Chapter 409: The Handsome Supervisor Flirts Ruthlessly 32

Xuanche's teasing tone was too obvious, and Jin Chen couldn't help laughing as he squeezed the hand he was holding in his palm.

"This Prince has the Supervisor as his backer, so I'm not afraid of the Ministry of Personnel at all."

His words made Xuanche, leaning against him, burst into laughter; the corners of his eyes shone with gorgeous colors that captivated the soul, drawing many glances.

Jin Chen lifted him into the carriage, not letting anyone see.

In fact, the strangers' odd looks were because they hadn't yet recovered from last night's shock of the True Dragon coiling around them, and this morning they saw the Third Prince and the Supervisor openly flirting.

Back in the palace, Xuanche first brought the awakened Jin Changyou into the Eastern Depot Interrogation Hall.

At the same time, Jin Chen was summoned by Emperor Qian Yong, who ordered him to go immediately to the Imperial Study.

"Your subject pays his respects, Father Emperor."

Although Jin Chen didn't understand why, after all Emperor Qian Yong was still the emperor of Jin Kingdom in name, so he had to show some respect.

"Rise, take a seat."

Emperor Qian Yong set down his trembling brush, lifted his eyes to Jin Chen, his gaze full of affection.

Affection feigned on purpose.

Jin Chen felt disgusted, so he turned his gaze elsewhere, and then noticed the spot where an incense burner should have been placed when he first returned to the palace.

It was now occupied by the Nine-Dragon Incense Burner cauldron that Xuanche had gifted.

This time, there was no pungent smell from that day; instead, it smelled fresh.

But Jin Chen knew exactly what medicine was inside.

He lowered his eyes and slowed his breathing.

"The Minister came to see me this morning, saying that Huaxuan's foolishness is your fault, demanding that you apologize to the Ministry and compensate for Huaxuan's foolishness—what do you think?"

Emperor Qian Yong closely observed Jin Chen's expression.

"The Ministry of Personnel is no longer what it used to be; many commoners in the capital have filed grievances against it for oppressing the people, yet for years no one has dared to raise the issue in court."

Jin Chen did not hide his talent before this "affectionate father," his aura sharp and exposed: "In my view, we should seize this opportunity to abolish the Ministry on the grounds of subordinates rebelling against superiors, and help those with ambition rise to power."

Emperor Qian Yong truly hadn't expected such an answer, but he ultimately didn't respond.

Since the Empress, who had been his wife since youth, took her own life, he still felt guilty toward the Ministry of Personnel, so he was even more patient with the Eldest Prince Jin Huaxuan and tacitly allowed the Ministry to keep him in the capital.

"I wanted to tell you that I have already refused the Ministry's request; from now on, during my reign, you two should stay out of each other's way."

Emperor Qian Yong changed the subject, revealing the true reason he had summoned Jin Chen.

"Last night the True Dragon appeared in the world, and I saw it clearly; soon I will join the ranks of immortals, and you will become the ruler of Jin Kingdom."

"I've long known that you've grown close to the Supervisor; while youthful high spirits allow some frolicking, you still need someone capable of managing the imperial harem."

Jin Chen impatiently moved his leg.

I knew summoning him at this critical juncture couldn't be anything good.

And yet you talk about joining the immortals—does this world even have immortals for you to join?

You're half-buried in the grave, yet you still worry about his partner—you haven't shown this much concern in over twenty years.

"You're now paying attention to the daughters of various officials; pick one to be the Prince Consort, and she will then rightfully become the Empress."

Jin Chen was utterly sincere: "Your subject begs to report, Father Emperor, it's not that I refuse to marry, but I truly have an unspeakable difficulty!"

Perhaps his sudden sad expression startled Emperor Qian Yong, who involuntarily asked what the unspeakable difficulty was.

"Your subject... your subject can only regain his manly vigor in the Supervisor's presence." Jin Chen's expression grew dim, tears even welling at the corners of his eyes, making him look utterly pitiful.

Emperor Qian Yong: "……"

The eunuch at his side twitched the corner of his mouth, continuing to keep his head down and stay silent.

This news was still too explosive for Emperor Qian Yong.

He remained silent for a good while; seeing Jin Chen's expression, it didn't seem feigned, yet he feared that speaking rashly would wound his son's self-esteem.

In the end, he only asked one question.

"Have you tried with anyone else?"

"Try it? Is this something he can just casually try!"

Jin Chen showed no sign on his face, did not rebut, and simply continued to lower his head in sorrow.

Emperor Qian Yong's expression grew even stranger.

What will become of Jin Kingdom's empire after Jin Chen?

"In that case, the matter of the Prince Consort can be discussed later; you may go rest now."

He waved his hand at Jin Chen, watched his retreating back, and then gave another order.

"Summon the Supervisor."

"Yes."

The eunuch immediately walked out of the Imperial Study.

As Xuanche arrived in his sedan chair outside the Imperial Study palace, he saw the eunuch he had placed beside Emperor Qian Yong come out to pay his respects.

"Sir, before you, His Majesty also summoned the Third Prince."

He stepped down from the sedan, was straightening his somewhat disheveled cuffs when he heard this and asked, "What did they say?"

"His Majesty told the Third Prince to choose a daughter of an official as his Prince Consort, and said that while it's fine for him to fool around with you for now, he still needs to marry eventually."

Xuanche's expression turned slightly cold, his phoenix eyes narrowing dangerously.

"How did the Prince respond?"

"Um... this..." He really didn't know how to answer.

But Xuanche misunderstood it as another meaning, his expression growing ever colder and unpleasant.

Yan An behind him hurriedly pushed the person, saying, "Sir, you're supposed to reply—how could you not speak?"

The eunuch took a deep breath and said, "The Prince said he can only regain his manly vigor... in your... presence."

Yan An: "……" Your Highness, what did you say in front of the Emperor!

Xuan Che also froze for a moment, then burst out laughing, the hostility between his brows vanishing without a trace.

"I understand. Lead the way, don't keep the Emperor waiting."

"Yes."

The eunuch finally spoke the hard-to-utter words, feeling much relieved.

"Subject Xuan Che pays respects to the Emperor's Holy Peace."

Xuan Che entered, pretended to slightly bow, swaggered in and sat in the seat Jin Chen had just occupied.

The Qian Yong Emperor seemed already accustomed to Xuan Che's attitude, not paying it much heed.

"Do you know why I summoned you?"

"I suppose it's nothing more than my affair with Your Highness; there's likely nothing else worth the Emperor's concern nowadays."

Xuan Che lifted the teacup, took a sip, lowered his eyes to the clean white porcelain cup, where the jade-green tea leaves unfurled just right, swaying freely in the tea.

In the vast palace, even a single tea leaf is freer than he once was.

The Qian Yong Emperor: "You know Jin Chen is the Heaven-Mandated Emperor Star, and that I will intervene in this matter, so why do you still let him indulge in his relationship with you?"

"You are older than him; you should guide him onto the proper path."

Xuan Che treated it as a fart.

"Your words are mistaken, Your Highness; having been raised in Jiangnan for over ten years, he already has his own ideas and conduct, so it's unnecessary for you to intervene now."

"Then must I watch the rivers and mountains of Jin State be destroyed in your two hands?"

The Qian Yong Emperor suddenly flew into a rage, slammed the table hard, "Have you forgotten your father's dying wish, that you hoped to see the rivers and mountains of Jin State endure for myriad generations?"

Xuan Che's expression changed instantly; he coldly lifted his gaze.