# Chapter 39: Jealousy
Wei Yang took the medicine bowl from Man Cheng, closed her eyes, and drank it down.
Man Cheng sat beside her, holding her hand, gazing silently at her pale hand.
Wei Yang set the bowl on the side table and asked him with a smile, "What are you spacing out about?"
Man Cheng forced a smile, his expression utterly dejected.
"Alas..." Wei Yang touched his face, her heart aching. "You look terrible. Are you still upset about the child?"
"No." Man Cheng said flatly, "I'm not that fragile. You, on the other hand, need to focus on recovering your health."
Wei Yang's eyes reddened, and she leaned against his shoulder. "Man Cheng, isn't it improper for you to come to my place so openly? Zhang Zhou rarely comes here, but there will always be gossip that reaches his ears."
Man Cheng's eyes revealed a dismissive look as he said carelessly, "He already knows."
Wei Yang was startled, propping herself up to stare at him. "What did you say?"
"He's known about us for a long time now. He just pretends not to see it." Man Cheng stood up, glanced at the bewildered Wei Yang, and walked to the window, gazing at the Yaoji Palace in the distance, lost in thought.
Wei Yang trembling, barely managed to stand, supporting herself against his back. After a long while, she begged with a sobbing voice, "Man Cheng, I have a very bad feeling. I don't know what it is. Take me away from here, please?"
What she received in return was silence.
"Man Cheng... are you so unwilling to give up Zhongshan?"
Man Cheng's heart trembled: Zhongshan?
Behind him, she sighed softly, crying quietly. "Man Cheng, do you love him that much?"
Man Cheng gave no answer, only turning to leave. "Wei Yang, I should go."
Wei Yang clutched him, her face covered in tears. "Man Cheng! I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but you make me feel so afraid. I feel like your heart isn't with me! If you love me, take me away... I'm begging you. For the rest of my life, I'll be your servant, waiting on you hand and foot!"
Why did that sentence sound so familiar?
Man Cheng stepped back, standing a meter away in silent contemplation for a long while, then said, "I'm sorry, but I really cannot leave Cheng Zhongshan."
Wei Yang's vision went blank, and she swayed.
Man Cheng glanced at her calmly, then turned and descended the pavilion, leaving Rongxi Garden.
In the Ruyi Palace, Imperial Physician Xie knelt and bowed, reporting, "Your Majesty, the Queen's body is slightly improved. However, due to excessive grief, her vital energy is weak. With more rest, she should be able to move about soon."
Zhang Zhou nodded, about to speak but hesitated, then after a long silence, asked in a seemingly casual tone, "I notice General Xia has been looking unwell lately. Has Lan Xing sent for you to examine him?"
"Your Majesty, Lady Lan Xing did ask me some time ago to check General Xia's pulse. I prescribed him some medicine, but he left for the Deng Kingdom shortly after."
Zhang Zhou suppressed his underlying anxiety and asked casually, "Oh? What's wrong with General Xia?"
"Your Majesty, General Xia is merely depressed and despondent, with weakness and qi deficiency. There's no serious illness."
Zhang Zhou breathed a sigh of relief.
Physician Xie continued, "However, this illness can range from minor to serious. If he remains depressed for a long time, it may worsen. When he returned from the Deng Kingdom, I observed his complexion and knew he hadn't taken the tonic I prescribed. And when I encountered Lady Lan Xing, I inquired about General Xia's recent condition. She said he often breaks out in cold sweats, especially at night."
Zhang Zhou furrowed his brow. "Then why didn't you go examine him again?"
Physician Xie苦笑 said, "I did go, of course, but General Xia drove me away. Even Lady Lan Xing got scolded."
Zhang Zhou snorted, waved his hand to dismiss Physician Xie, then returned alone to the rear palace to review memorials. But for some reason, he felt agitated and restless. After some thought, he left the rear palace and headed to Zhongbi Residence.
When Lan Xing emerged from the kitchen, she saw another maid staring in amazement, pointing toward the inner courtyard. "Sister Lan Xing, the King just arrived."
Lan Xing was startled and hurried into the inner courtyard. Passing through several courtyards, she saw that Zhang Zhou had already stepped into Man Cheng's quarters. Lan Xing rushed over, breathless, and dropped to her knees before Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou looked at her in astonishment, about to question her, when he saw the fear on Lan Xing's face. She lowered her voice desperately and pleaded, "Your Majesty, General Cheng is inside."
Zhang Zhou's fury ignited. He skirted past Lan Xing and strode directly toward Man Cheng's room.
Lan Xing's waist went weak, her heart pounding wildly. She didn't know whether to call out or stay silent.
Zhang Zhou stood on the steps, his hand reaching for the door handle, when he suddenly froze.
He heard from within a soul-enticing moan, the voice he knew best in the world now tenderly calling out someone else's name—
"Zhongshan..."
Good heavens! Zhang Zhou's eyes snapped shut.
He remembered that night months ago when Man Cheng, in his arms, accidentally called out that name, then explained it was just habit! How cold and indignant it had made him feel!
In broad daylight they were still so brazenly indulging in pleasure! What qi deficiency? Clearly it was excessive indulgence!
The familiar moans within mingled with pain and pleasure, growing increasingly urgent. The body he had yearned for day and night for so many years was being possessed and violated by another. The person he loved to madness was at this very moment tangled in passionate union with someone else... And still I must endure. How much longer can I bear it?
Forget it. If I go in now, besides awkwardness and a complete break, what else is there?
Zhang Zhou was overwhelmed with grief, his brow deeply furrowed, his teeth clenched. He withdrew his hand and clenched his fist tightly.
Cheng Zhongshan, I will definitely kill you.
I will dismember you a thousand times.
## Backstory
The Dudong Army had made a major advance into Liucheng, expanding territory for the King of Dudong. Ye Yi entered the tent and knelt to ask, "Young Commander, Imperial Son-in-Law, we have surrounded the residence of the Liucheng garrison commander. How should we handle them?"
Zhang Zhou said, "Their household only has a few women and young children left. Drive them out, but don't massacre them." Ye Yi nodded. Zhang Zhou continued, "Ye Yi, we will consolidate our forces and return to Dongzhou first."
Ye Yi withdrew after receiving his orders. Peng Hong smiled and asked, "Why so anxious?"
"I have your forces to handle the aftermath anyway. I want to get back quickly." Zhang Zhou looked somewhat embarrassed. "When I left, I told him I'd only be gone ten-odd days, but now I've delayed another two months. He must be angry."
Peng Hong burst out laughing. "As if I'm not eager to see Xiuyi! She's still big-bellied, waiting for me to return!"
Zhang Zhou frowned. "You know Man Cheng's temper, and he's still young..."
"Zhang Zhou!" Peng Hong smiled faintly, settling into a chair with his legs crossed. "Man Cheng isn't young anymore. How many more years do you think you two can keep this up?"
Zhang Zhou froze. "What do you mean?"
"You won't be able to maintain this much longer. Zhang Zhou, don't forget in your playing that he's also a man." Peng Hong's smile faded, his tone serious. "Did you think he could be at your mercy for a lifetime? Even if you want to play forever, he may not be willing."
These words touched Zhang Zhou's perpetually uneasy heart. After a long silence, he said, "When I become King, I can control everything. Controlling him will be even easier. Then I'll keep him locked in the deep palace like a woman,不让他见任何人—"
He didn't finish before Peng Hong burst out laughing again. "Zhang Zhou, given Man Cheng's temperament, don't say locking him for a lifetime—lock him for a single day and he'll go mad!"
Zhang Zhou frowned but couldn't find words to counter.
Peng Hong continued, "Besides, before you become King, Man Cheng will realize women are much better than you."
"You mean Yingyou?"
"What do you think? They're a match made in heaven! Zhang Zhou, Man Cheng grew up long ago. Do you really think that while you were away from Dongzhou, his attendant maid was only helping him fall asleep?"
Peng Hong cast a knowing glance at the ashen-faced Zhang Zhou and advised, "Zhang Zhou, I think you two should part on good terms. Otherwise, no one knows what might happen."
Zhang Zhou's lips moved, but no words came. After a long while, he sighed. "Peng Hong, as long as I marry Yingyou, they won't develop things too far."
Peng Hong's expression changed. He hissed, "Zhang Zhou, stop making mistake after mistake!"
"I haven't done anything wrong." Zhang Zhou苦笑. "I'm no saint. My patience has limits. For me to endure any more, I'd have to stop loving him."
After the Yongzhao Army withdrew from the Deng Kingdom, they gathered outside Lugen Bay to recruit soldiers, awaiting their chance.
The rebellion in Wang County within Yuanliao territory continued unabated. This county was a strategic stronghold in the northeast of Yuanliao. When Zhang Shun had sent heavy troops to guard Anqing in the north, Zhang Zhou had no choice but to take the route through Gangshou Gorge, where the garrison was weak. Originally, securing this natural barrier would have been harder than scaling the heavens. Fortunately, the garrison commander Zhang Yuanhao，主动投靠章周，大开缸兽峡迎接讨伐章顺的度东军。Then they joined forces with the Xiongzhou Army at Piliu, conquering several surrounding cities one after another, and finally captured Wang County, this strategic military stronghold surrounded by mountains—bringing them one step closer to breaking through Yuanliao City.
Such a military stronghold's importance could not be underestimated. The Wang County garrison commander couldn't suppress the rebellion and urgently requested help from Yuanliao City. Zhang Zhou summoned General Ye Yi, the Gongqi General, to the Yaoji Hall and ordered him to lead two hundred thousand Wutao troops to Wang County immediately.
Ye Yi knelt to receive the imperial decree.
Zhang Zhou mused for a moment. "The Weizhen Army has just returned from the Deng Kingdom and needs time to recover."
Man Cheng nodded. But then Zhang Zhou announced loudly, "However, I wish to borrow General Cheng to accompany the Wutao Army to Wang County."
The hall erupted in commotion. Anyone from the Weizhen Army going to battle was selected by the commanding general himself—the King never intervened. Besides, what kind of person was the Huguo General? How could he be borrowed so casually? He commanded several hundred thousand Weizhen troops, yet he was to go without a single soldier under his command to follow the Wutao Army? This was truly inconceivable!
Man Cheng stared at Zhang Zhou in astonishment. A sudden unease stirred in his chest. Before he could speak, he heard Zhang Zhou emphasize once more, "General Cheng alone will suffice."
Man Cheng looked at Zhang Zhou's face and understood everything. His heart turned cold, but before he could react, he saw Zhongshan already kneeling to receive the decree.
"Wait!" Man Cheng called out sharply, "Wu Lianheng!"
Lianheng understood immediately and knelt down. "This general will accompany General Cheng."
"Very well. Since His Majesty is considerate of the Weizhen Army, you need only bring ten thousand troops." When Man Cheng finished, his gaze carried a challenging glint as he stared at Zhang Zhou.
"What does General Xia mean by this?" Zhang Zhou assumed Man Cheng wouldn't make things difficult for him over Cheng Zhongshan. As long as he spoke firmly enough, Man Cheng would compromise—he always had.
But Man Cheng refused to yield an inch, firing back with a question: "What do you think?"
Now Zhang Zhou panicked. Man Cheng raised his chin defiantly, squinting at Zhang Zhou, the corner of his lips curving slightly. "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? This Weizhen Army is mine—Xia Man Cheng's army."
These words carried profound defiance. The ministers erupted in whispered议论. A pall of gloom settled over the entire Yaoji Hall. Peng Hong hissed, "Man Cheng, are you rebelling?"
"Rebelling?" Man Cheng swept his gaze across Peng Hong. "Your Highness, why are you as糊涂 as His Majesty? With just a flick of my finger, can His Majesty still stably sit on that dragon throne?"
Zhongshan saw Man Cheng speaking more and more recklessly and hastily rose to restrain him. "Man Cheng, don't speak rashly!"
Man Cheng turned to look at him, his heart torn even more: Zhongshan, you fool! Zhang Zhou wants to kill you!
Zhang Zhou, seeing Man Cheng actually defend Zhongshan so protectively, whether from jealousy or fury, shouted, "Xia Man Cheng! I can give you military power, and I can just as easily take it away!"
This was the first time he had ever called him by his full name like that! Man Cheng was momentarily stunned, then laughed coldly. "If His Majesty is dissatisfied with my actions, take back everything you gave me!"
Zhang Zhou was shaken: In Man Cheng's gaze, there had been gentleness and tenderness, there had been sorrow and despair, there had been anger and pain—but never had there been such cold indifference and contempt.
This person who had been so close suddenly seemed entirely different with just a changed gaze!
Man Cheng's lips moved, and he coldly uttered words that struck like thunder: "Zhang Zhou, this throne of yours—I could seize it to give to you, and I could just as easily seize it away."
Silence fell over the Yaoji Hall.
Zhongshan broke out in a cold sweat, his anxiety evident. He hissed, "Man Cheng!"
With Zhongshan shouting like this, the implication of their conspiracy to rebel became even more apparent!
Zhang Zhou gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly his palms were slick with sweat.
Man Cheng glanced at him, tossed out an order, "Wu Lianheng, mobilize the troops and set out!" Then, regardless of proper protocols for kneeling and withdrawing, he turned and walked away.