“The Emperor received an urgent message and immediately instructed me to relay the message to Duke Lu.” The eunuch’s expression was pained. “…my condolences.” He then turned and left.
Madam Sheng shut her eyes and fainted. Sheng Chujun caught onto her while shouting, “This cannot be true. Elder Brother is so capable. How can he die in battle!”
Sheng Chuling gritted his teeth. “Lu Yunji will not get away with this!”
“That’s right!” Sheng Chujun glared murderously. “He is the Main General while Elder Brother is the Assistant General. Now that Elder Brother is gone, how can he be safe? Let’s go to the Emperor! Lu Yunji must pay for Elder Brother’s life!”
Sheng Xiaojing bellowed, “Everyone shut up! There are risks in everything. It is not rare for armies to be wiped out. Once one has decided to join the army, one must be prepared to lose their life on the battlefield. Chumu was surrounded by the rebel army and killed. How can you ask the Emperor to punish Lu Yunji?! What logic is that!”
“But this is clearly Lu Yunji’s plot!” Even Sheng Chuling knew this without having to think hard.
“Father! Elder Brother’s death is too unfair!” Sheng Chujun could not accept this.
“Taking down numerous rebel cities one after the other and never backing down. He has brought glory to our country. Good! He is definitely worthy of being my son…”
Blood spurted out of Sheng Xiaojing’s mouth and he fainted as well. He was once an unrivalled warrior, but in the end, he still lost his son to the enemy.
Chapter 19.1: Empty Heart
On this day, the funeral was held at the Duke Lu Residence. Because Sheng Chumu had died on the battlefield and his body was not brought back, they only had a cenotaph.
Prince Zhou attended the entire procession and saw numerous beautiful ladies from all over Chang’an come to attend his funeral. They cried as if their intestines had been ripped apart. This scene made Prince Zhou angry, wanted to laugh and also made him look up to Sheng Chumu slightly. He had a reputation of being a playboy, yet he was not hated. It was clear that he was popular but not despicable. Prince Zhou returned to the palace after the funeral and immediately went to find Fu Rou. He was not going to take advantage of her while she was hurting but he could not allow her to sacrifice herself for Sheng Chumu. However, as he reached the door to her room, he could hear a commotion from inside the room.
Shu’er, who had been serving Fu Rou, was sprawling on the floor. Rites Official Situ was standing in front of the couch as a few attendants were struggling to pull an unconscious Fu Rou. They were led by the Head of the Sick House, Zhao Lingban.
“What is going on?” Prince Zhou spoke in a deep tone.
Shu’er crawled to Prince Zhou. “Your Highness, they want to take Head Seamstress Fu to the Sick House.”
The Sick House was where people who were critically ill in the palace spent their last days. Going there was equivalent to death.
Zhao Lingban was surprised and confused. He did not expect Prince Zhou to interfere as he quickly reported, “Your Highness, Head Seamstress Fu has been ill for numerous days and shows no signs of recovering. Your servant is merely acting according to the palace rules and does not dare to delay any longer.”
“I am aware of the rules. “Prince Zhou narrowed his eyes. “However, even if you want to bring her to the Sick House, you have to let her pack up. By behaving so cruelly, you are ruining Imperial Father and Mother’s virtuous reputation. Come back in four hours.”
“This…” Zhao Lingban was following someone’s orders and he thought back on what he had to do.
Prince Zhou looked at him icily. “Is there a problem?”
Zhao Lingban’s scalp tingled. “Yes, yes, I will heed Your Highness’ orders.” He lifted his hand and the rest of the attendants left with him.
The news of Prince Zhou standing up for Fu Rou and stopping Zhao Lingban from bringing Fu Rou to the Sick House was told to Sun Lingshu. Shuangxi had used the Crown Princess’ name to make Zhao Lingban go to Fu Rou.
“I said not to meddle with her, why did you do something like this? You didn’t even ask me beforehand. If the Crown Prince were to know about this, aren’t you bringing me trouble?” Lately, all she thought about was how to capture the Crown Prince’s heart.
“I felt injustice for you.” Shuangxi protested, “This is not considered meddling with her. The palace has palace rules. She is not even a noble, she is simply a female official. When someone like her falls severely ill, they have to be sent to the Sick House. I merely informed Zhao Lingban and he simply acted according to the rules.”
Sun Lingshu closed one eye and brushed over the incident. “Okay, okay. Leave this incident as it is, don’t interfere anymore. Since the Crown Prince wants me to rest, then I will rest my body. She can fall ill or die for all I care. She is simply a female official and I cannot be bothered with her. From now on, don’t waste your effort.”
“Yes.” Shuangxi obeyed, “However, if not for her illness this time, we wouldn’t know that she had gotten Prince Zhou on her side. In my opinion, she is extremely scheming. I am afraid that she is aiming high.”
A slight smile appeared on Sun Lingshu’s face. “Even though she is really capable, she can’t ever be his official wife. She is simply warming his bed.”
Four hours later, the internal attendants came to get Fu Rou. However, it was Yang Bo that came. She was not sent into the Sick House but to Concubine Yan’s palace.
Actually, Prince Zhou had requested for Concubine Yan to step in and help Fu Rou. The explanation for outsiders was when Prince Zhou had gotten punished, Concubine Yan had made a promise in the temple. As long as Prince Zhou recovered, she would personally save someone else. Fu Rou was fortunate to become the recipient of Concubine Yan’s promise.
Concubine Yan understood. She had never seen her son interested in any woman. Now that fate had it, she could help lay a cold towel on her forehead.
“Thank you for agreeing to my request, Mother.” Prince Zhou was grateful.
“After so many years of suffering, seeing you happy makes me happy.” Not only did Concubine Yan not stop him, she even tried to please her son. “It is late now, and I am tired. As my son, you should help me fulfil my promise. Understand?”
Prince Zhou laughed as he bowed politely. “Have a good night, Mother.”
Prince Zhou waited until Concubine Yan left before straightening up and sitting by the couch. His eyes did not leave Fu Rou. He suddenly leaned over and placed his cheek against her forehead. Her temperature was boiling, and his heart raced.
Fu Rou muttered in pain, “Chumu…Chumu…”
Prince Zhou murmured softly, “Rou’er, Rou’er, Sheng Chumu has died. Forget about him.”
The sky and ocean were shades of blue. Birds skimmed the surface of the water before flying high. Fishes swam in the ocean. The boat rose and dipped silently, guided by the motion of the wave. Laying on the deck, a person stared into the endless sky.
“So boring—”
The man shouted. He suddenly jumped up and scanned the black shadow that was nearing him. In a flash, the two met. The person was then held down onto the deck of the boat by the black shadow. One side of his face was flattened.
“Hey, hey, I am still injured. You win without a fight.” That voice was clearly Sheng Chumu.
“I am only here to remind you to change your medicine.” The black shadow spoke in a cold tone. His expression was stiff. It was Fang Ziyan. “Don’t forget who was the one that helped force the seawater out of you and saved your life.”
That day replayed itself in Sheng Chumu’s eyes. Fang Ziyan brought his mouth close to Sheng Chumu, his face as big as a humongous pancake. Shen Chumu made a vomiting motion and struggled to sit up. “I already forgot.”
Fang Ziyan snorted, “Are you even a man? Such a sissy!”