendants and even kicked one of them. He was still fuming and took a few deep breaths before calming down a little.

"Brother, putting everything else aside, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer here for a few more days." He calmed himself down and said to Lu Qing, "Father has been unwell these past few days. He's even skipped the morning court sessions and hasn't seen anyone. He's been resting all day and has the Imperial Pharmacy staff helping him with his treatment."

I have been requesting an audience with the Emperor for the past few days, but he has not granted my request. I wanted to plead for you, but I couldn't even see you. I was extremely anxious, and since I had no other choice, I had to come and see how my brother was doing here.

I never expected to see my usually handsome brother looking so haggard. It really breaks my heart!

But brother, don't worry. Although I can't see Father, I asked my mother before I came here. She's been taking care of Father day and night. I asked her to put in a good word for you when Father feels well and is in a good mood, so that he can calm down.

Regardless of right or wrong here, at least let's get you out of this shackles first!

This is no place for a prince!