Chapter 952: I've imprisoned the Empress—how to break this!? 05

Wen Zhenheng finished saying this, and Jin Chen's complexion visibly turned ugly.

"I said I would accompany you today, so why is Huai Feng still pushing me away?"

He was angry, but couldn't vent at his own Empress, so he glared at the protagonist shou who had barged in, Shao Chun, saying, "How do the people in your palace usually teach you etiquette? You see the Empress and don't salute, yet you dare to shout loudly in the Palace of Resting Heart."

"I think you're really wild-hearted! From today on, stay properly in the Palace of Returning Spring to reflect; without my permission, you may not go out at will."

"Your Majesty!"

Shao Chun simply couldn't believe it—these were words Jin Chen would say to him.

Since the day Jin Chen saw him at that banquet, he had never been this fierce toward him before!

"I hate you; this time, no matter how you coax me, I will absolutely not forgive you!"

Shao Chun's eyes reddened, and bean-sized tears rolled down one after another; while he said he hated her, he actually stared fixedly at Jin Chen's eyes, looking pitiful and lovable.

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Fu'an, who had just been kneeling, was startled and fell flat on his face; all the palace maids guarding the hall followed suit, kneeling in terror, wishing they were deaf.

Look at what kind of nonsense this is!

Yan Fu'an thought, the Young Noble is simply too arrogant from being spoiled.

If the Empress said such things, it would be forgivable, but that person and His Majesty married young and had a proper wedding ceremony.

You, who are powerless, influence-less, and without support, to receive the Emperor's favor is already a vast imperial grace, a rare blessing; how could it be your turn to grant forgiveness? Having no background, otherwise this would be a grave offense punishable by demotion.

Jin Chen hadn't shown any reaction yet, but Wen Zhenheng, who hadn't intended to intervene, coldly rebuked him—purely instinctively.

"Disrespecting imperial authority, subordinates overstepping—according to palace regulations, the Young Noble's palace attendants failed in their discipline; they receive fifty strokes of the cane, and the Young Noble is fined three months' salary."

"Yes, I obey the order." Yun Wu, who had followed in, bowed to receive the decree, glanced at Cai Zhu outside the door whose face had turned pale, and secretly shook her head.

Everyone says that for slaves, the worst thing is not following the right master—isn't that exactly the case?

Already angry, Shao Chun flushed red, hands on hips, demanding, "What business is it of yours when I speak to His Majesty? I hate you the most—you've constantly micromanaged me, finding fault with this and that, claiming I lack propriety."

"Just follow the rules yourself—why keep meddling with me? We're not the same; spending a lifetime bound by regulations, aren't you exhausted… ah!"

Before Shao Chun could finish speaking, an empty tea cup smashed hard into his face; he froze, his reddened eyes trembling as he touched his suddenly swollen forehead, incredulously staring at Jin Chen.

"Impudent!"

Jin Chen's gaze toward him held no warmth, not even bothering to pretend, "Huai Feng is the Empress; why can't I discipline you? Today the Empress is merely enforcing palace regulations—if you offend again, I will certainly make you lose several layers of flesh!"

"Yan Fu'an! Why haven't you taken them away yet!"

Jin Chen was about to be driven mad by this person… this cat demon.

Once the secret agents sent out to Saiwai and the Western Regions are lured out, the first thing I'll do is chop this thing to pieces!

"No need! I'll walk myself……"

Shao Chun choked on sobs, another string of tears falling in an instant; he looked at Jin Chen, wronged, "You liar, you said you wouldn't be fierce with me."

He spoke softly, more like he was talking to himself.

It truly is painful—it's the pain of having one's affection snatched away by others; having taken human form these past six months, although the only person in his heart is Jin Xuanmo, the one who has kept him company the most is this tyrant before him, fierce to everyone else but exceedingly kind to him.

Wiping the tears from the back of his hand, Shao Chun staggered backward, feeling somewhat lost and dispirited.

The palace servants outside saw this, lowered their heads and slipped away, sighing inwardly that the Empress truly is the Empress—normally the Young Noble is so imposing, yet now he's been punished into obedient submission.

0731 repeatedly sighed.

【I feel like the protagonist shou might have some feelings for you.】

【Don't disgust me in broad daylight.】

Jin Chen's move also left Wen Zhenheng stunned.

After Shao Chun left, he raised his brows in doubt, sizing up this husband with whom he'd spent many years.

"Your Majesty, why treat the Young Noble this way? You weren't like this before…" "Before, it was my fault."

Jin Chen seemed to know what he was going to say, gloomily pulling him into an embrace, his palm gently smoothing his soft hair, "I was deceived; now I've suddenly realized—others all have ulterior motives, only Huai Feng is completely open with me."

Wen Zhenheng didn't struggle, only feeling a steady warmth at his back, while thinking to himself, the things I hide from you could be many.

But……

Jin Chen saying this must mean he discovered something, hence his sudden change in attitude toward Shao Chun.

Thinking of what Silver Moon had uncovered, Shao Chun guessed he had some tenuous connections with Saiwai and the Western Regions.

A person of unknown origin staying in the palace, also linked to Saiwai and the Western Regions, is naturally not simple.

"Your Majesty, do you suspect the Noble Lord hides a secret?" he asked Jin Chen, his tone flat.

"Yes, he has plenty of secrets—even getting close to me was intentional."

Jin Chen admitted, tightening his arms further, holding him affectionately, chin resting on his shoulder, his broad, sturdy chest nearly enveloping Wen Zhenheng completely in his embrace.

Wen Zhenheng wasn't used to such warm embraces, yet inexplicably didn't refuse, slightly lowering his phoenix eyes, still aloof and detached.

"So Your Majesty bringing me back from the Cold Palace is also for this matter."

Jin Chen suddenly froze, brows knitting, instinctively replying, "I didn't mean it that way."

He felt that whatever he said now would just be dragged back into the Cold Palace affair, so he could only helplessly keep silent.

The two suddenly fell silent, gazing at each other.

Wen Zhenheng, on the other hand, had grown accustomed to this way of interacting, slowly massaging his brow.

Fortunately, at this moment someone came to report, saying the Grand Tutor was waiting in the Imperial Study for His Majesty to discuss matters together.

"I'll arrive shortly."

Jin Chen released the person in his arms, sighed, and strode out of the Palace of Resting Heart.

It was only because he was too anxious that he first brought Wen Zhenheng back from the Palace of the Hidden Moon; future matters still need long-term planning, to be considered slowly.

Watching Jin Chen leave, hearing that sigh, Wen Zhenheng lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, had Yun Wu lower the curtains, lay down, and continued to rest.

The Palace of Resting Heart, which had just been noisy, finally quieted down; Wen Zhenheng felt the warmth of the hall's charcoal fire, yet still felt a chill, unconsciously recalling Jin Chen's embrace just moments ago, he closed his eyes and stopped letting himself think further.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value 5, cumulative -45!】

The emperor with a worried, bitter face became happy in an instant.

Jin Chen's steps became light.