Red Heart Patrols the Sky - Chapter 381 - Zhongxuan Futu

Chapter 381 - Zhongxuan Futu

Words : 1848 Author : Deep Feelings

Chapter 381 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" begins with intriguing events: “Is Jiang Wuliang the only pitiable person in the world?”Zhongxuan Sheng said, “Xu Fangsheng has... Don’t miss it!

“Is Jiang Wuliang the only pitiable person in the world?”Zhongxuan Sheng said, “Xu Fangsheng has been worse off than dead for eighteen years, and I too became an orphan at the age of two!”

“I wonder if Grandfather is too old now, for in recent years, looking back on the past, he seems to think that the uncertainty of life is forgivable.”

Zhongxuan Yunbo’s expression softened somewhat, and he said slowly, “The events of that year cannot wholly be blamed on Jiang Wuliang.

After all, when your father died, he was imprisoned in the Blue Stone Palace.

It was Ming Tu himself who…

sought benevolence and found it.”

is the name he later changed for himself, his original name was indeed Zhongxuan Mingtu.

The old Earl’s declaration clearly affected Zhongxuan Sheng.

Yet the burly man forcibly stiffened his expression, unwilling to relent.

“Back then…” Zhongxuan Sheng tried to appear calm, “During the battle with Qi Xia, he refused to lead the troops.

The Emperor was furious, imprisoned him, and questioned whether he harbored intentions towards Xia.

Everyone knew that though the Emperor overtly questioned his allegiance to Xia, what he actually suspected was that he stood with Jiang Wuliang, supporting the peace faction, confident in his own abilities, and even using this to pressure the palace!”

“Such a wise man, would he really commit such foolishness?

Could this not be orchestrated by Jiang Wuliang?

Is Jiang Wuliang innocent?

Pitiable?”

The “he” Zhongxuan Sheng referred to in his mouth was naturally Zhongxuan Futu.

“To make up for this ‘mistake’ and regain the Emperor’s favor, you, who had put aside your armor for many years, had no choice but to return to the fray, taking your three sons and a nephew with you to the frontline in Qi Xia.

In this battle, over half of the direct members of the Zhong Xuan Family died or were wounded, and my third uncle fell in combat!

Because of this, you harbored a deep resentment towards him and have never spoken a word to him for the rest of your life.”

“Why am I so despised and bullied within the Zhong Xuan Family?

If not for Uncle Chu Liang’s protection, I would have been killed by an ‘accidental’ blow long ago!”

“Despite Uncle Chu Liang’s contributions to defeating Xia, because he pleaded on his behalf, he was not granted the title of Earl, receiving only an Earl title and warned with the two words ‘Exercise Restraint’.”

Zhongxuan Sheng looked at Zhongxuan Yunbo, “Grandfather, are you now telling me…

not to hate Jiang Wuliang anymore?”

Zhongxuan Yunbo was silent for a long while before he said, “At that time, Ming Tu vanquished two nations and was well-known throughout the world.

If His Majesty did not trust him, he would not have entrusted him with the command to conquer Xia.

Moreover, when Ming Tu went to the Withering and Flourishing Temple to suppress his killing nature, he hit it off with Jiang Wuliang at first sight, and since then they became close friends, encouraging each other to move forward.

Now that you also have close friends, perhaps you can understand his choices…”

Everyone has their reasons, so, is everything in the world forgivable?

But…

those cold stares, hatred, and bullying I endured in my childhood, why did those people not forgive him, not “forgive” me?

Zhongxuan Sheng was expressionless, “Perhaps everything in the world can be forgiven.

But Grandfather, I am too young!

Since the Jubao Business Association has betrayed me, I will surely cut them down without mercy.”

I am too young, and so I cannot do it!

Though he spoke of the Jubao Business Association, it wasn’t just about them.

Zhongxuan Yunbo sighed deeply.

He wasn’t really asking Zhongxuan Sheng to stop hating Jiang Wuliang, but rather, he hoped that Zhongxuan Sheng would stop hating the Emperor, stop hating his birth father Zhongxuan Futu.

Because, hating the Emperor leads to death, and hating one’s own father is a lifelong source of pain.

This was something that Zhongxuan Yunbo, as a grandfather, couldn’t bear to see happen.

But he also realized that Zhongxuan Sheng’s current thoughts and decisions were not something that could be changed by just a few words from him.

The more outstanding a person, the more determined they are.

Just as it was with Zhongxuan Futu back then, so it is now with Zhongxuan Zun and Zhongxuan Sheng.

Zhongxuan Mingguang, on the other hand, still heeded his every command and followed his advice fully, even in his sixties, but he was well aware that his eldest son was no more than a good-for-nothing.

“Let’s leave it at that for today,” the old man said, lifting his hand wearily as he sat in his chair, “I am tired.”

Zhongxuan Sheng performed a respectful salute, “Your grandson takes his leave.”

Jiang Wang rose to leave along with Shi, who also followed suit.

As Zhongxuan Sheng reached the door, the old lord’s voice sounded once more.

“Ming Tu came to see me before he left, and I ignored him.

I never spoke a word to him again until the day he died…

This is my lifelong regret.”

The elderly gentleman’s voice had a slightly discernible tremble.

This was an emotion extremely rare to observe in the old man.

“If he could hear these words, he would surely be comforted, Grandfather,” Jiang Wang said.

But at the same time, he silently added, “It’s a pity he can’t hear them anymore.”

Then, comforted or not, who cares?

After Jiang Wang and the two others had left, a somewhat portly figure emerged from the inner room.

Zhongxuan Yunbo sighed, “Chu Liang, these years have been hard on you.”

The newly ennobled Zhongxuan Chuliang said in a deep voice, “My cultivation was all thanks to Second Brother who led me into this path.

My knowledge of military strategy was personally taught by him.

If it weren’t for Second Brother, I would’ve died several times over in the past.

Whatever I do, it’s only right.

Only, I have failed to live up to what’s been entrusted to me over these years; I have not taken good care of Sheng.”

Among Zhongxuan Yunbo’s four sons, Zhongxuan Futu ranked second.

Zhongxuan Chuliang was younger than the third brother, Zhongxuan Mingshan, but older than the fourth brother, Zhongxuan Minghe.

Hence, he also called Zhongxuan Futu Second Brother.

Zhongxuan Yunbo was sorrowful.

Nowadays, probably only in front of Zhongxuan Chuliang could he reveal these sincere and subtle emotions: “Sheng managed to become what he is today.

If Ming Tu’s spirit is watching from heaven, he should be able to rest in peace.”

Zhongxuan Chuliang said, “When Second Sister-in-law was first pregnant, Second Brother chose the name ‘Sheng’ for his child, regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl.

He told me that because he had failed in life, he hoped the child wouldn’t follow the same path.

Hearing this, it felt like my heart was bleeding.

How proud a man was Second Brother?

Yet he considered himself a failure in life.”

“At that time, Jiang Wuliang had already been deposed.

The Zhong Xuan Family was implicated, and the situation became difficult, with hardships lasting for years.”

“When Sheng was born, his mother died from difficulties during childbirth.

This made Second Brother disheartened, and it was in that year he changed his name to Fu Tu, indicating his turn towards Buddhism.”

“Two more years passed.

An imperial censor accused the Crown Prince of harboring resentment.

The Emperor flew into a rage and confined him to the Blue Stone Palace to spend the rest of his life in imprisonment.

The court was silent, yet only Second Brother left his quiet meditation to plead before the Emperor on his behalf.”

“The Emperor, enraged and impatient, even accused him, asking ‘Why does Zhongxuan Futu of the Zhong Xuan Family only recognize the Crown Prince and not his sovereign father?’ insinuating the Zhong Xuan Family harbored treasonous intents.”

“To prove his innocence and save his family from implication, Second Brother went to sea alone and fought a bloody battle to the death.”

“Because of the brutality of that battle, the Zhong Xuan Family was able to survive the crisis unscathed.

That year, Sheng was two years old.”

“Many in the Zhong Xuan Family resented and hated him for this, thus directing their anger at Sheng.

Yet they’ve forgotten the glory Second Brother brought to the Zhong Xuan Family.

They were always the kind to remember the bad and forget the good.”

There was no lack of complaint in Zhongxuan Chuliang’s words.

Zhongxuan Yunbo naturally picked up on it, so his voice was also heavy: “To this day, Sheng still doesn’t know where Ming Tu died.

He only knows that he was surrounded on the battlefield, fought until his strength was exhausted, and then passed away.”

“If the child couldn’t make anything of himself, then so be it, but since he can seize opportunities, I will support him as the head of the Zhong Xuan Family,” Zhongxuan Chuliang said.

“After all, that position should rightfully have been Second Brother’s.”

“Ming Tu was originally the head of the family.

He himself didn’t care, so it was considered the past.

Sheng and Zun are equally close to me.

In my eyes, there’s no distinction between kinship or estrangement.

If they wish to contend, I’ll give them the opportunity; I’ll leave it to them to fight for it.

I’ll only ensure moderation so that none faces a life-threatening danger,” Zhongxuan Yunbo said.

“It seems they do have their limits,” Zhongxuan Chuliang simply said.

Indeed, after being ennobled, he increasingly understood some of Zhongxuan Yunbo’s decisions.

Leading such a large family entailed endless worries and strains, and many matters couldn’t be considered simply or done as one wished.

Zhongxuan Yunbo let out a long sigh, “I’m only judging others by myself.

Ming Tu has been gone for so many years, and although I deeply hate him, I also deeply love him.

As a parent, I think of the Emperor and assume he would feel the same.

I fear Sheng might encounter disaster for using the matter of the deposed Crown Prince to his advantage this time.”

Zhongxuan Chuliang said, “The matter has been handled very cleanly; there won’t be clues left behind…

Seven Fingers has also committed suicide.”

“Seven Fingers, was he one of Ming Tu’s old subordinates?”

“Yes.

Sheng has always thought that those old soldiers helping him were my men.

If he knew they were Second Brother’s former subordinates, he probably wouldn’t have used them.”

Zhongxuan Yunbo seemed to think of something, becoming silent for a long time before finally saying, “He must be given a proper burial.”

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Chapter 381 - Zhongxuan Futu

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