Chapter 182 - The Place Of No Return 2 (2/2)

Empress Lu looked away and muttered, ”A'Zhu needs more than just reinforcement, I got word that he was injured badly. My Son might die, I guess you will finally get your wish. Once he does, you can relax finally and let me go”. Empress Lu left without looking back.

Meanwhile, outside the door closed ajar. Zhongshan Ling limped back quickly while holding on to his cane and hid by the door as the Empress walked out of the room. He waited for some minutes before stepping out of his hiding spot and leaving the palace. He had come here to plead with the Emperor to protect Lu Yaozhu but instead overhead the Empress's confession.

He walked back to his Palace deep in thoughts, the things that had happened at he grew up with Lu Yaozhu suddenly made sense. Never in a million years would he think that Lu Yaozhu was the Empress's biological son. He finally understood why the Empress was always more protective of Lu Yaozhu.

The discovery came as a shock to him, he didn't know what to make of the whole mess. He glanced at Fu Hong his new personal guard and asked, ”what do you think father Emperor would do after this reveal. I am curious about that”. Fu Hong didn't respond, had understood that the Crown Prince did not want an answer.

Zhongshan Ling had given up on committing suicide after he had received his father's threat. While he had complicated feelings toward the Empress after discovering the part she played in his mother's death. However, since he was responsible for Xia Ying's well being, he couldn't just think solely of his comfort. He decided to put all thoughts of ending this misery completely out of his mind.

The first thing he had found after making that decision was to replace his deceased guards. He was more careful in selecting guards, he wasn't fully recovered from the betrayal he had experienced at the hands of her former spymaster. Fu Hong was a talented guard trained personally by his former personal guard Xie Feng.

Xie Feng had complimented the young guard and even recommended him to handle a few duties. Zhongshan Ling selected him as Xie Feng's successor based on his achievement. Zhongshan Ling was escorted back to his palace.

The next day he was amused as Fu Hong informed him that the Emperor sent Lu Yaozhu 50,000 soldiers. However, the discovery that the Emperor sent a veteran commanding general with the troupe made him pause. He hadn't expected his father to keep his words but the fact that he did said a lot.

A few hours later the Emperor received a message from Ningzhuo reporting that Chu state had to pull out all their soldiers following the death of the crown Prince. Emperor Zhong was more impressed when he found out that the Chu Xiaosi died at the hands of his long lost son. While everyone rejoiced at the good news, The sixth prince world gradually fell apart.

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Meanwhile at The sixth Prince's end

Zhongshan Ling felt uneasy during the last hours of the day since the Chu state pulled out of the war. He paced around his room, he had sent what to Zhu Faye to come over but gas failed to receive a response. He pulled at the collar of his shirt as he paced around the room, looking to the entrance intervals.

He couldn't wait any longer, Chu state sudden withdrawal put a huge dent in his previous plans. He looked at the door once more at the appearance of a male shadow that made him rush forward however he was surprised to find that it was his guard and not Zhu Faye as he hoped. His face fell and he glared at his guard.

”Any word from Faye?” He asked.

”No your Highness” his guard replied. He jumped suddenly as a cup flew past him to the wall opposite Zhongshan Ling.

”Why isn't he answering? What is taking him so long! Hashe betrayed me? Is that why he is silent?”

The guard swallowed and summoning up much-needed courage came forward, ”your highness, there was a fire at Minister Zhu's house. Young Master Zhu is no more!”