Chapter 1273: Loyal Dog Care Guidelines 37

After Jin Chen repeated it three times, Jin Xuan Zhang finally flew into a rage.

I sent Yajiu to be by your side to protect you! Not to make you my principal spouse!

The news shocked him so much he forgot his own brother, who stood nearby holding a whip, and Jin Xuan Zhang flared with anger: 'Is there no respectable young lady left in Yangzhou, or did your father not give you a chance to meet one? How did you end up liking a dark guard?'

If you merely wanted to take him into the rear courtyard as a concubine, that would be fine, but you insist on making him your principal spouse—can anyone just become the Heir Apparent's consort?

Jin Chen covered his ears, 'I've already seen him, and I just like him.'

I helped you eliminate the Cheng Prince, yet I can't obtain an imperial edict granting marriage no matter what.

He said this while giving Jin Xuan Qi a meaningful look; Jin Xuan Qi's mouth twitched as he thought, 'This brat really judges people by their station.'

Jin Xuan Qi flicked his long whip and snapped, 'Get out of here! Don't be an eyesore.'

Okay.

Jin Chen saw that it was enough and stopped; anyway, he had other methods—today was just a matter of applying some eye drops.

He dashed away like a wisp of smoke, giving Jin Xuan Zhang no chance to punish him.

After Jin Xuan Zhang reacted, all he could do was stare angrily at Jin Xuan Qi.

Jin Xuan Qi said, 'What are you looking at me for? It wasn't me who had him seek Yajiu as a principal spouse.'

Jin Xuan Zhang frowned, hands behind his back, pacing before the dragon throne, then stopping beside him: 'You're the father—no matter what, it's your responsibility.'

'If you had arranged a marriage for Chen'er earlier, we wouldn't be in this situation.'

Jin Xuan Qi also wanted to cover his ears.

But that's his older brother—covering one's ears would really earn a beating.

'I don't care; Elder Brother, haven't you forgotten? Your marriage to the Imperial Sister-in-law when you were young wasn't permitted by Father Emperor either. To wed her, you volunteered to lead troops and pacify the Hu Tribe that has long troubled our nation.'

'Now that you yourself are emperor, how can you fail to understand Chen'er?'

Besides, if your older brother's methods of raising sons were effective, none of his three sons would be incapable of bearing the responsibility of heir apparent.

But Jin Xuan Qi obviously didn't dare say that.

Jin Xuan Zhang suddenly fell silent, hands behind his back, ceasing his pacing, as if his spine had been bent considerably by those few words.

How long had it been since anyone dared mention the deceased Empress in his presence? Even Jin Xuan Zhang himself hardly remembered.

Jin Xuan Qi decisively changed the subject, even though it remained heart-wrenching.

'Elder Brother, tell me, why are you insistent on appointing an heir apparent right now?'

This matter had likewise troubled Jin Xuan Qi for a long time: 'If another prince were born now, you could personally raise him.'

Jin Xuan Zhang sighed deeply and waved his hand: 'No can do, my body isn't up to it.'

He dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids in the Imperial Study, wanting to speak privately with Jin Xuan Qi.

Only then did Jin Xuan Qi understand the full situation.

He had also heard about the poisoned wine at the palace reunion banquet two years prior, and he had gathered many jianghu heroes and oddities to send to the palace to treat the Elder Brother, never expecting it would still damage the foundation; in short… his body would likely suffer no major ailment, but it was highly possible he could no longer father children.

Few people knew of this; the emperor's dignity cannot suffer any harm, so he secretly intended to cultivate Jin Chen as heir apparent.

Jin Xuan Zhang said, 'At my age, if I had a satisfactory offspring, I wouldn't be in this predicament.'

Jin Xuan Qi pondered, then asked him, 'That Qing Shu child… perhaps he could still be saved.'

He recalled what had happened to Xu Huaiyu and Chen Zhihong—demons could be repelled when they appeared, and those who had stopped breathing could be revived, and it was said that Chen'er had helped; if Chen'er could cure Qing Shu, that would be a happy ending for all.

Among the three princes now, only the Sixth Prince, Qing Shu, is satisfactory.

Coincidentally, Jin Chen thought the same.

These past few days, Yajiu had returned to the Dark Guard Camp to report duty; Jin Chen, bored out of his mind, kept turning over thoughts about the three princes.

This Sixth Prince, aside from being frail and sickly, had also been praised as a once-in-a-century talent—yet this illness… likely has something to do with the Eldest Prince as well.

On his way to the Sixth Prince's Palace, Jin Chen pondered the whole way.

Under the guidance of a palace attendant, Jin Chen entered the Sixth Prince's Palace, glanced at the courtyard, then asked the guide, 'You're not planning to seize this Heir Apparent and lock him up, are you?'

What's the difference between this and the Cold Palace!

The attendant hastily bowed, 'Your Highness Heir Apparent, you're joking—I would never dare to deceive you. It's just that the Sixth Prince said he dislikes extravagance, so the hall looks this way.'

'I see… then you may go.'

Jin Chen walked slowly inside with his hands behind his back, yet however he looked, it seemed strange.

In the arched bridge pond were kept fine brocade carp—not to mention they weren't as plump as those in the Imperial Garden, they looked as if they were about to gasp their last breath.

Cultivating bamboo in the courtyard would also be an excellent ambiance; the palace has many skilled artisans, so it could stay lush green year-round, yet this bamboo was withered and yellow, shedding leaves.

Even the flowers that bloom in winter in this courtyard were thin and frail.

Desolate and quiet, living here for a long time would inevitably affect one's mind and spirit.

Upon entering the hall, Jin Chen had taken just a few steps when he heard sparse string music and looked up.

The Sixth Prince, Jin Qing Shu, sat beside the guqin, dressed in a single white robe, slender and refined, his bearing outstanding, and the melody he played was even more desolate.

I have greeted the Sixth Prince.

Jin Chen stepped closer and performed a bow with clasped hands.

Jin Qing Shu held his hands aloft, no longer touching the strings, lifted his eyes slightly and nodded, 'Ah, it's my younger paternal cousin; I failed to greet you properly from afar.'

'The wind is strong outside; come in and speak.'

Jin Qing Shu seemed unsurprised, as if he had known Jin Chen would come; Jin Chen glanced at him a few more times.

The hall, however, was warm, with no shortage of charcoal fire.

'Your younger paternal cousin's deeds have spread throughout the palace these days, and the title Lord Wuyou has become even more renowned.'

Jin Qing Shu exchanged a few pleasantries, then suddenly shifted tone: 'Just what are you doing here, coming to my palace for no reason?'

He said this while seated, facing Jin Chen, raising his eyes but not lifting his head, his gaze flashing with a moment of oppression.

Jin Chen keenly sensed this, feeling somewhat amused inside.

This person is really on guard.

"Naturally, I'm here to tell you good news."

He took the side seat; as soon as he sat down he lost all proper posture, leaning sideways against the chair back.

"Your illness, I can cure."

Jin Qing Shu lifted his eyelids, showing little disturbance, "Younger cousin, do you know how many people have said this since I fell ill?"

Jin Chen leisurely tilted his head, indifferent.

"Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

Jin Qing Shu's dim, unfocused gaze finally stirred, landing on Jin Chen as if probing.

"Younger cousin, why do you want to save me? In this palace, aside from Father Emperor, everyone wishes this calamity—me—would die as soon as possible."

Jin Chen bluntly said, "I don't want to be crown prince; among the three imperial princes, only you can save 【me】."

The other two are not favored by the emperor; after all, they have Hu blood and have committed grave errors, so neither can take the throne.

"You don't want to be crown prince, why?" Jin Qing Shu genuinely felt a hint of alarm, then gave a light laugh, "Younger cousin, don't joke—how could anyone in the world not want to be crown prince?"

Jin Chen's posture was lazy; he glanced at him, dropping the pretense.

"Not wanting is not wanting; you talk too much."

Jin Qing Shu: "……"

Where is that graceful, courteous younger cousin from just now?