59

Nie Huanzhang rode his Step Snow swiftly back to the Princess Yun's mansion. He headed directly to Zhou Chuyu's room, only to find it empty. There was only that fish-shaped jade pendant on the bed. He had placed it around Zhou Chuyu's neck when Zhou Chuyu was unconscious. Snatching it up, he looked around desperately, hoping for any sign or message, but found nothing. He then rushed to Princess Yun's room. Upon being announced, he entered the room and found Zhao Wei and Zhao Yan present. Princess Yun, wiping tears from her eyes, seemed to be listening to Zhao Wei recount the events in the council. Nie Huanzhang asked coldly:

"Where did they have gone?" 

Zhao Wei and Zhao Yan were momentarily stunned, not understanding the situation. Nie Huanzhang continued in his cold tone:

"What did you fuck say to them? What's the meaning of today's forced marriage? When do you have the right to decide my things?"

Zhao Wei stood up abruptly, saying:

"Huanzhang, how can you ask our mother the question like this? She is also your mother and of course, she has the right to decide your marriage."

"So she has decided my marriage and driven away the Zhou brothers, right? All of you know which kind of our relationship is. No, I also have told all of the officials, including the Emperor, in the council."

Princess Yun cried:

"What I just want is that you can return to a normal life, marry with a girl and have your own children."

Nie Huanzhang sneered and said:

"A normal life? Did I have ever had a normal life? When I was a child, did my mother provide me with a normal life? How many times did she feed me? Where was my mother during my upbringing? Did my mother, like other mothers, accompany me normally? In my over twenty years of life, did my mother hug me, kiss me or embrace me like other mothers? When I felt lonely and upset, did my mother comfort me and encourage me?" 

Princess Yun said with crying:

"Please, stop it! Don't say more, please! Yes, it is my fault but we got separated when you was a baby. I had searched for you for many years. I told your stepfather and told Zhao Wei to inquire information about you at the border. Everyone in my entire family knows that losing you is my greatest regret. If I didn't have lost you at that time, I would have taken care of you like a normal mother."

Nie Huanzhang said sadly:

"I don't think it's your fault so I don't blame you for this. But in real life there are no 'ifs', I'm already living an abnormal life, not as lucky as Zhao Wei and Zhao Yan. To tell you the truth I thought I would end up growing old in these lonely days with no one to care for, love, hug or embrace. That's how lonely I thought my life would be like my teacher's. But then, I met Wangshi. He filled in all the gaps for me, voluntarily becoming my first relative, making me realize how beautiful love can be."

With remorse in her voice, she said:

"Okay, I know that boy is a good child but he, after all, became Xun's toy-boy. If you continue being with him, it will affect your reputation. You have to establish yourself in the central government. He will become your scandal in the future. But if you get married and have children, it is nothing even if he is by your side."

Nie Huanzhang slapped the table with a loud sound and said angrily:

"Is he supposed to be my toy-boy like he was for Yuhong Xun? Is that how you insult him? What do you take him for? Yes, you noble person are really arrogant, thinking others are untouchable. Do you even consider others as human beings? It makes me disgust." Then he walked towards the door, but halfway, he stopped, turned back to look at Princess Yun and said, "I'm going to find him now. Once I find him, I'll take him away from the capital. We won't come back to Jingdu. I finally understand why my teacher didn't want me to come to the capital. But I want to thank you for giving me this jade pendant again. Wangshi likes it a lot. Well, he likes everything that belongs to me. Goodbye!"

Having said that, Nie Huanzhang walked out with determined steps. Princess Yun called from behind:

"Huanzhang, please, Huanzhang, it's my fault. Please! Wei, Yan, don't let your eldest brother leave. Huanzhang, I am your mother."

Zhao Wei and zhao Yan hurriedly followed, catching up with Nie Huanzhang. Zhao Wei said:

"Huanzhang, don't leave. If you leave, our mother will be very upset. I know Mom's actions were a bit excessive but her intentions were not bad."

Upon hearing his words, Nie Huanzhang felt a surge of irritation, but he restrained himself and said:

"Forget it. You don't have a brother like me. Take care of her."

With a swift motion, he shook off their attempts to stop him, quickly walked out and left the mansion forever. His first thought was to visit Zhou Zheng's embroidery shop, but upon arrival, he discovered that the shop was closed. He hastily inquired from the neighbors:

"Well, this shop has been closed for two days. Quite sudden. Originally, a divorced woman ran this shop. Later, I heard her parents came and they decided to return to their hometown together."

"When did they leave?"

"I don't know exactly when they left, but two carriages arrived yesterday evening. As for when they departed, I have no idea."

"Thank you."

He then recalled that last night, he had initially planned to spend the night with Zhou Chuyu. However, Zhou Chuqi reminded him about the meeting in the central government, suggesting that he stays with Zhou Chuyu instead. At that time, Zhou Chuyu had his eyes closed. Nie Huanzhang assumed he was still sleeping. Now it seemed that they quietly left Princess Yun's mansion as soon as he left. He gave himself a slap, self-scolding: Stupid!

He then went to inquire at the city gates. Surprisingly, there was an answer: three carriages did leave the city about 9pm last night. Nie Huanzhang asked:

"But the gate must be closed at that time. How did you let them out?"

"They had the order from the Crown Prince."

"Who took the order?"

"A man with the sword."

Nie Huanzhang scoffed at the obviousness of the statement:

"Can you give me more specific, like was he dressed as a scholar or a guard?"

"He was dressed as a scholar."

"Thank you."

He rushed to the Crown Prince's mansion and went straight to find Yu Weiwei. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. He then headed directly to Yuhong Xuan's room and got straight to the point, asking:

"Did you send the people on an official mission last night?"

"Yes, Yu Weiwei left. He didn't want to stay in the capital. Without waiting for the Emperor's reward, he requested to return to Liangzhou. I can't go back to Liangzhou now. He said he was willing to go there and I have petitioned the Emperor to let him take over my position. However, I'm not quite sure why he left in such a hurry."

"I am also bidding farewell to you. I may not return to the capital again." 

"Why do you have to ruin your good future? Just for Zhou Chuyu. No wonder Yu Weiwei always called him a fox spirit."

Despite his regret for not finishing him off with that arrow, Yuhong Xuan couldn't help but wonder how Nie Huanzhang would react. So he asked Nie Huanzhang directly but got the answer:

"I'll kill you for revenge on his behalf. With my skills, you wouldn't have a chance to survive. Then I would commit suicide to be with him."

After saying this, Nie Huanzhang walked out of Yuhong Xuan's mansion without looking back. Yuhong Xuan couldn't help but touch his own neck, feeling a shiver run down his spine.

Nie Huanzhang rode his horse swiftly towards Yucheng days and nights. Indeed, Mr. & Mrs. Zhou and Xiang had returned home, escorted by Yu Weiwei's bodyguards. But where are Zhou Chuyu and Zhou Chuqi? All of them maintained the silence. Zhou Huai'an only uttered: 

"Mr. Nie, because of my wish, I've brought misfortune upon our family and destroyed my child. Isn't it tragic enough? No, I can't let them suffer any more harm. I will protect my Chuyu. Let Chuqi find the right doctor to treat him and he need time to heal so I also beg you, Mr. Nie, not to hurt Chuyu anymore. He has suffered enough."

Nie Huanzhang pleaded urgently:

"Uncle Zhou, please trust me that I'll never hurt Wangshi. I want to be with him. I like him, no, I love him."

Zhou Huai'an sneered and said:

"That Second Prince also claimed to love him and wanted to be with him but the result.... What do you all take him for? A toy? Although my family isn't a noble family, we should not be treated like this."

Nie Huanzhang knelt down with a thud and bowed:

"Please, Uncle Zhou. We love each other. Please accept us."

"Please leave him alone. Don't bother him anymore and let him live the rest of his life peacefully." 

After kneeling in the hall of the Zhou family for nearly a day and night, Nie Huanzhang not only asked Zhou Huai'an where Zhou Chuyu was but also pleaded for Zhou Huai'an's consent for him and Zhou Chuyu to be together forever. Zhou Chuqin spoke many kind words to persuade his father. However, Zhou Huai'an harbored a deep hatred for Yuhong Xun, and therefore, he thought Nie Huanzhang's request to be with Zhou Chuyu in the same manner as Yuhong Xun's treatment of Zhou Chuyu. Despite the numerous pleas, Zhou Huai'an remained unyielding and Nie Huanzhang continued to kneel, determined to obtain permission to be with Zhou Chuyu.