Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

Looking at the panicked boy in front of him, Li Yunrui's smile deepened.

She slowly reached out, her long, slender, cool fingertips gently touching Li Chengze's cheek, tracing his contours with delicate caresses, her movements as gentle as if she were stroking a beloved piece of porcelain, or soothing a frightened pet.

"Don't be afraid."

Li Yunrui's voice became unusually gentle, with a bewitching charm, "As long as your aunt is here, no one can touch you."

She leaned slightly closer to Li Chengze's ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "You can rely on me, Chengze. As long as you are obedient and do as your aunt says... your aunt will shield you from the storms of the court. When the dust settles in the future, wherever you want to go, whatever kind of life you want to live, your aunt will grant your wish and ensure you a carefree life, a true hermit."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze's previously dim eyes instantly lit up, as if he had seen the only lighthouse in the darkness.

That light was pure and ardent, filled with unreserved trust and reliance.

"Really? Auntie!"

Like a child who had received a promise of candy, he excitedly rushed over, wrapping his arms tightly around Li Yunrui's slender waist, burying his head in her chest, his voice muffled but filled with undisguised joy:

"Aunt is so kind... In this palace, only Aunt is truly good to Chengze."

He snuggled against Li Yunrui's chest like a spoiled kitten, his tone firm yet filled with affection: "From now on, Auntie, if you have any orders, just say so! Chengze will definitely obey. If Auntie tells me to go east, I will never go west; if Auntie tells me to kill someone, I will never hand over the knife!"

Feeling the warmth of the boy in her arms and his unguarded, dependent posture, Li Yunrui's lips finally curved into a full smile.

She gently stroked Li Chengze's back.

"Chengze, you just said you wanted to live a carefree life."

Li Yunrui's voice remained gentle, but her beautiful eyes held a cold hardness. "But you must know that only the crane standing at the highest point can look down upon all living beings, and only then will no one dare to shoot it with a bow and arrow. If you were just a wild crane, any hunter could stew you and serve you with wine."

Li Chengze slowly lifted his head from Li Yunrui's embrace, blinked, and a hint of confusion and struggle flashed in his eyes: "What Auntie means is..."

"Go and fight for it."

Li Yunrui parted her red lips slightly, uttering two words with a resounding, metallic force: "Since His Majesty has pushed you forward, then go with the flow. Go and contend with the Crown Prince. Take all the power you can control into your own hands."

She leaned slightly forward, her forehead almost touching Li Chengze's, and said softly, "Don't worry, I will help you in the court, and I will also secretly support you in terms of wealth and power. You just need to stand tall and compete with the Crown Prince."

Li Chengze's pupils contracted slightly, then he seemed to have made some great decision.

He took a deep breath, and the weak and helpless look in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a resolute determination born of "protection".

"I see."

He slowly stepped back from Li Yunrui's embrace, knelt before the bed, and solemnly bowed, his tone firm: "For my aunt's sake, and for my own, Chengze will never back down again. Since the Crown Prince cannot tolerate me, then I will show him that I, Li Chengze, am not a soft persimmon to be kneaded."

Li Yunrui smiled with satisfaction, her laughter shaking her head.

……

The Imperial Study.

Emperor Qing, dressed in a loose white robe with his hair unbound, sat at a table, holding an unknown metal fragment in his hand, carefully polishing an arrowhead.

The ear-piercing friction sound echoed in the empty hall, each sound feeling like it was grinding against one's heart.

"I heard the second son went to Guangxin Palace again?"

Emperor Qing didn't even look up, his tone as indifferent as if he were asking about today's weather.

Eunuch Hou stood bowing low to the side, his forehead beaded with cold sweat. He carefully considered every word, afraid that any remark might offend the emperor.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince did indeed go to the Eldest Princess's residence. He stayed there for about an hour."

"Oh?" Emperor Qing blew on the iron filings on the arrowhead, held it up to the candlelight, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "What do you think those two, aunt and niece, would talk about when they're together?"

This is a question that could cost you your life.

Eunuch Hou's heart skipped a beat, and he knelt down with a thud. His voice trembled, but he tried his best to keep it steady: "Your Majesty, this old servant... this old servant dares not speak presumptuously. I think... I think that since the Second Prince has been close to the Eldest Princess since childhood, perhaps he went to the Eldest Princess to... perhaps he wanted to reminisce about their aunt-niece relationship."

"Catch up? Ask for advice?"

Emperor Qing chuckled and casually tossed the arrow in his hand onto the table, making a crisp "clang" sound.

"I know Yunrui's personality. She's a madwoman. The second son... is a smart child, but unfortunately, smart people are often easily led astray by madmen."

Emperor Qing stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and looked at the deep night outside. His eyes were deep and unfathomable. "So be it. Since I have set up the stage, I must let people continue the show. If they can't even withstand this little storm, then I'd rather not have this sword."

Grandpa Hou knelt on the ground, burying his head even lower, not daring to breathe.

Back at the Second Prince's residence.

Li Chengze walked straight to the study, his steps light and quick, showing no trace of the heaviness or hesitation he displayed in front of the Princess.

When he reached the door of the study, he paused slightly and glanced at Xie Bi'an, the swift swordsman who had been silently following behind him.

"Bi'an, stand guard at the door."

"No one is allowed to come near."

Xie Bi'an remained expressionless, merely slightly cupping his sword and bowing. With a flash, he stood outside the door like a statue, radiating an aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Squeak—"

The door was closed, completely isolating the room from all the noise and prying eyes from the outside world.

Li Chengze casually ripped off his outer robe and threw it on the soft couch beside him. Then, he skillfully took off his shoes and squatted down on the large armchair without any regard for his image.

At that moment, the weak boy who had sought refuge in the princess's arms disappeared.

He reached into the fruit bowl on the table and grabbed a golden orange. His slender fingers deftly peeled the orange, and a refreshing orange scent immediately filled the air.

"Auntie, oh Auntie..."

Li Chengze broke off a segment of orange and put it in his mouth, chewing it gently. The sweet juice burst in his mouth, but the glint in his eyes was even more intense than the juice. He thought to himself, "With Li Yunrui standing behind me, it's not a bad opportunity for me to fight for it. By taking advantage of Emperor Qing and the Eldest Princess's influence, I can have a big showdown with my younger brother, the Crown Prince, in court. If word gets out, I'll definitely gain a lot of reputation points."

He swallowed the orange pulp, then casually tossed the peel into the air-filled wastebasket, where it landed perfectly.

"Little brother, don't blame me for being heartless."

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