Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Scattered red marks adorned his exposed shoulders and neck, his hair a disheveled mess, he huddled up listening to the Crown Prince's raging tantrum outside the chamber, clutching himself tighter, on the verge of tears.

He could not comprehend why the Crown Prince, who had always treated him kindly, would subject him to such an ordeal.

Fortunately, the informant's interruption spared him from the Prince's continued intentions.

Xiujin felt a mixture of relief and grievance in his heart. As the commotion outside subsided slightly, he cautiously crept to the edge of the bed, reaching for his garments scattered on the floor.

He swiftly dressed himself, and as he was fastening his sash, the Crown Prince returned to the inner chamber.

Xiu Jin trembled in fright, tears threatening to fall as he pleaded, "Your Highness, we are both men, this is not proper."

The Crown Prince’s eyes were dark with a surge of desire. He gripped Xiu Jin's shoulders, struggling to contain his anger so as not to frighten him, "Xiao Jin, my actions today were impulsive, blinded by anger. But do you realize how frightened I was when I heard you were in trouble? If I had been a moment later, if the Emperor had been a bit more ruthless, I might never have seen you again!"

He clenched Xiu Jin’s shoulders tightly, as if wishing he could leave the imprint of his grasp on his bones.

Xiu Jin whimpered softly in pain, tears that could no longer be held back streamed down his face as he begged softly for mercy, "I realize my mistake, Your Highness, it hurts..." Fear of the Crown Prince began to take root in his heart.

He thought of leaving the palace.

In the palace, rules were everywhere, and the slightest misstep could lead to punishment; he was so afraid.

Had he known it would be like this, he would never have agreed to come to the Eastern Palace with His Highness the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was unaware of Xiu Jin’s desire to flee. His emotions stabilizing, he softened his voice and released his grip, then wrapped his arms from behind around Xiu Jin's waist, drawing him into an embrace, "Xiu Jin, there is nothing wrong with a union between men. When I ascend the throne, you will be my Empress..."

Xiu Jin shuddered, growing even more afraid.

He didn't want to, didn't want to spend his life in this palace.

He had to get out, to seek the help of Du Ru'an or someone else.

……

The incident with the heir falling into the water had come to a close.

The Xue family adopted a strategy of advancing by retreating, and now the Emperor could not bring himself to order Xue Hongwen to go to Dingzhou to suppress bandits. Thus, following the advice of the court officials, Du Ru'an was dispatched to negotiate a settlement, with Xue Hongwen leading the troops to escort him.

The departure was scheduled for the end of April.

When Xue Fuguang learned that the Dingzhou matter was settled, he felt relieved but still uneasy.

Without accompanying his elder brother, he couldn't be sure that the storyline wouldn't result in an arrow piercing his brother’s chest; only by watching over him could he be at ease.

Moreover... if they were to overthrow the Ming family, toppling just the Crown Prince would not be enough.

He needed to have troops at his command.

It couldn't be his brother’s troops from the north; it had to be an army he raised himself.

The bandits in Dingzhou were numerous and not without their share of outstanding talents; if they could be brought under his command, they would be a significant asset.

Moreover, this place was a complex mix, and any moves he made would be hard to detect from the capital.

But his elder brother would never agree to let him go along.

As for Du Ru'an... he could not be relied upon for the time being.

While Xue Fuguang was still pondering how to make his way to Dingzhou, Mu Jian Shu returned, shouldering a man in a sack.

Xue Fuguang: "...?"

He blinked, only to see Mu Jian Shu tip out a person from the sack, whose innocent and naive face he recognized all too well.

Who else could it be but Xiu Jin?

Xue Fuguang was speechless for a moment before holding his forehead and asking, "Where did you capture him from?"

Mu Jian Shu had no sympathy for the fairer sex; after showing Xiu Jin to Xue Fuguang briefly, he stuffed him back into the sack and replied softly, "He sneaked out of the palace with a few eunuchs and went to the Du residence. I brought him back."

Xiu Jin was still unconscious.

After pondering for a while, Xue Fuguang suddenly had an idea: "Lock him up and don't starve him. Make sure he doesn’t find out who captured him."

Xiu Jin's escape from the palace was within Xue Fuguang’s expectations, just not so soon.

It seemed the Crown Prince's patience was even shorter than he thought, to have so quickly agitated Xiu Jin.

Xiu Jin was unwilling, and even for the Crown Prince, the "protagonist," paths must yield for him.

With Xiu Jin gone, the Crown Prince was furious, but the search had to be conducted in secret, without even letting the Emperor catch wind of it.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to ensure that the Emperor's men wouldn’t find Xiu Jin before he did. If they did, they would surely execute him on the spot, thereby eliminating any influence he might have on the heir apparent.

By then, even if the Crown Prince wanted to save Xiu Jin’s life, he would be powerless to do so.

However, a secret search also meant that the progress of the search would be exceedingly slow.

For Xue Fuguang to take Xiu Jin away was almost without difficulty.

……

Xue Hongwen was busy marshaling his troops for the march to Dingzhou.

Situated at the southern tip of the Jing Kingdom, bordering the Ying Dynasty, their expedition to Dingzhou required thorough preparation.

Besides, the journey would take at least half a month, if not a full one. Arriving near the peak of the hot season, they would contend with intense humidity and frequent thunderstorms, complicating their affairs.

Without complete readiness, the campaign to subdue the chaos in Dingzhou could falter, and the soldiers might suffer greatly.

Shao Jing was also instructed by Xue Fuguang to surreptitiously procure various medicinal herbs for repelling insects and combating the heat in preparation for the journey to Dingzhou.

On the third day after capturing Xiu Jin, Xue Fuguang stepped out to meet Du Ru'an.

Du Ru'an cut straight to the point: "What's your plan moving forward? Don't forget, it's Xiu Jin I want. The Crown Prince is but an inevitable hindrance, not my objective."

Xue Fuguang leaned against the window, resting on the ebony sill, with a slight smile.

The bright daylight fell on his face, rendering him like a finely sculpted beauty out of jade and stone, his splendor brilliantly dazzling.

His moon-white garments enshrouded him like a mist of pale blue in the moonlit night, ethereal as an immortal.

But in the next moment, the celestial youth's light smile turned mocking, his elongated phoenix eyes holding a jesting gaze, as if watching a jester.

His eyebrows arched high as he retorted: "Is that so? Unexpectedly, Master Du is such a peaceable person. If I may, why bother contending with the Crown Prince? It would seem more fitting for you to grovel and beg at his feet, to share a slice of his favor."

Du Ru'an clenched his teeth. Xue Fuguang's sharp tongue had always managed to rile him with ease.

After his taunt, Xue Fuguang casually picked up his teacup, took a sip, and nonchalantly inquired, "What about me? Master Du covets Xiu Jin, but do you understand Xiu Jin's feelings towards the Crown Prince, and his feelings towards you? If he prefers the Crown Prince's company, what then will you do, Master Du? Fight tooth and nail, only to yield him to another?"

Du Ru'an was momentarily at a loss for words, then said, "Xiu Jin is not a person to covet wealth and status."

Xue Fuguang couldn't help but laugh: "I never suggested Xiu Jin is a seeker of wealth. Can't Master Du offer riches and grandeur just the same?"

He set the cup back on the table with a light "click," and a long silence fell between the two.

After a while, Du Ru'an asserted, "I've said it before, I want him." His tone resolute.

Xue Fuguang's mood lifted, and he responded with satisfaction, "That's good to hear. As long as Master Du's objective remains unchanged and steadfast, I will naturally assist you to success. Thus, I hope Master Du will avoid succumbing to the impatience of the moment, for the only way to succeed in all endeavors is to proceed step by step."

Smoothing his sleeve, he stood up: "Master Du should prepare for the affairs of Dingzhou. Who knows, perhaps at that time, you may encounter the one you wish to see?"

Before Du Ru'an could press further, Xue Fuguang took his leave from the private chamber.

As he hadn't yet descended the stairs, a servant halted him: "My lord, a guest in one of the private rooms requests the honor of your company."

Author's note: Good night, everyone~

A heartfelt thank you to the angels who cast their King's votes or nourished my work with nutrient solutions during the period of September 26, 2021, 23:58:38 to September 27, 2021, 23:50:36~

Thanks to the angels who provided nutrient solutions: Xu Qu, Ban Yu rua 5 bottles;

Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!