Chapter 413: The Handsome Supervisor's Intense Flirtation 36

Xuan Che wiped the tears from the corner of Jin Chen's eyes, snuggled obediently into his embrace, his phoenix eyes gazing lustrously, giving off an air of willing submission.

He tightened his hold on the neck, slightly lifted his body, and actively offered a kiss, "Naturally, Your Highness may do as you wish."

"Anything goes?"

Jin Chen teased, deliberately emphasizing the word "do", "Then I shall obey rather than merely show respect."

Usually he is the poised image of a graceful young gentleman, but now the smile tugging at his lips added a touch of charm, and his eyes flickered with a profound, thought‑provoking meaning.

Without lifting him to the bed, Jin Chen held him close in his arms, his fingers deftly removing the outer robe.

The soft robe fell to the floor; Xuan Che glanced down, his peony‑like face flushed with obvious shyness, but he was always bold, and now that the misunderstanding with his beloved was cleared, he was filled with joy.

He bit his lip with his teeth, sat up from Jin Chen's embrace, stared at Jin Chen's teasingly gentle gaze, and untied the sash of his inner garment.

Jade‑like skin instantly appeared before Jin Chen's eyes— a slender, jade‑white neck, and the skin on his chest took on a faint pink blush from his shyness.

The beauty was like a painting, even surpassing the picture by a notch.

Beneath his collarbone lay a full red mole, like a dab of vermilion set upon white jade; Jin Chen wrapped his arms around the slim waist, leaned in to kiss the vermilion spot, making the skin tremble— Xuan Che let out a soft hum, his fingertips pressing into Jin Chen's back shoulder, and felt his waist go limp.

"Your Highness..."

Jin Chen answered by lifting his head, planting a kiss on his lips, then smoothly removed the hairpin; his silky hair cascaded down like a waterfall, spilling over his cold‑white chest.

"Tonight, Xiao Qi, you had better cooperate well with me."

His voice had grown low and hoarse, as if brimming with endless desire, and the gentleness in his eyes had turned somewhat aggressive.

Under such a gaze, Xuan Che could only nod in reply, even daringly exhaling a fragrant breath into his ear, "As Your Highness wishes."

His eyes were silky and seductive; even a short sentence from him was enough to entice.

Jin Chen took a clean, fine brush from the brush holder, wearing an unfathomable smile, lifted the person in his arms onto the desk, feeling Xuan Che tighten his hold as his skin touched the cold object, he patiently soothed him, his tone laced with amusement.

"Xiao Qi, your skin is as white as jade— perfect for staining with ink."

Xuan Che raised his eyebrows in surprise.

……

That night, Feng Zhu, who had bundled and sent away several palace maids, returned to the outer hall, knowing only that the candlelight flickered until deep into the night, and many rounds of hot water had been prepared before it finally ceased.

——

The news that the Minister's residence had been raided spread to everyone the day after Fei Tian was thrown into the imperial prison.

Those in the know, such as the Qi and Cui families, thought they had brought it upon themselves, did not join the officials' clamor of criticism, and focused all their energy on the marriage arrangements of the younger generation of the two houses.

Although it was a man's wedding, they still prepared everything according to the proper rites, even readying the wedding‑day welcoming ceremony.

Jin Chen and Xuan Che also sent many gifts, prompting the officials who knew to sigh that the treasures hoarded in the Eastern Depot were no less than those in the imperial treasury.

Regarding their residence after marriage, Old Master Cui and General Qi fought for a long time, but in the end the two younger ones stepped forward, saying they would live separately in another house and return home together on the first and fifteenth of each month, thus preventing the two old men from coming to blows.

The members of the Eldest Prince's faction understood all too well why the Fei family had met this fate.

They burned all their correspondence overnight, pretending nothing had happened, and at court they began to flatter Xuan Che with ulterior motives.

Whether sincere or not, Xuan Che didn't care, as long as they caused no trouble and could steadily accept Jin Chen's future ascension; he also didn't have the leisure to deal with each household individually.

The members of the Fifth Prince's faction were subdued by Jin Chen long ago.

Strictly speaking, only two kinds of people remain at court now.

One supports Jin Chen's ascension, the other is the neutral faction; although Xuan Che gives them no special favor, he never actively trips them up.

He has cleared away all obstacles for Jin Chen, merely awaiting the passing of Emperor Qian Yong, after which Jin Chen may rightfully take the throne.

After another half‑month, Xuan Che felt that everything was nearly ready, the border conflicts were not pressing, there were no external or internal worries, but waiting a few more days to prepare the coronation after winter would be a bit late, inevitably clashing with the year's affairs.

That day, he sent the dark guard stationed at the Hall of Nurturing the Heart to report back at the Purple Imperial Palace.

"Sir."

A black shadow flashed past the screen and knelt respectfully on the ground.

"How has he been lately?"

Xuan Che wore a broad‑sleeved robe with pressed bamboo‑pattern silk, a waist belt of jade‑inlaid gold, and played with Jin Chen's folding fan, exuding a noble aura.

Since the cold poison was cured, he no longer needed to wear a thick coat daily for warmth; his complexion improved greatly, making him look handsome and ethereal like an immortal.

At this moment, speaking with the dark guard, he leaned back slightly on the arhat chair, his brows relaxed, his tone casual.

Even though what was being decided was the fate of an emperor.

"Replying to you, Sir, the Emperor's daily intake has noticeably decreased; he… feels he has begun to abstain from grains, and is not far from joining the ranks of immortals."

Xuan Che snorted, a sarcastic smile on his face.

It seems that after all these years of subtle influence, the Qian Yong Emperor has finally come to truly believe it, and even on his deathbed he never realized that all of this was his scheme.

His father's advice in life, which the Qian Yong Emperor dismissed as heretical superstition, he now lets him die amid the very superstition he once loathed most.

"Get ready to send him off on his final journey."

Xuan Che idly toyed with the folding fan, the corner of his mouth always holding an indifferent smile.

Moreover, a feeling of impending revenge welled up in his heart.

At that moment, Jin Chen happened to walk in from outside the hall.

Recalling what he had just said, Xuan Che's eyes flashed for an instant, he sat up straight and waited for him to approach.

"Your Highness..."

"It's fine, you keep talking; it's gotten colder outside, I'm worried you'll get cold."

Jin Chen sat down beside him and, naturally, pulled him into his arms.

Seeing both of them looking at him, he felt bewildered and said, "Go on, then."

Dark guard: "……" How to continue? They are actually discussing how to kill your father, the Emperor.

"Don't you think I'm ruthless, Your Highness?"

Xuan Che's tone softened, he leaned into Jin Chen's embrace, his fingertips tracing circles on his chest.

"Don't feel that you need to hold back for me," Jin Chen of course heard what they were just talking about, "I want to ascend the throne; Father Emperor must die."

Because his tone was overly righteous and confident, the trace of guilt that had just risen in Xuan Che's heart vanished completely, and he broke into a smile.

"That's good; I thought Your Highness would be reluctant."

Actually, upon reflection, that makes sense; not to mention that the Third Prince had been raised in Jiangnan since childhood, and he also knows the truth of his mother consort's death, so he really doesn't have much feeling for the Qian Yong Emperor.

Moreover, the current Your Highness originally had no father-son relationship with the Qian Yong Emperor.

However, this is a little secret known only to the two of them, so Xuan Che naturally wouldn't bring it up openly.