Scum Gong Walks the Career Line in the Crematorium

The guard reported everything he had seen and heard to the young emperor.

After the guard finished speaking, Zhao Yuan remained motionless for a long time. Sitting at the large desk, it seemed as if he was still in the study room. He held a pen in his hand, and the ink gathered on the tip of the pen, on the verge of falling.

“You say, that young boy… does he really resemble me somewhat?” Zhao Yuan’s expression was calm as he asked.

The guard quickly knelt on the ground and said in one breath, “Indeed, that young boy appears to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, and his appearance… naturally does not compare to Your Majesty’s exceptional and handsome features, but there is a slight resemblance.”

Finally, the drop of ink fell from the pen tip, staining the perfectly written Buddhist scripture with an unsightly ink blot.

Gently placing the pen back into the inkwell, Zhao Yuan looked down at the kneeling guard and asked, “Is the regent familiar with him?”

The guard wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking distressed, and answered, “Yes.”

Before, the guard also believed that the young emperor and the regent were not on good terms. According to reason, he should have scolded the regent for his shamelessness, as he unexpectedly took in a young boy who bore a slight resemblance to the emperor. However, he was so cautious that he didn’t dare to say anything superfluous after stealing a glance at the young emperor’s expression.

Zhao Yuan held up the Buddhist scripture he had been transcribing, “What a pity, this perfectly written scripture is now dirtied.”

The guard shivered again.

The thick Buddhist scripture was casually tossed on the ground, and Zhao Yuan stepped on it as he walked across, saying, “You may leave now.”

The guard hurriedly left, and Zhao Yuan returned to his desk. He dipped the pen in ink again and started to transcribe the Buddhist scripture, but as he wrote, the characters under the soft brush became increasingly thick. Finally, he forcefully pressed the brush on the table.

“Why vent your anger on these lifeless objects?” Someone who came in from outside the hall saw the young emperor’s actions and spoke.

Zhao Yuan was startled but truthfully recounted the matter to the person. After finishing, he lowered his eyes, looking at the messy Buddhist scripture, and asked, “Grandfather, what should we do now?”

“This time, we were not adequately prepared, giving him the opportunity to exploit us.” Grandfather said slowly, “Now, we should bide our time and wait for the right moment.”

“Last time, I waited for five years. How long do we have to wait this time?” Zhao Yuan dropped the pen in his hand and took a deep breath, his eyes darkening. “Before, he had some feelings for me… but now he already has someone else and won’t allow us to have so many small actions.”

“No, he won’t.” Grandfather said firmly, “The regent is loyal and affectionate. He cannot let go of the former emperor and is willing to fight to protect the Sui Kingdom for the sake of the former emperor’s words. He has feelings for you and won’t easily let go.”

Zhao Yuan remained silent.

He knew that Qi Changfeng, in his memories, was a person who placed a lot of importance on feelings. However, after the previous negotiations, he had become uncertain.

“Do you think that young boy resembles you to some extent?” Grandfather asked again.

The young emperor nodded, looking somewhat depressed. “Yes.”

“That shows that he can’t let go of you.” A glint flashed in Grandfather’s eyes as he spoke resolutely, “You are the Supreme Emperor and the child saved by him. He has feelings for you, but can’t obtain you, so he’s nurturing another boy with a similar appearance… When you ascended the throne, you were also around fifteen or sixteen years old.”

And that young boy is also around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Zhao Yuan’s gaze flickered slightly, and he found himself most resentful of Qi Changfeng’s feelings for him, but now he also missed this aspect the most.

It was only after Qi Changfeng became a powerful minister that the young emperor realized how good he had been to him. Analyzing the situation with memorials in hand, teaching him how to handle court affairs, and establishing his authority among courtiers…

Now, although the young emperor seemed no different from before, he was trapped in the palace and was unaware of the court affairs. Those ministers with problems went directly to the regent, seemingly forgetting that there was still an emperor.

Zhao Yuan, who had always been proud and self-proclaimed as the Supreme Emperor, now understood that without the respect of courtiers, he was even more laughable than when he played the beggar emperor as a child.

“That young boy probably doesn’t come from a decent family and is just a plaything used to comfort his loneliness when you are not around.” Grandfather said firmly, “These lowly people cannot compare to you. As long as you soften your stance slightly, what is the regent? He will be easily within your grasp.”

Zhao Yuan’s eyes flickered, and his heart was also moved.

If it’s possible to restore the previous relationship with the regent, with one as the emperor and the other as the general, letting the regent guard the borders for oneself…

“I have a solution for you,” Grandfather suddenly said, “The regent acts against those unimportant men simply because he cannot obtain you. If you are willing to compromise…”

“Impossible!” Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Yuan already understood the implication and firmly refused, “I am the Supreme Emperor, the true dragon sovereign. How can I lower myself under someone else!”

Grandfather spoke with a heavy tone, “Yuan’er, he wields formidable military power, unmatched throughout the country. If he truly becomes your enemy, your throne might not be secure.”

Looking at Zhao Yuan, who fell into silence, Grandfather nodded with satisfaction. He knew his grandson was always clever and ruthless, knowing what he wanted. This time would be no exception.

Lin Hanchuan sneezed lightly. He didn’t think much of it, but Gu Shi was worried that he might be getting sick. He took back everything Lin Hanchuan was holding and couldn’t resist touching his forehead.

Seeing the young man tiptoeing and fussing, Lin Hanchuan had no choice but to crouch down slightly, allowing Gu Shi to reach his forehead.

“I’m not sick,” Lin Hanchuan smiled and took all the things Gu Shi was holding back into his hands, “We can play a little longer.”

Both of them were holding different things. Gu Shi had various snacks like candied haws, dried fruits, candies, and pastries. Even if there was only one serving of each, his hands were full.

On the other hand, Lin Hanchuan held various small toys such as pinwheels, crickets, puzzles, and clay figurines from other tribes.

Gu Shi was having so much fun that he didn’t want to go back even at dinnertime. He wished he could explore the entire capital in one go, and Lin Hanchuan indulged him.

“It’s getting late. Aren’t you supposed to attend the court tomorrow?” Gu Shi finally noticed that the sky had turned completely dark. Many street vendors had disappeared, and although the surroundings were still bustling, it was less lively than during the day.

“Now, you feel embarrassed?” Lin Hanchuan said with a smile, pointing to a shop ahead, “Do you want to eat tofu pudding?”

Gu Shi chuckled and crisply replied, “Yes!”

The two sat at the table of the tofu pudding stall, finally setting down all the things they were holding, freeing their hands. They both let out a sigh of relief.

Looking at each other’s expressions, they smiled at each other.

“This is my first time going out shopping,” Gu Shi said, his left hand supporting his chin, while his right hand played with the pinwheel, occasionally puffing air to make it spin.

Lin Hanchuan’s heart ached slightly, and he asked softly, “How did you live before?”

Lin Hanchuan was busy fighting his way back to the capital before and after he returned, so he never asked Gu Shi about these things. Although his subordinates had investigated, Lin Hanchuan didn’t look at the report. He wanted to hear everything from Gu Shi personally.

“I had no money and was very poor.” Gu Shi’s voice was low, and his eyes showed a hint of reminiscence. “My mother…”

As soon as he mentioned his mother, Gu Shi hurriedly glanced at Lin Hanchuan, seeing no abnormal reaction from him, he continued, “As you know, my mother was from the brothel. After giving birth to me, she worked harder to take on more clients to support me. Unfortunately, her health deteriorated, and she passed away a few years ago. Luckily, she left some private savings for me at that time, which allowed me to redeem myself.”

“After leaving the brothel, I had nothing and could only stay in a dilapidated temple outside the city.”

Gu Shi had no relatives or friends, he was just a little over ten years old and became a beggar for a while. He breezed over these experiences and talked about happier things, “I didn’t have so many toys back then, so I ran around the mountains, climbed trees, collected bird eggs, and caught fish in the water… The most impressive thing was when I once caught two rabbits!”

Even after such a long time, talking about this made him feel proud.

Lin Hanchuan listened and felt a heartache.

Children from well-off families go to the mountains to play, but how could Gu Shi go to the mountains for pleasure? He only went there to find something to eat and fill his stomach.

“I used to wonder who my real father might be.” Gu Shi dared not look at Lin Hanchuan, lowered his head, and stirred his tofu pudding, smiling. “Maybe my father is like the neighbor’s dad, strong and muscular, able to lift me up, with a beard that he could use to tickle my face for fun.”

“The neighbor’s dad works at the dock. I thought my father should be more formidable. He should be the town’s constable…” As he spoke, Gu Shi continued to smile, “I didn’t expect my real father to be a great hero. He was tall and strong, but without a beard. No one could compare to how formidable he was.”

Hearing this, Lin Hanchuan furrowed his brows, “You found out?”

Gu Shi shyly responded with an affirmative sound, and he felt a bit excited. “My father is much more formidable than the neighbor’s dad. I couldn’t have imagined…”

Lin Hanchuan had some complaints about Su Congyu. Only Su Congyu knew about Gu Shi’s identity, and he didn’t expect Su Congyu to be so unreliable. He immediately told Gu Shi the truth of the matter.

However, looking at Gu Shi’s expression, he didn’t have the heart to dampen his spirits, so he said, “Your father didn’t know about you all along because he didn’t know of your existence. He dedicated himself to the peace of the country, engaging in battles throughout the land, and neglected his family.”

Gu Shi blinked and stared at Lin Hanchuan without blinking.

Lin Hanchuan paused and continued, “Do you want to change your surname to Zhao?”

Lin Hanchuan had made up his mind. Gu Shi had suffered so much, and whatever he wanted, even if it was the throne, he would get it for him.

Gu Shi was eagerly awaiting the emotional moment of being recognized by his real father and was suddenly hit with the idea of changing his surname to Zhao. He looked bewildered and unsure, “Why should I be surnamed Zhao? Do you dislike me? Are you asking me to go die?” Shouldn’t he be surnamed Qi?

Zhao Shi, Zhao Shi, it’s as if you’re looking for death.