Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 129 Zhou Ehuang's Little Thoughts

Chapter 129 Zhou Ehuang's Little Thoughts

While Zhao Dezhao was discussing the martial arts academy with Cao Bin, in a boudoir in the back garden of the Prince of Wugong's mansion in Kaifeng Prefecture, the Zhou Ehuang sisters, who had just moved in, were chatting idly.

"Sister, I don't understand why you'd help this petty thief start a business? Isn't it just self-degradation?"

Zhou Nuying sat on the bed, biting her lower lip, her face showing resentment.

"Don't worry, sister, listen to me." Zhou Ehuang took her sister's hand, shook her head and sighed bitterly, "Some time ago, Sister Fu told me that Li Congjia's concubine was pregnant and had been made the Crown Princess."

"Jiangnan—we can never go back. Even Zhongyu and you, Li Congjia may not care whether you live or die anymore. In other words, we are no longer of any value."

"When you're under someone else's roof, even if I don't think about myself, I have to think about you and Zhongyu. You'll definitely need to find a way to establish yourselves in the Song Dynasty in the future, and you'll need someone to rely on."

"Zhao Dezhao still has some old friendship with us. Judging from his scheming, the position of crown prince will surely be his in the future. Now that he is in a lowly position, this is the perfect time to help him out."

"If you can get his protection, you and Zhongyu will at least be able to live a peaceful life from now on."

Zhou Nuying was very intelligent. After her sister said that, she understood their current situation, and a bitter look appeared on her face.

"But sister! Helping him is one thing, but why move into the Prince's mansion? If word gets out, it will inevitably cause gossip."

"This is Zhao Dezhao's request." Zhou Ehuang smiled sadly, "Moreover—wouldn't it be better if there were criticisms?"

Zhou Nuying was stunned for a moment: "Sister—"

She understood what her sister meant.

The Southern Tang and the Great Song will eventually go to war. Once the two countries go to war, she and Zhong Yu, as the nominal hostages, will be in imminent danger. However, if this controversy arises, in the eyes of others, they will be Zhao Dezhao's people, and they will be more cautious about what they do.

My sister is willing to sacrifice her reputation as a woman to ensure her and Zhongyu's safety!

Thinking of this, Zhou Nüying recalled the carefree days when her father was still alive, and two lines of clear tears slowly flowed down her tender face, dripping onto the bedding and soaking into a wet patch.

"Don't cry—" Zhou Ehuang forced a smile, gently pulled her younger sister into her arms, and patted her back softly. Suddenly, she asked, "Nüying, what do you think of His Highness?"

"He's a lecherous scoundrel! A murderous thief! A barbarian!"

Zhou Nuying gritted her teeth and cursed, then suddenly realized something: "Sister, why are you asking this?"

Zhou Ehuang sighed and said with mixed feelings, "I just feel that in a few years, you will be of marriageable age, and Your Highness—may be a good match for you."

Zhou Nuying is twelve years old this year. Although it's a bit early, she will be of marriageable age in another year.

In ancient times, people usually got married around the age of thirteen or fourteen.

"Impossible! Sister! I would never stoop to the level of such a scoundrel!" Zhou Nüying reacted fiercely after hearing this: "I will stay with you for the rest of my life, sister, and I will not marry anyone else!"

"Nüying, His Highness might not be what you think." Zhou Ehuang knew that Zhao Dezhao's previous attitude towards Zhou Nüying had indeed frightened her, which was why she felt so conflicted. So she could only patiently say, "You are my sister, and of course I wouldn't push you into a fire pit. I have observed His Highness for a long time, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is both scholarly and martial. Besides, you will eventually get married. If you could become His Highness's concubine, even if you couldn't become the Crown Princess, it would still be a very good outcome for you and for Zhongyu, wouldn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Nüying fell silent.

She has indeed matured a lot in recent days, and naturally knows that marrying Zhao Dezhao might be the best choice for her.

But to her right now, Zhao Dezhao was a complete villain. Not only did he forcibly kidnap the sisters, but he also used the older sister to swindle a large amount of treasure, and even threatened her with words like "cook them."

Now, they are even forcing the sisters to move into the Prince's mansion, which is utterly heinous!

If it weren't for Zhao Dezhao, they would still be in Jiangnan, living those carefree days.

But all of this was destroyed by the appearance of Zhao Dezhao.

Deep down, she simply couldn't accept giving herself to such a person.

Moreover, she had to admit that there was someone's shadow in her heart.

The shadow that wrote "Life's regrets flow like an endless river".

"Never mind, never mind."

Zhou Ehuang could roughly guess her sister's thoughts. She sighed bitterly and said, "Since you are unwilling, then when His Highness returns, I will go to him. Even if I have to kneel down and beg him, you must let us move back, so as not to ruin your reputation."

As soon as she finished speaking, she got up and walked out.

"Sister—wait!" Zhou Nuying called out.

No matter what, they are now living under someone else's roof, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them prisoners. Her sister was even willing to tarnish her reputation for her safety. The thought of her sister having to beg that evil man without any dignity for her sake made her heart ache.

My sister has already done so much for me, so I should do something for her too.

"I—I do." After saying this, Zhou Nuying threw herself onto the bed and burst into tears.

Zhou Ehuang felt a little guilty, but her eyes quickly hardened again.

She did this for her sister's own good, and one day her sister will understand her good intentions!

Thinking this to herself, she said aloud, "No! Nüying, I won't allow you to wrong yourself like this. I'm going to find His Highness right now!"

"No!"

Zhou Nuying stood up and grabbed her sister's arm. With tears streaming down her face, she forced a heartbreaking smile: "Ever since Father left, my sister has been taking care of me. Now that I'm living under someone else's roof, how can I let my sister suffer again?"

Besides, my sister is right, following Zhao Dezhao was indeed the best choice for me.

Goodbye, that nameless man!

"Sister!" Zhou Ehuang shed two lines of tears and hugged her younger sister, "It's all because I'm useless—"

"No, sister, you are the best sister in the world in my heart!" Zhou Nüying buried her head in Zhou Ehuang's arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

"It's just that you've had to go through this." Zhou Ehuang gently stroked her head and sighed, "Zhao Dezhao is the eldest prince, and although he is young, there must be many who are interested in him. Perhaps you will be needed in this matter—"

"I know my sister."

With tears still on her face, Zhou Nuying smiled and interrupted her sister: "Now that I've made up my mind, I'll take the initiative and make him feel that I'm devoted to him, so that we can establish a formal relationship as soon as possible."