The Youngest Prince of the Zhou Family - Chapter 47
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Youngest Master of the Zhu Family (47)
Maternal Love
I was born as the youngest daughter of the Namgung Family.
Above me were seven Elder Brothers.
Calling me the family’s blessing, Father cherished me dearly.
The Family Head of a noble family, and that Family Head’s only daughter.
My Elder Brothers also cherished me, and everyone in the family would look at me lovingly, not knowing what to do with themselves whenever they saw me.
It was good.
It was really good.
I had never done anything difficult, nor had I ever encountered hardship.
If there was something I wanted, I could have it all, and if there was something I wanted to eat, I just had to eat it.
When I had grown to a certain age, rumors spread that I was the greatest beauty in all of Anhui Province.
Countless noble families lined up to take me away, the line so long it was bursting.
But the one who captured my heart was someone else.
Though he was much older than me, that wasn’t even a consideration.
It was Ju Tae-seong of the Zhu Family.
Thanks to his profound internal energy, he looked young enough to be my age.
On top of that, he had the title of Sword Master and the tremendous background of the Zhu Family.
I dreamed of a happy future.
So I pestered Father and was finally able to meet him.
But unlike the Zhu Family that shone like red rubies, he was a very cold man.
‘I already have someone in my heart. Think of this as families joining together, but do not seek my heart.’
Though his blunt rejection was hurtful, it didn’t matter.
I was confident I could change his heart.
The greatest beauty of Anhui, Namgung Yi-hwa.
Couldn’t someone like me toy with one man’s heart?
Hehe, and so we were wed at my request.
Though I wasn’t the main wife, I had no doubt I would soon become one.
* * *
But it didn’t take long for those thoughts to crumble.
Ju Tae-seong, that man never once set foot in My Quarters.
Why wouldn’t that man I so desperately wanted come, while those things called Elders of the Zhu Family came to pester me every day?
Saying I needed to bear a child quickly.
Saying the future of the Zhu Family depended on me.
Hah…
It was truly sickening.
But still, even from afar.
The Family Head of the Zhu Family was truly a wonderful man.
Yes, I still held the Family Head in my heart.
And finally, the time came to bear fruit.
Unable to withstand the pressure from the Family Elders, the Family Head eventually had no choice but to share a bed with me.
And so we were able to have one son and one daughter.
I felt like I had the whole world.
A son and daughter who resembled the man I held in my heart.
I vowed again and again to give these children the same love I had received from my family.
That’s right, I had become a mother.
Magnificently, even more magnificently.
Once the children were born, the Family Head began to frequent My Quarters.
Yes, in the end, people’s hearts are meant to be moved.
No matter how iron-hearted a man might be, he cherishes his own children dearly.
To our children, who brought the Family Head and me together again, I would give even more.
Even if it meant my life.
* * *
“What is that?”
I asked, looking at the small piece of grass in Namgung Yi-hwa’s mouth.
Then Yak Seon answered.
“It’s called Silver Sleep Grass. It’s a type of medicinal herb that only reacts to demonic energy.”
“I told you it was demonic energy. Didn’t I say I could sense demonic energy?”
“I know, I know. But I still need to confirm it with my own eyes.”
The Silver Sleep Grass had turned black.
But it hadn’t rotted.
Rather, it felt more vibrant from absorbing the demonic energy.
While Yak Seon examined her, I searched Namgung Yi-hwa’s room.
Of course, that Guard kept trying to stop me, but only to that extent.
Since he too knew that something strange had happened to Namgung Yi-hwa, he didn’t actively try to prevent me.
Anyway, there wasn’t a single suspicious object in the room.
“She hasn’t met anyone recently?”
“No, Young Master.”
The Guard answered obediently.
“She often mutters to herself?”
“She would always mutter like that at certain times.”
Hmm.
Definitely suspicious.
But in the end, I had no choice but to wait until Yak Seon finished his pulse reading.
* * *
The pulse reading ended when the sun began to set.
“This is definitely different from what Second Young Master was taking. This is more poisonous.”
“How much more poisonous?”
“At this level, we need to filter out both the poison qi and demonic energy from her body. Even then, she’ll need at least a month of recovery to get better. Yes.”
Since it was Yak Seon’s diagnosis, it must be certain.
“Can you make it? The antidote.”
“Of course. Though it will take more time.”
After Second Young Master, now he would have to make one for Namgung Yi-hwa too.
Anyway, having Yak Seon on my side was incredibly reassuring.
And so we returned straight to my quarters.
Yak Seon was rummaging through his belongings to find materials for making the medicine, while I fell into thought.
‘Where did they get it?’
That’s the most fundamental problem.
Both Namgung Yi-hwa and Ju Sang-jin have no knowledge of medicine whatsoever.
That means someone else manufactured and supplied the drug.
‘The Guard is ruled out for now.’
Namgung Yi-hwa’s Guard was genuinely devoted to his master.
If harm came to Namgung Yi-hwa, the Guard’s head would roll first.
So the Guard is on hold for now.
Then, where inside the Zhu Family could medicine be made?
‘Insu Hall is the only place.’
Insu Hall is where all kinds of medicinal herbs, poisonous herbs, and rare exotic herbs I’ve never heard of or seen before are stored.
But Heo Su-kyung guards that place.
If something happened, Insu Hall would be the first place suspected, but there’s no reason Heo Su-kyung would do such a thing unless she’s gone mad.
“So it’s an outsider after all.”
The scope has broadened considerably.
Jiangxi Province, no, there’s no need to look as far as all of Jiangxi Province.
Even just here in Nanchang, there are quite a few major trading companies scattered about.
Not to mention herb gatherers, even passing merchants number in the hundreds daily.
It’s truly like trying to find Mr. Wang in Beijing…
“What are you pondering so deeply about?”
Just then, Yak Seon asked bluntly.
“I was thinking about the distribution route of that poison.”
“This thing?”
Yak Seon pulled out that foul-smelling pill from his chest.
“Yes.”
“Why would anyone need to distribute this? The ingredients themselves are worthless.”
“Still, we need to know where it was supplied from to track…”
“This can be made just by picking weeds growing in the corner of the training ground and mixing them, you fool. What’s important is the demonic energy and Blood Grass.”
“…”
At those words, lightning flashed through my mind.
“It can just be made?”
“That’s right. Why? Don’t believe me?”
Yak Seon rolled up his sleeves, saying he’d show me a demonstration.
And he was about to leave the room.
But I stopped him.
“Hehe, if that’s true, then this might be easier than I thought.”
I had forgotten something important.
Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord.
Instead of wondering if it was that bastard, I should have been certain it was him and focused on this incident.
Even in my previous life, that bastard never let me discover his identity.
A crazy bastard who hides and manipulates people, using them as he pleases.
So, he manipulates people.
“When you make the antidote, please show it to me first, Elder.”
“The antidote? Very well. I shall do so. But why?”
“There’s something I need to confirm.”
I needed to confirm whether the antidote Yak Seon made in my previous life was the same as the current antidote.
If it matched, then I would truly be facing Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord right now.
* * *
It took a full three days for the antidote to be completed.
“It’s done.”
As promised, Yak Seon brought me the antidote first.
“How is it? I’m damn good at making medicine…”
“It’s a match.”
I nodded with a meaningful smile.
The color and the smell.
This had the exact same form as the antidote Yak Seon had shown me in my previous life.
“Huh? What matches?”
“Never mind that. Whose medicine is this?”
“I made Second Young Master’s first. Well, Second Madam’s won’t be much different from this one. What’s important is the demonic energy after all. Ahem.”
Perfect.
I’m certain.
Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord dared to meddle with the Zhu Family.
“Thank you, Elder.”
I immediately stood up and quickly left the room.
“Hey, you bastard! You need to take the antidote with you!”
Yak Seon shouted loudly from behind, but I cheerfully ignored him.
I headed straight to Ju Sang-jin’s personal quarters.
Startled, Ju Sang-jin once again showed me an aggressive attitude.
But this time, instead of suppressing him, I held out the antidote toward him.
“Drink it.”
“…How do I know what this is?”
“Just try drinking it.”
Faced with my firm attitude, Ju Sang-jin eventually cowered.
He took the medicine bottle and opened the lid.
At that moment.
“Urgh.”
He suddenly clutched his stomach and began dry heaving.
“Haha, look at this?”
What an interesting situation.
He’s reacting before even drinking the antidote?
“Damn it!”
Ju Sang-jin threw away the medicine bottle he was holding.
Naturally, the bottle broke and its contents spilled out, soaking the floor.
“Come somewhere with me for a moment.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Acting friendly now…”
“Let’s go. While I’m still treating you as an older brother, shut up and follow me quietly.”
I revealed my killing intent and openly added a threat.
In terms of martial realm, I had long since surpassed the peak level.
For Ju Sang-jin, who had only reached second-rate peak level, it must feel like facing the heavens.
Thus intimidated, Ju Sang-jin awkwardly followed behind me.
The place Sang Jin and I headed to was none other than Namgung Yi-hwa’s personal quarters.
I had never frequented this place so often as I had recently.
“…Welcome, Young Master.”
As usual, the guard bowed to me.
And was about to inform Namgung Yi-hwa of our arrival.
“Wait.”
I quickly stopped him.
Then I brought my index finger to my lips and quietly pushed him to one corner.
“I’ll do it.”
Then I took a moment to steady my breathing and called out quietly toward the room.
“Second Madam, I’ve brought the medicine.”
“…”
The silence lasted quite a while.
‘Is this not it?’
If this isn’t it, then what method…
That’s when it happened.
“Come in.”
“….”
Just as I was about to turn around, the door opened.
And Namgung Yi-hwa politely welcomed us with a respectful posture.
In an instant, chills ran through my entire body.
‘It’s demonic energy.’
Demonic energy was filling the entire interior of the room.
What was more interesting was.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Guild Master.”
Namgung Yi-hwa bowed her head politely without recognizing me or Sang Jin.
What was even more interesting was what happened from now on.
“Haha, you welcome me like this every time, I don’t know what to do with myself, Lady.”
Damn it, Ju Sang-jin was bowing his head toward Namgung Yi-hwa with a sly smile.
At that ridiculously absurd sight, I couldn’t help but gape.
“Please come sit over here, Guild Master.”
“Yes, then….”
As if they had made an appointment.
Namgung Yi-hwa guided him to a seat, and Ju Sang-jin sat down gracefully like any guild master of a trading company.
I first instructed the guard to stay outside the door and stepped inside.
I watched the two people closely.
Ju Sang-jin’s eyes were unfocused and hazy.
But his speech and actions were exactly like those of a guild master without a single flaw.
At the sight of Sang Jin moving as if everything was predetermined, I felt a chill.
At that moment, a streak of blood-red light in both their eyes.
‘Huh, the demonic energy has already progressed this far.’
The blood-red light visible in their eyes was proof that demonization was progressing.
If it weren’t for Yak Seon, these two would have certainly become demon cultists.
I soon sat down between the two of them.
I thought I might gain something by watching their conversation.
However, at that moment.
“….”
Suddenly, Namgung Yi-hwa and Ju Sang-jin turned their gazes toward me with expressionless faces.
With both of them looking at me simultaneously, it was quite eerie.
“Ha.”
A sigh that burst out simultaneously.
“Caught, huh?”
With those chilling words, both people stood up from their seats.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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