Chapter 1555: The Regent Prince Dotes on Me Too Much—What Should I Do? 24

Jin Chen was still extensively investigating the true culprit who intended to harm the Regent Prince, and Mu Zhongzheng, upon learning the news had leaked, was also cursing repeatedly in secret.

Mu Zhongzheng originally thought this was a good way to kill Xie Zhiwei without harming the young emperor, but Yun Xiao's actions were too clumsy, and even such a good opportunity could be seen through by Xie Zhiwei.

Moreover, Jin Chen's attitude also made Mu Zhongzheng feel that keeping the young emperor's life might not be a bad thing.

But he was still anxious; he was doing his best to win over the officials who could be won over at court, only lacking the final step of forcing Xie Zhiwei to step down, yet this step was also the most difficult.

Without killing Xie Zhiwei, Mu Zhongzheng could not relax for a single day.

In the palace, Jin Chen, taking advantage of resting his body after bloodletting, loafed around in Bihua Palace for several days, waiting for a letter from Chu Qingqing, who was out investigating.

Chu Qingqing had already found clues about that medicine, and asked whether Jin Chen should return to the palace to report now.

After thinking it over repeatedly, Jin Chen replied, letting her go directly to the Jiangnan Traveling Palace to wait.

Three days later, a mighty entourage accompanied the imperial carriage to the Jiangnan Traveling Palace to escape the summer heat.

Prince Mu Zhongzheng, the important officials and their families, and the Regent Prince Xie Zhiwei attending left and right went without saying, but what pleased the palace people this year was that the emperor actually brought the favored Yu Guishi along to attend.

One should know that there were rumors saying the future Empress Chu, who was going to Jiangnan for leisure, was also waiting at the Traveling Palace.

Just as the grand procession set off, the palace began to buzz with secret bets on who would be most favored, unaware that no matter who was favored, the one who was most jealous was the lofty Regent Prince Xie Zhiwei.

On the day they arrived at the Traveling Palace, the grande entourage first went to settle in, while Jin Chen and Xie Zhiwei first made a trip to the residence of the Jiangnan Prefect.

The prefect was someone accustomed to gauging looks and acting accordingly, and had long heard the rumors in the imperial capital that the current Regent Prince was the true master of Great Jin; this prefect, having been appointed by Xie Zhiwei years earlier, naturally took it for granted and did not put the young emperor who had not yet come of age in his sight.

But although he thought that way deep down, his outward manners were sufficient; nevertheless, this contempt still seeped out from the details.

For example, this bowl of aged old tea in Jin Chen's hand.

Jin Chen glanced at the prefect who only spoke to Xie Zhiwei; that person did notice, but merely showed contempt and shifted his gaze, as if the one seated was not the emperor of Great Jin, but some insignificant puppet.

Jin Chen also understood what was going on inside; he gave a light cough to interrupt their conversation, and the teacup was suddenly smashed onto the table.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Xie Zhiwei asked hurriedly, having not seen Jin Chen exhibit such great emotional fluctuation for a long time.

"Have these years in the court not been harsh on Prefect Song, that the tea served is all sour?"

Jin Chen's feigned innocence was truly masterful; he immediately smashed that cup, angrily pulling Xie Zhiwei to complain, "Young Imperial Uncle, I want to return to the Traveling Palace!"

Xie Zhiwei raised his eyebrows, first handing his own cup to Jin Chen, coaxing him with a smile to drink it.

Only then did Xie Zhiwei give a cold, dark look to the frightened Prefect Song, saying, "You sure have guts, daring to fool in front of His Majesty."

"This..." Prefect Song was at a loss for words, his body kneeling before his mind could catch up, cold sweat dripping.

How is this different from the rumors nowadays in the imperial capital! Isn't it said that the Regent Prince and the gradually growing young emperor are like fire and water, both wanting to seize power!

And indeed it was like that in the early years! How did their relationship suddenly become so good.

He had no time to think further, only managing to kowtow, "Prince, please calm your anger; how dare I deceive His Majesty! It must be the subordinates' clumsy work…"

"Whoever was clumsy, why not have Prefect Song confess? I, the Prince, will today decide to help you clean house and demand the life of that lackey."

Xie Zhiwei looked at him leisurely, his eyes full of anger at Prefect Song's contempt for the emperor.

Prefect Song: "……"

Fortunately, Jin Chen timely showed his understanding, pulling Xie Zhiwei's arm and saying today's matter could be let go, but he wanted to immediately return to the Traveling Palace to rest, and incidentally go out for a stroll on the street.

This could be said to be a rather childish request.

But Jin Chen clearly saw that, when he said he wanted to go out on the street with Xie Zhiwei, Xie Zhiwei's expression bore an indelible hint of pleasure and anticipation.

Yet Prefect Song once again lacked the tact to stop them, insisting on keeping the two masters to dine in the manor.

Xie Zhiwei still found him useful, for it was said that the final clues about that medicine had appeared in Jiangnan, and Prefect Song was the most familiar with Jiangnan.

No matter how much he disliked and rejected him inside, Xie Zhiwei could only coax Jin Chen to stay for lunch.

Since they were having lunch, Prefect Song's family also attended left and right, but nobody dared to speak up to liven the atmosphere.

Jin Chen ate listlessly; especially after learning that Xie Zhiwei still needed to go to the study to talk with Prefect Song after the meal, his dissatisfaction, already not satisfied, completely upgraded to utter dissatisfaction.

Jin Chen idly played with the chess pieces while secretly fuming.

Prefect Song had not left Jiangnan for decades; how could he have anything to say to Xie Zhiwei, when would that cold-blooded beauty of his family ever do something sympathetic to the people's livelihood.

As Jin Chen was pondering, a hand placed a black stone onto the chessboard he had just set up for his own amusement.

Following that hand with his gaze, Jin Chen saw the white-clad youth who had not appeared at the banquet earlier give him a faint smile, retreat half a step and salute, "Commoner greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty."

"Who are you?" Jin Chen asked, discarding the white stone; this chessboard had been set up casually, and the black stone just placed blocked the white's path, making this game a dead end.

"I am a commoner named Song Yanwen, the……second son of the prefect."

When mentioning his identity, Song Yanwen's eyes clearly flickered with a hint of hesitation and inferiority.

Jin Chen saw this, but was not very interested.

"Your Majesty, my father is discussing affairs with the Prince; let me accompany you for another game," Song Yanwen said, somewhat hopefully looking at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen: "No need."

The cold beauty's jealousy is terrifying! I'm scared!