Chapter 76: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 27

Qin Gong

Jin Chen held Xiao Su as they lay down, his gentle hand slowly stroking the back of his neck, bringing comfort.

"Ah Chen, is everything about to end?"

Xiao Su's weary phoenix eyes half-closed, he clung to Jin Chen's embrace, his voice languid.

"Yes, everything is about to end."

Jin Chen lowered his head to kiss the side of the person in his arms, his voice filled with infinite tenderness: "I bought a mansion in Hangzhou; once the Second Prince successfully ascends the throne, we will go there."

His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had already imagined their future life.

Far from the court, far from strife, abandoning the imperial family.

Only he and Jin Chen.

Xiao Su's lips curled up, fine light flickering in his eyes.

"Once we reach Hangzhou, we will marry, without inviting others—just the two of us."

Their closest kin are no longer in this world; Xiao Su does not want others to be involved.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

After tucking in the blanket corners neatly to keep out drafts, Jin Chen lowered the soft curtain and lightly kissed Xiao Su's red lips.

"Sleep now; in a few days we can wrap things up."

"Hmm…"

Xiao Su, hearing the familiar, soothing agarwood, gradually closed his phoenix eyes.

These past days, his sleep quality has been better than the sum of the last ten-plus years; he no longer needs to worry about pain in his dreams, nor about waking up chilled from a cold sweat.

As long as Jin Chen is there, he can sleep peacefully; this is truly wonderful.

——

As all the leaves fell, the capital entered early winter from deep autumn.

The street vendors bustled, their speech and breath forming white mist; they chatted about household matters, and even when someone haggled, they let it pass out of courtesy.

The common folk went about their days, unaware that the imperial court was already in turmoil; as Jin Chen had said before, the common folk don't care who becomes emperor.

They only care about who can let them eat their fill, stay warm, and avoid the suffering of war.

Amidst the bustling clamor, in a private room of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, someone was making plans for the future of the Great Yuan Kingdom.

Xiao Su, draped in a greatcoat, lay lazily in Jin Chen's arms, gazing at Xiao Zhuoxian and Yun Jiannan sitting opposite.

"Imperial Elder Brother, you actually don't need to worry too much; the palace is in chaos now, and many hidden guards of the Heaven Moon Pavilion are hiding inside, waiting for the final moment."

Xiao Zhuoxian clenched his fists; over these past days he has also learned much about imperial affairs, gaining a touch of steadiness and dignity.

"I'm not worried about that," he sighed, taking Yun Jiannan's soft hand, his fingertips lightly pinching, his eyes showing some tension.

"I'm worried that I won't be able to become a good emperor."

Yun Jiannan gave a comforting pat on Xiao Zhuoxian's hand back.

Seeing that he was tense, Jin Chen suddenly spoke up.

"Your Highness the Second Prince, which two kinds of people do you think are the most weary in the world?"

Xiao Zhuoxian stared for a few seconds, then after careful thought, answered.

"Scholars and farming peasants."

Jin Chen held Xiao Su, sat up a bit, and continued asking.

"Then, Your Highness, do you think scholars are more weary, or farming peasants?"

Xiao Zhuoxian fell into contemplation again.

Xiao Su lifted his gaze to look at Jin Chen, his phoenix eyes filled with confusion, as if he didn't understand why Jin Chen would ask such a question.

"Be good, just listen."

Jin Chen lowered his head to kiss his lips, his voice growing much gentler.

Yun Jiannan lowered his gaze, the corner of his mouth bearing a helpless smile.

A few days ago, the cousin and she went back to see their mother, with no other display; they only swore an oath before the departed ancestors of the Jin Family, vowing to avenge the Jin Family.

They also revealed their plans to their father and mother; after the initial shock, they unanimously declared they would help with all the family's strength.

Her relationship with her cousin also became much closer.

She was still not quite used to it, but the cousin and the Crown Prince being close without others around only proved that their passion was this fervent and unstoppable.

After a moment, Xiao Zhuoxian finally spoke slowly.

"Scholars have their own hardships, farming peasants have theirs; they are unwilling to accept such toil, but this toil cannot be replaced or transferred, so only their will can be tempered."

Jin Chen nodded, his expression somewhat satisfied.

"Your Highness does not glorify suffering, which is good, but if we let scholars till the fields and farming peasants study, would they still find it bitter?"

After Jin Chen finished speaking, he fell silent for a few seconds, then continued.

"This is the art of kingship, lying in balance."

Xiao Zhuoxian grasped it, as if bathed in heavenly nectar, utterly enlightened.

If scholars go to till the fields, they will experience the hardship and thus study even harder; if farming peasants experience study, they will also find it hard and thus farm even harder, but they will no longer complain.

All people suffer, hardships differ; but if truly a farming peasant changes his path through study, the emperor who provides the path to learning will receive loyal devotion.

No matter which path, the result is loyal talent.

Xiao Zhuoxian stood up, bowed to Jin Chen, and willingly called him teacher.

"The teacher's words have made me feel greatly instructed."

Jin Chen nodded in return: "The mettle of a ruler—when he stands, a prosperous age arises and the four seas are calm; when he declines, war erupts and the five lakes fall into chaos—all this depends on you."

"Tomorrow will be the time to storm the palace; may Your Highness attain your heart's desire."

He raised his wine cup and shared a drink with Xiao Zhuoxian.

The four exchanged smiles.

——

At the second watch of the yin hour the next day, the sky was just beginning to light, suffused with a deep blue.

A black shadow broke into the Liu Family residence.

At that time the servants were all drowsy, only two night‑watch guards were on duty, and they did not notice in time.

A throat‑sealing strike upon sight of blood.

The black shadow moved through the Liu Family residence like a ghost.

Wherever it went, every member of the Liu Family was left no survivor.

In less than half a watch, blood shot up to the sky.

This was a slaughter with no resistance.

Jin Chen's dagger in his hand was already stained red with blood; he had no extra thoughts about these people, each a single throat‑sealing stab, regardless of women, children, or elders.

This is the karmic debt the Liu Family owes to the Jin Family.

As daylight broke, the Liu Family members could never wake from that night.

Until the night‑watchman passed the Liu Family Main Gate, a scream rang out, marking the opening of today's upheaval in the capital.

Half an hour later, Jin Chen rushed to the Imperial Prison again.

At the same time, black‑clad hidden guards began to stream into the palace, and two carriages entered the palace gate.

Jin Chen evaded the patrolling soldiers; his way was unimpeded all the way into the cell holding Liu Kang.

He crouched, lifting Liu Kang's face with the blade of his dagger.

Startled awake by a chill, Liu Kang flung his eyes open.

He met a pair of sinister pupils; his gaze carried brutal cruelty, a soft yet cold, sharp light, like a hunter in darkness, bone‑chilling cold, causing dread and unease.

He was frightened, about to shout aloud, but the dagger was pressed against his throat.

It seemed a threat: if he dared to move, his head and body would be separated.

Liu Kang was, after all, a general.

He twisted his body, trying to break free and strike back.

But Jin Chen's long leg stepped on his arm, kicked him hard into the corner, he slammed into the wall and fell to the ground.

Jin Chen slowly walked closer.