Gu Shan looked at the silent Lin Zaozao, and asked uncertainly, "Zaozao, I have always believed that things I obtained by my own ability are mine. Zaozao, do you dislike that these things came from a bad source?"
Gu Shan bit his lip anxiously, looking doubtfully at the things laid out on the bed.
From young to now, in his eyes, as long as he snatched things by himself, then they were his.
Shouldn't stolen things be the same?
When giving a girl gifts, is it inappropriate to use stolen things?
So next time when he gives Zaozao gifts, does he need to spend money to buy them?
Or, next time he should rob that corrupt official of Canglan, then take his silver to buy Zaozao gifts.
That way, the things he gives the girl shouldn't count as stolen, right!
Lin Zaozao saw the helpless expression on Gu Shan's face. She quickly grabbed Gu Shan's hand and explained earnestly, "No, I don't dislike them at all. Gu Shan, the Female Emperor of Fengshuo is a big villain. We have no need to be soft-hearted when taking her things. But as for others!"
"Zaozao, my people in the 18th Floor don't take good people's belongings. Although everyone in my 18th Floor are assassins, we never kill the innocent."
"I know, I know my Gu Shan is the most lovely and kindest person in the world."
Lin Zaozao held Gu Shan's hand and praised him earnestly.
"Since Zaozao doesn't dislike them, next time I'll go to the private treasury of the Female Emperor of Canglan. Zaozao, the Female Emperor of Canglan is not a good person either, she is worse than the Female Emperor of Fengshuo. But I heard the things in her private treasury are quite good."
"When I finish my current business, I'll go to the Female Emperor of Canglan's private treasury again and move some novel and good things for you."
"Stop, stop, Gu Shan, I don't want any more novel good things. And don't go break into the Female Emperor of Canglan's private treasury either. If she finds out, how dangerous would that be!
Also, Gu Shan, seeing how impatient you are now, are you leaving again after coming back this time?"
"Yes, Zaozao, I have to leave soon. Zaozao, I came back just to tell you I'm still alive, so you must wait for me and never forget about me.
Also, Zaozao. After I leave, I won't pick up other girls' handkerchiefs or sachets. Even if I meet them, I'll avoid them. I won't even touch a finger of theirs.
When I return to Canglan Country and finish things with the 18th Floor, I won't go anywhere else. I'll stay by your side.
Zaozao, after I leave this time, I may be gone for a long time. But you must wait for me, wait for me to come back. I guarantee I'll definitely come back alive."
"Alright, I'll wait for you to come back. And Gu Shan, be extra careful when you go out. If you run into anything you can't handle yourself, you must tell me.
You know, I'm the Female Emperor of Han Country now, I have the ability to help you now."
Lin Zaozao hugged Gu Shan tightly, slowly saying while holding back the sourness in her eyes.
"Zaozao, I've never coaxed a girl before. If I do something wrong in the future, you must tell me what I did wrong. You can't be angry at me or ignore me. If I did something wrong, I'll definitely change. Zaozao, even if you become the Female Emperor of Han Country in the future, you can't leave me, okay?"
"Okay, I'll tell you if anything comes up. Gu Shan, no matter if I'm the village woman Lin Zaozao or the Female Emperor of Han Country, I'll never leave you, even in death!"
Looking into Gu Shan's eyes full of tenderness, Lin Zaozao was moved. At the same time, her heart felt stuffy.
Gu Shan said he doesn't know how to coax a girl, but he's willing to do what he thinks is right.
When he leaves, she jokingly told him not to forget her or pick up other girls' handkerchiefs or sachets. And he remembers it firmly.
He doesn't know how to give gifts, yet he'll give her everything he thinks is the best.
Facing such a Gu Shan, even if she has a heart of stone, it would melt from his sincere feelings.
Moreover, Gu Shan is the first person in this world to show her kindness. Now that they are true husband and wife, how could she get angry at Gu Shan over some trifling matters!
Life is short. She barely has time to enjoy herself! How could she waste her limited lifetime on pointless arguments!
"Zaozao, it's almost time, I should get going. My people are still waiting for me outside the city. I can't keep staying."
"Also, next time when I come back, I want to consummate our marriage with you. I want you to bear my child, okay?"
"Gu Shan, you fool, men can't bear children. But Gu Shan, next time when we are together, you can't drug me again."
"To be honest, when I woke up and found out I consummated my marriage with someone else, I thought the person I slept with was a three-second man!"
"Luckily, you weren't!"
Hearing Lin Zaozao's teasing voice, Gu Shan hugged Lin Zaozao tighter, kissed her forehead and said,
"Zaozao, before daylight comes, I have to go. Remember, if you encounter anything, let Matchless and Invincible help you. They are your secret guards who will always protect you and be loyal to you."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Gu Shan looked at the obedient little girl lying in his arms. He took a deep breath, released Lin Zaozao, then turned to walk outside.
He couldn't stay any longer...
If he stays longer, he'll stop caring about whether Murong Hai and Ruo Qiu live or die. He'll stop caring about the hatred he bears, stop caring about those living dead in the 18th Floor. He'll just want to stay by Zaozao's side forever.
"Zaozao, stay safe. Don't send me off either. Remember to protect yourself. If anything dangerous happens, be sure to tell Matchless and Invincible. They have ways to notify me. As long as I'm alive, I'll rush to save you no matter what. Although the Female Emperor of Han Country has supreme power, she works hard too. Protect yourself and wait for me to come back!"
After saying that, Gu Shan didn't wait for Lin Zaozao's reply and walked straight outside.
Looking at the closed door, Lin Zaozao only felt like crying under the glow of the night pearl.
From Gu Shan's background, his growth environment certainly wasn't easy. That's why he'll give her everything he thinks is the best.
So what if these things were stolen? She agrees with Gu Shan - stolen means hers!
Most importantly the original owner, the Female Emperor of Fengshuo Country who might've harmed her parents, is a hypocrite.
Taking everything from her imperial palace treasury is just retribution.
Lin Zaozao was right. Gu Shan completely emptied out the imperial palace treasury of Fengshuo Country. Nothing was left behind.
Just as Gu Shan walked out the door, he saw Han Ye, Xiao Taohua and Ji Fantian already waiting outside.
"Gu Shan, did you empty out the entire treasury of the Fengshuo imperial palace?" Han Ye chuckled.
"That's right. Those things are gifts I prepared for Zaozao for becoming Female Emperor. They weren't meant for you."
"I know. Gu Shan, you thought of emptying the palace treasury, so why didn't you think of emptying the national treasury of Fengshuo Country!"
Seeing Gu Shan's serious expression, Xiao Taohua said speechlessly.
After Gu Shan returned, first he wrecked Han Ye Your Highness and Zaozao's consummation, then he ran to rob Fengshuo Country's imperial palace of a whole treasury.
When he came back, he indiscriminately attacked him and Ji Fantian with hidden weapons. If it wasn't for their constant vigilance even while asleep, they would've been finished off by Gu Shan long ago.
It seems after Gu Shan's leg healed, his jealous rage has gotten a bit too much!
Moreover, although the things the Female Emperor of Fengshuo kept in the palace treasury aren't as much as the national treasury, it's still a lot.
Yet Gu Shan actually managed to move everything in the palace treasury to Han Country overnight.
The people in Gu Shan's 18th Floor are all extraordinary!
For the Female Emperor of Canglan Country to inflict such a huge loss on Gu Shan, she truly has deep schemes.
Hearing Xiao Taohua's words, Gu Shan seriously considered it. The defenses of Fengshuo Country's national treasury are indeed much stronger than the palace's.
The ordinary guards on the 18th floor definitely could not sneak in. If it was him, moving a little every day, he could surely move everything out!
Seeing Chu Shan pondering in the dark night, Han Ye couldn't help feeling a little amused. This Chu Shan really was single-minded!
"Chu Shan, don't set your sights on raiding the abundant Fengshuo treasury. What you should do now is protect Ye Yi well.
On the day you return to Canglan early, you must protect yourselves. " Han Ye said gently.
"Lord Han Ye, no matter whether Ye Yi can ascend to that position or not, as long as we are still alive, we will definitely return to Zao Zao's side.
Also, it is best not to let Zao Zao interfere in the affairs of Canglan Country, it is really too dirty."
"Chu Shan, I can assure you. If Zao Zao does not intervene between you, Ye Yi and the others, then even if you return to Canglan, you will only be heading for a dead end.
Chu Shan, you have to believe in Zao Zao. She is the empress of Han Country, she is not as fragile as you imagine, needing to always hide behind others like a weak vine.
As for the filth you see with your eyes, it is something Zao Zao must experience. Otherwise, how will she rule Han Country in the future?"
"Lord Han Ye, I have already fallen into the mud. I don't want any speck of dirt on my little girl. My baby must stay clean in the future, completely spotless. If she can't rule Han Country then so be it, why must she be forced to grow up so soon!"
Chu Shan's words made Han Ye choke involuntarily.
He didn't want Zao Zao to grow up either, but that wasn't his decision to make! Thinking of absolute freedom, Zao Zao would have to possess supreme power.
Without power, life is at the mercy of others, so where is freedom? Whenever something happened, it would throw everything into chaos.
Withdrawing the profound light in his eyes, Han Ye looked up at Chu Shan and instructed earnestly,
"Chu Shan, when you return to Canglan, even if Ye Yi does not ascend to that position, you must learn to protect yourselves.
If you can't even manage self-preservation, then I won't place you by Zao Zao's side. It's not just me who wouldn't agree, but Uncle Zhang who has raised Zhu Zhu for over ten years would not agree either.
In our hearts, Zhu Zhu's safety is most important. For Zao Zao's sake, we are willing to abandon even our lives without hesitation.
Chu Shan, Han Country has been waiting for Zao Zao for over ten years. If you really want to stay by Zao Zao's side, then you need to toughen up your heart.
Remember, for those who achieve great things, you can't be tangled up in familial affections. What should be abandoned must be abandoned."
Han Ye's words disgusted Chu Shan to no end.
As the grand priest of Han Country, along with the imperial tutor he possessed the memories of two lifetimes. Yet for Zao Zao's sake he was willing to forsake familial bonds and did not want to take on the position of Han Country's ruler.
It was laughable for such a sentimental man to urge them not to be tangled up in familial affections, and that what should be abandoned must be abandoned.
