Seeing Mingzhu's expression, the Prince of Jin quickly calmed down and said, "It's alright, you go back and rest. I'll take care of everything."
"No, big brother," Mingzhu said, biting her lip, "I'm actually scared..."
What are you afraid of?
"I'm afraid that if Wu Zhenhai finds out the truth, he'll continue to harass me..."
If Old Cabbage Stalk really eliminates the Zhou Residence, this major threat, for his elder brother, wouldn't he be the greatest hero?
Can the older brother refuse his request then?
If we don't agree, wouldn't that discourage others who want to join the Prince's household?
Mingzhu didn't want to be a femme fatale, because that would only lead to a bad end.
But she really didn't want to have anything to do with Wu Zhenhai anymore.
There were too many things separating them.
Her social status wasn't really what mattered; what separated her was her children, and the less-than-glamorous past between them, a constant reminder of her humble origins.
There is no right or wrong between them, because they were always calculating against each other.
But now that the money and goods have been exchanged, she doesn't want to do business with him anymore.
The Prince of Jin understood Mingzhu's worries and looked at her with reassuring eyes.
"He might not make it back alive; the Zhou Family isn't made of paper."
Mingzhu's heart suddenly felt as if it had been pricked by a needle.
If Wu Zhenhai had ulterior motives and it had nothing to do with her, then so be it; but if it was truly a momentary impulse on his part for her sake...
That was a living, breathing life!
Even if he's unharmed, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll discover your secret.
Even if we did find out, he wouldn't dare challenge me to give him his freedom.
If that's the case, it means his good days are over.
Mingzhu suddenly felt ashamed.
Was she selfishly placing all the pressure on her older brother?
She has someone to rely on and is loved, so when something happens, she instinctively wants to seek comfort.
"Actually, brother," she said, having been comforted by the Prince of Jin, she had calmed down considerably, "If he really finds out, I'll deal with him myself."
"Don't think too much about it," the Prince of Jin handed her his cloak. "Put this on and go back. I need to go see the Zhou Residence."
Perhaps, we can reap the benefits without lifting a finger.
"Alright." Mingzhu took the cloak, not daring to delay him any longer, and quickly left the study, then slowly walked back to her own courtyard.
She felt inexplicably panicked.
What will happen at the Zhou Residence tonight?
She couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, and finally got up.
She wanted to go out and look for Cui Run, but felt it was inconvenient in the middle of the night; besides, how could she tell Cui Run about this unpleasant past?
She put on her clothes and sat down on the veranda, looking up at the big, round Mingyue in the sky, listening to the chirping of autumn insects, lost in thought for a long time.
The next day, Wu Zhenhai arrived at the Prince's residence and knelt before the Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin said calmly, "You are quite bold. Do you even know what crime it is to execute a court official?"
Wu Zhenhai lowered his head and said, "This humble official knows. This humble official is willing to take full responsibility for this matter. It's just that this humble official is dissatisfied with the mistreatment of his betrothed wife in the Zhou Residence, so he harbored murderous intentions."
He even figured out how to submit the memorial to the throne for the Prince of Jin.
He cleared away the obstacles in the road for the Prince of Jin, yet he was still willing to take all the blame.
Wu Zhenhai believed that the Prince of Jin would not refuse him.
"What do you want?" The Prince of Jin's face remained expressionless.
Wu Zhenhai said, "This humble official dares to ask Your Highness to help intervene and pardon my men. They were merely following my orders."
Is there anything else?
"Then there is my son Wu Yu," Wu Zhenhai said bitterly, "I have arranged for my subordinates, Tao Ma and his wife, to raise him. If he becomes successful in the future, I hope Your Highness will give him some guidance. I would be extremely grateful."
This is probably what he's most worried about.
"And what about you? Are you eager to die?" A cold smile appeared on the Prince of Jin's lips.
Wu Zhenhai kowtowed, "This humble official has prepared for the worst; it's just a worthless life. But if Your Highness does not despise me and I am willing to serve you, this humble official will do my utmost and dare not be negligent."
Prince of Jin picked up his teacup and took a small sip. "So, purging the Zhou Family is your pledge of allegiance?"
Wu Zhenhai gritted his teeth. "Yes! The Zhou Family is out of touch with reality, constantly opposing the Prince. Following Zhou Family is a dead end."
He was willing to risk everything to avenge Zhou Xu.
But this doesn't mean he was determined to die.
It would be good if he could go and be with her. If he survived, he could also give an account to the brothers who had always followed him.
And then there's Wu Yu... He just can't completely let go.
People are always pushed along by reality, unable to control their own destiny.
If I can survive, then I'll live numbly and painfully.
But whether he survives or not depends entirely on the Prince of Jin.
If he were the Prince of Jin, he could step forward, involve himself in romantic entanglements, and resolve the matter decisively and clearly, at most helping him achieve his remaining desires.
Exonerating oneself from guilt would likely be much more complicated, but in return, it might bring additional benefits.
Wu Zhenhai entrusted his life to the Prince of Jin, leaving it to his discretion.
Little did he know, the Prince of Jin would certainly not allow him to die for Mingzhu.
Mingzhu has completely severed ties with him; does she really have to spend the rest of her life worrying about him?
Don't even think about it!
Wu Zhenhai can die, but he cannot die in the name of doing what's best for Mingzhu.
The Prince of Jin said, "I can spare your life, but—"
"Your Highness, please speak!"
"I demand that you swear allegiance to every master of the royal palace!"
Wu Zhenhai was stunned.
Every master?
But the prince has three sons. If they were to fight for power in the future, wouldn't the idea of "loyalty to every master" be absurd?
However, when he looked up, he found that the Prince of Jin was staring intently at him.
It seems this is the answer I've been looking for.
Can!
He'll deal with it for now!
Thinking this through, Wu Zhenhai gritted his teeth and made a solemn oath.
So be it if I'm struck by lightning; what joy is there in living, what fear is there in dying?
Since Zhou Xu died, he seemed to no longer fear death.
Because they can still fantasize about reuniting after death.
The Prince of Jin said coldly, "Remember your oath today."
If Mingzhu tells him to get lost, then he has to get far away from there.
"Yes."
"You will continue to handle the aftermath of this matter Zhou Family," Prince of Jin added. "How to explain things to the capital is my responsibility."
The implication was that Wu Zhenhai wanted to sort things out for him.
It must be very clear who can be won over and who absolutely cannot be kept.
As for the Emperor, he will handle that.
This was fair, Wu Zhenhai bowed respectfully in thanks.
The Prince of Jin told him to step down.
Wu Zhenhai almost tripped over something as he went out.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an incredibly ugly dog.
Without giving it much thought, he left in a hurry.
The incredibly ugly dog started whimpering as soon as it entered the house.
The Prince of Jin was in a good mood. "What's wrong with you now?"
Qu Nian slashed with his claws. "You got off easy!"
Wu Zhenhai actually did Prince of Jin such a big favor.
Why couldn't he have such good luck?
Prince of Jin: "There's no other way; my younger sister is more capable."
Qu Nian: Relying on women? Disgusting!
Prince of Jin: "You can also give it a try, if your sister is willing."
Qu Nian died.