Chapter 1274: Rules for Raising a Loyal Dog 38

Jin Chen saw the things on the table, and Jin Qing Shu also had no intention of hiding them; the two understood each other implicitly.

"I never expected that the Sixth Prince, living in seclusion deep in the palace, would be the leader of the Moonflow Guard."

Jin Qing Shu's expression remained unchanged; he glanced at the Moonflow Guard leader's badge placed beside him, the smile on his lips deepening, making people feel ever more chilled.

Jin Chen leisurely picked up his cup and drank, his tone light and airy: "Since the Sixth Prince wants to test me, why not just get straight to the point?"

"I have no interest in the Crown Prince's position, and I can still lend you a hand— isn't the Sixth Prince tempted at all?"

"Everything in the world has a cause; your younger cousin's capture of Cheng Wang also has a cause, and not wanting to be Crown Prince should have one too—" Jin Qing Shu, however, had no intention of simply believing him, insisting on getting to the bottom of it.

Jin Chen grew tired of the questioning, set down his teacup impatiently, and said: "Being emperor is troublesome— having to worry about state affairs and the safety of the nation, constantly fearing assassination, and the people in the harem can't even choose freely— how troublesome."

Jin Qing Shu was stunned again.

How does it feel… as if this person has been an emperor before.

The complaint is all too genuine in feeling.

But no matter what, this is enough to make Jin Qing Shu believe.

He relaxed considerably, a few more smiles appearing on his slender face.

"In that case, there's no need to rack one's brains over how to get rid of your younger cousin."

Jin Chen: "……"

Look! He just said being emperor is dangerous! He hasn't even become Crown Prince yet, and already so many people want to kill him!

Jin Qing Shu smiled again: "Since we'll be allies in the future, I suppose your younger cousin ought to be curious about some things."

"Has your younger cousin ever heard of the Eldest Prince's mistake, which nearly caused the flood‑stricken populace of the whole city to contract a plague?"

Jin Chen stared blankly for a moment, then gained a hint of understanding and surprise.

"It was you who did it."

"You wagered the lives of the entire city's populace just to make the Eldest Prince lose his right to inherit the throne?"

Feeling Jin Chen's tone gradually turn cold, Jin Qing Shu shook his head, covered his mouth and coughed softly, saying, "Your younger cousin is joking— no matter how ruthless, he would never do such a thing."

"The plague affair was entirely fabricated; I merely bribed a few beggars to call a common cold a plague."

"The populace is living just fine; the rumored victims are all nameless corpses from the mass graves, and I merely avenged myself."

Such a person— scheming and sufficiently ruthless— is indeed fit to be emperor.

Jin Chen withdrew his gaze, his tone languid.

"Same as before—I'll only help you become Crown Prince; what happens afterward I don't care about."

"If that's the case, then thank you, younger cousin." Jin Qing Shu finally showed a smile, wiping blood from his lips with a handkerchief, his gaze toward Jin Chen holding hope.

He suddenly looked toward the hall's exterior, abruptly rose, and walked to Jin Chen's side.

"What are you doing?"

Jin Chen frowned, "You reek of medicine— stay away from me."

"If your younger cousin can truly cure this palace, the reward… would be to have Father Emperor consent to a marriage between you and Yajiu— how about that?"

Jin Qing Shu's smile was pure and icy, as if the entire Imperial Palace were already in his grasp.

This person actually knows— he had only just finished speaking in the Imperial Study.

Jin Chen curled his lip, a more imposing aura spreading forth— the dignity of a superior.

"Fine, but I advise you not to harbor any other thoughts."

He rose to his feet, casually flicking his sleeves with an air of nonchalance.

"If you dare move against Yajiu, I will not only prevent you from becoming Crown Prince, but also make you suffer a lifetime of agony."

Jin Qing Shu's aura was suppressed to the point he couldn't move.

He restrained his smile and lowered his head slightly.

"Awaiting your command."

Jin Chen strode out of the palace that made everyone feel uncomfortable.

【0731.】

【Hey, I'm here.】

【In the original plot, who ended up becoming emperor.】

【Let me check… Oh, it's also this Sixth Prince— a ruthless, capable emperor, but he died of illness less than five years after ascending the throne.】

Jin Chen's steps paused slightly, his smile faint.

"Got addicted to being a dark guard?"

The few palace attendants following behind him exchanged bewildered glances.

"Who is the little Heir Apparent talking about?"

"I don't know."

Yajiu leapt down from the corner of the palace wall, landing precisely before Jin Chen; the Azure Sky Guard's dark uniform made the youth look even fairer.

Jin Chen reached out, unceremoniously pinching his cheek, and smiled, "Your face is all scrunched up— it really is like that."

"Xiao Jiu was originally a dark guard, but… why did the master go to see the Sixth Prince?"

Yajiu raised his head and asked softly, then glanced behind Jin Chen, his voice dropping even lower.

"The Sixth Prince is very mysterious."

"You know?" Jin Chen, still wanting to ask something, recalled that Jin Qing Shu already knew about the Imperial Study matter, so he said no more, taking Yajiu's hand and leaving.

Yajiu kept pace, nodding: "The Sixth Prince has his own forces, very formidable; His Majesty knows but merely pretends not to see, after all…"

He paused slightly, then whispered into Jin Chen's ear with breathy tone, "Once, an imperial physician diagnosed that the Sixth Prince might not live past next year."

Now that winter has arrived, even if it's next year, Jin Qing Shu will still be only nineteen.

Only then did Jin Chen answer his first question: "I sought out Jin Qing Shu because I want to save his life."

When outsiders were present, Yajiu didn't say much, just nodded to indicate he knew.

"The master is very capable; if one wants to save, it's definitely possible."

Returning to the place where they were temporarily staying, it was the palace from when his handsome father had not yet been ennobled as a king; it was very imposing.

Just as they entered the Main Gate of the hall, Yajiu glanced at the left corner of the eaves inside the hall, narrowed his eyes in warning, and a blade glinted from his sleeve.

A few seconds later, the hidden guard hiding in the corner left.

"Master, he is a retainer of the Eldest Prince."

Yajiu spoke softly, his tone carrying a rare apprehension; he seldom felt such emotion, Jin Chen pushed the door open and entered, turning around in surprise.

"Is he more capable than you?"

Yajiu seemed Didn't Know How to Answer, tilted his head slightly in thought, then shook his head.

"He can't beat me, but..."

Jin Chen heard the hesitation in his words, sat down on the chaise, directly pulled him into his embrace, and pinched his nose to question.

"Xiao Jiu is keeping a secret from me; that won't do, hurry up and tell."

Yajiu looked at him pleadingly, "He is the Eldest Prince's personal hidden guard, his methods are sinister."

As he said that, Jin Chen actually detected a hint of resentment; Yajiu looked somewhat pitiful, he protested: "I can't outdo him in scheming; every time we clash, I suffer."

"Pfft..."

That expression was really amusing; Jin Chen couldn't help laughing out loud, he rudely reached out to rub his face, "So cute, call me husband for me to hear; later this Heir Apparent will help you teach him a lesson."

Yajiu wrapped his arms around, embraced Jin Chen's waist, also pressed his face against his shoulder, rubbing firmly.

"Husband..."

He shouted extremely solemnly, himself feeling extremely satisfied, softly leaning against Jin Chen.

Jin Chen felt very pleased, his expression even more proud and coquettish, he also rubbed the tousled hair that Yajiu had messed up.

"Don't act coquettish, my agreement is enough."

Yajiu: "..."