The next day, Gu Weizhou was awakened by a flurry of loud noises and pained screams coming from outside his door.
He frowned and sat up. When he turned his head he found that Jiang Jingyue, who had been sleeping on a small bed not far from his own, was nowhere to be found. Gu Weizhou’s face changed instantly.
Where is he?!
Just then, a chillingly familiar voice echoed from outside, “Catch him and tie him up! Today, this prince wants to test a new form of punishment.”
Hearing that voice, Gu Weizhou couldn’t help but touch his forehead. Why had Jiang Huaijin come here so early in the morning?
Knowing that Jiang Huaijin had arrived, Gu Weizhou also knew that Jiang Jingyue must be outside. He didn’t need to guess to know what was happening. Thinking about Jiang Huaijin’s earlier words, he didn’t even bother to wash up. He threw on a robe, strode to the door, and opened it. As expected, he was greeted by a scene of utter chaos.
Jiang Jingyue, covered in blood, was surrounded by Jiang Huaijin and numerous eunuchs wielding weapons.
Perhaps hearing the door open, Jiang Huaijin abruptly looked up and saw Gu Weizhou standing there in only his inner garments. He immediately yelled at the crowd, “Everyone, close your damned eyes! Anyone who dares to peek will have their eyes gouged out by this prince.”
Upon hearing this, everyone promptly fell to their knees, their heads touching the ground, fearing that Jiang Huaijin would really gouge out their eyes.
With no one pursuing him anymore, Jiang Jingyue immediately darted to Gu Weizhou’s side. Like an obedient large dog, he squatted at Gu Weizhou’s feet.
In just a glance, Gu Weizhou assessed the injuries on Jiang Jingyue’s head and body. Acting as an ideal teacher, his face instantly turned cold.
“Qingli…” Jiang Huaijin said, looking eagerly toward the door. But when he saw Gu Weizhou’s icy expression, he swallowed whatever he was about to say.
He’s angry again╥﹏╥
Ignoring whatever Jiang Huaijin might be thinking, Gu Weizhou beckoned Jiang Jingyue into the room. Just as Jiang Huaijin lifted his foot to follow them, Gu Weizhou slammed the door shut with a ‘bang.’
Turning around, Gu Weizhou saw Jiang Jingyue looking at him with aggrieved eyes, like a child who had done something wrong, cautiously tugging at the hem of his robe. “…Master, he was the one who started it.”
Knowing Jiang Huaijin’s temperament, Gu Weizhou could guess as much. However, seeing Jiang Jingyue—clearly someone who had some martial arts skills—beaten into such a pitiful state by a group of puny eunuchs, he felt an indescribable irritation.
But even if he was irritated, he knew it wasn’t Jiang Jingyue’s fault.
“Sit down.” After curtly instructing him, he walked over to fetch some medical supplies.
Sitting obediently on a stool, Jiang Jingyue’s heart warmed as he watched Gu Weizhou reach for the medicine. Uncontrollable affection welled up in his eyes.
He knew that his master couldn’t bear to see him hurt.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Actually, there was no need for Jiang Jingyue to be so disheveled. However, he was anxious, and considering the past moments when Gu Weizhou had carefully applied medicine on him, a voice in his heart tempted him irresistibly.
If the injury is a bit more serious, perhaps he’ll feel sorry for me, and perhaps he’ll apply medicine to my wounds again.
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That slender waist, which he had held more than once, was for the first time fully revealed to him, with its elegantly curved contours. Staring at that tempting curve, for some unknown reason, a sort of inexplicable restlessness started to churn throughout Jiang Jingyue’s body.
The feeling was like, like…
Staring at the man’s waist, he unconsciously swallowed, his throat a bit dry.
Like… he wanted to pounce on him and take a couple of bites.
“What’s wrong? Why are you sweating so much?” Gu Weizhou, having found the medicine, turned around to see the boy by the table whose forehead was now covered in sweat. Almost reflexively, he reached out to touch the boy’s forehead.
The slightly cool temperature on his forehead jolted Jiang Jingyue as if he had been suddenly awakened from his own world. Thinking about that thought that had just passed through his mind, his face turned beet red, and he hastily took a step back.
Unexpectedly, his foot missed its mark, and he toppled over, falling flat on the ground.
Seeing this goofy sight, Gu Weizhou almost laughed but managed to hold it back. His icy demeanor would have been broken if he had laughed.
Having fallen to the ground, Jiang Jingyue was now clumsily scrambling to his feet. Remembering the rebellious thoughts he had just had, he glanced guiltily at the man beside him. Seeing the other’s expression unchanged, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness he didn’t notice.
Just as he was feeling relieved, a sudden sense of loss inexplicably filled his heart.
That strange feeling of imbalance, as if he was always paying attention to every move and expression of the other person—whether it was a frown, happiness, or tenderness, he never missed a beat. Yet today, he realized that the other person didn’t return that level of attention to him.
If only Master would care a little more about Jingyue…
Looking at the flushed and shy little brat next to him, Gu Weizhou’s face remained cold.
He was injured by Jiang Huaijing and was still blushing like this. How had he never noticed in his previous life that this brat not only had a crush on Jiang Huaijin but was also a hidden masochist?
Then there was the ‘crush’ Jiang Huaijin outside the door, who had been overlooked. Seeing that Jiang Jingyue was called in while he was left outside, his face turned from green to white in an instant. He was already displeased with Jiang Jingyue, and now that was turning into boundless hatred. This feeling of hatred skyrocketed at the sound of the gentle voice coming from within the room.
Why, why, why does he, Jiang Jingyue, deserve it?!
Ignoring the Emperor’s previous warning, Jiang Huaijin narrowed his eyes and ordered the young eunuch beside him, “Convey the command of this Prince, summon the Imperial Guards to the side hall, and kill that monster on the spot.”
Jiang Jingyue, Jiang Jingyue, I won’t let you live this time!!!
The young eunuch, trembled, knowing that this was an act of defying the Emperor. Still, he dared not disobey and ran out stumbling to convey the order.
In the Yangxin Hall, Jiang Huaiyu was reporting some state affairs to the paralyzed Emperor on the bed when a hurried eunuch arrived.
“Your…Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. The Fourth Prince has summoned the Imperial Guards to kill the new prince.”
The words had barely left his mouth when the Emperor on the dragon bed almost fainted from anger. The next second, a roar like thunder resounded in the Yangxin Hall.
“That unfilial son…! Is he trying to ruin the reputation I’ve worked so hard to build?!”
Seeing the Emperor infuriated to the point of near collapse, Jiang Huaiyu knelt down first, “Father, this matter seems strange. Although my younger brother is unruly, he wouldn’t act recklessly like this. I believe we should first stop the Imperial Guards, then investigate and assign punishment.”
Trembling, the Emperor said, “Go… go… go stop them for me and lock up that unfilial son…”
Hiding the unknown emotion in his eyes, Jiang Huaiyu respectfully responded, “Your son obeys the order.”
In the side hall, waiting for the Imperial Guards, Jiang Huaijin did not see Jiang Jingyue, who was supposed to be executed on the spot. Instead, his third brother, Jiang Huaiyu, appeared.
Upon seeing Jiang Huaiyu, Jiang Huaijin reflexively looked behind him, “Third Brother, where are the Imperial Guards? Did you stop them, you—”
“Silence!” With a hint of icy sternness, Jiang Huaiyu ordered the people around him, “Take the Fourth Prince back to his sleeping quarters and keep him under strict surveillance. He is not allowed to leave the hall without the Emperor’s permission.”
Jiang Huaijin was stunned, then immediately enraged. But before he could rush forward, a swarm of eunuchs surrounded him, lifting him up and dragging him away.
“Third Brother, Third Brother, Jiang Huaiyu, you actually sent people to capture me, Jiang Huaiyu…!”
Sensing that the voice behind him was gradually fading away, Jiang Huaiyu looked around. The place was decidedly remote and shabby.
After signaling the servants to retreat, he sat down at the only stone table under a locust tree in the courtyard.
“Would Prince Su care to meet?”
Inside the room, Gu Weizhou, who had heard all the noise, was about to open the door when someone beside him pulled him back.
Turning his head, he saw Jiang Jingyue’s worried eyes. Nodding lightly at him, Gu Weizhou pushed the door open and stepped out.
Jiang Huaiyu saw an exceptionally attractive man come into view from behind the wooden door. His eyebrows were as cold as ever, still the same as when he had seen him two days ago, elegant and noble.
Sitting around the table under the locust tree, Jiang Huaiyu picked up the tea that the servant had brought, took a sip, and said, “I’ve long heard of Prince Su’s unparalleled literary talents, but due to busy state affairs, I’ve had no time to pay attention. Upon finally meeting you today, I’m thoroughly impressed.”
“Qingli is but a mere hostage, I’m undeserving of such high praise from the Third Prince.”
Smiling softly, Jiang Huaiyu said, “In my eyes, Prince Su is no mere guilty hostage.” Looking at his side profile, as serene as the moon, he continued, “Not only are you not a guilty hostage, but you are also a future great contributor to the empire.”
[This smiling tiger must want to win me over now.]
[Win you over for what?]
[To help him seize the throne.]
[Can you actually help him seize the throne?] 001 looked disdainful and utterly unconvinced.
[No, but I can help him deal with Jiang Huaijin, the predetermined successor to the throne.]
[…] As expected, there’s never any family love in the royal palace, only endless schemes and manipulations.
Gu Weizhou lifted his eyes slightly, “I am but a mere criminal; I dare not take credit for anything. The Third Prince has found the wrong person.”
Upon hearing the rejection, the smile on Jiang Huaiyu’s face did not falter at all. He gently stroked the porcelain cup in his hands and casually said, “Prince Su seems to be quite close to that madman Jiang Jingyue. I presume it’s to repay the favor of the late Prince Shun, isn’t it?”
Gu Weizhou’s eyes flickered but he did not retort.
Seeing this, Jiang Huaiyu continued, “Given the current situation in the palace, a wise person like Prince Su must be well aware. Once… that time comes, the crazy Jiang Jingyue will inevitably lose his life. After all, some things that matter in life may not be so important after death, and I’m sure this is not an outcome that Prince Su wishes to see.”
Upon grasping what Jiang Huaiyu was hinting at, Gu Weizhou’s expression finally changed, “What are you trying to say…?”
Jiang Huaiyu’s words were not wrong at all. The paranoid Jiang Lianfeng was extremely concerned about his reputation, which is why he didn’t dare to kill Jiang Jingyue publicly. However, if Jiang Lianfeng were to die, he would surely kill Jiang Jingyue, regardless of the excuse used.
What mattered to him in life would not concern him so much in death.
After all, in Jiang Lianfeng’s eyes, Jiang Jingyue’s being alive was like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
Stirring the lid of the teacup in his hand, the smile on Jiang Huaiyu’s lips remained unchanged. He said, “I would like to make a deal with Prince Su…”
so…it’s not for lust?