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Chapter 668 The Overlooked Thing [Bonus Chapter]

Seeing that they were all silent and had complicated expressions, Lu Qing pulled Zhu Yu aside to rest, giving them some time to make a decision.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhu Yu went to check on the man with the injured leg. He checked the temperature on the man's forehead and felt his pulse. He saw that although the man was unconscious, his breathing was steady, his body temperature was normal, and his pulse was not strong but still good. He was relieved. He knew that although it was hard to say how well the man's leg would recover, at least he could be sure that his life was saved.

After a while, the bearded man spoke up to Lu Qing: "We have made up our minds. We are willing to send someone back to invite our young master to come and meet you. However, if you use any more despicable means this time, our remaining brothers will fight to the death to avenge this!"

“It’s a deal.” Lu Qing nodded readily, signaling them to choose someone to go back and report the news, and then had Fu Wen untie that person.

"Now that we've reached an agreement, you'd better release all my brothers as well!" the man said, stretching his stiff and sore limbs as he made a new demand.

“As long as the grandson of the Prince of Lan comes to see me, and we can be frank with each other, I will naturally not make things difficult for you heroes.” Lu Qing said with a smile, his attitude seemed very frank and relaxed, but there was no room for negotiation at all. “However, it’s not possible right now. We can only release them after we have been completely open and honest with each other.”

The man wanted to haggle, but the bearded man stopped him, telling him to hurry up and come back quickly, and not to delay any longer.

Only then did the man leave reluctantly.

And so, everyone began to wait quietly.

During the day, the runes and talismans fed these people water and food in turn.

It seems they had agreed to invite the young master over for a detailed discussion. After the previous exchange, although these people were still somewhat uncomfortable with their hands and feet tied, they were no longer on guard and accepted the food and drink offered to them without hesitation.

As the sun began to set, the surrounding woods finally began to stir with the wind rustling through the treetops.

Upon hearing this, the talismanic runes immediately went on high alert, and the "bandits" also pricked up their ears to listen carefully. After a while, they relaxed and a faint smile appeared on their faces.

Zhu Yu, observing the change in their reactions, guessed that the eldest grandson of the Prince of Lan had arrived.

Sure enough, not long after, the person who was originally responsible for going back to report the news rushed out of the woods.

He led the way, followed by several fully alert brothers, each holding a weapon and looking quite serious.

When they saw that the bearded man and his men were all sitting comfortably together, seemingly unharmed except for their hands and feet being bound, and not having been beaten or tortured, they all seemed relieved.

Behind those tall and burly "bandits" followed a young man in his early twenties. He was surrounded by them, who flanked him and protected him very carefully.

This man wasn't particularly tall, but he looked quite sturdy, unlike the typical frail young masters from wealthy families. His skin wasn't fair either; instead, it was a dark tan, a rarity even among the people of Lan. It was clear that this wasn't his natural skin color, but rather the result of years of exposure to the elements.

The young man was surrounded by a group of people, peering at Lu Qing and the others through the gaps between them. "Is it him?" Zhu Yu asked softly.

She knew that before she married into the Jin Kingdom, Lu Qing had been keeping an eye on the long-lost grandson of the Prince of Lan. However, there was no need to deal with him before, but he should still know the most basic things about him.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to find the location of their "mountain stronghold" so easily this time.

Lu Qing nodded slightly, giving Zhu Yu an answer. His gaze also bypassed the others in front of him and went straight to the grandson of the Prince of Lan.

When they were about ten feet away from Lu Qing and the others, the leader stopped, clearly indicating that he did not intend to go any further. He held his broadsword horizontally in front of him, and his vigilance showed no sign of letting up.

Before Lu Qing could speak, the eldest grandson of the Prince of Lan spoke first.

"Who are you? Why do you want to see me?" He spoke in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant, and there was not a trace of nervousness or fear in his voice. He seemed unconcerned about what might happen next that would threaten his life, and his attitude was very calm and composed.

Lu Qing didn't speak, but instead reached into his pocket, took out a token, and handed it to the talisman beside him.

Fu Wen took the plaque, walked quickly over, and handed it to the grandson of the Prince of Lan.

Most of the people around were focused on the sign, their eyes filled with doubt and curiosity, wanting to know what the sign represented.

Zhu Yu, however, did not share this curiosity; he was simply surprised.

What Lu Qing pulled out from his pocket was actually the waist token of the Golden-Faced Censor!

When Zhu Yu saw that sign appear before him, he felt a little dazed for a moment, as if they had not experienced anything before, and were still walking around outside under the title of Golden-Faced Censor, doing things for Emperor Jin.

Then she felt a jolt of fear, and the first thought that popped into her mind was—Lu Qing is really too bold! Did he secretly keep or forge the Golden-Faced Censor's plaque?
But as the Imperial Censor in the past, he had a legitimate reason to act. Now, if he were to use this identity, would it bring him trouble instead?
She dismissed the concern as soon as it surfaced.

Based on her understanding of Lu Qing, although this fox didn't mind taking risks and even enjoyed the thrill of snatching chestnuts from the fire, he would never put himself and those around him in danger without any benefit.

Zhu Yu's mind quickly recalled everything she had experienced before, countless images flashing before her eyes, as if that chaotic time was now flowing backwards for her.

Suddenly, she remembered something, something crucial—that day in the Southern Study, after that heart-wrenching and impassioned speech, Emperor Jin "ruthlessly" stripped Lu Qing of his title of Prince of Xiaoyao, demoted him to a commoner, and even ordered the guards to drag him out and publicly flog him.

The commotion was quite significant. With Lu Chao's reasoned arguments and careful pleas, Gao Gonggong's echoing, and even Emperor Jin asking if he wanted to divorce Lu Qing, so many things came together in a chaotic mess that caused people to overlook one thing, a very important thing.