The Stunning Prime Minister

Chapter 56

It was only because of his unparalleled talent and the courage rarely seen in women that she forgot that this frail and haggard young man was her own daughter, and that she had made a mistake because of her willful and reckless behavior.

Her soft hand caressed Yu Zhou's pale cheek, tears welling in her eyes as she gazed at him with a misty look. A hint of helplessness and desolation seemed to linger at the corners of her mouth.

"Zhou'er, tell your mother. What happened?" Su Rongrong whispered, looking at the stunningly handsome Yu Zhou. Yu Zhou was breathtakingly beautiful.

Yu Zhou smiled but remained silent, only gently shaking his head. He grasped Su Rongrong's slightly aged hand, his watery eyes fixed on her as he said, "Zhou'er is fine, just a little tired." His gentle gaze, filled with a smile, warmed Su Rongrong's heart. However, Su Rongrong wished Yu Zhou could look at her with the same dislike she had shown him as a child. He had been so clever and lively back then, but now, besides his status, he had to consider many other things—a burden no woman could bear.

"Zhou'er, tell the Emperor everything. Your mother can't bear it any longer," Su Rongrong sobbed. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and her blurred vision only accentuated her worry. Her slightly spirited brows were also furrowed in worry.

Yu Zhou still smiled, wiping away Su Rongrong's tears, and gently stroked her cheek with his soft fingertips, saying, "Mother, do you know, sometimes once you make a choice, you can't regret it."

Yu Zhou's smile was poignant, yet exquisitely beautiful. He turned and walked towards the study.

Su Rongrong closed her eyes in despair. It was all her fault. Why did she have to make her daughter suffer all of this?

The imperial edict arrived the next day, and its contents were exactly as Shen Wuyue had said: Yu Zhou was forbidden from entering the bridal chamber and having children. However, this seemed to puzzle many people, who wondered what the reason was.

Old Madam Ning was so angry she wanted to go to the Imperial Palace to demand an explanation, but Yu Qingqian stopped her. Su Rongrong watched with a gloomy expression. The Prime Minister's residence was in a state of utter desolation. Meanwhile, the imperial edict spread among the common people, sparking numerous speculations.

Some say the emperor fell in love with the prime minister and, out of jealousy, prevented the prime minister from consummating their marriage and having children. Others say the prime minister requested this decree to serve the country and avoid any worries. Still others say the emperor feared the prime minister's talent would surpass his own...

Rumors circulated among the people, but Yu Zhou remained engrossed in his memorials, and even Old Madam Ning couldn't persuade him to submit. A chaotic farce unfolded at the Prime Minister's residence.

"I don't want to live anymore, I don't want to live anymore!" Old Mrs. Ning stood in the front yard of Yu Zhou's study, holding a white silk ribbon, and cried out mournfully. Everyone knew that this was just for Yu Zhou's benefit, but Yu Zhou had been locked in his room for two whole days.

Grandma Ning continued her sobbing, and seeing that Yu Zhou didn't react, she glared at Bing Ning and said fiercely, "You have a loud voice, hurry up and shout!" Bing Ning thought to herself, annoyed, why did she have to shout? But it was to get Yu Zhou out. Helplessly, she wailed, "Grandma! Please don't do anything rash!" Each sentence was more shrill than the last. The servants of the Yu family admired their young mistress more and more; her tone was more mournful than wailing at a grave.

"Ah—Grandma, how can we live without you! What will my husband do?" Bingning became more and more immersed in her performance, kneeling on the ground and clinging to Grandma Ning's legs in a heart-wrenching cry. Everyone stared in disbelief. Grandma Ning also looked at Bingning with shock. Her hands, as hard as tree bark, began to tremble, making her appear as if she truly wanted to commit suicide. Grandma Ning couldn't help but sigh, "Like grandfather, like granddaughter."

[Dynasty Storm: Thrilling]

"Bingning, give it your all," Su Rongrong whispered to Bingning. Yu Zhou, however, continued to close the door as if nothing had happened.

Bing Ning's anger flared up immediately. This Yu Zhou, really! Doesn't he care that his grandmother is going to hang herself? She wiped away her tears from her bright eyes, kicked the door open, and went in. There was no more wailing and howling, only an earth-shaking tremor.

Bing Ning roared angrily, "Yu Zhou, if you don't come out, I'll beat you to death!" She stood with her hands on her hips, a typical tigress, but her beautiful and charming appearance was quite adorable.

Yu Zhou looked up, put down his pen, and stared coldly at Bing Ning, saying indifferently, "Get out!" His tone lacked any doting affection, only a hint of anger. Bing Ning was startled. She was afraid of Yu Zhou like this. Even though the murderous aura emanating from him was normal to her, the way he spoke to her terrified her. This side of Yu Zhou was intimidating; a single sharp glance was enough to make Bing Ning tremble.

"Zhou'er, how could you treat Bingning like this? Even Grandma can't stand it anymore." Grandma Ning looked at Bingning, whose eyes were red and filled with grievance. Grandma Ning couldn't bear it either. Although she disliked Bingning, this time it was indeed Yu Zhou's fault.

Yu Zhou remained silent, his lips twitching slightly as he smiled faintly, "Does Grandma think Yu Zhou would believe such clumsy acting?" Yu Zhou looked coldly at everyone.

"This..." Old Lady Ning knew that this couldn't be completely hidden from Yu Zhou.

Looking at her frail but handsome son, Yu Qingqian sighed softly, "Zhou'er, you know that Grandma and Bingning meant well. Although we don't know the true meaning of that imperial edict, Zhou'er, you must understand our good intentions."

"Zhou'er, although Grandma doesn't know why the Emperor issued that decree, but... but Bingning will suffer terribly." Grandma Ning looked at Bingning unconsciously; this was practically living the life of a widow. She... Grandma Ning also looked at Yu Zhou with some resentment.

Yu Zhou smiled brightly and said, "It's good that Grandma knows!" A hint of a smile flashed across his cold, handsome face. Grandma Ning suddenly realized that the protagonist of this charade wasn't Yu Zhou, but herself; that she didn't dislike Bing Ning after all. Bing Ning's originally crimson eyes also held a faint smile, beautiful yet melancholic.

Grandma Ning looked slightly embarrassed and a little ashamed. But Yu Zhou remained silent. He quietly left the room with his parents, leaving only Grandma Ning and Bing Ning behind. Yu Zhou let out a soft sigh.

Yu Qingqian and her husband insisted on eavesdropping in front of the study, so Yu Zhou had no choice but to go to the living room first.

Suddenly, a purple figure stood in front of Yu Zhou. Tall and handsome, with a faint melancholy hidden in his blue eyes.

Zhan Ge was speechless. He never expected that Zhan Ge would also learn from those people and climb over the wall to enter the Yu residence.

Zhan Ge blinked, a mysterious smile on his face, his deep blue eyes gazing captivatingly at Yu Zhou. "Is it not allowed?" he whispered softly. A desolate feeling lingered in the breeze.

"Did you need something?" Yu Zhou walked into the pavilion, turned over a cup inside, poured in a cup of tea, and placed it in front of Zhan Ge. His movements were so calm and practiced.

Zhan Ge, clad in a purple robe, held a unique jade flute that shimmered with fluorescence. He picked up Yu Zhou's cup, took a light sniff, and said, "Jasmine tea, very delicate. Yet quite effeminate."

Yu Zhou poured another cup, placed it in his palm, took a sip, and said, "Really? Then try this cup." Yu Zhou twirled the lid, and a rich aroma of tea wafted out. Emerald green tea leaves poured out one by one from the spout, and the strong fragrance of tea began to permeate the air.

"This is..." Zhan Ge exclaimed in surprise. How could there be two kinds of tea? Yu Zhou sat down and said, "My mother likes jasmine tea, and my father likes Longjing tea. I thought it was a waste to brew two pots of tea every day, so I had this double-layered teapot made. As long as you twist the lid, you can drink different teas."

"Brother Yu, you're really living a carefree life! You even thought of such a small thing." Zhan Ge smiled faintly, his eyes fixed on Yu Zhou. This young man had exceeded his expectations, not because of his handsome face, but because of his calm personality and astonishing talent. Now might be the best opportunity to kill him.

"I advise Brother Zhan not to act rashly. Although Yu Zhou is physically weak, his skill with poison is unparalleled." Yu Zhou continued toying with his teacup, watching Zhan Ge's astonished expression.

Zhan Ge was surprised for a moment, but then regained his composure, took a sip of Longjing tea and said, "Yu Zhou is indeed Yu Zhou. If I've been discovered, then I don't need to hide anymore." He took out a dozen silver needles and placed them on the table.

[Dynasty Storm: Kidnapping]

Yu Zhou knew that embarking on this path would be a one-way street, but unexpectedly, seeing these needles reminded him of how Yuan Yang had tried to kill him, and his heart felt cold and empty.

"Brother Yu, are you considering doing this?" Zhan Ge asked with a light laugh, looking at Yu Zhou who was lost in thought. His melancholy blue eyes were as unfathomable as the universe, encompassing Yu Zhou.

Yu Zhou did not answer, but stood up, twirling a flower petal and saying, "Brother Zhan, you don't intend to leave empty-handed, do you?"

"Brother Yu, you are wise. My lord would like to invite you for a cup of tea." A trap? Yu Zhou tossed the flower petals into the soil, looked up, and said, "The Evil Emperor truly thinks highly of me!"

"Of course, who in the world doesn't know you?" Zhan Ge's lips curled into a deep sorrow. Cold and aloof, his cold gaze made Yu Zhou uncomfortable. He was too mysterious, inspiring a sense of fear, yet he concealed it so well that Yu Zhou couldn't discern his true nature.

Zhan Ge's long, curled eyelashes arched upwards as he gestured for her to enter: "Please, Your Excellency Prime Minister."

"Is this coercion?" Yu Zhou strode forward, coldly scoffing. Zhan Ge watched Yu Zhou's retreating figure with a smile. Perhaps he truly was his destiny, but what about his male body? A hint of dejection flickered in Zhan Ge's blue eyes. He even began to drift into a daze. Had he already fallen too deeply in love?

The clanging of battle horns followed Yu Zhou like a little tail all the way. Finally, a tree-lined path stretched out before Yu Zhou, with camphor trees standing neatly like soldiers on both sides, and an ancient pine tree standing proudly in the middle of the courtyard. A few withered roses lay sparsely in the middle, and the whole courtyard was filled with desolation and disharmony.

"Your master's taste is really strange." Yu Zhou looked coldly at Zhan Ge, who had brought him here by force.

Zhan Ge snapped a withered branch and pointed ahead, saying, "There's something even stranger."

Yu Zhou followed Zhan Ge forward. The path grew increasingly secluded, yet the scenery remained remarkably harmonious. However, a discordant groan could be heard from not far away.