Chapter 62: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 13

Just then, Jin Chen appeared, holding a plate of pastries, walking toward the courtyard.

Xiao Su happily pursed his lips, his phoenix eyes clear and bright, yet he restrained himself, lying back on the brocade blanket, fingertips pinching the edge, watching Jin Chen walk over.

Although he had just said he wanted to eat pastries, his gaze gave none to them, always staying on Jin Chen.

Jin Chen set the plate down and saw the invitation on the low table.

He paid no attention; Jin Chen sat back beside Xiao Su, encircled his slim waist, leaned against himself, took a piece of pastry and fed him, his movements gentle and meticulous.

"Xiao Yunye sent an invitation, inviting you to go to the suburbs together tomorrow?"

Xiao Su took a bite; the osmanthus flavor was delicate and rich, very satisfying. He nodded, snuggling closer into Jin Chen's embrace.

"Mm, it's an invitation. When will you inform the Second Prince?"

"I'll go shortly," Jin Chen said. "I'll inform the Second Prince in your name, so he can tell Yun Ji Nan tomorrow."

"Then take the token with you."

Xiao Su yawned, his eyes slightly tired as he narrowed them.

"Seeing the Crown Prince's token is like seeing me in person; the Second Prince won't doubt you."

"I also need to return to the Heaven Moon Pavilion for a bit; I have some trivial matters to handle and will come back after dinner," Jin Chen said.

"That would take three or four hours."

Xiao Su pouted, his eyes drooping boredly, yet he didn't stop him.

"What trivial matter needs that long?"

After accompanying Xiao Su to finish the pastries, seeing he was truly tired, he carried him to the Qin Gong, loosened his clothes, and laid him on the soft couch.

He gently stroked his cheek with his palm.

"Su Bao, don't sleep too long; lately autumn fatigue, the Heart-Protecting Pill inside you is taking effect, making drowsiness inevitable, but sleeping too much is ultimately bad."

Xiao Su hummed, lightly tugging Jin Chen's sleeve, his tone soft and clear: "You… come back soon."

"Alright, I'll come back soon."

Jin Chen leaned down, kissed his forehead, "It won't take too long."

Only then did Xiao Su loosen his grip, turn over, and sleep peacefully.

Jin Chen rose, changed clothes, put his mask back on, ordered Li You to wake Xiao Su at most an hour later, then took the token and left the Tai Zi Fu.

——

Second Prince's Residence.

Xiao Zhuoxian was practicing sword in the courtyard when a black shadow flashed past, his movements fierce; his first reaction was that it was an assassin.

He immediately changed his sword technique and lunged at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen showed no panic, blocking the sword with his arm, gathering inner force in his other hand to strike at Xiao Zhuoxian's shoulder.

After only three moves, Xiao Zhuoxian's sword fell to the ground; shaken, he retreated several steps, looking at the person before him with some astonishment, feeling somewhat familiar.

"Are you the shadow guard selected by the Younger Imperial Brother that day?"

"Exactly."

Jin Chen made a symbolic salute, but did not remove his mask, producing the token Xiao Su had given him.

"My master sent me to deliver a message to Your Highness, the Second Prince; I didn't mean to disturb your sword practice, I beg your pardon."

"It's fine."

Xiao Zhuoxian always valued talent; this shadow guard's martial arts are so strong, even the Imperial Forest Army might not match him; the Younger Imperial Brother truly chose a fine talent.

He brushed off his sleeves, picked up the sword from the ground, calm and light.

"What does the Younger Imperial Brother want to convey?"

"My master says, for tomorrow's outing in the suburbs, please tell the Eldest Miss Yun not to give anything to anyone, not even the Second Miss Yun."

In this dynasty, ladies' bracelets are private possessions, unknown to outsiders.

Simply mentioning the bracelet outright would arouse Xiao Zhuoxian's suspicion, so Jin Chen gave a vague summary instead.

"My master also said, since he has instructed you thus, he surely has his reasons; he will explain after tomorrow's affairs are over."

Xiao Zhuoxian nodded, deep in thought.

He and Yun Ji Nan had long harbored mutual affection; he originally planned to ask the Father Emperor for an edict of marriage after the start of winter, and had once mentioned this to the Younger Imperial Brother.

"It must be that he sensed the Eldest Prince was planning something, hence his instructions."

"This palace understands; just reply."

Xiao Zhuoxian asked again, "How has the Younger Imperial Brother's health been lately?"

"Reply, Your Highness, my master is well."

Jin Chen clasped his fists, "The message has been delivered; I will not disturb Your Highness's sword practice any further."

Xiao Zhuoxian waved his hand, indicating he could leave.

After Jin Chen flew away, he then rubbed his shoulder and hissed.

"This shadow guard's strike had no restraint."

Thinking that he could see Yun Ji Nan tomorrow, he smiled happily and continued practicing sword.

——

Minister's Residence.

Yun Yi He was happily choosing clothes in the room.

Lately, the Eldest Prince has grown close to her; today he even specially sent fresh liuli beads, the meaning unmistakable.

She had long known that Yun Ji Nan and the Second Prince had mutual affection; her father had tacitly accepted that Yun Ji Nan would become the Second Prince's consort; earlier she had been worried inside.

"Isn't Yun Ji Nan just relying on her status as the legitimate daughter to suppress her everywhere? Now she herself has mutual affection with the Eldest Prince."

"Even if the Eldest Prince has concubines, being the daughter of a Minister, she will surely become a legitimate consort."

Moreover, the Eldest Prince is deeply favored by His Majesty and the Empress; who knows what the future...

Yun Yihe was so happy she didn't know what to say.

She seemed to have already imagined her life as an imperial consort.

"This dress is too plain... No, it needs to be dressed up nicely."

Yun Yihe set aside the garments and called, "Someone!"

The maid hurried into the inner chamber, "Miss, what are your orders?"

"Go ask Mother when new brocade silk garments will be brought into the mansion."

Upon hearing that, the maid was troubled.

"In reply to Miss, they were brought in five days ago; first the main branch selected some, then the concubine chose several bolts for you, and they have all been made into garments."

She took a few pieces and held them carefully.

"This is it."

It's Yun Jianan again, always competing with her over everything!

Yun Yihe almost wrung her handkerchief; she glanced at it, at least she had selected a peach-blossom opposite-collar gauze shirt, but feeling vexed she had the maid withdraw.

She sat before the bronze mirror, unable to swallow her anger, but thinking that she would see the Eldest Prince tomorrow, she still refrained from causing trouble.

If Father gets angry again and confines her, that would be a loss.

Meanwhile, Minister Yun Lingfeng was in the Study, discussing matters with the Senior Lady, and was troubled.

"The Eldest Prince has been so kind to He'er today, and at court he's been giving me both open and covert hints, perhaps he's trying to force me to pick a side."

The Senior Lady let out a soft sigh.

"But Nan'er's marriage to the Second Prince is already a settled matter; we also once had good relations with the Li family, and the Crown Prince's dignity cannot be disregarded—husband, have you decided how to choose?"

"Indeed, I'm worried about this," Minister Yun Lingfeng took a sip of tea, his worried frown deepening, "Nan'er is our child; naturally we won't let her suffer injustice."

"If it hadn't been for... back then, He'er wouldn't have been born; I owe you greatly, for now I can still manage, but if we truly reach a point where we must choose, I think I would still support the Second Prince."

The Senior Lady nodded, her expression calm; the events of long ago are past, and she does not hold a grudge to this day.

It's just that the family was exterminated, and my nephew's whereabouts are still unknown; I feel sorry toward my brother...

Here within the mansion, undercurrents surge, and outsiders naturally remain unaware.

Jin Chen rushed all the way to Tianyue Pavilion, seeing many training guards agitatedly streaming into the courtyard.