CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 157: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Afterwards, Yan Daoxin didn’t stay long in Lu Qing’s room.

Firstly, everything that needed to be said was already clear, and secondly, though Lu Qing’s injuries weren’t critical, they were still severe enough to require rest.

The topic between the two also needed some quiet contemplation.

When Zhu Yu returned to her room, she collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep. When she opened her eyes again, the sky outside was dark, with only a faint tinge of twilight remaining on the horizon.

She realized she had slept through the entire day!

Quickly, Zhu Yu went to check on Lu Qing and found out he’d just taken his medicine not long ago and was still asleep. His condition had improved compared to before, which allowed her to relax.

During dinner, Lu Qing didn’t wake up, so only Zhu Yu, Yan Daoxin, and the Fu Lu brothers ate something simple together.

Not long after dinner, some imperial guards arrived at the post station with a delivery of medicinal materials. They said it was on Situ Jing’s orders to provide the best medicinal supplies for Yan Daoxin, and if anything else was needed, they should inform a constable and more would be sent.

Yan Daoxin first inspected the delivered medicinal materials, finding them genuinely high-quality, and then prepared a tonic prescription for Lu Qing.

He also checked Zhu Yu’s pulse and then instructed Fu Wen to prepare a decoction for her as well.

"I’m not injured; I’ve just been exhausted from my time in the military. There’s no need for me to take tonics," Zhu Yu politely declined.

"These things can heal illnesses and strengthen the body if you’re healthy. There’s no harm in drinking them," Yan Daoxin looked at Zhu Yu as if she were naive. "Besides, the medicinal materials Situ Jing procured are top-notch, ones you won’t even see in regular pharmacies.

It’s clear he feels he owes Lu Qing! So use them while you can, don’t be polite. The more you use, the more he feels guilty.

So by taking the tonics, you’re also helping Lu Qing."

With Yan Daoxin’s words, Zhu Yu couldn’t refuse anymore and was embarrassed to admit she feared bitterness, so she reluctantly agreed.

That night, Fu Wen brought a bowl of black herbal soup to her door and, following Yan Daoxin’s instructions, watched her drink it while it was hot.

This tonic-drinking routine lasted for ten days.

During these ten days, Lu Qing’s condition visibly improved, and by the eighth day, he could get up and walk around the room.

However, Yan Daoxin still wouldn’t allow him to be too active, to prevent ruining the healing process by rushing it.

Zhu Yu, with not much else to do, would often visit Lu Qing’s room to keep him company and chat away the time.

Yet there was something peculiar that unsettled her: despite Situ Jing frequently sending imperial guards with medicinal supplies and responding to Yan Daoxin’s requests, he had not personally visited Lu Qing even once.

This made Zhu Yu feel somewhat uneasy.

"Aren’t we...losing all our previous efforts, and your suffering that stab in vain?" After two more days of waiting, Zhu Yu couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked Lu Qing when he seemed quite energetic.

Upon hearing her concern, Lu Qing raised an eyebrow: "Why say that?"

"Since we left the camp that day, twelve days have passed. During this time, even if Situ Jing was busy dealing with the aftermath, it wouldn’t be that he couldn’t spare a moment to visit."

Zhu Yu picked up a package of supplements sent by one of Situ Jing’s men: "Moreover, whenever Situ Jing sends something, it’s always from the imperial guard camp, never his personal soldiers.

Is he implying to us to keep public and private matters separate?

Logically, you greatly aided him this time. Without your strategies and Yan Daoxin’s antidote, he might have lost his life in the camp or at least have a hard time explaining to the Holy Emperor.

It wouldn’t just be his career in jeopardy, but perhaps even General Situ and his brother’s as well."

"He’s not coming because of his father and brother." Lu Qing smiled faintly, got up with Zhu Yu’s support, and walked around the room to prevent his bones from stiffening, "He probably guessed my identity."

"You mean... Prince Xiaoyao?" Zhu Yu was taken aback.

Lu Qing was amused by her unmistakable surprise: "You surprise too easily.

It’s not just me, but you, too, are involved.

Unless General Situ thinks I have unusual habits or vices, he likely has suspicions about your relationship with me."

"Because of the golden silk armor? What’s its significance? Does it relate to your identity?" Zhu Yu had long suspected the golden silk armor Lu Qing insisted she wear was special, but never found the opportunity to ask outright.

Today, the conversation naturally led to the topic, so she directly inquired.

Given Zhu Yu’s intellect, she had deduced these things over time, so Lu Qing wasn’t surprised. He reached out to rub her tightly furrowed brow: "No need to worry. Even if Situ Jing figures it out, he won’t reveal it haphazardly. After all, learning something the Holy Emperor wishes to keep secret is a crime, whether or not one seeks it out themselves."

Zhu Yu remained silent, pondering, her brow spontaneously knitting again after Lu Qing had just relaxed it: "Situ Jing might not be the first to discover this secret.

The symptoms exhibited by the imperial guard soldiers who initially caused trouble at the Li State camp were due to the two toxic herbs from Jie Country, having no relation to Shuo Country.

Yet when you arrived, the poison included Lai Jiao from Shuo Country, clearly meant for you."

"Indeed." Lu Qing chuckled, taking too sharp a breath and aggravating his injury, forcing him to curb the urge to cough, "With your wit, it doesn’t surprise me you’d reach such a conclusion. I didn’t expect the opposition would specially prepare such a ’gift’ for me, a favor I intend to remember."

"With Situ Jing acting this way...what about our original plan..." Zhu Yu worriedly glanced at Lu Qing’s chest. He looked much more spirited now, properly dressed, yet the alarming memory of his wound lingered.

"Don’t worry. There’s a blessing in disguise here, and in my opinion, Situ Jing’s awareness might actually benefit us," Lu Qing seemed unconcerned, his expression unexpectedly confident as if the victory was already assured.