Chapter 1562: The Regent Prince Dotes on Me Too Much—What Should I Do? 31

Liu Feng was hotly debating with Yu Huayao whether there was still any father‑son affection and whether he truly remained loyal to His Majesty, when Chu Qingqing, who had been walking behind them, suddenly grabbed Liu Feng's wrist and signaled him to be quiet.

Liu Feng, being an attendant close to the emperor, instantly sensed someone following behind him, and this person's martial skill was not low.

He restrained his smile, yet he had not forgotten that Yu Huayao, as an imperial favorite, and the future Empress Chu Qingqing ought to be at odds; just as he was about to remind them and turn around, he caught a fleeting shadow behind the pillar.

"Who!" Having found the person, Liu Feng saw no need to disguise himself; he shouted sternly, drew his sword, and was about to give chase.

But he was still some distance from the pillar; by the time he reached it, the shadow had vanished, leaving no trace of aura.

Yu Huayao grew nervous: "Who is it? Could they have overheard our conversation just now?"

"Probably not." Chu Qingqing shook her head; she was always sensitive to such matters, having even noticed the Regent Prince's approach, let alone a mere suspected dark guard.

"But we should still be careful; let's go our separate ways."

The three figures hurried away, their backs slightly rushed; in the corner, Han Zhou watched the scene doubtfully, his misgivings deepening.

After reuniting with his old friend Xianming Gongzi, Han Zhou felt that everything had started to go awry; today he came here merely to investigate the emperor's current situation, so he could report back to his master.

But these three people… were not as mutually hostile as they had expected, especially Yu Huayao and Chu Qingqing.

Only a moment later, Han Zhou's attention was drawn to something else: the insignia hanging from Liu Feng's waist as he drew his sword and approached the pillar.

His master did not trust Song Yanwen to handle affairs, and after the genuine and counterfeit insignia had been swapped, he had ordered Han Zhou to come inspect them specially; compared with the cord's position a few days ago, which had obviously been altered, Liu Feng realized his insignia was fake?!

Han Zhou's icy face tightened further; he glanced briefly at the little emperor and then left in haste.

Anyway, there was nothing worth investigating; the little emperor spends all his time either with the Regent Prince or out playing—there's simply no third option.

Han Zhou returned to the prince's manor and hurriedly reported his findings to Mu Zhongzheng, but as he drew near he caught a stronger, distinctive fragrance on him—coming from his old friend Xianming Gongzi.

"Why stop speaking?" Mu Zhongzheng looked at him, his surprise genuine.

Han Zhou lowered his head and whispered: "Is it truly the case that you only regard Xianming Gongzi as a close friend?"

"Of course, he's a very important aid in our plot to seize power." Mu Zhongzheng admitted openly.

"Then why does your clothing reek of Xianming Gongzi's fragrance?" Han Zhou continued, head lowered.

"Is that so?" Mu Zhongzheng lifted his sleeve, remarking indifferently: "He lives in a separate villa and burns incense all day; I often go there to consult, so it's inevitable that some scent rubs off."

However, discovering the insignia issue a few days later is no surprise; don't frighten yourself, for we have long since placed our people in the Night Banquet Hall using the insignia.

Mu Zhongzheng spoke solemnly, patting Han Zhou's head: "You've been overly suspicious lately."

Han Zhou: "……"

He very much wanted to say: "Master, you've lately become less vigilant; the one we need to guard against is Xie Zhiwei."

Han Zhou sighed; inwardly he could only secretly plot his retreat.

His master had never harbored murderous intent toward the little emperor; he only hoped that, even if the scheme failed… he could spare his master's life.

——

On the eve of the night banquet at the Traveling Palace, Jin Chen summoned Mu Zhongzheng to the Council Hall.

No matter how deeply Mu Zhongzheng pondered, he could not fathom why Jin Chen had called him at this juncture.

Though he came with uneasy apprehension, Mu Zhongzheng found that Jin Chen tonight seemed unusually relaxed—even more so than in their previous meetings.

Could something joyful have happened?

"Your Majesty looks in good spirits today," Mu Zhongzheng exchanged pleasantries, took the invited seat by the window, and faced the young emperor across the tea table.

"The summer's hardship has eased, so my complexion naturally improved."

Jin Chen gave a casual reply; his mind was not on small talk, and after a few remarks he gradually moved to the main subject.

This was his final chance for Mu Zhongzheng.

"Elder cousin, do you still remember the last words our father entrusted to us before his passing?"

Why bring up the late emperor all of a sudden?

Mu Zhongzheng, still full of doubts, replied only: "Let me attend to His Majesty, and let us both guard what is most precious in our hearts, lest it be eroded by imperial authority."

As he spoke those final words, Mu Zhongzheng's speech suddenly slowed; his doubts did not fade but grew, and had he not known that the little emperor never understood such circumlocutions, he would have thought Jin Chen already knew all their plans.

"I remember as well," Jin Chen said, his expression unchanged, picking up a lotus seed, removing its core before popping it into his mouth; compared to the emperor of the exalted nine‑five position, he was more like a pampered scion of a noble clan.

"If anyone else were here, my foremost concern would be the people and the realm; but I've repeated these lines so often they've become tiresome—merely the duty of an emperor."

He smiled while eating the lotus seed, then looked at Mu Zhongzheng and said: "Frankly, what matters most to me now is the little royal uncle."

Mu Zhongzheng: "……"

He had guessed it.

But what does that have to do with me?

You summoned me to the palace just to flaunt your affection!

Mu Zhongzheng's eyes twitched a few times; he forced himself to lower his head and reply: "Yes, I… have noticed."

Everyone in the Traveling Palace has noticed!

Jin Chen seemed unaware of his silence, and with curiosity and expectation asked: "Then, for elder cousin, what is most important to you now?"

Mu Zhongzheng suddenly lifted his gaze, unsure whether it was his imagination, but he felt that Jin Chen's expression had just flashed a hint of sternness before vanishing quickly.

His hands, hidden beneath the table, clenched nervously; the first answer that rose in Mu Zhongzheng's mind was, of course… the throne.

He frowned; of course he could not say that outright, so he hedged: "Just as Your Majesty said, it is also the person dearest to my heart."

"Ah… your little personal attendant." Jin Chen wore a look of amusement, "Why not, at tomorrow night's banquet in the Traveling Palace, I'll preside and issue an edict to marry you two."

"Then, thank you, Your Majesty." Mu Zhongzheng bowed his head in thanks, closing his eyes briefly as a faint sigh escaped him.

"Elder cousin, will you remain loyal to me?" Jin Chen rested his chin on his palms, elbows on the table, looking up with a continued smile, "I have great faith in you."

This time Mu Zhongzheng gave a vague answer, and shortly thereafter asked to take his leave.

Jin Chen thought, he already knew Mu Zhongzheng's answer.

It wasn't that he failed to see Mu Zhongzheng's many calculations; he simply hadn't intended, unlike the original plot, to take his life, which is why he gave him this final chance.

But to kill Xie Zhiwei would be tantamount to killing him.

Jin Chen silently watched Mu Zhong's back as he insisted on leaving, his expression gradually darkened.