83 A Promise (1/2)

”Promise me that if there ever comes a time where I and that person are in danger, you will do your absolute best to save him” Su Li's words sent a sharp spike of pain through Zhou Sheng's heart.

Trying to speak above the rising lump in his throat, he tried, ”I...I can promise you my life, but don't ever ask me to push you knowingly into an abyss. Do you think I don't feel guilty enough already? I don't even have the heart to bed for your forgiveness.”

Su Li turned to face her friend at his words, ”Why are you feeling guilty? I never thought that you were responsible for what happened back then. You don't need anybody's forgiveness. Rather, I should be sorry that you got dragged into it.”

It was at that moment, Zhou Sheng realised that he didn't know how to get the two of them through all this.

He really didn't have the strength of mind to ever rehash everything. Sighing to himself, he rebutted, ”Let's not talk about all this. It's in the past. The only thing we need to know is that we are the only ones we can depend upon in this treacherous world. Just don't trust anyone and be backstabbed once again. Seeing your blood gushing out of your body once was more than enough for me. Let's try to not have a repeat performance.”

And then both of them burst into laughter at that. They simply kept laughing because if they didn't, then Su Li had started crying for lost opportunities and Zhou Sheng would cry for her pain.

”I'll leave now.” Finished with his words, Zhou Sheng quickly left and Su Li once again sat on the bench behind her.

A few minutes later, a small whisper was heard, ”Zhou Sheng, even though you are angry at me for kneeling to someone to save my beloved, I would still do it all over again even if I am the highest seat of power in this world and wouldn't mind giving up all my riches and life for my love.”

That night His Majesty didn't return to his chambers to sleep and Unit Commander Ning Fu didn't return to his own place as well, he kept a silent vigil as he saw the play of emotions on the monarch's face and saw him fighting with the memories and demons in his heart.

The following morning, after the morning court assembly, Ning Fu stooped Zhou Sheng as the other was about to follow the monarch to The Imperial Study.

”Zhou Sheng, you are soon to be a part of the Ning Clan. Why not follow me to have a drink now?” Ning Fu asked. Zhou Sheng was puzzled by this non-sequitur.

Though he had agreed when Su Li had asked him to become a member of the Ning Clan, he had only done that to appease her. He had felt that she was worried for him because he didn't have the support of a big clan behind him and that joining such a clan would lessen her unneeded worries.

However, he had never had any illusions to the kind of upbringing or help he would receive in that clan. After all, he wasn't their flesh and blood and he had always felt that Ning Fu didn't particularly like him.

Maybe it was because of him being a conscript who had been beaten by the latter's subordinates in front of the monarch which hadn't exactly endeared Ning Fu to the monarch or maybe of what had happened months ago in the garden when Ning Fu had sent a dagger flying at him and Su Li.

Whatever the case may be, he hadn't had any thoughts that Ning Fu would try to foster a closer relationship with him.

Hence, this invitation raised his suspicions and he looked at the other person in the eye and didn't find any deception in them.

Thinking about it a moment longer, he readily agreed and then sent a eunuch to inform His Majesty about his whereabouts. Both of them walked out of the Imperial Palace and went to a nearby tavern.

Waiting for the waiter to bring the wine, Ning Fu opened, ”I was very surprised when His Majesty asked the Ning Clan to adopt you. Though I don't dare or presume to understand the monarch's thoughts, I felt he did it out of worry for you.”

Zhou Sheng didn't give a clear cut answer and simply gave a non-committal hum. Seeing the other person not even making the effort to talk to him, Ning Fu felt that maybe the boy thought himself above other because he was close to the centre of power.

However, he disdainfully thought that the boy should also remember the age-old adage that accompanying one's monarch was akin to playing house with a tiger.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click visiting.

No matter how prestigious a clan or how benevolent the monarch, once the direction of the wind's changed, innumerable heads would roll at the drop of a hat and Ning Fu didn't want a similar fate for his own family.

Therefore after last night, he had thought of pulling Zhou Sheng to his side so that if there ever came a time when they were implicated in something, they would have a way out.