Chapter 416: Chapter 416: The Curse
Zhan Lan’s fingers brushed against the stubble newly grown on Mu Yan’s chin and said, “Husband, what grand gift shall we send him?”
Mu Yan clasped her restless hand and replied, “In a few days, my lady will understand.”
Zhan Lan gazed at Mu Yan’s mysterious expression. Her eyes deepened as well.
Her husband might not know; she already knew Si Jun’s secret.
…
At 5:30 AM, Si Jun arrived at a secluded teahouse to secretly et the Minister of War, Zhu Zhilang.
“Lord Wei, why does your complexion look so poor?” Zhu Zhilang asked.
Si Jun’s face was pallid, resembling soone who had recently endured a severe illness.
Si Jun coughed lightly and smiled, “Mr. Zhu, I caught a cold. I’ve taken dicine and will recover in a couple of days.”
Zhu Zhilang nodded, “Lord Wei must take care of yourself!”
Si Jun smiled faintly, with a tinge of embarrassnt, and asked, “Mr. Zhu, is Miss Longyue well?”
Zhu Zhilang gave Si Jun a glance filled with aning. If not for Si Jun’s admiration for his daughter, his desire to marry her, and his promise that she would reign supre in the imperial harem, Zhu would never have supported Si Jun in his campaign for the crown.
Of course, beyond his daughter, Zhu Zhilang also harbored a deep hatred for Emperor Xuanwu and Zhan Beicang. As Minister of War, he held substantial authority.
His powers encompassed military strategy, policy-making, overseeing army equipnt, and soldier training.
However, Zhan Beicang’s accomplishnts overshadowed the emperor. Many matters within the Ministry of War could not override Zhan Beicang’s decisions.
Especially during warti, Zhan Beicang always wielded the excuse of “orders beyond the reach of the court” to completely ignore the Ministry.
Thus, while Zhu Zhilang’s position seed powerful, in truth, he was rely a ssenger passing down the emperor’s commands.
Even Zhan Beicang’s daughter, Zhan Lan, was a mirror image of her father. Whenever war broke out, she’d act willfully, disregarding court orders entirely.
The two were utterly alike in their stubbornness!
Zhu Zhilang spoke, “Prince, you must treat my daughter well in the future.”
“Naturally,” Si Jun responded with a disingenuous smile. He had orchestrated a series of seemingly coincidental encounters with Miss Zhu, and the fool had fallen in love with him.
Zhu Longyue was Zhu Zhilang’s cherished treasure. By capturing her heart, Si Jun earned Zhu Zhilang’s support.
Now, with his affairs in chaos, he had no choice but to exploit every available resource.
What harm was there in sacrificing a bit of charm? With just the slightest manipulation, wouldn’t these won flock to him eagerly?
Zhu Zhilang took a sip of tea and asked, “How shall this official assist Lord Wei next?”
Si Jun smiled faintly, “I am in need of certain military supplies. Would you, my dear father-in-law, be willing to…”
Zhu Zhilang looked into Si Jun’s ambition-filled eyes and asked eagerly, “Prince Wei, might you be planning to…”
Their conversation stopped just short of unveiling intentions.
Si Jun nodded, “Father-in-law, the current Princess Wei, Bai Lu, has betrayed . I will personally deal with her… Moreover, Miss Longyue has already given herself to . Please consider this thoroughly and provide your answer before tonight.”
Zhu Zhilang looked at Si Jun in disbelief; his daughter had already surrendered herself to him!
Under the table, Zhu Zhilang clenched his fists tighter. A maiden who had yet to wed had committed such an indecent act!
Zhu Zhilang was consud by rage, furious enough to kill. Though he aid for his daughter to marry Si Jun and ascend as empress should Si Jun claim victory in the imperial power struggle,
Now, with Si Jun’s audacity, Zhu felt deeply enraged.
Despite his anger, with her honor compromised, he had no choice but to gamble everything for his daughter’s future happiness.
“I will give you my answer tonight!” Zhu Zhilang’s voice had grown more grave.
After Zhu Zhilang departed completely, Si Jun coughed violently twice.
He vowed to kill anyone standing in the path of his rise to emperor!
At the sa ti, he would exploit anyone who could aid his ascent to supre power.
Miss Zhu hadn’t willingly given herself. With subtle tricks and a bit of drugging, he made it happen.
In his heart, all these people were re stepping stones for his journey to the throne.
Now, no one would receive his true affections. Only by achieving absolute power would he never need to bow to anyone.
In the future, even his child would bow to no one!
No one would dare label his child a bastard!
…
After leaving the eting, Si Jun returned to his residence.
The dungeon was damp, dark, and foul-slling. Zhan Xuerou sat in despair, her eyes bloodshot, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Her fingers and toes had been consud by black insects. If untreated, the infection would soon spread across her entire body.
In the dungeon, a starving wolf that never howled stared at her with its crimson eyes. Zhan Xuerou had cried so much she had run out of tears.
This place was worse than the backyard of the General Mansion; at least there, she could sleep soundly.
Here, she hadn’t slept decently in days. She could only catch brief monts of rest by leaning against the wall when the insects scattered. She woke in agony as they gnawed her, starting a futile battle to drive them away.
No matter how many black insects she killed, their ability to reproduce was extraordinary. Larvae would erge anew.
Zhan Xuerou crumbled, clutching her head, cursing Si Jun countless tis.
Suddenly, familiar footsteps echoed.
She timidly glanced toward the outside of the cell and saw Si Jun’s expression—still gentle.
Si Jun coldly eyed the Death Guard’s deputy commander, Jiangliu, and berated him, “What is the aning of this? Why are you treating the concubine this way!”
Jiangliu bowed his head, “I will release the concubine at once.”
Zhan Xuerou scrambled desperately out of the cell, unwilling to remain even a mont longer.
Si Jun noticed her foul sll and furrowed his brows in disgust, feigning concern for Zhan Xuerou, “It’s Hei Yu’s incompetence that put you through this. Hei Yu is already dead…”
His tone was considerate, as if Hei Yu’s demise had been punishnt for mistreating Zhan Xuerou.
Zhan Xuerou trembled violently. Si Jun imdiately supported her and said, “Co. I will take you out of this dungeon. We shall never return to such a place again.”
Like a soulless puppet, Zhan Xuerou allowed Si Jun to escort her out of the dungeon. The blinding sunlight outdoors caused her to instinctively shut her eyes.
Si Jun used his wide sleeve to shield her from the sun and spoke with great care, “Rest well now. Take a hot bath, change your clothes, eat properly, and get so sleep.”
Inside Zhan Xuerou’s heart, countless emotions surged. Above all, fear reigned supre.
She had seen through Si Jun’s cold, ruthless, and capricious nature.
Si Jun clearly wanted her to handle so task for him—to exploit her. That was the only reason he released her from the dungeon so gently.
Her aloof deanor caused Si Jun to scowl. Did she think he hadn’t humbled himself enough?
If Zhan Xuerou were of no value to him, especially now with the Minister of War backing his initiatives, her ager position within the Zhan Family would be beneath his notice.
After bathing and changing clothes, Zhan Xuerou erged from her room. Si Jun looked her over from head to toe.
He had released her for one reason: to ensure she carried out a task for him!
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