After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 104

As the two were talking, a waiter ran up and whispered something in the Emperor’s ear. Zhou Xun saw the Emperor frown and wave his hand, then asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Someone wanted to come up to the third floor to eat and even offered a hundred-tael silver note, but I sent them away,” the Emperor said.

“They wanted to come up and eat with us?” Zhou Xun asked.

The Emperor nodded, “They must have been intimidated by my presence and wanted to join me for lunch.”

Zhou Xun: “?? Ah?”

Seeing Zhou Xun twitch his mouth, the Emperor said seriously, “Don’t doubt it. This is my conclusion based on careful judgment.”

Zhou Xun asked, “What makes you say that?”

“I asked the waiter, and there were clearly seats available on the first and second floors, yet they insisted on coming to the third floor. They were willing to spend money just to sit near me. That’s one point.”

“Second, this person knew the third floor was fully booked. Only someone extremely wealthy or powerful could afford to book the entire third floor, so it’s unusual for them to insist on coming up to eat. It’s not likely they’re avoiding someone they don’t want to be seen with in public, is it?”

Downstairs, Zhou Cai sneezed.

…

“Therefore, I deduce that these people have ulterior motives. Rather than simply wanting to eat, they must have noticed my transcendent aura and wish to associate with me,” the Emperor confidently concluded, “But even Buffett charges millions for a meal. They think they can bribe their way into my presence with a hundred taels?”

Zhou Xun: … I’m not sure why, but even though the reasoning is correct, it feels like you’ve come to a completely wrong conclusion.

“And besides, it’s rare for us to have a meal together, so how can we let strangers spoil it?” The Emperor declared grandly, “A mere hundred taels of silver won’t ruin our perfect date. Even though a hundred taels is still money, I refuse! Hmph!”

Zhou Xun: …

The Emperor: “Such old-fashioned flattery is too predictable. Come on, have a bit more to eat?”

… Downstairs, Zhou Cai and his companions never imagined their actions would lead the Emperor to reach an entirely incorrect conclusion through correct reasoning. Since the diners upstairs refused to yield, they had to enjoy their humble meal downstairs with others. After settling the bill, Li Miao comforted Zhou Cai. Seeing no one around, he whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of the Ministry of Justice. Even if they don’t give you face, they’ll give me some.”

Zhou Cai bit his lip, gratefully saying, “I really don’t know how to thank you…”

Seeing his demeanor, Li Miao felt a warm feeling in his heart. He whispered, “Actually, I know about your situation with Zhou Xun and your story with Rong Fen.”

He noticed Zhou Cai shiver as if startled. Li Miao continued, “Don’t worry, I don’t think you’re at fault in this matter.”

Zhou Cai wondered if Li Miao was bringing this up as leverage to blackmail him. But Li Miao continued, “I don’t know how he got out of the Wang residence and seduced the Emperor, but these illegitimate sons and daughters are inherently of lower status. They’re meant to die for the legitimate heirs. It’s his own fault for not keeping to his station, not yours.”

Zhou Cai’s eyelashes fluttered as he said softly, “Ah Miao, I really don’t know how to repay you.”

“I’m the heir to the Duke of Protecting the Country. Do I need your repayment?” Li Miao patted his shoulder.

Zhou Cai knew that the most difficult gifts to accept were those given without any expectation of return: “I don’t like owing favors to others. You must let me repay you, or I won’t be able to rest easy…”

“There is indeed one thing,” Li Miao thought for a moment and said, “My grandfather’s seventieth birthday is coming up, and he wants me to invite the former Chancellor Shen. Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts with lavish gifts, I’ve been met with closed doors.”

“Perhaps the gifts weren’t to his liking,” Zhou Cai comforted him, “My master has a connection with Chancellor Shen and might be able to help you…”

“Right, your master!” Li Miao’s eyes lit up, “Your master was once a renowned scholar in the capital—”

— But he lost to Shen Huiju at a discussion meeting and, in a fit of anger, resigned and returned home.

— Rumor has it that Shen Huiju felt some guilt over this.

Zhou Cai nodded, “Leave this matter to me.”

Li Miao felt even more favorable towards Zhou Cai’s unyielding character. Before he could express his gratitude, his friend named Zhu exclaimed, “Look at that person nearby. Doesn’t he look a bit like… Ah Cai?”

“Looks like Ah Cai?” Wei Yuanzhou glanced over and froze.

At that moment, Zhou Xun also looked over.

He didn’t expect to encounter Zhou Cai here.

The last time he saw Zhou Cai was during his final visit to the Zhou residence. He had watched as the remnants of the life he and his mother once had in the Zhou household were demolished. He had finally put to rest his last lingering feelings about the Zhou family.

The Emperor was still downstairs.

Now, seeing Zhou Cai and his group, it was an encounter filled with enmity. Wei Yuanzhou, noticing Zhou Xun had just come out from Return Intent Pavilion, sneered, “Your own brother is in jail, yet you’re here enjoying a meal. You really are a dutiful son of the Zhou family.”

Zhou Xun merely lifted his eyelids, casting a pointed look at Zhou Cai.

He didn’t use childish retorts like “rebounding,” but his gaze was as telling as words.

Wei Yuanzhou realized his previous comment not only insulted Zhou Xun but also Zhou Cai. As he was about to get angry, Li Miao patted his shoulder and whispered, “No need to argue with this lowly person.”

As the legitimate grandson of the Duke of Protecting the Country, Li Miao had a deep-seated disdain for illegitimate children. Not to mention illegitimate offspring; even those born of secondary lines were considered inferior to the legitimate ones. They only had the right to use what was left over. Zhu Xiong’s friend echoed, “Yes, a child born of a concubine is still a child of a concubine, inherently lowly. No matter how they appear to be thriving, they are still unworthy of respect. Why bother arguing with these lower-class people? Without the Zhou family, they are just like locusts in autumn—barely hanging on.”

“Who are you calling locusts in autumn?” an old man’s voice came from behind them, “You all seem like noble young masters. How come your words lack any decency?”

Turning around, they saw the speaker was an elderly man with graying hair and shabby clothes, looking like a common old man on the street. Only Zhou Xun’s eyes brightened as he opened his mouth, “Master—”