Chapter 628: Chapter 383, No Retreat!_2

Bai Wuxin fell silent for a moment and asked, “Is this a ploy involving the use of a handsome man?”

“…”

——

Phoenix Palace.

As Zhong Daolong was hunched over his work, Chen Fenglei tiptoed in and quietly reported, “King, the Second Prince has arrived, saying that he wishes to see you.”

Zhong Daolong’s eyebrows creased slightly, and closing the folder in his hand, he said, “Didn’t I tell him to recuperate in Xian-yao Residence? What is it? Can’t he stay put?”

Chen Fenglei, with a smile plastered on his face, hastened to explain, “Second Prince heard about his elder brother being attacked by a pirate ship and wanted to visit him to see how he was doing, please approve, King…”

“Heh,” Zhong Daolong scoffed coldly.

He paused for a moment, then said, “If he wants to put on an act of fraternal respect and humility, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Zhong Daolong knew that there was already a rift in the hearts of the two brothers due to the struggle for power.

To expect them to truly reconcile and be as close as real brothers were somewhat unrealistic.

As long as they could maintain a surface-level harmony, it was enough to prevent outsiders from gossiping.

Aren’t all members of the Royal Family brought up this way?

“Let him in; I want to see if there has been any progress after his recent period of introspection.”

“Yes, King,” Chen Fenglei replied, turning to leave.

Before long, he returned with Second Prince Zhong Tianyi.

“Father.” Zhong Tianyi looked at Zhong Daolong, his eyes rimmed red.

Zhong Daolong sighed heavily as he looked at Zhong Tianyi’s pale and haggard face.

Originally, he had favored this second son the most because he was more carefree and casual.

His eldest son resembled him too much, always imitating everything and thus losing his own vitality and spirit.

But there could only be one in that position, so to preserve the legitimacy and security of the succession, he had to forsake Zhong Tianyi and support Zhong Tianque…

Even as the ruler of a country, there were many times when one’s actions were not one’s own to command.

“Ah, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight,” Zhong Daolong said as he looked at Zhong Tianyi, “It seems you haven’t been eating well lately?”

“Indeed, I haven’t had much appetite,” Zhong Tianyi admitted.

He understood his father’s character; blind compliance would only displease him.

“That just means you have worries on your mind,” Zhong Daolong said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile as he picked up his teacup to wet his throat, “What is it? Do you have complaints against me?”

Zhong Tianyi quickly came forward, voluntarily refilling his father’s empty teacup with tea.

“Father, how could I think such things? I know that you only want what’s best for me, for our family to be harmonious… I’ve been reflecting on myself during this time, how could I have done such foolish things?”

“Compared to ordinary people, I’ve already had so much, so much… It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call myself the luckiest person in the world… What else could I possibly desire? Just to live a happy life is enough…”

“To be born into the Royal Family, to be your son, that’s already the greatest fortune of my life… I was once misled by traitors, my mind clouded by interests, but from now on… I only wish to do things I enjoy.”

“To open a tennis center, or to run a car club… Not to think about what I shouldn’t, not to do what I shouldn’t do. The only thing I want to be is your youngest son, beyond that, I desire nothing else…”

Zhong Daolong scrutinized Zhong Tianyi with a profound gaze, as if weighing the truth of his words.

After a long while, he nodded and said, “I’m relieved that you think this way. When a family is together, we should be happy. Understand each other, tolerate each other.”

“It seems that during this period, you’ve come to realize much and have matured… You said you wanted to visit your elder brother?”

“Yes, hearing about the elder brother encountering a pirate attack, I’ve been worried about his wellbeing… and I thought to visit him. If you think it inappropriate, then I won’t go.”

Zhong Daolong’s eyes narrowed in displeasure, “What’s inappropriate about that? You two are brothers; must you go on without interacting until death?”

“Go, go and talk… Once the two of you have cleared the air, later on you should drink when it’s time to drink, meet when it’s time to meet…”

“I understand. I’ll go see the elder brother now. Facing such an incident, it’s only right for me as a brother to visit.”

“Hmm. Go then. Tell your elder brother that those scoundrels will pay a heavy price.”

“Yes, I will convey the message,” Zhong Tianyi replied, nodding.

He tactfully did not inquire about who those ‘scoundrels’ were, as overly eager concern might cast doubt on his true intentions.

Once Zhong Tianyi had left, Zhong Daolong glanced at the tea in his cup and said, “The tea is cold, get me a fresh hot cup.”

Chen Fenglei’s heart turned cold, and he fixed his gaze on the cup of tea that Zhong Tianyi had helped refill, careful not to meet Zhong Daolong’s eyes.

“Yes, King.”

Chen Fenglei obliged, picked up the tea, and left.

Soon after, he brought back a fresh hot cup of tea.

Even the cup had been changed.

The mind of a sovereign is as deep as the sea, to serve a monarch is to court a tiger.

——

Military Committee.

Shen Wuxiang sat at the head of the conference table, tall and upright, his back perfectly straight. Even without uttering a word, his presence imposed tremendous deterrence.

His piercing gaze swept around the room as he asked, “Security Bureau, is the investigation report ready?”

The Security Bureau was the internal disciplinary inspection and supervision department of the armed forces, directly controlled and led by the Military Committee.

In name it dealt with internal matters, but in times of emergency, it could also extend its reach externally.

After all, they couldn’t place all their hopes on the Monitoring Bureau.

Under normal circumstances, the two systems were like oil and water, never mixing.