Chapter 80: Lin Yue

The one who arrived was none other than Xu Zifeng’s aunt, Ji Lianyu.

Seeing this elegant figure, Li Chen was also somewhat surprised.

He knew Ji Lianyu would come eventually, but not this soon.

Giving the token to Lin Yue’e was indeed a good choice.

This subordinate is worth cultivating.

Even though he knew Ji Lianyu’s purpose, Li Chen still asked: “What is it? Speak freely.”

As he spoke, Li Chen did not even look at her, idly flipping through a book.

Don’t make your intent too obvious now, or she’ll suspect you set a trap.

Without Li Chen’s permission, Ji Lianyu had no right to rise; she knelt on the ground and pleaded: “Your Majesty, this servant’s wife has come again for my nephew Xu Zifeng—he is young and impulsive, got into a quarrel at a tavern, and was accidentally arrested by Captain Lin. Zifeng has been locked up, and this time he’ll serve a full month!”

At this, Ji Lianyu’s eyes turned red and her voice choked.

She doted on this nephew and naturally could not bear to see him suffer in prison.

Xu Zifeng was truly unlucky—he went out for a meal, habitually started trouble, got into a fight with a merchant’s son, and was caught red-handed by Lin Yue’e.

There was no way out—he had a pattern: where he went, what he liked, the government office had records.

Lin Yue’e left the government office only after reviewing the files—she was clearly going to catch him.

After hearing Ji Lianyu’s lament, Li Chen frowned: “Again him? Didn’t I spare him last time? Didn’t you promise me you’d strictly discipline him and ensure he never repeated it?”

His tone was gentle, yet carried undeniable authority.

It sounded almost like a father disappointed in a wayward son.

In truth, Li Chen’s inner monologue: Lin Yue’e, well done!

Hearing this, Ji Lianyu’s heart tightened; she knew she was in the wrong, yet still pleaded: “But Your Majesty, Zifeng is young and foolish—this was just a momentary outburst, and it wasn’t entirely his fault. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!”

In fact, even Ji Lianyu didn’t believe her own words.

She knew Xu Zifeng was likely feigning incompetence and deliberately provoking trouble again.

This time, he just got unlucky—ran straight into Lin Yue’e.

If any other constable had seen him, they might not have dared to arrest him.

Li Chen could probably guess what happened, but he still had to play his part.

After all, his true target stood right before him.

Li Chen sighed, his gaze deep: “Madam Ji, how could I not know Zifeng is young? Precisely because he is, he needs tempering. This incident may be his lesson, his chance to grow.”

Li Chen continued dragging it out—if he agreed too quickly, she’d think him easy to manipulate.

Besides, his words left room for maneuver—he hadn’t committed to anything.

Ji Lianyu was clearly hooked; she continued pleading: “Your Majesty, Zifeng’s mother entrusted him to me—if he suffers harm in prison, how can I face his mother? I beg Your Majesty’s compassion.”

Ji Lianyu realized she couldn’t use “Princess of the Southern March,” since the Southern March Prince was indeed at odds with the court.

So she appealed to maternal love, hoping to awaken Li Chen’s mercy.

With her words spoken, Li Chen felt it was time—he rose and walked over.

Ji Lianyu’s kneeling posture, combined with her full, voluptuous figure, looked like a cannon mount.

Li Chen surveyed her, then knelt before her, lifting her smooth, soft chin with his fingers.

Looking down at the flustered beauty, Li Chen said: “Since you say so, I’ll give Zifeng one more chance. But if he repeats this, you’ll know the consequences.”

As he spoke, Li Chen brushed his hand over her soft flesh, making her shudder.

Li Chen did this to plant a psychological suggestion.

At her age, she should understand that next time she came to beg him, it wouldn’t be enough to just speak.

If she thought that way, she’d be mentally prepared for next time.

Then, whatever demand he made, she wouldn’t find it shocking.

Seduction, after all, must be gradual.

Pressing down on a dead fish is dull—he had ways to make her cooperate, even eager.

Ji Lianyu had never faced such boldness; her heart raced wildly with panic.

If anyone else had touched her, she’d have flown into rage.

But this was an emperor with absolute power—she needed his favor, so she endured in silence.

Hearing Li Chen would spare Xu Zifeng, she still had to thank him.

“Thank Your Majesty’s boundless grace. When I return home, I will strictly discipline my nephew—he will not offend again.”

After speaking, Ji Lianyu bowed and withdrew.

On her way out of the palace, her steps were hurried.

She had a premonition: next time, she must not come—otherwise, she’d escape none of those claws.

Recalling Li Chen’s squeeze, she shuddered again.

A palace maid asked if she was unwell.

Ji Lianyu said she was fine and left the palace.

After she left, Li Chen ordered a eunuch to tell Lin Yue’e to release Xu Zifeng—and to keep up the good work!

Not long after Ji Lianyu returned to the Southern March Prince’s mansion, Xu Zifeng strolled back in, arrogant as ever.

Today he felt unlucky—he was just completing his daily task when trouble struck.

But so what? A mere constable holding the emperor’s token—I have my aunt protecting me; of course I can walk free.

Without that token, you’re nothing!

As Xu Zifeng ordered servants to prepare a hangover tonic, a figure appeared beside him.

“Come here. Your aunt has something to say to you.”

Xu Zifeng nodded and followed Ji Lianyu to the reception hall.

For some reason, his aunt seemed unusually alluring today, radiating a unique charm.

Merely following behind, her graceful silhouette made his heart flutter.

When Ji Lianyu turned, he returned to his normal demeanor.

He sat down, slightly adjusting himself.

“Aunt, it was an accident,” he began, but Ji Lianyu cut him off.

“I know about your affairs, but Captain Lin is enforcing discipline strictly—can’t you just endure for now? How many times can the Emperor spare you?”

Ji Lianyu spoke earnestly.

In her view, this had little to do with Li Chen—it was entirely because Lin Yue’e enforced the law rigorously.

Lin Yue’e was merely doing her duty as a constable. Even if she deeply resented her, she didn’t know how to voice it.

“Fine, I get it. I promise I’ll behave myself for now—satisfied?”

This time, Xu Zifeng answered seriously, which pleased Ji Lianyu.

She only hoped her nephew wouldn’t get into trouble again—Xu Zifeng staying alive was more important than anything.

Due to her special status, Ji Lianyu had remained widowed for years; now that she had a nephew to care for, she could finally express a flicker of maternal warmth.

She was a woman with a strong nurturing instinct, which was why she moved to the Southern March Prince’s mansion.

This was also the main reason Xu Zifeng’s psychology had gradually changed.

!

“By the way, Aunt, how’s the investigation I asked you to do?”

Xu Zifeng meant asking Ji Lianyu to investigate Li Chen’s preferences and his relationship with Lin Yue’e.

He had no way to deal with Lin Yue’e—she’d been investigated; she only cultivated and worked, no other hobbies.

If forced to name one, “building achievements” might be her hobby.

But he couldn’t just keep showing up to get arrested because of that.

“I don’t know yet.”

Ji Lianyu’s answer was evasive.

I can’t say the Emperor is lecherous.

If you ask why, do I have to tell you what he just did to me?

Besides, the Empress Dowager had hinted at this topic—during casual chats, she’d jokingly mentioned that Li Chen was young and vigorous, his harem empty, and if there were any good girls, she could introduce them.

Even if it was just a joke, it was still intelligence.

Hearing this, Xu Zifeng pondered: “That’s problematic. But I heard the Emperor will hold the Spring Hunt soon—I need to prepare in advance.”

As the Southern March Prince’s heir, he had the right to attend the Spring Hunt.

After all, he hadn’t committed any major offenses, and his father hadn’t rebelled yet.

“Don’t do anything reckless—those gathered then are all the elite of the Tiance Dynasty.”

Ji Lianyu warned him; as a woman who moved in the capital’s high circles, she knew these things well.

“Aunt, you worry too much. Father isn’t ready yet, and I won’t act foolishly. But I suspect the Second and Third Princes will strike then. Whether they succeed or fail, it’s none of my concern—I just want to gather some leverage on them.”

Xu Zifeng loved behind-the-scenes maneuvering—collecting everyone’s dirt.

Many in the capital had their secrets stored in Xu Zifeng’s files.

Don’t underestimate these—they might become his assets later.

To ensure success, he’d even sent someone back to borrow a man from his father.

Ji Lianyu looked at Xu Zifeng, wanting to say something.

But she knew—he was an ambitious man, and he wouldn’t stop now.

The Prince of Zhenan has also been preparing for many years, and tensions with the imperial court have begun to surface.

So she could only firmly stand on Xu Zifeng’s side and do what she could for him.

But Li Chen’s grasp still left her feeling it to this day.

Meanwhile, in Li Chen’s sleeping quarters.

After Ji Lingyu left, Li Chen had no heart left for reading.

Today he had met two women who stirred something in him.

Just as he was about to seek out Chu Ruoyan, she came to him on her own.

What a coincidence.

The study door was gently pushed open; a soft, fragrant breeze brushed past as Imperial Consort Chu Ruoyan entered slowly, carrying a tribute tea.

She wore an elegant palace gown, primarily in a muted blue, embroidered with delicate golden patterns—both asserting her status and preserving her gentle beauty.

Having just become Imperial Consort, her demeanor had already begun to shift; every gesture exuded dignity, making her seem even more noble and refined.

Chu Ruoyan’s figure was tall and proportionate, as if born to be a mannequin—no matter what she wore, it revealed a unique charm.

Today’s palace gown accentuated her figure perfectly, every curve precisely rendered.

She did not know that Li Chen, seeing this, was already imagining how those long legs would look in black silk.

Seeing Li Chen reading at the desk, Chu Ruoyan walked softly to his side, placed the tribute tea on the table, her movements gentle and graceful, as if afraid to disturb his thoughts.

Then she sat gently beside him, a faint smile on her face—genuine, because seeing Li Chen made her happy.

With emotional foundations, things would indeed be smoother later.

The two naturally fell into closeness, without excessive restraint toward each other.

“Your Majesty, what book are you reading?” Chu Ruoyan offered the tea, asking softly, her voice gentle and sweet.

This was a side she had never shown before anyone else.

Li Chen looked up, glanced at her, took the tea, and a hint of fondness flashed in his eyes: “Just an ordinary book. What brings you here?”

He found Chu Ruoyan too easy to read—that embarrassed expression clearly meant she had something on her mind.

Hearing this, Chu Ruoyan leaned closer to Li Chen and said, “Your humble concubine has come today to request a favor.”

Li Chen’s hand wandered as he asked, “Oh? What is it? Speak freely.”

Chu Ruoyan lightly bit her plump lips, seeming hesitant, but finally gathered her courage and said, “My household will hold a family banquet tomorrow—does Your Majesty have time?”

As she spoke, a blush spread across her face, like a shy maiden.

Li Chen, watching her bashful expression, grinned mischievously: “Heh, then it depends on how you behave tonight.”

Chu Ruoyan patted her chest, assuring him she had no problem at all!

Two hours later, Chu Ruoyan lost consciousness again.

Next door, Li Si leaned on her chin, frustrated: Not again? Are you even letting people sleep?!

(End of Chapter)