Chapter 21: Wanting to Win Over

Pan Yun touched her share of silver, feeling it was still too little.

She needed to send money to her father; Datong was poor, and they had left in haste, carrying little with them.

Though her second uncle later sent some goods over, it was certainly insufficient.

With their status, to live better, money was absolutely necessary.

So more money was always better.

Second, her cultivation required silver.

To grow stronger, cultivation was currently the most direct and the only method she could truly control.

As long as she became strong enough, she would eventually rescue her father and brother.

So she still needed money.

Pan Yun glanced at Master Xuanmiao, who had been rewarded, and desperately wanted to step forward and lecture Zhou Wang on feudal superstition.

But chasing after others wasn't business; there was no suitable opening right now.

When Wang Fei saw Zhao Yuansong leave, she exhaled in relief and said to those still crowded in the room: "The Prince is exhausted. Zijin, have your wife take the child down—he's been terrified these past days; send for a physician to examine him soon."

"You attend to the three Daoists; once the Prince has rested, formally thank them."

Zhu Zijin and Gu Shi hurriedly agreed; one stepped forward to take the child, the other guided Tao Ji and the others toward the exit.

Zhu Youjue also had no reason to linger; he bowed to Wang Fei: "Brother's care is entrusted to you, sister-in-law."

Saying this, he led his two sons away in silence.

Zhu Zijin stepped aside respectfully, letting his fourth uncle go first.

Zhu Youjue paused before him, cast him a sidelong glance, then turned and left.

This was the first time Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang clearly felt their father's displeasure toward their cousin; both were deeply shaken.

Zhu Zifang was fine—though pale, he held his composure; Zhu Zihou's eyes reddened, his chest heaving.

The two brothers quickly bowed to Zhu Zijin, then chased after Zhu Youjue.

Zhu Youjue did not normally reside in Zhou Wangfu; his fief was in Xiangfu County, and his Commandery Prince's mansion was also in Xiangfu.

But recently, Zhou Wang's illness worsened, and all said he had only days left, so Zhu Youjue came to Kaifeng.

He was now staying in a courtyard at the western corner of Zhou Wangfu.

Before arriving, he had been napping in the pavilion by the water; a spy from the main courtyard quietly reported, so he immediately rose, changed clothes, and rushed over—only to find he was still too late.

Zhu Youjue returned to the pavilion with a grim face, unable to suppress his rage; he swept his sleeve and sent the fruit platter and tea cups crashing to the ground, clattering loudly, startling the servants, who all bowed and retreated.

Zhu Zihou's chest heaved, shook off Zhu Zifang's hand, and stepped forward to demand: "Why is Father angry? Isn't it good that Elder Brother named Cousin as Zhou Wang Shizi?"

Zhu Youjue whirled on him, face dark: "Zhu Youlai disregarded human ethics, framed your grandfather, your elder uncle, and me—committed countless unlawful acts—and yet his son still became Zhou Wang. Is this heavenly justice? What kind of good thing is this?"

Zhu Zihou insisted: "Cousin is Elder Brother's adopted son; Second Uncle never raised him a single day. Cousin recognizes only Elder Brother as his father."

Zhu Youjue sneered: "Your elder uncle is Zhou Wang. Zhu Youlai became a commoner—he naturally recognizes only your elder uncle as his father."

Zhu Zihou disagreed: "Father, Cousin is not like that."

Even Zhu Zifang added: "Father, Cousin may be weak-willed, but he is kind and filial—he is not one who abandons righteousness for profit."

He paused, then said: "Regardless of the title, Cousin was raised by Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law since infancy. He was taken from them at twelve—there was no bond between him and Second Uncle. Even when Second Uncle was still Commandery Prince of Ruyang, he treated him poorly, often beating and scolding him. After being stripped of his status and reduced to commoner, Cousin's life grew even harder—he was treated worse than cattle or horses in their household."

Isn't Cousin's reverence for Elder Brother due to Elder Brother's upbringing and affection?"

Zhu Zifang said: "If you suspect Cousin's filial piety toward Elder Brother is motivated by the Zhou Wang Jue, then what motivates you and Elder Brother's filial piety toward Elder Brother?"

Zhu Youjue flew into a rage and slapped him: "Insolent!"

"Crack!" Zhu Zifang lowered his head, yet stubbornly kept his back straight.

Zhu Zihou stepped forward, shielding Zhu Zifang, and stared defiantly at his father.

Zhu Youjue's anger surged, then he suddenly snapped back to himself: over the years, partly to comfort his elder brother, partly because he himself had certain thoughts, he had often sent his children to Zhou Wangfu—only for them to grow closer to his elder brother and grow increasingly disobedient to him as father.

Especially Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang—they had lived in Zhou Wangfu since age two, returning to the Commandery Prince's mansion only once or twice a year.

Zhou Wangfu had become their home; the Commandery Prince's mansion had turned into a relative's house.

This was a complete disaster—losing both wife and soldiers. Zhu Youjue's chest ached with rage; he turned, searching for something to beat the boys with.

Zhu Zifang thought a moment, then shoved his brother: "Run."

Zhu Zihou hesitated, unwilling to flee.

Zhu Zifang grabbed him and ran: "Minor punishment, endure it; major punishment, flee. Father clearly wants to kill us. To spare him regret later, we run first—if we stay, he'll feel remorse, and won't that make us unfilial?"

Zhu Zihou thought it made sense, and followed him.

Zhu Youjue was still searching for a suitable weapon when he turned—both boys had fled hand in hand. He roared after them: "You brats, come back! Oh no—" His foot slipped, and half his leg plunged into the water.

Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang ran even faster, vanishing in a flash.

Meanwhile, Gu Shi, carrying the child back inside, was having hot water brought for his bath and asking him what had happened these past months.

In half a year, Zhu Tongqie remembered only his father and mother; other events were hazy.

He didn't know how he got lost, only recalled: "Many children, bad men led us through tunnels, then many people came with knives and torches—I was terrified and scrambled everywhere—Third Grandpa took me away."

"Third Grandpa was a good man. When he begged for food, he'd share some with me—I stopped being hungry." Here Zhu Tongqie reached out to Gu Shi, reciting his beggar's chant: "Give me a bun, a spoon of soup, wish you long life and good health~"

Zhu Tongqie beamed up at his mother, smiling sweetly.

Gu Shi's heart shattered; she gasped, pulled him tightly into her arms, and wept uncontrollably.

Zhu Zijin had just settled Tao Ji and the others in the guest quarters when he heard his wife's sobs; he snatched up his robes and sprinted inside: "What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Zhu Tongqie looked terrified, pulling his small hands back, utterly confused why his mother was crying.

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Seeing his father, he burst into tears.

Gu Shi clutched the child and flung herself into Zhu Zijin's arms, sobbing: "Husband, let's leave. Tongqie has suffered too much—I'm afraid, I'm terrified…"

Zhu Zijin embraced mother and child, eyes red, shaking his head: "No. Father is seriously ill—leaving now would be betrayal. And Mother…"

He tightly embraced Gu Shi and said, "Rest assured, I—I will protect you both; this will never happen again."

Gu Shi shook her head, not believing him.

It wasn't that she doubted his ability, but between them and the Zhou Wangfu lay more than ten years of separation; they were destitute and had no one to rely on—even if Zhu Zijin wished to, he could not fully safeguard them.

Zhu Zijin said, "I'll beg my mother for help. Don't be afraid, and don't speak of leaving. Father has already submitted the petition to appoint me as heir. What would it mean to leave now?"

After crying, Gu Shi's grief lessened somewhat, and reason returned. She knew it was impossible to mention leaving now.

Or rather, from the moment they left their village and departed Jingcheng, they had no path back.

Gu Shi wiped away her tears and choked out, "I understand. I'll bathe him first, then take him to see Mother."

In this household, besides the Prince, only the Wang Fei could protect them.

But the Prince is now seriously ill and has no spare energy—yet the Wang Fei can.

If we can win her pity, she will surely give them more care.

Zhu Zijin helped her bathe Zhu Tongqie, and asked him about the three Daoist Priests.

Zhu Tongqie, still shaken, shrank slightly and whispered, "Sister is good… very powerful…"

He spoke of how capable Pan Yun was.

He remembered little, but he remembered Master Xuanmiao had looked at him the moment they met and declared him a "child of imperial blood," then brought him home—and indeed, she had brought him home all the way.

Zhu Zijin pondered, "There are always extraordinary people in the world. Though many deceive, there are still those with true talent. It seems our Qie has good fortune—he met someone with real ability."

Zhu Zijin was moved. He glanced at his young son, then at his wife, and finally took that step, gritting his teeth: "These three are capable. I'll ask them to stay—they might become a valuable asset."

Zhu Zijin had no one else to rely on; though Tao Ji and the other two were Daoist Priests, he was unwilling to let them go.

Moreover, outsiders are more trustworthy, especially since they share this bond with Qie.

The couple quietly discussed it. After bathing Zhu Tongqie and feeding him a little, Gu Shi took the child to see the Wang Fei, while Zhu Zijin went to persuade the three Daoist Priests.

The three Daoist Priests sat facing each other at a table—oh, Pan Yun was not yet a Daoist Priest.

Master Xuanmiao believed they should leave: "The child has been delivered. Why linger?"

Pan Yun: "I'm uneasy about the child. I must ensure he can live safely in this mansion."

Pan Yun looked up at her, half-smiling: "Master Xuanmiao, so powerful—you must have seen long ago that he had the appearance of an early death?"

Master Xuanmiao: "From the moment he returned to the Zhou Wangfu, his death destiny was resolved."

"Is that so?" Pan Yun looked skeptical. "I think it's not resolved—or rather, one death destiny was lifted, but a new one has appeared."

Master Xuanmiao: "... Everyone must die. Can you really wait here until he dies of old age?"

Pan Yun: "Didn't you see the half-room of dying people? So many who will die violently surround him—how can that not be dangerous?"

Master Xuanmiao frowned at her. "That's because of burial by殉葬. When the Zhou Wang dies, by law, all childless concubines must be buried with him, as well as the maids and nursemaids who served them. But the Zhou Wang has already submitted his petition to appoint an heir as Zhou Shizi. Once the imperial decree arrives, half of them will be saved."

That doom has passed. Those left to face their doom cannot be saved."

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(End of Chapter)