After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 107

“The emperor’s people, not the Tian(heaven) family’s,” the emperor whispered in his ear. “Remember that.”

He wanted to distinguish himself from the Tian family. Tian family is Rong Xuan, and his own family is Rong Haoyu. One is external, the other is internal.

The old man behind them made a disgusted noise, seemingly unable to tolerate the romantic atmosphere between the two. The emperor, pleased, smiled broadly. He held onto Zhou Xun’s hand and said, “Let’s go down together.”

The courtroom was downstairs. They descended two or three dozen steps. Although there was no wind in the corridor, Zhou Xun felt as if the wind was blowing. The wind stirred the dark green summer leaves, revealing the flowers hidden beneath them. His steps were as light as the trembling flowers as he descended.

Everyone watched their arrival, stunned by the scene they thought would never happen.

Zhou Xun stood there, calm and composed, his demeanor elegant and dignified. The nobles had never heard of him before today, and they whispered among themselves, trying to figure out his identity.

Even more surprising than Zhou Xun’s appearance was that of the emperor. When he appeared, everyone knelt and saluted. Even Huang Shilang, who had been holding the case file and exerting authority, could only glance furtively at Zhou Cai, his eyes pleading for mercy.

The emperor gestured for everyone to rise.

“Zhou Xun, several months ago, was commissioned by me to visit the Lu family, sympathizing with their plight. I then ordered a physician to treat them. I truly did not know when this merit became Zhou’s family’s credit, or when he himself became part of the Zhou family,” the emperor said with a cold smile. “This is amusing. I have known Zhou Xun for years, yet I didn’t know he was on the Zhou family’s family tree.”

He looked at Zhou Xun. Zhou Xun smiled and said, “I didn’t know my name was on the Zhou family’s family tree either.”

Fortunately, his name had already been removed from the Zhou family tree, so he said it with righteous confidence.

“But things must be verified. I am not one to speak without evidence.” The emperor clapped his hands, and two chairs were brought in. “Since the Zhou family says so, let’s bring their family tree and show it to everyone. Let’s see if Zhou Xun’s name is on it.”

On the surface, the emperor’s words seemed fair and even-handed—if you claim Zhou Xun is from the Zhou family, then let’s check the family tree in front of everyone. But his casual mention of “showing it to everyone” was as if he were talking about a common pamphlet available on the street.

This was a profound humiliation for the entire Zhou family. And what was more frightening was…

They had brought this slap in the face upon themselves!

The emperor and Zhou Xun sat comfortably in their chairs while everyone else exchanged glances, stunned by the emperor’s drastic action. Even the blind could see that the emperor’s actions were meant to avenge the young man named “Zhou Xun.”

From tomorrow on, “Zhou Xun” would undoubtedly become the hottest topic among these nobles, the one they could not afford to provoke.

The family tree no longer included Zhou Xun’s name; it had been removed long ago. The actions Zhou’s family had taken out of disdain for Zhou Xun now served as a whip against themselves.

Officials from the court searched the Zhou family ancestral hall, with murmurs of “Why hasn’t this hall been repaired?” The Zhou mother, unable to go to the Ministry of Justice as a woman, heard the noise inside and gritted her teeth.

The Zhou family elder arrived angrily, using his cane to strike the ground, scolding them for causing trouble again. Zhou mother, hearing the elder’s feigned high moral stance, felt the last thread of her composure snap.

“By the way, his mother, Lin Shi! Isn’t Lin Shi’s name on the family tree?” Zhou mother cried hysterically. “Let them bring it out! Since that’s the case, we’ll just point to Lin Shi’s name and ask if he recognizes this person, if he recognizes this ‘bitch’! I want to see how this filial son intends to—”

“Slap!”

A slap landed on her face, and Zhou mother, holding her stinging cheek, looked at the man in disbelief.

“Zhou…”

Zhou’s father, who should have been sitting beside Zhou Cai at the Ministry of Justice, was now standing in the Zhou residence. He gave the hysterical woman a cold glance and said sternly, “You should know better than I whether Lin Yan’s name is on the family tree! You were the one who said that a concubine could not be included in the family tree!”

“I…”

“Foolish! Foolish!” Zhou father gritted his teeth. “This matter need not have reached this point… If the family tree is publicly examined, do you think the Zhou family could still hold its face in the capital? You, foolish woman, you are to blame for all of this!”

Zhou mother cried with her face covered. The Zhou family elder watched the scene with disgust and anxiety, thinking it was absurd that they were still concerned with such trivial matters at this time.

“Enough. It seems you can’t handle your family matters. I’ll have to trouble the old clan leader to make a trip to the yamen!”

The commotion in the Zhou residence was beyond the comprehension of those at the yamen. Zhou Xun saw the Zhou family tree being brought back. Huang Shilang looked at the family tree and, with a careful glance at his mentor and Zhou Cai, finally said, “Zhou Xun’s name is indeed not on the Zhou family tree.”

This confirmed in front of everyone that Zhou Xun had no connection to the Zhou family from now on. As for Zhou Xun’s personal background, how would it be resolved?

“Zhou Xun is an adopted disciple of Mr. Shen. You people shouldn’t think you can create a big news story just like that,” the emperor said coldly, holding his teacup. “There are indeed many people with the surname Zhou in the world, but not everyone is from the same family. Lu Bin.”

Lu Bin jolted: “Yes!”

“Old Mrs. Lu’s eyesight has deteriorated. Zhou Xun and Zhou Cai do not look alike at all, yet she could mistake one for the other. You should also be mindful and make sure she is properly settled. She doesn’t have long to live and should enjoy her remaining years.”

A bead of cold sweat dripped from Lu Bin’s forehead as he replied tremulously, “…Yes, I understand.”

Zhou Xun glanced at the emperor:?

The emperor’s words seemed like a blatant threat or a reprimand to Lu Bin, instructing him to silence his mother. This was somewhat out of character for the emperor.

The emperor looked at Zhou Xun:?

Had he misspoken? Was there anything wrong with respecting the elderly and cherishing the young?

Everything that needed to be said had been said, and all necessary actions had been taken. Huang Shilang, trembling, said, “Your Majesty, is there anything else…”

“Take your time with the trial. I originally didn’t want to reveal my identity. I came down today just to greet everyone,” the emperor said. “With that done, I and my people will go back upstairs—Zhou Xun, do you have anything to say to Huang Shilang?”

Zhou Xun smiled and said, “I trust that Huang Shilang will uphold justice, so I have nothing else to add.”

“Good.”

Zhou Xun returned to the second floor. After that brief appearance, the once quiet first floor became even quieter. Everyone watched the trial in silence, their thoughts unknown.

Clearly, their thoughts were focused solely on Zhou Xun.

What should have been a day for the Zhou Cai family to judge the case had now become Zhou Xun’s debut stage.

“How was it?” the emperor whispered in his ear. “Was it impressive?”

Zhou Xun nodded.

The emperor said, “Wasn’t I particularly elegant and domineering just now? Hehe, I’ve snuffed out the flames of your background and made a grand entrance into the capital. Now let’s see who would dare to bring up your background again.”

Zhou Xun nodded.

A cough came from nearby. Old Shen fanned his nose and complained, “What’s that smell? It’s so sour.”

“Master Zhou,” a guard outside announced, “the old patriarch of the Zhou family wants to visit you.”

The emperor remarked, “Oh, how the tables have turned.”

He nudged Zhou Xun with his shoulder, “Do you want to go?”

“No, I just cleared up the relationship with them,” Zhou Xun replied casually. “An old stranger—what does it matter to me?”

The old patriarch of the Zhou family hadn’t even had a chance to make his presence known before receiving a cold reception. But what was unexpected was still to come.

With the emperor’s intervention, Huang Shilang, who had originally intended to show leniency, became even more severe. He handed down a sentence of “thirty strokes of the cane and then banishment to the northwest” for Zhou Hong. As soon as the sentence was announced, even though everyone knew the emperor was upstairs, the entire first floor buzzed with the news.

There was no denying—Zhou Hong’s punishment was excessively harsh!

Thirty strokes would leave Zhou Hong seriously injured if not dead. Adding banishment to the northwest was effectively a death sentence!

Even Zhou Hong, who had previously been lying on the ground like a dead dog, struggled to rise and cried out, “I don’t accept it! I don’t accept it!”

Huang Shilang quickly had Zhou Hong’s mouth gagged. But perhaps facing his imminent death brought out Zhou Hong’s strongest survival instincts. He struggled free from several people, crawling toward Zhou Cai and pleading, “Big brother, save me! Save me! I’m only sixteen, I’m only sixteen!”

Under the public gaze, Zhou Cai closed his eyes. He seemed deeply pained but remained silent.

“Big brother!” Zhou Hong cried out in despair. When Zhou Cai did not respond, he turned to the man beside Zhou Cai, “Father… Father?”

He was stunned.

The middle-aged man beside Zhou Cai, who resembled Zhou’s father, was actually not Zhou’s father!

What was this…

“Clang!”

Someone pushed open the door and entered the majestic hall. The person held a rattan cane and walked towards Zhou Hong.

“Failure to educate one’s child is a parent’s fault. I did not come here today because I could not bear to see the fate of my precious child. But Zhou Hong is indeed my descendant,” Zhou’s father said, holding the cane and glaring at everyone. “Zhou Hong’s violent actions warrant a life for a life. It is my failure as a father to educate him properly. It is not too late to mend the fence after losing the sheep. Today, I must clear the family name and uphold the family’s values!”