Chapter 256 World Ten (Twenty-Seven)
Chu Shi, accompanied by his guards, came to the palace gate because Chu Boyu only summoned Chu Shi this time.
Therefore, the guards could only be left outside the palace gate and could not enter the palace. Without a guard by his side, Chu Shi could only hold the wheels with both hands and slowly walk towards the main hall.
Chu Shi entered the main hall. Chu Boyu stood behind a desk, layers of veils obscuring his expression. Because Chu Shi was ill and unable to stand, he could only sit in a wheelchair and bow to Chu Boyu.
"Your Majesty is well."
Chu Boyu remained silent for a long time. After leaving his desk, he lifted the veil with his broad hands and slowly walked to Chu Shi. Chu Boyu had a pair of amber eyes, which were usually as warm and gentle as the spring sunshine. Chu Shi's eyes were also so gentle, but this warmth was only slightly on the surface, not reaching the bottom of his eyes. But Chu Boyu was different. His gentle temperament was due to the cowardice buried in his bones when he was disliked by Emperor Shuncheng as a child and was thrown into the barren land of Shu City, where he suffered humiliation. Chu Boyu's gentleness was not so much a friendliness as it was a fear in his heart, and he acted with trepidation.
In the past, Chu Boyu curled up in a comfortable shell. Even though some people criticized him for not having the demeanor of an emperor, Chu Boyu never changed his temperament.
Perhaps Chu Boyu wanted to change, but he didn't have that kind of perseverance.
On the surface, Chu Boyu was an emperor and had the support of Empress Dowager Zhong and the Zhong family. He could act freely without any concerns.
But in fact, Empress Dowager Zhong was not very close to Chu Boyu.
What connects Empress Dowager Zhong and Chu Boyu is the unbreakable blood relationship between them.
If Empress Dowager Zhong had another son, the throne likely wouldn't have passed to Chu Boyu. The Zhong family was controlled by General Zhong. General Zhong and Empress Dowager Zhong shared a deep brotherly bond, while their relationship with Chu Boyu was merely a thin "uncle-nephew" relationship. No one was willing to invest the effort of standing behind Chu Boyu, waiting for him to gradually transform and acquire the qualities of an emperor.
What they wanted was for Chu Boyu to become decisive and act swiftly and efficiently in an instant.
Chu Shi was in the light, with warm sunlight pouring down on his back.
Chu Shi raised his head and looked up at Chu Boyu, only to see that Chu Boyu was completely hidden in the darkness.
Chu Boyu's eyes, which were usually gentle, were now exceptionally calm, like the sea before a storm, with signs of impending storm.
Chu Shi suddenly smiled, a faint smile on the corner of his lips, looking extremely innocent: "Your Majesty summoned me here, it must be something important."
Chu Boyu recounted the scene of Chu Shi's encounter with the treasured fan, word for word. His voice was as cold as ice: "Chu Shi, there is no shortage of servants in the palace. Why do you need the treasured fan to escort you out of the palace?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Shi's expression remained unchanged. He patted his head lightly and explained slowly, "That day... apart from me and Lan Zhaoyuan, there was no one else in the Imperial Garden. Having Lan Zhaoyuan see me off was truly a helpless move. Furthermore, I had a difficult secret that day, and if others had seen it, it would have been embarrassing.
Therefore, I had my own selfish motives in letting Lan Zhaoyuan see you off."
Chu Boyu repeated in a deep voice: "Unspeakable secret?"
Chu Shi laughed at himself and said, “That day, Lan Zhaoyuan went to the Imperial Garden to pick fresh flower petals for His Majesty to make flower tea to relieve his fatigue.
However, the flower branches were hanging high, and Lan Zhaoyuan was petite and fragile, so she accidentally tripped.
I happened to be passing by here, and Lan Zhaoyuan fell on me.
If I were in good health, Yilan Zhaoyuan's frail body would definitely be able to catch it.
I am ill and my legs are not good for walking, and I managed to tear my clothes while struggling.
I felt embarrassed, so I begged Lan Zhaoyuan to escort me back to save my reputation.
These words were sincere and highlighted the innocence between Chu Shi and Bao Shan.
If other women were here and heard these words, they would definitely think that Chu Shi was innocent and pitiful.
Chu Shi had no choice but to let the treasure fan go because of his leg disease, but he never expected that it would arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Faced with this situation, Chu Shi not only did not get angry, but he gently explained and took all the blame on himself, leaving Bao Shan innocent. But if the man heard this, he would definitely be furious.
There is no rationality among men in the world when it comes to their women being involved with other men.
What's more, although Chu Shi's voice was gentle, every word and sentence contained hidden meaning.
Baoshan went to the Imperial Garden to pick flower petals for making tea. She told Chu Shi about such private matters, which shows that they had a close relationship.
Moreover, Chu Shi saved the precious fan and tore his clothes because of it. The precious fan then escorted Chu Shi out of the palace.
This back and forth made the two of them seem even closer, with each other interacting more.
How could Chu Boyu not be furious?
His eyes were calm, and he stared at Chu quietly, his voice cold.
"You did it on purpose, Chu Shi."
Chu Boyu was not just a reckless man with anger. After hearing Chu Shi's seemingly ambiguous words, he became more and more convinced of the relationship between Bao Shan and Chu Shi. Chu Boyu approached Chu Shi and spoke with a firm voice.
"Chu Shi, you are irritating me."
A perfect and gentle smile appeared on Chu Shi's face, and surprise flashed in his eyes appropriately, as if there was a very fitting mask on his face.
"Your Majesty, you are overthinking. I am telling you the truth. Besides, how could I possibly anger Your Majesty..."
Chu Shi suddenly raised his hand, lightly placed it on his chin, and said leisurely, "Could it be that Your Majesty thinks that Lan Zhaoyuan and I are having an affair..."
Such a mocking scene made Chu Boyu feel like déjà vu.
Blurry images appeared in his mind.
The young Chu Boyu fell to the ground, looking miserable.
A group of palace maids gathered around the favored Sixth Prince Chu Shi, asking about his well-being.
Until Emperor Shuncheng appeared, he passed by Chu Boyu's hopeful gaze, walked in front of Chu Shi, and stroked Chu Shi's head like a father doting on his son.
The palace maids chattered and told how Chu Boyu bullied Chu Shi.
Chu Boyu's eyes were blank. He looked at the filth all over his body, then raised his eyes and looked at the palm-sized stain on the hem of Chu Shi's robe.
At that time, Chu Shi was also like this, stroking his chin with his hand, and said in a gentle voice: "Father, brother probably didn't mean it."
Emperor Shuncheng then looked at Chu Boyu coldly. His gaze fell on Chu Boyu and disappeared in a flash, as if Chu Boyu was not his son, but some filthy thing.
Chu Boyu didn't remember what the punishment was, but it was probably extremely painful.
Thinking of this long-lost memory, Chu Boyu looked dazed. He felt as if someone was clamping his neck tightly, making it difficult for him to breathe. He felt like a dying fish.
Chu Boyu didn't want to endure the pain, so he looked everywhere for ways to relieve the pain.
When Chu Boyu calmed down, he realized that his hands were firmly grasping Chu Shi's neck, and his palms were tightening continuously.
A faint red color appeared on Chu Shi's fair face due to difficulty breathing.
But even so, Chu Shi's face did not show any fear or begging for mercy.
He stretched out his hand and pressed it on Chu Boyu's broad palm, his voice intermittent: "Brother... do you want to kill me..."
The word "kill" seemed to have touched a certain heartstring in Chu Boyu, causing all kinds of terrible thoughts to emerge in his mind.
Yes! Without Chu Shi, there would be no annoying rumors. He and the treasured fan could live peacefully in the palace. Chu Boyu no longer had to pretend to be cold and indifferent to the treasured fan.
He could hold the precious fan in his arms openly and tell her shameful words.
Chu Boyu could tell Baoshan that he really liked to hear Baoshan tell him how many flowers were blooming in Zhilan Palace and what colors they were.
From now on, Baoshan should stop distancing herself from him and explain these things to him properly.
The hand holding Chu Shi's neck slowly tightened.
Chu Shi's gaze gradually dimmed, his strength gradually reaching its limit. He coughed softly, "...After executing me, what's the next step...Brother will send Lan Zhaoyuan to the underworld together..."
Chu Boyu frowned, loosened his palm, and pushed Chu Shi to the ground.
His body fell to the ground with a loud, dull thud, and the wheelchair fell over, leaving only the clattering sound of the wheels turning.
The palace maids serving outside the palace were all startled when they heard this sound.
But the palace ladies looked at their noses and their noses at their hearts, pretending not to hear.
Chu Shi lay on his back on the ground, gasping for breath.
Chu Boyu looked at his palm, lost in thought. After a moment, he walked to Chu Shi's side, his eyes solemn, "I will not kill you."
Using such a simple method to eliminate all hidden dangers is a form of cowardice.
Chu Boyu was afraid that Bao Shan would alienate him and abandon him because of Chu Shi. So Chu Boyu felt uneasy and thought that as long as Chu Shi disappeared from the world, everything would return to normal.
But now, Chu Boyu no longer thinks so.
Chu Boyu is no longer the same person who was framed by Chu Shi and the palace servants, despised by Emperor Shuncheng, but could only obey orders.
Chu Boyu wanted to keep Chu Shi so that Chu Shi would know that all those mysterious and ambiguous little tricks were now nothing to Chu Boyu.
As for the precious fan, it was even more impossible for her to entrust her heart to Chu Shi just because of his little tricks.
Chu Boyu leaned forward and whispered, "My Lan Zhaoyuan doesn't look down on you now. In the future—it's absolutely impossible."
Chu Boyu turned and left, leaving Chu Shi lying on the cold ground. His neck was blue and purple, and the slightest cough caused pain in his throat.
Chu Shi's lips parted as he laughed wantonly, his eyes filled with mockery. However, it wasn't directed at Chu Boyu, but at himself.
Chu Shi had thought he could easily anger Chu Boyu. A jealous man was irrational. Chu Boyu was also a descendant of Emperor Shuncheng. If he could kill Chu Shi today, he might kill Lan Zhaoyuan tomorrow out of jealousy.
After all, only the dead will not betray and are always loyal, allowing Chu Boyu to be imprisoned by his side without any worries.
Chu Shi didn't worry about his own life at all.
For Chu Shi, this life should have ceased to exist while he was imprisoned in the dungeon. A peaceful death then would have at least left a trace of dignity. Why was it that now, unable to walk, barely surviving, and as frightened as a stray dog?
It would be best if I could take this opportunity to let Chu Boyu take action himself and make myself Chu Boyu's nightmare.
Unfortunately, everything was in vain.
Chu Shi laughed and laughed, then began to cough violently. The corners of his crimson eyes were filled with a shimmering light. In a flash, the shimmering light disappeared.
When Chu Boyu stepped into the Empress Dowager's palace, the first person he saw was General Zhong with a sword.
"uncle."
Hearing this, General Zhong nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty has grown much taller than last year, and his eyesight has become clearer."
Chu Boyu's heart softened, and before he could even exchange a few words with General Zhong, Empress Dowager Zhong said, "Boyu, I summoned you this time to discuss the matter of establishing the empress.
In your harem, there is only Lan Zhaoyuan, and she and Prince Gong have an unclear relationship..."
Chu Boyu said coldly: "Mother, please be careful with your words. The relationship between Baoshan and Prince Gong is very clear.
There is no other connection between them except that between brother and sister-in-law and younger brother."
Queen Mother Zhong showed disapproval, but did not mention the matter again, saying only, "You love and favor Lan Zhaoyuan, and I do not interfere. It's just that Lan Zhaoyuan's status is humble. Even if she has a son in the future, she can only be a concubine at most.
With such a huge harem, how could you possibly live with only one concubine, Lan Fei?"
Chu Boyu remained silent. He looked up at his uncle, General Zhong, whose brows were tense, and said in a steady tone, "Then who does your mother think is worthy of the title of Empress?"
Empress Dowager Zhong gently touched her armor and said in a gentle voice, "In my opinion, there are many talented women among the selected ladies. But if you look carefully, Sun Xiuzhuan's daughter, Sun Ruxuan, has a connection with you. She has a calm and unpretentious nature and doesn't like to compete. She looks very good."
Chu Boyu lowered his eyelids slightly to hide the expression in his eyes. He was meek and obeyed the orders of Empress Dowager Zhong as he had done many times before.
"It's up to the Queen Mother to decide."
The stone in Empress Dowager Zhong's heart finally fell.
General Zhong accompanied Chu Boyu as they walked through the palace. He spoke in a deep voice, "The Queen Mother is doing this for your own good. If you want a gentle and tender concubine like Lan Zhaoyuan, then dote on her. However, your mother previously had a rift with Consort Shu. She dislikes weak and pathetic women, so it's natural for her to harbor resentment. Regarding the matter of choosing a queen, you should obey your mother. In the future, no matter which woman you favor, she will not interfere."
Chu Boyu did not answer directly, but asked without thinking: "Uncle took me back to the palace, was it because you are my uncle, or because you are my mother's brother?"
General Zhong frowned, although he didn't understand why Chu Boyu asked this question.
It was precisely because General Zhong was the elder brother of Empress Dowager Zhong that he became Chu Boyu's uncle.
General Zhong has been staying on the border battlefield for many years and doesn't understand what all the twists and turns are.
He said exactly what he was thinking. Chu Boyu smiled faintly and said, "It should be so."
Chu Boyu was taught by great Confucian scholars and learned the ways of being an emperor, so he should have discarded those pretentious thoughts.
But in Chu Boyu's heart, he still had a glimmer of reliance on General Zhong who came to Shu City and saved him that year.
But now, everything is clear. The reason why Chu Boyu was able to escape hardship and secure his throne as emperor was because he obeyed Empress Dowager Zhong.
From beginning to end, Chu Boyu huddled in the bitter and cold Shu City, eating sour fruits, and no one came to rescue him.
The person they saved was the son of Empress Dowager Zhong, not the timid and cowardly Chu Boyu who made people sigh.
When Chu Boyu returned to the main hall, he staggered slightly. The palace servants rushed forward to support him, but Chu Boyu waved him away.
Chu Boyu sat in front of the desk again, without a trace of hesitation in his eyes.
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