The situation in the palace and the court has been well controlled, and there has been no unrest in various places. Currently, of the four strange men in the martial arts world, only the eldest and the third have been captured. The second and the fourth are still missing.
None of these four can be left unchecked, otherwise the common people will lose their lives at their hands. These are ruthless villains who will devour people without spitting out the bones, and they must be eradicated completely.
"Post notices so that all the people in the capital know that on the third day of the sixth lunar month, the eldest and third eccentric brothers will be beheaded at the Meridian Gate and their heads displayed to the public," Xingxing ordered in a deep voice.
"You think that the second and fourth eccentrics will come to rescue people after hearing the news, and then we can catch them all in one fell swoop?" Zhu Lin quickly understood her intention.
"I'm taking a gamble, but I'm not sure either. Whether they're willing to come to the rescue depends on their relationship with these four monsters. If they guess our intentions, they might not come. Besides, they don't care about eating people; they're inhuman and heartless. Such evil people might not care about the life or death of their companions when disaster strikes," Xingxing analyzed.
“The Four Eccentrics are brothers, they grew up together and have a deep bond. They might be vicious to outsiders, but they might be genuinely kind to their brothers. After all, they do everything together and depend on each other. I bet they will come to rescue people,” Zhu Lin said with a slight smile.
It would be best if they came; if they don't, it will waste a lot of time sending people to capture them, and who knows how many more people will be injured in the process.
The two had just finished discussing political affairs when a palace servant came to report that Zhou Erfu had come to the palace for an audience.
"Hey, why did Second Brother suddenly come to the palace to see me?" Xingxing muttered to herself, stroking her chin. Then she had someone bring Erfu in.
Soon Erfu strode in. He looked at Xingxing, who was wearing a dragon robe, and felt a little dazed. His feelings were very complicated. Who would have thought that the little baby who had been lost to his family would become the most supreme emperor?
"This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Zhou Erfu knelt down and bowed in a proper manner.
"Second Brother, there's no need for such formality. Please get up," Xingxing said with amusement. "I'm feeling a bit heavy, so I won't get down to help you. Please get up yourself."
Zhou Erfu didn't hesitate and quickly stood up straight, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
"Since you're already in the palace, just say what you want to say. As long as it's not something immoral or unethical, I'll grant your request," Xingxing readily promised.
“It’s good that it doesn’t harm anyone, but it’s not an easy thing to do. I’m afraid it will put you in a difficult position, but I really have no other choice. My parents can’t help either, and I can’t do anything on my own. After thinking it over, I can only ask you for help.” Zhou Erfu explained his purpose in one breath.
"So after all this talk, what is it all about?" Xingxing asked speechlessly.
"When you got married last time, I went to the palace, didn't I? I met quite a few people there, including a girl from the Chen family. I met her; she's incredibly beautiful. My heart would pound and my face would turn red whenever I saw her because she's just so gorgeous..."
"Say something useful, stop rambling on and on." Xingxing glared at him, telling him to stop beating around the bush and rambling on.
Zhou Erfu paused, gritted his teeth, and said, "Second Brother has tried everything and believes he has been sincere enough, but the Chen family just doesn't like us. They think we haven't studied much, that we're not capable of passing the imperial examinations, and that a roughneck like us isn't good enough for the delicate Miss Chen. They're afraid I'll bully her."
I cherish her so much, how could I possibly bully her? The Chen family is clearly deliberately belittling me, not wanting to marry their daughter to me. But I will marry no one but Miss Chen. If I were to marry someone else, I'd rather become a monk.
"You want me to grant you a marriage?" Xingxing asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zhou Erfu waved his hand and explained, "There's no need to rush into this marriage. If you really bestow a marriage upon me and Miss Chen, I'm afraid the Chen family will hold a grudge. This is about marriage, not enmity."
I don't want to put you in a difficult position, so I'll postpone the marriage. As the emperor, could you please put in a good word for me with the elders of the Chen family, letting them see my good qualities? That way, they'll gradually accept me."
"It must have been tough for you, being so good at backing down. Fine, I'll put in a good word for you, but I don't know if the Chen family will accept it, so don't get your hopes up too high," Xingxing said with a smile.
“It’s alright, I’ll figure out the rest myself. I’ll first make a good impression on the Chen family, and then find an opportunity to impress them. One day I’ll be able to win them over,” Zhou Erfu said confidently.
Zhu Lin listened for a long time before finally speaking up: "I have an idea, Second Brother. You might want to listen to it. If it's useful, you can give it a try."
Since marrying Xingxing, Zhu Lin has changed his way of addressing her, calling the five Zhou brothers "elder brother" and Zhou the eldest and Zhao Guihua "father and mother".
“I’m willing to try any method, as long as it gets the Chen family to accept me. Tell me your suggestion,” Erfu replied.
Zhu Lin said calmly, "On the third day of the sixth month, the eldest and third eccentrics will be beheaded. The second and fourth eccentrics might try to storm the execution ground. You should go there that day and lend a hand when the opportunity arises. That way, you'll have earned merit, and then the emperor can grant you an official position. That way, you'll have a title and honor."
Erfu looked deeply regretful. "Speaking of which, when the late emperor was alive, he actually asked us four brothers if we wanted to be officials, and he offered us a chance."
However, my brothers and I were afraid of giving others cause for gossip and ruining Xingxing's reputation, so we didn't ask the late emperor for an official title. If I had known things would turn out this way, I wouldn't have cared about all that; I would have at least managed to get an official position first, so the Chen family wouldn't have any reason to look down on us.
Xingxing pouted. This good second brother of hers, who forgets his sister for the sake of a pretty girl, has now fallen for someone and has completely abandoned his sister.
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