The daily life of a concubine's daughter

Chapter 292 The 5th Bad Peach Blossom

Zhou Xu was speechless and unable to explain, so he just gritted his teeth and repeated, "Father, please understand. On the way back to the capital, I encountered robbers. I carried weapons with me for self-protection. They were my bodyguards. I had no intention of hurting anyone, let alone assassinating my fourth brother!

Fourth brother was there that day, he must have seen it, from beginning to end my guards just ran away, they didn't fight back, let alone attack Fourth brother!"

He raised his head and met the emperor's eyes, showing that he had no guilt and had a clear conscience, his eyes were full of desire.

Longing for the trust of my father.

If the emperor would believe him, he wouldn't have to lie or make excuses.

The emperor looked back coldly, and when his gaze turned to his fourth son Zhou Shao, he showed a little warmth and asked in a gentle tone: "Shao'er, is that so?"

When Zhou Xu saw this, his eyes suddenly turned cold.

It turns out that my father still doesn't like him.

Zhou Shao said sadly: "Fifth brother, I gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it. Father, I'll tell you the truth. A few days ago, I went to the Jingzhao government office and saw Fifth Brother hiding in the teahouse and watching;

Later, in another teahouse, the fifth brother hid in the restaurant across from us and spied on Yu Erchen;

Finally, it was at the Ten-mile Pavilion outside the capital. I passed by this place while out for a spring outing. My fifth brother led some people in black clothes and masks, carrying sharp blades and poison, and squatting on a tree branch... Father, it is hard not to guess from my fifth brother's behavior that he wants to assassinate me!"

The emperor turned his head, the concern and warmth in his eyes disappeared in an instant, he looked down at Zhou Xu coldly and shouted: "Zhou Xu! Are you following your fourth brother? What do you want to do?"

It was not until this moment that a trace of panic flashed across Zhou Xu's face.

How did the Fourth Prince discover the tracking in the previous two episodes?

Why did you find out but didn't say hello to him or question him?

Since Zhou Shao knew about it, he would definitely be able to find witnesses. If he denied it, it would only anger his father even more.

For now, there is only one way.

Zhou Xu lowered his head and closed his eyes, speaking word by word with difficulty: "Your son... Your son is not following the Fourth Prince. Your son is following, yes, the second young lady of the Shi family, Shi Yao."

Zhou Shao was about to argue but paused. He didn't expect Zhou Xu to shamelessly drag a girl into the water, and he was speechless.

Shi Mingzhu, who was ignored by everyone, turned pale upon hearing this. She suddenly turned her head to look at Zhou Xu. She felt a pang of pain in her heart and saw stars.

how can that be possible?

How could Zhou Xu fall in love with Shi Yao?

Could it be that because Zhou Shao liked her in this life, Zhou Xu fell in love with Shi Yao?

Why is God so unfair that he forces her to decide who she likes and has to like Shi Yao?

Shi Yao is so vicious, and she is just an ignorant country girl. She doesn't even have one tenth of her dignity. How could she win Zhou Xu's heart?

The old emperor frowned and asked coldly: "Why are you following the girl from the Shi family? She has offended you, and you want to kill her?"

Zhou Xu's lips trembled, and he said the following words reluctantly: "That day, the old Duke celebrated his 70th birthday. My brother received the imperial edict and went to the Shi family to pass on the edict. I wanted to join in the fun, so I went with my brother. At the Shi family, I met the second daughter of the Shi family. I was shocked by her beauty and fell in love with her at first sight, so I followed her."

The emperor sneered and turned to ask, "Shao'er, was the second daughter of the Shi family present during the three times you were following me?"

Zhou Shao was stunned for a moment, and said hesitantly: "We were all there, but, but... Fifth brother, did you do this on purpose? Are you deliberately using the second daughter of the Shi family to escape punishment?"

He was not slow to react and immediately found a suspicious point, "If you like her, why are you following her and not showing up? How can you sneak up on her and spy on her?"

Zhou Xu quickly glanced at Shi Mingzhu and said with a wry smile, "Because I know that I am not worthy of her. She is the golden branch and jade leaf of the Shi family. The old Duke and the old lady dote on her like the apple of their eye. They will definitely promise her a noble relative of equal status in the future.

And I am just an unknown prince. When I return to Beijing this time, I can't afford a good horse, so I can only buy an old horse. I can't afford a house, so I can only stay in an inn.

I, your son, am very cautious and try not to attract attention, for fear that if I become famous in the slightest, these things will be exposed and I will bring shame to my father. How could I dare to covet the girl from the Shi family?

Since my father and my brother already know my intention, I beg you to grant me the marriage! I want to marry the second daughter of the Shi family!"

Shi Mingzhu's eyes widened as he spoke. When the last word fell, she felt like she was struck by lightning and sat down on her heels.

He actually asked to marry Shi Yao!

impossible!

Zhou Xu liked her. The way he looked at her at his grandfather’s birthday party was definitely not wrong!

Shi Mingzhu seemed to have come back to life. She understood that Zhou Xu was protecting her, so he used Shi Yao as a shield!

The emperor frowned and pondered: "The second young lady of the Shi family, the concubine's daughter of Shi Jian'an, the third wife of the Shi family?"

After comparing Shi Yao's identity, he sneered and said, "A concubine's daughter is not worthy of your fear and fear. Well, you have reached the right age to marry. Since you have a girl you want to marry, it is not a bad idea to grant the marriage. But you should first ask the old Duke's opinion to see if he likes you as his grandson-in-law."

Asking Zhou Xu to return to the capital this time also meant arranging a marriage for him.

He did not like this son, and it was not until a minister reminded him at the court that the fifth prince had reached marriageable age that he called him back.

He was planning to wait until the Wanshou Festival was over, grant him a marriage, and send him off early, thus fulfilling his responsibilities as a father. From now on, he would let him stay in his fiefdom peacefully and would not have to be called back to the capital to be an eyesore.

But he never considered the Shi family on the list of candidates for Princess Duan.

How proud is it that the two daughters of the Shi family married two princes?

Seeing that the Shi family continues to make trouble and their arrogance has been suppressed, how can we let them rise again?

Moreover, if the news of a concubine's daughter being a wife and a legitimate daughter being a concubine were to be spread, it would disrupt moral ethics and be really unpleasant to hear, and it would be suspected of deliberately humiliating a meritorious minister.

The emperor kept turning the ring on his thumb, lost in thought.

When Shi Mingzhu heard that the emperor's words implied a marriage, she found it hard to imagine Shi Yao marrying Zhou Xu, and once again stealing her beloved away from her.

Moreover, she was the Fourth Prince's concubine, and Shi Yao was the Fifth Prince's principal wife. She couldn't even imagine how embarrassed she would be at that time.

She quickly put on a smile and interrupted, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that's not possible! I would like to thank the Emperor and His Royal Highness Prince Duan for their kindness on behalf of my sister, but my sister is already engaged."

Zhou Shao turned to look at her in surprise.

The last time we met, Shi Yao was clearly not engaged.

However, Shi Yao did have two young talents around her, one was the deputy captain Tang Zhan, and the other was the juren Jiang Miao. No matter which one Shi Yao married, she would have a better future than marrying the poor Zhou Xu.

Zhou Xu couldn't afford a horse or a house, and certainly couldn't give his wife a life of luxury.

Shi Yao was also a little beauty, but marrying Zhou Xu was like sticking a flower in cow dung, which was really wasted.

The emperor's eyes moved: "I almost forgot that you are from the Shi family. Has the second Miss Shi been promised a marriage? Which family?"