Chapter 977

After everyone left, Resting Heart Hall grew quiet.

Jin Chen held Wen Zhiheng's hand as they sat by the window, thinking about what had just happened.

It seemed Huai Feng wasn't concerned about the tyrant; he simply didn't want that damned thing to die, otherwise he wouldn't have let the Silver Moon Guard appear just now.

But he had asked about it last night; Huai Feng still wouldn't mention it, even though they usually talked about everything, yet he kept his mouth shut on this.

Since I couldn't get an answer, I could only test him with actions.

Jin Chen was lost in thought, failing to notice Wen Zhiheng's repeated attempts to speak.

Wen Zhiheng hadn't missed Yun Wu's eye signal; he hesitated, but didn't know whether Jin Chen was still angry.

He hesitantly offered a pastry to Jin Chen's lips, speaking softly, "A Chen."

Jin Chen snapped back, ate it without thinking, then realized, seeing Wen Zhiheng's visibly relaxed expression, he pulled his hand over and wiped it.

"Last night… were you still coughing?"

Although Wen Zhiheng's body had improved considerably, having spent half a year in the Cold Palace left him with lingering chill; at night he still coughed and felt cold.

Jin Chen usually nourished him with Spiritual Power, but the temperature dropped again last night, so it must have been hard to endure.

Wen Zhiheng's phoenix eyes welled up at the words, "A little, but… I'm fine."

He usually only coughs when asleep; since he barely slept last night, he was fine.

"Your Highness, it's time for lunch."

Yun Wu came forward at the right moment to report, kneeling before them, "Should I prepare an extra portion?"

Wen Zhiheng wasn't sure if Jin Chen would stay, he lifted his gaze to him, his eyes both questioning and hopeful.

"Go on, I'll stay for the meal."

Jin Chen waved him off to prepare.

"As you command." Yun Wu glanced at his obviously delighted master, smiled, and withdrew.

"Huai Feng, do you really have nothing to say to me?"

Jin Chen still held a sliver of hope that Wen Zhiheng might voluntarily explain.

He leaned Wen Zhiheng against him, embracing and playing with his neat, handsome fingers, occasionally giving them a light pinch, as if forgetting last night's estrangement and sorrow.

The person in his arms trembled slightly at the eyelashes, leaning against Jin Chen's chest, slowly shaking his head.

"I can't say it, and I daren't say it."

Behind him, Jin Chen: "……"

He grit his teeth, grinning in dissatisfaction.

So just what huge secret is it? My wife absolutely must keep it from me!

Jin Chen didn't understand, couldn't figure it out, and felt stifled inside.

If you won't speak… if you won't speak, then I'll have to resort to other measures!

Then Jin Chen gave a soft cough, his expression turning cold and stern; as the lunch was set in the Front Hall, he sat down first, silent, as if the person who had just hugged and rubbed Wen Zhiheng wasn't him.

Wen Zhiheng keenly sensed the subtle shift, feeling a sour ache in his heart, yet pretended nothing was wrong, he took a jade bowl and ladled soup for Jin Chen, handing it over silently.

Jin Chen twitched his chopstick‑holding hand, suppressing the urge to pull away, lowered his eyes to eat his vegetables, "Put it down, I'll drink later."

The hand holding the jade bowl trembled slightly; Wen Zhiheng could only place it beside Jin Chen's hand, also falling silent, eating quietly, and found the food tasteless.

Silence spread between them.

The servant Yun Wu, in charge of serving dishes, was again muddled, his bewildered gaze on the two masters, unable to figure it out.

She had only been gone a moment, yet Your Highness was sad again, and His Majesty was ignoring people.

Jin Chen ate, occasionally glancing at Wen Zhiheng, his brows knitting as he saw how little he ate; after a moment's hesitation with his chopsticks, he still placed some meat and vegetables in his bowl.

Wen Zhiheng raised his brows in surprise, the joy in his eyes not yet showing, when he saw Jin Chen set down his chopsticks, stand, casually take a handkerchief and wipe his mouth.

"I still have business."

Saying that, he turned to leave, but then looked back and added, "Finish your meal." Don't let yourself go hungry!

He then hurriedly maintained an angry demeanor, turning away with great flair.

"A Chen…"

Wen Zhiheng called out, but before he could turn his head, his voice trailed off.

He let his eyes drop in disappointment, gazing at the heaping vegetables just placed in his bowl, a lump in his throat, yet he ate obediently, even though it was tasteless.

「Your Highness, you… you and His Majesty, what is it that you cannot say? For no reason you make both people sad. 」

Yunwu seeing his state, found it hard to bear, couldn't help but interject with a word of advice.

Wen Zhihe merely shook his head, "You may go."

In the Qixin Hall, Jin Chen slipped away like a wisp of smoke, and Yan Fu'an and the attendants could barely keep up with his pace.

【You guys are like this, even more twisted than my hair just after getting up.】0731 felt thus, the rainbow head in the space drooped, its ears twitching.

【…What a weird description, just say straight if you don't like combing your hair.】

Jin Chen could of course tell, 0731 is now being blocked by a Bai Ze, indiscriminately attacking everyone.

【What are you going to do next? It feels like the Main God is unwilling to speak at all.】

Jin Chen said there are plenty of ways!

But… we must first finish the emperor's work for today; the flood and plague in New Peace Continent still await treatment!

Jin Chen, toiling without complaint, darted back into the Study, feeling like a brick‑mover rushing from job to job.

The facade of the emperor's might and grandeur ultimately could not conceal the fatigue of having to worry about affairs of the world.

0731 sensed the Host's rich inner thoughts, clicked his tongue in sigh, it seems he really does not want to be emperor!

The newly appointed inspector general had already set out at noon, and Jin Chen arranged two troops to accompany him, plus the volunteer imperial physicians and over a hundred dan of medicinal herbs, over a thousand dan of grain, marching mightily from the capital to New Peace Continent.

As for Jin Xiao Mo, who is already far from the capital, it would be fine if he could stay out of trouble and just behave himself there; Jin Chen does not expect him to be of any help.

Now the plague is spreading across Xinan Province, and Jin Chen fears that if prevention and control are not timely, it will infect the surrounding prefectures.

Although Jin State's plague prevention and control has been fairly good, in Jin Chen's view there are still many gaps, so he summoned the Head of the Imperial Medical Institute and the heads of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to discuss.

For many days in a row, he was so busy he didn't even have time to touch the ground.

Wen Zhi Heng also knows the matter is of great importance, suppressing his myriad complex thoughts, from time to time he goes to the Imperial Study to brainstorm together, doing his utmost to help Jin Chen alleviate worries and resolve difficulties.

Fortunately, they finally came up with many methods, and had people rush them to Xinan Prefecture posthaste; moreover, the Provincial Governor of Xinan Province, after gaining a thorough understanding of the plague and the people's livelihood, also adopted a number of targeted measures.

First, they produced a plague‑preventing incense whose main ingredients are Southern Atractylodes, Northern Asarum, and Broadleaf Patchouli; burning it prevents the plague from spreading and also dispels the dampness brought by the floods.

Next, they promptly treated the flood damage, for water is the source of all things; only by stopping the floods in time can the plague be suppressed.

Treating the flood damage was the most arduous part of the whole process; the court dispatched an unending stream of personnel, and also selected able-bodied men and women from among the populace to volunteer their help.

More than ten days later, good news arrived from Xinan Province.

The Provincial Governor took the lead, issuing orders for soldiers and commoners to treat the flood damage; initial results have been achieved, and the flooding that had permeated several towns has now been brought under control.

Jin Chen conferred awards on all soldiers who took part in the flood control, and also provided additional grain subsidies to the civilians who helped the Governor; with that, the final step was reached.

They strictly isolated the villages most severely affected by the plague, allowing only physicians and soldiers to enter, burned clothing and utensils, boiled the herbal medicine they had developed and mixed it with well water to purify the water source, and then dealt with the plague.

At this point, the plague would no longer spread to the surrounding areas, and the taut string in the imperial palace of the capital city could finally be relaxed.

Jin Chen finally relaxed considerably, and was no longer constantly nagged by the Grand Tutor and other senior ministers.