[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming":3,"chapter-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Unorthodox Sword of Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2337227,4570,"Chapter 22: Superstition","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>Pan Yun paused in surprise; she had paid close attention to cultivation for over a thousand years, but rarely to history—she knew the Ming Dynasty had the practice of burial with the dead, but not that so many would be sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: “The Princess Consort is the principal wife—does she also have to be sacrificed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao lowered her gaze and said, “She has no son; by protocol, she must be. But now she has an adopted son—and an adopted son is still a son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun instantly understood—no wonder the Princess Consort had so strongly supported petitioning for Zhu Zi’s appointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their former mother-son bond was part of it, but the fear of sacrifice was surely part too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun’s eyes grew brighter and brighter; Xuan Miao could tell at a glance what she was planning—she was even less willing to leave now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao turned to Tao Ji. “Vote. Minority yields to majority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun also turned her piercing gaze on Tao Ji. “Brother Tao, you swore Zhou Wang would recover—if you leave now and he falters, won’t that ruin your reputation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji shot her a glare. “You went to Mount Sanqing with my disciple’s generation—even if you won’t take me as your master, you ought to call me Master Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Xuan Miao. “Sister, I’m not afraid of ruining my reputation—but the Zhou Wang’s lineage has done me great favors in my alchemical path. Now that his descendants are in peril, and I’ve seen it, I cannot walk away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Zhou Wang, Zhu Yun, was one of the rare good men and skilled technicians among Zhu Yuanzhang’s many sons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a physician and botanist, organizing and compiling numerous medical texts; Daoist alchemy greatly benefited from his work, and Mount Sanqing had once interacted with him, receiving gifts from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he may have forgotten—but Mount Sanqing must remember those who have shown it kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tao Ji were powerless, fine—but since he had the ability to let Zhou Wang live a little longer, he must do his utmost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao listened, thought briefly, then nodded in agreement, turning to Pan Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun leaned back. “Why are you looking at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhou Wangfu  is close to the imperial court and near the Embroidered Uniform Guard—you must be extremely careful living within the Zhou Wangfu .”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun smirked. “Will the Embroidered Uniform Guard believe a traitor’s daughter would dare come near the Zhou Wangfu ? Besides, Pan Hong’s daughter is dead—I am now a Daoist acolyte of Mount Sanqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji: “Oh? So you’re a Daoist acolyte of Mount Sanqing again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun ignored him, fixing her gaze on Xuan Miao. “Can’t anyone else scheduled for sacrifice be saved?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao: “Are you looking for Zhou Wang? As far as I know, since his illness began in the Zhengtong third year, he has repeatedly petitioned the Emperor to abolish the sacrifice of childless Princess Consorts and ladies-in-waiting in the Zhou Wangfu . These past two years, he has been arranging his own funeral, demanding extreme simplicity—no sacrifices, no excessive burial goods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao’s gaze was cold and indifferent. “The court has offered many words of comfort—but never agreed to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Xiao Hei found a scattered fragment in the sea of information fragments, meowed, and signaled her to look in the Spirit Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess Consort Gong of Prince Zhu Youdun and her six ladies were sacrificed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun snorted, standing. “If the Princess Consort can escape sacrifice, then the other ladies can too—if the Princess Consort and ladies aren’t sacrificed, no one else needs to be. The Dao always leaves a way out—I refuse to believe it’s impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply haven’t found the right moment or method yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuan Miao didn’t stop her; she let her go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tao Ji, sitting nearby, opened his mouth, then quickly turned to Xuan Miao. “You’re just letting her go? What if she causes trouble…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we just run again,” Xuan Miao said. “Have we ever caused little trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made perfect sense. Tao Ji had no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stepped out of the courtyard, thought for a moment, then headed toward the main compound of the Zhou Wangfu .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Wangfu  servants seemed few—she met hardly anyone along the way, until the main compound, where an old gatekeeper woman stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman hurried to block her. “Little Daoist, have you lost your way back to the guest quarters? Let me call someone to guide you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun said, “I’m here to see Zhou Wang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s eyes widened; after hesitation, remembering Pan Yun was the young lord’s benefactor, she went inside to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room, servants attended Zhou Wang, along with a long-time personal attendant who always stayed by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Zhou Wang became bedridden, only male servants served him—because lifting and moving him required strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But male servants weren’t careful enough; the Princess Consort wanted to assign maidservants to him, or even serve him herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after his illness worsened, he refused to use maidservants, often flying into rages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past six months since Zhu Zi’s return had been the most comfortable of his illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman couldn’t enter the room, only relayed messages at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind a screen, the servants inside lounged lazily; across the wide courtyard, Pan Yun saw the scene through the open door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smirked slightly—no wonder the superstitious Zhou Wang, upon hearing rumors of father-son incompatibility, hadn’t sent Zhu Zi away: these servants made him feel his adopted son’s filial devotion and importance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing of a visitor, the servants inside lazily rose, displeased but forcing smiles as they went to report: “Your Highness, the little Daoist who brought back the young lord requests an audience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang opened his eyes, then said faintly, “Let her in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant beside him immediately helped him sit up, leaning him back against the pillows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun stepped around the screen into the inner chamber, met Zhou Wang’s gaze, smiled slightly, and bowed. “Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang gestured for the attendant to bring a stool, his tone gentle. “Little Daoist, please sit.” The attendant placed the stool behind Pan Yun, glanced at Zhou Wang, then withdrew, taking all the waiting servants outside with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was now empty except for the old man and the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang smiled. “Say what you came to say—they’re all gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun, purely curious, asked: “If Your Highness still has authority, why not purge those with disloyal intentions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang was slightly surprised—he hadn’t expected this child to come for this. He thought it was about Zhu Qie. He chuckled. “Little Daoist, how do you know they have disloyal intentions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they didn’t, how could Zhu Qie have gone missing? And why did Prince Xiangfu arrive so conveniently today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang’s face darkened, his silence commanding. “Are you here to sow discord between my brothers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No,” Pan Yun shook her head. “I’m here to save you, the Princess Consort, and your ladies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Pan Yun intended to do was mystical—she wouldn’t beat around the bush. Besides, her age made subtlety pointless—it would only invite trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she looked straight into Zhou Wang’s eyes. “It’s rare to walk this world—do you wish to leave with regret and resentment? Among Grand Emperor’s many grandsons, your talent and virtue rank first—yet now, to protect your own Princess Consort and ladies, you can only petition indirectly. Is it because you’ve been ill too long—or because you’ve hidden your light too long, growing distant from court?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang paused, looked at the child, and couldn’t help laughing softly. “You child… truly youthful and bold, fearless as a calf new to the world. What do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the former Zhou Wang lived, princes fought to the death for the title—father against son, brother against brother. You, Your Highness, excelled in both literature and martial arts—could it be that only Zhu Youlao made you collapse, that you now sink into operas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun rose, stepped forward. “Or isn’t it because, after the Jingnan Rebellion, princely struggles remained fierce, forcing you to choose this path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang’s smile faded; he stared at Pan Yun, heavy and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once been one of Zhu Yuanzhang’s most beloved grandsons—outstanding in scholarship and martial skill as a youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While studying in Nanjing, his grandfather had sent him with other princely heirs to train in the north—they had commanded troops, fought battles; he had even reached Yunnan’s frontier, commanding troops and fighting battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike his scheming second brother, Zhou Wang had always looked down upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, Zhu Youlao was never a threat—just an annoyance he despised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t afraid Zhu Youlao would falsely accuse him of rebellion—he had always been cautious; if investigated, no one could prove rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared the Emperor’s desire to reduce the princedoms, feared other princes would frame him as a rebel to seize his position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he hid his light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many ways to hide one’s light: either degrade yourself—drink, gamble, waste away; or adopt a trivial hobby, obsess over it, and lose interest in court affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either find yourself a trivial hobby, devote yourself to mastering it, and lose interest in state affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he seemed to harbor some resentment—so he infused his operas with hidden meanings. Had this child’s patron seen through them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting his suspicious gaze, Pan Yun felt disappointed—he was still doubting her, despite her brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply took the black cat perched on her shoulder, held it so its glossy eyes met his. “Your Highness, don’t suspect I’m guided by someone else. I know these things because I commune with spirits—I see what others cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply picked up the black cat perched on her shoulder and held its glossy black eyes to his, “Prince Zhou, you need not suspect I’m being guided by someone behind the scenes—I know these things because I can commune with spirits and see what others cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun: … Wasn’t this man superstitious? Why isn’t he superstitious now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it just because she was young?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yun kept her expression neutral. “If not for my senior brother, Your Highness would already be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wang didn’t deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had the palace physicians warned him—he had felt it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This morning, upon waking, he knew his end was near; that was when he decided to leave a will, naming Zhu Youjue as heir, petitioning the Emperor to register Zhu Zi under his and the Princess Consort’s names, so Zhu Zi could care for her until her death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first brought Zhu Zi back, he intended to leave the princedom to him—but Zhu Tongqie disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed Zhu Tongqie’s disappearance was due to their incompatible bloodlines, yet also suspected his fourth brother’s hand in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whichever it was, Zhu Zi was now weak—the Zhou princedom was no blessing to him; he couldn’t hold it. So he decided to trade the princedom for his and the Princess Consort’s safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Youjue, once he received the title, would no longer trouble them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surprise was Zhu Tongqie’s return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, he felt death receding slightly—he still had time to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Zhu Tongqie, he no longer fully trusted Zhu Youjue; so when a second option appeared, he immediately chose it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if the Princess Consort had a son could she avoid sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared Zhu Youjue, once heir, would not spare the Princess Consort—Zhu Zi wasn’t her biological child; too much room for manipulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Youjue could simply say, “The imperial genealogy hasn’t been changed; follow ancestral law,” and kill the Princess Consort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten lucky numbers for this chapter are numbers ending in 7; screenshot as proof, deadline for screenshot: before next chapter release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten lucky numbers for this chapter are those ending in 7; screenshot as proof, with screenshot submission deadline before the next chapter is released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1999,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e0bc94e3279c7c886838c4cc4d67a622f590fdd5e5eed8b067c2bb16a4e185ab","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-23","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-21",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]