Chapter Eight: Unending Turmoil

“Son-in-law, there’s no need to wait for an auspicious day; why not come with me to my residence today and see how my little daughter is doing?”

The Grand General grew more pleased with Zhou Hao the more he looked at him.

The Emperor of Zhou truly must be blind, unable to see the potential of the eldest prince.

He had even been sent as a hostage to a barbarian land for ten years.

Had he been kept and nurtured in the imperial city, the small border state of Zhou would have long since been annexed, and it would no longer suffer as before.

Hearing this, Zhou Hao dressed and smiled lightly.

“Grand General, aren’t you being a bit hasty? Perhaps it’s better to wait until my injuries heal before visiting?”

No matter how his daughter was, at least he himself must keep up appearances.

He was now in the imperial city, not in some obscure fiefdom.

Within the imperial city, the Emperor was a scoundrel, the third prince an enemy, and the Empress a foolish woman.

Having a weakness in his past would not cause much harm, but it would certainly be repulsive.

“Why think so much? You have nothing planned today anyway, so why not come straight to my home?”

The Grand General was straightforward, his gaze on Zhou Hao filled with greater appreciation.

He knew when to advance and retreat, and had boldness—truly a worthy son-in-law.

“Then I shall follow your lead, Grand General.”

After all, the General meant well.

...

At the Grand General’s residence, in the pavilion.

“Ru Xue, tomorrow I will petition Father to oppose this marriage!”

A handsome young noble sat beside Bi Ru Xue, his pale face full of anger.

How could the fairy he admired be taken by a barbarian prince?

Since Zhang Jinzhong grew up, he had never felt such humiliation!

Bi Ru Xue did not respond, looking at Zhang Jinzhong as if he were a monkey.

This guy was no better than that eldest prince.

Although the eldest prince was rumored to be a libertine, Zhang Jinzhong was simply foolish.

This was a marriage decreed by the Emperor himself.

How could you oppose it just because your father was a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue?

It was not your family’s arranged marriage; there was no reason to oppose.

“Enough. My sister called you here today to find out how much you really know about the eldest prince,” Bi Yutang said, waving his hand and speaking the words Bi Ru Xue had left unsaid.

He understood his sister’s temper well; if Zhang Jinzhong continued spouting nonsense, they might both be beaten out on the spot.

“Oh, do tell, Yutang brother. You might not know, but since the eldest prince returned to the capital, he has been living a life of debauchery, getting drunk every day and being carted to the third prince’s residence by carriage.”

“I saw it with my own eyes. If the third prince weren’t so kind-hearted, he would have kicked that good-for-nothing eldest brother out long ago. Why should he still bark and cause trouble here?”

...

“Oh? You saw it with your own eyes? Did you witness the third prince disregarding brotherly loyalty and allowing his servants to beat the eldest prince?”

Zhang Jinzhong suddenly stood up, glaring behind him.

“Who are you? I am speaking with Miss Ru Xue; show some manners.”

Manners? Zhou Hao snorted coldly, ignoring him and turning to Bi Ru Xue.

The girl was quite pretty; standing next to the Grand General, no one would guess they were related.

But the burly warrior beside her was clearly the General’s son.

Zhou Hao’s brazen gaze made Bi Ru Xue’s eyebrows rise in annoyance.

Who had let this scoundrel in?

“Who are you? What crime have you committed to enter the Grand General’s residence without permission?”

Zhou Hao smiled lightly and sat down in a nearby chair.

“Who am I? I am the eldest prince you’re discussing.”

“Today, the Grand General took a liking to me and brought me into his home to meet you.”

Before Bi Ru Xue could speak, Zhang Jinzhong shouted angrily.

“Impossible! How could the Grand General favor someone like you? Living a debauched, drunken life—he admires you? Dream on!”

He had pursued Bi Ru Xue for years, only to have this eldest prince snatch her away.

How could he bear it?

Had he married Bi Ru Xue, he could have used the Grand General’s influence to elevate his family’s standing.

But this eldest prince had to appear at this very moment!

Zhou Hao glanced sideways, completely unfamiliar with this fool.

“Who are you? Disrespecting a prince?”

Looking at Bi Ru Xue again, she crossed her arms, as if she saw nothing.

She disliked the eldest prince and thought Zhang Jinzhong a foolish piglet.

Better let these two fight each other for some peace.

Bi Yutang’s thoughts were even more straightforward.

Zhou Hao didn’t seem like the rumors described, but better to watch the tiger fight from the mountain first.

Zhang Jinzhong could not tolerate Zhou Hao’s provocation.

He snorted coldly and declared loudly,

“I am Zhang Jinzhong, son of the Minister of Revenue, not some prince returning from a barbarian land.”

“If you’re wise, you’ll petition His Majesty to revoke this marriage and spare us all a public disgrace.”

“Miss Ru Xue is not someone you can covet.”

Hearing this, Zhou Hao immediately understood.

This was just a pathetic admirer.

The kind who had licked the goddess’s photo until it was worn but still couldn’t win her over.

Faced with such a person, Zhou Hao knew exactly how to break him.

“If I can’t covet her, then why can a mere son of the Minister of Revenue?”

“Besides, I don’t want to marry; the Grand General is forcing me, calling me his son-in-law at every turn.”

“Did you even tell the Grand General you came here?”

Three sentences later, Zhang Jinzhong’s face flushed with fury.

This man was truly hateful! How could he say such things?

Son-in-law? What kind of nonsense had the General been fed?

“Nonsense! How could the Grand General favor a foolish pig like you?”

Zhang Jinzhong pointed shakily at Zhou Hao.

Zhou Hao didn’t indulge this fool.

Daring to raise a hand?

He grabbed the finger and twisted casually; Zhang Jinzhong’s finger went limp.

“Ah! How dare you!”

Clutching his hand, Zhang Jinzhong’s eyes filled with hatred.

Truly a barbarian, lacking even basic propriety.

To break a finger after a few words.

Zhou Hao snorted coldly.

“What’s there to be afraid of? You insult me as a dumb pig—an insult to me as a prince.”

“This will be reported to my father. Neither your head nor your father’s is worth sparing.”

Zhou Hao patted Zhang Jinzhong’s pale, painful cheek with a smile.

“Besides, what achievements do you have? What merits have you made for the great Zhou?”

Achievements?

Zhang Jinzhong was caught off guard.

He had grown up in the capital, never given a chance to prove himself.

What need was there to discuss this?

He had none, so did this eldest prince?

“I naturally have none.”

“Then why dare provoke me? Has your father fed you courage from a bear’s heart or leopard’s gall? Or do you wish to be executed along with your entire clan?”