Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 211 The Third Prince

“Third Prince, appeasement and peace are not guaranteed; only by stopping violence can we bring peace. You are a smart man. Do you really think that after that person ascends to the throne, you and Consort Xian can maintain this peaceful life?” Yan Mingzhang understood that although the Third Prince seemed to have no desires, his eyes betrayed him. He was not someone who was content with mediocrity.

"Why remind me? What difference does it make whether I'm foolish for a moment or foolish for a lifetime? At least, living in a daze isn't painful." The Third Prince gave a bitter smile, deftly reeled in his fishing rod, and prepared to go back. "Wu Dai, let's go back. We won't be able to catch any fish today..."

"Third Prince!" Yan Mingzhang hurriedly chased after him. "Third Prince! Please wait! It was Physician Zhuang who sent us! He said it was the Sixth Prince..."

The Third Prince suddenly stopped and turned around to stare at Yan Mingzhang, angrily saying, "Why can't you just let us go! It's all in the past, I really couldn't do anything about it! Get out now..."

Rong Wanyin stopped the Third Prince, somewhat puzzled: "Third Prince, everyone says you are intelligent and kind-hearted, but why are you like this..."

Rong Wanyin wanted to say that he was timid and hesitant, but many things couldn't be said too bluntly.

"You mean to say I'm a coward, right?" The Third Prince's tone softened, his eyes filled with worry. "Yes, I am a coward, a complete coward, because I'm afraid. I'm afraid my mother will be hurt again, I'm afraid I won't even be able to endure this miserable existence... What do I have to rely on? My maternal family is not what it used to be, and they have no military power. My father is obsessed with cultivation and ignores me completely. Tell me, what should I do? If I don't cower and live like this, should I go and fight for that position that doesn't belong to me? What right do I have?"

“Your Highness, we have come here today not only for you and Consort Xian, but also in the hope that there will be a benevolent ruler in this world, instead of a tyrannical one! You are not only thinking of yourself, but also for Consort Xian and for all the people of the world!” Yan Mingzhang earnestly advised.

"Ha...the common people? The common people of the world? What virtue or ability do I possess!" The Third Prince looked up at the sky, where the clouds were even more beautiful. He recalled his childhood studies, when the Grand Tutor taught him to "bring peace to all things"... Back then, he was full of ambition, but now things have changed, and he realized that what it meant to "bring peace to all generations" was that he couldn't even guarantee the safety of himself and his closest relatives.

Seeing that the Third Prince was unmoved, Rong Wanyin became a little anxious: "Don't worry, we will help you! My elder brother is General Rong Junye, he holds military power, and there are many upright officials in the court. So many people support you!"

"You're helping me? Who are you? We've only just met today. Why should I trust you? Why should I trust you?" The Third Prince's gaze was firm and calm. "Go back. Why bother?"

"..." Everyone was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to offer any advice.

"Heng'er...who's here?" A voice called out from the corridor. The Empress Xian was seen walking forward, smiling and feeling her way along the pillar.

"Mother!" The Third Prince rushed forward, his face filled with worry. He quickly helped the Consort Xian up. "Why didn't you call me before you came out? Or even just call a servant? What if you had fallen?"

Although Consort Xian was nearly forty, she still retained her charm; after all, true beauty lies in character, not just appearance. Her features were exquisite, especially her eyes, which were exceptionally beautiful, but unfortunately, they lacked any light. "Consort Xian, you..." Rong Wanyin was very surprised. She had never heard of Consort Xian's blindness, so she blurted it out. Realizing her slip of the tongue, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

However, the Third Prince already understood Rong Wanyin's meaning.

"Now, do you know why I'm unwilling to fight for it?" The Third Prince helped Consort Xian to the stone bench and let her sit down. Then he looked up at Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin, a bitter smile on his lips. "Since it was Physician Zhuang who sent you to find me, I believe you must have heard about some of the things that happened back then."

“Yes…” Yan Mingzhang nodded, his expression serious. “Therefore, we hope that you can testify.”

"Testify? Hahaha..." The Third Prince seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. "Do you know how my mother went blind? It was because I wanted to tell the Empress the truth about the Crown Prince's death. But as soon as I arrived at the Empress's place, before I could even open my mouth, a eunuch came to report that my mother's eyes had been injured and she might never see again! Later, I found out it was that person's doing. A person who dared to kill his own brother at the age of twelve and poison the Empress, so ruthless, how could I fight against him? I still have a conscience, I can't, I can't be so cold-blooded and cruel!"

The Third Prince slowly said, "It's not that I don't want to fight, but the price of losing is too high for me to bear! I don't want to go against my conscience, nor do I want to lose what I have now."

“I once dreamed that with my talents, even if I couldn’t reach the highest position, I could at least serve the country and make contributions. But…” The Third Prince’s eyes were lifeless, and he looked very dejected. “Now, I only ask that my mother and I live a peaceful life. Please don’t bother us anymore! Please go back!”

The Third Prince was unusually resolute and ordered them to leave. Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin had no choice but to go back first and then try to remember him later.

The gates of Ning'an Palace slowly closed. Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin exchanged glances, both disheartened by their two consecutive defeats. Were they simply going to watch the Sixth Prince ascend the throne? How could such a cruel person bring peace to the Great Zhou?
"Heng'er, come here..." Consort Xian sat on the stone bench and beckoned to the Third Prince, just like when they were children.

The Third Prince squatted down beside Consort Xian and buried his head in her arms: "Mother, do you think the world will really change?"

Consort Xian stroked the Third Prince's head: "Heng'er, do whatever you want. Life is only a few decades long. If you can't do this or that, how stifling would you be! If you were truly a child who could take things as they come, I wouldn't say much. But I know that you have a lot of resentment in your heart and many ambitions to realize. Why don't you give it a try? Don't worry about your mother. Your mother will take good care of herself."

The third prince hesitated, his voice hoarse, as if he had been wronged as a child and needed comfort: "Mother, what if..."

“If this pool doesn’t have waves, wouldn’t it be stagnant water?” Consort Xian said with a kind smile.

The third prince: "..."
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