After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 33

Zhou Cai had been having a rough time lately.

Since the day of the cabinet meeting, the emperor had suddenly stopped summoning him to accompany his carriage. Just like the sudden enthusiasm towards Zhou Xun, the emperor’s attitude towards him had also suddenly turned cold.

After the cabinet meeting, Zhou Cai was no longer notified of important matters; when the emperor attended court, he didn’t even spare a glance in Zhou Cai’s direction. As a prestigious Hanlin, who was originally in a good position, tasked with compiling historical records, he was abruptly ordered by the emperor to stop his work and await further orders…

In one night, his life turned upside down!

The people in the court were all astute. Although the emperor didn’t openly say anything, perceptive individuals had long sensed that the emperor’s attitude towards Zhou Cai had changed. What was the emperor’s attitude towards Zhou Cai before? And now, how was the emperor treating Zhou Cai? Only blind people couldn’t see it. Now, Zhou Cai had fallen out of favor, and it couldn’t be said for sure, but it seemed that the emperor even loathed him!

People in the capital were adept at flattery and contempt. Some clever ones maintained superficial politeness, guarding against the possibility that the emperor might recall Zhou Cai and grant him favor again. Those who used to fawn over him, eagerly seeking his favor, were now avoiding him out of fear, like Grand Academician Gu, who had eagerly hoped for Zhou Cai’s endorsement for his nephew in front of the emperor half a month ago…

Zhou Cai clenched his fists.

Thinking of what Grand Academician Gu had done, Zhou Cai was trembling with anger. Grand Academician Gu knew Zhou Cai liked jade carvings. A few days ago, he had pleased Zhou Cai by mentioning that he had found jade carvings by the renowned artisan Huang from the previous dynasty. He said he would send it to Zhou’s residence in a few days. Zhou Cai had thanked him, but inside, he was filled with delight and anticipation.

Day and night, Zhou Cai waited, but the jade carving never arrived. However, a few days ago, Zhou’s younger sister returned from a gathering of noble ladies in the capital, chatting excitedly about the luxury in the Chu Family… She originally didn’t have the qualifications to attend such a gathering, but Zhou Cai’s fiancee, Miss Yan from the Yan Family, had arranged for her to go.

“The Chu family is really extravagant. Their hall is made of white jade, and their horses are adorned with gold! Their lighting is all top-quality night pearls!” Zhou’s younger sister said with admiration. “Truly worthy of being imperial merchants. Sister Chu said that the emperor recently summoned her brother specifically for a discussion, saying something about establishing… establishing something called the Silk Road? The other sisters said that the Chu family is going to prosper, with so many people coming to offer gifts…”

She continued, her eyes filled with fascination for wealth: “If one day, I could marry into the Chu family and become a wealthy lady…”

She said it casually, but Zhou Cai put down his book.

Zhou’s younger sister criticized everyone else, but she singled out the Chu family. The Chu family was an imperial merchant, and their ancestors had even served as masters. The second young master of the Chu family had always had a bad relationship with Zhou Cai. When Zhou Cai first arrived in the capital, he had tried to please him, inviting him as a guest. Unexpectedly, he had sent an invitation back, saying, “Don’t reschedule, I’ve had diarrhea for a month.”

He clearly looked down on him! These young masters of prominent families in the capital, relying on their noble birth, looked down on a country bumpkin like him!

Fortunately, he later gained the emperor’s favor through various means, turning the tables, which was truly satisfying!

Zhou Cai smiled lightly and said, “Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, what’s the use of wealth and glory? Merchants spend their days calculating gold and silver, staining themselves with the stench of copper. It’s something only inferior people would do.”

Zhou’s mother also frowned and scolded her: “You’re from a scholarly family, yet you’re so shallow! They’re just merchants. No matter how rich and powerful they become, they’re still lowly people. Unlike your brother, he…”

Zhou’s younger sister, who had been cheerful, was scolded by her mother and her face fell. She muttered, “Even if my brother’s salary is high, some things are priceless! Today, someone sent a jade carving of a plum tree to the Chu family. It’s really beautiful, the petals are carved thin like cicada wings. I heard it’s a work by Master Huang from the previous dynasty, and there’s no second one like it in the world…”

Zhou Cai’s mind was about to explode at that moment.

Zhou’s younger sister completely failed to see her brother’s expression and continued to talk with relish: “I heard that the person who sent the jade carving of the plum tree spent a long time searching in Yanzhou and spent a lot of money to buy it. Sister Chu said she wanted to present it to a noblewoman in the palace… Brother, didn’t Grand Academician Gu mention giving you a jade carving of a plum tree? What does it look like, brother, why are you…”

…Grand Academician Gu had actually concealed it from him and given the gift to someone else! And that someone else was his archenemy, whom he had always regarded as a thorn in his side!

Zhou Cai was filled with sour and putrid anger. The next day, when he went to the Hanlin Academy and encountered Grand Academician Gu, the people who used to flatter him didn’t even want to see him, and they avoided him when they did!

Their expressions clearly showed that they were afraid he would come to ask for the gift, indicating, “Who are you to deserve such a gift?” “You’d better not have the nerve to come and find me.”

That night, Zhou Cai was so angry that he spat out blood. He wiped the blood and returned home, but chaos ensued in the Zhou family.

Unfortunately, at this critical moment, Zhou’s younger brother caused trouble!

Zhou’s younger brother got into a fight in the capital. He had always been arrogant and presumptuous, relying on his brother’s favor with the emperor, often doing various reckless things. This time, he saw a man who looked like a wealthy son forcibly throwing a family’s belongings out into the yard, seemingly intending to seize the residence, and without hesitation, he started a fight. Who knew that his shove would push the wealthy son into the well, severely injuring him!

If this matter had been handled by the yamen in the capital, Zhou Cai’s relationship with them might have resolved it. But unexpectedly, the daughter of the Deputy Commander of the Vermilion Guard, Shangguan Mingjing, happened to pass by, and this matter was taken over by the Vermilion Guard!

Liu Xiandao and Zhou Cai had a bad relationship. Liu Xiandao was the deputy commander of the Vermilion Guard, and one could imagine Zhou Cai’s relationship with the Vermilion Guard. With the situation escalating to this point, Zhou Cai immediately took action. He gathered evidence of the wealthy son’s attempt to seize the residence, hoping to mitigate the situation. However…

The residence in question actually belonged to the wealthy son! The wealthy son was originally an orphan living with his mother in the residence. A few years ago, he went to sea and didn’t return for a long time, leading people to believe he had met with misfortune. The servant who had been taking care of his mother drove her out of the house and took over the property himself.

The wealthy son discovered a valuable mine during his time on the island. After acquiring wealth through various means, he returned to his hometown with gems and riches. Upon learning of his mother’s plight, he was naturally furious. His visit to the residence was originally to demand a fair explanation, but who would have thought it would lead to such an incident?

Now, Zhou Cai was truly at a loss!

Several political rivals who had always disliked him had been eagerly waiting for this opportunity. Now, they were showing signs of wanting to use this incident to bring him down. Zhou Cai sat in the Zhou residence for a night, but early the next morning, he gritted his teeth and decided to plead his case in the palace.

He believed that the Emperor, based on their years of friendship, would at least…

And Zhou Xun…

He believed that the Emperor’s recent coldness towards him was all due to Zhou Xun’s influence. Zhou Cai knew the Emperor’s temperament better than anyone else.

Although the Emperor appeared capricious and cruel, he was actually someone who cherished old relationships. Zhou Cai had been favored by the Emperor in the past because of a childhood encounter they had shared.

No matter what Zhou Xun had said to the Emperor, as long as Zhou Cai could see the Emperor and reminisce about the past, talk about the hardships he had endured recently… Zhou Cai was confident that the Emperor would remember their old relationship and spare him!

However, when he arrived at the East Gate, he was stopped by someone. Wei Gonggong, who was guarding the gate, politely, tactfully, but firmly informed him that he needed to inform the Emperor first before Zhou Cai could enter.

This was something he had never experienced in his entire life—he was actually being stopped outside the palace gates!

Zhou Cai could only stand outside the gate and wait for permission to enter. While waiting, he saw a familiar figure.

Hong Ling.

He knew Hong Ling. She was one of the most favored palace maids in the Emperor’s Inner Palace and usually attended to the Emperor personally. Zhou Cai also knew that Hong Ling had intentions towards him—the mixed look of admiration and respect in her eyes was something he was very familiar with.

However, today she seemed absent-minded, as if lost in thought, hurrying along the path and even bumping into him.

…But this was actually a good opportunity to get information from her. Zhou Cai thought to himself. Although he was anxious about his younger brother’s situation, the busier he was, the calmer he needed to be.

Hong Ling tucked her fallen hair behind her ear, smiling apologetically. Seeing Zhou Cai stopped at the East Gate and not entering the palace, she asked, “Master Zhou, what brings you to the palace today? It’s been a while since I last saw you in the palace…”

Her words were originally out of concern, but to Zhou Cai, they felt like sharp thorns piercing his heart.

…It’s been a while since I last saw you in the palace.

“Recently…” he smiled reluctantly.

“Master Zhou, have you been too busy with affairs recently and haven’t had time to come to the palace?” Hong Ling guessed, seeing Zhou Cai’s worried expression.

Zhou Cai was taken aback. Had news of his younger brother’s situation reached the Inner Palace?

“My brother…is indeed quite impetuous, often getting into conflicts with others. Sigh…” he sighed, “This time…”

“Master Zhou, don’t worry.” Hong Ling said happily, “Young Master Zhou is doing well in the palace now, and the Emperor trusts him very much. With the Emperor’s support, no one will dare to mistreat Young Master Zhou. Although Young Master Zhou seems cold to the servants, he has a kind heart. With him around, the Emperor is less temperamental, and all the servants in the palace like Young Master Zhou very much.”

Zhou Cai: ……

Zhou Cai truly cares about his brother. Hong Ling thought to herself. She decided that the next time she met Zhou Cai, she would talk more about Zhou Xun’s happiness to ease his worries.

Zhou Cai felt a sweet sensation in his throat. He was about to speak when he saw a carriage stop beside the East Gate.

“Secure this jade carving properly. It’s a gift for the Emperor’s beloved.” The familiar voice sounded in his ears.

Zhou Cai turned around and saw the second son of the Chu family fanning himself, leading a group of people into the East Gate.

Author’s note: In the late 19th century, the German geographer and geologist Ferdinand von Richthofen named the “Silk Road,” a trade route connecting China with Central Asia and India via silk trade, which existed between 114 BC and AD 127. 

So, in this era, the term “Silk Road” shouldn’t exist!