Arc 1: Kumoshima Hierarchy 4
1071 Words
Chapter 34
As Prince Yoshimura spoke, Bei Yong couldn't help but slowly grinned despite the misfortune those villages and towns experienced. Serves them right. Plus offering a job amidst poverty is a good move after all. Seeing the frown of the guard beside Prince Yoshimura made him happier, thinking the report was not in their favor. In the next moment, however, he couldn't even lift the corners of his lift one bit as his eyes grew wider and wider in shock.
“The ladies, upon return, had lost their spirits or decided to end their life. Not to mention there was no paying job waiting for them, they were forced to be a part of the Prime Minister’s harem, Not only the daughters but even beautiful wives, ruining their life and dignity. That includes the wives of his soldiers who left to fight on behalf of his wishes,” Yoshimura whistled. “Well, I guess that the Prime Minister really doesn't discriminate, does he?”
He stared at Bei Yong as the latter turned white as paper, as if his soul completely left his body.
“The Prime Minister’s actions to lure everyone to trust him would only work at the beginning. But it will ruin not just the economy and livelihood but other things that make the country revolve. Aside from that, he never resolve the racial discrimination. At first, they will avoid the mixed bloods. Soon, because the could not feed their families, they will turn to hate, then prejudice, lastly, violence or voice out their will to change while suppressing the people they hate. Doesn’t it sound familiar?”
Chunan, who was quiet all along, suddenly spoke. “Prejudice only causes more misunderstanding. If you want things to get better, we should understand that we’re all humans who have similar wants and needs. If we could accept the differences and give equal opportunity, then everything will slowly get better. Racial discrimination will just repeat itself if no one decided to stop it in the first place.”
“Impossible. DO you think I will believe you?!” Bei Yong shouted.
“Who are you? How important are you for me to get out of my way to get your favor?” Yoshimura stood up, the aura he exudes was suffocating, as if there were not enough space for the three of them. “I only pity you. Being blinded by simple matters. Now, I believe the Little Prince can handle governing your country. He even had broader insight than you and that envoy.”
Anger and embarrassment clouded Bei Yong’s judgment. He swiftly slid his hand on the side of his leg, pulling a blade. He flick his leg in Yoshimura's direction.
But who was Yoshimura? He was not some ordinary Prince who played around, bathing in golds and silver. He was someone who led and won a battle against a fleet attack when he was fifteen.
A mere trick could not even startle him. In an instant, the blade was already struck back at Bei Yong’s leg, thrusted deep on his flesh. He did not even see what happened with his eyes. But Chunan clearly saw it.
As they walked out of the tent, Prince Yoshimura ordered the soldiers outside to take Bei Yong away.
The night was quiet but they could not enjoy this short calmness. Three places still needed their help.
Chunan hesitated for a while before he finally decided to ask when they were far from people.
“Your Highness, was that part of the reason why you helped us?”
Yoshimura glanced at him, “No. If it was me, I would have completely destroyed your country. Then no one would dare discriminate against anyone. My mother***, my father suffered a lot when he was still in Great Lang. But the person who helped him escape...I can’t deny that I owe him our lives.” Maybe it was because a connection between them had opened, the Second Prince talked more than usual. “It was not easy, either. Even at the palace, father suffered and struggled after he became a concubine. The King loved him, but he already took a queen back then and my father was a foreigner. How could he give him a secured position. Either way, his body became weak after he gave birth to me. I did not know why. Anyway, to protect him, I can’t stay in the center of attention. If father was still alive, it was not former General Saikyu nor not just the two of you who would become bait in this war. I can only imagine my father silently suffering once again.”
Chunan remembered some rumors about the Second Prince around the first year he arrived in Kumoshima. During that war five years ago, even if the news about his victory spread back like wildfire then, people mocked him for taking credits. But he just let them think he’s a fake, even fanning the rumor about him.
Why would someone want to discredit himself?
Prince Yoshimura was also thinking the same thing. People thought he lost the King’s favors because of it. Except for the Inner Minister, no one knew the truth. But it was necessary. Back then, if he could protect his father, he would do everything he could, even if he won’t gain glory for himself.
Even so, Prince Yoshimura did not bear a deep grudge. Despite his effort to hide the truth in the shadow of the arrogant Prince he portrayed.
He glanced at Chunan. If he would choose who he wanted to support between the two Princes, he would go with this person beside him. But the blood ties in the Great Lang were strong. Even if the Alpha born turned out to be a vile person, people would still follow it blindly. The current Crown Prince is good but what about the future generation?
By the time it happened, the common people’s blood ties would be thinner than it was now. A new line of people would be born, a revolution would arise and a new generation would govern. Anyway, it was something left for the future to see.
Prince Yoshimura increased his pace as they approached the stable. They still needed to return. The views and rights they were fighting for right now was still on one step away from them.
“Let’s go.”
- Writer
