My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

When Wu Yuemei learned that Cheng Guang might have encountered trouble,

Cheng Zhihai, too, was anxiously waiting inside the Bureau of the Lamp, pacing back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back.

Frustration and self-reproach were written all over Cheng Zhihai’s face.

"That day, when I saw the man ascend within the Imperial Palace, nothing was done to Guanger, and I assumed all was well afterward."

"How could such an unexpected incident have occurred?"

"Perhaps not long after I left, someone boarded the Flying Boat, attempting to assassinate Guanger. That person’s strength must have reached Sky-Man or they used some special means; otherwise, I would have noticed something."

"Who exactly is it, who could have seized the opportunity so precisely to strike against Guanger?"

Cheng Zhihai’s face turned rather unsightly as a figure suddenly emerged in his mind.

It was the visage of Emperor Zhou.

"Was it Your Majesty…?"

Cheng Zhihai muttered to himself.

At a time when Cheng Guang might already be dead, Emperor Zhou had burdened him with many trivial matters, preventing him from leaving the capital city to investigate Cheng Guang’s whereabouts.

It’s hard to say what Emperor Zhou’s intentions really were.

Despite Cheng Zhihai’s reluctance to admit it, the possibility that Emperor Zhou had acted against Cheng Guang could not be ignored given the current signs.

Yet Emperor Zhou had made no attempt to explain any of this to Cheng Zhihai.

After all, Emperor Zhou was the Emperor; even if he had a good relationship with him, a distance between him and a subject like Cheng Zhihai was almost inevitable.

Upon realizing this, Cheng Zhihai slowly clenched his fists. He suddenly wanted to rise up and go to the Imperial Palace to confront Emperor Zhou about whether the Emperor had a hand behind this incident.

But...

Several moments passed.

Cheng Zhihai’s expression grew somber as he took a deep breath. The notion of confronting Emperor Zhou had risen sharply in his mind, only to be set aside again after a brief moment.

Just as he was preparing to try a more tactful approach to probe Emperor Zhou’s intentions, a series of footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the hall.

Thinking it was Qian Siyuan and Li Zhengyang returning, Cheng Zhihai immediately looked up toward the hall entrance.

Seeing the figure hurrying toward the hall, Cheng Zhihai’s normally stoic face faltered.

"Yuemei? How come you’re here?"

Cheng Zhihai, first taken aback upon seeing Yuemei approach, then noticed Wu Yuemei’s somewhat haggard expression, and his heart suddenly clenched.

He knew that Wu Yuemei must have learned of the incident.

Wu Yuemei stared intensely at Cheng Zhihai, her voice slightly hoarse as she asked, "Cheng Zhihai, why did you keep me in the dark? How is Guanger now?"

"Haven’t you already sent Qian Siyuan and the others to investigate? Is there any news yet?"

Wu Yuemei spoke very slowly, yet the rage in her tone was palpable, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Wu Yuemei was not only angry at Cheng Zhihai for concealing the troublesome experience Cheng Guang was going through from her,

but also at herself for her anger.

At this moment, Wu Yuemei was frustrated that she was unable to help in any way.

Unable to exert even a bit of strength.

Cheng Zhihai, watching Wu Yuemei, instinctively felt a wave of chaos in his heart.

In front of Wu Yuemei, his image as the authoritative and impartial Director of the Bureau of the Lamp seemed difficult to maintain.

He immediately blurted out:

"Yuemei, don’t panic. There’s no confirmed news about Guanger just yet. The rumors outside claiming that Guanger is... Those are all nonsense, no one knows where they came from!"

While speaking, Cheng Zhihai took Wu Yuemei’s hand and gently patted it, "Right now, although I have been ordered by His Majesty to stay in the capital city, I’ve also sent Qian Siyuan and the others to investigate."

"They haven’t returned yet. Perhaps they’ll update us soon." Explore more adventures at empire

As his words fell, Cheng Zhihai hurriedly pulled Wu Yuemei aside to a seat, poured her a cup of clear tea, and brought it to her lips, hoping to get her to drink and relax.

Even as Cheng Zhihai brought the teacup to Wu Yuemei’s lips, she did not open her mouth to drink.

Her gaze remained coldly fixed on Cheng Zhihai.

"Cheng Zhihai, I ask you, why did you have someone conceal this from me?"

"Let’s not talk about Guanger’s condition right now. If he truly has... passed away... do you plan to hide it from me forever?"

Cheng Zhihai, struck by Wu Yuemei’s words, was a bit flustered and opened his mouth slightly, wanting to offer some excuse – to say that he hadn’t had a chance to tell her, perhaps the news wasn’t accurate –

But the words died on his lips and he found himself unable to say anything.

Cheng Zhihai knew that his intentions had probably been seen through by Wu Yuemei long ago.

He sighed softly and whispered, "I didn’t want to worry you too much. With things as they are, it’s better that I bear the burden alone."

At his words, Wu Yuemei’s eyebrows rose slightly, "Such a big matter, and have you even told father yet?" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Cheng Zhihai’s lips moved, then he sighed again and nodded slightly.

Wu Yuemei’s eyes remained intently fixed on Cheng Zhihai for a while, then she suddenly smiled.

"Alright, Cheng Zhihai. You intend to take this on alone, to worry in silence. Apart from you, it seems nobody else in our family, other than you, cares about Guanger."

"You’re the greatest, Cheng Zhihai."

At her words, Cheng Zhihai felt another tightening in his chest and quickly stepped forward, about to offer some comfort.