“When are you giving the antidote to me?” Sheng Chumu’s ears automatically blocked out whatever he did not want to hear.
“When you complete your promise of accompanying me for ten days, I will go and ask Elder Brother for the antidote.” Whether she could get it successfully was another story.
“I am really unlucky to meet such despicable pirates like you all.” It was very likely that he would not be able to survive the next ten days.
“What pirate? We are no longer pirates? The Emperor pardoned my brother and even gave him a position. Now, Elder Brother is a proper rank eight official of the Royal Palace.”
“He is just a military officer. What is there to boast about in front of me?”
“Oi, Sheng Chumu, you better fix your attitude. If my brother hears what you say, he will be angry and who knows? Maybe he will throw the antidote into the lake.”
Sheng Chumu fumed as he rowed fiercely, causing water to splash all over Ma Hainiu’s clothes.
“Hey hey, you made my clothes wet.”
“Mmhm.” He doesn't care!
“You promised to accompany me for ten days. Today is just the first day and this is how you treat me? I will head back right now and feed the antidote to the pigs. You can live the rest of your life like this and don’t even think of getting married.”
“Isn’t it good that your clothes are wet?” A man can give and take. “I think it is nicer wet.”
“So you're into this? You should have said earlier.” Ma Hainiu suddenly stood up. Like a fish, she smoothly jumped into the lake. “Look, my clothes are all wet now. Does my figure look better now?”
“You are crazy!” Sheng Chumu quickly averted his eyes.
“Why are you so shy?” Ma Hainiu grabbed onto the side of the boat and shook it with all her might. “Come, let’s swim together.”
Sheng Chumu lost his balance and fell into the water. Ma Hainiu took the chance to hook onto his neck as she laughed out loud.
“You…” Sheng Chumu did not know where to look and eventually pushed Ma Hainiu away. “I’ve had enough!” He turned and swam to the shore.
Ma Hainiu suddenly shouted, “Eh, Sheng Chumu! Quick come! My...my leg is cramping…”
Chapter 29.2: Surge
As if Sheng Chumu would believe her. However, as he reached the shore, he wiped his own face and turned back to look. He could not see Ma Hainiu anywhere. He was stunned and hurriedly jumped back into the lake. He found Ma Hainiu sinking and quickly rescued her to shore.
Ma Hainiu had swallowed some water and was unconscious. Sheng Chumu hesitated before deciding to undo the button around her collar. He then leaned over to give her CPR. She coughed violently before spitting out a few mouthfuls of water and eventually opened her eyes.
Sheng Chumu sat on the ground and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god you did not die.”
Ma Hainiu sat up and suddenly hooked her hands around Sheng Chumu’s neck. “Of course I am okay. I got a kiss from you. Even if I died, I would resurrect immediately.”
Sheng Chumu froze before shouting, “Wait a minute! I did that to save you.”
Ma Hainiu grinned. “Since you saved me, I should repay you by giving myself to you.”
Sheng Chumu shouted, “You are not allowed to give it!”
Ma Hainiu shouted back, “I don’t care. I am giving myself to you.”
The two of them shouted back and forth, shocking the entire lake and causing the water to ripple.
On this night, the Eastern Palace was desolated and solemn. Although the Emperor and Empress had instructed news to be sealed off, news was still able to spread. The Han Mansion no longer had an acting troupe and Duke Cheng’s family suddenly moved out of Chang’an. Everyone knew that the Han Mansion was where the Crown Prince frequented.
The Crown Prince did not think that when everyone was trying to avoid the Eastern Palace, Lu Yunji would come on behalf of Duke Cheng to send a letter.
Lu Yunji spoke, “Before Duke Cheng left, he wanted to meet you but the Emperor did not let him. When he left, he reminded me over and over again to hand this letter over to Your Highness.”
“Everyone that was by my side has either died or left.” The Eastern Palace was like the Cold Palace.
“Your Highness, do not be dejected. You are still the Crown Prince. Although your circumstance is slightly difficult now, it is like the winter days that you cannot avoid. Once it passes, the sky will clear and you will be able to feel the sunshine.” To Lu Yunji, this was like the light at the end of a tunnel. His chance to support the Crown Prince had finally arrived.
“Winter goes and spring comes. The four seasons rotate. In the winter, grass and trees have a chance to live once again. But how can someone that has passed live again? Chen Ji is dead, Duke Cheng is gone. I don’t seem to have energy to do anything.”
“Duke Cheng was unlucky. When the incident happened in Ganluo Palace, Sheng Chumu happened to be there. Prince Zhou lit a fierce fire. Sheng Chumu did not help put out the fire and even add a pot of oil. If not for him, perhaps His Majesty would not be so angry and immediately deal with Duke Cheng.”
Lu Yunji had already started planning how he would get more and greater influence and power. He would become the court official that the Crown Prince trusts the most.
“I have never treated Sheng Chumu badly. Why would he do that?” The Crown Prince was confused.
“Sheng Chumu is Consort Han’s younger brother. Maybe this…” Sheng Xiaojing’s backing was Prince Han. Now that Prince Han is down, let’s see how Sheng Xiaojing can act from now.
“You think there is someone else behind this?” The Crown Prince could tell that he was trying to give a hint.
“Your Highness has recently been relying on Duke Cheng a lot. Perhaps Prince Han thought that his position was being threatened?” Lu Yunji pointed out.
“We are brothers from the same mother. I am his Elder Brother, what is there not to trust?” The Crown Prince’s personality was to treat whoever treats him well. He easily believed Lu Yunji.
“I deserve death. Your Highness has always had a strong relationship with Prince Han. I must have guessed wrongly.” Since he had obtained his goal, he had to pretend.
After sending Lu Yunji off, the Crown Prince stared blankly for a long while. Eventually he said, “Men.”
An internal attendant entered to carry out his orders.
“Flatten this flower bed.” The Crown Prince’s eyes were like gaping holes. “Flatten it and build a grave. After that, make a stone tablet. Chen Ji does not have a home and I promised him before that I would build a grave for him. On this earth, at least someone will remember him.”
While the Crown Prince was building a grave for Chen Ji in the Eastern Palace, Fu Rou was burning paper offerings for Chen Ji.
All of a sudden, a wind blew from behind her. Fu Rou turned back to see Prince Zhou walk over. She ignored him as she continued throwing paper offerings into the burner.
“I did not tell the Emperor about him.” When Sun Tan mentioned it, he was also caught off guard.
“I know this has nothing to do with Your Highness.” At that time, Fu Rou was just outside the palace and knew what happened.
“Chen Ji had an unlucky fate.” Prince Zhou stated.
“No. He had the chance to escape but he chose not to.” She knew long ago that Chen Ji was different from others.
“Why?” How could anyone be so dumb?
“Maybe it is for someone that he thinks is important.” She took out a brand new set of clothes and threw it into the burner. “I once promised him to help him mend his shirt. I forgot about it and even lost his shirt. Later on, I promised him once again to give him a new set. I had just finished making it, but I didn’t even get the chance to give it to him before he died.”