Chapter 1543: The Regent Prince Dotes on Me Too Much—What Should I Do 12

Although Chu Qingqing was usually bold, she was frightened by Jin Chen's order to enter through the main gate; by the time she entered Azure Splendor Hall, her back was soaked with sweat.

Yet what Jin Chen promised her was being fulfilled step by step; everyone at court knew the newly appointed Top Scholar Xiao Yuan had been made a Hanlin Academician, yet unprecedentedly the Emperor had not assigned him a bride, and even tacitly accepted his excuse that he already had a new superior.

Chu Qingqing was waiting, waiting for the day she would help the Emperor regain power, when she could loyally serve the realm and altars together with Xiao Yuan.

"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

"It's not that hot outside to make you sweat all over." Jin Chen leisurely peeled a lychee to eat, then asked: "How's the thing you were asked to investigate?"

"Your Majesty, the medicine you mentioned does indeed exist in the world, but the only monk who knows its whereabouts…… has some connection to the National Teacher."

Chu Qingqing and Jin Chen locked eyes, and Jin Chen understood her meaning.

The National Teacher was personally selected by the Regent Prince, surely his confidant; that is to say…… Chu Qingqing actually already knew that in this world there is a divine medicine rare as once in a century, capable of curing thousands of ailments.

Then why, in the original plot, did this medicine only appear from Mu Zhengzheng's mouth after the original body was assassinated and Xie Zhiwei was already doomed?

But no matter what, he must obtain that medicinal ingredient before Mu Zhengzheng does.

"Keep investigating," Jin Chen said, wiping his hands clean and dispelling the doubt in his eyes, "Later Liu Feng will have you meet two hidden guards; they will take you to the Jianghu Hall of Myriad Matters, where the information is more reliable."

"The Jianghu Hall of Myriad Matters?" Chu Qingqing stared wide-eyed in surprise, "Your Majesty, you've long resided in the palace—how do you know people from the jianghu? Or…… is it the Hall of Myriad Matters that everyone knows?"

So surprised she forgot etiquette, and Jin Chen didn't hold it against her, merely asking: "Do you still remember the commandery princess who went missing two years ago?"

"I remember, your paternal cousin Liu Mo Princess, whom the Regent Prince forced to go to Saiwai for a marriage alliance, later disappeared without cause." Chu Qingqing nodded.

"The current master of the Hall of Myriad Matters is Liu Mo; she's not dead, merely…… unwilling to marry." Jin Chen's tone was light, as if speaking not of a royal scandal but of a trivial matter: "Go find her and announce my name."

Chu Qingqing's heart stirred; she hastily bowed: "Your servant understands."

"Next time you come, remember to bring some poetry, calligraphy, and painting albums to avoid arousing their suspicion."

"Yes."

The two were speaking when Liu Feng hurriedly came to report: "Your Majesty, the Prince requests an audience."

A flicker of smile crossed Jin Chen's eyes, then he said: "Not receiving."

"Just say…… I am cultivating feelings with Younger Sister Qing."

Chu Qingqing: "……" How vulgar.

Liu Feng could only steel himself and relay the original words to Xie Zhiwei.

"Prince, please don't make things difficult for your subordinate." Liu Feng pleaded, for he truly dared not face the furious Regent Prince again.

"Cultivating feelings, hum." Xie Zhiwei stood with hands behind his back, glanced at De Quan holding a soup cup, and once again was turned away at Jin Chen's door.

A strange anger ignited the long-suppressed emotions in his heart; his gloomy eyes fixed on the newly closed hall door, wishing he could return to the day he selected Chu Qingqing as the future Empress, so as to keep this person from ever appearing before the Emperor's eyes.

Little did he know, jealousy had first surfaced.

After that, for over half a month straight, Jin Chen never left Azure Splendor Hall; Xie Zhiwei's probing had become so harsh that Liu Feng revealed a hint of the truth.

"Your Prince, the Emperor has received guidance from an exalted person and is cultivating a spiritual body; please, under no circumstances, do not go in to disturb."

Xie Zhiwei: "……"

At that moment, countless stories of emperors deceived by Daoists and ultimately addicted to Five Stone Powder flashed through his mind.

It was sheer nonsense.

——

In the great heat of July, the palace held a cooling banquet.

As emperor, Jin Chen had to attend, so he could only temporarily halt his spirit-tempering cultivation.

However, the effects of nearly a month's cultivation were considerable, perhaps also related to his impending coming-of-age; Jin Chen not only regained a healthy complexion, but his stature also broadened considerably, giving him a more imperial bearing than his former sickly appearance.

Thus, when Jin Chen entered the inner hall of the banquet wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, all officials and noble relatives were stunned. Although there had been rumors that the Emperor was practicing some spiritual technique, no one had expected the change to be so great!

Before them, the Emperor needed only to lift his eyes slightly to reveal the noble, icy brilliance of gold and jade; shedding his former weakness, he bore such an utterly extraordinary demeanor.

For a moment, officials whose daughters were awaiting marriage felt their thoughts stir; the Regent Prince was gradually relinquishing power, and the Emperor was growing rapidly…… perhaps in the future, this realm will still bear the surname Jin!

Xie Zhiwei sat in the front row to the left of the dragon throne; from the moment Jin Chen entered the hall, his gaze never wavered—both astonished and with unfathomable thoughts, he felt that the looks of these officials and female attendants were overly offensive, daring to stare directly at the Son of Heaven!

Especially…… Chu Qingqing, whom all officials tacitly acknowledged as the future Empress, openly appeared in the main hall—this ought not to be the place for the daughter of the Minister of Works.

Jin Chen sat upon the emperor's dragon throne; the Grand Eunuch behind him immediately proclaimed the start of the banquet.

String and wind instruments rose, a lively scene ensued.

The topic naturally could not avoid discussion of the future Empress.

Chu Qingqing forced a shy smile on her face, but deep down she only secretly wished these officials, who spouted grand talk after drinking, would say less; haven't you seen the Regent Prince's face about to turn as black as ink?

The wine cup before Jin Chen was empty; Chu Qingqing was being signaled by her father to pour wine for the Emperor, but just as she rose, she saw Xie Zhiwei, who stood closer, already approach.

"Your Majesty, I will pour wine for you," Xie Zhiwei said in a tone almost eerily gentle, pouring a cup of wine beside Jin Chen.

Having not seen the handsome Prince for over half a month, Jin Chen gave a light laugh, "Thank you, Younger Royal Uncle." He then supported Xie Zhiwei's wine cup with his palm as a sign of respect.

Who would have thought Xie Zhiwei's face would darken further, feeling estranged from the Emperor; how could the etiquette for elders be applied to him, when they clearly……

"…… Younger Royal Uncle, you've spilled it."

Jin Chen hurriedly saved the overflowing wine cup, raising his brows in doubt: "Are you feeling unwell?"

Xie Zhiwei suddenly smirked, "No, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"Alright, if the royal uncle feels unwell he may leave first." Jin Chen nodded, his gaze shifting to the court performers performing, and the next second his pinkie was hooked, feeling soft.

In an instant, Jin Chen turned his gaze sideways; Xie Zhiwei had just withdrawn his hand, and with his back to the officials he seemed to revert to that night's specter, his phoenix eyes brimming with innate allure.

"Your Majesty, drink slowly," Xie Zhiwei said, slowly withdrawing, turning around to regain his composed, stern demeanor, and returned to his seat.

Jin Chen stared blankly at his fingers, confirming it wasn't his illusion, then he smiled, raised his wine cup toward Xie Zhiwei, and drank it down.

Xie Zhiwei's heart trembled; his cold, handsome visage flushed slightly, perhaps from the wine rising to his head.