THE RISE OF LIMING

SECOND PRINCE RETURNS

Meanwhile, Madam Zhou had followed her husband's instructions running through the hidden passage. It was so well hidden and the other side came out in the forest. The forest was big and vast. There was no way they would find them plus all their servants were good and loyal, no one would dare betray their lord and his wife. Glancing around, Madam Zhou searched for the stone her husband had talked about and found it. Using all her might, Madam Zhou tried to lift the rock but it was too heavy. 

“Mother, let me do it.” Wu Huan said arranging the bag that had been hung round his shoulders. 

“No, Huan'er. You are still a child. This stone is going to be too heavy for you.” Madam Zhou said. 

“But you are weak and fragile. There is no way you can lift the stone. What if you hurt little sister?” Zhou Wu Huan asked thinking for his mother. 

“Fine. You and I will lift the stone together. Huan'er is so cute. He is already thinking of his mother." Madam Zhou said patting her son's head. 

In the ending, the both of them tried to carry the stone but it was impossible to lift. Madam Zhou stepped back sighing. Zhou Wu Huan was already a genius at a young age. He was street smart and clever. Going round the rock, Zhou Wu Huan looked at the rock. It was already night so Zhou Wu Tang had given both his wife and son a flame stick. 

Madam Zhou was afraid it might alert the soliders of their positions so she threw it away or so she thought as Zhou Wu Huan lit a foldable fire stick blowing on it. Watching as it lit, Zhou Wu Huan quickly searched around for something. Madam Zhou panicked when she saw Wu Huan put on fire. 

“Huan'er, put off the fire. If they see the light, they can find us. Its possible that they are searching for us right now as we speak." Madam Zhou said. 

Wu Huan looked around until he found what he was looking for. A palm print. Wu Huan knew his father had planned everything ahead. The hidden passage out of the manor was smooth with no stones or anything. This must have been done so as to avoid any of them slipping. The path were the hidden passage came out to was also cleared. The grasses had been cleared. This must have been done in order to avoid harmful animals from hiding in between them. 

“ Mother, I've found it." Zhou Wu Huan said. 

Madam Zhou quickly stood up rushing to Wu Huan and discovered placing your hand on the plam mark engraved on the stone was actually the way to move the stone. Watching as the stone moved itself, Madam Zhou gasped Ashe saw the money and valuables her husband had hidden under the stone. It suddenly made her regretful for shouting at him whenever he told her they didn't have money. On top of the valuables was a written letter from her husband. Madam Zhou suddenly started crying as she read the letter.

“Dear wife,

If you have found this letter, it means you have also found the valuables I hid under the stone which means something bad has happened to me. I don't know when it will happen but I have known for a long time that I was a dead man walking. My second brother was raised by my first brother and he has always loved him. Unlike me who was favored by my royal parents. I feel sorry to you for dragging you down with me. In our next life, let's be a normal couple and live our lives with our children. ~Zhao Wu Tang”

Wu Huan sat by his mother's side as she read the letter crying. Seeing flashes of light, Madam Zhou stood up holding Wu Huan tightly. 

“We have no time to stay here. Let's go far away from his place." Madam Zhou said running with Wu Huan. 

When they were out of the forest, Madam Zhou continued to walk with her son in her hand glancing back from time to time to make sure no one was following them. Out of the forest was the road to the capital. There was no way they could return back there as there would surely be soliders waiting for her and her son so Madam Zhou walked far straying from the main road going to the capital. 

“Madam Zhou!" Wu Huan heard someone call his mother and immediately recognizing the person's voice. 

“Mother, it's Nanny Zhou." Wu Huan said making Madam Zhou turn around to see her personal maid falling her. She and her husband had sent her and the other maids out of the manor. Nanny Zhou was her personal maid and was a woman in her twenties just like her. Seeing that she came back really touched her heart. 

“Madam Zhou. I knew you would be here." Nanny Zhou said. 

" You. What are you doing here?” Madam Zhou asked. 

“ You are my mistress. You have been very kind to me. How can I just leave you without knowing that you would be safe?” Nanny Zhou asked. 

“How are the others?” Madam Zhou asked. 

“They are all safe. Some of them returned back to their towns while the others that don't have a family, they are all at the house.” Nanny Zhou said. 

“House?” Madam Zhou asked surprised. 

“His Highness had planned everything. There is a house in the forest. It is secluded and safe. No one would know they are there. Including you. You can stay there. You are pregnant. You cannot be wandering around." Nanny Zhou said. 

" That's good. That's good.” Madam Zhou said as Nanny Zhou took Wu Huan's hand carrying them to the house. 

Meanwhile in the palace, the emperor received news of another battle been won. He was super happy as he remembered his brother would be returning. 

“When did he say he would be returning?” The emperor asked. 

“The day after tomorrow, Your Majesty." Ying Fu said. 

" This great. Since he is coming back with such a powerful victory, I should reward him. I think it's time he gets married. He is always fighting on the battlefield. Although I know he loves it, he isn't getting any younger. I want him to have a son so that Ming'er can play with him.” The emperor said laughing. 

“As you wish, Your Majesty. General Zhou has truly won the love and respect of the people, his marriage would be a big blessing from the heavens." Ying Fu said. 

" Ask the astrology department when it would be a good time to get married. I want to know.” The emperor said watching as Ying Fu nodded his head and left. 

Few days later, Zhou Dong who was the second brother of the emperor arrived in the capital receiving praise from everywhere as he entered riding on his horse. While he entered, Madam Zhou was standing among the crowd disguised watching him with Wu Huan. Pointing at him, Madam Zhou showed Wu Huan. 

“That man. You have not seen him before, right? He is your uncle. Your second uncle. He and the emperor are the ones who killed your father. You must remember to stay away from him.” Madam Zhou said before looking down and watching as Wu Huan nodded his head promising. 

Wu Huan continued to look at the man his mother had pointed out to be his uncle. He had not had time to mourn for his father because he didn't want to make his mother sad. He knew it was also for the same reason that his mother had not yet mourned her husband. Looking at the middle aged man, Wu Huan saw as everyone praised him on his way to the palace. 

Few minutes later, Zhou Dong arrived at the court hall standing in the middle of the officials and before the emperor. Dusting hjs unifomy, Zhou Dong fell to his knees mamjng the emperor happy. 

“Your Majesty, I have calmed the rebellion and won.” Zhou Dong said 

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.” The rest officials said. 

The emperor got up from his seat and went to help his brother rise. To him, this was his real brother. They had grown up depending on each other and knew each other's secrets. If there was anyone he was sure won't betray him, it would be Zhou Dong. 

“You have achieved a great merit this time. You deserve to be rewarded. Apart from rewarding you, I have the best gift for you.” The emperor said as he wrapped his arm round his brother's neck . 

“Whatever Your Majesty gives me must be something good. I have no doubt about it.” Zhou Dong said. 

The emperor thought of telling Zhou Dong about the marriage proposal he had set up for him but looked around and realized the court officials were still there. Glancing at Ying Fu, the emperor signaled him as he he turned to leave with his brother. 

“The emperor is leaving!" Ying Fu announced. 

All the officials turned around facing the emperor as he left and bid him goodbye. Few minutes later, both brothers sat down together. 

“Your Majesty, what is this good reward that you said you had for me?” Zhou Dong asked as he sipped his tea. 

“Dong'er, you have been fighting in battle since when our late father was alive. Although I was crown prince, I wasn't able to help you and call you back from the border till I became king. When I finally wanted to, you said you liked fighting in battle and making a name for yourself. This time, I want you to settle down." The emperor said. 

" Settle down?” Zhou Dong asked surprised. 

“Yes. Marriage. You are not getting any younger. Even our third brother got married before you.” The emperor said. 

“What is it? Are you starting to suspect me too? Do you think that I would actually betray you?” Zhou Dong asked.

“Of course not. You are the brother that I raised. You and I are just alike. We have overcomed a lot of things just by depending on each other. I know you will never betray me. Its just that you need to settle down now." The emperor said.

"What's the rush?” Zhou Dong asked. 

“Zhou Wu Tang is dead.” The emperor said making Zhou Dong's eyes go wide. 

“What do you mean our brother is dead? You killed him?” Zhou Dong asked. 

“He is a traitor that embezzled a lot of money! Because of him, the soliders on the battlefield didn't have enough food to eat, you should know he got what he deserved!” The emperor said angrily. 

“At least tell me you allowed him to be buried in the royal tomb. He is a prince after all.” Zhou Dong said. 

“You are right. He was a prince. Don't worry. I did allow him to be buried with our parents. He died in front of their tablets, how could I not allow him to be buried with them? It was his last only wish. Dong'er, you and I are the only remaining descendants of our father. We will stay together and look after one another, right?” The emperor asked staring right into Zhou Dong's eyes as he leaned over the table. 

“Of course. His Majesty raised and took care of me. We are going to be together.” Zhou Dong said. 

“Good. Her name is Shi Heng. She is the daughter of the Marquis. You know him. I think the both of you will make a perfect couple.” The emperor said. 

Zhou Dong stood up and bowed his head. There was indeed no escaping it. 

“Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhou Dong said. 

The marriage preparation didn't take long. Zhou Dong and Shi Heng got married between a month. Everyone thought that the emperor loved his brother so much that he found him a good wife. Meanwhile, Zhou Dong knew his brother was just trying to cut off his wings. The earlier the better.