The years I was in the human world

"Third brother, you don't want to be the king of a fallen country, so you reluctantly call me elder brother so that I can bear the stigma for you."

"But how can this be done? If I take over the throne from my third brother, I don't have the same tolerance as him. My third brother's position as the emperor emeritus will be uneasy. He will have to send you to the Wuxiang people as a hostage emperor, so that you can also experience the suffering I have endured."

Chu Zhaoyun listened to these words, his expression gradually became terrified. He looked at Chu Zhaoli in panic, not understanding why his elder brother, who was always mediocre and honest in his memory, had become so vicious now: "No, you can't--"

"Why can't I?" Chu Zhaoli asked back. He was still smiling, but tears welled up in his eyes. "I should have turned you into a half-human like me, but then I would be no different from you, so forget it. But asking you to live comfortably as an emperor will not dispel the hatred in my heart."

"So, it's better for you, my third brother, to become the late emperor, and be posthumously named the Last Emperor. What do you think, my third brother?" Chu Zhaoli smiled like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue. Chu Zhaoyun, lying on the bed, was terrified when he saw this. Who said that his eldest brother was incompetent? He just didn't show his fangs to them.

"Do you want to destroy the Chu family's kingdom?" Chu Zhaoyun asked in disbelief with a trembling voice. The last word was enough to show that this madman Chu Zhaoli didn't even want the kingdom anymore in order to vent his anger.

"Yes, I have to live up to your comments that you are the 'comet that brings disaster to the world'. Don't worry, Third Brother. I will make sure that you and your brothers and sisters will be reunited in the underworld one by one. The rules will still apply as before. I will not join in the fun of your Chu family." Chu Zhaoli said happily, shaking with excitement.

"No, I shouldn't call you my third brother. Since you don't want Chu Zhaoli, I will be an unfilial son." Chu Zhaoli said, "When you go down, remember to tell that old man that it was me, Xiao Su, who destroyed your prosperous foundation. Be angry, no one will have an easy life."

"You!" The terminally ill emperor's face suddenly turned horrified, not only because of Chu Zhaoli's words of not recognizing his ancestors, but also because of the surname he chose for himself - Xiao.

This means that he is going to collude with Xiao Ling.

Chu Zhaoyun could regard everything Xiao Fengzhuo said before as angry words he said to vent his dissatisfaction, except for the last sentence. He really didn't want the country or the throne. Even if he sat on it in the end, his surname would be Xiao, not Chu!

"When did you collude with Xiao Ling?" Chu Zhaoyun was furious.

"This has nothing to do with you, late emperor." Chu Zhaoli left the emperor's bedroom very happily. Not long after that, Chu Zhaoyun was poisoned to death. It was announced to the public that he died suddenly, but before his death, Xie Huaiyu did come to find King Ding'an, who was in command of a large army at that time.

Xiao Fengzhuo had a good memory, but he always tried not to think about things before the Southern Dynasty, so he didn't react for a while. At this moment, he suddenly remembered the reasons why Xie Huaiyu had persuaded him in the past, and he suddenly realized that the wind of the Southern Dynasty had passed through time and brought the yellow sand of the years to fall on him.

"Azhuo?" Lu Zhouxue gently called Xiao Fengzhuo back to his senses.

"Nothing." Xiao Fengzhuo suddenly came back to his senses. He looked at Lu Zhouxue who was living in Ah Xun's body, as if he could see the face behind through the body. The puzzle that had troubled him for many years suddenly became clear at this moment. So that's how it is. He smiled, but suddenly hugged Lu Zhouxue and buried his head in the latter's neck.

Seeing him suddenly being so soft and clingy, Lu Zhouxue couldn't help but feel a little worried: "What's wrong with you, Ah Zhuo?"

"It's okay, Mianmian." Xiao Fengzhuo hugged Lu Zhouxue tighter. He suddenly realized that he had known Lu Zhouxue for a long time, much earlier than he thought.

But now is not a good time to talk about love, Xiao Fengzhuo quickly let go of Lu Zhouxue, thought for a moment and then said: "I will go to see King Ding'an tomorrow, you come with me."

"Me? What's the use if I go?" Lu Zhouxue widened his eyes slightly and pointed at himself. He didn't understand what he could do by going with them. Was he going to put a knife to Chu Zhaoli's neck to threaten him?

"Why doesn't it work? It's a beauty trap. Do you understand, Mianmian?" Xiao Fengzhuo said it as a joke with a smile, but he sounded very serious, making Lu Zhouxue unable to figure out whether this guy was telling the truth or making fun of him.

After telling Lu Zhouxue about this, he went to inform Lin Shuyang and told him to be ready. Seeing Xiao Fengzhuo's plan, Xie Huaiyu couldn't help but ask, "Why did you change your mind? Why are you so sure that Chu Zhaoli will agree?"

After hearing what Xie Huaiyu said, Lu Zhouxue looked at Xiao Fengzhuo curiously, wanting to know the reason for his sudden change of attitude.

"You'll know tomorrow." Xiao Fengzhuo didn't explain. He still needed to verify something. He turned and smiled at Lu Zhouxue, intentionally keeping her in suspense. Then he told Xie Huaiyu, "Then you can talk to Chu Zhaoli first and see if you can come to an agreement."

Xiao Fengzhuo's words sounded rather condescending. Xie Huaiyu said, "You said that as if I can't negotiate, then you can."

"Yes, you can't negotiate it, but I can." Xiao Fengzhuo admitted it without any concealment. That's what he meant. It sounded a little crazy, but it seemed so natural.

The next day, Lin Shuyang sent the two of them into the city. Although he wanted to ask Xie Huaiyu why he brought Lu Zhouxue with him, he didn't say anything.

Driving in the front, it was much quieter than usual.

Although there seemed to be only two people in the carriage, in fact, all three of them were well aware of Lin Shuyang's abnormality, but no one mentioned it. Xiao Fengzhuo even wanted to tell Lu Zhouxue a story, saying that Xiao Ling was the imperial teacher in the Western Dynasty, who liked to spread rumors to confuse the people and deceived a group of princes and ministers.

It was also said that there were rumors in the Western Dynasty that the powerful imperial teacher was inhumane and was a eunuch who had only the status but no blessings to enjoy. There were countless gossips about Xiao Ling like this. Lu Zhouxue listened to them with joy at first, but when Xiao Fengzhuo held her in his arms, she almost couldn't help laughing.

But after hearing what this guy said, he found out that he was talking about all these obscene rumors about Xiao Ling. Lu Zhouxue's eyes gradually changed when he looked at Xiao Fengzhuo. He got up from the latter's arms, looked at Xiao Fengzhuo with amusement, and said, "Azhuo, are these really rumors you said, or did you make them up yourself?"

He was more inclined to the latter, that Xiao Fengzhuo was deliberately plotting against Xiao Ling. Lu Zhouxue shook his head in his heart, thinking that this guy was trying to deceive him. Why didn't he realize before that Xiao Fengzhuo was so childish?

"Of course it's just rumors. How could I be the kind of person who would casually make up stories about others?" Xiao Fengzhuo said this with full confidence, as if those so-called rumors were actually circulating in the market, as if he really didn't say these things deliberately in front of Lu Zhouxue with the intention of making up stories about Xiao Ling.

"Are you serious, Ah Zhuo?" Lu Zhouxue didn't believe it at all.

"Really." Xiao Fengzhuo's face remained calm, the other things might have some fabricated elements in them, but the rumor that Xiao Ling was a eunuch was true. Those in power all had three wives and four concubines in their courtyard. Even those who were chaste would have one or two concubines. But that guy, his courtyard was clean and spotless, and it was impossible to insert a spy in.

When the carriage passed through the long street, Xiao Fengzhuo heard the bustling hawking outside. He didn't know what he was thinking about, but he called out to Lin Shuyang to stop the carriage. He lifted the curtain and got out.

"Huaiyu, is there anything you want to buy? I'll get it for you." When Lin Shuyang saw him come out, he hurriedly tried to promote himself.

"No need, I'll buy it myself." Xiao Fengzhuo waved his hand to refuse. What a joke. How could he ask someone else to buy something for his daughter Mianmian?

Xiao Fengzhuo came back not long after getting off the car, holding a handful of snacks in his hand. He saw Lin Shuyang sitting in the front of the car waiting eagerly, like a big dog looking forward to something.

Xiao Fengzhuo paused, then took out a candied haws and handed it to him, saying like coaxing a child: "Here, eat it."

After Xiao Fengzhuo finished speaking, he stuffed the candied haws into Lin Shuyang's hand, and then, regardless of his reaction, he opened the door curtain and entered the carriage, and gave all the snacks he had bought to Lu Zhouxue: "Here, this is for Mianmian."

"I'm not a three-year-old child, why are you buying these for me?" Lu Zhouxue took it with a smile. Although he was no longer at the age of being greedy for snacks, he still enjoyed Xiao Fengzhuo's preference for them.

"Then what should we do?" Xiao Fengzhuo sighed softly, pretending to be regretful. "Then I'll have to trouble Mianmian to pretend to be a three-year-old child."

The carriage drove slowly towards where Prince Ding'an was staying. While the two were chatting, they arrived at their destination. A fairly grand mansion appeared before them.

There was still a candy man left in Lu Zhouxue's hand. He couldn't bear to throw it away, but he couldn't eat it. It would be a bit too dignified to take it to see Prince Ding'an. He looked at Xiao Fengzhuo awkwardly: "Azhuo, why don't you eat it, or I'll wait outside."

"Hold it and play with it. The sun is scorching. If you stand outside for a while, it will melt." Xiao Fengzhuo didn't care. He took Lu Zhouxue in his arms and walked inside, whispering to comfort her, "We will talk to Chu Zhaoli later. You just play outside. Although that guy is a little moody, he is still a good person. You don't have to worry."

"Do you want me to do something?" Lu Zhouxue did not forget the purpose of their visit.

"No need. Your coming here will be the greatest help. Leave the rest to me." Xiao Fengzhuo said and winked at Lu Zhouxue, signaling him to relax and he would handle it.

Lu Zhouxue nodded and said no more.

As soon as I entered the backyard, I saw Chu Zhaoli playing chess with himself in front of a chessboard. There were no servants around him, and the huge courtyard seemed a bit empty and deserted.

"Please sit down. There are no servants to serve you. Just drink the tea." Chu Zhaoli casually threw the chess piece in his hand back into the chess basket, picked up the teapot and demonstrated his tea-making skills to the two of them.

Everything was just right, including the way he treated Xie Huaiyu. Apart from the fact that he did not have any servants, he was very polite and had a hint of the character of a celebrity. However, his tone of voice and behavior were unconventional and had a bit of the heroic spirit of a man of the world.

A very contradictory person. Lu Zhouxue lowered his eyes to look at him. The first impression he had of him was gloomy, but when he saw him again, the feeling was different. He was not as hysterical as he had imagined. Xiao Fengzhuo said that Chu Zhaoli had hatred in his heart, but it was obvious that he was a very cultured person. It had nothing to do with his status, it was simply a matter of personal conduct.

After performing the hospitality ceremony with great courtesy, Chu Zhaoli sat down and asked, "Why are you here, Mr. Xie? Please tell me directly."

"As we agreed before, you talk to him first." After Xiao Fengzhuo said this, he gave control of his body to Xie Huaiyu and was happy to watch the show.

Xie Huaiyu followed the plan he had prepared in advance and told the king of Ding'an about his plan to overthrow Xiao Ling and resist the invasion of the Wuxiang people.

However, unexpectedly, facing the generous conditions offered by Xie Huaiyu, Chu Zhaoli, who had taken advantage of the situation, refused without a second thought: "What does the Chu family's kingdom have to do with me?"

Xie Huaiyu choked, and after a brief moment of confusion, he continued to lobby Chu Zhaoli: "I know you hate the royal family, but the affairs of those who wield power have nothing to do with the common people. They are always innocent."

Chu Zhaoli was mediocre and incompetent in the past, but he was a rare kind and gentle person who loved the people like his own children. Xie Huaiyu didn't believe that he would ignore the people because of hatred.

"Isn't Xiao Ling better at governing a country than Chu Zhaoyun, that loser?" Chu Zhaoli asked, leaving Xie Huaiyu speechless. "If I had listened to you and started a war with Xiao Ling, there would have been countless casualties. If I had left it alone, only Chu Zhaoyun would have died."

He wished Chu Zhaoyun would die.

"What about the Wuxian people? The Wuxian people's iron hooves are so close, aren't you afraid that Xiao Ling will just open the city gates and let the barbarians in?" Xie Huaiyu was almost confused by Chu Zhaoli's logic. What he said was true, but it was all based on the premise that Xiao Ling really wanted to govern the country. But Xiao Ling was clearly a ghost who brought disaster to the world, so how could he seriously govern the country?

"If what Master Xie said is true, then the Northern Army is just sitting there doing nothing? Oh, I forgot, the Northern Army just suffered a defeat not long ago." Chu Zhaoli did not respond to Xie Huaiyu's words at all, but instead used sharp words to force Xie Huaiyu to retreat step by step.

"But it doesn't matter. My Southwestern Cavalry is no better than your Northern Cavalry. I can guarantee that as long as I am here, the Wuxian people will not be able to get in."

Chu Zhaoli was indeed kindhearted. Even though he hated the late emperor and Chu Zhaoyun to the point of gnashing his teeth, he never thought of using the common people as a pretext. Of course, he also hated Xiao Ling. If it weren't for that demon's unfounded comment, how could his life be so chaotic and absurd?

If there had been no invasion by the Wuxiang people, he might have agreed to Xie Huaiyu's request. After Xiao Ling deposed the emperor and established himself as the emperor, he would have brought him down under the pretext of eliminating treacherous officials and reaped the benefits.

However, there happened to be an invasion by foreign enemies. If the internal forces also rose up, the border cities and the people would certainly not be able to be preserved. Therefore, he had to endure Xiao Ling temporarily and hurried to the capital. Of course, it was not only to rush back to see Chu Zhaoyun's excitement, but also to stabilize the situation when the Northern Palace Army was defeated and the whole country was in panic.

If the emperor is stable, the country will be stable. But his stubborn attitude only gave Xie Huaiyu a headache. Chu Zhaoli had no ambition and seemed to have no desire for that position. He did not want it or covet it, but only wanted to destroy it.