Chapter 1144

But this time the atmosphere is different from before; everyone can feel it.

Lan Wuyang and Jiang Yao kept looking toward Xie Beiyao; Ling Xiuyu was Silence, not speaking, his mood low; Xie Beiyao's expression was gloomy.

Xie Yuancheng tilted his head to look at the few people, puzzled, asking, "What's wrong with you?"

Lan Wuyang scratched his head, not knowing what to say; instinctively he felt Xie Beiyao would not do such a thing as seizing power, but his father's words he could not ignore nor disbelieve.

They didn't speak; Tingyang and the others who sensed something was off also didn't know what to say, for if it involved court matters, it wasn't something they could discuss.

During that long span of tea time, it was the most Silence and most solemn moment the ten companions had ever known.

Jin Chen had deliberately set aside time for them to speak, but he never expected that not a single one would open his mouth.

He half-embraced Xie Yuancheng and leaned back, letting out a faint chuckle, "Are you all planning to drag this out like today?"

His words carried a hint of amusement; after saying that, he tilted his head to look at Xie Beiyao.

Then everyone turned their heads in unison, all gazes falling on Xie Beiyao.

Jin Chen pierced their unspoken worries.

"Just now I consulted with His Majesty; he said Prince Li harbors rebellious intent, wanting to seize the heir's position and give it to you."

"Do you yourself know of this?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the fragile calm just maintained could no longer be pretended; Jiang Yao threw away the snack she had just picked up, and in a sweet yet cold voice she asked, "What are you thinking, if you really…"

"I haven't."

Xie Beiyao denied it, his voice extremely low, his eyes filled with deep incomprehension.

"I don't understand my father's plan; I only learned of this just now."

He rose, clasped his fists and bowed before the bewildered Xie Yuancheng, "I harbor no rebellious intent."

Xie Yuancheng was startled by him, nodded dumbly, "I know."

He reached out to help Xie Beiyao up, but heard him say, "My father has already taken action in the court; I am powerless to stop it, and if one day we must inevitably oppose each other…"

"That day will never come!"

Xie Yuancheng hurriedly interrupted him, helped Xie Beiyao to his feet, his expression solemn, "Cousin, don't speak such disheartening words."

Xie Beiyao gave him a deep look, then slowly nodded.

With Jin Chen having spoken, the rest would be easier to say; Xie Beiyao looked toward Ling Xiuyu, who was not seated beside him, "Your earlier unwillingness to deal with me was also because of this… right?"

Ling Xiuyu lowered his gaze to look at him, "Hmm."

Perhaps the time of Silence was too long; when he spoke again his voice was hoarse, "The Secretary's Office can only support the Crown Prince; Prince Li harbors rebellious intent… you and I are destined to part ways."

The four words 'parting ways' were too heavy; as soon as they left his mouth, they almost turned Xie Beiyao's face pale.

Tingyang and Wan Zhou, who usually enlivened the atmosphere, exchanged a bitter glance, yet dared not speak.

Xie Yuancheng anxiously tugged at Jin Chen's finger and poked it, "I believe Cousin harbors no rebellious intent; this matter arose suddenly, and besides, the current Prince Li…"

The words on the tip of his tongue kept getting stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken; Xie Yuancheng also feared his cousin would be hurt, but nowadays one can basically confirm that the current Prince Li is an undercover agent, while his true imperial uncle is likely to meet more misfortune than fortune.

Jin Chen lightly patted the back of his hand, took over the conversation and spoke frankly, "After double investigation by the Divine Pavilion and palace secret agents, Prince Li is dead, and the North Wind Kingdom's undercover has taken his place."

Bang.

Xie Beiyao's porcelain cup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

He stiffly looked at Jin Chen, his mind as if struck by a drumbeat, heavy and painful, his whole body seeming to freeze.

"You… what did you say?"

Jin Chen did not repeat it, also knowing Xie Beiyao had heard clearly; he lowered his gaze and continued, "His Majesty already knows of this; the undercover will deal with it himself; what you must do… is quickly strengthen your strength to avenge Prince Li."

Ling Xiuyu snapped back from his shock, grasped Xie Beiyao's hand, and in an instant was pulled over tightly by the latter, with great force.

Again came a shock-filled Silence.

Lan Wuyang's eyes were filled with confusion and anger, anger toward the North Wind Kingdom, and everyone felt the same.

Xie Beiyao suddenly rose and strode away.

"Beiyao!"

Ling Xiuyu hurriedly followed, never leaving his side.

Jin Chen tapped the stone table, his tone gentle.

"Everyone is tired today; rest well."

After everyone had returned to their rooms or gone off to digest their emotions alone, only Xie Yuancheng and Jin Chen remained seated where they were, the somewhat rich atmosphere of sorrow not yet dispelled.

After all, having known the truth beforehand, Xie Yuancheng, aside from sorrow, felt mostly bewildered.

Jin Chen gently stroked the top of his head, his voice even softer, "Yuancheng."

"Hmm…?"

Xie Yuancheng came to himself, looked up at him, "What's up."

Jin Chen with one hand drew him into his embrace, palm lightly gripping the back of his head, then gently rubbed.

Don't think too much, you won't become enemies.

Xie Yuancheng stayed quietly in his embrace, his cheek pressed against the chest, the sense of security gradually dispelling the confusion that had arisen from nowhere.

... I feel that my cousin is indeed more suited for the position of heir apparent.

Perhaps then Father Emperor wouldn't always worry about his studies and training, and could better devote himself to easing the burdens of the people of the Tianxuan Kingdom.

Since it belongs to you, what's there to discuss about suitability? Jin Chen's gaze lingered languidly on Xie Yuancheng's face as he teased, "Xie Beiyao is already heartbroken; if he heard this, he'd likely be overcome with grief and indignation."

Xie Yuancheng tugged at the corner of his mouth, his eyes still drooping, leaning against his chest he let out a soft sigh, "Father Emperor still has me study with you; you'd better teach me more."

As you command.

Jin Chen looked with interest at the boy in his arms, "Isn't this something we teach every day?"

Xie Yuancheng tilted his head, "Then, let's press on."

Only by pressing on can he get a chance to show his abilities.

Xie Yuancheng silently thought.

Such a Silence atmosphere lasted two days; Murong Qian, while giving instructions, also said nothing, everyone gave Xie Beiyao time to react, and Ling Xiuyu constantly accompanied him.

On the third day, while the little companions were resting together and watching the sunset, Xie Beiyao spoke his first words in these three days.

"Jin Chen, come fight."

Jin Chen: …?

Hearing Ling Xiuyu approach, they saw him sit down silently; when wiping sweat, his gaze looking over was no different from usual.

This was to have already eased his emotions; he needed to find a place to vent.

The two fought to their heart's content under the open Zhu Lin; Jin Chen didn't hold back much, but only defended and did not attack, allowing Xie Beiyao to vent his emotions.

After the final move ended, Xie Beiyao was so tired he didn't want to move his fingers, he lay straight down on the ground covered with bamboo leaves, his gaze unfocused and dazed; through the Zhu Lin he could faintly see the sunset glow, just like when he was young and his father personally taught him to practice.

At that moment, Xie Beiyao suddenly regained all his thoughts.

Hearing Ling Xiuyu approach, they saw him sit down silently; when wiping sweat, his gaze looking over was no different from usual.

Xie Beiyao slowly sat up, then suddenly pulled Ling Xiuyu into his embrace, holding him tightly; the tears he had held back for three days poured down, visible only to Ling Xiuyu.

Jin Chen had already left the Zhu Lin; the other little companions were waiting outside the Zhu Lin.

"He…should be fine."

Jin Chen lightly flicked his cuff, speaking offhandedly: "This vigor might even make him a dark horse in the competition."

Xie Yuancheng hurried over a few steps, looking left and right, "Are you hurt?"

Jin Chen chuckled, his long fingertips tapping his forehead, "No, thank you, little Crown Prince, for your concern."

"You're being so formal."

Xie Yuancheng slightly pursed his lips, not exactly happy.

Based on these days of probing, Jin Chen seems to have no affection for him at all.

He is a Crown Prince after all! Could it be that he actually has to personally pursue Jin Chen?

... Never mind, it's not impossible.

Father said, the things you like you must strive to obtain yourself.

By analogy, the person you like is certainly the same.

Xie Yuancheng had made up his mind, began to think of a way.