Chapter 61: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 12

Jin Chen and Xiao Su exchanged a glance, understanding each other.

This was the first meeting between Xiao Yunye and Yun Yihe.

But Jin Chen knew more.

To avoid eavesdropping, he brought Xiao Su into the study.

He also ordered Li You to guard outside.

"Su Bao, do you want to stop their meeting?"

Xiao Su nodded truthfully, "That way we can defeat them one by one."

Jin Chen took his hand and had him sit in his lap, gently stroking his long hair.

"Actually, there's no need to do this; Yun Yihe's bracelet wasn't originally hers."

Xiao Su widened his phoenix eyes in doubt, looked up at Jin Chen, and asked, "Where should I start?"

Jin Chen: "That bracelet originally belonged to the minister's legitimate daughter, Yun Jianan; it was her opportunity, but after learning of the normal developments ahead, Xiao Yunye wanted to claim it for himself."

"Then why didn't he just go straight to Yun Jianan..."

Xiao Su immediately stopped the topic, "Oh right, Yun Jianan and the Second Imperial Brother have feelings for each other."

He tilted his head, puzzled, "You know this too?"

"Naturally I know; since Xiao Yunye couldn't separate them, he settled for second best and had the equally unwilling Yun Yihe obtain the bracelet."

Jin Chen felt that his lover, with eyes widened like that, resembled a cat; he flicked a finger lightly over his nose and spoke indulgently.

"So we only need to let Yun Jianan guard the bracelet well; even if we ruin Xiao Yunye's fate."

His nose felt a little itchy; Xiao Su rubbed against Jin Chen's chest, his thoughts drifting.

Suddenly thinking of something, he sat up straight, "If Yun Jianan had such ability, and her bond with the Second Imperial Brother is so unbreakable..."

"The Second Imperial Brother... will he become the new emperor?"

Jin Chen responded, "Su Bao is right; without Xiao Yunye's interference, this would be the natural course."

He paused, then asked, "Su Bao, do you want to be emperor?"

Xiao Su shook his head, lowered his eyes and sighed softly.

"I really dislike that position."

Because of the throne, because of Yongshun emperor's suspicion, the Li family was exterminated; he lost all his relatives, his whole life spent in shadow and gloom.

If Jin Chen hadn't appeared, he wouldn't have anyone who truly cared for him.

He pressed his lips, leaned into the embrace, and tightly wrapped his arms around Jin Chen's neck.

"I don't want to; after I avenge myself, take me away with you."

Xiao Su didn't even use the word "lonely" in front of Jin Chen.

As for the imperial identity, he ultimately despised it.

"Fine, I'll listen to Su Bao."

Jin Chen rubbed his cheek, affection slowly growing in his eyes, "I will never let you suffer injustice."

"We Su Bao ought to be pampered."

Xiao Su gave a soft hum, sandalwood scent on his nose, feeling completely at ease.

He poked Jin Chen's neck; the spot previously scratched now had a faint scar.

His phoenix eyes filled with a hint of self-reproach.

"Does it hurt?"

Jin Chen said gently, "No pain."

He leaned in, captured Xiao Su's soft lips, gently sucking and licking, with a soothing meaning.

Xiao Su slightly closed his phoenix eyes, trying to respond.

Every time Jin Chen kissed him, he could feel an endless stream of affection.

This is really good; he still feels loved.

After the kiss.

Jin Chen released the slightly breathless Xiao Su, laughing as he kissed his reddened eye corners, "Su Bao needs to learn to catch his breath."

"Hmph."

Xiao Su ignored him, shyly hiding in his embrace.

Doing such a bold thing in the study, how can Jin Chen still speak so righteously?

"Just where are you from, how do you know everything so clearly?"

Jin Chen feigned confusion and thought.

"Didn't I say? I came for you; everything I do is to make our Su Bao happy and joyful."

This person really.

How every answer to any question sounds like sweet nothings.

Xiao Su pushed at Jin Chen's chest.

"Annoying."

Yet his tone was delighted.

The two lingered, unaware that time had flown.

Until Li You knocked on the door.

"Your Highness, it's time to set off and leave the palace."

Xiao Su responded, rising from Jin Chen's embrace, his clothes considerably wrinkled.

Enjoying Jin Chen's service with a clear conscience, Xiao Su looked at his clothing material and said, "Once we reach the Crown Prince's residence, you won't need to dress like this."

"Here."

Jin Chen tidied his clothes, teasingly said, "When the time comes, whatever Su Bao likes to see, I'll wear that."

Jin Chen, embarrassed and indignant, said, "You simply..."

He couldn't find an adjective to describe it; after a moment he blurted out, "Utterly wanton!"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve and left the study first.

Even the redness at his ears couldn't be concealed.

Hearing Jin Chen's laughter behind him, Xiao Su quickened his pace, somewhat vexed and ashamed, turning to anger.

——

The Crown Prince departed the palace, accompanied by palace maids, eunuchs, and luggage carriages, in a mighty procession.

What ought to have been merely a routine establishment of a residence, yet court officials began to stir with ideas.

The Yongshun Emperor now has only three sons; for some unknown reason, in recent years all those born in the harem have been princesses.

The eldest and second princes successively left the palace to set up their mansions; now the Crown Prince has also left the palace, so the contest for the throne and imperial authority should also begin.

In the capital of Dayun, court officials all know that the Crown Prince is merely a nominal title, but after all the Li family were three-dynasty senior officials; even though they have been exterminated, many of their confidants and students still serve in office.

The Yongshun Emperor still favors most the eldest prince, Xiao Yunye.

The Empress's natal clan, the Liu family, is also flourishing in court, with no intention of using the Li family as a warning; they believe that since the Yongshun Emperor dotes on the Empress, he will surely not treat the Liu family badly.

As for the second prince, Xiao Zhuoxian.

Although his birth mother is only a consort and her clan has declined, he nonetheless, through his own perseverance, has made it so that the Yongshun Emperor can find no fault in his studies and his undertakings.

Thus, although the three princes appear to differ greatly in status, they may in fact end up as the final victors.

Not a few families still watching and undecided have recently begun to become active.

Of course, Xiao Su doesn't care at all about how things are in the court.

He wishes the more turmoil, the better.

After the Crown Prince's residence has been settled, what he is more concerned about now is how to make Xiao Yunye die without a place to bury him.

As the two had expected, a few days later Xiao Yunye's invitation was delivered to the Crown Prince's residence.

The invitation invited Xiao Su to go together tomorrow to the suburbs for an outing to enjoy the scenery.

Previously, Li You had already brought people to set up a trap at the location, personally directed by Jin Chen.

This time, they not only want Xiao Yunye to lose the opportunity of his bracelet, but also want him to lose at least half his life.

As for the remaining half, of course it is to slowly wear down together with the Yongshun Emperor and the Empress.

When he received the invitation, Xiao Su was lazily leaning on a soft chair of golden-thread fragrant wood in the courtyard, basking in the rare deep-autumn sunshine, his whole body curled up in a brocade blanket, his brows and eyes leisurely content.

He was just like a languid, noble cat napping in the afternoon.

After Xiao Su's rebirth, he used his bodily ailment as an excuse and had not gone to court for a long time.

Recently, under Jin Chen's care, his complexion has become ever more rosy, the toxins in his body being suppressed by the Heart-Protecting Pill, and he has not had a relapse for a long time.

His frail, sickly aura has dissipated considerably.

Regarding his change, everyone loyal in the Crown Prince's residence, from top to bottom, is naturally pleased.

Jin Chen feels an immense sense of accomplishment.

Xiao Su put down the invitation, casually placed it on the low table, dappled shadows letting sunlight through; he narrowed his eyes and looked toward the position of the small kitchen outside the courtyard.

Why hasn't Jin Chen come back yet after making pastries?