Chapter 455: Chapter 455

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

Until he escorted Shen Hua back to her room.

With a suppressed look in his eyes, he released the girl’s hand, gave some instructions, and went next door. The official business 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 her clothes.

Cui Yun heard a rhythmic knocking at the door.

The girl entered with disheveled hair, her pale little face glowing radiantly. Carrying a soft pillow, she slipped in bending over, surveyed the room—it was not much different from the one next door.

Approaching the desk, she glanced inadvertently and fixed her gaze. As she read each word, waves of shock arose within her.

"The Fourth Prince has raised private troops? Does he intend to conspire and usurp the throne by staging a coup?"

Cui Yun was not avoiding her, his expression indifferent.

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

It seemed that Ji Wang was not as rumored. He was ambitious, far from being a fraternal and respectful brother.

"But when it comes to military strategy and handling affairs, the Crown Prince is far inferior to him. He receives endless praises from all around the court and the common people. Among the Princes, he is the one most earnestly fostered. Even Princess Consort Jing, his mother, is greatly favored by the official family (royalty)."

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

If it wasn’t for Ji Teng, it would seem that ultimately the one to ascend to the Dragon Throne would be Ji Wang.

So why is he in such a hurry?

Cui Yun dipped his brush pen in ink and continued with the official documents.

"The former Emperor Xianwu stabilized the six passes, revitalizing all that had fallen into disrepair and ensuring the people’s livelihood. Perhaps due to his eminent virtues, he died at the age of ninety-three, outliving the Crown Prince. Even the other Princes did not live as long as he did. After his passing, his legitimized eldest grandson Emperor Yong’an ascended to the throne."

"Emperor He is in robust health. Half a year ago, he sought many Taoists, aspiring to find the way to immortality."

Shen Hua listened with great interest.

"So Ji Wang fears that he would not be able to outlive the official family, but rather enter the grave before them."

"What about the Crown Prince?"

Cui Yun: "Ji Zhui has a Dragon Robe hanging in his secret chamber. He is shorter than Ji Wang but is ultimately the legitimate one."

Shen Hua reflected: "It’s a pity that the official family is unaware of these matters. If they knew, it seems likely that Shengjing would be thrown into chaos."

Cui Yun’s fingertips paused. A cold light flashed in his eyes, but his voice remained unusually soft: "He will know."

He didn’t look at Shen Hua, but since the girl was listening attentively, he picked topics that would interest her.

"Recently, with the official family neglecting both, they turned to favor Ji Ge, making him the target of all arrows. Behind the scenes, both men deliberately or unintentionally set numerous traps for him, and just a few days ago at the lakeside, he suddenly fell into the water." Read full story at NovelHub(.)net

"The person is unharmed."

Even if Emperor He knew who was behind it, it’s unlikely he would deliver 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 friends with Ji Huo, who cannot bear to see people close to him wronged, and will surely stand up for him."

Cui Yun spoke flatly: "You seem to admire the Heir of Prince Gong."

"It’s just regrettable that Prince Gong won’t allow him to step forward. Ji Huo is ultimately afraid of being punished."

Cui Yun smiled faintly: "However, feeling guilty, he invited the lucky-to-be-alive Ji Ge to visit the brothel. He picked out more than thirty prostitutes for him to choose from."

That was considered spending a hefty sum.

Shen Hua was annoyed.

"Ji Ge is already married."

Before getting married, Ji Ge was no different from Ji Huo, both being debauchees. After marrying Le Jia, although their relationship wasn’t that of a normal husband and wife, Ji Ge stopped visiting brothels altogether.

"Did Ji Ge really pick out prostitutes?"

Cui Yun: "After three rounds of drinks, Ji Ge ran off. Ji Huo, severely drunk, even mistook someone for a brother and became close to the men who took him to the brothel."

Shen Hua’s brows twitched slightly. She had a feeling that the simpleton would get into trouble.

"Ji Huo has money in hand these past few days, dressing lavishly. The men saw him unconscious and had wicked thoughts. They plundered all valuables, not even sparing his robes."

In the end, he was left with only a thin pair of underpants.

She heard Cui Yun say.

"The next day, the news spread throughout Shengjing."

"The Heir of Prince Gong has a penchant for men."

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

"Yet he still couldn’t escape the cane punishment."

After the punishment, he was put under house arrest.

Unwilling to accept it, he intended to climb over the wall to escape. But his plot was discovered on the spot, and in his haste, he failed to notice and fell off the wall.

Now, he’s lying in bed, nursing his leg.

If only he knew it would come to this, it would have been better to enter the palace and seek justice from Ji Ge.

Ji Ge visited him: "Hahaha."

Ji Wang visited him, first inquiring in great detail about his condition, then with veiled words, he slyly attempted to sow discord.

Ji Huo’s mind was completely baffled.

He even fell asleep while listening.

Ji Zhui had also visited him, with the Crown Prince’s seniority: "Cousin, you really should understand some things and share the Emperor’s concerns. He can’t protect you forever."

Ji Huo looked at him askance.

"Why not? Once Uncle finds the Immortal Pill for eternal life, he just has to share one with my father, and it’ll be fine."

This comment was deliberately conveyed to Emperor He by someone with an agenda from Prince Gong.

Emperor He was overjoyed, and Prince Gong left the palace with carriages full of tonics for him.

Under the lamp light, Cui Yun’s half-profile was prominent, with deep-set eyes and a noble, exquisite appearance. He asked calmly,

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

Shen Hua was indeed tickled by the intrigue.

But she still had some sense left.

"Aunt Sun is getting on in years, she should be spending her time enjoying her grandchildren, not handle everything and let you hide away in peace."

He did not interfere with her decision.

"The world is becoming less peaceful."

Fengzhou is far from Shengjing, so Shen Hua would be safer there, even if she stirred up trouble.

Shen Hua understood the implications of his words.

She muttered a response, sounding discontent.

But she did not forget her purpose for coming.

Shen Hua got onto the bed: "I’ll try out the calming incense in your room."

She truly wasn’t afraid Cui Yun would do anything.

As she turned her head and closed her eyes to sleep, Cui Yun’s restlessness from the afternoon once again swelled, even more intensely than before.

To leave Shen Hua be without teaching her a lesson would be unacceptable.

He stood in place for a while, not saying a word, then turned and went to the bathroom.

As Shen Hua slept in a daze, she felt dense, delicate kisses and Cui Yun’s hand slipping into her undergarments.

At first, the girl didn’t think much of it.

She just stared at the canopy above the bed.

And she even had the mind to recite in her head.

Flat embroidery, stripe embroidery, point embroidery, Bian Xiu, net embroidery, sand embroidery...

It was only when her knees were pried open

That her eyes, trembling, suddenly widened.

That strange and unfamiliar sensation, that place being maliciously touched and toyed with, forced her to bite down on her lower lip.

Cui Yun’s eyes grew darker. Engaged in such an act, he was both soul-stealing yet devout.

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