Chapter 365 - Parish (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
After a bit more chatting, the Crown Prince stood up and bowed before leaving. Zhuo Fan actually enjoyed sending him off for a change, beaming from ear to ear.
He was brimming with smugness thinking that Crown Prince had yet to find out that the fatty sold him out.
Be that as it may, Zhuo Fan thought that taking such a grand gift for nothing was a tad bit awkward.
Not like it was his fault. It was that tub of lard to blame for ruining his elder brother’s masterful scheme. While Zhuo Fan was off the hook. As for serving Tianyu, it was not a problem. [Who’s to say whom the future Tianyu belongs to?]
Snickering inside, Zhuo Fan watched the princes leave, then came back inside more refreshed than ever.
As for those two brothers, they didn’t get more than a stick’s toss away when Crown Prince cupped his hands, “Third brother, thank you for coming with me. Otherwise, it would’ve been impossible to make friends with the prideful Steward Zhuo even if I came as the Crown Prince.”
“Don’t be like that, elder brother. We are close, you and I. Of course I’ll help you out!” The fatty slapped his flabby chest, shouting his bromance.
Yet in the next second, his beady eyes turned shifty, “Elder brother, weren’t you always against us getting close to the houses? Then why…”
Crown Prince sighed, “You must think that I am going against the imperial father’s decree by doing this, correct? Only, sigh, the imperial father has been going down on his years and his handling of court falls shorter from one year to the next. With the Luo clan and Regent Estate being like fire and water, it will be dangerously easy for Tianyu to fall into chaos and wreck the imperial father’s poor heart from anxiety. As his son, I must set things right. That is why I wanted to get close to the rising Luo clan so that I may mediate in the most dire moments and bring balance to Tianyu!”
“Oh, elder brother is so considerate towards the people and father. I am in awe!” Yuwen Cong cupped his hands, putting on a face of adoration, “Elder brother, just say the word and I will fulfill any request you may have to my full capabilities. This is the only thing I can do to share the load you and father carry.”
Nodding, the Crown Prince patted his shoulder, “Third brother, I thank you for your good intentions. If only our second brother had a fraction of your kindness, I believe we brothers could do it. If we work as one, nothing is impossible. A shame…”
“Elder brother, lighten up. Second brother will one day understand your toil!” The fatty gripped Crown Prince’s hand, watching him with a heavy gaze.
Crown Prince had a thin smile, “I can only hope…”
“Third brother, I still have documents to handle for father in the Imperial Palace. I’ll be going.” Crown Prince glanced at the sky and cupped his hands.
The fatty replied in kind, “Thank you for your hard work, elder brother. Goodbye.”
Then he took his men and went in another direction.
Watching the ball of flesh wiggle away in the sun’s glorious rays, the Crown Prince had a smile on his face. But once the pile of meat took a turn, his face sank, his eyes exploding with revulsion and hatred unlike any before.
“That damn lardass talks too much!”
He took out a spotless hanky and wiped his hand the fatty had grabbed then threw it away.
Then he left with his own detail, towards the gloom of a dark alley where three people waited.
“Greetings, Prime Minister Zhuge.” Crown Prince bowed.
They were Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng and his two elders.
Zhuge Changfeng smiled, “Your Highness, by your confident gaze, I believe the plan was a success.”
“Of sorts, however Zhuo Fan is a highfalutin, leaving me with anger but nowhere to vent!” Crown Prince grimaced.
Zhuge Changfeng laughed, “Your Highness, please bear it. Zhuo Fan is a prideful youngster who has yet to experience true failure. Even Leng Wuchang suffered at his hands. His pride is warranted. This is just how people with talent are.”
“But will this cocky man one day take your position and become Prime Minister?” Crown Prince frowned in disbelief.
Zhuge Changfeng nodded, “You heard it yourself, how the emperor bestowed him the Best Steward Beneath Heavens title. And what does that mean? Becoming Prime Minister! His Majesty is paving the way, a capable official for the new emperor! Zhuo Fan may be unorthodox and crass in his methods, unlike me, but we are the same in one aspect. We are more than qualified to be the Prime Minister!”
“I understand, Prime Minister Zhuge!”
Crown Prince nodded, but a dark cloud still loomed over his face, “But I just can’t stand Zhuo Fan’s attitude. Just thinking how I’ll tangle with him day after day once I’m crowned, is infuriating! “
Zhuge Changfeng had a look of ridicule for him, “Your Highness need not worry about this for now. Perhaps… you won’t even get the chance.”
Crown Prince shook like a quiver as he cried, “What are you implying?”