Chapter 381: Blood-Stained Palace Walls (Part 3)

“You worthless scum! The court is filled with sycophantic traitors!”

An angry shout emanated from the most luxurious carriage, startling the crows perched on the roadside trees.

King Liangzhou suddenly lifted the curtain, his formerly handsome and refined face now twisted with rage.

Traces of regal bloodline dignity could still be seen in his brow, yet his eyes were bloodshot, gleaming with a dangerous light.

“Calm yourself, my prince,” the accompanying advisor Zheng Wenqian cautiously advised, “The situation is now finalized, we should…”

“Calm myself?” King Liangzhou gripped Zheng Wenqian’s collar, snarling through clenched teeth, “I am the legitimate son of the late emperor, in talent and bloodline, how am I inferior to that bastard? Just because he has that old fox Wei Mingyuan supporting him?”

Zheng Wenqian was turning blue from being choked, yet dared not struggle. King Liangzhou suddenly released him, pushing him back into the compartment, then grabbing a wine jug from a small table and taking a deep swig.

“The court is full of blind fools, all fair-weather friends, spineless sycophants. They forsake a legitimate, capable leader such as myself, and choose that worthless bastard. Blind fools!”

“They have long been in cahoots with that bastard, why bother putting on an act before me? Before entering the court, they flattered me, but once that bastard made his move, they all turned to his side. Truly despicable!”

King Liangzhou smashed the empty wine jug against the carriage wall with a loud “bang,” his grip momentarily loosening in the aftermath.

Zheng Wenqian quickly retreated, gasping for air.

“And Wei Mingyuan,” King Liangzhou’s blurry eyes turned to Zheng Wenqian, “that bastard is a downright sly villain. Pretending to be proper on the surface, yet conspiring with court officials behind the scenes!”

“My prince, please calm down!” Zheng Wenqian leaned against the carriage wall, watching him warily, fearing that he might get drunk and lash out again, but still pleaded sincerely, “What use are words now?”

At the front of the convoy, the guard commander observed the now pitch-black sky. He knew his master was in a foul mood, but after some consideration, bravely rode up beside the carriage.

“My prince, it’s late, should we find a flat area to camp and rest?”

“Rest?” came King Liangzhou’s thunderous voice from within the carriage, “Do you want me to die in this wilderness? Continue on! No one stops until we reach Liangzhou!”

The guard commander looked troubled, “But my prince, the brothers have been traveling all day, and the horses need…”

“Silence!” King Liangzhou snapped, “Have you too been bribed by them, seeking to delay my journey?”

No sooner had he spoken than the carriage curtain was lifted, and a teapot was vehemently hurled out, striking the guard commander on the forehead before he could dodge.

“Thud!”

The guard commander’s face changed instantly, and he quickly bowed with clasped fists, “I dare not! I will urge the convoy to quicken the pace immediately.”

The night deepened, with a cold crescent moon hanging in the sky, casting down a pale, forlorn light.

The convoy moved forward with torches held aloft, the firelight flickering in the darkness, illuminating the weary faces of the guards.

Inside the carriage, King Liangzhou continued to mutter curses, but his voice was much quieter than before.

“My prince, have some tea to sober up.” Zheng Wenqian carefully extended a cup of hot tea.

King Liangzhou accepted the teacup but didn’t drink; he simply stared at the swirling tea within, lost in thought.

With the ascension of the new Emperor Jing, several vassal kings who vied for the throne were detained at the Prince Mansion for several days, ordered not to leave.

During these days, they lived in both depression and anxiety, fearing the new emperor would not tolerate them and might eliminate them outright.

After completing the enthronement ceremony and announcing it to the world, the new court began formal operations.

Yesterday at dusk, they suddenly received an imperial decree from the new Emperor Jing, allowing them, the vassal kings, to return to their respective fiefdoms.

None dared to delay, hurriedly packing overnight, and left the Capital City before dawn, anxiously heading to their dominions.

“Wenqian,” King Liangzhou suddenly lifted his head, “Do you think that bastard will really let us brothers go?”

Zheng Wenqian paused in silence, then softly replied, “The King of Xu State… no, with the new emperor’s ascension, since he let you leave, according to custom, he should treat his brothers well, to show benevolence.”

“Benevolence?” King Liangzhou sneered, “Do you not recall how Father ascended the throne back then? Wasn’t it with blood staining the palace walls…”

Before he could finish, the carriage suddenly lurched violently.

Soon after, the sounds of chaos, horse neighs, and human shouts erupted from outside.