Chapter 21: Royal Minds Are All Crazy

Zhuang Xiaoyu was always coming up with ideas, and this time, she went to ask Zhuang Xian.

“Father, are you familiar with the Empress Dowager?”

“Not familiar, why do you ask?”

“Really not familiar?”

“Really not. She’s in the harem, and I’m in the court. How could I possibly be familiar with her?”

“Not even a one-night fling or anything?”

It was then that Zhuang Xian realized this daughter of his was thinking nonsense again.

“Zhuang Xiaoyu, have you been reading too many novels? Do you think your father would casually get involved with someone like that?”

“No, but I think that stubborn attitude of Murong Xuan is just like yours. What if he’s your son? We might need to recognize him.”

“I would like to have such an outstanding son, but if that were the case, do you think the Emperor would let me live?”

“That’s true. The Emperor’s mind isn’t right. Any other ruler would be proud of such an outstanding son, but he pushes him away. There are very few normal people in this royal family.”

“You must never say such things again. If this gets out, it could cost you your head.”

---

The Imperial Study Room.

Murong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, facing the Emperor, who glared at him angrily.

“Unfilial son, you dare to threaten me?”

“It’s Father Emperor who has always refused to discuss things with me.”

“I refuse, and what can you do about it?”

“If Father Emperor insists on not letting me take the Empress Dowager’s body, I will do everything I can to take your throne, kill all your children, and when I decide what to do with the Empress Dowager, you won’t have a say.”

“You bastard, how dare you…”

“If Father Emperor calls me a bastard, then what’s left for me to care about? By the way, can you tell me who my real father is? I’d like to recognize him.”

“Someone, someone, seize this unfilial son…”

The Imperial Guards outside entered, surrounding Murong Xuan with their swords drawn.

“Father Emperor, don’t think that just because you’ve taken my military command, you’re safe. My people don’t recognize your orders, and if they find out I’ve left, someone will come to take back the throne for me.”

“You beast, I should have killed you earlier.” The Emperor’s face turned pale with rage, trembling all over.

“If you had killed me earlier, you wouldn’t have the stability at the border. I’ve always considered our father-son bond, but it seems I’ve been mistaken. You have no such feelings for me, so I no longer need to care about that.”

Murong Xuan had once thought it was because he wasn’t good enough that his father disliked him, so he worked hard to excel in both martial arts and academics, surpassing all his brothers. Yet, his father still didn’t care for him. Over time, the Emperor’s disdain turned into attempts to suppress him, and eventually, it felt like the Emperor wanted him dead. This was a father who had never loved him, whether biological or not, Murong Xuan didn’t care anymore.

“You’re just like that dead slut, never knowing your place.”

“Heh, knowing my place? From childhood until now, when has Father Emperor ever shown me any care? Or do you mean that you sent assassins to kill me? Should I have known my place and died?”

“What do you want?”

“If you let me take the Empress Dowager’s coffin, I won’t fight for the throne.”

“Can you be trusted?”

“I’m not like you, Father Emperor. I won’t be deceitful. When I say something, I keep my word.”

The Emperor’s anger almost made him faint. How could this bastard really be turning against him? He cursed inwardly, thinking he should have killed him when he had the chance.

“Fine, I’ll agree. Once you leave the capital, don’t come back.”

The Emperor wasn’t worried about Murong Xuan’s challenge for the throne, as he believed the other princes were too weak to pose a real threat.

Murong Xuan didn’t care for his agreement. How could he not return? He still had to marry Zhuang Xiaoyu.

A concubine’s burial in the royal tomb was her wish, and there were many people who weren’t qualified to be buried there. But the Empress Dowager had never wanted to be the Emperor’s concubine, and she didn’t want to be buried with him after her death. Murong Xuan was honoring her wishes and planned to take her to the vast grasslands, her true home, where she had her family and cherished memories.

That night, as Murong Xuan left the capital, he went to find Zhuang Xiaoyu. The two sat on the roof, drinking a jug of fruit wine together.

Murong Xuan didn’t seem happy, and Zhuang Xiaoyu casually leaned on his shoulder.

“Why must you bury the Empress Dowager in the grasslands?”

“It was her wish.”

“Didn’t she love the Emperor?”

“She once did, but her heart was broken. She didn’t want to be buried with him.”

“Don’t be so melancholic. Life is all about doing what makes you feel comfortable. If there’s no danger to your life, you don’t need to push yourself. After all, everyone ends up dying eventually.”

What kind of mindset allows someone to speak like this? Was this some kind of profound wisdom gained after years of cultivation? It almost sounded like it made sense.

“Romantic affairs? If you want to do it, go ahead. If you don’t, don’t. No one can tell you what to do. You’ve already succeeded in your career, so what’s left to be upset about? Even if your foolish father doesn’t like you, you’re still a prince. He hasn’t disowned you. If you want to be lazy, stay at the border. If you want to make a move, come back and take him down. You can become Emperor and make that old fool furious.”

Murong Xuan stared blankly at her for a moment, then tilted his head and leaned on her shoulder.

His tall frame tilted as he leaned on her thin shoulder, creating a beautiful yet awkward sight.

Jian Yi, standing at a distance, watched the scene on the roof, puzzled. What kind of mood was the prince in now?

“Don’t get angry with those idiots. Don’t stoop to their level. It lowers our quality.”

“Mm.”

“Life is short, it passes quickly. So every day should be spent happily. Those who love us want us to be happy.”

“Mm.”

“Don’t be sad, yesterday is already over, tomorrow will be even better.”

“Mm.”

“So, brother, don’t you think you should move your head away?”

“No, just a little longer.”

His voice carried a bit of a spoiled tone, and also some clinginess, as his long arm reached out to wrap around Zhuang Xiaoyu’s waist.

No way, they drank one pot of fruit wine, and it got him this drunk?

“You… You have to get up early tomorrow, right?”

“Xiaoyu, I’m leaving tomorrow, you must take good care of yourself.”

“Mm.”

“You must eat well.”

“Mm.”

“That Murong Ze has bad intentions, don’t pay attention to him.”

“His goal is the same as yours, and he’s up to no good.”

“I know.”

“Don’t go out tonight, get some good sleep.”

“How do you know I go out at night?”

“I saw.”

He even secretly went to his study to see a portrait of his beloved. He pretended not to know, but when he saw the portrait, which was her own, he must have been happy inside.

Unknowingly, Zhuang Xiaoyu, when she saw the portrait of his back, thought to herself that his brain was sick; she couldn’t even tell whose portrait it was.

“Are you also sneaking out at night?”

“No.”

“No, you saw me.”

“I came to find you, but you weren’t here.”

Ah, so that’s how it was, now it made sense.

“Xiaoyu, wait for me to come back, okay? We’ll continue to drink and talk.”

“Okay.”

Murong Xuan raised his head, took out a jade bracelet from his chest, and put it on Zhuang Xiaoyu’s hand.

“You’ve already given me all the money from your manor, right?”

“This isn’t something I bought.”

“Did you pick it up on the street?”

“It’s a family heirloom. I’m leaving. It will be a long time before I come back. You must miss me.”

“Okay, okay.”

“You don’t have to see me off tomorrow.”

“……….” She wasn’t planning to anyway.

“I’m leaving.”

“Goodbye.”

Murong Xuan turned around three times, reluctant to leave.

Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t move until he disappeared from sight. Then, with a light step, she headed straight for the palace.

Murong Xuan had told her that this emperor was not to be trusted. He could have tried to assassinate Murong Xuan when he returned to the capital, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he didn’t behave properly when leaving either. Knowing your enemy and yourself guarantees victory in every battle, so she eavesdropped on the corner.

In the emperor’s side hall.

The emperor sat at the head, and a black-clad, masked guard knelt below.

When Zhuang Xiaoyu arrived, she only heard the emperor’s final command.

“Let the dark guards move out, this time we cannot afford to fail. Once that bastard is dead, burn that bitch’s bones and make it as if their child never existed.”

She was too late to hear their detailed plans, but it was clear they were planning to deal with Murong Xuan.

She suddenly felt a bit sorry for him. This kid was really pitiful; no matter how hard you try, they always just want you dead.

Zhuang Xiaoyu was lazy; she didn’t want to put effort into protecting Murong Xuan. She could only nip the emperor’s plan in the bud.

So, she followed the leader of the dark guards to the emperor’s dark guard camp.