Chapter 72

Yun Jianan, in front of Xiao Zhuoxian, took the teapot from before them and stored it in the jade bracelet space.

Meeting Xiao Zhuoxian's shocked gaze, she slowly explained.

"The other day, while I was embroidering, I accidentally pricked my fingertip with the needle tip, and a drop of blood got on the jade bracelet; unexpectedly, I thus accidentally understood its mystery."

"I also took two days to come to terms with this overly strange matter."

Xiao Zhuoxian gradually recovered; being more learned, he paused, then first spoke with concern.

"Is your hand okay?"

Yun Jianan: "I stopped the bleeding that day; it's nothing serious."

He nodded, took a sip of tea, and said, "This matter is best known only to you and me; if others find out, they will inevitably have other thoughts."

"Later, you and I will go together to the Tai Zi Fu to discuss some matters with the imperial younger brother and them."

Xiao Zhuoxian clenched his fists somewhat nervously and said, "Nan'er, if I and the imperial younger brother... stage a palace coup, what would you do?"

"This."

Yun Jianan, shocked, almost couldn't hold her tea cup steady; but after the surprise, she steadied her mind and spoke firmly.

"I will share weal and woe with Your Highness."

She had actually been making psychological preparations these days; ever since that day when she spoke with the Crown Prince, Yun Jianan realized that her path with Xiao Zhuoxian would not be smooth.

But she had no regrets.

Xiao Zhuoxian held her hands in his palms and said, "Nan'er, if the palace coup succeeds, no matter how others try to stop it, the Empress's position will surely be yours."

"If it fails, I will also let you withdraw completely unharmed."

He himself knew that his mother consort loved his father emperor her whole life, also suffered her whole life, and would certainly not let the one he deeply loves also become so withered.

Yun Jianan's eye sockets slightly reddened, "I believe in Your Highness."

——

Xiao Zhuoxian's carriage arrived at the Tai Zi Fu.

Li You immediately stepped forward to receive them, performing a salute and kneeling.

"Having greeted the Second Prince, Your Highness, and Miss Yun, my master is waiting in the Study."

"Lead the way."

"Here."

Li You rose and led the two into the Study.

Just then, they happened upon Xiao Su leaning in Jin Chen's embrace, the two leaning against each other as they wrote.

Xiao Zhuoxian: "……"

He had just said that this shadow guard and his own imperial younger brother had an unclear relationship!

As it turns out, this relationship really does exist!

He lightly coughed twice.

Yun Jianan performed a salute.

Xiao Su lazily lifted his eyelids, "Get up."

"Defu, bestow seats upon the imperial older brother and Miss Yun."

Defu, guarding outside, immediately responded.

Xiao Zhuoxian sighed, "You and Jin Chen, are you serious?"

"Of course."

Xiao Su sat up straight, his tone righteous and confident.

"Imperial older brother, please do not block me."

Jin Chen chuckled lowly, his hand resting on his waist not withdrawing.

"Second Prince, Your Highness, I and Su Bao are mutually attracted and deeply in love; you also have someone you cherish, so I imagine you would not do such a thing as to tear apart a pair of lovebirds."

"Of course, even if he did, it would be of no use."

"Listen, listen!"

"What a title! And still Su Bao!"

Xiao Zhuoxian slightly furrowed his brows, feeling a regret as if a cabbage had been cut away.

"Then, do you two plan to marry?"

Xiao Su blinked his phoenix eyes; he hadn't yet considered this.

He lowered his gaze, the scene of the bridal chamber night appeared in his mind, his ears slightly red, and he actually began to secretly anticipate it.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Zhuoxian had nothing more unclear.

His own imperial younger brother had probably already deeply taken root in affection.

Jin Chen: "Of course we will marry, but not in the capital."

His voice low and magnetic, he glanced sideways at his lover.

"To Su Bao, the capital is a place of sorrow; I will take him to Hangzhou to marry."

Xiao Su's smile at the corners of his mouth could not be suppressed, his fingertips covering Jin Chen's hand that was draped around his waist.

He lightly tapped.

Previously he would pinch the corner of his clothes; now he pinches his fingertips.

Jin Chen absolutely loved this kind of lover's small gestures that express joy and affection.

Xiao Zhuoxian: "Then let this matter be discussed later; I have thought it through clearly, I will share weal and woe with you."

"But I hope that all of this will be premised on your own safety."

Xiao Su: "Of course, elder brother, rest assured."

Jin Chen looked toward the silent Yun Ji Nan, 'Miss Yun, have you already solved the mystery of the jade bracelet?'

Yun Ji Nan was stunned, 'So, you and the Crown Prince are both aware of this?'

But that day, Jin Chen clearly said he didn't know where its mystery lay.

'The mystery of the jade bracelet requires the wearer to solve it themselves to be effective.'

Jin Chen explained, 'This is an opportunity unique to Miss Yun; I naturally shouldn't say more.'

'And what we need to do next also requires Miss Yun's assistance.'

Seeing that she could be of help, Yun Ji Nan's eyes lit up slightly, 'How can I help you?'

Jin Chen: 'The dragon robe that Xiao Yunye placed in the Crown Prince's residence has not yet been cleared away; on the night of the relocation banquet at the Crown Prince's residence, the Emperor and the Empress will both come, let alone the important civil and military officials.'

Xiao Zhuoxian's eyes deep in thought, 'So you plan to turn the tables using the relocation banquet night?'

'Exactly that idea.'

Jin Chen smirked, picking up an object from the desk.

'This is General Liu Kang's personal jade pendant, personally bestowed by the Emperor; the shadow of the Heaven Moon Pavilion took it during his indulgence.'

'Ordinary clothing shops would never dare to weave a dragon robe; Xiao Yunye, at great expense, bought several embroideresses, secretly kept them in the suburbs to weave, using the pretext of presenting a birthday gift to the Emperor, and I have also found them.'

'Now all the evidence is solid; we only need to lure the ruler into the trap.'

Although Yun Ji Nan was very surprised, Jin Chen had found so many things in just a few days.

But she still didn't understand, 'What do you need me for?'

'We need Miss Yun to place the jade pendant into the jade bracelet; this will be the evidence of General Liu's illicit affair with Yun Yi He.'

Jin Chen looked at her and explained.

Xiao Yunye and Emperor Yongshun will certainly meet a miserable end, but Yun Yi He cannot escape either.

Although the methods are somewhat ruthless, but no matter the era, the best way to destroy a woman is her chastity.

Yun Ji Nan naturally understands how important chastity is.

She was slightly surprised, but still put the jade pendant away.

For Your Highness's grand plan, for a better future of Great Yun, she must harden her heart.

Xiao Su finally spoke, 'After the banquet begins, Xiao Yunye will feign drunkenness and wet clothes to leave, to go change my clothes, thereby using that as a pretext to bring out the dragon robe.'

'We will first stay put, waiting until the Emperor's anger is at its peak, then bring out the embroideresses.'

'When Xiao Yunye is in a panic, he will go seek help from General Liu; at that time we will need Miss Yun to place the jade pendant on Yun Yi He's person, and someone will take her away.'

Xiao Zhuoxian nodded, this plan has little risk and is feasible.

He instructed Yun Ji Nan, 'In short, be careful; respond to all changes with constancy.'

Yun Ji Nan: 'I know.'

Xiao Zhuoxian suddenly asked Jin Chen, 'Why do you also wear a mask in the study? This palace has not yet seen your true face.'

Jin Chen paused slightly, having just realized they were about to enter; remembering Xiao Su's warning not to let others see, he subconsciously put on a mask.

He looked toward Xiao Su, she lowered her lashes slightly, a bit embarrassed.

Jin Chen gave a low chuckle twice, his distinctively jointed fingers stroked the mask, and he took it off.