Discuss with you

Chapter 527 Complete Merits
"Me, jealous of talent and ability?" Lu Qing was clearly taken aback and asked with some doubt, "I have never met that old General Situ, nor have I ever had any connection with him. Why would he say such a thing?"

"You have no connection with General Situ, but his son does," Lu Ze reminded him, seeing his confused expression.

“General Situ? Doesn’t he guard the border with his father and never set foot in the capital? I’ve never even been to the Jinjie border, so how could I be jealous of his talent and suppress him for no reason?” Lu Qing was still confused.

“That’s not his eldest son.” Lu Ze waved his hand. “It’s his youngest son, the one who led troops in the Lizhou camp before.”

It wasn't until his elder brother submitted a memorial to their father that his father demoted him and transferred him to an even more remote place.

I reckon that General Situ has been holding a grudge about this matter for a long time, and he's just waiting to go to the capital to report on his duties so he can get revenge for his son.

Unfortunately, my brother was caught in the crossfire of being falsely accused by that scoundrel from the Brahma Kingdom!
For General Situ to submit a memorial impeaching you at this time seems like kicking someone when they're down.

Fortunately, his father listened to his request, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He simply said he had a headache and then went home to rest after court.

I reckon Father still cares about you, brother, don't worry! With so many people speaking up for you, he certainly won't let you suffer any injustice. Just stay here for a few days, and things will surely take a turn for the better!

I will also find another opportunity to see Father Emperor, to try and plead with him, to stall him for the next few days and ask him not to rush to interrogate my elder brother. He should wait a little longer; my eldest brother should be back soon!

"Oh?" Lu Qing raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where is he now? When will he arrive?"

Just as Lu Ze was about to speak, the older attendant waiting beside him suddenly said, "Your Highness, you promised to have dinner with Consort Duan. She is probably waiting for you now. Please don't keep her waiting."

Lu Ze was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses and slapped his forehead: "I was so busy talking to my brother that I forgot that my mother was still waiting for me!"
I was hoping to take the opportunity of having dinner with my mother to talk to her about this matter again and ask her for help!

"In that case, I'll visit my brother later. For now, I'll go and have dinner with my mother!"

"You just need to keep Consort Duan company. You don't need to worry about me." Lu Qing smiled and nodded to him, signaling him to hurry up and not waste any time.

Lu Ze chuckled and hurriedly left the confinement facility with his two attendants.

After he left, Lu Qing's gaze followed the backs of Lu Ze and the others until they were out of sight, then she slowly turned her gaze to Zhu Yu beside her.

Zhu Yu was also looking at him. The two looked at each other but neither spoke, remaining silent, their eyes revealing a tacit understanding.

That day, Lu Qing didn't say much, just sat quietly to the side, lost in thought. Even when the guards from the prison brought him food, he barely ate anything.

Fu Lu was somewhat worried and tried to ask several times, but was stopped by the runes.

"Don't disturb him," he said, pulling a paper-wrapped pancake from his pocket. "I left something for Grandpa; he can eat it when he gets hungry."

Zhu Yu didn't bother Lu Qing at all; she herself spent most of her time sitting to the side, lost in thought, with her chin in her hand.

The two people's reactions made Fu Lu feel a little flustered. His older brother wouldn't let him speak, and he was so frustrated but helpless. He subconsciously wanted to ask Yan Daoxin for advice, but found that Yan Daoxin was lying on the thick straw with his face to the wall, fast asleep.

As evening approached and the messenger brought food again, Lu Qing finally got up and sat down, inviting Zhu Yu to come and eat. Fu Lu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly helped the two of them, as well as Yan Daoxin, who had just groggily gotten up, to get food and bring it to their hands.

After taking a few bites of food, Lu Qing suddenly asked Yan Daoxin, "Did you look closely that day?"

Yan Daoxin chewed on a piece of biscuit, his cheeks bulging out, making his speech a little muffled, but his tone sounded very confident: "Of course, it's clear as day, there's no mistake."

His breathing was shallow and labored; his pupils were cloudy as if floating with mist, and the whites of his eyes had light blue patterns like spider silk, with deep shadows under his eyes.

Also, you should be able to see these two things—the veins on his forehead are bulging, and his cheekbones are rosy—and recognize where you've seen him before.

Upon hearing his description, Zhu Yu's heart sank, and she turned to look at Lu Qing.

Yan Daoxin didn't expect anyone to respond to him, and continued, "Since I haven't taken your pulse, I can't guarantee anything. At least from the surface, you should be able to hold on for a short time, and you're not in a terminal condition yet."

However, the damage has likely already been done fundamentally. Even if I do my best, I can only prolong his life a little longer; a complete turnaround is probably impossible.

Lu Qing nodded silently and said nothing more.

It wasn't until after the meal was finished, and someone came to collect the food, and the surroundings returned to silence, that Lu Qing spoke again.

"I'm sorry, you were right before, I'm the one who dragged you onto this pirate ship." He sighed slowly and said to Yan Daoxin, "Knowing that your nature is to dislike court intrigue and backstabbing the most, and that you only want to enjoy nature, heal the sick and save lives, and study medicinal herbs and medical skills, I still dragged you into this."

Originally, I hoped to use your abilities to break out of the current predicament, and I didn't want you to be involved too deeply.

However, now that things have come to this, many things are probably beyond our control, and we can no longer do as we initially wished.

“This isn’t your fault,” Yan Daoxin grinned and waved his hand lazily. “As the saying goes, it’s all about timing and fate. There are very few things in this world that can be done according to one’s own wishes.”

On the other hand, although my master and I are both the kind of people who don't like to get involved in worldly affairs, especially the kind of scheming and backstabbing you mentioned, which is extremely annoying.

But I still understand the most basic principles.

There are no eggs left under the overturned nest.

If you lose and the villains behind you gain power, how many people, whether it's me or anyone else in this world, can find peace?
By then, there's no turning back. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, just keep moving forward. Why think so much?

I've thought it through. There's no one who can achieve enlightenment without undergoing tribulations!

This time, I can't avoid it either way, so I'll just consider it as a tribulation I'm undergoing.

If you get through it, your mission is accomplished; if you don't, you can always start over.