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Chapter 561 The Road Ahead is Difficult
Upon hearing Zhu Yu's words, Lu Qing and Lu Chao both raised their wine glasses.

"This joyous gathering is so precious, I wonder when we'll have another chance... When will that be again..." Lu Chao looked at the bright red and clear wine in his glass, and slowly let out a sigh of relief. "I toast my brother and sister-in-law, hoping that, as my sister-in-law said, those who survive great calamities will surely be blessed with good fortune."

Lu Qing and Lu Chao are not much different in age, and they have never addressed each other as brothers before. Lu Chao also calls Zhu Yu by his name directly. This is the first time he has spoken to both of them like this.

Zhu Yu felt a little nervous for no reason and subconsciously glanced at Lu Qing. Lu Qing smiled at her and nodded to Lu Chao: "Okay. Next time we get together, we won't drink this sweet fruit wine. We'll drink the strongest liquor."

That night, the three of them stayed up very late. Zhu Yu listened to Lu Qing and Lu Chao talk about their interesting stories from their time at Shanqing Temple. These were stories that Lu Qing and Lu Chao had never mentioned before, and this was the first time Zhu Yu had heard them.

Because Lu Qing and Lu Chao both had very difficult childhoods, their temperaments and demeanors were completely different, yet they both possessed a maturity and composure beyond their years. As a result, people often overlooked the fact that they were once innocent teenagers who had once escaped the capital and, in a small world, were able to release their youthful instincts and do some of the funny or even silly things that children their age would do.

Zhu Yu used to find it hard to imagine what Lu Qing would have been like as a child, as if he had been the old fox he is now since birth.

This time, listening to the two of them reminisce about the past, and hearing about Lu Qing's childish side, and even his emotional outbursts with his master and his impulsive actions, Zhu Yu found it particularly interesting, while at the same time feeling a touch of melancholy and heartache deep in his heart.

Those things that are so commonplace in other people's growth process are like treasures hidden in the hearts of Lu Qing and Lu Chao. They are so precious that they are reluctant to even take them out to reminisce.

In the past, Lu Chao and Lu Qing had to pretend to be distant and not close in front of others. They always went their own way. Even if they occasionally met in Yunyin Pavilion in private, they still had to be very careful.

This time, Lu Qing was no longer the carefree prince, but had been demoted to a commoner. In this small courtyard where only they could come, the two of them seemed to feel less restrained and more at ease.

As Zhu Yu listened to their conversation, she slowly swirled her glass. She felt that Lu Qing and Lu Chao were probably having a good time, but behind that joy lay some uncertainty and apprehension about the future.

Just like the pomegranate syrup in her cup, it was sweet with a hint of spiciness.

Whether it was the strong aftereffects of the pomegranate juice or the coconut wine that Lu Qing encouraged him to drink later, Zhu Yu gradually became less able to hold his liquor. His eyes became hazy, and he rested his chin on his arm, leaning on the table as he listened to Lu Qing and the others talk about the past. As he listened, he actually fell asleep.

Lu Qing saw this, silently took off his outer robe, and gently covered Zhu Yu's back.

Looking at his cautious movements, Lu Chao suddenly smiled: "Seeing you like this now, I have even more confidence in the future."

That day in the Southern Study, when her father granted her permission to divorce you, she didn't hesitate at all and immediately chose to stand with you through thick and thin.

I've always heard people say that my mother and father were very loving during their lifetime. When my father was rising to power, no one believed in him and everyone around him tried their best to stop him. Only my mother supported my father's decision without hesitation.

Unfortunately, I wasn't born yet. Their love was stronger than gold, and I could only hear about it from others; I never witnessed it firsthand.

So that day, when I saw Zhu Yu's reaction, I couldn't help but think that perhaps this was what the relationship between my mother and father was like back then.

"Actually, he treats you quite well, perhaps in a way that's a little different from ordinary people, but he's definitely very considerate. You call Empress Wang 'Mother,' but you call him 'Father Emperor.' The difference in affection between you is too obvious," Lu Qing reminded Lu Chao. Lu Chao smiled: "Even after he demoted you to a commoner, you still speak up for him. Your magnanimity is truly astonishing."

Putting everything else aside, what you said in the Southern Study that day wasn't wrong. Over the years, he hasn't treated you with the affection of a father and son. Perhaps it's a little deeper than the bond between ruler and subject, but it certainly doesn't reach the level of father and son.

Are you really not resentful towards him for all of this?

Lu Qing sighed slowly: "Tell me, is it easier to conquer a country or to rule it?"

Lu Chao was a little confused as to why Lu Qing would suddenly ask him this question. He paused for a moment, then blurted out, "Of course, conquering the country is easier."

To conquer an empire, one needs favorable timing, geographical advantage, and popular support. To rule an empire, in addition to these three things, one also needs the wisdom to recognize talent, the ability to employ people effectively, the authority to command respect, the tolerance to accept others, and the virtue to win their hearts.

In addition, one must also maintain a balance in the court, think long-term, and consider the overall situation…

“Yes, that’s right.” Lu Qing sighed. “Back then, the conquest of the country was a journey through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, overcoming countless obstacles. After all that hard work to build the empire, how could it be easy to secure the position of the ruler of the world?”

With wolves in front and tigers behind, even former comrades-in-arms would not complain that the wealth they have gained is too heavy to handle.

There are too many things to consider and too many things to guard against.

Even if I were in that position, I might not be able to do any more benevolence than him.

I never expected him to treat me like his own son or to create some kind of fatherly love and filial piety. The current situation, on the contrary, makes me feel that he still has some sincerity and trust in me.

Moreover, in the long run, my goals don't conflict with his; we arrive at the same destination by different paths, so there's even less reason for resentment.

After listening, Lu Chao remained silent for a long time before nodding: "The road ahead will be difficult, please take good care of yourselves."

I was worried that since all your beliefs were focused on finding out the truth of what happened back then and avenging your people, you might lose your will to live and become lost once you've achieved your goal.

Now I no longer have that concern.

Lu Qing turned her head to look at Zhu Yu's sleeping profile. The pomegranate juice she had drunk earlier seemed to have crept onto her cheeks, making her originally fair face look exceptionally rosy.

"Is everything ready on your end?" He didn't answer Lu Chao's question, and when he looked up again, he asked a different question.

Lu Chao knew what he was asking and nodded, "Everything is ready, no need to worry."