Ping Zhao Lu

Chapter 111 Confidentiality

The boat moved slowly forward, and wherever it passed, the blue waves rippled like a flowing painting. The sunlight fell on the water, causing shimmering ripples.

Xu Zhouye sat leisurely in the cabin, gently picking up the teacup and savoring the fragrant tea in it. A cool breeze blew gently through the half-open window, bringing a slight chill.

Chu Yunxiao, who was sitting opposite him, silently watched every move of the person in front of him.

Chu Yunxiao's gaze always stayed on Xu Zhouye, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, as if never falling for a moment.

However, Xu Zhouye seemed unaware of the fiery gaze in front of him. He slowly picked up the teapot again and elegantly filled himself with a cup of hot tea.

At this moment, a figure hurried into the cabin.

Xuan Qi walked hurriedly, but when he got closer, he quickly slowed down his pace and bowed respectfully to Chu Yunxiao.

Chu Yunxiao raised his head slightly, looked at Xuan Qi and asked, "What's the matter?"

Xuan Qi took a deep breath and said slowly, "I just received news that Qu was attacked by bandits on the way and has died."

Hearing this, Chu Yunxiao and Xu Zhouye looked at each other, and their expressions seemed quite indifferent.

Xuan Qi continued, "Also, there's another piece of news. Liang Shi and her maid Jian Ke, who were both in the prison, have also passed away."

This sentence successfully attracted the attention of both people.

Xu Zhouye's hand, which was originally holding the teacup, paused slightly, then he gently placed the cup on the table and looked up at Xuan Qi.

Xuan Qi didn't dare to neglect the conversation and continued, "According to the jailer, Liang had been on a hunger strike since being imprisoned, and eventually died of starvation and dehydration. As for the maid Jian Ke, not long after seeing Liang's death, she banged her head against the wall and ended her life."

Hearing this, Chu Yunxiao couldn't help but sigh: "What a loyal servant." Although his tone was flat, there was still a hint of admiration in it.

Xu Zhouye nodded slightly, his eyes moving slightly: "Indeed."

He also has such a loyal servant by his side...

It's inevitable to feel some emotion.

Chu Yunxiao keenly noticed the flash of guilt in the other's eyes. He raised his eyes slightly and waved his hand gently at Xuan Qi, indicating that he should leave first.

Upon seeing this, Xuan Qi hurriedly clasped his hands together and saluted Chu Yunxiao, then turned around and left respectfully.

After Xuan Qi left, Chu Yunxiao calmly filled a cup of steaming hot tea for the person in front of him and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Xu Zhouye was brought back to reality by the sudden voice. He calmed himself down and replied, "I just find the bond between master and servant truly moving."

Chu Yunxiao smiled slightly and agreed: "Indeed."

Xu Zhouye suddenly felt a surge of curiosity, and he asked tentatively, "Looking at your Majesty's expression right now, could it be that you have personally experienced such a deep bond between master and servant?"

Chu Yunxiao slowly placed the hot tea he had just poured in front of Xu Zhouye. He lowered his eyes slightly, as if carefully considering his words in his mind. After a moment, he slowly said, "It is true, but I did not treat him as a servant."

Xu Zhouye was stunned when he heard this, and then blurted out: "Your Majesty is talking about... Shang Jiu?"

Chu Yunxiao nodded slightly in response and continued, "Well, he has been by my side since he was a child. There have been several times when I would have died if he hadn't rescued me in time."

Hearing this, Xu Zhouye's heart suddenly tightened, his concern evident in his words: "How could it be so dangerous! No wonder His Majesty treats Shang Jiu differently from other subordinates."

In response to Xu Zhouye's emotion, Chu Yunxiao just smiled and said nothing more.

Seeing the slightly solemn atmosphere, Xu Zhouye had an idea and tried to break the dullness. He pretended to be light-hearted and jokingly said, "Now it seems that Shang Jiu has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders."

Chu Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh out loud, his laughter echoing in the air, with a hint of helplessness and self-mockery: "I don't want to bother him all the time, but all this has become a habit. Since I fought my way out of this bloody situation, the only person I can truly trust is him."

Sharing life and death, this kind of friendship that is not only better than family ties, is really rare.

Xu Zhouye listened silently at the side, feeling deeply moved in his heart.

At this moment, Chu Yunxiao's brows revealed a hint of worry. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Besides that, there is something I have thought about again and again and still want to reveal to the Queen."

Hearing this, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"

Chu Yunxiao's face was as calm as water, and he simply uttered four words: "The death of the late emperor." As soon as he finished speaking, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing an elusive smile. He continued, "The death of the late emperor was the result of my own hands."

As soon as these words came out, it was like a thunderclap exploding in Xu Zhouye's ears. His face instantly turned as pale as paper. He looked at Chu Yunxiao in astonishment and asked in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty...is all this because of the late queen?"

Chu Yunxiao nodded slightly, agreeing. A complex light flickered in his eyes, as if recalling those unbearable past memories. After a brief pause, he finally spoke: "If it weren't for my so-called good father, how could my father have passed away from illness?" At this point, a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes.

Xu Zhouye took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "Then... the late emperor's dragon health deteriorated, could it be because..."

Chu Yunxiao nodded without hesitation and replied, "That's right. If I don't take action, he will still try to sacrifice my fourth brother in exchange for a brief period of peace in the Wei Dynasty."

"Prince Huai?" Xu Zhouye was puzzled.

What does this have to do with Prince Huai?

Chu Yunxiao's expression remained calm as he slowly responded, "My fourth brother once led a great army to defeat the army led by the crown prince of Jin. Later, our great Wei was no longer as powerful as it once was, and the late emperor intended to send my fourth brother to Jin in the hope of achieving reconciliation through this means."

Xu Zhouye frowned slightly and said seriously, "I'm afraid this move will not only fail to dissuade the Jin army, but will actually further embolden the enemy."

Chu Yunxiao nodded slightly in agreement and replied, "Yeah."

Xu Zhouye lowered his head, lost in thought. After a moment, he raised his head and said, "I've noticed early on that the friendship between Prince Huai and Your Majesty is deeper and closer than that between other brothers and sisters."

A trace of tenderness flashed in Chu Yunxiao's eyes, and he spoke slowly, "My fourth brother is two years younger than me. We grew up together, so he's naturally closer to me. Moreover, within this palace, among all my blood relatives, he's the only one I can speak freely and openly with."

After thinking for a moment, Xu Zhouye said, "No wonder Prince Huai can return to the capital at will. After all, as a prince with a large army..." At this point, Xu Zhouye paused and looked into the distance, as if thinking about something.

Seeing him distracted, Chu Yunxiao, as if reading his mind, chuckled and said, "He's not interested in this." He paused, "I'm afraid that even if I hand the imperial seal to him personally, he'll just think I'm asking him to be the regent."

Xu Zhouye: "..."

This is very Huai Wang.

……

Time passed quietly, and before we knew it, the sky gradually changed. The originally blue sky was gradually dyed with a layer of gorgeous red.

The water ripples gently, spreading outward in circles.

Chu Yunxiao stood quietly by the window, gazing at the sparkling river outside and the picturesque scenery in the distance.

Suddenly, he turned his head, his eyes fell on Xu Zhouye beside him, and asked softly: "Won't the Queen think that I am unkind and unfilial?" There was a hint of imperceptible uneasiness and anxiety in his voice.

Xu Zhouye was slightly stunned when he heard this, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer this question.

He looked at the emperor in front of him, with a thousand thoughts in his mind.

After a long time, he finally spoke slowly: "You are not wrong."

Although it was only three short words, it was like a thunderclap that struck Chu Yunxiao deep in his heart.

During this brief silence, Chu Yunxiao's heart was tightly clenched and he felt extremely nervous.

He had imagined countless times the Queen's possible response. Perhaps she would feel alienated from him, or perhaps she would refute him mercilessly.

However, what came into my ears at this moment were three simple yet powerful words - "You are not wrong."

Chu Yunxiao's tense expression relaxed instantly, and an indescribable feeling of warmth surged into his heart like a tide, slowly flowing through his heart.

Xu Zhouye then added: "I believe that everything Your Majesty has done is not only for the late queen, but more for your brothers and sisters." He paused, "Of course, this also includes your own considerations." His tone was firm and sincere.

Chu Yunxiao couldn't help but look stunned after hearing this.

He had not expected that his queen could be so keenly aware of the hidden twists and turns and profound meanings in just a few simple words of his.

Obviously, the person in front of him was truly trying to understand him.

This thoughtfulness made Chu Yunxiao feel surprised and touched.