Chapter 60: Abducting the Emperor

Chapter 60: Abducting the Emperor

When Liang Zhen entered, Rong'er, whose eyes had been reduced to walnuts from crying, was already asleep in the woman's arms. Standing by the bed, Liang Zhen observed for a moment before softly asking the woman, "Is the child hurt?"

"No, he's just frightened. There were too many guards around at the time, so we had to use unconventional means. Please forgive us, General."

"Never mind. You may withdraw now. Go and have someone prepare something that the child can eat. Bring it here once he wakes up."

"Very well."

After the woman left, Liang Zhen sat down on the edge of the bed and gently caressed Rong'er's rosy cheeks, which were flushed from sleep. A small curve formed at the corner of his lips.

The child slept until late afternoon before stirring, murmuring "Daddy" as he rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep. Upon realizing who was sitting beside him, he froze momentarily, then burst into tears, wailing, "I want Daddy... Waa..."

Liang Zhen lifted the child into his arms, patting his back gently while patiently soothing him, "Rong'er, be good. Uncle is your Daddy...".

"I don't want an uncle... I want Daddy... Waaa..."

"Good boy, don't cry. Uncle made you a little rabbit. Look, do you like it?"

Liang Zhen, with a magician's flair, suddenly placed a dozen intricately crafted bamboo rabbit dolls before Rong'er. The child, with tears still pooling in his eyes, paused halfway through his sobs as he saw the bunnies. His eyes widened, and he reached out to touch each one. Through his tear-filled gaze, he looked up at Liang Zhen, "Are these little rabbits made by Uncle?"

Liang Zhen smiled and replied, "Yes, they're made by Uncle. Do you like them, Rong'er?"

The toddler nodded honestly. He stared at the rabbit dolls for a moment, and then fresh tears started to fall, "I don't want the little rabbits anymore. I want my Papa... Waa..."

Liang Zhen scooped the child onto his lap, wiping away his tears with a mixture of helplessness and amusement. This tendency to cry was indeed identical to Zhu Yunxuan's, "Papa will be here tonight. Be good and don't cry. Otherwise, Papa will be upset."

"Really?" The child sniffled, trying hard not to shed more tears, "Will Papa really come? Both Papas?"

Liang Zhen felt a pang in his heart but gently stroked the boy's head, "You'll know tonight."

Rong'er looked up at him with anticipation, "Today, there were bad people who tried to take Rong'er. Was it Uncle who saved me?"

Liang Zhen nodded without a hint of guilt or unease, "Yes."

The child believed him without question, snuggling into his embrace and hugging his arm. With teary eyes, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Uncle."

Liang Zhen chuckled and pinched the child's nose affectionately, "Good boy."

The Commander's Residence.

Zhu Yunjing picked up the note that had fallen to the ground and furrowed his brows after reading it: "What is this...?"

Zhu Yunxuan gritted his teeth as he explained, "It's Liang Zhen's handwriting. Rong'er has been taken by him."

Zhu Yunjing: "..."

Regardless, it was better for the child to be taken by his own father than genuinely fall into the hands of bandits. This was a fortunate turn of events amidst misfortune. Zhu Yunjing sighed in slight relief. Looking at Zhu Yunxuan's increasingly grim expression, he hesitantly asked, "What do you plan on doing?"

"I... If I don't go, he won't return Rong'er."

Zhu Yunjing's words of persuasion lingered on his lips, but he decided against it after some thought: "Alright then, tell He Huailing to have men lay in ambush around the area. We'll act accordingly when the time comes."

Zhu Yunxuan pursed his lips and remained silent. His gaze fell on the sketch of a rabbit drawn on the note. It paused there for a moment before the emotions in his eyes vanished in an instant.

At the fourth quarter of the hour of Hai, the carriage left the Commander's Residence discreetly, heading towards the seaside in the eastern part of the city.

There was only one abandoned civilian dock in the eastern part of the city. The sea in this area was rough with many peculiar rocks along the coastline. It was generally disliked by people, and even more deserted after dark.

Tonight was an uncommonly pleasant evening, with a bright moon and scattered stars; the sea was calm, and apart from the occasional gentle breeze brushing past, no other sounds could be heard.

Zhu Yunxuan was helped down from the carriage by Gao An precisely at midnight. Ahead lay an abandoned pier stretching along the shoreline. A small boat was docked there, manned by a single figure wearing a straw hat.

Approaching cautiously, Zhu Yunxuan observed the boat and its occupant. The man's voice, slightly rough, carried on the wind, "His Majesty the Emperor is requested to come alone."

The guards who had followed behind instinctively reached for their swords, but Zhu Yunxuan stopped them. He asked sternly, "Who are you? Do you know why I am here?"

"The Young General instructed this commoner to escort Your Majesty. Please, humble yourself for this purpose," the man replied. As he spoke, he threw something over, which was swiftly caught by one of Zhu Yunxuan's attendants behind him and presented before the emperor.

It was the zodiac pendant that Rong'er had worn constantly since those early days in Quanzhou – the same one Zhu Yunxuan had given him upon his arrival.

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes darkened slightly as he gave a low command, "All of you, step back."

Gao An pleaded urgently, "Your Majesty, let this servant accompany you!"

The mysterious figure repeated his request, "His Majesty is requested to come alone."

Zhu Yunxuan signaled to Gao An, "You too, step aside."

"Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yunxuan waved his hand, stepping onto the boat with ease.

The boatman, an unremarkable middle-aged man, helped Zhu Yunxuan aboard and respectfully reminded him, "Please sit steady, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yunxuan ignored him, taking a seat and coldly gesturing, "Let's go."

After about half an hour of sailing, a large vessel appeared in front of them. Liang Zhen stood at the bow, smiling as he looked in Zhu Yunxuan's direction.

The boatman caught the rope ladder thrown down from the larger ship, "Please board, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yunxuan remained still, gazing intently at Liang Zhen's indistinct smile on the ship. It wasn't until the boatman prompted again, "Your Majesty, please board. It's going to get windy soon," that he finally stood up and climbed up the rope ladder.

Liang Zhen bent down, extending his hand towards Zhu Yunxuan. Zhu Yunxuan's gaze sharpened but he didn't take it, climbing up on his own.

Liang Zhen retracted his hand, his smile still in place as he looked at the cold expression on Zhu Yunxuan's face, "Your Majesty, we meet again."

"Where's Rong'er?"

"Gentle Prince just woke up from a nap and has been waiting eagerly for Your Majesty's arrival, unwilling to sleep again. Does Your Majesty wish to see him?"

The sea breeze whipped Zhu Yunxuan's cloak into a rustling dance. He narrowed his eyes slightly, secretly observing the ever-calm and enigmatic Liang Zhen before him. After a moment of silence, he asked in a low voice, "Exactly what do you intend to do?"

At that very moment, over a dozen warships of the Great Yan navy emerged from the night, surrounding their vessel. Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow nonchalantly. "Your Majesty, didn't I clearly write for you to come alone? Why have you brought so many ships and people with you? What is your purpose?"

Zhu Yunxuan warned coldly, "If I order them to fire, everyone on this ship, including you, will die."

Liang Zhen shook his head with a smile. "Your Majesty, you're still on the ship. Duke Ding wouldn't dare to open fire. Besides, even if Your Majesty is willing to take the risk, you surely wouldn't want little Rong'er to share that same danger with you."

"Zhen Liang! You know that Rong'er is..."

"What is he?"

Liang Zhen blinked playfully, eagerly awaiting Zhu Yunxuan's response. Zhu Yunxuan held back the words that were about to slip out, his gaze darkening. "What do you truly want?"

"Order them to step aside and clear the way. They are not to follow anymore."

Liang Zhen smiled, but there was no sign of concession in his expression. After a brief standoff, Zhu Yunxuan raised his hand as a signal, and the two ships blocking their path retreated.

Liang Zhen ordered the departure, and the ship sailed on, followed by Great Yan's fleet for a stretch. But at Zhu Yunxuan's signal, they were forced to halt, watching helplessly as the opposing vessel sailed farther away, disappearing into the thick fog.

"Your Majesty, the wind is strong outside. It's better to go back to the cabin; Rong'er is still waiting," Liang Zhen reminded Zhu Yunxuan with a smile.

Zhu Yunxuan ignored him and strode into the cabin.

Rong'er had just woken up, silently shedding tears while hugging a few rabbit dolls. Hearing the noise, he turned his head towards the door. Upon seeing Zhu Yunxuan enter, he froze for a moment before rushing over, crying "Father," and jumping off the bed barefoot.

Zhu Yunxuan stepped forward to scoop up the child. The little one wrapped his arms around his father's neck, weeping loudly, releasing all the pent-up distress and fear from the day.

Feeling a mix of heartache and fury, Zhu Yunxuan turned abruptly to face Liang Zhen, who had followed them in. "Whatever you want to do, come at me! Why are you doing this to the child? Don't you fear that you'll frighten or hurt him?!"

"You're always like this! Even after three years, you haven't changed at all! You only care about what you want, never considering others' feelings! To achieve your goals, you'd even use such a young child. What won't you dare to do?!"

"You've caused such a commotion today just to detain me and Rong'er. But what then? Do you think you can hold us captive forever?!"

As Zhu Yunxuan grew more agitated, Liang Zhen took the child, who was now crying so hard that he could barely catch his breath. Gently squeezing the child's hand, he said softly, "Rong'er, be good. Don't cry anymore."

Turning to Zhu Yunxuan, whose eyes were now reddened from anger, Liang Zhen paused for a moment before speaking in a gentle tone. "Your Majesty, I have no ulterior motives. I just couldn't bear to part with you two and wanted some time alone with you, even if it's only for ten days or half a month."

Liang Zhen's expression turned somber, and he smiled bitterly. "Your Majesty, would we have had a chance to meet again in this lifetime if not for today's incident?"

Rong'er stopped sobbing, gazing at the two adults with tear-filled eyes. Zhu Yunxuan froze, his eyes appearing redder than before. Liang Zhen raised his hand, gently wiping the eyelid of the emperor with his thumb. He sighed softly, "Your Majesty, have you been ill these days?"

After a long silence, Zhu Yunxuan spoke in a hoarse voice, "How did you know?"

"I guessed, Your Majesty. You haven't set off for the capital, nor have you left the General's Mansion. You've barely summoned officials, so I'm afraid you must be unwell," Liang Zhen replied.

Zhu Yunxuan's voice turned cold. "You dare to spy on me?"

Liang Zhen slightly shook his head. "I only wanted to see Your Majesty and Rong'er. The General's Mansion is heavily guarded, and I can't enter. So, I could only watch from outside."

Zhu Yunxuan asked, "And what difference does it make if you've seen us?"

"Did Your Majesty fall ill after encountering me at the market that day?" A smile curled at the corners of Liang Zhen's mouth as he leaned closer to Zhu Yunxuan, lowering his voice. "Your Majesty, am I the source of your heartache? Or is it something beyond any cure?"

Zhu Yunxuan frowned. Liang Zhen didn't give him a chance to refute, chuckling softly before continuing, "Your Majesty, don't think too much about it. Since you're out now, why not let me take you both out to enjoy yourselves? With Duke Ding and his capable wife around, nothing untoward will happen in just ten or two weeks."

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze wandered for an instant. He pursed his lips, snatched the child back, wiped away the tears on the child's face, and carried the boy back to the bedside.

Tucking Rong'er snugly into the blankets, Zhu Yunxuan bent down to kiss him gently and soothed, "Good boy, go to sleep. Father will be right here watching over you."

Rong'er held onto his hand, "Father, don't leave."

"I won't go anywhere. Just sleep," Zhu Yunxuan reassured.

Liang Zhen's smile deepened, "Your Majesty should also retire for the night. I'll have someone send hot water for Your Majesty's bath and attend to your needs. After that, I won't disturb you further."

With the door closing softly, footsteps faded away. Zhu Yunxuan lowered his head once more and planted another tender kiss on his son's face.