Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 217 The sky is so blue!

“I grabbed your sleeve and you said, ‘What kind of behavior is this!’ You even said, ‘Everyone has to die someday, why be so nervous!’” The Crown Prince smiled at him, stood up, and said, “Now, I will return those words to you verbatim.”

"But I have raised you, how can you be so cold-hearted!" The Emperor was furious.

"If what you mean by raising me is simply giving me food, then thank you. Indeed, although Ning'an Palace often skimps on my food and clothing, at least I haven't starved to death; I'm a little better off than a beggar. Do you remember? From childhood to adulthood, you've never held me. Perhaps it's because I, a Taoist priest, am said to bring misfortune to my parents, or perhaps it's just bad luck. But when I saw my sixth brother fighting with horses for food, being arbitrarily insulted and beaten, I suddenly felt relieved. It's not that I'm bad; it's that you're bad! It's easy to find reasons for someone to treat another badly, but ultimately, it's because you don't love me! You don't love anyone; you only love yourself!" The Third Prince wept, yet his tone was terrifyingly calm.

Scenes from his childhood kept replaying in his mind. How he wished his father could be like any other father, holding him in his arms, holding his hand, and teaching him to write. Even if it was just once, he would find a reason to save his father. The Third Prince had searched for so long, but there wasn't a single reason—no, not a single reason—to save his father.

If he saves him, he will regret it, and he will be letting down his childhood self and his mother's eyes; if he doesn't save him, he will feel guilty, but he would rather feel guilty!
Having said what he needed to say, the Crown Prince, no longer wishing to remain in this cramped space, turned to leave: "I'll head back now. My mother is waiting for me to eat. You should enjoy the last moments of your life! Those who do many evil deeds will surely perish. Take care of yourself."

The Emperor collapsed to the ground, his last hope gone. His eyes glazed over. As darkness fell, he sat for a long time, unable to understand why he had ended up so utterly abandoned and betrayed. Had he truly been wrong? But how could the Emperor be wrong? How could a father be wrong? No, he was right! It was all their treacherous ambitions! Their ingratitude!
The poison of the Dream Eater Flower caused the emperor's headache to worsen. He banged his head against the floor, his forehead bleeding profusely, but he was unaware of it.

It was only when the guards outside the door heard the commotion that they pulled the emperor up and threw him onto the couch.

"Should we inform the Crown Prince and request a royal physician for the Emperor?" The tall guard was unsure.

"Hey, we're all going to die sooner or later, we won't die for now!" The short guard glanced at the wound, completely unconcerned. "It's just a superficial injury!"

No one cleaned up the blood on the emperor's forehead, which stained the bed red.

The emperor, lying on his couch, roared to the sky: "As expected, as expected, he is a bastard who brings misfortune to his father and mother! I should have strangled you the moment you were born! Useless, utterly useless!"

He wanted to smash everything in the room, but he was too weak to even get up!
"Greetings, Your Highness!" The crowd bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince waved his hand: "Rise, all of you. There's no need for such formalities. Minister Yan, please wait. I have something to say to you."

The crown prince referred to himself as "I," indicating that he did not place himself in a superior position.

Seeing this, the others wisely walked forward and waited on the palace road.

Yan Mingzhang didn't speak or ask anything. He knew what the Crown Prince wanted to say: the Crown Prince wanted him to stay.

"Minister Yan, are you really not going to consider serving the court? Isn't it a pity that you're resigning now?" the Crown Prince said, his tone full of regret.

Yan Mingzhang bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, it's not that I'm unwilling to serve the country, but after experiencing so much, I'm truly exhausted and want to see a wider world. If the country needs me, I will return."

The Crown Prince sighed and patted Yan Mingzhang on the shoulder: "They say a man is all alone. I haven't even reached the highest position yet, and now I have hardly anyone by my side. Originally, this position didn't belong to me. How many ministers in the court truly support me?"

The crown prince narrowed his eyes slightly and said half-jokingly, "This road is difficult to travel, and I need you! Aren't you afraid I won't let you pass?"

His statement was half true and half false; he was testing himself.

Yan Mingzhang knew very well that if he hesitated, he wouldn't be able to leave today. It's said that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; once you've ascended to a high position, who can truly maintain their original intentions? "Your Highness, you have the talent to govern the country. I believe you can definitely hold onto this position!" Yan Mingzhang looked at the Crown Prince firmly, not backing down. "Besides, you have General Rong's support. Who would dare to oppose you?"

Yan Mingzhang was reminding himself of General Rong's importance. General Rong's support came with conditions; if he made things difficult for Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin, the support might not be reciprocated. The Crown Prince lowered his head and smiled bitterly, waving his hand: "Ah... never mind, never mind..." "I won't force you. Goodbye forever!"

"Until we meet again!" Yan Mingzhang said, clasping his hands in greeting.
-
Along the long palace path, the afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows of everyone, who were all anxiously waiting for Yan Mingzhang.

"They're here! They're here!" Mo Yun said, pointing to a figure walking quickly in the distance.

Upon seeing the crowd, the figure switched from walking to running.

Finally, Yan Mingzhang stopped in front of Rong Wanyin. Their eyes met, and they smiled knowingly—a smile of relief after surviving a disaster.

Changfeng was preoccupied and remained silent. He was filled with unease. After taking a few steps, he couldn't help but ask, "My lord, do you... not hate the Zhang family?"

Yan Mingzhang looked at Changfeng and smiled with relief: "Yes, we hate them, but they were also deceived. The real culprits are not the Zhang family. If I don't let go of this hatred, how can I move forward? What do you say?"

Yan Mingzhang's words seemed to be directed at himself, but they were also meant for Changfeng: only by letting go of hatred can we move forward!

Changfeng seemed to be deep in thought: "...Let go of hatred and move forward? Can we really let go?"

Rong Wanyin smiled sweetly at Yan Mingzhang: "My lord, although you seem no different from before, I feel that you are different."

Yan Mingzhang turned to look at Rong Wanyin, his eyes crinkling with a smile: "Oh? How is it different?"

Rong Wanyin pondered for a moment: "I feel you've become more resilient!"

Rong Wanyin and Yan Mingzhang exchanged a smile.

A smile can erase all grudges, and everything becomes clear.

Rong Wanyin took out a red date cake from her bosom and handed it over, her eyes sparkling: "My lord, would you like some?"

Yan Mingzhang's eyes reddened, and he stretched out his hand, saying simply, "Eat!"

As the sweet red date cake entered his mouth, the aroma of red dates spread, and Yan Mingzhang looked up at the sky.

He could see the sky through the leaves.

The sky is so blue!

Thank you all for your continued support. This book is nearing its end, and some side stories will be updated soon. My new book, "Young General, Today's Assassination Attempt is in Full Swing," is currently being written and I welcome your support!