Chapter 1754

"Don't forget, your Shen family's current status is all thanks to the late Emperor. As his consort, you ought to keep watch for him."

Xiao Jincheng attempted to reason with her.

Imperial Consort Jing lowered her head and smiled, her expression slightly disdainful, as she said matter-of-factly: "I have kept watch! I have always been keeping watch. I am raising Prince Rui and striving to live."

Xiao Jincheng was so angry he laughed, "A pack of lies! It's bad enough you hooked up with that Chen-surnamed thief, but you even gave birth to a child. It is utterly preposterous."

"Who told you the child was born to me? That was born to my sister-in-law."

Imperial Consort Jing spoke with conviction, pressing him step by step.

How could she be easily manipulated by others!

She fought her way out of the Imperial Music Academy; she has always fought and snatched for herself, never letting others control her.

"Official Xiao, do not accuse me with groundless charges; I didn't grow up being intimidated. You say that child was born to me, but do you have evidence? Who can prove it? Has Company Commander Chen ever acknowledged that child?"

Xiao Jincheng never expected that even with the facts laid out before her, the other party could still spout nonsense and argue with such righteous indignation. Her skin was as thick as a city wall.

"Eloquent and deceitful! You and I both know the truth of the matter. We can treat the past as if it never happened, but I hope that from now on, you will sever ties with that Chen-surnamed thief and cut off this evil connection. The late Emperor did not wrong you, so please show him some respect."

Imperial Consort Jing chuckled, sat down on the stool, and said softly: "I can't sever it for the time being! As long as Prince Rui is not yet an adult and has not formally established his manor and office, I cannot break ties with him. Because I cannot rely on you, I can only rely on Company Commander Chen. Official Xiao, this is the evil you created; you must own it!"

"Preposterous!" Xiao Jincheng was so angry he laughed, "You use me as a pawn and push the responsibility onto me, and you can feel at ease? Dream on! Imperial Consort Jing, ask yourself, do you feel no guilt? Do you feel no shame?"

"I feel no guilt, and even less shame!" Imperial Consort Jing held her head high. She was not putting on a brave front; she truly thought this way. Why should she feel guilt? Why should she feel shame?

She is a widow with a young child, with no support in the court and crises lurking all around; everyone wants her and her son dead.

She sacrificed herself to protect the late Emperor's bloodline and his most beloved youngest son; this is great righteousness! If the late Emperor's spirit is in heaven, he must praise her for doing well!

No one can accuse her!

No one can judge her!

Anyone who accuses her, please go confront the Emperor and Empress Dowager Sun on behalf of her and her son! If you can't do that, then please shut up!

"You, how dare you..."

"Why wouldn't she dare!"

Chen Guanlou's sudden appearance startled both people in the room.

Xiao Jincheng was astonished that someone had reached his side without him noticing at all. The gap in their cultivation levels instantly made him terrified.

Imperial Consort Jing was surprised that Chen Guanlou knew the situation here and had arrived in time.

"Why did you come?" She remained seated and did not get up, "I am chatting with Official Xiao about the issue of a widow remarrying."

Chen Guanlou lowered his head and laughed out loud, "Have you reached a conclusion?"

"Not yet! Official Xiao is a bit agitated; he is a loyal subject of the late Emperor, and he feels guilty! After all, Prince Shuncheng is already dead, and only now has he shown his face."

Imperial Consort Jing's expression was half-smile, half-mockery, teasing the other party without restraint.

Chen Guanlou simply sat down beside Imperial Consort Jing and, ignoring the presence of others, held her hand like an old married couple.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Jincheng, "Official Xiao has been quite busy tonight. Running into the Consort's room in the middle of the night and delaying her rest—this is not the behavior of a loyal subject."

Xiao Jincheng pulled himself together, refusing to lose in terms of presence, "Brother Chen, you and Imperial Consort Jing have a private affair; do you think that is appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it? She is a widow, I am a bachelor; it couldn't be more appropriate. Besides, we haven't made a big scene or publicized it, so there is no damage to the late Emperor's reputation."

"Self-deception! It's bad enough you have a private affair with Imperial Consort Jing, but you even gave birth to a child. Don't forget, the late Emperor entrusted you with heavy responsibilities back then." Xiao Jincheng was heartbroken; how could a person be so shameless!

Utterly shameless!

You dog-like couple!

"You are mistaken; the child belongs to the Shen family and has nothing to do with me. Also, you have overstepped! Official Xiao, for the sake of our years of friendship, I can overlook what happened tonight. Please, from now on, stay far away from Imperial Consort Jing and do not interfere in her life. Also, don't speak so harshly; I really don't like it."

As his voice fell, Chen Guanlou's face turned gloomy, his killing intent impossible to hide, his pressure forcing them back.

Xiao Jincheng retreated two steps, unable to believe that the other party could force him back just by releasing some pressure.

"Could it be that you are already a Grandmaster?"

"Not at all! Just at the peak of the Ninth Rank." Chen Guanlou said with a smile.

Xiao Jincheng sneered; he didn't believe a single word!

"Since you are already a Grandmaster, how can you... at least try to be decent!"

A Grandmaster acting so dissolute and desecrating the late Emperor's consort is inappropriate. If word gets out, no one will have any face.

"I already told you, I am not a Grandmaster."

"You are not at the peak of the Ninth Rank either." Xiao Jincheng said firmly, "The peak of the Ninth Rank does not have your level of cultivation."

He couldn't be bothered to argue whether he was a Grandmaster or not; he had already concluded that the other party was a Grandmaster.

He is a Ninth Rank; he knows exactly what strength the peak of the Ninth Rank has. Don't try to fool him.

Chen Guanlou thought to himself, I was careless!

Xiao Jincheng is too shrewd; he is not as easy to fool as Wu Ming or Wang Hai.

"Official Xiao, what is the reason for your return to the capital this time? If it is just to hold me accountable, I advise you to give up." Chen Guanlou decisively changed the subject.

"I have no ill intentions; I only came to remind Imperial Consort Jing not to let down the late Emperor. As a consort of the late Emperor, you ought to follow palace rules. From now on, abide by the rules and do not make any mistakes."

Upon hearing this, Chen Guanlou sneered, his face full of disdain.

Imperial Consort Jing sighed, "I appreciate Official Xiao's good intentions. If one day I tarnish the late Emperor's reputation because of myself, I will give the late Emperor an explanation myself. As for now, I hope Official Xiao will just act as if he knows nothing."

"You are simply... lawless!" Xiao Jincheng had never seen such insane people; for the sake of romance, they didn't even want their lives. He couldn't understand it at all!

Women are everywhere, and there are countless beautiful women.

What is Chen Guanlou after?

He asked exactly that, "May I ask Brother Chen, what are you after?"

"After happiness, after freedom, after what I am willing to do!" Chen Guanlou smiled, "I observe Official Xiao's cultivation; although you have made progress, there is stagnation. With your talent, you should have broken through to a higher realm. However... what a pity! I will tell you why: it is because you think too much, you are not happy enough, not free enough, and you carry too much, which drags down your cultivation. You must learn from me."

Xiao Jincheng decisively refused; he couldn't learn it and didn't want to learn it!

Living in this world, one must always carry something.

Emperor Emperor Jian Shi showed him great favor, and he ought to repay it.

Failing to protect Prince Shuncheng was already a dereliction of duty, and now Imperial Consort Jing is pulling this stunt, which is even more of a dereliction.

Suddenly, he felt a sense of heart-death.