After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 34

Zhou Xun: “Are you saying you made this?”

 

The jade sculpture on the tray gleamed brilliantly, cushioned on red velvet fabric. With just one glance, people couldn’t take their eyes off it.

 

“This jade carving is truly beautiful,” Hong Ling murmured in admiration.

 

The plum blossom sculpture was carved from white jade, the jade’s color exceptionally clear and rare even in the palace. Besides the jade itself, the carving skill was also extraordinary. The plum tree’s branches were robust and carried the austere, proud spirit of blooming amid frost, and the flowers were distinct and exquisite. As the sculpture was moved, the clustered blossoms seemed almost alive, appearing as if they were blooming in the wind, with a faint fragrance seemingly wafting through.

 

“The east wind scatters a thousand trees at night, blowing down stars like rain.” Perhaps this was the scene being described.

 

After admiring the sculpture, Hong Ling noticed Zhou Cai staring intently at it as well. Her empathetic nature was once again stirred.

 

“Does Lord Zhou also find this jade carving beautiful?” she asked happily.

 

Zhou Cai smiled and nodded with difficulty.

 

…This dear person.

 

“Of course, it must be Young Master Zhou. Who else could it be?” Hong Ling said. “Just like I mentioned before, the Emperor treats Young Master Zhou very well.”

 

Zhou Cai forced a smile, the taste of blood stronger in his throat. He purposely looked worried: “Unfortunately, the Emperor’s favor may not last long. Although the Emperor keeps Xun by his side, he is still reluctant to give him a title. Serving by appearance, how long can that last? I fear…”

 

Sigh, Lord Zhou is so considerate of his brother! Hong Ling felt moved. As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the stricter the reproach. The more one cares about another person, the more they worry. Besides, Zhou Cai’s “love” for his brother was a well-known “fact”…

 

She had to explain this clearly to Zhou Cai!

 

She had to alleviate Zhou Cai’s worries!

 

“Lord Zhou, don’t worry unnecessarily. The Emperor has never regarded Young Master Zhou as a mere plaything, nor has he ever commanded him to serve in bed. The Emperor respects Young Master Zhou’s talents and holds him in high esteem, never overstepping boundaries. The Emperor said that their relationship is one of deep understanding, mutual respect, and profound friendship that outsiders cannot comprehend!” Hong Ling recounted the Emperor’s deeds for Zhou Xun with enthusiasm, “Though beauty fades and love wanes, the Emperor’s affection is not merely for Young Master Zhou’s looks. From what I see in their daily interactions, they truly get along well, so there is no need for Lord Zhou to worry…”

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

“And about the matter of a title, Lord Zhou needn’t worry either,” Hong Ling continued with a smile. “The Emperor has not forgotten. The Emperor said that Young Master Zhou’s exceptional talent should not be wasted on a random position. Therefore, the Emperor has been carefully considering a suitable position for him, which is why there has been no decision yet.”

 

Zhou Cai, who had his duties suspended: …

 

“Furthermore, Young Master Zhou is currently very busy assisting the Emperor with writing tasks in the palace. Whenever the Emperor has questions, he consults Young Master Zhou. For a while, Young Master Zhou won’t have the time to take on other positions. Oh, the Emperor also said that in the future, Young Master Zhou will be responsible for compiling the history books. He said, ‘Language and history are intrinsically connected, and Young Master Zhou will certainly fulfill the duty admirably’…”

 

Zhou Cai, who had his qualification to compile the history books revoked: …

 

To comfort Zhou Cai, Hong Ling enthusiastically recounted all the good things between Zhou Xun and the Emperor. After finishing, she felt that just this might not be enough.

 

If Lord Zhou misunderstood this situation, what if other officials in the court also misunderstood? If so, seeing his dear brother misunderstood and troubled…

 

How heartbroken Lord Zhou would be!

 

Hong Ling nodded to herself. Currently, Young Master Zhou didn’t have much fame in the court. However, for those few who knew his name… because of the incident with Prince Wu, Young Master Zhou’s previous reputation was probably tarnished.

 

She needed to find a way to clear Young Master Zhou’s name among those who knew him and remind the Emperor to consider this matter carefully to help wash away Zhou’s previous stigma, relieving Zhou Cai’s worries…

 

This was the only thing she could do for Zhou Cai.

 

Feeling pleased with herself, Hong Ling looked up at Zhou Cai, about to speak, but was startled by his expression.

 

Zhou Cai’s face was…

 

His reddened eyes, trembling throat, and shaking body were all uncontrollable, his expression twisted…

 

Hong Ling: ?!

 

Lord Zhou is… She wondered, is he about to cry tears of joy?

 

Lord Zhou truly cares for his brother! Seeing his expression, Hong Ling felt even more moved.

 

She decided to say one last thing.

 

“Lord Zhou seems to like this jade plum blossom?” she asked with a smile. “If Lord Zhou likes it, you can often come to the palace to see it. This jade sculpture is probably going to be sent to Young Master Zhou. It would be convenient for Lord Zhou to visit the inner palace frequently, then…”

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

He felt a wave of blackness before his eyes, almost unable to stand.

 

Hong Ling added the final words: “Why has Lord Zhou been standing outside the palace gate? Have I delayed Lord Zhou? Please go in quickly, Lord Zhou. Why are you clutching your chest? Is it hurting?”

 

“Miss Hong Ling,” Wei Gonggong laughed, “Lord Zhou is waiting for someone to pass on a message to the Imperial Study. Once the messenger returns, Lord Zhou will naturally be able to go in.”

 

Hong Ling: “Oh…”

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

At this moment, a young eunuch came out from the East Flower Gate. Zhou Cai clutched his chest, feeling his surging blood slightly calm.

 

Then…

 

“Young Master Chu,” the young eunuch saluted the second son of the Chu family, “the Emperor summons you inside.”

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

“Thank you for delivering the message,” the second son of the Chu family returned the salute. He instructed someone to carefully carry the flower tree, not sparing a glance at Zhou Cai as he walked in.

 

Zhou Cai felt his temple throbbing and his abdomen being pricked by needles. Hong Ling noticed the second son of the Chu family entering the East Flower Gate and said, “Young Master Chu arrived later than you, yet entered earlier…”

 

Seeing Zhou Cai’s pallor, she was startled and realized she had misspoken. She quickly tried to comfort him, “Lord Zhou, don’t mind it. Perhaps it’s because the eunuch delivering your message was not fast enough, or there was no urgent matter for you, so Young Master Chu went in first…”

 

Hong Ling watched Zhou Cai’s face grow increasingly ashen. She couldn’t understand what she had said wrong; she had spoken with Zhou Cai’s feelings in mind!

 

Or… was it that Lord Zhou truly liked that jade plum blossom very much? Yes, Lord Zhou did seem to have a fondness for plum blossoms…

 

In that moment, a rumor surfaced in Hong Ling’s mind. She suddenly recalled what Lu Yao had mentioned a few days ago—that Lord Gu had given the plum blossoms originally meant for Lord Zhou to the second son of the Chu family…

 

It was an instant realization, but Hong Ling finally understood!

 

People in the court were always eager to flatter the high and trample the low. Hong Ling bit her lip, feeling indignation for Zhou Cai.

 

Unable to delay her tasks, Hong Ling had to leave despite wanting to say more to Zhou Cai. Before leaving, she offered one last comfort.

 

“Lord Zhou, if you like that jade sculpture, you can visit Young Master Zhou to see it often,” Hong Ling said. “You are brothers; it doesn’t matter who receives it. There’s no need to…”

 

Shortly after, a cry was heard from the East Flower Gate.

 

“Someone! Someone!” Wei Gonggong was nearly beside himself with fear.

 

It seemed Zhou Cai’s arrival brought nothing but trouble!

 

“Call the imperial physician! Lord Zhou… has coughed up blood!!”

 

In the Imperial Study.

 

Zhou Xun in the Imperial Study was unaware of the events unfolding at the East Flower Gate. He was currently caught up in another matter entirely.

 

The whirlpool was one sentence.

 

“You’d better apply it. That red scar was caused by me…”

 

Zhou Xun: ?

 

The Emperor uttered these words while holding his arm, and they were seated side by side on an opulent phoenix throne, in a posture of unprecedented closeness.

 

Thus, with their skin touching, the Emperor’s words became even clearer in the Imperial Study. Zhou Xun heard every word distinctly.

 

Zhou Xun: ?

 

He was certain he had truly heard the Emperor’s spontaneous words and turned his head to look at him.

 

Emperor: !!!

 

The Emperor realized his slip of the tongue the moment Zhou Xun looked at him. He immediately closed his mouth, his lips pressed into a tight line, and looked towards the sky.

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

He lowered his head to look at the scar on his hand. When he was first burned, the scar was hideous, but over time, it had faded to a faint red mark. In truth, whether this faint red mark remained or not made no difference to him.

 

But the Emperor cared a great deal about this old scar. He not only sought ointments but also instructed him to apply them for several days to remove the scar… His level of concern even surpassed Zhou Xun’s own for the scar.

 

If someone else had been so concerned about this matter, Zhou Xun might have thought it was because they coveted beauty and couldn’t allow any imperfections on their possessions.

 

But the Emperor was not such a person. His gaze upon the old scar was one of distress and pity. He genuinely wanted to help him remove this long-lasting scar out of kindness.

 

Yet, in the Emperor’s eyes, there was more than just distress and pity; there was also a slightly strange emotion…

 

Guilt.

 

Why did the Emperor feel guilty about this old scar?

 

Zhou Xun had pondered this many times—actually, he hadn’t pondered it at all. For him, there were far too many things to contemplate besides this minor injury of his own. Besides, he had never considered holding the Emperor accountable for anything.

 

Until just now…

 

The Emperor said that scar was caused by him?

 

The Emperor’s tone at the time was firm and not offhanded, more like a statement of fact.

 

Like stating a truth.

 

But Zhou Xun recalled the year he was burned. In October of that year, he was in Jiangzhou, and only in Jiangzhou.

 

He hadn’t gone to the capital, nor had he met any outsiders.

 

He knew that in that year of his life, there was no “Rong Xuan.”