Chapter 420 - The Stupid First Prince
When Zhao Zhang Wei moved his eyes to look at Eunuch Zhang again, his face didn't even have that evil smile. His eyes were sharp and cold as he silently stared at the young Eunuch.
"Eunuch Zhang…"
The cold and emotionless voice made Eunuch Zhang shiver in fear though he didn't even know why his master suddenly looked so different when he was praising him just a few moments ago.
Did he do anything wrong?
As he wondered about this question, he didn't forget to respond to his master.
"Y…Your Highness"
Zhao Zhang Wei smiled ….very coldly. His fingers traced the brush in his hand. However, Eunuch Zhang felt as if he was tracing the sharp edge of some knife or dagger.
The thought made the young Eunuch swallow in fear as he imagined something more than that. He was forced to come out of his trance again when he heard his master's voice
"The things Benwang discussed with you just now …should not be leaked."
Eunuch Zhang vigorously nodded his head after hearing his master's words.
He understood the importance of whatever his master had told him just now. The matters that were related directly to the throne should not be spread like this.
"Your Highness doesn't need to worry. This servant would forget whatever happened a few moments ago."
The young Eunuch said sincerely.
Zhao Zhang Wei was still looking at Eunuch Zhang with cold eyes. Eunuch Zhang didn't know what he was thinking as he stood up from his chair and then walked towards him.
The young and scared Eunuch wanted to take a step back in fear, however, he thought that that would be very disrespectful.
So gritting his teeth together he just stayed at the same spot.
When had he thought the gentle and easygoing second prince would also behave like this one day! At this moment, his aura was not any less terrifying than an angry Emperor who could execute anyone he wanted in his anger.
He just didn't want to be that person. Eunuch Zhang who didn't have any tears to shed thought inside his heart.
Just at this moment, Zhao Zhang Wei came to stand in front of Eunuch Zhang and said coldly.
"Raise your head."
Though with a little bit of hesitation, Eunuch Zhang did raise his head and Zhao Zhang Wei finally continued.
"Even if they beat you to the death, even if they tried to poison you forcefully…anything they do with you, you are not allowed to reveal whatever happened here."
Thin beads of sweat appeared on Eunuch Zhang's forehead and he gulped with every pause Zhao Zhang Wei took. In his mind, he was imagining being beaten to death, being poisoned forcefully, and what that anything could be.
His knees started to shake badly in fear. He wanted to ask who these 'They' would be but looking at his master's cold face he thought that at this moment staying silent would be much better.
Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed when he didn't hear any response from Eunuch Zhang and he put his hand on his shoulder.
Eunuch Zhang flinched while Zhao Zhang Wei raised his eyebrows in surprise.
The coldness in his voice lessened a bit surely when he saw how scared the young Eunuch looked and he said
"Benwang promises you that if this matter threatens your life in the future then Benwang will save you even if Benwang would need to give his life. However, this promise will last only until you will stay loyal to Benwang."
Eunuch Zhang was again feeling a little emotion after hearing these few sincere words from his master's side. He was about to bow down and thank Zhao Zhang Wei when he heard Zhao Zhang Wei's next words.
"But if you open your mouth to leak Benwang's secrets…then Benwang will find you from the depths of the hell and kill you with my own hands."
The fear settled inside the young Eunuch's heart again. However, with this fear, there was an assurance also.
"Your Highness, this servant can never think of betraying Your Highness."
The young Eunuch said firmly.
Zhao Zhang Wei was very satisfied on seeing this. He left Eunuch Zhang's shoulder and said lazily.
"Then Benwang will also try to keep away the thought of killing you from his mind…after all, you know such a big secret now."
Eunuch Zhang wanted to cry at his fate. Just a few moments ago, he had been so happy but now he thought if only he could back to the past, he would cover his ears and shout to his master that he was just a dumb servant.
The naive servant, however, never knew that his will never mattered in this matter. He was chosen only because Zhao Zhang Wei trusted him a lot.
However, the unaware Eunuch Zhang could only turn around and leave the study room with a depressed mind.
.
.
.
On the other hand, in the Delan Palace, a shadow guard was kneeling in front of the first Prince, Zhao Zhuang Chen.
"What? You mean …whatever Prime Minister Xi said was true."
Zhao Zhuang Chen who was leaning against the headrest of the chair comfortably suddenly raised his head.
His face was morphed with shock and anger as he asked his shadow guard again.
"You heard everything correctly?"
The shadow guard repeated his words.
"Yes, Your Highness. The Second Prince said to his Eunuch that His Majesty has promised him that as long as he can think of a plan to destroy Li and Yi Clan…he will be given the throne."
Zhao Zhuang Chen inhaled sharply.
His eyes were cold and indifferent as the image of his father flashed in his mind. The same father who had promised him that the throne would always be his after he (Zhao Wang Lei) will get down from the throne.
So he was never sincere in his promises.
Zhao Zhuang Chen's heart was filled with anger. He should have known. It was the matter of throne and a whole Empire. Such things could never be promised sincerely.
He should, in fact, have never trusted his own father.
Here in the Imperial Palace, no one could be trusted. At least, he should have known this.
However, he was also very determined. To get the throne, even if he would need to go against his father…he would do that too.
But the throne belonged to him.
Him solely.