Chapter 45
Meng Fuyao was returning from the market with a bag of herbs Zong Yue had ordered her to get . She wore a veil that concealed her lifeless gaze . She seemed to be lost in thought .
She was thinking about what Yao Xun had mentioned regarding Zhangsun Wuji .
Immediately after her encounter with the madwoman, King De's men had arrived and spoken to Zong Yue . Zong Yue had warned her multiple times not to enter the abandoned garden again, but that had instead piqued her interest even more . Then, she had brought it up to the well-informed Yao Xun, hoping that he had some inside news about the relationship between Zhangsun Wuji and the madwoman . Yet, the name Zhangsun Wuji had triggered Yao Xun to start a whole lecture on his glorious achievements, which had, unfortunately, lasted the whole night .
At the age of seven, Zhangsun Wuji had drawn out a map of Wuji Nation's military borders . He had even revised the soldiers' strategies and positions before expanding the army's strength from 100,000 to 700,000, which had successfully led them to suppress three neighboring nations .
At the age of 10, he had witnessed an armed rebellion that had risen in the southern boundary of Wuji Nation . The southern and northern tribes had been fighting over a fertile grassland, and it had been an event that had led to the death of countless citizens living nearby . In response, Zhangsun Wuji had embarked on a far yet fast journey, leading ten guards deep into the chaotic region . No one had expected him to survive, but everyone had been proven wrong three days later when he returned hand in hand with both tribe leaders . Before hundreds of thousands of soldiers, the two formidable leaders had bowed and turned from sworn enemies into sworn brothers .
The 10-year-old boy, who was a few heads shorter than the rest, had only smiled in response with hands cupped behind his back, automatically sending the soldiers to their knees . Nobody had dared to stand taller than he was .
At the age of 13, he had been subjected to an assassination attempt, plotted by the king of Linjiang . He had been invited to a feast arranged by the latter . Upon his arrival at the feast, the king of Linjiang had made him a toast with wine, or rather, colorless and odorless poison, with a well-disguised assassin standing behind . Zhangsun Wuji had accepted the wine and placed the cup back onto the tray, immediately piercing his hand through the smirking king's chest and reaching for the assassin's heart .
Amid the shock spreading throughout the hall, Zhangsun Wuji had unhurriedly retracted his hand and spat the poisoned wine he had kept in his mouth onto the king's face . "I've saved you the trouble since you're literally unable to face my deceased grandfather now," was what he had said with a smile while pointing at the king's putrefying face . After that, he had removed his skin-like glove, throwing to the ground . Not once had his skin been stained with blood .
Since then, no one in the whole of Zhangsun imperial family had dared to act treacherously .
At the age of 15, Zhangsun Wuji's visit to Fufeng as an ambassador had somehow led to a sudden war between two major tribes . After three years of battle, they had been broken into three smaller tribes and were no longer able to spy on Wuji Nation .
After that incident, the respective nations had almost cut all dealings with Zhangsun Wuji because it was too burdensome to be constantly remembered and 'cared' for .
Zhangsun Wuji had gone under the radar after the age of 15 . He had stopped doing things that shocked the universe . In fact, he had stopped involving himself in political battles and did not seem interested in expanding his territory . He appeared satisfied with being the second largest nation in the whole of the Five Region Continent after Tiansha . People were thankful for that, or he would also be remembered by assassination teams all over . In fact, he had appeared in lists, and none was eager to bring his name forward .
Because Zhangsun Wuji was so amazingly capable in terms of contributing to his nation, the emperor had conferred upon him the title of Zhangsun Crown Prince . It was undoubtedly a supreme honor .
Yao Xun had ended his lengthy thesis with a sigh of admiration . "And there you have it, the world's hero, Zhangsun Wuji!"
Meng Fuyao narrowed her eyes, breaking into an involuntary smile while recalling his overly exaggerated tone .
Suddenly, black took over her vision ––– she had bumped right into someone's chest .
It was a strange feeling, somewhat soft yet hard, and a vague squeak could be heard .
Meng Fuyao shot her head up in realization, but it was too late .
A fluffy white furball had shot out, rubbing its tummy before launching a ferocious attack with its claws .
Before it could finish its attack, a fruit had been stuffed into its hands, effectively diverting its attention and anger .
As Lord Yuan Bao chewed on the object of bribery, Meng Fuyao's attention was, too, redirected to a certain pair of twinkling eyes .
Those eyes, warm and spring-like, had no regard for the sharp winter gusts, and could only belong to one unique individual -- Yuan Zhaoxu .
"What's on your mind?" he asked, lips curled and eyes smiling . While he had on a mask, those eyes of his were enough to intoxicate her .
"Yo . . . " Meng Fuyao uttered giggly, her eyes moving left and right, as she waited to see his face turn red .
Apart from not blushing a bit, he did not even blink and simply waited for a continuation .
" . . . ur crown prince, Zhangsun Wuji . " Meng Fuyao speedily finished .
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