I Was Supposed to Simp for the Female Lead for Three Years to Earn an Armory, but She Took It Seriously - Chapter 7:

Chapter 7: Handing Over Authority

That final glance before he left seemed to carry endless meaning.

If Zhou Cheng hadn’t stepped on the Fourth Prince’s sore spot today, the prince wouldn’t have lost control and brought up such a topic.

Just two days ago, the Fourth Prince had accidentally overheard the Emperor discussing a secret matter. It turned out the Emperor had long viewed the General’s residence as a thorn in his side. After years of planning, he was about to strike.

Cheng Xianyi watched the Fourth Prince’s departing figure, and a flicker of red light passed through her eyes.

“The executioner’s block? Let’s see who ends up on it first—you or me!” Zhou Cheng’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he sneered inwardly, “They really think I’m just a lovesick dog?”

“If it weren’t for the Portable Space and the Ammunition Depot, a woman like Lin Jiaoyun wouldn’t even deserve a second look from me!”

After leaving Flower Street, Zhou Cheng brought Cheng Xianyi back to the residence.

Father Cheng, who had been dragged into the study by the Grand General of the Empire for an hour of nagging, came rushing out, only to find his daughter had been taken away by Zhou Cheng. His beard bristled and his eyes bulged in fury.

He waited for quite a while before the two returned.

When he saw Zhou Cheng’s hand still holding his daughter’s like some sticky lecher, Father Cheng’s face turned green.

He stormed forward, yanked his daughter away, and shot a death glare at Zhou Cheng.

Lowering his voice, he growled to Cheng Xianyi in frustration, “Do you not know how to reject him at all? He holds your hand and you just let him?”

“He takes you out and you follow?”

“Have you completely forgotten how he treated you before? You’re seriously just clinging back to him like this?”

Cheng Xianyi blinked, staying silent.

“I really don’t know what spell that brat put on you… Forget it. I can’t control you anymore!”

“And what are you still looking at? What’s there to look at? Let’s go—come back with me!”

Zhou Cheng quietly stepped aside without saying anything.

Cheng Xianyi was forcefully pulled toward the door by Father Cheng. Just as she crossed the threshold, she turned back and gave Zhou Cheng a deep look, followed by a stunning, sweet smile that could topple kingdoms.

Zhou Cheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Too damn criminal!

Just for that one look filled entirely with him, Zhou Cheng felt like points didn’t even matter anymore. The most important thing was that Cheng Xianyi truly only had him in her eyes.

He glanced at the points again.

[Material Mall Points: 11,089]

Over ten thousand!

If only he could hold her hand again tonight…

One good night’s sleep might earn him tens of thousands of points!

Second Sister, who had just arrived, heard a few strange chuckles. Turning her head, she saw her younger brother standing there with his eyes closed, letting out a few odd laughs.

She was stunned.

The Grand General of the Empire was stunned as well.

Could just being with Miss Cheng make him this happy?

Could it be… this wasn’t a tactic of feigned distance to provoke jealousy, but that he’d truly given up on Lin Jiaoyun?

“Tap tap tap—”

“General! Young Master!”

Hasty footsteps echoed rapidly.

The gatekeeper rushed over in a panic and called out to the Grand General of the Empire, “Eunuch Ma is here.”

Second Sister was surprised, “Isn’t he the head eunuch by the Emperor’s side? What’s he doing here?”

“I saw him holding an imperial edict.”

“Eunuch Ma has arrived!”

With that sharp cry, Eunuch Ma, clad in his official robes, entered with large strides. His face was gaunt, and his sunken eyes made his pupils look unusually large, giving him an unpleasantly stern appearance.

The moment everyone saw the imperial edict in his hands, the Grand General of the Empire’s expression changed slightly. He immediately led everyone present to kneel down.

“[By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, the Emperor, know well that the Zhou family has long been a house of loyal ministers and martyrs. With meritorious service in pacifying the Western Xiongnu of Xisha, now that the empire enjoys peace and prosperity, I no longer wish…]”

“[Hence, I summon the Grand General of the Empire to enter the palace tomorrow in full dress to meet with the Emperor.]”

“Eunuch Ma, the decree is accepted.”

The sudden announcement left everyone in the Zhou residence stunned.

What did the edict say?

That now was an era of peace and prosperity, and the Emperor no longer wished the Zhou family to bear the burdens of the nation. He granted them the imperial surname, conferred the title of Marquis of the Empire, awarded them 1,000 taels of silver, and ordered them to hand over their military authority and enjoy fortune and peace for generations to come!

In this age where power meant everything, everyone knew what losing military command truly implied.

This day… had finally come.

“Grand General of the Empire, this is a great honor! From now on, you may live in ease under the Empire’s protection. And Young Master can be granted the title of Heir Apparent directly! This old servant offers his congratulations.”

“……..”

The Grand General of the Empire held the edict in hand, emotions surging, his mind in turmoil.

In the end, he still had to force a grateful smile to see Eunuch Ma off.

Once only Zhou family members remained, Second Sister finally voiced her concern, “Father! What does the Emperor mean by this? Is this really a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Bestowing the imperial surname, conferring a marquis title…” The Grand General of the Empire sighed and shook his head repeatedly. In that moment, it was as if all his energy had been drained.

He looked over the edict several times before finally accepting it.

With a bitter smile, he said, “A good thing. A great thing indeed.”

“If I become a marquis, my son becomes the noble heir. Fine, we live in peaceful times now. Handing over the military command can bring us peace of mind.”

“Since ancient times, emperors have been suspicious. The meritorious often threaten the ruler. For a military commander like me to hold such power… it’s inappropriate. I understand. Tomorrow, I’ll hand over the command.”

But still, it was disappointing.

A little bitter.

The Grand General of the Empire knew this day would come, but he never expected it to come so soon.

The Western Xiongnu had barely been driven back.

The Eastern Xiongnu were still stirring restlessly, and instead of focusing on national stability, the Emperor was fixated on stripping him of power!

So be it. Handing it over might not be a bad thing.

The Zhou family had always been loyal. The Emperor’s decree could not be defied. Now that the imperial edict had been issued, what official would dare disobey?

“No!”

Zhou Cheng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly raised his head. “Father.”

“I don’t agree!”

His voice carried an unprecedented firmness.

The Grand General of the Empire was clearly shocked. “What do you mean you don’t agree?”

“Father, the military authority must not be handed over. If we do, there’s only one end for our entire Zhou family—execution and complete annihilation!”

Boom—

What?!

That thunderous statement made the Grand General of the Empire’s face go pale.

He stood up with a jolt, instinctively about to scold his son for spouting nonsense. Treasonous talk like that could get a man beheaded!

But…

But when he met Zhou Cheng’s serious eyes, he suddenly sat back down.

The Grand General of the Empire had always viewed his son differently. Outsiders thought Zhou Cheng was an idle good-for-nothing who only chased women.

But he didn’t believe that.

He believed his son would someday rise to greatness. “Cheng’er, do you realize what you’re saying? If such words were overheard, it would be a capital crime!”

“Besides, the edict is very clear. The Zhou family is only required to relinquish military authority, and in return, we’ll be granted titles and honors. How could that possibly lead to our family’s execution?”

“The Emperor of Great Yan is a wise ruler!”

“Don’t ever say that again.”

Zhou Cheng saw his father didn’t believe him and felt a wave of sorrow.

The Strategy System had already shown him the original plot.

Once the edict arrived, and the military command was handed over, the Emperor would no longer have any reservations.

The very next day, he would send troops to search the Zhou residence and uncover fabricated letters of treason and collusion with the enemy.

The Emperor wouldn’t even bother verifying the evidence—he’d simply declare the Zhou family guilty and order their total execution, with all nine generations exiled to end the matter.

“Father,” Zhou Cheng stood up, meeting his father’s gaze with unwavering determination. “Emperors are ruthless. To serve the monarch is to walk with a tiger. How many military commanders have had good endings?”

“Do you believe that the moment you hand over the command tomorrow…”

“The day after, the Embroidered Guards will come to the General’s residence and ‘discover’ letters of treason?”

“I know you think I’m imagining things. But do you know whose mouth I heard this from? The Fourth Prince! He let it slip today!”