Chapter 986: I've locked up the empress—how do I fix this! 39

As Jin Chen had expected, the Western Regions imperial household was not so easily subdued; upon learning they were to be annexed as territory, they launched massive resistance, sparking a war in Saiwai.

But the outcome of this war was all but certain.

Even though there were various demons, the demon‑subduing masters of Jin State were countless, and Saiwai kept sending good news.

Some more time passed.

Finally, Jin Xiaomo, who had returned to the capital, was summoned into the palace.

In the Imperial Study, Jin Xiaomo no longer had his former spirited arrogance; tormented by illness into a wreck, his gaze grew ever darker, like a venomous snake.

"I didn't realize my imperial brother still remembered I existed."

Jin Xiaomo sat in the lower seat to the left of the desk, skin and bones, cheeks deeply sunken, the malice in his eyes impossible to hide.

If it weren't for Jin Chen insisting on sending him to rescue that damned plague victim, he wouldn't have ended up like this!

"You truly hate me—you killed the person I cherished and nearly got me killed!"

Jin Chen spoke lightly, not even looking up, as he casually commented on the memorial: "If your methods were clean, I wouldn't have come to this."

Jin Xiaomo, fuming, burst into coughing fits, then broke into a manic laugh.

"I've heard about everything happening in the capital lately; I used to think the one who suddenly appeared was the monster, but now I see you're the true demon lord, and everyone has been kept in the dark by you!"

No wonder you came rushing in with such fury—you thought you'd caught me in a compromising position.

Jin Chen set down his brush, leisurely fixed his gaze on him, and said, "So?"

"You have no evidence, yet you want others to believe it too?"

Jin Xiaomo: "How do you know I have no evidence?"

"With so many officials, I refuse to believe not a single one has noticed you're a fake!"

Finding him ugly, Jin Chen glanced a few times, then looked away and continued reading the memorial: "You came today not merely to threaten me."

Thinking Jin Chen had finally been frightened, Jin Xiaomo picked up the teacup on the table, took a few sips to calm himself, and said, "I no longer insist on the throne given my current state."

"Give me a fertile fief, and refrain from interfering in my future actions; otherwise, I will expose to everyone that you are an impostor."

"Fine."

Jin Chen agreed without hesitation: "I'll grant you the finest fief, ranking first among the princes—henceforth, beneath one, above ten thousand."

"How about that?"

Jin Xiaomo didn't expect him to be so agreeable; he was surprised and delighted, yet a hint of doubt lingered: "You really mean it!"

As soon as his words fell, he furrowed his brow, his eyes darting, clutching his chest as he gasped violently.

"You…"

The burning pain spreading from within made Jin Xiaomo's intestines feel as if twisted by a knife; he turned his head toward the teacup on the table, his eyes full of disbelief: "Poison… you dare to poison me!"

"Still demanding a fief—you're living in a spring‑and‑autumn dream!"

Jin Chen rolled his eyes, expressionless as he watched him vomit blood and collapse: "You said it yourself—I'm a demon, yet I don't have that many blood‑tie affections; why would I spare someone who wants to kill me?"

This poison is violently potent; within just a few breaths it can rend one's liver and intestines, causing death by vomiting blood.

Jin Chen curled his lip, gave a mocking laugh, and, before Jin Xiaomo lost consciousness, uttered two words to his face.

"Fool."

He came to his own death.

Seeing Jin Xiaomo completely lose his breath, Jin Chen tapped the table.

The on‑call dark guards leapt down, silently removing the corpse; a eunuch then entered, wiped the blood, opened the window, and lit incense.

All traces vanished.

Jin Chen still could smell a hint of blood as he left the Imperial Study, only to discover that the tumultuous autumn had passed and the imperial palace greeted its first snowfall.

Snowflakes fell thick and fast, some dissipating, some piling up.

A palace maid draped a cloak over him and respectfully withdrew.

"To the Resting Heart Hall."

Jin Chen was in high spirits.

"Here." Behind him, Yan Fu'an flicked the duster and announced, "Your Majesty, the Emperor sets off!"

——

Inside the Resting Heart Hall.

Although they had hurried, the red‑brick floor was already covered with a thin layer of snow.

Wen Zhiheng came out to greet him, stepped forward to undo Jin Chen's cloak, and also caught the faint scent of blood.

Noticing his expression, Jin Chen explained, "Jin Xiaomo is dead—he vomited blood profusely. If I had known, I wouldn't have given him that poison."

Wen Zhiheng smiled, unbothered, and spoke softly.

"It's snowing today—we should have dumplings, and they've been ready since early."

"Uncle, hurry—more is better, the more delicious!"

Jin Yufeng took Jin Chen's hand and pulled him into the hall, saying, "Your servant has only eaten three so far; Daddy said to wait for Your arrival, and your servant is nearly starving."

Being pulled by him, Jin Chen also took Wen Zhiheng's hand and entered together, laughing, "Not yet—there's still someone who hasn't arrived."

The three took their seats, and Jin Yufeng and Wen Zhiheng exchanged a glance, both puzzled.

Jin Yufeng counted on his fingers, "No one's left—there's no empress dowager, and all the other uncles are outside."

"We'll find out soon."

Jin Chen deliberately sold a mystery, leaning back to sip tea, "Taking advantage of today's leisure, I haven't checked your studies in a while."

"Tell me what you've been studying lately."

Wen Zhiheng chuckled, "He's most afraid of you inquiring about his lessons."

Jin Yufeng's face promptly drooped, he propped his chin with both hands, sighed wistfully, his bun‑like cheeks puffed out.

The time spent memorizing texts was especially agonizing for Jin Yufeng, but he was extraordinarily intelligent and remembered everything he learned; Jin Chen was also satisfied.

Soon, a report came from outside the hall.

"Here." Jin Chen set down his teacup.

Wen Zhi Heng was quite startled; he hadn't expected that while waiting over tea, the ones who arrived would be his own parents, elder brother, and second sister.

Jin Chen promptly raised his hand, saying, "Today counts as a family meal, so no formalities are needed."

Jin Yufeng obediently called out, watching curiously.

"His Majesty sent someone to fetch you from the palace early this morning, but your elder brother just returned from battle and had to check in at the Ministry of War, which took a while; fortunately, he arrived in time."

Madam Wen hadn't seen her young son in a long time; she took his hand and couldn't stop speaking, and the Wen family's second sister also smiled, saying, "What a coincidence—I never expected that returning to my parents' home would also let me enter the palace and see you."

Wen Zhi Heng also hadn't reunited with his family in a long time; usually he only saw his father and elder brother at court, and had little to say.

His phoenix eyes brimmed with tears as he looked at Jin Chen; the tears at the corners were gently wiped away. "Why cry? In a few days it's your birthday—I've invited the family to stay in the palace early, so we can reunite."

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 100!】

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -5, total 0!】

【Dumpling smash! I want to eat too! Eat two pots!】

Jin Chen: "……"

——

On Wen Zhi Heng's birthday, Jin Chen also fulfilled his promise; after celebrating together in the palace, he alone took him out to play for a while.

After a long time, Jin Chen settled the affairs of Jin State, raised the young crown prince to adulthood, then completely relinquished the emperor's burden, and left the palace with Wen Zhi Heng to live as a couple.

【Congratulations, Host completed the mission, reward points 2500, total!】

【Currently transmitting to Quick Transmigration Bureau headquarters……transmission successful.】