He was indeed very curious. He had a feeling that Bill’s attitude towards him had always been different. He was overly enthusiastic, as if the two of them had been friends for a long time even without talking much.
Zhou Jing pretended to be excited and patted his chest, “Hey, what kind of friends are those? They’re just trying to curry favor with me! I can feel that you’re different from them!”
Hearing this, Roman could not help but fall into deep reflection.
What did I do wrong to make you think that I’m not currying favor with you?
I’m clearly trying to please you too. How is it different?
Without waiting for Roman to respond, Zhou Jing suddenly sighed and added,
“And for some reason, I felt close to you the moment I see you. Perhaps it’s because of our looks. I’ve always felt that we’re very similar.”
Roman couldn’t help but look down at his big belly and then at Bill, who resembled a little fatty.
Putting aside their looks, the both of them did look quite similar…
Roman held back his speechlessness. He did not intend to argue with a drunkard. He echoed, “The first time I saw you, I actually felt a sense of familiarity. I was thinking that if only I had a brother as capable as you. I’m very happy to be able to make friends with someone like you.”
“Haha, it’s good to chat with you!”
Zhou Jing gave him a thumbs up.
At this moment, he suddenly sighed, “Unfortunately, by the time you’re old and no longer the Privy Chancellor, we won’t be able to meet again.”
......
“…Why do you say that?” Roman was surprised.
Anger appeared on Zhou Jing’s drunken face, as if he could not control his emotions.
“When you’re old and step down as a Privy Chancellor, you won’t need to live in the Golden Castle any more. However, I can only stay in the Golden Castle for the rest of my life. Even if there’s only a thin wall between us, we won’t be able to see each other.
The royal family locked me in the castle and asked me to marry into their family. In the end, they just wanted to deprive me of my freedom. I’m not even allowed to leave the city alone. Who knows if it will be worse in the future?
Now, they’re insisting that I marry a member of the royal family. Who knows if the wife I marry will also monitor me next time like that group of guards? Although the King painted a beautiful picture, the truth is that I’m actually still an outsider!”
“He even said that he wanted me to inherit his family, but he just wanted to tie me up here and use my child in the future as a hostage. The King promised me many benefits and felt that he could buy my freedom and make me willingly be ‘imprisoned’… Yes, I love money and fame, but I don’t want to be a tool for the rest of my life.
However, now, even if I’m unwilling and regret it, I can only obediently accept their arrangements like a puppet and be manipulated by them. I can’t even make a decision about my own marriage! Perhaps I’ll only be able to regain my freedom when I’m so old that I can’t walk anymore. But at that time, what’s the point?”
Zhou Jing spoke “from the bottom of his heart” in Bill’s tone, indicating that he actually knew his situation very well.
Roman’s expression changed as he shouted, “Bill, you’re drunk!”
Zhou Jing immediately jolted. He instantly sobered up as if he had woken up from a dream and realized that he had said something treasonous.
He deliberately became terrified and stammered,
“I’m just spewing nonsense. Don’t tell the King… I’m just an ordinary person. I’m powerless to resist. If I have to be a tool, so be it. At least I don’t have to worry about food and clothing. Anyway, after the marriage, I’ve resigned myself to my fate. This is it for the rest of my life. There’s no other hope.”
“Don’t worry, we’re friends. I won’t tell anyone… but don’t say such things to outsiders!”
Roman stood up and gave a stern warning.
“Bro, that’s enough. Do you really think you’re a loyal subject…” Zhou Jing secretly rolled his eyes.
In the past few months, Roman had not taken action. It was obvious that he was hesitant and worried about the risk.
Zhou Jing deliberately said this to give Roman a clearer and firmer signal that he could truly fight for him without worry and urge Roman to hurry up.
Seeing Roman’s uncertain expression, Zhou Jing secretly curled his lips, but his face showed regret and helplessness for saying the wrong thing. He tried his best to get up, as if he was guilty.
“Sorry for disturbing you for so long. I should
go.”
With that, he patted his face to sober himself up before walking towards the door.
Roman looked at Zhou Jing’s back, his heart in turmoil.
All this time, he had been having someone test Bill’s credibility, and there was no problem at all. He had basically ruled out the possibility that Bill was a pawn for the King to fish out those uprisers.
Now, Bill had revealed his thoughts in front of him, expressing his hatred and powerlessness towards the royal family’s restrictions on freedom… He had already fulfilled all the conditions for him to fight for this person!
The only thing he wasn’t sure about was whether Bill was just talking or if he really had the guts to change the situation and was willing to pay the price.
All kinds of thoughts flashed through his mind. Just as Zhou Jing was about to touch the doorknob, Roman finally made up his mind.
“Master Bill, if you’re really unwilling, I might be able to help you.”
Zhou Jing turned around with a confused expression, “What are you helping me with?”
Roman said slowly, “So long as you’re not someone’s tool, you don’t have to be manipulated like a puppet and regain your freedom.”
Zhou Jing deliberately froze on the spot.
At this moment, Roman said in a low voice, “However, it depends on what you can give up for freedom. If you escape the control of the royal family, the wealth, power, and status you have now will disappear and turn into hostility towards you.”
“W-What are you talking about?” Zhou Jing pretended to be shocked.
“You’ve already heard it.” Roman put away his amiable smile and nodded calmly, “I have the ability to help you, but if you don’t dare to accept such a price, it’s better for you to live your current life obediently. It’s more suitable for you.”