After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 50

The Dark Guard observed the Emperor’s serious expression and pondered the Emperor’s intentions.

Shen Huaju had retired many years ago, and the Ciyi Envoy had long since disbanded. Nevertheless, his reputation in the open and his standing in the shadows remained unmatched.

A centipede, even when dead, does not stiffen. When a minister holds too much power, regardless of the dynasty, it becomes a matter of concern for the ruler. The “Red Plum Incident” during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, involving General Shen, was the most glaring example.

Could it be…

The Dark Guard had a sudden realization.

Is the Emperor worried that Young Master Zhou is secretly forming factions?

Before he could speak, the Emperor anxiously asked, “Why has Shen Huaju summoned Xun’er here if he is so formidable?”

The Dark Guard: …

The Emperor continued, “Xun’er is so innocent; could he be deceived by him?”

Thinking of the naïve Zhou Xun who had discovered his surveillance on the way, the Dark Guard, remaining faithful to his role, kept silent.

“From today, you and I are master and disciple. Since we are starting today, we will not discuss past events,” the old man said.

Listening to the sounds outside the window, he suddenly laughed. “Since someone is waiting for you outside, I will not keep you today. Come to the Whispering Bamboo Lane the day after tomorrow.”

Zhou Xun, seeing his ambiguous expression and smile, could only helplessly say, “The Emperor… he is also worried about my safety.”

“The Emperor? Yes, the Emperor. This much the old man can see,” the old man glanced at the phoenix plaque at Zhou Xun’s waist, holding a chess piece and smiling. “Just now, a Dark Guard came nearby but did not approach close enough to overhear our conversation—just flashed by the door to confirm the old man’s identity. The Emperor is indeed very concerned and trusting of you. However—”

“However what?”

“However, this trust can be both a blessing and a curse,” the old man said, staring at Zhou Xun under the candlelight. “For a minister, the Emperor’s favoritism can be a favor or a disaster.”

The night wind rustled through the Red Plum Lane. The brilliant red plums of winter were now just dry branches like ghostly claws in the summer night. Zhou Xun, amidst the rustling sound, closed his eyes and reopened them. “Can you explain the old man’s words in more detail?”

“The Red Plum Incident,” the old man said slowly, “The Red Plum Incident is a euphemism for General Shen’s case. General Shen and Emperor Gaozong met during the lowest point of their lives, but it ended so tragically… Such severity is rare in history. The general died early from a heartache, and the Emperor ended his life in depression… Do you know the fundamental reason behind it?”

Zhou Xun paused and said, “When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked.”

The old man smiled. “Not only that, you may not know that when Emperor Gaozong issued three edicts, General Shen had already conquered several cities, and the Southern Border War was at its most critical moment. If they had pursued the victory, the entire Southern Border would have been under the Great Jing’s domain.”

Zhou Xun was taken aback. As a commoner, he had never known these details.

According to folk tales, the Southern Border War began with the Southern Border’s invasion of Jing’s southern territory, and at that time, Gaozong was still a prince. After Gaozong ascended the throne, General Shen brought a brief period of peace to the Southern Border, temporarily suppressing the chaos. However, Gaozong ignored the Southern Border for decades, as if he had forgotten about it. It was only when the late Emperor was in power that he remembered this place and signed a peace agreement with the Southern Border.

He was learning for the first time that Gaozong had actually summoned General Shen back to the capital at the height of his country’s dominance!

“In the Red Plum Incident, they both chose the most emotional and irrational handling method. This approach suits friends, confidants, relatives, and even lovers but is utterly unsuitable for rulers and ministers,” the old man said, looking at him as if reflecting on past events, “Ordinary ruler-minister relationships should not have such connections… Such connections that make one impulsive and emotional.”

“Gaozong, as a ruler, could have sent someone to gather evidence, secretly controlled General Shen’s relatives in the capital as leverage, or sent spies into the army to maintain stability in case of a coup—just like he did in an orderly manner when dealing with the rebellion of the Pingnan King at forty. Moreover, at that time, General Shen was fighting in the Southern Border, and even if he were to rebel, it was not urgent. Yet Gaozong chose the worst method—issuing three edicts for him to return to the capital, handling the suspicion with maximum rage, as if he could not tolerate General Shen’s betrayal, without considering that this approach would only lead to mutual destruction.”

“And General Shen… He had supported Gaozong from his lowest point and fought for him after coming of age. Before the three edicts, Gaozong and General Shen had already had many quarrels and conflicts. Being doubted with a sincere heart is indeed chilling, but he chose the most extreme and irretrievable way to retaliate. If he had prepared to seek a compromise before returning to the capital… perhaps he could have saved a sliver of hope.”

Even after many years, the old man’s eyes still showed a hint of sadness when talking about General Shen. “However, General Shen had not made such preparations. He led his army back to the capital, and when he saw the emissaries at the city gate but did not see the Emperor, he had already lost hope. He might have thought the Emperor would come to see him. Thus, he…”

Although the old man spoke of others, Zhou Xun gradually understood the old man’s intention.

He looked at the phoenix plaque at his waist. The old man might have already realized how extraordinary his relationship with the Emperor was.

Gaozong and General Shen, himself and the Emperor… Zhou Xun closed his eyes.

“The relationship between them, from the perspective of ruler and minister, was extremely out of line, filled with irrationality and impulse. This was all because they were completely sincere to each other—holding a heart of true affection, prioritizing emotions over pragmatism, and thus could not tolerate each other’s betrayal. Consequently, they were unable to make choices that would have been better for both of them.” The old man said slowly, “I only understood this later.”

“I understand the master’s meaning,” Zhou Xun said suddenly, his fingers caressing the phoenix plaque. “My relationship with the Emperor is not the same as that between Gaozong and General Shen. To be honest…”

He thought of the Emperor, closed his eyes and smiled. “Even I do not fully understand what kind of relationship we have. A capable minister can have friendship with the ruler but cannot truly regard him as an ordinary friend. Is this what the master is trying to convey?”

“Complete mutual dependence and excessive emotional intensity can be fatal to the relationship between a minister and a ruler,” the old man said. “I can see that you want to be a true minister, not just a literary official who adds luster and praises the court.”

As the old man said this, Zhou Xun recalled Zhou Cai’s figure.

“However, it may be too early to talk about this now. Even between couples who come together out of love, there will be days when they have different dreams while sharing the same bed. Love does not guarantee that they will always walk in the same direction.” The old man smiled. “But you must always understand what you want to do and why you entered the court, or for you—”

What is the Emperor really?

“I am different from General Shen, and the Emperor is different from Gaozong. The Emperor has a childlike heart,” Zhou Xun said firmly, recalling a word from the Emperor. “He is an… idealist. And I agree with his ideals.”

“Idealist?” The old man pondered the word. “Loving an idealist is a good thing, but being with an idealist always means that one person has to think more and work harder to go further and longer.”

Under the candlelight, Zhou Xun smiled.

His smile was firm and bright.

“I do not see it as a hardship,” he said, “I see it as a happiness.”

—

The lights in the temple stayed on as long as the Emperor remained in the courtyard outside. Mosquitoes buzzed in the summer night plum grove. After performing many gymnastics-like movements, the Emperor finally could not bear it anymore and looked at the head of the Dark Guard.

The Emperor: “I heard you’re quite skilled?”

The head of the Dark Guard: “What does His Majesty command?”

The Emperor: “I have an important task for you. There are many agile assassins in this forest…”

The head of the Dark Guard: “…”

The Emperor: “I command you to swat mosquitoes for me.”

After the head of the Dark Guard killed the thirteenth mosquito with black and white patterns, the figure in blue finally emerged from the temple.

Zhou Xun walked behind, and in front of him was the old man—Emperor now knew his name was Shen Huaju. Shen Huaju walked out of the Red Plum Lane, and Zhou Xun stood in place for a while, seemingly contemplating something.

The Emperor, having hidden behind a rock, watched him secretly. Seeing that Zhou Xun was in good condition, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh, by the way,” the Emperor suddenly asked the Dark Guard, “Did you just say that Xun’er has already noticed us?”

The head of the Dark Guard nodded. The Emperor said, “Oh! Then I’ll just go out in a proper manner!”

He took a step forward and then retreated.

The Emperor: “Never mind, it’s a bit awkward to go out now. Perhaps I should confess after he returns?”

The head of the Dark Guard: …

Zhou Xun waited in front of the temple for a while and noticed a moving corner of clothing behind the rock. He decided to respect the Emperor’s dignity—pretending he didn’t see.

He took a carriage back to the palace. On the way, he told the driver, “Please go a bit slower.”

The driver was puzzled. Zhou Xun explained, “Give him a chance to save face by coming back to the palace after me.”

The driver: …

“Forget it, coming back to the palace in the middle of the night is too conspicuous,” Zhou Xun reconsidered, “Let’s find an inn nearby and stay there. No need to go too far.”

He looked towards a place that still seemed to have lights and, though he did not know where it was, presumed it was a bustling commercial area. “Let’s find an inn around there.”

Not far behind Zhou Xun’s carriage, the Emperor’s face turned pale as he watched Zhou Xun’s carriage head west.

The Dark Guard: “Your Majesty…”

“Why are you still standing there?!” The Emperor trembled and said, “Chase after him!”