son, don't mess around

It was early morning and the sky was dim.

There was a heavy rain in Beijing in the late night last night. The late autumn rain mixed with the cold wind and the temperature outside dropped sharply when I got up early this morning.

Outside the courtyard, Xiaoyue wrapped herself in her new coat and couldn't help but breathe out twice, with hot air lingering in the air.

The weather changes so suddenly. It was fine yesterday, but suddenly it rained heavily and the weather turned cold.

It looks like winter is coming.

Xiaoyue felt emotional as she walked into the courtyard as usual and began her busy daily routine.

As the young lady's personal maid, Xiaoyue is responsible for taking care of the young lady's daily life. Although she is young, she has great prestige among the servants in the Zhao Mansion and is extremely skillful in her work.

While she was directing the maids in the courtyard to make preparations for taking care of the young lady's daily life in an orderly manner, she was also preparing the breakfast that the young lady liked.

In the backyard of the Zhao Mansion, the maids and servants were as busy as usual.

Then, Xiaoyue came to the lady's room at the usual time and waited quietly.

My young lady lives a very regular life. She gets up around noon every day, washes, eats, and changes clothes, almost without fail.

But today, it was already past noon, and there was still no movement in the young lady's room. Although Xiaoyue was a little confused, she did not urge her.

After all, it's normal for your young lady to be lazy occasionally.

But today, for some reason, Xiaoyue had been waiting outside the door for almost an hour, but there was still no movement in the lady's room.

Miss, haven't you gotten up yet?
what is it today?
Xiaoyue couldn't help but feel a little strange and worried. Why hasn't the young lady gotten up yet at this time today?
Just as Xiaoyue, who was sitting under the eaves, was hesitating whether to knock on the door to wake up the young lady, there was finally movement in the room which had been quiet all the time.

The door slowly opened.

"Miss?!"

Xiaoyue looked up in surprise and walked forward, but the next second, the smile on her face froze.

Then he looked stunned: "Your Highness?!"

Lin Jiangnian's figure appeared in Xiaoyue's sight.

Lin Jiangnian, who was dressed neatly, was just coming out of Zhao Xi's room. Seeing Xiaoyue at the door, he gave her a kind smile: "Xiaoyue, good morning!"

The sunny smile, handsome appearance, and extraordinary temperament made Xiaoyue stunned for a moment, and she didn't react for a long time.

"morning……"

Xiaoyue spoke subconsciously, but soon realized that something was wrong.

No, why did His Highness come out of the young lady's room again?
It was like this yesterday and like this today?
But Xiaoyue clearly remembered that she had been waiting outside last night until midnight but did not see His Highness come back to look for the young lady?

When did His Highness come? How come she didn't know anything about it?
Xiaoyue was a little confused, but soon realized. So, His Highness spent last night in the lady's room again?

Sleeping together again?

...No wonder the lady hasn’t gotten up today!
Xiaoyue, whose mind suddenly filled with many thoughts, blushed, lowered her head, and cautiously probed: "Your Highness, where is my lady?"

As she spoke, Xiaoyue couldn't help but glance secretly into the room.

"Your young lady hasn't gotten up yet, let her rest for a while."

Lin Jiangnian was very tired last night, so he was naturally not affected. However, Zhao Xi did not know martial arts, so his physical fitness was naturally not as good as Lin Jiangnian's.

Look, you've given in!

Last night she was very stubborn at first and refused to admit defeat, but later she became obedient and honestly begged for mercy and admitted her mistake.

In the end, Lin Jiangnian won a great victory.

In this regard, Lin Jiangnian is experienced and specializes in dealing with people who are stubborn.

It was not until dawn this morning that the exhausted Zhao Xi fell into a deep sleep and is now sleeping soundly.

Lin Jiangnian specifically told Xiaoyue outside the door not to disturb Zhao Xi's rest, and mentioned that he had to go out to do something and was not sure when he would be back, so he asked her to wait for Zhao Xi to wake up and then tell him.

After giving the instructions, he left.

After Lin Jiangnian left, Xiaoyue stood at the door of the young lady's room, her face full of confusion, but she couldn't help but secretly glance into the room out of curiosity.

His Highness told her not to disturb the young lady's rest, but she couldn't help but be curious. Looking at the situation, was it not very intense last night?
Just as Xiaoyue was hesitating at the door for a while, a weak voice suddenly came from the room.

"Xiaoyue?"

"Miss?!"

Xiaoyue immediately raised her eyes and said in surprise: "Miss, you are awake?!"

"come in."

Zhao Xi's voice was very soft and a little hoarse, as if he had used it too much.

Xiaoyue then quickly walked into the room, secretly looking around, trying to find some clues.

However, everything around was normal, without any traces. It was not until Xiaoyue walked behind the screen and in front of the young lady's bed that she saw her young lady was weak, curled up and sitting up, looking a little weak.

There was a strange smell in the air.

Xiaoyue couldn't describe it.

The lady in sight was curled up on the bed, wrapped in a quilt that covered her body. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes were dazed, but her delicate face was rosy.

This is right!

Xiaoyue felt emotional.

Yesterday, my young lady was normal, with no signs of any kind, which made Xiaoyue wonder if His Highness was not well. Today, the young lady's behavior was the way it should have been.

Judging from the situation, last night's 'battle' was probably more intense than she imagined.

"Miss……"

Seeing this scene, Xiaoyue felt shy and excited. She couldn't help but quietly move closer and asked in a low voice: "Miss, are you okay?"

"how do you feel?"

"...does it hurt?"

"Xiao Yue!"

Zhao Xi raised his eyes and glared at her, blushing and gritting his teeth.

Xiaoyue quickly apologized and smiled: "Miss, isn't this just my curiosity?"

As she spoke, Xiaoyue couldn't help but glance around: "So, Miss, you and His Highness really had...?"

Hearing Xiaoyue's question, Zhao Xi couldn't suppress the shame in his heart.

Her face turned red.

Even she herself didn't know what she did last night.

It just feels crazy!

How could she do such a crazy thing!

This made Zhao Xi very angry, especially because that bastard had deliberately bullied her last night and asked her to beg for mercy. But she herself was not so good as to beg for mercy!
Is that still her?
How could I be so shameless? !
Zhao Xi's face was flushed, it turned out that she had woken up a long time ago, but had been pretending to be asleep, not knowing how to face that guy.

After last night, she had to face reality. What if that bastard took the opportunity to laugh at her?
Even the most rational woman can easily become anxious and worried when she experiences this for the first time.

Zhao Xi is in such a state at the moment!
Lin Jiangnian stood up and left, giving Zhao Xi some time to calm down. Facing Xiaoyue's curious question, Zhao Xi blushed slightly, but still nodded.

Xiaoyue's eyes sparkled. Just as she was about to ask for more details, Zhao Xi glanced outside the door and asked, "Where did he go?"

"His Highness said he had to go out for a while to do some things."

Zhao Xi seemed to be thinking about something. She did not ask the guy what he was doing, but just asked: "What else did he say?"

"His Highness said he might come back later, but he's not sure when."

Xiaoyue repeated the instructions given by His Highness just now.

"Humph, he runs fast!" Although Lin Jiangnian was not there, which saved her from the embarrassing and shameful situation, Zhao Xi still had to scold him behind his back when that guy left her behind.

"By the way, don't tell anyone about this."

Zhao Xi thought of something else and warned Xiaoyue: "Don't let anyone know that he was here."

Xiaoyue knew what was going on, and patted her chest to assure him, "Don't worry, young lady. I'm the most tight-lipped person!"

Zhao Xi finally felt relieved, but then he felt a little sticky and uncomfortable.

"Go get some hot water. I want to take a shower."

Zhao Xi blushed slightly, gritted her teeth and struggled to get up from the bed.

As soon as she moved, a pain came over her and Zhao Xi's delicate body trembled slightly.

"Miss?!"

Xiaoyue hurried forward to help him, while Zhao Xi bit her lower lip, her beautiful eyes annoyed and said: "That bastard..."

Xiaoyue naturally figured out what was going on?

Judging from the situation, my young lady was tortured pretty badly by His Highness last night?

Your Highness is so amazing!

After making sure that the young lady was fine, Xiaoyue immediately leaned over to the young lady's ear and whispered with a smile: "Miss, it's okay. When His Highness comes back, you can teach His Highness a lesson..."

"It would be best to squeeze His Highness dry, let Him know how powerful you are, and avenge Him..."

"Xiao Yue?!"

Zhao Xi immediately raised his voice, angry and embarrassed.

"Miss, I was wrong!!"

"..."

Early morning hours.

The palace is wide open.

A black-robed figure rode alone to the outside of the palace gate on horseback, entered the palace unhindered through the South Gate Forbidden Army, and walked quickly all the way to the Yangxin Palace.

"His Majesty!"

Inside the palace.

The chief eunuch who was taking care of the emperor spoke cautiously: "The head of the Secret Heaven Division, Chen Changqing, wants to see you."

In the Yangxin Palace, Li Qining's face turned pale. He slowly raised his eyes and waved his hand: "Let him in."

"Yes!"

Not long after, Chen Changqing, dressed in a black robe and looking heroic, walked into the Yangxin Palace with an expressionless face.

He did not look away, but walked forward quickly and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

"Chen Aiqing, please stand up."

Li Ci Ning's voice was calm and his tone was gentle.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Chen Changqing stood up and reported without looking away: "According to your majesty's instructions, I have recently sent people to secretly investigate inside and outside the capital and captured a large number of spies from the rebels of Prince Xu's Mansion in the north. At the same time, I have also found that many officials in the capital are involved with the rebels of Prince Xu's Mansion. Please take a look, Your Majesty!"

As he spoke, Chen Changqing handed over the intelligence he had already collected and prepared. The chief eunuch took it and presented it to Li Ci Ning.

Li Ci Ning looked calmly as he flipped through the information on the table in silence.

The hall fell into an eerie silence. There was no sound except for the sound of Li Ci Ning flipping through the intelligence.

An oppressive atmosphere continued to permeate the hall.

After a long time, Li Ci Ning covered the information in his hand.

"You are indeed my good subject and my good citizen!"

Li Ci Ning's voice was low and there was a hint of coldness in his tone. The pressure made it difficult to breathe in an instant.

Chen Changqing lowered his head and said nothing.

Li Ci Ning narrowed his eyes and looked unhappy.

Since Xu Hong started his rebellion, the situation in the capital has not been optimistic. Many officials and noble families have secretly had connections with the North. However, Li Ci Ning did not expect that there were so many officials who had contact with Xu Hong behind the scenes.

There were countless double-dealers in the entire court. On the one hand, they were loyal to him, while on the other hand, they were secretly in contact with the north.

What's more, the secret investigation by the Secret Department revealed that many officials were secretly leaking intelligence in the capital to Prince Xu's palace.

"Your Majesty, calm down. Your health is more important!"

The chief eunuch at the side spoke with a worried look on his face.

Li Qining took a deep breath, waved his hand, then lowered his eyes and looked at His Highness Chen Changqing: "Lord Chen, this matter will be fully under your charge."

Li Ci Ning glanced at the information on the table and spoke in a low voice.

"Catch those who should be arrested, and kill those who should be killed!"

Li Ci Ning rarely showed such a cold side. Since he ascended the throne, he has always adopted a conciliatory policy to divide and win over various forces in the court. Although there were many officials implicated in the case of the third prince and their entire families were executed, compared to those iron-blooded emperors, his methods were still much more merciful.

But now, facing a critical moment of life and death, as an emperor, he should no longer be merciful.

Your Highness, Chen Changqing instantly understood the will of heaven, lowered his eyes, and said in a low and firm tone: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will live up to your trust!"

After saying that, Chen Changqing stood up and prepared to leave respectfully.

Just as he was about to leave, Li Ci Ning stopped him again.

"Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"

Li Ci Ning's eyes fell on him, looking at him calmly.

But for some reason, Chen Changqing felt that these eyes were extremely sharp, and that seemingly gentle gaze contained deep meaning.

Chen Changqing looked calm. As the head of the Secret Heaven Division, he was now the emperor's favorite and favored, and was also the subordinate who had the most contact with the emperor.

There were rumors that the emperor was weak and incapable of taking on important tasks. But in Chen Changqing's opinion, although the emperor was gentle, he was by no means an incompetent ruler.

At this moment, for some reason, Chen Changqing felt something unusual in his heart.

After a while, Li Qining slowly withdrew his gaze and said calmly: "My dear Chen, besides this, is there any other movement in the capital recently?"

Chen Changqing said: "Now there are rumors all over the capital, but the people are still stable. I have sent people to lurk in the public opinion. If there are any people who are wanton and rebellious, I will capture them as soon as possible. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"I am very pleased that Lord Chen is loyal to me." Li Ci Ning said with emotion.

"It is the duty of your Majesty to share your worries."

Li Qining smiled and said, "If everyone could be as loyal as Chen Aiqing, why would I worry about the rebellion of the traitors in the north?"

He spoke with emotion, praising Chen Changqing's loyalty.

But the more this happened, the more Chen Changqing felt something was wrong.

This emperor seems to have something else to say?
Sure enough, after praising Chen Changqing, the emperor in front of the palace suddenly mentioned it casually as if inadvertently.

"I heard that the Prince of Lin from the Xu Palace in the south has come to the capital from the north these days?"

"I wonder if Mr. Chen knows about this?!"

As soon as these words came out, Chen Changqing's heart trembled suddenly. When he raised his eyes, in front of the palace, the young emperor wearing a dragon robe was looking at him gently with a smile on his face.

But a huge wave suddenly arose in Chen Changqing's heart.

...(End of chapter)