Chapter 68 Knowing His Background

Du Wanchun was momentarily stunned. She had long suspected that the Zhou family was not ordinary, but she had only assumed that they came from a wealthy household in the capital. She had never imagined that they would have ties to the royal family.

Zhou Ruizhen continued, “My mother and the current emperor were childhood spouses. Unfortunately, that so-called Son of Heaven fell in love with Consort Wu, who had just entered the palace. Because of her, he neglected my mother, listened to slanderous accusations, and ordered the execution of my maternal grandfather’s entire family. He then exiled my mother, my brothers, and me to a desolate land.”

“On the way to exile, we were ambushed. Some were left crippled, others gravely wounded. Later, by sheer coincidence, my mother assumed the identity of a daughter from the Chen family who had married away, and she brought us here to Changliu Village.”

“We originally planned to live out our days in peace here, but Consort Wu refused to let us go. She kept pressing forward, leaving us no escape.”

He explained everything concisely, laying out the full story.

Though there were some differences from what Du Wanchun had guessed, she quickly pieced everything together. It was no secret in Xuanyue Kingdom that the empress’s family had been executed and the crown prince deposed.

Du Wanchun lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with sympathy. “So… you are the deposed crown prince?”

Zhou Ruizhen hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Du Wanchun’s pupils contracted slightly in shock.

Though she had been foolish in the past, she had still heard the rumors about this crown prince.

According to legend, when he was born, the imperial astrologers declared him the reincarnation of an immortal lord, destined to become a once-in-a-century wise ruler.

The emperor had been overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately named him crown prince.

As a child, the prince was extraordinarily intelligent. By the age of three, he could compose poetry; by five, he could paint; by ten, he excelled in horseback riding and archery.

He was a true prodigy, a perfect blend of scholarly brilliance and martial prowess—born to be an emperor.

Yet now, this once-exalted figure was living in a dilapidated mud house, surviving on coarse grains.

It was an absurd reality, one that even storytellers would not dare to invent.

As the saying goes, it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to return from luxury to frugality.

Du Wanchun was deeply moved. How had this once-privileged family—who had never so much as lifted a finger for menial labor—transformed into hardworking farmers who could now plant vegetables, dig the earth, and chop firewood with ease?

The hardships they had endured were unimaginable.

Slowly, she recovered from her astonishment. Now that she had learned everything she wanted to know, she chose not to press him further. Instead, she gently grasped his arm, her previous anger dissipating. In a soft voice, she said, “Husband, it’s getting late. We should rest early.”

Hearing her gentle words, Zhou Ruizhen lifted his long lashes and gazed at her profile. The panic in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a glistening warmth—a depth of emotion that Du Wanchun had never seen before.

Before she could react, his lips had already landed on hers.

It was just a fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water. But the moment their lips parted, Du Wanchun suddenly found herself lifted off the ground and into a warm embrace. Her face pressed against Zhou Ruizhen’s chest, her heart pounding wildly.

With his arms wrapped securely around her waist, Zhou Ruizhen carried her step by step toward the bed. “My wife, stay with me tonight.”

Du Wanchun buried her face deeper into his chest and nodded slightly.

Zhou Ruizhen gently laid her down on the bed, then bent over to remove one of the quilts.

Half-lying on the bed, Du Wanchun propped herself up on her elbows, her gaze lowered, not daring to meet his eyes. “Husband… didn’t you say we should wait until after the provincial exam?”

The dim glow of the oil lamp flickered with the passing breeze.

Silhouetted against the light, Zhou Ruizhen sat beside her, cupping her burning face in his hands. Tilting her chin up slightly, he murmured in a husky voice, “I can’t wait any longer.”

His deep and gentle voice echoed in her ears, leaving her momentarily stunned. When she looked up, his lips descended upon hers once more.

But this kiss was different.

Unlike the sudden peck in the alley earlier or the brief brush of lips just now, Zhou Ruizhen kissed her with the hunger of a man who had lost control—an intense, possessive fervor that consumed every soft inch of her lips.

Du Wanchun’s breath grew unsteady, but amidst the overwhelming sensation, she felt something inexplicably familiar—something that made her heart flutter with joy.

Without realizing it, she responded to his kiss.

Sensing her willingness, Zhou Ruizhen became even bolder. He held her tighter, pressing her firmly against him, his hands supporting her back with unwavering strength.

Outside, the moonlight slowly poured in through the window.

At long last, the two embraced one another with complete honesty.