Chapter 454: Chapter 454

But as always, he quietly played the role of a listener.

Until he sent Shen Hua back to her room.

With restrained eye color, he let go of the girl’s hand, gave her some instructions, and went to the neighboring room. The official documents he hadn’t dealt with had already been sent to the side chamber by Ji Qing.

Shen Hua watched his figure disappear into the night before she entered to bathe and change clothes.

Cui Yun heard the rhythmic knocking outside the door.

The girl’s hair was scattered, her pale little face glowing radiantly. She was holding a soft pillow, bent over to slip in, looking around, the furnishings similar to those in the neighboring room.

Approaching the desk, she caught a glimpse of the documents and her gaze fixed in place. As she read word by word, a tremendous shock set in.

"The Fourth Prince has raised a private army? Is he intending to conspire and usurp the throne by forcing the Emperor’s hand?"

Cui Yun, unbothered by her presence, remained indifferent.

After thinking for a moment, the girl honestly replied: "Not really. Aren’t the Hengzhou Mine and those officials his doing?"

It’s clear that Ji Wang isn’t as the rumors suggest; he is ambitious and not the kind to uphold brotherly harmony and respect.

"Yet, when it comes to military strategy and statesmanship, the Crown Prince is far behind him. His praises are sung high and low. Among the princes, he is the most favored. The official family greatly dotes on his mother, Princess Consort Jing."

"I think, with the Zou Family acting so recklessly, it’s only a matter of time before Ji Zhui’s position as Crown Prince is abolished."

If it weren’t for Ji Teng, the last one likely to sit on the Dragon Throne would be Ji Wang.

Then why is he in such a hurry?

Cui Yun dipped his brush pen into the ink and continued to work on the documents.

"The previous Emperor Xianwu pacified the six passes, and in the aftermath, sought to provide peace and stability to his subjects. Perhaps due to his illustrious deeds, he died at the age of ninety-three, even outliving the Crown Prince. None of the other princes lived as long as he. After his death, his legitimate eldest grandson, Emperor Yong’an, ascended to the throne."

"Emperor He is robust in health. Half a year ago, he sought many Taoists, keen on finding the way to eternal life."

Shen Hua listened with great interest.

"So Ji Wang fears he can’t outlive the official family and might end up buried before them."

"What about the Crown Prince then?"

Cui Yun: "Ji Zhui has a Dragon Robe hanging in his secret chamber. He is somewhat shorter than Ji Wang, but in the end, he is the legitimate successor."

Shen Hua pondered: "It’s a pity that the officials are unaware of these matters. If they knew, I suppose there would be chaos in Shengjing."

Cui Yun’s finger paused. A cold light flashed in his eyes, yet his voice was unusually tender: "They will know."

He didn’t look at Shen Hua. Seeing the girl listening intently, he picked up topics that the girl would like to hear about.

"These days, the official family has been neglecting both of them, turning to support Ji Ge instead, making him the target of many. Behind the scenes and whether intentionally or not, both have faced many attempts to undermine them. A few days ago by the lake, in the blink of an eye, he fell into the water."

"The person was unharmed."

Even if Emperor He knows who’s behind it, he might not necessarily seek justice for Ji Ge.

His closeness to Ji Ge serves more as a warning to the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince.

Shen Hua: "The Seventh Prince is on good terms with Ji Huo, who can’t stand to see those close to him wronged, and he will surely stand up for him."

Cui Yun’s tone was flat: "You seem to admire the Heir of Prince Gong."

"It’s just a pity, Prince Gong forbids him to get involved. After all, Ji Huo fears the cane."

Cui Yun slightly smiled: "However, feeling guilty, he invited the fortunate-to-be-alive Ji Ge to visit the brothel. He chose over thirty prostitutes for him to pick from."

That’s also throwing a considerable amount of money.

Shen Hua was irritated.

"Ji Ge is a married man."

Before his marriage, Ji Ge was of similar character to Ji Huo, both being profligate. After marrying Le Jia, though their marriage wasn’t conventional, Ji Ge completely stopped visiting brothels. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel(ꜰ)ire.net

"Did Ji Ge really pick a prostitute?"

"That didn’t happen."

Cui Yun: "After three rounds of drinks, Ji Ge ran off. Ji Huo was dead drunk, mistaking someone else for kin, calling the man who took him to the brothel his sworn brother."

Shen Hua’s brows twitched slightly. She sensed that this simple-minded man might get into trouble.

"These past few days, Ji Huo had money on hand and was dressed well. The guest who took him to the brothel saw him unconscious and had ill intentions. He stripped him of all valuables, not even sparing his clothes."

In the end, he was left with nothing but a thin pair of underpants.

She heard Cui Yun say.

"The next day, it was the talk of Shengjing."

"What’s spreading around?"

"The Heir of Prince Gong has an appetite for men."

Shen Hua was silent at first, then her shoulders shook, and finally she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"Even so, he can’t escape a caning."

After being punished, he was also put under house arrest.

He naturally didn’t want to comply, intending to climb over the wall to escape, but was caught red-handed. In his haste, he didn’t watch his step and fell off the wall.

Now, he’s bedridden, nursing his leg.

If he knew this would happen, he would have rather gone to the palace to seek justice from Ji Ge.

Ji Ge visited him: "Hahaha."

Ji Wang visited him, first asking about every detail minutely, then deliberately and indirectly sowing discord with his roundabout talk.

Ji Huo’s mind was completely befuddled.

He even fell asleep listening.

Ji Zhui also paid him a visit, the Crown Prince taking on a senior’s attitude: "Cousin, you should understand some matters and share some of the Imperial Uncle’s burdens. He can’t protect you forever."

Ji Huo looked at him askance.

"Why not? Once the Uncle attains the Immortal Pill of eternal life, getting just one for my father will be enough."

This statement was deliberately conveyed by Prince Gong to Emperor He.

Emperor He was immensely pleased, and after Prince Gong left the palace, he sent him carts full of tonics.

Under the light, Cui Yun’s half-visible profile, deeply set eyes and brows, his extraordinary and noble elegance shone through, as he asked her without any change in his expression.

"Shengjing has been quite lively these past few days. Do you plan to return to Shengjing with me this time, or go back to Fengzhou?"

Shen Hua was indeed tickled by the thought.

But she still had her wits about her.

"Aunt Sun is getting on in years, and it’s time she enjoyed her old age with her grandchildren, rather than having to deal with every matter herself while you go off to seek tranquility."

Cui Yun didn’t interfere with her decision.

"The world is also becoming less and less peaceful."

Fengzhou was far from Shengjing, so even if Shen Hua stirred up trouble, it would be safer.

Shen Hua understood the subtext of his words.

She responded with a muffled acknowledgment.

But she hadn’t forgotten the purpose of her visit.

Shen Hua climbed onto the bed: "I want to try the calming incense in your room."

She really wasn’t afraid of Cui Yun doing anything to her.

Seeing her turn her head to sleep, the sullen feeling Cui Yun had at noon came surging back, even more intensely than before.

Shen Hua, , could not be left without a lesson, it wouldn’t do.

He stood there for a long time, saying nothing, then turned and went into the washroom.

Shen Hua, half-asleep, felt a weight on her body. Her eyes opened groggily, feeling kisses all over her skin, as Cui Yun’s hand made its way under her clothes.

The girl at first didn’t take it seriously.

She just stared at the canopy above her head.

Reciting to herself in her mind.

Flat embroidery, Stripe Embroidery, Point Embroidery, Bian Xiu, Net Embroidery, Sand Embroidery...

Suddenly, her almond eyes widened, her legs were spread apart.

A territory that had never been explored by anyone was wickedly stirred.

She tried to push him away in a panic, but felt numb and powerless.

Her body was under his control, no longer her own.

Cui Yun’s eyes grew deeper. In these moments of enticement, he was also earnest.

After a while, he chuckled lowly and withdrew his fingertips.