Chapter 52: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 03

Jin Chen followed behind the carriage, hearing the coughing clearly.

Beneath the mask, his brows were tightly knit, and a feeling of helpless heartache welled up inside.

He leapt up, pushed aside Li You who was about to enter the carriage, lifted the curtain, and walked in.

Li You, caught off guard and almost falling from the carriage: "……"

Are the covert guards of Heaven Moon Pavilion all so arrogant!

Xiao Su hunched over, his grip on his collar turning his nails white, his delicate face devoid of color, only the blood he coughed up staining his lips red, carrying a shocking beauty.

The coughing was severe, and with his breath caught, Xiao Su felt constant chest pain, but he could do nothing but wait for the blood stuck in his throat to be coughed up.

Jin Chen quickly sat beside him, supported Xiao Su, drew the slender person into his arms, gently rubbed his back, and helped him regulate his breath.

At the same time, he condensed spiritual power in his palm and transmitted it into Xiao Su's body.

Noticing his complexion improve somewhat, Jin Chen withdrew the spiritual power and did not continue.

Xiao Su's body could not bear too much spiritual power; it could only be increased gradually.

【Host, I've found the reason.】

0731's voice was hesitant, as if afraid to speak, and only after a moment did it continue explaining.

【This world's Little Pitiful One seems to be… reborn.】

Jin Chen's eyes showed surprise; he lowered his gaze to look at Xiao Su's already opened phoenix eyes, which were completely dim.

The next second, a dagger was pressed against his throat.

Jin Chen: "……" Miscalculated.

Having experienced all the plot, Xiao Su surely trusts no one anymore.

"Get lost."

Xiao Su's voice was extremely cold, with a hint of annoyance.

But he had lost his strength, his whole body leaning against Jin Chen's chest, his hair disheveled, really not looking like he could sit up on his own.

"Master, you need to rest now."

Jin Chen pretended not to hear.

Having come to this point, then be thick-skinned.

Xiao Su's face flushed red with anger; he wanted to thrust the dagger in forcefully, but Jin Chen blocked it with his hand.

He then raised his other hand to push against Jin Chen's chest.

In the instant Jin Chen dodged, Xiao Su's raised hand knocked off his mask.

The mask slid down from his chin, and Xiao Su got a clear look at the bold covert guard's appearance.

His brows and eyes were fierce, his bearing handsome and graceful, clearly possessing an extremely austere temperament, yet softened somewhat by those peach-blossom eyes.

Such looks and demeanor could easily be said to belong to noble offspring.

How could he be merely a covert guard?

Clearly he should feel anger and doubt, but when Xiao Su saw Jin Chen's eyes, he simply couldn't bring himself to doubt.

So familiar……

Noticing Xiao Su's distraction, Jin Chen felt the sharp blade of the dagger at his neck and had an idea.

He pretended to be frightened and knelt down; due to the sudden movement, Xiao Su didn't have time to release his force, and the dagger sliced Jin Chen's neck.

That dagger was his self‑defense weapon, naturally extremely sharp—able to cut a hair blown against it.

In just an instant, Jin Chen's neck began to bleed.

"This subordinate deserves death."

Xiao Su's phoenix eyes flickered with a hint of panic, and the dagger fell to the ground.

He opened his mouth, "You……"

After steadying his mind, Xiao Su cast aside the inexplicable emotion, his expression returning to cold indifference, completely ignoring Jin Chen's wound.

He took a sip of tea, washing away the bloody taste in his mouth.

"Who exactly are you?"

Jin Chen also did not tend to his wound, and replied respectfully.

"This subordinate is called Ying Jiu, a covert guard of Heaven Moon Pavilion."

Xiao Su frowned; he of course knew these.

"I am asking about your past."

"If we weren't acquainted, how could there be such a familiar feeling?"

"This subordinate has no past; I have been in Heaven Moon Pavilion since I can remember."

Xiao Su leaned back against the seat's backrest, fell silent for a few seconds upon hearing that, then asked again.

"Heaven Moon Pavilion serves only the Son of Heaven; you approach me—what is your purpose?"

This statement shows that he believes Jin Chen approaches him because the Eternal Order Emperor wants to monitor and control.

Indeed, the fact is exactly so.

Jin Chen did not directly admit it, but instead expressed his loyalty.

"My only master is you; I harbor no second thoughts."

In his previous life, Xiao Su had heard too many such words.

But later, after he lost power, those people fled faster than anyone, fearing to be tainted.

Having finally been reborn once, he will never trust anyone again.

Xiao Su rubbed his brow, his phoenix eyes half‑lowered, concealing the sarcasm in their depths.

"Then how can you make me believe you, relying only on your words?"

"Since you are loyal, I don't want to keep someone I don't trust by my side," he said, slightly raising his chin, cold and indifferent.

"It would be better to just end it here, so I won't have to doubt you."

0731: 【!!!】

Good heavens, this world's Little Pitiful One is terrifying!

Jin Chen suddenly raised his eyes, tightly pressing his lips.

"If this is the master's order, I dare not disobey."

He picked up the fallen dagger and wanted to stab it into his chest.

Xiao Su bit his lip hard, a sudden stabbing pain shot through his heart, followed by overwhelming panic and anguish.

It was as if, if Jin Chen really died, he wouldn't be able to bear such pain.

He didn't have time to get up to stop it; he lifted his leg, and his long boot kicked the dagger away.

"Enough! Get out!"

Xiao Su clenched the fabric over his chest, and as his emotions were stirred, the pain in his chest began to spread; his complexion, which had barely eased, turned deathly pale again, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"Master!"

Jin Chen caught the nearly fainting Xiao Su and went to check his wrist pulse.

His pulse was irregular, his breathing short and weak.

He stroked Xiao Su's cheek, slick with cold sweat, feeling heartbroken.

"It's my fault; I shouldn't have used this method to approach you."

Jin Chen was filled with regret.

The semi-conscious Xiao Su smelled the agarwood, like a familiar feeling deep in his soul, making him unconsciously want to immerse himself, feeling utterly at ease.

He allowed himself to faint in that familiar embrace.

At that moment, the carriage arrived outside the Eastern Palace.

Crown Prince Xiao Su, born frail, was granted by Emperor Yongshun the privilege that his carriage could travel within the palace without needing to pay daily respects, with the eldest prince standing in for him.

Li You once felt that this apparent favoritism, which in reality exploited the prince's rights, was very hateful.

Yet seeing the guards holding the prince's disheveled clothes made him feel immensely relieved.

Fortunately there was a carriage; otherwise the prince's purity would not be preserved!

"What are you doing!" Li You shouted angrily.

Jin Chen embraced the person, jumped down from the carriage, and hurried into the palace with swift steps.

"The master is unconscious; where is his bedroom? Lead the way quickly!"

Li You's face changed drastically, "Follow me!"

He ran ahead, leading the way while loudly giving orders.

"Cai Lian, quickly summon Physician Zhong! Cai Yue, tell the kitchen to bring hot water! You all, quickly fetch the prince's medicine!"

"Yes!"

The palace maids and eunuchs were obviously used to such matters; their movements were swift, orderly, and extremely practiced.

Li You led Jin Chen into the inner chamber of the bedroom.

Jin Chen laid the person he was holding onto the bed, just about to rise when he realized his garment's corner had been grabbed.

"Master, please let go first."

His voice was soft and low, gently coaxing.

But Xiao Su was unconscious; the embrace that brought him peace meant he couldn't hear Jin Chen's words at all.

He murmured softly.

"A-Chen..."

Jin Chen looked down in disbelief.

In this world, he hadn't yet had the chance to tell his lover his name.

Does this mean that Xiao Su also has memories now…

【Host, it seems Xiao Su's body is too weak, the Little Pitiful One's soul is unstable; if this continues, soul and body will separate, so you must quickly let his soul and body merge.】