Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Xie Qingfeng, massaging his temples: "What are you doing?"

Jing Xi, pitifully placing boxes while sighing: "These chests of gold and jewels were originally prepared for the National Teacher. Now that the time has come for us to part, I will leave once I've set down the gold and jewels intended for you."

Xie Qingfeng laughed in exasperation: "Do you really think I'm that foolish?"

If he accepted these, the more he calculated, the more confused the account would become.

Jing Xi: "The national master sacrificed himself for the country, and should not have had to endure all this. The rebellion led by the regent was targeted at me, at the Jing royal family. Now, these external possessions are rightfully what the national master deserves."

Jing Xi spoke with such candor that, had Xie Qingfeng not known his devious intentions, he might have actually believed him.

Xie Qingfeng pointed at Jing Xi, who was still taking out gold, "Fine, keep going, see if you can fill up this living room. I wonder if someone will eventually discover and dissect me for research."

Jing Xi paused in his actions.

Xie Qingfeng: "Put the boxes away. In the future..." He hesitated, especially seeing the person nearby, whose face was abnormally red due to illness, with bloodshot eyes, looking pitifully in his direction, making it hard for him to utter his decisive words.

Jing Xi said, "If the national master is worried about my survival in this timeline, there's no need. In the time I've spent with you, I've almost learned to read, and daily life is not a problem. As Jing Mianfeng, an actor, entering the industry and acting will take care of my livelihood. I've never acted before, so I don't know if I'll be exposed, but it's okay. Liang Chenglei thinks I have a split personality, so I can continue pretending to be another persona."

Xie Qingfeng looked at Jing Xi, who sounded like he was making a final testament, "...Don't think I don't know you're just playing the victim."

Jing Xi continued softly, "Please keep these things without feeling indebted, as they are rightfully yours. My life was also saved by you. If it weren't for the national master, I might have died in the cold palace as a child. Later, when I became a prince and you the disciple of the old national master, we could have continued to accompany each other in the palace. Back then, you were my only friend there. Unfortunately, because of the imperial mandate, you were confined...”

Xie Qingfeng listened to Jing Xi's faint voice, recalling the past.

He remembered his nonchalant retreat, but for the young prince just out of the cold palace, it was like a lamb entering a wolf's den.

Without external family protection, being the so-called true imperial heir, the hardships he endured to survive were unimaginable to Xie Qingfeng.

But back then, Xie Qingfeng was just a child himself, unable to foresee such a long-term view.

It was only after spending more time in the palace, being protected, that he witnessed the cruelty within its walls.

By the time he realized the unspeakable truths beneath the riches and glory of the palace, Jing Xi had already grown into a prince capable of standing on his own.

Then there was the young emperor...

Xie Qingfeng had thought the old emperor treated him differently, so perhaps he was just overthinking, until he later heard that Jing Xi only wore black clothes to hide any bloodstains.

He knew that even if he turned a blind eye, he had to admit, he had saved Jing Xi back then.

But in doing so, he had pushed him from one wolf's den to another.

Xie Qingfeng looked at him deeply, "Put these things away."

Jing Xi glanced at him without a word, only covering his mouth to cough.

Xie Qingfeng almost couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Put the things away and contact Agent Liang to transfer the shares originally signed under my name back to you."

Jing Xi opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Xie Qingfeng's raised hand.

Xie Qingfeng: "You have half a month. Once everything is settled, you can leave."

Jing Xi, seeing the solemnity in Xie Qingfeng's eyes, knew this was an ultimatum, but thinking of the half-month period, he suppressed the intense pounding in his heart, looking at him pitifully, "National Master..."

Xie Qingfeng glanced at him sideways.

Jing Xi sighed, "Alright then."

At least there was half a month left. If he could get the national master's forgiveness during this time, did it mean there was still a chance to turn things around?

Jing Xi honestly began repacking the boxes of gold, and after finishing, he approached tentatively, "Are you sure you don't want them, National Master? A box of gold is quite valuable, and Agent Liang has channels to exchange it for money."

Xie Qingfeng looked at him expressionlessly, "I'm tired."

Jing Xi, catching the underlying message to leave, dared not speak more, fearing Xie Qingfeng might change his mind.

Hao Jixin had been listening to the commotion. As Jing Xi came out, he poked his head out, "How did it go? Did the master calm down?"

Jing Xi glanced at him, covering his mouth as he coughed desperately, coughing so pitifully that even Hao Jixin felt sorry for him. After struggling to suppress the cough, he lowered his voice, "I did something wrong. It's only right for him to be angry at me."

Separated by a door, Xie Qingfeng with his excellent hearing: "……"

Hao Jixin's heart softened at the sight of the pitiful Jing Xi, coughing so much his back was arching. Just as he stepped forward, his phone pinged.

Hao Jixin took it out and glanced casually, seeing a message from the master. He quickly took a look.

His expression turned strange after reading it: ??

Jing Xi, struggling to move to his room, caught Hao Jixin's odd look from the corner of his eye, "What's... cough cough ...what's up?"

Hao Jixin said with difficulty, "The master said... you have one night to get better, or else don't show your face to him. Also, he said..."

Jing Xi: "What... cough cough what?"

Hao Jixin: "He said don't infect him."

Jing Xi's coughing abruptly stopped: "……"

Hao Jixin looking up: "He said you're bothering his ears, and your merit points are now -1. You only have fourteen days left."

Jing Xi: "…………"

Hao Jixin incredulously watched Jing Xi, who just moments ago seemed like he might cough to death, suddenly stand up straight and even called towards his room, "Suddenly, I feel much better."

Hao Jixin's eyes widened in shock. Even after Jing Xi entered his room, he was hopping mad: "Damn, Jing Xi is such a dog! He was faking his illness!"

Xie Qingfeng had a restless night full of dreams, leaving him looking unwell when he woke up the next day.

Even though he knew Jing Xi was playing the victim when he said those words, Xie Qingfeng knew it was mostly true.

It was especially irritating hearing Jing Xi express such pitiful sentiments.

Yet, it still affected Xie Qingfeng; he had thought he didn't care, but subconsciously he knew he hadn't properly arranged things after saving the young emperor.

But at that time, he was young and just a new disciple recently brought back to the National Teacher's palace, without real power to do anything.

When Xie Qingfeng woke up, he couldn't remember his dreams, but he knew he had experienced Jing Xi's arduous journey to the throne from a third-person perspective.

Xie Qingfeng was planning to return to City C with Hao Jixin today and had expected Jing Xi to follow him like a clingy plaster.

It wasn't until they went to eat and then check out of the hotel that Jing Xi finally caught up from a distance.

Keeping some distance, not daring to get too close.

Occasionally giving a very soft cough, which he quickly suppressed as soon as it started.

The room was booked by Hao Jixin, so they checked out together.

After checking out, Hao Jixin looked back in disbelief. Jing Xi didn't come closer but instead got into a taxi behind them.

Hao Jixin: "???" Could it be that Jing Xi, pretending to be a 'sick puppy', actually made himself sick?

Hao Jixin guessed right, Jing Xi really had made himself sick.

Initially, he really did fall ill with a fever, and in a bid to gain sympathy, he didn't take much medicine. But after being exposed, he became extremely anxious, wanting to recover quickly last night, yet ended up unable to suppress his illness.

He obediently took his medicine. Though not feverish, he was indeed sick.

Hao Jixin had only booked two tickets. Jing Xi booked the same flight later, but since it wasn't together, they didn't sit together.

Throughout the journey, Hao Jixin could faintly hear Jing Xi's cough from behind.

Hao Jixin sneaked a glance at the master resting with his eyes closed next to him, wanting to laugh but not daring to: Jing Xi was really having a tough time.

However, Jing Xi was very obedient. The master had told him not to get close to avoid contagion, and he really didn't.

When they arrived in City C and disembarked, Jing Xi kept his distance, not daring to get close.

Hao Jixin occasionally looked back with a big smile, irritating Jing Xi.

Not satisfied, Hao Jixin pushed his luggage around Xie Qingfeng several times, as if saying: "Ah, it feels so refreshing and clear-headed near the master, lol."

Jing Xi: "..." He thought it wasn't feeling refreshed but rather itching for trouble.

Xie Qingfeng ignored Jing Xi's miserable state from start to finish. Outside the airport, Hao Jixin was about to use his phone to call a taxi.

A car slowly approached and stopped in front of them. The rear window opened, revealing a surprised face: "Mr. Xie?"

Xie Qingfeng looked up, meeting the man's face, and nodded slightly.

Qiu Dexuan got out of the car: "Mr. Xie, what a coincidence. I'm here on a business trip, and this is the driver provided by our branch office. Where are you heading, Mr. Xie? Let me take you."

Hao Jixin didn't expect such a coincidence, especially during a holiday when it's hard to get a taxi, but bumping into Qiu Dexuan was too lucky, wasn't it?

Seeing Xie Qingfeng not responding, Qiu Dexuan couldn't help but laugh, candidly saying: "Don't worry, Mr. Xie, I know my place. I'm not planning anything. But isn't it okay to show gratitude for saving my life to the one in my heart?"

Hearing those words, Hao Jixin's eyes widened, sizing up Qiu Dexuan.

Well, isn't that straightforward?

Xie Qingfeng frowned, about to refuse, when Jing Xi, who had been keeping his distance with excellent hearing, saw this stranger approaching and quickly walked towards them.

Hao Jixin, remembering the other was sick, raised his hand in a stopping gesture: "Have you forgotten you’re ill?"

Jing Xi, however, ignored him and continued on until he stopped several meters away.

He spoke softly to a person who had just hailed a cab and was about to get in, then transferred money via his phone. The recipient beamed with delight, "You go ahead, you go ahead, oh sir, you are too kind!"

Jing Xi spoke to the driver, and then the car parked right behind Qiu DeXuan's vehicle.

Hao Jixin was astonished by Jing Xi's actions: Is that even possible?

Xie Qingfeng lifted his eyelids slightly, glancing at the driver.

Jing Xi, fearing a refusal, offered, "How about ten thousand?"

Xie Qingfeng swiftly turned his head, looking at the person beside him as if seeing a prodigal son.

Hao Jixin commented, "Adding fuel to the fire, Jing the Movie King truly knows his stuff."