Chapter 395: Handsome Superintendent's Intense Flirtation 18

The two bypassed many palace servants, left the hall under the moonlight, with no destination, just continually walking forward.

Only when Jin Chen noticed the palace maids and eunuchs thinning out nearby, and saw a pavilion in a corner not far off, did he lead Xuan Che toward it.

Your Highness, do you know what lies ahead?

Though the night was chilly, Xuan Che wore a thick cloak, and with Jin Chen's warm presence beside him, he felt no discomfort—rather, he was in high spirits, teasingly asking Jin Chen.

Jin Chen fell silent for a moment.

This place is remote; he really didn't know where it was.

But he always felt that his wife's expression boded no good.

Seeing this, Xuan Che laughed openly, his stride unwavering.

Going farther into this pavilion leads to the inner palace grounds; when the former emperor was alive, this pavilion was for his most beloved concubine to cool off and dispel boredom. After it was deserted, he forbade entry to memorialize her, and even after His Majesty took the throne, the rule remained.

Listening to it, it sounded like a beautiful memorial tale.

But his wife's expression told Jin Chen that the story was probably not over yet.

Is that all? he asked.

Xuan Che's smile grew wider, a radiant glow shimmering at the corners of his eyes.

Of course not……that concubine didn't die of illness; she couldn't bear the blow after being neglected by the former emperor, and hanged herself in the garden bestowed upon her.

As they spoke, they had almost reached the pavilion; hearing the last half of the sentence, Jin Chen's steps halted.

Xuan Che quietly finished, "It was during the joyous Mid-Autumn Festival when the whole palace was celebrating."

His complexion turned pallid and cold; speaking the story in the dim atmosphere, it oddly carried a fitting eerie and terrifying tone.

Jin Chen: "……"

Great, we've even stumbled upon someone's death anniversary.

No wonder the palace maids and eunuchs in this area are so few.

He now suspected his wife had done it on purpose.

Perhaps Jin Chen's expression was too vivid; Xuan Che laughed, leaning against him, his soft, boneless fingertips stroking his cheek, his voice soft and alluring.

Your Highness, are you afraid?

I'm not afraid; I just feel that Xiao Qi's telling this story now seems to have a hidden meaning.

Jin Chen slipped one arm around him, already stepped onto the pavilion's stairs, his expression showing no fear at all.

The pavilion sits on three sides of a pond, where one can hear the gentle gurgling of the spring within; mosquito-repelling incense burners are placed around, making it, if visited on a summer night, truly an excellent spot for cooling off.

He held him as they sat on the central wooden chair; looking up, he could see the golden moon hanging in the sky, veiled by thin clouds, adding a touch of mysterious veil.

On this outing, the two brought no attendants; Yan An and Feng Zhu merely followed from a distance, guarding outside the pond to prevent anyone from entering and disturbing them.

Jin Chen continued the topic he hadn't finished asking earlier.

Is Xiao Qi still wanting to say something?

As he asked, he pulled him closer into his embrace, guarding against the night's chill slipping into his clothes.

I want to say……emperors are the most fickle; even if countless women in the inner palace go madly infatuated with them, they never favor any one person; just as with the former dynasty, the inner palace needs checks and balances for a myriad of flowers to bloom.

As Xuan Che spoke, he already felt somewhat uneasy inside.

In his previous life, the appearance of the Heaven-Mandated Emperor Star never came; he was utterly disappointed until his death.

He had thought that, reborn this life, he could finally fulfill his father's dying wish and should be happy.

But unfortunately, that Emperor Star is his beloved.

If in the near future Jin Chen truly ascends, as he wishes, the dragon throne of the Nine-Five supremacy, even if he holds power over court and countryside, he might not be able to withstand the subjects' desire to grant Jin Chen a vast harem.

A realm cannot lack heirs, and the Jin State must not be cut off in his and Jin Chen's hands.

His mind filled with chaotic thoughts, perhaps from the wine, Xuan Che's phoenix eyes slightly reddened as he leaned into Jin Chen's embrace, his tone sounding coquettish.

If in the future Your Highness becomes emperor, will you still treat me this way?

At this moment, Xuan Che no longer shows even a trace of his usual decisive, ruthless Superintendent demeanor; instead, he resembles a young lord leaning on wine to act coquettish toward his beloved.

When you ascend the throne, you will be my sole Empress.

Seeing the unease in his beloved's heart tonight, Jin Chen earnestly promised, his warm palm continually stroking the back, as if trying to convey a sense of security.

I know what Xiao Qi is worried about; there will be no inner palace, and any coercion would be futile.

His voice low and gentle, seeming to draw one in, Xuan Che, just listening, had tears welling in his phoenix eyes, nodding as he nestled into the embrace.

Your Highness, I have remembered……

Even if this person is just coaxing me, hearing it makes me happy.

Moreover, if that day truly comes, at worst……abandon the mother, keep the child.

Under Jin Chen's soothing, Xuan Che gradually calmed his mood, also knowing that such a reunion day shouldn't be marred by gloomy thoughts; not long after, he leaned in Jin Chen's embrace, gazing up at the moon.

But the night wind grew cold, and Jin Chen dared not let him stay outside for long.

After about half an hour, he embraced him and headed back.

The Mid-Autumn moon is full; I haven't seen such a fine moon in a long time.

On the way back to the main hall, Xuan Che walked slowly, still gazing upward, with Jin Chen holding him, seeming unconcerned about falling.

There will still be many such good times ahead," Jin Chen said, his tone somewhat tender, as he smoothed the long hair spilling over his beloved's back.

The two simply walked like that, both seeming especially happy.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 45!】

I've already ordered the small kitchen in the Purple Imperial Palace to prepare the mooncake ingredients; after the banquet disperses, I'll go back and make mooncakes for Xiao Qi—how does that sound?

Xuan Che's eyes lit up slightly; he stopped, looked up at him, his brows full of anticipation and delight.

Your Highness, you can also make mooncakes?

Of course, though no one else has tasted it yet; if the flavor is poor, Xiao Qi must not complain.

Jin Chen chuckled, leaning down to kiss the cheek of the person in his arms, saying, "If it tastes good, I'll make it for you every year from now on."

"No matter how Your Highness's food turns out, I will always like it."

Xuan Che lowered his eyes to accept the kiss, his eyes smiling, appearing soft and alluring yet obedient.

His heart overflowed with joy; he turned and flung himself into Jin Chen's embrace, arms tightly wrapped around his strong waist, his cheek rubbing against the warm chest again and again.

"No need to worry about the Main Hall's affairs, Your Highness; shall we return to the Purple Imperial Palace?"

At this moment, the two had already walked to a place not far from the Main Hall; around them were many palace maids and eunuchs coming and going, as well as some officials who had come out to catch a breeze, tipsy from drink.

Jin Chen also didn't mind; for now, the emperor doesn't favor him, but having those 0731-produced elixirs is enough.

Just as he was about to say they should go back, he heard one of several officials whose faces were flushed from drinking not far away raise his voice and speak.

"Isn't Xuan Che just a eunuch? How dare he commit such treasonous acts!"