Chapter 58: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 09

Emperor Yongshun sat high on the dragon throne, perusing a memorial; hearing this, he furrowed his brows, feeling displeased.

No matter how he neglected Xiao Su, the Crown Prince title was his own grant; it was not for Prince Xiao Yunye to meddle.

Emperor Yongshun closed a memorial, secretly wondering whether he had recently been too indulgent with this child Yunye, to the point of even beginning to doubt the imperial mandate.

On this side, Zhao De, feeling slightly startled, glanced at Xiao Yunye; he dared not lightly advise them, merely asking them to enter the Imperial Study.

Seeing Xiao Su no longer refute, Xiao Yunye thought he had hit a sore spot, and secretly felt pleased.

What pedantic, ignorant ancient could compare himself to me!

"Your subject pays respects to Father Emperor."

Several people faced Emperor Yongshun, yet dared not show the slightest emotion; they performed a respectful salute, only rising after the emperor responded.

According to protocol, the Crown Prince should stand in the middle, the two princes side by side, and the princess behind.

Yet Xiao Yunye insisted on standing in the middle.

Emperor Yongshun glanced at him lightly, did not stop him, as if tacitly accepting this arrangement.

He took a sip of tea, then routinely asked about the princes' studies.

Xiao Su drifted off in thought, imagining Jin Chen should now be in some corner of the Imperial Study; with such profound martial skill, he surely would not be discovered by the imperial guards.

He also thought that in a few days, Xiao Yunye would meet the maiden Yun Yihe from the Minister's Residence.

In his view, both were quite strange.

Now this Xiao Yunye claims to come from a place called Huaxia, saying he is the Heaven's Chosen One destined to be emperor, while Yun Yihe possesses an ominous bracelet.

If revenge is desired, the first step is to prevent them from meeting and defeat them one by one.

But he resides in the Eastern Palace; leaving the palace is ultimately inconvenient.

Thinking of this, Xiao Su again glanced at the dragon throne, at the outwardly kind Emperor Yongshun.

His hatred for this father emperor is no less than his hatred for Xiao Yunye.

Yet he must proceed slowly; rebirth is too extraordinary to speak of—only he fights alone, inevitably having to advance step by step.

"Reporting to Father Emperor, your subject has a request."

A clear voice interrupted Xiao Yunye's conversation with the emperor.

"Speak."

Xiao Su curled a smile and respectfully said, "Your subject has come of age; remaining in the palace would be most inconvenient, so I petition Father Emperor for permission to move out and establish the Crown Prince's Residence."

Emperor Yongshun gazed at this child who had never been favored by him since childhood.

Because of his mother, this child was named Crown Prince at birth, yet never enjoyed any favor.

The older he grew, the more he resembled his mother; seeing him reminded the emperor of his youthful debt to the empress and the absurdity of having to favor her for the throne.

Emperor Yongshun averted his gaze; establishing the Crown Prince's Residence was also a good thing.

Xiao Su's actions were about to begin.

He said lightly, "Hmm, since you harbor such a wish, I shall grant it."

"Soon I will issue the edict for you to reside outside the palace."

Xiao Su: "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Jin Chen hid in the corner, boredly yawning.

He shifted his posture to continue admiring his beloved wife's beauty.

Suddenly, he heard Emperor Yongshun mention the Crown Prince's consort selection; he stiffened instantly, looking toward Xiao Su's reaction.

"Su'er, since you are leaving the palace to establish your residence, you should also have a pleasing Crown Princess to manage your household."

"Your eldest brother's residence may lack a principal wife, but having a concubine to manage affairs appears likewise different."

Xiao Su lowered his eyes upon hearing this.

For some reason, when the Crown Princess was mentioned, the first image that came to his mind was Jin Chen's appearance.

It was the warmth and temperature from earlier in the carriage.

Emperor Yongshun continued.

"I observe that the Grand Tutor's daughter is graceful, dignified, gentle and sincere; letting her be the Crown Princess, what do you think, Su'er?"

In Jin Chen's eyes, it was when Emperor Yongshun mentioned the Grand Tutor's daughter that Xiao Su's ears suddenly flushed slightly, even showing a hint of shyness!

His breath hitched, his expression displeased.

What does this mean!

【Host, stay calm; perhaps Little Pitiful One is thinking of you.】

0731 hurriedly urged.

Xiao Su came to his senses, his heart slightly shaken.

The emperor is testing him.

Xiao Zhuoxian naturally noticed as well; he worriedly glanced at Xiao Su—there's no way he could agree!

The Grand Tutor was on good terms with the Li family in his youth; when the Li family was exterminated, the Grand Tutor willingly offered his head as guarantee, yet to no avail; Emperor Yongshun, seeing him as a veteran of two dynasties, therefore did not hold it against him.

Now if Xiao Su agrees to this arranged marriage, would it not amount to confirming collusion between the Li family and the Grand Tutor?

Xiao Su's thoughts shifted; suddenly he began coughing repeatedly, his face deathly pale, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"Imperial younger brother!"

Xiao Zhuoxian hurriedly supported him, tense expression: "What's wrong?"

"Cough cough cough... cough cough."

Xiao Su knelt, spine rigidly straight: "Cough cough cough... your subject has lost decorum before the throne; I beg Father Emperor... cough cough cough to mete out punishment."

Xiao Yunye sullenly moved farther away.

A sickly weakling.

It seems he won't even need to lift a hand; he'll cough himself to death first.

It's fine; you've always been frail, get up.

Emperor Yongshun showed little change in expression: "Zhao De, why haven't you granted the Crown Prince a seat yet?"

Yes.

Zhao De flicked his horsetail whisk, signaling the little eunuch below.

Jin Chen furrowed his brows; his jealousy could not compare to his concern for his lover.

He turned his wrist, and Spiritual Power became an invisible thread, easing Xiao Su's discomfort.

After Xiao Su sat down, he drank several sips of tea before suppressing his cough.

He apologetically said, "Father Emperor, look at my frail body—how could I possibly marry?"

Just barely clinging to life.

Emperor Yongshun pondered for a long time, finally seeming to be convinced: "Never mind, just take good care of your health."

He no longer mentioned the marriage matter, and had the two princesses withdraw.

Only then did they change the subject.

"The borderlands of Anerong Guo repeatedly invade; our Great Yun has lost nearly three cities. Su'er, who do you think should be sent to quell the aggression?"

Xiao Su curled his lips, his expression somewhat gloomy and sorrowful.

"I don't know, Father Emperor; you should ask my two elder brothers instead."

The most valiant Li family in the court has already been exterminated to the last—who would dare to achieve merit now?

He concealed the sarcasm in his eyes.

In his previous life, the Eldest Prince strongly advocated sending the Brave Guard General to war; Anerong Guo held only a geographical advantage, was soon repelled, and the Brave Guard General was richly rewarded by the emperor.

But he was originally from his stepmother's family, and all the silver rewarded was used to recruit troops and buy horses for Xiao Yunye.

Xiao Zhuoxian said, "Reporting to Father Emperor, I believe the Huai Lang General of the Ministry of War, having endured a hundred battles, is capable of this important task."

He is quite capable, yet he once served as a subordinate to the Li family's Valiant Cavalry General.

The emperor would not agree.

Xiao Su hooked his lips and shook his head helplessly.

Sure enough, Emperor Yongshun frowned, neither saying yes nor no.

Xiao Yunye added, "Father Emperor, I think it would be better to let Brave Guard General Liu Kangcheng go to battle."

Here it comes.

Xiao Su waited a moment, and just as the emperor was about to agree, he suddenly spoke up.

"I've heard that the Eldest Prince has recently opened many shops in the capital, on a huge scale; all are guarded and escorted by General Liu's subordinates, delivering many novel glass beads."