Chapter 33

Face-Slapping the Son of a Concubine and a Transmigrating Girl (7)

Editor: ghost

Zhou Xu glanced at the crown prince who was beside the emperor, and as a result found that the crown prince who always maintained a cold expression had immediately changed.

“Father Emperor?”

The emperor was also shocked. This crown prince was always silent and serious, what happened now?

“En? Royal son, what’s the matter?”

The crown prince walked to Zhou Xu, intending to kneel with him. Zhou Xu shot him a faint smile, turned his head towards the emperor and said, “Your majesty, please forgive this small official for being impolite. The sixth princess is an ephemeral beauty of royal lineage, but this small official has no fate with her because this small official’s heart already belongs to someone else.”

The crown prince looked at Zhou Xu deeply. The emperor also shifted his gaze to him, “You already have a marriage contract?”

“Not yet,” Zhou Xu answered, “but though there is no marriage contract, this small official’s beloved would be wronged if I don’t marry.”

“Ha ha ha. Since that is the case, we will not make things difficult for you.” The emperor looked at the crown prince to ask, “Royal son ah, why were you so impatient just now?”

The crown prince heaved a sigh of relief, answering, “Replying to Father Emperor, Zhou Xu and I are close friends. The matter of him having a beloved, this son also knew, thus was afraid that Father Emperor…”

“Oh, you are afraid that I will insist on him marrying sixth princess? How could I, I couldn’t bear to send Little Six and let her be wronged? Ha ha ha, however I am actually curious– what kind of lady is able to enter the top scholar’s eyes?”

“Uh, this son….”

“Reporting to the emperor, though this small official and the crown prince are close friends and he also knows about this small official having a beloved, they haven’t met yet. If the emperor is interested, this small official is willing to say it personally for the emperor.”

“Ha ha ha, then go ahead.”

“Yes, your majesty. Since he is a lady, this small official shall not mention his surname, do pardon this small official. He is not a delicate and adorable person, to the extent that he is taller than eight chi and without a willow-like slender waist. His actions and behaviour carry bearing. He dislikes needlework and embroidery, and also dislikes makeup, but his style of speech is extraordinary. He likes to read books, especially military tactics. He is an expert in chess, with decent skills in painting and calligraphy. He does not like smiling, but this small official believes that he does not lack feelings toward this one; previously he requested this small official for something, which is the jade pendant I have carried from birth. In short, I would be wronging him if I didn’t marry him.”

The emperor saw that Zhou Xu’s gaze was resolute, appearing absolutely determined. He felt joyous, “Ha ha ha, good good good, indeed she is a remarkable lady. Having a height of more than eight chi is hard to find. Beloved Minister Zhou, you should properly protect him.”

“Yes, your majesty. Perhaps he can also protect this small official.”

“Ha ha hak2026;” the emperor laughed heartily.

Zhou Xu and the crown prince also laughed along. Their gazes met. One was light like wind-blown clouds, the other was towering like a rock. But the hidden surging afterwards was something only the two understood.

On this day Zhou Xu did not receive any official position because the emperor was very happy afterwards, calling his family’s few children to come out and eat a meal with Zhou Xu.

When it was time to return, Zhou Xu shook his head, wanting to laugh. It was no wonder that this world was so chaotic; the sovereign of the country completely did not act like one. He knew about the various malignant tumors in the country, but did not take action in fear that a slight change would affect everything else.

This world’s tumor was already grown. For the country to develop healthily and grow, it is inevitable to experience the pain of digging out flesh and scraping bone. The emperor had already grown old, unwilling to bear this pain while he was on the throne.

The next time he saw the emperor and the crown prince, Zhou Zong Han was also present. Zhou Xu directly entered the Imperial Academy. It was not the most fantastic assignment, but at least he could remain in the capital.

The second placed scholar went to Suzhou while the third placed scholar went to Yangzhou.

As the scholar in fourth place, Zhou Zong Han was assigned to the remote Jingzhou to be the provincial governor. Fifth went to Liuzhou, a fertile land with scenic beauty, while the sixth placer went to Xuzhou.

Jingzhou’s land was barren, lacking in water and fertility. In short, it lacked anything one wanted, and truly it only had one thing: poverty.

Zhou Zong Han really had not expected to be posted to Jingzhou. Once he returned home, he slammed the table and broke things. Qi Lan was helpless, asking him, “My husband, what’s the matter?’

“Lan Er, I’m being sent to Jingzhou to be governor. What kind of place is Jingzhou? It’s overrun with thistles and thorns just like its name, and sparsely populated too. The officials sent to Jingzhou, even if there was profit, they’re pretty much finished. They will never be able to attain any merit or achievements, and without those they cannot be promoted. Lan Er, don’t tell me that in the future we will be stuck living in such a far away place?”

“This… is it really such a tough place? Why would the emperor send you, of all people, to Jingzhou?”

“It must be Zhou Xu’s fault. He and the crown prince have a close relationship. Furthermore, he has held me in contempt since we were young. It must be that he thought of such an idea to make me leave the Zhou family, the capital, and basically be unable to return.”

“Dear husband, don’t worry, I will accompany you. What I have is craftsmanship. No matter what place I’ll be able to let you live comfortably and at ease. Only we won’t be able to see our little treasure in the future, ai.” Little treasure was precisely Zhou Zong Han and Qi Lan’s son who was sent to someone else’s family to raise. He grew to be chubby and very cute.

“Out of the question, I definitely will not go. As long as I leave the capital, it would be impossible to return. If it was somewhere like Suzhou, Yangzhou or Xuzhou, all with fertile soil, then it would be very easy to earn merit. I’d be able to return in two or three years as well as be promoted. But it is impossible in Jingzhou.”

“Then what do we do? Dear husband, my grandfather won’t help us again.”

Zhou Zong Han immediately thought about the previous time where he had been beaten to the point of coughing blood by Prime Minister Qi and felt rage in his heart. But if Prime Minister Qi could really help, then he would rather be beaten again.

“Lan Er, can we both take action separately? I know I’m making things difficult for you, but if I can avoid going to Jingzhou this time, then I’ll listen to you and we’ll leave the Zhou family. I’ll bring you away and we can peacefully live our lives, okay? Lan Er, take it as I’m begging you, can you beg Prime Minister Qi? I’ll also work hard. I will go beg my father. A leader can stand tall or submit as required. Even if he strikes me a hundred times, I definitely will not go to Jingzhou.”

Zhou Zong Han was somewhat agitated as his face reddened. His originally handsome face held some ferocity.

Qi Lan was a bit reluctant. She had always known about Zhou Zong Han’s wild ambition, but which man did not have any? Although she knew she was comforting herself, she still thought that way.

Heaving a long sigh, Qi Lan said, “Then I’ll go try, but I cannot guarantee success. Dear husband, if you are able to stay in the capital to be an official this time, we will leave and get a courtyard. To be honest, I really can’t stand your mother anymore. She comes to trouble me almost daily.”

Zhou Zong Han’s face went rigid before ultimately hugging Qi Lan warmly, saying, “Okay, I will promise you.”

Zhou Zong Han’s biological mother, Ruan Qin’s mental illness was worsening. In truth, it was not just Qi Lan, he himself also could not stand her any longer. But since Ruan Qin was his mother, hearing Qi Lan’s words he still felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart.

On the second day, Qi Lan returned to her maternal home past noon, while Zhou Zong Han sought General Zhou in embarrassment.

Zhou Yong was eating breakfast with his wife He Yan Fei. The pair chatted and laughed but the moment they saw Zhou Zong Han, both fell silent.

At the moment, Zhou Yong only had Zhou Xu in his eyes and heart. He did not put Zhou Yang in his eyes, and Zhou Zong Han even more so. In addition, the insane Ruan Qin would occasionally appear to make trouble in front of him, making him dislike Zhou Zong Han even more. However since he was still his child, he could only ask, “Zong Han ah, what matter do you have?”

Zhou Zong Han fell onto the ground, kneeling, and said what he wanted to say. The more Zhou Yong listened, the more irritated he got. When Zhou Zong Han finished his plea, Zhou Yong slammed his palm on the table.

“Absolutely disgraceful. You think you can go against the emperor’s order as you wish? You are the one who ranked fourth in the exam, this title isn’t fake is it?”

Zhou Zong Han tearfully complained again. Zhou Yong was going to explode, but He Yan Fei patted his shoulder and persuaded him, “General, what is there to be irritated about? The child simply does not want to leave the capital; it’s understandable.”

“Ai, Yan Fei, you are really too soft-hearted. Seeing how he is too eager for immediate success, he will sooner or later ruin himself.”

“He’s a child, who wouldn’t be like that? Why not request on his behalf? If it is still no good, then bring along Prime Minister Qi to request as well. The emperor also wouldn’t feel good to throw both of your faces away. How about it?”

Zhou Yong hesitated before nodding his head. Although he disliked Zhou Zong Han, he was still his flesh and blood. In the past he did not put in any effort for him; this time, he thought, he should properly carry out his duty as a father.

Four hours later, General Zhou and Prime Minister Qi requested an audience with the emperor. The crown prince who was beside the emperor was concentrated on handing memorials to the emperor. Zhou Xu was beside the crown prince, leisurely sitting with an unperturbed appearance.

Zhou Yong used his eyes to signal Zhou Xu, but it was as if Zhou Xu did not see it. He remained unperturbed.

In truth, the reason why Zhou Xu was there was wholly due to the crown prince. The crown prince asked the emperor for Zhou Xu, saying that he wanted to learn from him. The emperor did not have any objections; in any case, Zhou Xu did not have much to do in his post. If he was free, then he would come over to discuss some matters or give his opinion. Hence the crown prince and the emperor processed the memorials much quicker.

Before Prime Minister Qi came, he severed relations with Qi Lan.

No matter how Qi Lan cried and wailed for help, Prime Minister Qi would not agree. Because of last time’s matter, he had already hardened his heart. This time Qi Lan’s father and mother ultimately joined Qi Lan and protested. Thus in a fit of anger he said, “Fine. Lan Er, I will help you one more time, but you first need to severe relations with me. In the future, you can never step into the Qi family home.”

In the living room Qi Lan and her parents wept and sobbed miserably. But Prime Minister Qi had hardened his heart and brought them to the ancestors’ memorial tablets. He immediately made the oath; thus Qi Lan could no longer make a choice even if she wanted to.

Zhou Yong and Prime Minister Qi both knew that this matter could be big or small, depending on the emperor’s mood. If his mood was not good, then the consequences would be unthinkable.

Hence when the two of them voiced their request, they were very careful. However, the emperor was still angered.

“My two beloved ministers, a sovereign should not go back on his words. It can’t be that you don’t understand this. Issuing an order at dawn and rescinding it at dusk; where would I put the royal family’s face?”

Zhou Yong and Prime Minister Qi immediately knelt; the emperor was angry.

“Since this is the case, it must be that Zhou Zong Han is disrespectful and resisting the imperial decree. Servants, capture Zhou Zong Han and arrange an auspicious date for his public beheading. As for these two beloved ministers, continue kneel if you do not want to be charged guilty by association!”

Translator’s Note:

back with another chapter! heheh good for Zhou Zong Han, now he doesn’t need to go Jing Zhou anymore; i’m starting to pity Qi Lan it’s not really her fault that Zhou Zong Han is a shitty person overall and did a lot of shitty things in the original storyline. anyway, thank you for all the comments, i really appreciate them!!