My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

Zhao Jin’s body was taut as he listened to Emperor Zhou’s words laced with a hint of a smile, but his heart did not feel any trace of relief; instead, it was full of heaviness.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans inevitably appeared on his forehead, trickling down along his face.

Even though Zhao Jin felt considerable pressure, his expression remained respectful, and he quickly responded.

Emperor Zhou glanced at Zhao Jin, aware of the immense pressure he was under but without further thought, waved his hand, signaling Zhao Jin to leave.

Zhao Jin hastily complied, bowed once again, and with a flicker, vanished from the spot as if fleeing.

After Zhao Jin had disappeared,

Wu Ling, who was sitting in the pavilion, seemed to finally react, staring blankly at her father the Emperor. Continue reading at empire

"Father, what did you just say to Zhao Jin? What does it mean that ’the Princely Heir has already been dealt with’?"

Emperor Zhou picked up the iced tea from the ancient table, casually took a sip, and looked at Wu Ling with an unperturbed voice, "It means exactly what it sounds like."

"If someone becomes an obstacle, they are removed."

"Wu Ling, you must remember, an emperor cannot afford to have personal feelings. The interests of the dynasty come first, the royal family’s interests come first. Only if you can achieve these two points can you dismiss all other concerns."

Hearing Emperor Zhou’s words, Wu Ling furrowed her beautiful brows, as if she still couldn’t quite believe it.

Her lips pursed slightly, then she posed her question again.

"Father, the Princely Heir you mentioned...it couldn’t be...it couldn’t be the Town-Nation Duke’s Heir, could it...?"

Emperor Zhou watched Wu Ling, his face stern and even more serious as he observed her anxious appearance.

He knew that Wu Ling harbored special feelings for the Town-Nation Duke’s Heir. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Although they had not spent much time together, Cheng Guang, the Town-Nation Duke’s Heir, had left a profound impression on Wu Ling’s heart.

There was a moment when he had considered allowing Wu Ling to marry the Town-Nation Duke’s Heir.

But the Duke clearly did not wish to proceed in that manner.

For the sake of the Duke Zhen’s Mansion’s descendants, to avoid having their royal bloodline extracted and becoming unable to cultivate, they were unwilling to intermarry with the royal family anymore and be bound together.

At this thought, Emperor Zhou could not help but sigh. If the Duke and Cheng Zhihai had agreed to allow Wu Ling to marry Cheng Guang, the Town-Nation Duke’s Heir, none of this would have happened.

The Duke Zhen’s Mansion would no longer have an heir.

He could be completely at ease.

When Wu Ling became Empress, Cheng Guang, the Town-Nation Duke’s Heir, and his descendants could still live peacefully in the Great Zhou.

But now things had turned out this way.

It was all the self-inflicted fault of the Duke Zhen’s Mansion.

Emperor Zhou watched Wu Ling for a while but did not directly answer her question, instead saying,

"Don’t let your thoughts run wild. These matters are not your concern for now. Your most important task at present is to concentrate on improving your cultivation. In the future, you will inherit my throne of the Great Zhou."

Having said this, Emperor Zhou stood up and slowly walked away.

Wu Ling, however, remained frozen in place, looking at her imposing and stern father, recalling the noble young man who had sat with her in the pavilion when she was most helpless.

For some reason,

Wu Ling suddenly felt a sour sensation at the tip of her nose.

Her vision blurred without her knowing when.

"Why would father do such a thing?"

The sky gradually darkened.

Her seventh rank cultivation seemed incapable of bringing Wu Ling much warmth.

In the pavilion, she curled up helplessly, her bright eyes lifeless.

She thought back to the times she had spent with Cheng Guang.

Wu Ling’s heart ached.

"Wu Ling, have you ever practiced your cultivation regularly?"

"Wu Ling, would you like to spar with me?"

"Wu Ling, your strength is too weak. I’m afraid I’ll hurt you if I use all my might."

"Wu Ling, let me teach you a new game. This is called Go. You need to line up five stones in a row..."

In her mind, she remembered the words Cheng Guang had once said to her.

The last image that appeared in Wu Ling’s mind was of Cheng Guang clothed in the attire of the Bureau of the Lamp during the royal ceremony, his figure tall and straight, dignified and spirited.

Maybe Cheng Guang was her only friend.

Maybe Cheng Guang was the first person with whom she could play.

Maybe Cheng Guang was the first to extend a friendly hand to her.

No matter the reason, at this moment, Wu Ling just felt like crying.

Why would her father have Zhao Jin kill the Princely Heir?

Why?

I was thinking that once my cultivation improved and father allowed me to leave the palace, I would go and find the Princely Heir to play again.

I was also worried that, once the Princely Heir got married and had a wife, he wouldn’t pay attention to me anymore.

But why...?

Why would the Princely Heir be treated this way by father?

Wu Ling couldn’t understand; she felt powerless. It was as if she had been abandoned by the whole world again.

She was back to the days outside the Imperial Palace, scrambling for food with a bunch of beggars, in endless darkness.

Wu Ling stayed in the pavilion all night long.

Dark circles had formed around her bright eyes.

As dawn approached,

Emperor Zhou’s figure suddenly appeared beside Wu Ling. Looking at her, he felt a sense of frustration at her lack of spirit.

In his eyes, Wu Ling was already the Crown Prince, and in the future, she would be the Emperor of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

How could she be so emotional?

She hadn’t had much of anything happen with Cheng Guang, the Princely Heir, nor had they had much contact.

What would happen if there had been more contact?

Thinking of scolding Wu Ling, Emperor Zhou reflected on his already strained relationship with her, which had only recently improved slightly. Now, with this unfortunate incident,