Chapter 2956 - 2957: Suffering for You

Chapter 2956: Chapter 2957: Suffering for You

The Eternal King’s brows furrowed deeply as he continued to channel his power, clearly having heard the words and feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"His birth mother was a cleaning palace maid, called upon to serve the old Emperor one night in a drunken stupor. He promptly forgot about her, didn’t even grant her a title, and only remembered upon his birth. But possessing so many beauties, with a character prone to novelty and abandonment, how could he care about a mere cleaning maid? Immediately, he despised her lowly status and decreed that the childless Concubine Rong should take care of him."

Gao Zhou sighed, saying, "It was a mess. Usually, even if princes and princesses needed guardianship, it would be under the Empress or Four Consorts. But at the time, he was enamored with Concubine Rong and casually mentioned it, also boosting her status to show his favor."

"Such actions were bound to incite discontent among the Empress, the Four Consorts, and many women in the Palace. Furthermore, after a few days of novelty, the old Emperor disregarded Concubine Rong. Imagine how well the child could live? Concubine Rong wouldn’t care for him, as long as he wasn’t dead. So the child grew up amidst all kinds of abuse, and at eight years old, an accident left his head injured."

"Because of this incident, the old Emperor remembered him again, thinking it one thing that he could neglect, but how could he allow his son to be bullied? Instantly, he gave Little Luzi a title and ordered the execution of several people, including the aging Concubine Rong, commanding experts to treat Little Luzi’s illness."

Gao Zhou cast an eye toward the Eternal King, "This treatment lasted for years, yet the Eternal King’s illness remained. Instead, he began training in martial arts with a Jianghu expert. The expert initially thought he could use inner strength to restore the Eternal King’s head to normal, but after attempting, realized the brain was too complex to be cured. Thus, he simply let the Eternal King train in martial arts, suggesting it might eventually fix his head."

"Though the child was foolish, he possessed an exceptional talent for cultivation, yet only focused on inner strength training, unable to protect himself, even thinking of bullying as playful company." Gao Zhou sighed again, "The expert stayed in the Palace for a year and left, and the old Emperor began to forget this son again, with new faces replacing the old, the bullying resumed, until once I accidentally stumbled upon him."

Gao Zhou recollected the day over ten years ago, with his martial skills sealed, he resorted to brute force to save the child. In a twist, the foolish child assisted those tormenting him, even rewarding Gao Zhou.

Back then, Gao Zhou lay on the ground, coughing up blood, his eyes empty and hopeless, fearing if he died in Chengshui Palace, he couldn’t find Chushuang or see his son.

The silly boy who hurt him unexpectedly helped him up, channeling his inner strength to save a life.

He realized Little Luzi’s inner strength was remarkably unique, suggesting if he frequently transmitted inner strength, slowly he could break the sealed acupoints and escape the Palace.

Thus, he approached Little Luzi for help, but to Gao Zhou, he was just a child, and Gao Zhou was not the type to deceive or exploit children. He persisted in attempting to treat Little Luzi’s illness. Though Gao Zhou couldn’t wield poison, his medical skills were competent, eventually curing Little Luzi.

In the cold and decadent depths of Chengshui Palace, the two became best brothers.

Little Luzi was more than ten years younger than Gao Zhou, having never received paternal love, he regarded Gao Zhou as both brother and father.

Finally, Gao Zhou’s sealed acupoints were opened, with Little Luzi assisting his escape, even asking if Little Luzi wished to accompany him.

Little Luzi chuckled, "I like cultivating, better not run around, to stay focused."

Gao Zhou pondered Little Luzi’s simple nature, feeling outside might not be ideal, with an inability to protect him constantly, it seemed better to remain in Chengshui Palace.

At least as a prince, no one dared directly harm him, and his martial skills were sufficient for self-preservation within the Palace.

Gao Zhou’s departure was many years ago, avoiding Chengshui’s old Emperor’s search, observing his son covertly, while investigating Chushuang’s whereabouts, slowly forgetting Little Luzi.

Only upon returning to Chengshui a few years ago did he inquire and discover Little Luzi had left the Palace, disappearing without a trace.

"I treated you like a brother, yet you only cared about your wife and child, never truly seeking me all these years." The Eternal King, known as Zhou Lu, slowly opened his eyes, Bai Ruozhu astonished to find he had indeed suppressed the poison.

However, it was only suppressed, not entirely expelled using inner strength; eventually, the toxicity would resurface.

"I..." Gao Zhou was at a loss for words, feeling he wasn’t the proper brother, nor a good elder brother.

"You know, after helping you escape, I was captured by the old Emperor, tortured, peeled a layer of skin!" He said while lifting his sleeve, revealing the ghastly skin on his arm, describing the peeled skin not as a mere exaggeration but resembling such a severe wound.

Gao Zhou rushed to seize his arm, inspecting the other arm, finding it the same.

"How could he treat you like this?" Gao Zhou roared in fury.

"So what if I’m his son? He has so many sons, losing one doesn’t matter, especially without good looks." The Eternal King spoke with heavy sarcasm, "Fine, I didn’t say this to elicit your sympathy but to urge you to return with me to Chengshui and ascend the throne. The Imperial family’s bloodline has suffered deaths and injuries, leaving unsatisfied branch ministers, only suitable for us now."

Gao Zhou’s heart wrenched, unaware his departure caused such immense pain, lamenting not forcibly taking him along then.

"What happened to the young Emperor? What about Princess Fu’an?" Gao Zhou inquired.

The Eternal King coldly sneered, "Dead, I was summoned back to the Palace, killed Fu’an, that wretched woman."

"What?" Gao Zhou exclaimed, the young Emperor was technically his nephew, thrust on the throne at a mere age, truly not easy, how could he have died?

"Blame it on that shameless Fu’an, wreaking havoc in the Imperial Court, even inviting handsome men from the common folk, allowing assassins to slip in, seizing the chance to kill the young Emperor." The Eternal King’s tone was also filled with regret, but by the time he knew, it was too late.

He turned to Gao Zhou, "I know you never considered yourself a Chengshui native, I’m different, after helping you escape, nearly trapped in the Palace, only saved by the Prime Minister’s efforts, owing him a favor I must repay. But I don’t wish nor would be a good Emperor, merely trained, being Emperor wouldn’t be beneficial for Chengshui’s people."