Chapter 40.2
Face-Slapping the Son of a Concubine and a Transmigrating Girl (14.2)
Editor: ghost
Zhou Zong Han’s change shocked the crown prince and especially Zhou Xu. He thought that Zhou Zong Han was awfully stubborn and unreasonable and had intended to directly kill him. Zhou Xu was caught by surprise with Zhou Zong Han’s current appearance.
“In that case, you should have evidence of the third prince raising a private army?”
“I have it. I will hand it over to you now.”
Zhou Xu followed Zhou Zong Han to the bookshelves on the other side of the room. Zhou Zong Han said, “It’s in this hidden compartment,” and reached to open it.
Zhou Xu was a step’s distance from Zhou Zong Han so he could see very clearly that the back of the bookshelf indeed had a hidden compartment. The compartment had a few books; these were likely the evidence Zhou Zong Han talked about.
The moment he opened the hidden compartment, Zhou Zong Han threw out something that had been in it. However what he did not expect was that Zhou Xu had never trusted him from the start.
When he was opening the hidden compartment, Zhou Xu had already guessed what Zhou Zong Han was going to do. Hence Zhou Xu was able to kick the thing Zhou Zong Han threw out to the other side of the room.
The small round pill made contact with the ground and instantly exploded open. Liquid flowed out; It was likely to be highly toxic. The liquid started to release fumes and a sizzling sound could be heard.
Zhou Zong Han’s action thoroughly infuriated Zhou Xu and the crown prince. He was not able to make out the situation before being stabbed in the abdomen with a sword.
The crown prince was the one who stabbed him, but Zhou Zong Han looked at Zhou Xu and said, “Zhou Xu, in this life I will never forgive you.”
Zhou Xu slightly smiled and said, “Then please seek revenge as early as possible in the next life; I reckon that the number of people who want to take revenge on me is not little.”
Zhou Zong Han collapsed. However, he was not dead, but rather suffered a serious injury.
Opening the hidden compartment and taking the books out, Zhou Xu and the crown prince fell silent while carefully examining each book. These did not only record how many private soldiers the third prince had raised, but also the many transactions between the Zhen Nan King and the third prince, as well as the embezzlement of the country’s treasury. Any of the things written in the books could send the third prince to his grave.
After looking through the books, the crown prince said, “Grab your things. We will return to the capital with haste.”
“What about the matter of the Ding Min troops and Zhen Nan King?”
“We cannot afford to care about that now. We must first return; the third prince will definitely receive news of this soon. If this reaches him, he may kill my father, the emperor, and directly s.n.a.t.c.h the throne.”
“Why don’t you return first and leave this matter to me? I haven’t given Ruan Hua her antidote.” Zhou Xu said.
The crown prince paused then soon shook his head, “No, you cannot leave my side. Leave the matter to Ye Qi.”
Faintly smiling, Zhou Xu said, “As you wish, your highness.”
In fact, the crown prince need not trouble himself over the matters here. Zhou Xu had already arranged everything. On the third day since the crown prince and Zhou Xu left Min Nan, the Ding Min troops and the Zhen Nan King’s private army had started a war. The Ding Min troops were quickly being defeated due to negligence in training.
When the crown prince and Zhou Xu reached the capital, the Zhen Nan King’s troops had already completely subdued the Ding Min troops and hence the Zhen Nan King would definitely break off relations with the third prince.
As the crown prince returned to the imperial palace, the Zhen Nen King’s urgent message arrived. At present, the emperor was already said to be on the brink of death.
Before the emperor entered the coffin chamber, the crown prince wanted to have an audience with him, but he was obstructed by the third prince’s subordinates. The crown prince voiced an order and the subordinates he had deployed to protect the emperor all appeared, directly capturing the third prince’s men.
When he arrived before the emperor, the crown prince realised that the third prince was present. The third prince held a dagger in his hand, intending to stab the emperor’s chest. In a flash, the crown prince threw his sword towards him.
The sword accurately pierced the back of the third prince and blood gushed out.
The emperor slowly opened his eyes and a tear slowly fell, “Royal Son, come here.”
The crown prince walked over, pushing the third prince’s corpse away.
“Royal Son, first destroy the edict Old Three falsified.”
“Yes, Father Emperor.”
“It is our fault. We will now pa.s.s the throne to you in hopes that you will lead this land to thrive and prosper. It was not that We did not know of the pests in court, but rather We were afraid to shake the country’s foundation. Child, this is indeed Our mistake……”
Like the final radiance of the setting sun, the emperor spoke some more; words of resentment and bitterness, disappointment and hope.
The emperor pa.s.sed away and the crown prince succeeded the throne. The third prince was executed for plotting a rebellion, Jiang Nan’s embezzlement case was cracked, the Zhen Nan King sent a memorial to express their absolute loyalty and handed over the third prince’s entire private army.
The ascension of a new emperor meant a new era name – Kang Shun. In addition, the new emperor braved the many difficulties and vigorously began a reform on policies. This promoted the development of the country and at the same time, sentenced all corrupt officials to severe punishments.
While the new emperor ascended, Zhou Xu returned to his old home. He only found out that Zhou Yang had moved out three months prior when he arrived.
Tracing him to a tranquil temple, Zhou Xu looked at Zhou Yang who was sitting up straight on a prayer mat and asked, “Why?”
Zhou Yang had no sorrow nor delight. His quiet appearance was as if he had been sitting on the prayer mat for millions of years.
“It’s only that I have broken my bonds to the hold. There is no need to investigate.”
“Is it because you also found out that the person who has been harming you every time was my mother He Yan Fei? Hate her if you want, but you want to forget even me?”
“I won’t forget, but rather remember even more deeply. I will pray for blessings for Benefactor.”
“Nevermind.” Zhou Xu shook his head. He could understand Zhou Yang’s choice. Zhou Yang was never fond of fights and even though his body was healed, he was still willing to idle away in his courtyard; nine out of ten days he remained inside, not taking so much as a step out the door.
Zhou Xu said, “I will visit you frequently. Oh right, I may get married to the new emperor. Remember to come.”
Zhou Yang’s originally straight posture bent and his tone was not smooth and steady like before, “You are getting married to who?”
“The new emperor. The former crown prince, Zuo Ming Tao.”
“You…He is a man.”
Zhou Xu smiled faintly. As expected, Zhou Yang was still concerned about him. But even if he was concerned, Zhou Xu would not turn back. After such a long period of interaction, Zhou Xu realised that he seemed to have become a bit inseparable from the crown prince.
“I know, I have always liked men.” Zhou Xu’s long and narrow eyes curved slightly, “When the time comes, I will request for someone to chant sutras to pray for blessings. Elder Brother, I will rely on you for this matter.”
Zhou Yang had not yet come to his senses when Zhou Xu stood up and left.
Walking a few steps, Zhou Xu saw Ye Qi who had come to find him, “Young Master, my master has asked you to hurry back.”
“Got it.”
“Young Master, who is that monk?”
Zhou Xu turned back to look. He saw his older brother’s back; it carried some loneliness, but nothing could be changed now.
In fact, before General Zhou took a wife, he was fond of a woman. He later bluntly took her into his manor as a maid.
Afterwards, General Zhou was quickly arranged to take a wife, who was precisely He Yan Fei. She only found out that General Zhou had always liked that woman after she entered the Zhou family.
Then He Yan Fei found out that the woman was pregnant and at the same time, she was unexpectedly pregnant as well. Coincidence or not, the two gave birth on the same day but He Yan Fei’s baby was stillborn.
Hence He Yan Fei ordered servants to bring the maid’s child over, then killed her. When General Zhou returned from the frontline, he only knew that the woman he liked was already dead and his formally married wife had birthed a plump son for him.
He Yan Fei still could not bring herself to like Zhou Yang. After Zhou Xu was born, she naturally hated Zhou Yang even more. In the end, she personally poisoned Zhou Yang.
She actually intended to poison him to death at the start, but since she looked after him for a few years and had acc.u.mulated some kindness towards him, she spared him.
“Young Master, how come that person is so familiar. I seem to have met him before.”
Zhou Xu thought of the past. Ye Qi indeed saw Zhou Yang’s back before, but unexpectedly remembering it, Ye Qi was somewhat amazing.
“Enough, let’s quickly go. Otherwise your master will make you sleep together with Bai Song again.”
“Yes.”
Zhou Xu had no plans to do anything to He Yan Fei. She was his mother and he had only found out about the entire matter from her wails at night. Perhaps this persistent remorse was already the best punishment for her.
Zhou Zong Han was sent to jail. Qi Lan brought their son to visit him once. The two looked at each other and remained silent. Some time later, Qi Lan said, “Your mother pa.s.sed away half a month ago. I will take proper care of our son. You can go and die.”
At this point, Zhou Zong Han finally realised that he had personally brought upon his own demise. He thought that he hated Zhou Xu, but after everything ended, he realised that the person he hated the most was not Zhou Xu, but himself.
In the second year of the Kang Shun era, the new emperor formally married the court’s prime minister, Zhou Xu. Miles of streets were all covered in bright red.
The wedding procedures were excessively complicated. When Zhou Xu finally sat on the wedding bed, he was already beyond exhausted.
The new emperor Zuo Ming Tao ordered servants to bring in a basin of hot water. He helped Zhou Xu take off his boots and gently rubbed his soles. He spoke, “Zhou Xu, I’ve finally married you.”
Zhou Xu’s long and narrow eyes curved slightly. His smooth feet touched the new emperor’s face and he said, “I don’t have the mood to do it now; I’m too tired. We’ll do it tomorrow.”
The new emperor felt wronged. He already endured for many years and he unexpectedly was not allowed to do it on his wedding night.
Faintly smiling, the new emperor said, “I won’t listen to you this time.”
The new emperor pressed Zhou Xu down on the bright red brocade quilt.
While their skin made contact, Zhou Xu slightly lowered his head and saw the distinct red mole on the emperor’s certain large place.
Thoughts flashed by in his mind. The color, size, and position were the same. It had been three worlds. Did this mean that there were people other than him who were transmigrating as well?
“Ah….”
Zhou Xu threw out his thoughts and enjoyed his marriage night.
“Come, die together with me.” Zhou Xu cried out while they were making love.
Translator’s Note:
ah faces have been slapped! look forward to the next arc >< i have to admit that i’m super disappointed that Zhou Yang became a monk… he’s so sweet and i hoped for a pairing for him or at least he doesn’t get such a lonely ending… well, see you next thursday!