Not Your Typical Villianess - Chapter 228

The Emperor’s palace.

Emperor Zhong and Empress Lu left the hall of splendour together but separated as they got to the Emperor’s palace. Once they were out of sight from the guests, Empress Lu left with her servants after giving the Emperor a deep bow. Emperor Zhong stood in front of his palace entrance as he watched his wife leave without looking back. There was a slight tug on his heart to follow her but he looked away determined to respect her wishes for once and let her be.

He glanced at the elderly EU much that had accompanied him since birth and sighed. “Caihong, call Yaozhu over before he leaves.”

“Yes”, Caihong bowed as he walked away. Emperor Zhong watched him go out of sight before continuing forward. He instructed his two Junior eunuch to help him undress as he walked into his bedroom.

Emperor Zhong stood still, hands stretched out as two junior Eunuchs helped him change out of his ceremonial clothes to more casual clothes. After folding the clothes the eunuchs placed them on the changing trays and carried them out to get washed. Emperor Zhong shook the wide sleeve of his tunic as he walked to the padded couch. He leaned back on the seat eyes shut quietly waiting for the maids and eunuchs present in the room to leave.

The servants saluted Eunuch Caihong as he rushed into the Emperor’s room, his green uniform stuck to his back, wet with sweat as he rushed in. The sound of hurried footsteps alerted Emperor Zhong of his return, however, the Emperor kept still. He made no move to acknowledge the older man’s presence, Eunuch Caihong kept quiet and waited patiently for the Emperor to respond.

Finally, seconds later Emperor Zhong opened his eyes, he gazed up to the wooden roof frame

“The dinner went smoothly, it was a good idea roping her highness in on the plan”, his head turned to the side and looking straight at the older male in green Eunuch uniform. He said, “how come Yaozhu is not here yet, didn’t I send you to get him?”

Eunuch Caihong walked closer, “Prince Wu had already left when I got to the hall, Your majesty. According to Eunuch Chen, his highness was called back home by Madam Lu. The Young Duchess went into labour prematurely and Duke Wu was out on a business trip. His highness left to take charge of the necessary arrangement in his brother’s absence”.

Emperor Zhong clenched his fist and punched the pillow beside him, “His Brother’s absence? It is not like they are brothers, Yaozhu is my son. A royal prince, why does he have to subjugate himself to that bunch? Get him here immediately!”

“Please calm down, Your majesty. There is no doubt that His highness is the deceased Crown Prince, however, you must remember that he is registered under the Lu Family’s records. Her grace pregnancy hasn’t been easy, she has been bedridden for the last few weeks. This is not something that could be ignored, he had to do his part for the Lu Family. I fear that if his Majesty insists on calling him over, it might cause some friction between not just your Majesty and the Lu family but also Prince Wu and your Majesty”, Eunuch Caihong said.

Emperor Zhong’s angry expression fell on hearing that, ” we can not have that,” Emperor Zhong muttered, “let him be, there will be other opportunities to bond with Yaozhu”.

Unbeknownst to Emperor Zhong and Eunuch Caihong, outside the Emperor’s palace by the window opened ajar at the side stood Zhongshan Ling. Hidden behind the purple wide sleeve of his purple and gold coloured ceremonial uniform, Zhongshan Ling clenched his fist tightly until it drew blood. He had followed his father as he left the banquet hall, hoping to speak with him for a few minutes before he left the palace. Zhongshan Ling followed his father intending to find out how the Emperor faired after fainting the day before but his good intention was insulted as he overheard the conversation between the Emperor and Eunuch Caihong.

He suddenly felt foolish, Zhongshan Ling frowned and turned around to leave but came face to face with his younger brother Zhongshan Zuo. Based on the bitter expression on his brother’s face, he was not the only one the eavesdropped on the Emperor’s conversation. Zhongshan Zuo looked like he wanted to kill someone, his eyes narrowed as he met Zhongshan Ling’s calm expression. “You_,” Zhongshan Zuo said but was cut short by Zhongshan Ling’s quick response

“If you know what is good for you, you would keeper your mouth shut except you would like to explain to father Emperor why you are standing out here in the dark”, Zhongshan Ling glared at his brother and wheeled himself away. Zhongshan Zuo stood for some seconds out open, his mind working quickly to process what he had overheard. He shut his mouth a second later and rushed after his elder brother.

He finally caught up to Zhongshan Ling a short distance away at the small artificial lake near the Imperial Library. He pushed Fu Hong aside, placed his hand on the back handle of Zhongshan Ling’s wheelchair to stop his move movement.

” who dare_?” Zhongshan Ling glanced over his shoulders. He hissed when he saw who it was, Fu Hong quickly pulled out his sword and placed it in Zhongshan Zuo’s jugular.

“Wait, not so quick! I just want to have a word with you, brother Ling!” Zhongshan Zuo cried out hands raised.

Zhongshan Ling glared at Zhongshan Zuo and nodded, “let him go”.

Fu Hong nodded and put his sword away, he bowed hands held up, “my apologies, your highness”.

“This way”, Zhongshan Ling said, placing his hands on the wheels at the side of his seat and pushing his seat out of the stone pathway and into the garden. Zhongshan Zuo followed him inside while their guards stood out to keep watch. Zhongshan Ling stopped and looked up, “what is it!”

Zhongshan Zuo ran his hands through his hair quickly, “What was that at Imperial fathers study, is it true…. That is Yaozhu” he shook his head, “no no no, that can’t be true_” he stopped on seeing Zhongshan Ling’s unchanged expression.

“Father Emperor must have his reasons for keeping this hidden, I suggest you act like you heard nothing and don’t get any bad thoughts. Yaozhu is registered under the Lu family’s record, he cannot lay any claim on the throne. He is not a threat, don’t do anything stupid. If there is nothing else, It is late. I must be on my way” Zhongshan Ling pushed the wheelchair towards the entrance and left with his guard. Some minutes later, his lips tugged up into a smirk.

“Keeping fools like Zuo is a necessary evil since they make the best weapons”, he thought as he got into his carriage and leaned back on the seat.