Ji Jing could hardly believe his ears. He stared blankly at those cold, self-contained eyes of his uncle, which seemed to reject everyone from a thousand miles away, feeling as though he were in a dream.
It was a beautiful dream, one he almost did not want to wake from.
In his heart, his uncle should have remained untainted by such affairs, like the bright moon in the sky or the cool breeze in the mountains, never to have any involvement with the filth of power struggles.
Yet, for his sake, for such a disobedient little nephew who often brought him nothing but trouble, his uncle was willing to step into this quagmire of deceitful power struggles.
He had often fantasized about being the only one in his uncle’s heart; he had painted countless scenarios in his mind and prepared for every possibility. But when his uncle’s words actually resonated in his ears, he was still like a dull-witted fool, oblivious to the passage of time.
He asked foolishly, “Uncle is willing to support me?”
The man before him reached out to pour a cup of tea, a pale, powerful wrist exposed amidst his movements.
“Do I have any other nephews?”
Chu Xunsheng looked at Ji Jing indifferently, his tone devoid of anger or joy.
“No, no, having just me as your nephew is enough, Uncle! You don’t need any others!”
Ji Jing beamed with joy, his eyes instantly lighting up like stars suddenly flashing in the night sky.
He crawled forward on his knees a few steps, rubbing his head against Chu Xunsheng’s calf, looking exceptionally docile.
The lingering anxiety and fear of the past long period seemed to vanish without a trace at this moment, and even the pain and resentment that had haunted his heart since the new Emperor ascended the throne felt like nothing more than a passing cloud.
Even if he were to fail, what did it matter? His uncle had only him in his heart; this was something that bastard could never obtain!
Chu Xunsheng felt a tickle on his leg. Looking down, he saw a large dog-like creature rubbing against him affectionately, its eyes bright and shining like a puppy.
Silly child, Chu Xunsheng chuckled softly and gave him a gentle nudge away.
Ji Jing didn’t mind, continuing to grin foolishly. After a moment, he seemed to remember something and stammered: “Uncle, then… then…”
“Speak your mind.”
“You and that Emperor… Xiao Jing saw you yesterday…”
Chu Xunsheng froze, realizing what he was referring to. An unconscious red flush spread up to his earlobes, though it was hidden by his hair.
I see. He wants me to state my position as a villainous cannon fodder, right?
Chu Xunsheng handed the teacup in his hand to Ji Jing, but as Ji Jing went to take it, Chu Xunsheng flicked his wrist, causing the cup to shatter on the floor.
Ji Jing hadn’t reacted yet, staring blankly at the shards, internally berating himself for his clumsiness.
“It is nothing more than exploiting his emotions,” Chu Xunsheng leaned toward his nephew, looking into his eyes as if trying to see the emotions deep within his heart. “Raise him high, only to let him fall hard.”
They were extremely close, their breaths almost mingling. Ji Jing nearly stopped breathing.
Chu Xunsheng turned away, his hair tracing an arc in the air, and said with feigned indifference: “Besides, the faster I climb in my career, isn’t that better for you, Xiao Jing?”
It was the perfect tone of a scoundrel.
The system cheered: “Little Chu is great! Real villain vibes!”
Ji Jing stared at him blankly, as if meeting his uncle for the first time.
With such coldness and such ruthlessness, what kind of person could warm the heart of this high-and-mighty deity?
Perhaps only a touch of blood relation earned a second glance from him.
Chu Xunsheng looked on helplessly as his nephew, who resembled a silly deer, started grinning foolishly again.
No wonder he couldn’t beat the male lead in the end; he seems so brainless.
Chu Xunsheng fretted over his foolish little nephew for the umpteenth time.
Chu Xunsheng had only stayed at the Court of Judicial Review for one day before the restless Emperor released him. The Emperor even went to the estate specifically to observe Chu Xunsheng several times to ensure he had suffered no injuries.
Having spent a day apart, he had thought some things through and felt they needed to reduce their bickering, so he had humbled himself to provide an out.
Most people prefer a soft touch to a hard one. Chu Xunsheng sighed helplessly and let him look as he pleased.
Unexpectedly, as the Emperor’s hand moved, it reached places it shouldn’t have, rubbing repeatedly.
Chu Xunsheng was surprised inwardly. He didn’t understand how this cold-hearted, power-obsessed Emperor from the original plot had taken a liking to him. He figured it was just a passing whim.
Not to be trusted, but can be utilized.
Chu Xunsheng threw away the hand that was roaming all over him and said coldly: “Your Majesty, please show some self-respect.”
He had too many matters to attend to and had no time for these frivolous distractions.
Ji Yan stared at him pitifully. Annoyed by the look, Chu Xunsheng turned his back on him.
Ji Yan chuckled softly.
For some reason, the atmosphere between them had become harmonious; at least, Ji Yan felt it wasn’t bad.
Although it was far inferior to the treatment A-Yan received.
Sigh, there is still a long way to go.
Ji Yan chuckled again. Certain that Chu Xunsheng was unharmed, he didn’t press further. He cherished this harmonious time and didn’t want to start arguing again, so he left with some regret.
Chu Xunsheng ignored him and turned to the desk.
He did indeed have matters to handle.
The preparations for Prince Jing’s rebellion were on the agenda, and they needed to plan meticulously. Other things were mostly ready, but one thing remained unsolved: how to infiltrate the palace and transport supplies while the Emperor was away.
Chu Xunsheng pondered, casually flipping through the papers on his desk. It was covered in exquisite, pretty envelopes.
He had received these upon returning to the estate earlier. The steward had been sneaking around with a pile of them, looking terrified when he saw him.
Out of politeness, Chu Xunsheng reached out to help, asking: “What are these?”
Perhaps because his expression was too cold, the steward apologized profusely and dumped the pile of things on him, stammering: “This servant acted on his own initiative, Lord Chu, please forgive me, forgive me.”
Chu Xunsheng found it strange. The steward hung his head low, saying in apparent agony: “These were sent by various officials upon hearing that Lord Chu had returned safely.”
He kept his head buried low, feeling deeply ashamed.
The Young Master instigated this! It’s not like I wanted to destroy Lord Chu’s letters!
Chu Xunsheng froze. After looking at the steward’s guilt-ridden face, his heart brightened, and he understood.
Oh, what a good steward. He must have feared I would be hurt by these people’s cold, kicking-you-while-you’re-down remarks, which is why he wanted to destroy them.
Chu Xunsheng nodded secretly and said softly: “No matter, I’ll take them back.”
With that, he picked up the stack of papers and turned toward the study.
He never noticed the steward’s heartbroken expression behind him.
“Willing to serve Lord Chu in person at the estate,” “If I could share a prison cell with Lord Chu, I’d be willing to stay until the end of time,” and even some unspeakable, filthy language…
Lord Chu, don’t read them! The Young Master will kill me!
Chu Xunsheng tossed the letters on the desk as he entered the study. The Emperor had glanced at them briefly upon entering, his expression darkening instantly.
After he left, Chu Xunsheng remembered the pile of things and pulled one out at random.
The beginning read:
“How is Lord Chu doing in the Court of Judicial Review? Did you suffer any injuries?”
Oh, gloating insults.
Chu Xunsheng continued reading: “I heard the news at the estate. I haven’t been able to eat or sleep, and I even went to the Court of Judicial Review hoping to see Lord Chu, but that bastard guard wouldn’t let me in…”
Hmm? Being unhappy with gloating at home, they wanted to see the misery in person?
Sigh, how the world has declined.
Assuming the rest of the content was much the same, Chu Xunsheng didn’t look closely, giving it only a casual glance.
One sentence caught his attention: “His Majesty will soon travel to the palace for ancestral rites. I hope to share the same carriage as Lord Chu.”
Chu Xunsheng automatically ignored the second half of the sentence, focusing his attention on the ancestral rites.
When the Emperor traveled for ancestral rites, he was usually under heavy guard, accompanied by hundreds of officials and soldiers. The defenses were impregnable.
Attempting anything during that time would clearly be unwise.
However, correspondingly, the imperial palace would be lightly guarded, which was likely the best time to prepare.
Chu Xunsheng’s eyes lit up. He hurriedly ordered for Ji Jing, and the two of them discussed the details, immediately finalizing their plan.
First, the palace gates would be locked after the Emperor’s party departed. They had to infiltrate the palace after the Emperor left but before the gates were fully secured, and wait until the imperial party was completely gone before coordinating from the inside.
However…
Ji Jing frowned: “Ji Yan is suspicious and deep-scheming. We must ensure his attention remains diverted away from the palace gates.”
Chu Xunsheng coughed a few times and said: “No worries, I can handle that part.”
Ji Jing looked at him deeply but didn’t press for further details.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Uncle. Next…”
Amidst their intense preparations, the day of the ancestral rites arrived as scheduled.
Ji Jing claimed illness and remained in the capital, while Chu Xunsheng traveled with the Emperor to the Lishan Palace.
It was still early in the morning, and the scorching sun was already bright. Soldiers in black armor and swords had long been lined up neatly in front of the palace gates.
They were spread out in a semi-circle, with the Emperor’s carriage in the middle, roughly the size of a bedroom, extremely luxurious and opulent. The curtains of the carriage were not drawn but tied to the side.
Ji Yan sat in the luxurious carriage, wearing a black cloak with an expressionless face. The golden mask revealed a sense of coldness. He sat there, looking out through the partially open curtain, lost in thought.
The Emperor’s authority was fully exposed at this moment; everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the Son of Heaven.
Chu Xunsheng watched his every move with a bit of nervousness from a distance behind him.
With only a few moments left before the palace gates closed, a soldier who didn’t seem noteworthy passed through quickly, head bowed.
Chu Xunsheng stared at him with trepidation. Just as he was about to sigh in relief, seeing the man was about to enter, he noticed the Emperor in the carriage suddenly stiffen, his gaze fixing on the bowing figure moving against the grain.
!!!
Chu Xunsheng’s heart skipped a beat. Looking through the curtain, he saw the Emperor furrow his brows, seemingly about to stand up and call someone over.
He immediately hurried forward and lifted the carriage curtain.
The Emperor sitting inside had just noticed a stealthy figure and was about to call someone to inquire, when the light in front of him brightened. The carriage curtain was lifted by a hand with distinct joints and visible veins.
Hmm?
The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly. Who dared to enter the Emperor’s seat so directly?
An incomparably familiar, handsome face appeared before his eyes, smiling: “Your Majesty, my carriage has broken down. May I share a ride with Your Majesty?”