Chapter 971: I've confined the Empress, how to resolve this! 24

With Heartbeat Value rising, Jin Chen finally could, as he wished, hold his wife and sleep.

It wasn't even a bedtime summons; he had just finished dinner at Heart-resting Palace in the early evening, and after nightfall he rushed back in a flurry.

Jin Chen pulled Wen Zhi Heng's hand to prevent him from bowing; just as he entered the Bedchamber, an old grandma who had long served in the palace asked to see him.

"Your Majesty, you should also go sit in another palace."

The old grandma had originally served the Empress Dowager, then for a time been the emperor's wet nurse; now that the Empress Dowager has passed, she still holds considerable prestige in the palace.

Silence Wen Zhi Heng sat to the side, wondering who had brought the matter to the old grandma.

Just as he thought of a person, he heard the old grandma say it.

Jin Chen, who very much did not want to be emperor, alertly lifted his head: "Where to?"

In the middle of the night, he still has work?!

"Your Majesty, Lord Jingliang hasn't seen you for several days."

Jin Chen lay down on the bed, pulled the covers over his head, and his muffled voice came from within.

"Not going, no interest; grandma is already old, better to go rest early, and don't bother with these matters from now on."

Seeing him like this, the old grandma could tell he didn't want to bring up such matters.

Helplessly shaking her head, she then bowed to Wen Zhi Heng and could only take her leave first.

After hearing no other sounds in the chamber, Jin Chen then lifted the covers, smiled at Wen Zhi Heng, sat up, and took off his clothes.

While undressing, he proposed, "Huai Feng, why don't I simply disband the rear palace, so we won't be bothered day and night?"

After so many years of protocol, Wen Zhi Heng instinctively disagreed a little: "But the former court and rear palace are closely related; doing this might be improper."

Jin Chen reached out, pulled him close, and kissed his tightly pressed lips: "What's improper about it? I don't need to rely on that to make my subjects loyal."

Wen Zhi Heng gently pushed back the ever-approaching Jin Chen: "Ah Chen, don't be willful; this matter needs long-term consideration..."

"I just won't."

After taking off his outer robe, Jin Chen covered his ears and rolled into the bed, feeling a bit sulky.

He didn't understand why Huai Feng would refuse to agree.

If he disagrees, then it must be... that he doesn't care.

So no matter how many consorts he has in the rear palace, it's fine.

0731 sigh.

【You seem to be a bit unreasonable.】

Jin Chen's eyes dark, he clung to the quilt, still angry, thinking that if it weren't for the tyrant in the palace whose whereabouts are unknown, he wouldn't be so unreasonable.

So ultimately, it's all that person's fault.

The Bedchamber grew quiet; Wen Zhi Heng gazed at Jin Chen's back, knowing he was angry, his eyes slightly red, already resenting himself for speaking up.

Time gradually passed.

Jin Chen thought more and more that all of this was the tyrant's fault, so why should he be angry with Huai Feng?

He shouldn't, really shouldn't.

Feeling guilty, he rubbed his nose, turned over intending to comfort him, and saw Huai Feng already silently come to the bedside, standing there with red eyes, looking wronged, low-spirited, as if being made to stand as punishment.

Jin Chen was startled by this, quickly sat up, took Wen Zhi Heng's hand, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No."

Wen Zhi Heng shook his head, sat at the bedside, letting Jin Chen hold his hand, and spoke softly, "I shouldn't meddle in your affairs; the rear palace matters... you decide." As long as you don't ignore me…

He was drawn into the embrace, and at his ear came Jin Chen's soft cooing: "What are you saying? You are my Empress; you may manage as you wish, and you must manage me."

"I know you have reservations, but I and——" Jin Chen paused, feeling the person in his arms slightly stiff, then gently patted and continued.

"I am different; I do not need to rely on the rear palace to stabilize the former court's ruler-subject relations."

"Huai Feng, do you trust me, okay?"

Wen Zhi Heng lifted his gaze to him, his extremely long lashes slightly damp, the depths of his eyes seeming to ripple with haze, his voice trembling: "Okay……"

"I trust you."

Jin Chen, heart satisfied, kissed his forehead again, and exclaimed eagerly: "Then it's settled; I will find an opportunity, with an open-and-aboveboard reason, to disband the rear palace—even if those former court officials say whatever, they'll surely find no grounds."

Wen Zhi Heng lay obediently in his embrace, his long fingers lightly touching Jin Chen's cheek, finally revealing a hint of a smile.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Jin Chen held him, pulled the covers over, half-raised his body, and blew out the candlelight.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 50!】

【Warning! Protagonist's happy ending progress: -20!】

As Huai Feng's Heartbeat Value rises for him, the happy ending progress drops.

Jin Chen, who had already vaguely guessed something, felt a chill flash in the depths of his eyes, and held the partner in his arms tighter.

Over the next few days, Jin Chen could sense a portent of wind and rain in the palace.

The cat demon Shao Chun and the tyrant lurking like a ghost in the shadows both made moves; although it's unknown whether their plans are the same, Jin Chen could roughly sense that their ultimate goal is merely to eliminate him.

Jin Chen also looked forward to what surprise they would give.

Finally, one late night, Jin Chen awaited Shao Chun's action.

At that time he was sleeping soundly with his wife in his arms when he suddenly heard a rustling outside the chamber.

The little eunuch brought candles, gradually lighting a few; in just a few breaths, the Bedchamber awoke from total darkness.

The senior palace maid led a retinue of servants in single file, respectfully bowing, kneeling outside the bed curtains.

"Your Majesty, Lord Shao Chun of the Cold Palace says he suddenly fell ill, clamoring to see you, and also said… also said that if you don't go, the thing you're looking for will be destroyed."

Upon hearing this, Jin Chen opened his eyes, tapped the somewhat startled Wen Zhi Heng, raised his brows, and dispelled his sleepiness.

The thing he was looking for… the remaining secret passage map?

It seems the cat demon is ready.

Jin Chen hummed, and as he got out of bed he covered Wen Zhiheng with the blanket, then opened his arms for the servants to dress him.

Soon after, he donned his great cloak and, facing the night's cold wind, left Qixin Palace.

The candles in the sleeping chamber were extinguished again; the servants dared not wake the Empress and withdrew silently.

Wen Zhiheng opened his eyes, pushed himself up to sit on the bed, gazed toward the door of the sleeping chamber, his eyes dim, his expression gloomy.

It's so late, Ah Chen...

Suddenly, a distinctive sound came from outside the window.

The special signal of the Silver Moon Dark Guard.

Wen Zhiheng looked toward the window, his expression cold.

"What's the matter."

"The scout reported: Tonight, the Young Pure prepares to assassinate His Majesty."

Wen Zhiheng suddenly rose to his feet, "Come!"