Chapter 281: A Long Lost Warmth
Zhu Zhuqing walked through Star Luo City without obstruction not a single foolish person dared to provoke her.
She had finally returned to her "home" the Zhu Estate.
Before awakening her martial soul at six years old, Zhu Zhuqing had lived a normal childhood. She had experienced a carefree life where she could act spoiled, surrounded by the genuine love of her parents and sister.
But everything changed after her martial soul awakened.
Because she was the right age and had excellent talent, she was selected as a royal consort candidate and assigned to Dai Mubai. This meant that she and her sister, Zhu Zhuyun, were destined to become enemies no longer loving sisters, but rivals fighting to the death.
From that moment on, everything changed.
Even her once loving parents began to distance themselves, making her heart grow colder.
Perhaps, when this royal competition system was first established, it had good intentions. But after so many generations, even the best system could become corrupted.
Think about it how could a competition between brothers with an eight year age gap ever be fair?
If Tang San hadn't helped Dai Mubai cheat, gifting him immortal herbs, spirit bones, and divine blessings, would he really have won in the end?
Let's be real.
His elder brother was born eight years earlier, started training eight years earlier, had equal talent, and had years to build political alliances. How could Dai Mubai ever stand a chance?
Under normal circumstances, Dai Mubai never would have won. The so called competition was never a real contest it was just one sided slaughter.
And yet, the royal family insisted on making them fight.
They never considered logic or fairness they simply followed a rigid, outdated tradition.
This was why Zhu Zhuqing had returned.
She wasn't here for revenge she was here to shatter these ancient, outdated customs.
After all, this was the place of her birth.
She had a duty to end this cycle of destruction.
The Zhu Estate
"Second Miss, you've returned!"
The guards at the Zhu Estate's entrance recognized her instantly they had already received orders to expect her.
One of them stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Master and Madam have been waiting for you in the main hall for quite some time."
Zhu Zhuqing recognized this guard he was a familiar face. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment before stepping inside.
She walked through the estate without a single delay or hindrance, until she finally reached the main hall.
Stepping inside, she saw two middle aged figures.
One was a black haired man, sharing the same dark locks as Zhu Zhuqing.
The other was a blonde haired, blue eyed woman, bearing the distinctive features of the royal Dai family.
Seeing her parents after so many years, even Zhu Zhuqing couldn't maintain her usual calm.
No matter what had happened, she couldn't deny that, before awakening her martial soul, their love for her had been real.
"Zhuqing, you're home!"
Zhu Zhuqing's mother beamed with joy, stepping forward immediately and pulling her into a tight embrace.
There was no hesitation, no awkwardness despite the years apart because this was her daughter.
It didn't matter how much time had passed a mother's love never fades.
Zhu Zhuqing's father, though less expressive, simply said, "It's good that you're home."
Even though his words were few, Zhu Zhuqing could feel the warmth behind them.
With her current spiritual sensitivity, she could read the emotions of others simply by sensing their soul fluctuations.
Because of this, she knew
Her parents' happiness was genuine.
There was no ulterior motive.
No political calculations.
Just pure joy at their daughter's return.
For the first time in years, Zhu Zhuqing felt a long lost warmth in her heart.
Her parents began bombarding her with questions mostly her mother.
Had she been eating well?
Had she suffered?
How long did she plan to stay?
Her mother's enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Zhu Zhuqing found herself struggling to keep up, but this kind of love free from political scheming was something she cherished deeply.
So, she patiently answered every question.
For the first time in many years her family felt whole again.
Meanwhile Inside the Star Luo Palace
While Zhu Zhuqing reunited with her family, another man was growing restless.
The Emperor of Star Luo paced anxiously in his study, his expression dark and stormy.
He was deeply unsettled.
He suspected Zhu Zhuqing had returned to seize the throne!
If he were in her position, he definitely would have done it.
He would have gathered the Zhu family's forces and forced him to abdicate seizing power for himself.
And Zhu Zhuqing was far more dangerous than an ordinary rebel.
She had the strength.
She had the backing of a god.
And because of her royal bloodline, she could legitimately claim the throne.
If she killed him and his two sons, then simply changed her surname to Dai, no one would dare oppose her rule!
Even the Star Luo nobles and royal family members would likely support her ascension not out of loyalty, but because they feared her power.
Even if Zhu Zhuqing had no plans to seize the throne, in the Emperor's mind, it didn't matter.
It wasn't about whether she wanted to overthrow him.
It was about whether she could.
And since she had the power, she was too dangerous to be left alive.
"This woman… must be eliminated!"
A terrifying killing intent flashed in the Emperor's eyes.
He knew that killing Zhu Zhuqing would provoke Ye Cheng the White Cloud City Lord.
But compared to losing his throne, offending a god was a risk he was willing to take.
Besides
He had a hidden trump card.
A powerful backer who could stand against Ye Cheng.
With such a powerful ally, he no longer feared the consequences.
Zhu Zhuqing had to die.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/cortez10