Chapter 123: The Zhou Family’s Tradition of Competing for Work

Madam Zhou quickly smiled and said, “I don’t do much work usually—Ruizhen does most of it.”

The Third Prince furrowed his brows even deeper. “How can he, a dignified crown prince, do these kinds of chores? Let me handle them instead.”

After all, he had grown up as a prince, never having to lift a finger for meals or clothes.

Yet, as he started chopping radishes, he seemed to be getting the hang of it.

Madam Zhou watched anxiously, afraid he might cut his hand. “Your Highness, let me do it instead.”

The Third Prince became even more confident as he continued. “I may have never cooked before, but I’ve trained with blades. Slicing radishes is nothing.”

Sure enough, in no time, he had neatly chopped all the radishes.

Seeing that the task was done, Madam Zhou picked up a wooden bucket and prepared to fetch water from the well in the backyard.

“Wait!” The Third Prince suddenly tossed the knife aside, snatched the bucket from her hands like the wind, and strode toward the backyard. Moments later, he returned carrying two full buckets of water.

Being trained in martial arts, carrying two buckets of water was as effortless for him as carrying a pair of kittens. In no time, the kitchen’s water vat was filled to the brim.

Madam Zhou was momentarily stunned.

Then, like a whirlwind, the Third Prince rushed back to the backyard and carried in all the chopped firewood.

Next, mimicking the household cooks he had seen before, he began lighting the fire and preparing the meal.

Madam Zhou tried to step in several times, but he firmly stopped her. “Just stand there and don’t move—just tell me what to do.”

Unable to argue with him, she had no choice but to comply.

Not long after, three dishes and a soup were ready.

Du Wanchun and Zhou Ruizhen emerged from the incense-making room just as the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air.

At the same time, Zhou Zhao returned from the vegetable garden with a basket full of fresh bok choy on his back. “Mother, I’m back!”

As he made his way home, he had already heard the news—his father had returned. Panic-stricken, he ran all the way back.

The Third Prince heard the commotion and, like a gust of wind, rushed over again. “Ah, Zhao’er! How can you be doing such work? Here! Give me that basket!”

Zhou Zhao was stunned. “T-Third Uncle?”

Before he could even react, the Third Prince had already taken the vegetable basket from his back and dashed into the house like a rabbit.

Zhou Zhao stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, needing a long moment to process what had just happened.

Zhou Ruizhen quickly walked over and explained everything to him.

Realization dawned on Zhou Zhao, and he patted his chest in relief. “That scared me to death! Everyone was saying my father had returned—I thought they meant the one from the capital!”

Zhou Ruizhen raised an eyebrow and whispered, “The one from the capital? If it were him, you wouldn’t even make it through the front door before losing your head.”

Zhou Zhao instantly covered his neck and nodded vigorously in agreement. “Big Brother, when is he going back to the capital?”

Zhou Ruizhen was just about to answer when, from inside the house, the Third Prince’s voice rang out again.

“Ah! Wanchun, how can you be carrying water? Quick, quick, give it to me!”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhao turned his head toward the house. By the time he looked back at Zhou Ruizhen, his brother had already rushed inside.

“Wanchun, here, let me do it!”

Zhou Zhao stood there, stunned for a moment, then shook his head. “If an outsider saw this, they’d really think he was their actual father.”

Saying that, he turned around, slung a hoe over his shoulder, and prepared to head to the backyard.

“Wait! Hold on a moment!” The Third Prince once again strode over in big steps, directly snatching the hoe off Zhou Zhao’s shoulder and slinging it over his own. He muttered as he did so, “You child, you shouldn’t be touching this thing—it’s too dangerous!”

Zhou Zhao gawked at the nagging Third Prince, his jaw nearly hitting the ground. Was this really the same noble prince who had spent his whole life in carefree luxury in the capital, never marrying or having children?

At this moment, he truly looked just like his father. Zhou Zhao couldn’t tell whether the prince had become too immersed in his role or if he was simply a warmhearted person at his core.

With an extra person in the small Zhou household, the place suddenly felt much livelier.

Meanwhile, back in the imperial palace, the atmosphere was desolate.

The emperor, as if possessed, was unable to sleep night after night. Every time he thought about the empress he had wronged and driven to death, he would shed tears uncontrollably.

Concubine Wu was beside herself with frustration. How was she supposed to regain favor like this? She hadn’t even borne him a prince yet!

But frustration was one thing—she wasn’t going to let this opportunity go to waste. Since the emperor had no time to concern himself with the harem, she set her sights on Consort Ru.

“That little wretch was so smug not long ago. Let’s see how she dares flaunt her power in front of me now!”

With a sinister smile, she had a servant secretly switch out Consort Ru’s most frequently used rouge with a box laced with poison.