Chapter 60: Anyone Who Is Human Has a Weakness!

After leaving the prison area, the Ministry of Rites officials had already fled—staying there would only invite her retribution.

But the Viceroy and the Chief Constable were still there.

They both abandoned their usual stern expressions, forcing awkward smiles as if about to offer flattery.

Lin Yue’e disliked hearing such things; she raised her hand to cut them off. “No need to say it—I understand your positions, but you must always remember: as officials of the government office, our duty is to ease His Majesty’s burdens.”

“Of course, of course—thank you, Mistress Lin, for the reminder.”

“Mistress Lin, if you ever need help in the future, just say the word.”

Hearing their superiors say this, Lin Yue’e finally led her team away to continue today’s routine patrols and investigations.

But today was different: in the district under her jurisdiction, whether noble or aristocrat, anyone caught breaking the law would suffer greatly.

Before Li Chen’s imperial token, no connections could save them.

After seeing off this little demon of a constable, the Viceroy and Chief Constable both exhaled in relief.

The Viceroy only realized a moment later, frowning at the Chief Constable, his gaze as if asking: Why do I feel like she’s our superior?

The Chief Constable shrugged, as if answering: Obviously—she has the Emperor’s token. Do you?

Meanwhile, early morning at the Southern Pacification Prince’s Mansion.

Xu Zifeng had just awakened from his coma; yesterday’s slap had left his face burning, and now his skull ached too.

Sitting beside his bed was a voluptuous, stunningly beautiful woman, gazing at him with tender concern.

She wore a lavish robe of red and white, her skin pale and smooth, lips thin and rosy.

In her hands, she held ointment, carefully applying it to Xu Zifeng’s face.

Every gesture exuded grace and dignity; her mature allure was intoxicating.

Every time he saw her, Xu Zifeng forced himself to turn his face away.

He dared not look too long—he feared what might happen.

The woman’s surname was Ji, her given name Lingyu.

She was the younger sister of Xu Zifeng’s mother and his guardian in the capital.

The Ji sisters had once been famed beauties throughout the capital.

One married the Southern Pacification Prince; the other married a Hanlin Academician.

Though the Hanlin Academician was merely a civil official, many Chancellors had risen from that post—he was, in truth, destined for great things.

Yet on the very day Ji Lianyu entered the household, the frail Hanlin Academician passed away.

According to Xu Zifeng’s knowledge, his young aunt had almost certainly not consummated the marriage—she was likely still a virgin.

At his age, living under the same roof with such a lush, beautiful widow—who could endure it without burning?

That was why he frequently visited brothels to vent his desires.

To be honest, if Xu Zifeng had no thoughts toward his enchanting aunt, it would be impossible.

But his grand ambitions remained unfulfilled—he still relied on her care in the capital, so he had concealed his feelings.

He acted arrogant and reckless daily, and she knew he was hiding his true strength, masking his edge—she had always cleaned up his messes.

After she finished applying the ointment, Xu Zifeng sat on the edge of the bed.

From this angle, he could see her worried expression—and her figure, tightly wrapped yet still lush and alluring.

Suppressing his lust, he recalled the scene before he passed out yesterday.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew; he slammed his fist hard against the bedframe and roared: “Damn it—who the hell hit me yesterday? Today, I’ll make him pay!”

Having spent years in the capital, he had always been the one playing the fool to bully others—never before had he been humiliated like this. He could not accept it.

Seeing Xu Zifeng’s rage, his aunt sighed, answering with three parts resignation: “I think we should let this go.”

These words made Xu Zifeng even angrier—he had lost face before his aunt, and he must regain it!

He could ignore others, but he could not let his aunt look down on him—he had always wanted to prove to her he was a man who could stand alone. “No, I won’t let it go—if I do, how will I ever survive?”

“The one who hit you is the reigning Emperor.”

Xu Zifeng froze in place, motionless for a long while.

Only now did Xu Zifeng understand.

I knew something was off—he didn’t even announce his name before striking.

Of course—he didn’t need to.

The Emperor doesn’t need any reason to beat someone—he simply does it when he wishes.

“That new Emperor—the Saint Realm one?”

As a prince’s heir living in the capital, his information network was extensive.

“Yes—your men saw Lin Yue’e kneel before him, calling out ‘Your Majesty.’”

!

Seeing Xu Zifeng beaten, his aunt Ji Lianyu was heartbroken.

She had no children of her own, yet she had always treated Xu Zifeng as her own son.

Moreover, he was her elder sister’s biological son—this only deepened her desire to care for him.

She even doted on him more than Xu Zifeng’s own mother.

Now that Li Chen had beaten him, Ji Lianyu hated the new Emperor Li Chen—whom she had never met—with all her heart.

Honestly, if Li Chen weren’t Emperor, Ji Lianyu would have used her own power to avenge Xu Zifeng.

In Xu Zifeng’s eyes, a ruthless gleam flashed—he hadn’t expected to clash with the Emperor so soon.

Either way, this was a fated confrontation—he would eventually deal with Li Chen.

Seeing Xu Zifeng prepare to leave, Ji Lianyu feared he would act rashly and hurriedly warned him.

“Don’t be impulsive—he’s the Emperor now.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie—I have my own plan.”

Seeing Xu Zifeng return to his calm demeanor, his expression one of quiet certainty, Ji Lianyu finally let him go.

What plan did Xu Zifeng have to deal with Li Chen?

For now, he had none.

He said that only to sound bold in front of Ji Lianyu.

He couldn’t admit defeat—what if she looked down on him?

He still planned to one day ascend the throne and make her an Imperial Consort.

Stepping outside into the courtyard, Xu Zifeng truly began thinking how to counter Li Chen.

As a top-tier destiny-born prodigy, he could not swallow this humiliation.

Having cultivated his influence in the capital for years, he appeared as a spoiled noble, but in truth, he had built his own covert network.

He had eyes in many residences along this street—knowing, for instance, the preferences of the great noble Xue Wu, and the hidden misdeeds of his father in the military.

He even had agents embedded within the factions of the Second and Third Princes, privy to their secrets.

If these secrets were exposed, they would humiliate both princes.

As long as someone held power, Xu Zifeng could infiltrate them.

But Li Chen, the new Emperor, was a rare exception.

Not only was his cultivation terrifyingly high, he was also the Emperor—and worst of all, he seemed to have no concrete power base at all.

This left Xu Zifeng unable to plot—he felt Li Chen had absolutely no weaknesses.

“No—that’s impossible. Anyone has weaknesses. Maybe I can find his preferences.”

(End of Chapter)