Chapter 99: Are You Deaf, or Are You Deliberately Picking a Fight With Me

The emperor’s waist token appeared too unexpectedly, leaving Li Xian utterly stunned.

His eyes locked tightly onto the waist token in Lin Yue’e’s hand.

Others might not recognize it, but he knew this thing was real.

Why was Li Chen’s waist token in her possession?

Who the hell is this woman?

Did she track my whereabouts? Is there a traitor among my people?

Otherwise, how could Li Chen’s men come to arrest me?

But Li Chen has no reason to arrest me—if he wanted me dead, he could’ve acted in court, why come here?

Li Xian might not realize he’d simply walked into a trap.

Lin Yue’e didn’t care whether it was the Second Prince or the Third Prince—in her eyes, anyone who broke the rules got arrested.

The emperor’s token is in my hands—who here outranks the emperor?

If you’ve got the guts to defy an imperial decree, why aren’t you emperor yourself?

Feng Wuhen glanced back at his master, asking Li Xian what he should do.

Meaning: surrender quietly, or resist and try to force your way out.

After all, with his skills, Lin Yue’e couldn’t stop him.

Li Xian was also frustrated—if his identity hadn’t been exposed, he could’ve just walked away.

But now that it was exposed, and there were so many people around, leaving would only make a bigger scene.

So they had to resolve it peacefully.

Li Xian glanced at Xu Zifeng, then said to Lin Yue’e: “This is all a misunderstanding—I know him. My men were just sparring here for fun, harmless.”

According to his logic, if Xu Zifeng confirmed it, neither of them would face consequences.

He’d just given Xu Zifeng a look—meaning: go along with what I said. You don’t want to go to jail, do you?

Lin Yue’e turned her gaze to Xu Zifeng, who smirked arrogantly: “Who are you talking to? Who do you know? Officer Lin, I was fighting him—and he started it. If you want to call it mutual brawling, fine—arrest us both.”

Li Xian: “.”

Li Xian stared at Xu Zifeng in shock, utterly confused by his move.

Do you not understand human speech, or are you deliberately trying to get arrested?

He’d seen plenty of arrogant second-generation heirs, but one with a broken brain? First time.

Facing Li Xian’s furious glare, Xu Zifeng looked utterly indifferent—he was used to being arrested; one more time didn’t matter.

Besides, this is just my usual day’s chaos.

Seeing Xu Zifeng wouldn’t back down, Li Xian glanced at Feng Wuhen, who understood and pointed at Ma Hei: “Officer, it was me and him fighting—arrest us both.”

His meaning: take full responsibility—it’s just a few days in jail anyway.

Later, the Second Prince could use his connections to get us released.

We can’t let the Second Prince end up in jail too.

Before Lin Yue’e could speak, Xu Zifeng cut in: “Don’t listen to him—we all fought. Arrest everyone.”

This left Li Xian even more baffled—I didn’t even lift a hand! Why are you dragging me into this?

He was growing more convinced he’d been set up.

Xu Zifeng’s reasoning was simple: Lin Yue’e wouldn’t let him go anyway, so he might as well drag the Second Prince down with him—annoy one, annoy all. Who told you to block my path?

Besides, my aunt’s got my back—I’ll be released soon.

Lin Yue’e’s officers were used to this; under her orders, they took everyone away.

Ma Hei glanced at Xu Zifeng, signaling whether to fight—but Xu Zifeng walked calmly with the officers, so Ma Hei had no choice but to surrender.

Even though reluctant, the Second Prince Li Xian was dragged away, along with his men.

In the prison, the Northern Envoy Atade, a regular guest, had grown familiar with the place; when bored, he chatted with fellow inmates, boasting about the northern lands.

Today, another heavyweight arrived: the Second Prince Li Xian.

Atade was slightly surprised, but no longer shocked.

That crazy woman arrests someone every single day.

I’m not even the worst off here.

As soon as Li Xian entered, he’d sent men to arrange his release.

Meaning: send someone to the Viceroy—if he speaks up, the guards will let him go.

Such a small matter? No need to bother Li Chen.

One cell in the prison was Xu Zifeng’s exclusive VIP suite.

He paid fines daily—he was a big spender; a little privilege was normal.

Inside even held half a bottle of fine wine he hadn’t finished last night, plus peanuts and other snacks.

The brat didn’t hesitate—he sat down, handed the wine to Ma Hei beside him, and started drinking.

Ma Hei had no idea what kind of routine this was.

Did you drag me all the way from the Witchcraft Holy Land to the capital just so I could sit in jail with you?

But seeing the Young Master’s relaxed expression, he picked up the wine and drank too.

At that moment, Li Xian spoke to Xu Zifeng: “You’ve got guts—tell me your name.”

Earlier, Xu Zifeng had only called himself “Young Master,” without specifying which one.

Xu Zifeng knew Li Xian wanted revenge, but he wasn’t afraid—he replied directly: “Xu Zifeng. My father is the Southern Pacifier Prince. What of it?”

Hearing “Southern Pacifier Prince,” Li Xian felt a sudden clarity.

The pieces in his mind clicked together.

According to his intelligence, the Third Prince had ties with the Southern Pacifier Prince—meaning this Young Master was likely acting on the Third Prince’s orders, deliberately provoking him to delay his rebellion and buy time.

And the officer holding Li Chen’s waist token? Probably unaware—she’d been manipulated into coming here to arrest him.

Only Li Chen’s men could wield such authority.

Thinking this way, it all made sense.

Li Xian figured the guy couldn’t possibly be so bored he’d deliberately drag him into this.

The capital’s waters run deep—many things that seem coincidental are actually carefully planned.

Li Xian had lived in the capital for years—he was sharp at calculations.

His resentment quickly shifted to the Third Prince.

In truth, Xu Zifeng was just bored.

In the Viceroy’s office, a government office runner reported: “Your Excellency, Officer Lin arrested the Second Prince—he’s locked in the prison now. His men are requesting an audience.”

The Viceroy, focused on documents, replied offhandedly: “Understood.”

As the runner was about to leave, the Viceroy suddenly stood up.

“What? He arrested the Second Prince?”

Because Lin Yue’e had arrested so many people these past days, he’d been slow to react.

Now he was startled—the Second Prince wasn’t an ordinary second-generation heir; he couldn’t afford to offend him.

Just as the Viceroy prepared to receive Li Xian’s men, he hesitated.

“The Second Prince is plotting treason, and Lin Yue’e is the emperor’s agent—I can’t get involved.”

Thinking this, he immediately told the runner he was too busy to meet Li Xian’s men.

Refusing them outright would anger the Second Prince—but better that than getting entangled.

Not long after, the news reached the Second Prince.

One of his men was in the prison, asking what to do.

Xu Zifeng burst out laughing. “The Second Prince? Can’t even get out of jail. If the Viceroy could help, do you think I’d be locked up?”

My father always said the Second Prince was cunning, skilled in strategy and planning.

In Xu Zifeng’s view, the Second Prince was nothing special—not nearly as formidable as rumored.

Li Xian never expected to run into Xu Zifeng, this reckless fool, disrupting his plans.

Brawling in the marketplace? Seven days in jail.

But the problem: the Spring Hunt starts in six days.

Li Xian had to get out—today he’d sent people everywhere seeking connections to secure his release, and finally turned to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was speechless: “Why do you all go provoke that officer?”

You all keep telling me to beg Li Chen—how am I supposed to beg him?

Should I go spend a night with Li Chen myself to get you all released?

As Empress Dowager, Ji Lianyu knew about the night Li Chen spent with her—though no one else knew.

So she sent word to Li Xian: If you want out, you must beg Li Chen!

Li Chen had just returned to the palace when Grand Eunuch Cui approached: “Your Majesty, the Second Prince requests an audience.”

!

Li Chen didn’t know why the Second Prince wanted to see him, but said: “Let him in.”

Grand Eunuch Cui replied awkwardly: “The Second Prince isn’t outside the gate—he’s in the prison...”

Cui then explained how the Second Prince and Xu Zifeng had caused trouble and been arrested.

Meaning: if Your Majesty wishes to see him, I’ll have someone fetch him from the prison.

Or—you could go to the prison yourself.

“Xu Zifeng? How did Erzi get involved with him? Since Erzi is locked up, let him stay there for now—I’ll go see him tomorrow morning.”

Li Chen didn’t care about Li Xian’s feelings, nor did he indulge him.

If you’d been at the door, I might have let you in.

But you’re in prison, so you’ll just have to wait.

But since Xu Zifeng is locked up, that means we’ll have meat for dinner tonight.

Not long after Eunuch Cui left, Ji Lianyu arrived at Li Chen’s chambers with practiced ease.

She had already changed her clothes, waiting for Li Chen’s inspection.

Li Chen glanced at Ji Lianyu and felt she had grown even more plump and alluring, her full figure straining against her garments.

Most enchanting was her innate nobility—sacred, elegant, intellectual, yet radiating gentle, maternal grace.

“Your Majesty, Zifeng…”

Ji Lianyu still held back some reserve; though she desired it, she couldn’t forego the excuse of Xu Zifeng.

She couldn’t just come right out and say she wanted it.

Li Chen understood—she’d tasted the sweetness and was now unable to stop.

At her age, she was precisely at the stage where she needed it, and she’d happened upon the youthful, vigorous Li Chen.

It was no exaggeration to say dry tinder met blazing fire.

Li Si’s neighbor, Ning, was also slowly growing accustomed to it; she felt she couldn’t sleep without the sound.

There was no morning court today; no major events had occurred these past days, and coincidentally, Prince Jing’an Li Longyu’s birthday was approaching, so court officials were preparing tributes.

What level was Li Longyu? Anyone he invited was essentially among the ruling elite of the TianCe Dynasty.

In short, only those who attended court—ministers and senior imperial clan members—could be invited to his banquet.

Even the Chancellor Zhao Wenyuan and Grand General Guo Po Yun were on the guest list.

Li Longyu had been on good terms with the late emperor and had attended court for decades.

He couldn’t be said to have worked tirelessly for decades, but he’d never committed any major offenses.

In recent years, due to failing health, he’d stopped attending court, but he remained very familiar with these veteran ministers.

The fact that he could even invite Li Chen, the newly enthroned Saint Realm emperor, showed he still held considerable prestige in the TianCe Dynasty.

With no morning court today, Li Chen left the palace early, intending to visit the prison and see what mischief Erzi was up to.

Ji Lianyu had just woken and was preparing to depart in her sedan chair back to the Southern Prince’s Mansion when Li Chen stepped inside.

“We’re going the same way—I’ll ride with you.”

Given their relationship, Ji Lianyu naturally didn’t refuse.

Along the way, she tenderly attended to Li Chen, adjusting his clothes and the like.

Even though the palace maids had already done it, she still wanted to do it again.

Ji Lianyu had a strong desire to care for others, and these past days she’d served Li Chen exceptionally well.

Since they were so close, some minor friction inevitably arose.

When the sedan chair arrived at the Southern Prince’s Mansion, they stepped out.

Li Chen said, “Aren’t you going to invite me in for a while?”

Ji Lianyu knew what he meant; she couldn’t refuse, but she hoped he’d hurry—Xu Zifeng would be released from prison soon.

On the other side, Xu Zifeng was released early that morning—he was used to it.

He was released at the same time every day.

As he stepped out of his cell, he sneered defiantly at the Second Prince, Li Xian.

See? I get out first—that proves my connections are stronger than yours.

Just stay put, little prince.

Ma Hei also stared proudly at Feng Wuhuan, clearly saying: I won this round.

Seeing Xu Zifeng laugh as he left the prison gates made Li Xian furious.

Truly, a tiger fallen to the plains is bullied by dogs—when had he ever been humiliated by such a petty person?

Xu Zifeng’s sense of superiority came from tormenting these capital nobles.

Now he was tormenting the Second Prince—how satisfying it was.

When the time came and his family succeeded in rebellion and he became emperor, he’d torment Li Chen too, making him know he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

In high spirits, Xu Zifeng left the government office and arranged lodging for Ma Hei.

After all, his little aunt lived in the Southern Prince’s Mansion, and in Xu Zifeng’s eyes, his little aunt was a taboo—he couldn’t let any other man near her, not even Ma Hei.

Moreover, his little aunt was becoming increasingly alluring; even he struggled to resist her, let alone others.

So placing Ma Hei elsewhere was more reasonable, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

When Xu Zifeng returned to the Southern Prince’s Mansion, he went to his little aunt Ji Lianyu’s quarters to pay his respects.

But a weak voice came from inside: she said she’d caught a chill and was resting in her room, and that Xu Zifeng’s return was enough.

When she heard Xu Zifeng wanted to come in and check on her, she grew even more nervous, saying she was bathing and it wasn’t convenient.

This only made Xu Zifeng more curious, his mind filled with fantasies.

But he dared not overstep—he still needed his little aunt’s protection in the capital.

So after greeting her, Xu Zifeng left.

Next came his daily routine: after breakfast, he went out to investigate the Second Prince’s affairs.

Only at noon did Li Chen finally leave the Southern Prince’s Mansion, satisfied.

To outsiders, one might think he was the Southern Prince himself.

(End of Chapter)