Page 17

Zhou Rendong was stunned, his face etched with disbelief.

"The town has suffered from flooding for three months. With epidemics breaking out, refugees resort to gnawing on tree roots and clay, yet not a cent of the relief funds has been seen!"

Yuan Yue, with righteous indignation, presented the petition written in blood, each word representing a tale of sorrow and suffering.

"On behalf of the people of Yunluo Town, I've penned this petition in blood, accusing the magistrate Lu Changjun and Prime Minister Zhou Heng of heartlessly abusing their power and embezzling disaster relief funds."

Chu Yu was so enraged he cursed the corrupt officials aloud. Only after venting did he remember that the very official he cursed was Zhou Rendong's so-called "father".

"Rendong, are you okay?"

Fu Yicen gently patted his shoulder. "Do you need a break?"

"General," Zhou Rendong whispered, his voice cracking, clutching Fu Yicen's hand, "Is the treasure you and Miss Fu talked about the same as this relief fund?"

"No..." Fu Yicen, taken aback, quickly responded, "Did you overhear us?"

Zhou Rendong replied timidly, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop..."

"Don't be afraid," Fu Yicen reassured, tightening his grip on Zhou's hand. "I'll explain everything to you later, okay?"

Zhou Rendong avoided his gaze, feeling increasingly distraught. His headache worsened, his back ached terribly, and he felt as if he was falling apart.

His voice was soft but resolute: "If my father has done wrong and harmed so many, I... I will help you uncover the truth."

Embezzlement is a grave sin. At best, his entire family could face punishment. Zhou Rendong, being the illegitimate son of Zhou Heng, is closely related by blood. Even if Fu Yicen would protect him, he might still face the death penalty.

With his life hanging by a thread, helping the disaster victims and Fu Yicen might be a worthy way to meet his end.

Chapter 17: Don't Lie to Me, I Might Believe You.

"Rendong, don't dwell on it," Fu Yicen said, caressing his face tenderly. "I will handle this. Trust me."

Chu Yu frowned, finding the situation highly challenging. Rescuing this young man from the southwest, he wasn't sure if it was right or wrong.

"A secret letter alone won’t bring down Lu Changjun and Zhou Heng," Fu Yicen contemplated. "If you trust me, let's keep this quiet. Stay at the general's mansion, and after the New Year, I'll personally lead the relief efforts."

Yuan Yue looked down, clutching the hem of his garment, torn between choices.

"Keep the secret letter with you; I won’t touch it," assured Fu Yicen. "Remember, it's your lifeline. Keep it safe."

Yuan Yue remained torn.

The situation in the southwest is dire; every day of delay means more deaths.

"If you don't trust me," Fu Yicen's tone grew colder, "you may leave the general's mansion now. I promise no one will stop you."

Yuan Yue clenched his fists, weighing his options. In the vast capital city, the only one daring to oppose Zhou Heng was the man before him.

He couldn’t abandon the carriage he had fought so hard to flag down.

It was less than a month until the end of the year.

He had to wait, banking on this sole hope.

"This humble one trusts the general."

"Good," Fu Yicen hugged Zhou Rendong closer. "Since you and Rendong get along, and you're trained in martial arts and gu techniques, stay by Rendong's side in the future."

"Huh?" Zhou Rendong looked puzzled.

Fu Yicen ruffled his hair, "I can't always be by your side. Having Yuan Yue around will keep you entertained. He also needs a legitimate position in the general's mansion, so how about keeping him as your personal attendant?"

Zhou Rendong pondered, understanding the reason behind it, and nodded obediently.

Relieved, Yuan Yue was escorted away by Chu Yu to rest.

With everyone gone, Fu Yicen embraced Zhou Rendong and sat on the bed, covering them with a warm quilt.

"Rendong," Fu Yicen whispered, placing a soft kiss by his ear.

A shiver ran down Zhou Rendong's spine, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Rendong, I'm sorry."

Fu Yicen rested his chin on Zhou Rendong's shoulder, speaking softly, his voice laden with regret.

Caught off guard, Zhou Rendong pursed his lips, staying silent.

"What you heard this morning, I said only to deceive Fu Rushuang," Fu Yicen said, holding Zhou Rendong by the waist. With a gentle twirl, he repositioned them so they were face to face.

Zhou Rendong met his gaze for a few seconds, then looked away, clearly not convinced.

"Fu Rushuang seeks my demise," Fu Yicen murmured, clasping Zhou Rendong's delicate fingers and gently caressing them. "He's in league with the emperor, plotting against me."

"Why... why would he?" Zhou Rendong questioned, confusion evident.

Having known each other since childhood, how did it come to this point of potential mutual destruction?

Was Fu Yicen fabricating such absurd stories to make him step aside for Miss Fu?

"I don’t know," Fu Yicen replied with a self-deprecating smile, deep sorrow in his eyes.

Had he understood Fu Rushuang's intentions, he would not have met such a tragic fate in his previous life.

They grew up together, and their adoptive parents treated him as their own. How could they have raised such a malicious daughter?

After being reborn, he had entertained the thought that the Fu Rushuang he knew had died, replaced by an imposter from the emperor.

But after several investigations, he had to dispel that notion time and time again.

Fu Rushuang was still Fu Rushuang, just no longer the innocent young girl from years ago.

Smitten with the emperor and eager to become the empress, she allowed herself to be led astray...

Zhou Rendong had never seen such a distressed Fu Yicen, and he felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Clearly, Miss Fu was the one who truly held his heart.

Tears of frustration welled up in his eyes, but he dared not show his feelings, wiping them away hastily.

"The treasure we mentioned isn't the relief funds for the southwest," Fu Yicen clarified. "It's a legacy from the fallen Fei Kingdom."

"The Fei Kingdom?" Zhou Rendong hadn't heard of it.

"Yes," Fu Yicen said, wiping away the moisture at the corner of Zhou Rendong's eyes. "Neither the relief funds nor the Fei Kingdom's treasure matters. I made up those stories to appease Fu Rushuang. At the New Year’s banquet, just stay by my side and enjoy. Understood?"

Zhou Rendong turned away, scrambling from Fu Yicen's embrace to the furthest corner of the bed. He looked at him warily, shaking his head while tears flowed.