The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 460 I Die
"Father, I want to die."

The voice was somewhat hoarse and barely audible, but one could sense the owner's lack of courage and hesitation just by listening to it.

That was Zhu Yijing's voice.

He hadn't uttered a word since Zhu Zai brought him here. He seemed lost in thought, staring at his toes, and hadn't lifted his head since. Snowflakes fell on his head, melted, and water dripped down his hair, making him look extremely disheveled.

He almost whispered those words.

But as soon as he finished speaking, it seemed as if he had finally unloaded some burdens that he had been carrying on his shoulders, and his shoulders, which had been tense, suddenly relaxed.

"Father, I want to die."

He repeated it, and this time his voice finally returned to normal.

"Don't let Brother Miao know about my affairs."

"I am the one who should die."

Zhu Zai suddenly turned his head and stared intently at Zhu Yijing.

“Jing’er…”

"Father, I'm actually very tired."

Zhu Yijing said in a hoarse voice.

“I’ve known Brother Miao since I was born. I admire him a lot. Every time he comes back from a errand and tells me about his experiences, I think that when I grow up, I will become his assistant.”

"When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal; that's how it's written in storybooks. When you get old, Brother Miao will be the commander, and I will be the deputy commander. We'll go out on missions together, fight evil side by side, and then tell you about our experiences over drinks. You'll smile and say to us, 'Well done.'"

"I think this is fine."

“But I can’t do it, Father, I can’t do it.”

Zhu Yijing never looked up, but just kept talking to himself, like a son saying goodbye to his father before leaving, wanting to say the words he couldn't say on ordinary days.

"These daydreams are mine, and they are yours as well."

"But I am just an ordinary person who is unworthy to be your son or Brother Miao. The more I think and do, the more mistakes I make."

"Gradually, Brother Miao stopped talking to me about work-related matters. I know he didn't want me to feel disappointed after comparing things. Gradually, even you stopped entrusting important matters to me because you were afraid I would make mistakes."

"I'm afraid."

“I was afraid I wouldn’t see Brother Miao’s back anymore, I was afraid you would be completely disappointed in me one day, I was afraid that this daydream I’ve had since I was a child would really become a bubble… so I took the wrong path.”

“I started to envy Brother Miao. Why is he so strong? Why can he do things so well? Why can he share your burdens? Why can he put your mind at ease? Why am I not good enough? Why am I just a... mediocre person by nature?”

“Father, the day Miao returned to Beijing, you didn’t hit me, but you didn’t even look at me. That’s when I woke up from my dream.”

Zhu Yijing turned to look at An Ziyang.

"Commander An, I'm sorry, I said things I shouldn't have that day... Could you help me unlock these chains?"

An Ziyang shook his head, and Mei Qinghe stepped forward and cleaved the chains in two with a single sword stroke.

Zhu Yijing bypassed Zhu Zai and walked up to Liu Jin.

"Brocade robes".

He said.

"Actually, I knew something was wrong with you a long time ago, but I was still bewitched and kept you... because you are the only one who looks at me with those eyes—admiration, approval, just like in my dreams."

"Unfortunately, it's fake, isn't it?"

Liu Jin shook her head.

"No."

Zhu Yijing remained silent for a moment, then turned around.

"Thank you for lying to me, but I should wake up now."

"Father, kill him."

“This matter should not be handled by Commander An. He is Brother Miao’s subordinate and should not get involved in our family affairs. We should not make things difficult for Brother Miao in the future.”

Zhu Zai's robe sleeves trembled incessantly, his teeth clenched, yet he remained motionless.

The Zhu Yijing he sees now looks somewhat like his younger self, and is the kind of Zhu Yijing he had hoped he would become over the years... but this is the last time he will see him.

"Father."

Zhu Yijing called out again.

"I want to do one thing before I die, something worthy of being your son and Miao Ge's brother. Something that you and Miao Ge will be proud of when you think of me in the future."

“I have neither wisdom nor strength, and as a result, I’ve made mistakes my whole life. The only thing I have is this life… Now I finally have a chance, please grant me your wish.” Zhu Zai’s legs went weak, and he almost collapsed.

"Jing'er... I'm sorry."

“You are my son, Zhu Zai’s son. Da Li and I have never forgotten that.”

Zhu Yijing nodded.

"Yes, Father. Thank you."

Clang clang—

Zhu Zai suddenly reached for the long sword at his waist and threw it violently.

puff.

The long sword pierced Liu Jin's chest, pinning him to the ground.

He looked down at his chest, then forced himself to turn to the side, as if searching for the emperor, but he couldn't find him.

Finally, he let out a long breath.

No more sound.

Zhu Yijing collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Time is running out. The moment Li Miao kills An Qisheng will be his death day.

Fortunately, he had some time before he died, which allowed him to take a good look at Zhu Zai, and at his father, whom he had finally gained on his deathbed.

"Jing'er!"

Zhu Zai ran over quickly and pulled Zhu Yijing into his arms.

Tears streamed down my face.

Zhu Yijing slowly raised his hand, seemingly hesitant to embrace him. His arm first touched Zhu Zai's back, then recoiled as if electrocuted. After a while, he moved closer again and finally hugged him tightly.

His forced composure finally crumbled.

"Father...I don't want to die..."

"I haven't said goodbye to my mother yet, I haven't apologized to Brother Miao, I—"

I couldn't cry.

An Ziyang waved his hand, and everyone present turned around and formed a circle, leaving space for the father and son.

The two were so focused on holding each other tightly that they didn't bother to say anything.

“Jing’er…”

"Father……"

Amidst the weeping, a third voice suddenly broke in.

"Did I come at the wrong time?"

Her voice was melodious and pleasant, with a hint of laughter; just listening to it conjured up a captivating image of a woman who seemed both happy and reproachful in one's mind.

But in that instant, An Ziyang and Zhu Zai felt a chill run through their bodies!

Of all those present, only two of them had heard this voice before: one at a fortune-telling stall on the street, and the other after the Battle of the Imperial Mausoleum!

The leader of the Ming Cult is a demoness from Miao territory!
Ji! Tian! Rui!
An Ziyang was about to shout out, but before he could speak, a slender, fair hand touched his back, stopping him in his tracks.

"Commander An, don't be anxious. I am not your enemy today."

"Don't move. You have a lot of Gu worms inside you. As long as I'm here, you won't be their master anymore... You don't want to get bitten by your own Gu worms, do you?"

Zhu Zai looked up and saw Ji Tianrui's smiling lips.

"what are you up to!"

Ji Tianrui put her hands behind her back, tilted her head and smiled.

"I'm here to do Lord Li a favor, so he won't keep threatening to kill me. A vixen like me is only good at manipulating people's hearts. What I fear most are those who don't listen to people and want to hit them right away."

She smiled and pointed at Zhu Yijing.

“I can save him, and I can do so in front of Lord Li.”

"Lord Zhu, could you lend me this for a moment so I can do this favor?"

(End of this chapter)