Eunuch Chen departed.
He left peacefully.
Zhuang Zhou watched Eunuch Chen fade into the distance.
His young face was tense, with a hint of solemnity.
Zhuang Zhou knew in his heart that this was only the beginning of the struggle against the Sovereign of Grand Yong.
***
"The Su Clan, Lord Su Mingyuan has arrived!"
Outside the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor.
A voice announced.
Tap, tap, tap.
With hurried steps, a middle-aged man dressed in a red official robe, with a tiger and leopard embroidered on the cuffs, walked into the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor.
He was Zhuang Zhou's third uncle, Su Mingyuan.
In the Grand Yong Dynasty, the martial generals' robes were all red. For the third and fourth ranks, they were embroidered with tigers and leopards. For the first and second ranks, they bore lions.
Su Mingyuan was a Banner Guard Vice General, a third-rank martial general.
"Mingyuan, you're here!"
Su Qingfei called out upon seeing Su Mingyuan arrive.
"Someone! Serve tea to Lord Su Mingyuan!"
"I'll pass on the tea for now! I heard the Sovereign issued an edict, wanting Zhuang Zhou to marry the barbarian queen?"
Su Mingyuan was a straightforward military man, not one for beating around the bush, and he got straight to the point.
Zhuang Zhou glanced sideways upon hearing this.
He's here, he's here, that wicked uncle has come!
The first battle concerning his future destiny had officially begun!
"Indeed, that's the case. Do you have any thoughts on it?"
Su Qingfei responded.
She was well aware of the current generation of the Su Clan.
A group of spoiled brats who only knew how to take advantage of situations. If it weren't for the Northern Guardian Prince's frequent protection, the Su Clan might have been erased from the Grand Yong Dynasty long ago! But the Su Clan was still her family, the place that birthed and raised her. When issues arose, she still had to consider their advice.
"Sister, the Sovereign's will cannot be defied! Since Zhuang Zhou is to go to the barbarians for marriage, you should agree without hesitation. Serving the country is the honor and duty of every citizen of the Grand Yong Dynasty! If brother-in-law agrees, I can take nephew Zhuang Zhou to the palace to meet the Sovereign and agree to the marriage right now!"
Su Mingyuan's eager eyes held an uncontrollable excitement.
"Mingyuan, the barbarian lands are harsh, and they've never been on good terms with our Grand Yong Dynasty. Zhuang Zhou is still young, and if he goes for the marriage, it might not end well!"
Su Qingfei looked at Zhuang Zhou, her eyes full of reluctance and doting.
What mother would willingly let her child be sacrificed?
"Sister, what you're saying is wrong! The rise and fall of the world is everyone's responsibility! If Zhuang Zhou alone can bring a century of peace to the borders of two tribes, that's a monumental achievement! If some commoners had your mindset, I could understand, but you're the wife of the Northern Guardian Prince, a daughter of the Su Clan. You should have the world in mind, not be swayed by personal feelings!"
Su Mingyuan pressed with righteousness.
A metaphorical hat was placed on her, leaving Su Qingfei speechless.
Seeing Su Qingfei silent, Su Mingyuan seized the opportunity.
"I know, as a mother, you're reluctant to let your child go to the barbarian lands, so let me be the villain and take Zhuang Zhou to the palace!"
Without waiting for Su Qingfei to agree, Su Mingyuan grabbed Zhuang Zhou, ready to leave!
Zhuang Zhou shook off Su Mingyuan's hand.
"Wicked uncle, wicked uncle! You want to sacrifice your nephew's future for your own reputation! I won't go with you! I won't go with you!"
Zhuang Zhou shouted at Su Mingyuan.
Su Mingyuan's expression changed immediately.
"Zhuang Zhou, what nonsense are you spouting? I, Su Mingyuan, can swear to the heavens that everything I do is for the country and the people, without any selfish motives. If there's any falsehood, may I be struck by lightning!"
As Su Mingyuan's voice fell.
Zhuang Zhou's little eyes suddenly spun around.
I didn't force you!
You brought this upon yourself!
From his sleeve, a drop of Heavenly Dew flowed from a bottle and dissolved in Zhuang Zhou's hand.
In the next moment, Zhuang Zhou used the Heavenly Dew as a guide, forming a hand seal—Thunder of the Nine Heavens!
In the clear sky.
A purple thunderbolt suddenly appeared, like a flood dragon diving from the clouds, shattering the roof and striking Su Mingyuan.
A bolt from the blue!
Su Mingyuan was hit directly!
He was charred inside and out, his clothes turned to ash.
"Uncle, why is smoke coming from your ears and nostrils?"
Zhuang Zhou asked with an innocent and naive expression.
Su Mingyuan suddenly felt pain in his liver, stomach, kidneys—everywhere!
Damn it, I was just spouting nonsense, how did the heavens take my oath seriously!
Su Qingfei's face turned as dark as water.
"Su Mingyuan, what's going on?"
Su Mingyuan's nonsense was so outrageous that even the heavens couldn't stand it!
Even if Su Qingfei were as oblivious as Voldemort, she should have realized by now!
"Sister, believe me, I'm telling the truth!"
Su Mingyuan opened his mouth, puffing out one black smoke ring after another.
"Uncle, your edict fell to the ground!"
Su Mingyuan's official robe was shattered by the thunder, and a scroll of golden secret decree naturally fell from his sleeve.
The secret decree was woven from Golden Silkworm Thread, impervious to water, fire, and even thunder!
Even after being struck by the purple thunder, it remained intact.
"Quick, give me that secret decree!"
Su Mingyuan was suddenly shocked and tried to snatch it from Zhuang Zhou.
But Zhuang Zhou dashed away, quickly hiding behind Su Qingfei.
He opened the secret decree and read it aloud.
"Secret Edict: Instruct the third-rank Banner Guard Vice General Su Mingyuan to persuade Zhuang Zhou to go to the barbarian lands for marriage. Upon success, he will be promoted to first rank and appointed as a second-rank Grand Ceremonial Officer! Bestowed with the title of Basalt Marquis! By imperial command!"
As the voice fell.
The hall of the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor fell silent.
Su Qingfei was trembling with anger, the cold aura emanating from her body lowering the surrounding temperature by ten degrees, freezing water into ice!
Su Mingyuan stood frozen, not daring to look up at his sister!
Su Qingfei, furious to the point of laughter, said to Su Mingyuan, "Using your nephew's future to gain rank and title, Zhuang Zhou truly has a good uncle, and I have a good brother!"
Su Qingfei's voice was extremely cold.
Su Mingyuan felt as if he was sitting on pins and needles.
"Sister, let me explain!"
"What's there to explain! Su Mingyuan, go back and tell Father and the ancestors that since I've married into the Zhuang family, I'm now one of them! I've treated the Su Clan sincerely, and this is how they treat me? From now on, the Su Clan's affairs have nothing to do with me. If there's nothing else, don't come to the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor again! Steward, find Su Mingyuan a coat and see him out!"
Su Qingfei's voice was as cold as ice!
Previously, Su Qingfei still had affection for the Su Clan.
After all, it was the place that birthed and raised her!
But since the Su Clan plotted against her and her child.
If she had to choose between the Su Clan and Zhuang Zhou.
Naturally, her own flesh and blood came first!
The steward stepped forward with two guards to drag Su Mingyuan away.
Su Qingfei seemed drained, collapsing into a chair.
"Father! brother! Why do you treat me like this!"
Tears streamed down Su Qingfei's face, the pain in her heart indescribable.
"Mother, you still have me and Father! We'll always be here for you, protect you, and treat you well. Don't cry, don't cry, okay?"
Zhuang Zhou stepped forward, wiping away the tears at the corners of Su Qingfei's eyes.
At this moment, a soldier, clothes tattered and covered in blood, collapsed in front of Zhuang Zhou and his mother.
"Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened! The lord has met with trouble at the front line!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan