Chapter 118 Five Elements: Interactions of Generation and Conquest
The Great Zhou Dynasty had a total of five princes and four princesses. Princess Zi Ji ranked ninth; the remaining three princesses had married far away, leaving only her within the imperial family.
Since Princess Zi Ji entered the deep palace, the Emperor’s fondness for her was evident to all. That undisguised favor astounded the court and the many great powers, including the five princes.
They were all potential crown princes, individuals who might have become the Heir Apparent and perhaps even succeed the Emperor one day.
However, Princess Zi Ji’s existence profoundly threatened their status. If she did not die, how could any of the five princes succeed?
Zhou Huaian was well aware of this. He also understood why the Emperor had sought him out—he had never taken sides and did not belong to any of the five princes’ factions.
Having him protect Princess Zi Ji was the best option.
But now, he deeply doubted that.
On the night they set out, a formidable enemy attacked—a king from a different lineage.
Why? he wondered. Even if the news had leaked, it shouldn’t have spread so quickly.
He thought for a long time.
The moment he stepped onto the town road, he suddenly understood something. He halted, his gaze went blank. Returning to his senses, he glanced at Princess Zi Ji beside him.
A dreadful thought emerged in his mind. Perhaps the Emperor didn’t love Princess Zi Ji as much as one would think. Or perhaps... this journey was a choice for Princess Zi Ji to change her destiny, but more so, it was the Emperor’s way of selecting an heir... There was no lack of imperial-level cultivators within the deep palace; the Emperor could easily have dispatched them to protect the princess. But he didn’t. Having an unaffiliated cultivator like myself escort the princess out was tantamount to allowing anyone to strike at them at will. So... in the Emperor’s decision-making, I must have been deemed expendable.