Chapter 1535: Regent Prince Dotes on Me Too Much, What Should I Do? 04

Not to mention Mu Zhongzheng; even the attendants guarding the emperor's main tent don't know what the usually obedient Majesty is thinking right now.

The one who openly quarrelled with the prince is him, and the one now pleading with the Regent Prince is also him.

In silence, Jin Chen glanced at the guards still holding Mu Zhongzheng, twitched the corner of his mouth, and said, "It seems my words are still useless."

Young royal uncle……

Xie Zhiwei felt a stir in his heart, but did not pull his arm free from Jin Chen's tight embrace; he merely turned his head and asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you still unwell?"

"Not uncomfortable, I'm just a little tired." Jin Chen leaned into him, his voice suddenly dropping to a whisper, "I don't want to see blood; Young Royal Uncle, keep me company while I rest. My elder cousin now knows his mistake and won't repeat it."

Mu Zhongzheng heard this and repeatedly promised he would never offend again.

Xie Zhiwei withdrew his arm, drew the young emperor into his embrace, noticed his slightly pale visage, and said in a lazy tone, "Your Majesty's health is not up to par; let's call off today's affairs."

No sooner had those words been spoken than, before Mu Zhongzheng could even catch his breath, he heard news as shocking as a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

"The Dark Dragon Army is eliminating assassins in the deep mountains; the prince is to go with them."

They didn't even give Mu Zhongzheng a chance to refuse.

Mu Zhongzheng's face turned deathly pale; only then did he suddenly realize how unfledged his wings still were, and just how outrageously wrong it was to use the emperor and Xie Zhiwei's standoff as leverage.

Even though he holds the rank of prince, even without Xie Zhiwei lifting a finger, merely the rumors of the mysterious Dark Dragon Army are enough to cost him his life in the deep mountains.

At least… he must first wait until after winning over the Imperial Observatory.

As Mu Zhongzheng was being led away, Jin Chen timely lifted his gaze to him, flashing a slightly apologetic, innocent smile, as if he too hadn't expected the Regent Prince to be so ruthless.

Strangely, Mu Zhongzheng even felt a subtle gratitude that the emperor's simple-mindedness had led him to intercede; otherwise, given Xie Zhiwei's ruthlessness, the punishment would surely have been harsher.

The guards and attendants tidied up swiftly; by the time Doctor Liu arrived, the main tent was already spotless.

He couldn't tell what had happened; he glanced up warily and saw the emperor weakly leaning on the bed, resting. As for the Regent Prince… Doctor Liu dared not steal another glance.

While Doctor Liu knelt to take the pulse, Jin Chen closed his eyes to rest for a while, then, curious, lifted his head to look and said, "Why is taking the pulse taking so long today?"

No sooner had he spoken than the Regent Prince's icy gaze fell on his shoulder, nearly stealing his breath; trembling, he hastily withdrew his hand and replied while prostrated.

"Your Highness, the Emperor's health is fine; merely… his pulse is weaker than a few days ago."

Jin Chen lay back down and patted his heart through the blanket.

This doctor couldn't utter a word for half a day, thinking he was about to die.

Weak……

Jin Chen pondered, placed his hand on his wrist to check his pulse, and chose to train and recuperate his body rather than continue loafing about like a salted fish.

As long as I don't die.

【'Your expectations of yourself are pretty low too.' Ling Gun Gun sighed.】

【'A little waste who had been bled for six years suddenly becoming strong and healthy—Xie Zhiwei would suspect foul play without doubt.'】

Jin Chen was trading half-hearted barbs with Zero Egg when he suddenly caught a whiff of cold fragrance nearby; dazed, he glanced at Xie Zhiwei, who had helped him up.

"I want to sleep."

"The weather is rare and fine today; the scenery outside the capital is nice. I will accompany Your Majesty for a walk." Xie Zhiwei fetched a cloak, his fingers smoothing Jin Chen's collar as he lowered his gaze and asked gently, "Will that do?"

Jin Chen: '……'

Can I say no?

Faced with beauty, the lust‑addled young emperor nodded: "All right."

Xie Zhiwei fastened the cloak for him, his cherry‑tinted lips curling; he was quite pleased.

"Your Majesty has been much more obedient lately."

Jin Chen pretended not to hear, bundled up tightly, and was led out for a walk, a blast of cold wind, and a bout of suffering.

——

The next day after being stationed in the suburbs, the royal hunt officially commenced.

Jin Chen, bored out of his mind, went through the required motions; standing at the highest point with no windbreak, a few sentences were nearly enough to have the suburban wind crack his pampered, delicate face.

Finally receiving Xie Zhiwei's nod, amid the flattery of 'Long live the emperor,' Jin Chen rallied the troops and was then helped down.

His performance today might yet spark court gossip that 'the emperor is truly useless,' but that happens to be exactly what Jin Chen wants to do right now.

Only by being sufficiently weak can one truly play the pig to eat the tiger.

Xie Zhiwei continued the emperor's prescribed rites and etiquette; after half an incense stick's worth of time, the martial officers and nobles who had finished hearing the rules charged into the deep mountains on horseback amid the howling wind, their momentum grand.

In the blink of an eye, the Son of Heaven was seated in the tent, applying ointment.

Xie Zhiwei's usually cold eyes softened with a smile; he gestured for the women to wait outside and then walked in slowly.

Jin Chen immediately became alert, glanced at him, shoved the ointment box into the hand of the maid behind him, and spoke first: "I will not go hunting."

"Miss Chu awaits Your Majesty outside the tent; ride alongside her." Xie Zhiwei said, his tone giving nothing away.

Jin Chen gritted his teeth: "Young Royal Uncle, you really want me to go?"

"You agreed to this the day before, don't forget." Xie Zhiwei fixed him with a burning gaze, as if indulging the youth's waywardness: "The Minister of Works' eldest daughter taking residence in the Central Palace is beneficial to the stability of Your Majesty's throne."

Jin Chen: "Whether my throne is secure or not, isn't that up to you, Young Royal Uncle?"

He spoke somewhat out of turn; previously he would never have dared to say such a thing in Xie Zhiwei's presence.

Forget it.

Jin Chen lowered his eyelids, rose without waiting for Xie Zhiwei's reaction, walked past him and out the door, saying, "Since it's your wish, Young Royal Uncle, I'll comply."

Outside the tent, Chu Qingqing heard the footsteps, hastily bowed, and lifted her gaze.

The young emperor, clad in brocade robes and a fur coat, bore an unmatched noble aura.

Who would have thought the sickly emperor of rumor was actually this breathtaking; Chu Qingqing performed her obeisance with proper decorum.

"Are you my future empress?" Jin Chen stopped beside her and asked bluntly.

Chu Qingqing stared for a moment, unable to discern the emperor's intent, and could only admit: "Yes… Your Majesty, please."

Strangely, Chu Qingqing felt an added pressure, as if it came from the prince.

I can't ride a horse; it would be better if Miss Chu and I ride together on one.

Jin Chen steeled himself, grabbed her wrist, and walked off……

He couldn't pull her.

Jin Chen stopped in his tracks, incredulously looking at the wrist he had grabbed, then at the bewildered Chu Qingqing.

No.

Wait a moment.

Perhaps I have misunderstood the martial power of this world.

【In a world where martial prowess is supreme, Host, your soul's inner strength is formidable, but this body is just too weak.】

Xie Zhiwei walked out with a cold face, "Your Majesty."

Jin Chen immediately let go, his heart full of panic over this weak body, his face showing some indulgence as he said, "Little Royal Uncle, is there anything else you need to instruct?"

The hand he had just held was lifted by Xie Zhiwei, who gently wiped it clean with a handkerchief; Xie Zhiwei didn't know why he was doing this, but it was truly eyesore— the little emperor would be better off obediently staying by his side.

Xie Zhiwei lightly touched the faint scar on Jin Chen's wrist where the skin had been cut and bled; unsurprisingly, it made the youth tremble with fear. He lifted his gaze, his narrow phoenix eyes filled with indulgent smile, "Your Majesty, it would be better if I take you there."

Jin Chen exchanged a glance with the even more bewildered Chu Qingqing, "Then Miss Chu..."

Hurry up and send this miss away! Quickly! It's so embarrassing!

Chu Qingqing looked doubtfully at Xie Zhiwei, not quite understanding the prince's meaning— wasn't the empress position something he himself said?

"You go first." Xie Zhiwei said.

"Yes, your servant takes her leave."

Jin Chen felt sentimental watching Chu Qingqing leave, thinking it was fortunate that this miss appeared in time, but he still needed to put nurturing his body on the schedule— big shots absolutely refuse to be weaklings!

The fingertips gripping his wrist tightened further; Xie Zhiwei blocked Jin Chen's gaze, his breath slightly sinking, "Your Majesty, do you not wish to travel together with me?"

Jin Chen leaned against his shoulder in defeat, moving his slightly sore wrist, "Willing, very willing."

"But little royal uncle... I feel uncomfortable everywhere; maybe we should just forget it."

He practically flung himself into Xie Zhiwei's embrace to speak, warm breath brushing the nape of his neck; Xie Zhiwei's heart stirred slightly, and he could no longer ignore the hand resting on his waist.

"Your Majesty's body is weak; you need to move more." Xie Zhiwei lightly stroked the somewhat thin back in his embrace, feeling an indescribable sentiment.

Why has the emperor's body become like this? Xie Zhiwei knows this all too well, but he has no other choice.

【Detected villain triggering Heartbeat Value, Heartbeat Value +5, total now 5!】