Chapter 60

A small cup of wine, but to Zhao Si, it felt like holding a pot of burning charcoal. How could he die like this, with no peace?

Why couldn't his elder brother live two more days? Why couldn't Zhang Dun, the great villain of his generation, resist the counterattack of the "Yuan You Party"? Zhao Si had many sorrows in his heart, but he could not express them. He did not have many expectations for the throne, but his elder brother gave him the position of Commander of the Dingguo Army. Once he became the Commander, everything was no longer within his control.

Zhang Dun served as Chancellor for nine years, but at the most critical moment, he made the most foolish mistake.

In the third year of Yuanfu, which was the fourth day after his elder brother's death, Empress Dowager Xiang summoned the ministers to the grand hall. When Empress Dowager Xiang asked who should inherit the throne, Chancellor Zhang Dun was the first to stand up.

"Prince Jian, the brother of the same mother, should be the successor!"

Just the phrase "brother of the same mother" offended Empress Dowager Xiang the most. Perhaps Zhao Si was both literate and martial, a supporter of the new laws, and the brother of the same mother as Emperor Zhezong, making him the best successor. But what about Empress Dowager Xiang? This woman cared nothing for the empire; she only wanted filial piety. Even though Prince Duan was frivolous, she still chose him.

Too many coincidences mixed together, creating the most tragic human drama. Prince Duan ascended the throne, and in the first year of Chongning, the long-standing villain Zhang Dun was demoted, and Cai Jing rose to power. From then on, not a single member of the Yuanfeng Party, who supported the new laws, remained, while the Yuan You Party returned to power. As for Zhao Si, the only thing he received was the title of Prince Cai and the transfer to Jingnan.

Determined to survive, but in the end, he could not escape. Zhang Dun was gone, the new party was in chaos, and he, Prince Cai, had to go as well. If he had to blame anyone, it was for being the younger brother of Emperor Zhezong.

A cup of wine, and Zhao Si felt as if he had been freed. He sat softly in the chair, waiting for the moment of death.

Having done what needed to be done, Yang Jian gave a signal, and several people slowly left.

It was already autumn, and the cold wind was rampant. The dry leaves in the courtyard drifted with the wind, making a rustling sound.

Four-year-old Zhao Yougong felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. He witnessed everything and remembered Yang Jian's meaningful sneer. Pushing open the door, he ran to Zhao Si's side, and at that moment, Zhao Si's eyelids were already pale, and his life was gradually fading away.

"Father... Father..."

Seeing his only son, Zhao Si's face was full of pain. He wanted to raise his hand to touch his son's face, but he had no strength. Zhao Yougong seemed to understand Zhao Si's thoughts and pulled his father's hand to his cheek.

"Father..."

"Jiulang... live well... live well... go... to Tongzhou... you must survive..."

These were the last words Zhao Si left in this world. When he let go, Zhao Yougong wiped away his tears and silently left the room.

Talking about the past was like rolling over a mountain of knives again. Even though so much time had passed, once he recalled it, his heart still ached.

Ying Ruo reached out and gently stroked Zhao Yougong's somewhat disheveled black hair. She only now knew how the old prince died. At that time, she was young, and the guards said the old prince died of illness, so she believed it. But who would have thought the truth would be like this!

Perhaps she should have suspected it long ago. The smart and sensible young prince, after the old prince's death, seemed to have changed completely. How could a person change so easily, especially a child? But she had never thought about it that way.

She always thought she had suffered enough, but compared to the young prince, her suffering was nothing. At least, when she was unhappy, she could speak out and argue, but the young prince could only bury all his pain, facing his father's killer and pretending to be a dissolute and ignorant person.

"Why did you only tell me now? How did you manage all these years?"

At this moment, there was no trace of hatred in Ying Ruo's heart. She bent down and tightly hugged the man with tears in his eyes.

Zhao Yougong gently caressed her jade-like hands, having not felt such a gentle embrace for so many years. "I was afraid, I didn't dare to get close to you. I was afraid that the only person in the world who loved me would also leave me like my father." Zhao Yougong spoke emotionally, never doubting Ying Ruo's kindness to him. Because he knew, he tried to distance himself from her, but in the end, he couldn't avoid it.

Ying Ruo was an extremely intelligent woman. Even if Zhao Yougong didn't say it, she could guess. Though tears welled up in her eyes, a smile of relief appeared on her face. "If I don't trust you, who else can I trust?"

"Trust me, and do nothing. If Tian Chou insists on taking you away tomorrow, someone will come to save you. When that happens, follow that person south. Remember, leave the capital immediately, don't look back!"

Zhao Yougong smiled bitterly, but his words had a sense of relief. Seemingly guessing something, Ying Ruo tightly held his face, trembling, and asked, "Ling Ge, what are you going to do?"

"What am I going to do? Ha ha, if I can't avoid it, I'll break into the palace. Even if I die, I'll scare Emperor Zhezong to death!"

At this moment, Zhao Yougong's expression was fierce and his face terrifying. He thought very simply; if he lost the final bet, the only thing he could do was to charge into the vast palace, not disgracing his martial arts.

Ying Ruo was anxious. The young prince had endured for so many years; how could he ruin everything because of her?

"No... Ling Ge, if you still recognize me, listen to me. Live well. As long as you are alive, there is hope!"

Living means hope? Ha ha, Dugu Qiubai said that, and many others said it, but Zhao Yougong still sneered at it. A great man should have principles. If he could abandon everything, what would be the difference from an animal? At least, Zhao Yougong couldn't be truly cold-blooded. He could abandon many people, but he couldn't abandon Ying Ruo.

Lifting Ying Ruo's trouser leg, he saw the scar on her knee, as big as a fist, showing how difficult it was for her to rush to Suzhou. Ying Ruo's affection, Zhao Yougong would never forget.

"Stop talking, Sister Su. If you really care about me, listen to me. Don't let me die in vain!"

Breaking free from Ying Ruo's hands, Zhao Yougong bent down and kissed her forehead. "Sister Su, do you know, your Ling Ge has never changed." Smiling, Zhao Yougong quickly fled from the place.

Ying Ruo hurried to the door, looking at the dark courtyard, but there was no sign of Zhao Yougong. Her Ling Ge hadn't changed, which was good! Ling Ge was kind-hearted. If she didn't know the truth, she might have left, but now that she knew, how could she leave? If she had to die, she might as well die together.

The roses bloomed in her heart, and the night was as dark as ink, like an impenetrable wall.

The next day, Tian Chou came to the Chu王府 again, this time accompanied by a small sedan chair. He seemed to be certain that Zhao Yougong would let the person go. Entering the hall, he saw Zhao Yougong sitting with a worried look on his face.

"Prince, where is Su Guan?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a light step sounded behind him. Turning around, he saw the woman, though pale, still beautiful.

"Ying Ruo, you will... go to Chancellor Liang's residence with General Tian for a while..."

Zhao Yougong didn't dare to look at Ying Ruo's face, knowing that she must look terrible at this moment.

Tian Chou smiled inwardly. It seemed that Zhao Yougong still had some reluctance. Of course, this useless person probably still had some unwillingness. If he had known this, why didn't he take the beauty earlier?

"Prince, do you hate me so much?"

Her voice was soft, but her words carried a hint of mockery. Zhao Yougong turned around, but quickly looked away. At this moment, Ying Ruo stared at him, as if filled with hatred, but he knew she was trying to imprint everything in her mind.

"You must know... it's Chancellor Liang... who wants you to go..."

"Ha ha, Prince, are you afraid? Look at me, are you so afraid?"

Her tone suddenly became sharp, and Ying Ruo rushed over like a madwoman, grabbing Zhao Yougong's shoulders and crying in pain, "Why? Why? Why is this happening?"

"I... I... don't be like this, you'll come back..."

Zhao Yougong let Ying Ruo shake him, not trying to avoid it. Hearing his words, Ying Ruo laughed foolishly, "Come back? Ha ha... Prince, you are so kind to me, so kind..."

Tian Chou saw everything in the hall, feeling annoyed. He coughed twice, "Su Guan, it's time. Please get into the sedan chair!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Ruo, who had been mocking Zhao Yougong, suddenly turned around. She sneered, slowly raised her hand, and slapped him hard.

"Slap"

The sound was crisp, and Ying Ruo almost bit her lip, sneering, "What are you?"

"You..." Tian Chou's eyes widened with anger, never expecting Su Ying Ruo to be so fierce.

"Go!"

Ying Ruo ignored Tian Chou, walking out of the hall in despair. She walked slowly, turning her head to look at the scenery around her with each step. This walk might be forever.

The sedan chair carried Ying Ruo, and it also carried Zhao Yougong's heart. Standing at the gate, he watched the sedan chair slowly disappear, not wanting to return even when it was out of sight.

Tian Chou, this despicable person, whether he wins or loses, he must die.