371. Mental Stress (III)

After a short pause, Emperor Zhou shook his head slowly. “Don’t rush. Let’s wait a while.”

“I’m too impatient,” Fang said immediately.

Emperor Zhou smiled. “Well, I know you mean well… Go back first. As for Huhe Huangcheng, just keep the current relationship with him.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Fang said goodbye and left. From the beginning to the end, he had showed his sincerity and loyalty to the emperor to the fullest.

Emperor Zhou stared at the door, thinking carefully about a question.

Suye was his favorite son and his most anticipated heir.

However, when it came to the abilities needed by an emperor, Suye, who had been taught since childhood… seemed to be inferior to Fang.

Ever since Fang returned to the royal family, he had performed impressively, and… he had insight. So he had great potential as the emperor.

That thought flashed through his mind, but Emperor Zhou quickly ruled it out.

Even so, Suye could still learn.

Naturally, he hoped to leave his own things to the son he liked most…

That was human nature. Even if he was an emperor, he inevitably thought like that.

However, if Fang wasn’t interested in the throne and was loyal to Heaven Dragon, and also could be controlled, then it wouldn’t matter if he was kept alive.

He could also contribute to Eastern Darkness…

Fang still didn’t know that his noble father was kindly thinking about keeping him alive.

At this time, he calmly walked towards the gate of the palace.

When people saluted him on the way, he told them to get up instead of ignoring them.

If that was someone with a high status, he would also talk to them.

For example, “Commander Li, you have worked hard.”

“Hello, Manager Zhang.”

He talked to them like that.

Although it was only a short sentence, people would feel happy and have a good impression of him.

Most importantly, Fang behaved in a calm and graceful manner, as if he was born with such gentleness and dignity.

He didn’t look like a rough man who had lived in the martial arts world for decades at all!

In fact, Fang was more like a swordsman, and he had the temperament and demeanor of a swordsman since childhood.

In addition, after experiencing too many things and being taught by many “famous teachers” around him, he had learned how to keep his countenance. Therefore, he had got the makings of a leader who could convince others.

As his experience was increasing every day, Fang would become a qualified ruler sooner or later.

He had been very close to that state, hadn’t he?

The most important thing was that he had learned how to think about things, which was really gratifying.

As for this, Long and Shi should get the credit!

After Fang left the palace, he got on the carriage that had been waiting there at the gate.

The carriage belonged to his mansion. Long and Shi were driving, followed by a team of a dozen guards.

They left with great vigor.

At the corner near the gate, Zhou Suye walked out.

He looked coldly at the carriage which was getting farther and farther.

He naturally knew that his father had asked Fang to do something, which must be a serious task.

It represented that Emperor Zhou trusted Fang.

Zhou Suye slowly closed his eyes. What about him? Because the emperor’s birthday was approaching, he was released ahead of time. However, he wasn’t allowed to attend the court meeting and enter the palace.

So, what could he do even if he had been released?

He clenched his fists, thinking that Fang must be killed!

Since many princes had already died, then just let him be the only prince left!

When he thought of that, coldness showed in his eyes.

After Long and the others returned to the mansion, they entered the secret room.

Fang told them what he and Emperor Zhou talked about in the palace, including every word Emperor Zhou said, so that Long and the others could analyze it with him.

A man’s intentions could be easily shown by his words.

If they couldn’t understand, that would be a great loss!

Long touched his chin slowly. “What Emperor Zhou said should be true. The imperial doctors haven’t figured out anything.”

Shi said calmly, “Since Huhe Huangcheng dares to show it so confidently, he won’t be afraid that Eastern Darkness will be able to work out the antidote in a short time.”

“Yeah.” Fang nodded. “In addition, I think that if Emperor Zhou is forced to the corner, he’ll use special ways to get the antidote.”

Long agreed with it. “Yes. He asked you to keep on good terms with Huhe Huangcheng only for the time being. When you guys get to the border and the poison is put into use, he will definitely not let Huhe Huangcheng have his way. You know, there is not only Heaven Dragon’s army over there. Most of the troops are still from Eastern Darkness. If Northern Barbarians has secretly formed an alliance with Heaven Dragon, then Eastern Darkness will be in danger. Emperor Zhou won’t just stand by.”

“Yes.” Fang nodded. “But let’s see when he will take action.”

“After you get to the border I guess… By the way, I have a question in mind today.”

“What is it?” Both Shi and Fang looked at him.

Long said slowly, “We’ve asked Liu Suifeng to work on the antidote. Do you still remember the evil creatures in Songye city? The antidote to that poison was inseparable from the poisonous insect, but now the insect is just in my body. If it must be used to get the antidote…”

“It is not a must,” Shi said directly, “If it is necessary, then there must be poisonous insects in Northern Barbarians.”

“How do you know there aren’t?” Long asked.

Shi fell silent.

“We’ve already seen two poisonous insects. Northern Barbarians is a big nation and there might be some, too. They can even make such evil creatures, let alone some poisonous insects.”

Shi found that he couldn’t refute Long’s words, so he asked, “What do you want to do?”

Long thought for a while and said, “I have to go to the border to have a check.”

After a short silence, Shi said, “What about me?”

Long smiled faintly. “You can follow Fang Shuoyang and he’ll definitely go there. If everything goes well, Xu You will also join you. You should bring all the men. It’s best… if you find a way to get Zhou Suye there.”

Fang was surprised. “Get Zhou Suye there? We can’t hurt him, can we?”

“We can’t hurt him, but we can prevent him from doing anything to hurt us while we’re away.”

After thinking for a while, Fang nodded. “Okay, we’ll figure out a way.”

Shi pursed his lips and said nothing.