Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 931 3: Brothers

Zi Shu remained silent.

Zhongli Yuan stared at him, spoke softly after a while: "Are you the true member of the West Night Royal Family? Then who is Si Snake?"

Zi Shu still kept silent.

Zhongli Yuan nodded: "I understand, you both are Princes of West Night. But one of you wants to restore West Night, while the other has different ambitions."

This indeed was a significant discovery.

"Why are your eyes not blue?"

Zhongli Yuan asked.

Zi Shu replied: "Because my mother is from the Central Plains, not Liuli Island. My status is humble, I have never been favored by my father, and to my father, my mother was nothing more than a pawn's offering or a plaything. In my youth, I had the same eyes as people from the Central Plains, and among the Princes of West Night, I was bullied extensively. Father even refused to acknowledge that he had such a son like me. I always wanted to prove to him that I was his most outstanding son! What is Bluche compared to me, nothing but a worthless being who disregards even his own people."

As he spoke, his emotions gradually grew intense.

Zhongli Yuan understood his resentment.

"Do you know that you are his older brother?"

After Zhongli Yuan asked, Zi Shu mocked himself with a laugh: "How would he know? Father never told him of my existence. In Father's heart, he only recognizes Bluche as his son!"

"You are doing all this just to prove to your father that you are superior to him?"

"Indeed."

Zi Shu clenched his fist.

Zhongli Yuan shook his head: "But your father is deceased, and your mother has passed away, they can no longer see what you do, why go through this pain? If your intention to restore West Night is for the people of West Night and the prosperity of Liuli Island, perhaps that holds a few meanings in itself."

"Holy Daughter, there's no need to lecture me about principles. Everyone makes choices and has their own obsessions, aren't you the same? If not for the desire to forcibly overcome the restrictions of Qiankun Gate to reunite with your family, why would you be drawn into reincarnation by Qiankun Gate again and again?"

Zhongli Yuan gazed at him, speaking softly: "You know more than I expected."

Zi Shu laughed bitterly: "What does my knowledge count for, it doesn't bring Holy Daughter's support for me."

Zhongli Yuan: "I didn't say I wouldn't help you."

Zi Shu suddenly lifted his head: "Holy Daughter, are you really planning to assist me?"

Looking outside the window, Zhongli Yuan remarked, where the stars twinkled brightly and the galaxy gleamed: "Ever since the Holy Temple replaced the West Night Royal Family in overseeing Liuli Island, conflicts have erupted, and the islanders are in deep distress. I also intend to put an end to all this, not particularly to aid you."

Zi Shu: "But Holy Daughter, you with the Holy Sect…"

Zhongli Yuan chuckled lightly: "Are you suggesting that my daughter is closely connected with the Holy Sect's esteemed daughter, and so you fear I might hesitate? I did not say I intend to challenge the Holy Sect. I am not aiding your restoration, merely returning Liuli Island to its previous order. Whether you become King of West Night depends on your own fortune."

"Nonetheless, Zi Shu thanks the Holy Daughter."

Zi Shu made a respectful salute with cupped fists, opened the door, and walked outside, unexpectedly encountering Si Snake returning.

Gazing at this brother, favored by their father since youth, Zi Shu's heart was a mix of feelings, yet this time it no longer overflowed with envy and resentment.

Without speaking to Si Snake, he simply looked away indifferently, brushing past Si Snake.

Suddenly, Si Snake halted his steps, gently called out: "Elder Brother."

Zi Shu froze.

...

"Greetings to the Holy Daughter."

Inside the Holy Daughter's room, Si Snake saluted Zhongli Yuan respectfully.

Zhongli Yuan smiled softly: "Did you see your elder brother?"

Indeed she heard that address earlier.

Si Snake did not deny it.

Zhongli Yuan asked: "Speak, why have you come to see me?"

For Zi Shu, meeting Zhongli Yuan was rather difficult, but the connection between Si Snake and Meng Qianqian facilitated it for him.

Si Snake spoke: "Holy Daughter possesses vast powers, able to freely traverse Qiankun Gate, even reverse life and death. I implore you to allow me one more meeting with my parents."

Zhongli Yuan took a deep breath upon hearing that: "You all overestimate me. Qiankun Gate indeed holds wondrous capabilities, and I can indeed traverse between two realms through the Qiankun Gate, but I do not possess a technique to resurrect the dead, nor can I let you meet your deceased parents."

In Si Snake's calm blue eyes appeared a trace of disappointment, albeit fleeting, as if he was prepared, yet held onto hope.

"I understand." He said, "To trouble the Holy Daughter."

Zhongli Yuan asked: "Do you not wish to restore West Night, to reclaim your title as Prince of West Night?"

Si Snake looked honestly into Zhongli Yuan's eyes, speaking quietly: "My elder brother is more suited to becoming King of West Night than myself."

Zhongli Yuan looked at the top of Si Snake's head.

This time after traversing the Qiankun Gate, she experienced a new transformation — she could see a person's aura.

Si Snake was surrounded by purple aura; he was destined as the Celestial Star.

Zi Shu was also enveloped by purple aura, though less intense compared to Si Snake.

Yet just as Si Snake finished speaking, his purple aura seemed to gradually flow towards a certain direction.

Si Snake had always been aware of the existence of the brother who considered himself hidden and had always felt guilt.

Seeing that his brother aspired to become the King of West Night, he resolved to fulfill his brother's wishes.

Si Snake bid farewell to the Holy Daughter, just as he stepped outside, Zhongli Yuan called out: "You once lost not merely to Chu Grand Marshal, did you not, in becoming one of his Twelve Guards?"

Si Snake slightly nodded, and Zhongli Yuan understood.

She looked towards the direction where Zi Shu had departed, softly saying: "Hope you can someday see what your father never provided in terms of affection; your brother achieved that. You were never alone."

Upon leaving the Holy Daughter's garden, Si Snake encountered the Empress.

The Empress seemed to have been waiting for him all along.

"Si Snake." The Empress spoke.

Si Snake bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Empress."

Yao Qingluan stepped forward, saying: "Accompany me to the market."

Si Snake replied: "Your Majesty, Empress, my task is to escort Your Majesty, Noble Consort, safely back to the capital from West City. The task is complete. If Your Majesty wishes to go out, please command your own guards."

Yao Qingluan hesitated: "Your care along the way…"

Si Snake: "It was by order of the Grand Commander."

Yao Qingluan: "When did you become part of the Governor Mansion? Why obey Lu Yuan's commands?"

"That is my business, no need to explain to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, Empress, I must take my leave."

He departed decisively, his silhouette sharp like a blade, cutting through Yao Qingluan's heart, causing her to feel a stabbing pain even with each breath.

"Because I am the Empress?" She questioned loudly.

Si Snake did not reply.

Yao Qingluan bit her lip, took a deep breath, summoned courage, and decisively pursued Si Snake.

As she reached out to grasp Si Snake, from outside the garden resounded an excited call from a servant:

"She's about to give birth! Young Madam, she's about to give birth!"