Chapter 36 Do Not Disturb

Chapter 36: Do Not Disturb

Under the first rays of morning sunlight, Xiao Yan lazily stepped into the Cangwu Hall, telling the guards on duty outside not to disturb his sleep unless it was something major.

But once the door closed, instead of heading toward the bedchamber, he walked straight into the secret room.

The southern wall of the secret room was empty except for a huge wooden board nailed tight to it, taking up nearly the whole wall.

On one side of the board was attached a complete map of the Great Jing Dynasty, with several locations specifically marked.

On the other side of the board, two human-shaped outlines were drawn.

Xiao Yan picked up a flying dart from the table, flicked his wrist lightly, and in an instant, several slender, sharp iron darts embedded themselves right in the chest area of one human outline.

“Well, well, well, what’s gotten into our Emperor? Such a fiery temper.”

Fang Fengshi also entered the secret room, coming up behind Xiao Yan and teasing him.

Xiao Yan ignored him, just picking up three more flying darts and aiming at the other human outline.

Xiao Yan thought his desire to be left alone was quite obvious, but he had underestimated just how determined Fang Fengshi was to be annoying.

Fang Fengshi circled around Xiao Yan incessantly, rattling off names as he went.

“Cen Maoshi?”

Xiao Yan threw the first dart, hitting the forehead of the human outline squarely.

“Zhong He?”

Xiao Yan threw the second dart, hitting the throat of the human outline squarely.

“Jiang Wang?”

Xiao Yan threw the third dart, hitting…

Wait, Fang Fengshi couldn’t find where the third dart had landed on the human outline. He peered more closely—it had actually landed outside the board!

Xiao Yan, who never missed, had actually missed?!

“Oh? Is it because of Jiang Wang?”

Now that he'd found the culprit, Fang Fengshi’s voice went up an octave. Unlike Xiao Yan’s low-pressure aura, he was brimming with gossipy delight.

Not only did he want to know who it was, he even began guessing what Jiang Wang had done to get him so worked up.

Fang Fengshi wanted to continue blurting out guesses as before, using Xiao Yan’s reactions to eliminate possibilities.

But the latter was quicker. Xiao Yan directly pressed a flying dart against Fang Fengshi’s neck and said in a low voice, “Enough. Know your limits.”

If Fang Fengshi hadn’t seen the faint blush on Xiao Yan’s face, he might have thought Xiao Yan was actually mad.

So it seemed his brother was… embarrassed?

Xiao Yan could actually get embarrassed?!

Upon realizing this, Fang Fengshi, like a gorilla that had been caged in a zoo for too long, started running around and shouting, becoming even more wild.

Seeing Fang Fengshi “turn into a monkey,” Xiao Yan was at a loss and simply let him be.

He found a place to sit down and began seriously thinking about his own “strange” behavior that night.

Cen Maoshi confessing and accepting punishment was something he had long hoped to see.

He didn’t believe the Zhang Mansion fire was an accident, but perhaps the truth was buried too deep; it was normal that Zhong He hadn’t found anything.

So perhaps his emotions began to change when…

Jiang Wang kept looking at Zhong He.

He was merely maintaining his image as a willful, reckless playboy in front of everyone. Although he had thrown the inkstone, he had deliberately controlled the distance, not intending to hurt anyone.

But Jiang Wang seemed to have noticed the act of throwing something and had taken issue with it.

Focused on whom? Focused on Zhong He?

Although he was somewhat reluctant to admit it, it seemed this thought was what caused such a big change in his emotions.

He recalled that at the Biwu Pavilion, when he saw Jiang Wang and Zhong He together, his mood had also felt slightly off.

Xiao Yan let out a soft sigh. Although he had never personally experienced love, he wasn’t a clueless child anymore.

His feelings for Jiang Wang… were they really that kind of emotion?

Before Xiao Yan could figure it out, a tall, slender figure appeared at the secret room door.

“Your Majesty, Ling Hai requests an audience.”

“Enter,” Xiao Yan replied clearly.

The door opened, revealing the familiar black-clad figure. Black fabric wrapped Ling Hai from head to toe, leaving only his eyes exposed. Dressed like this, hidden in the night, no one would notice him.

“Your Majesty, following your order, I secretly monitored Chang Wenji,” Ling Hai paused, glanced at Xiao Yan, then at Fang Fengshi who had leaned in, and continued, “I saw him speaking with Lord Jiang. However, they were not alone, and the content of their conversation was not confidential. I heard Prime Minister Chang seemed to be inquiring about Lord Jiang’s injury.”

Inquiring about the injury? What a hypocritical facade.

Since entering the court, Chang Wenji had always considered himself above others, and even more so after serving as an official for a long time. It was always others who initiated conversation with him. Now, for him to actively show concern for Jiang Wang’s injury—there must be something fishy.

Was it perhaps because he had brought Jiang Wang into the palace, leaving no one to make contact, so Chang Wenji came to give a subtle warning?

Xiao Yan nodded to indicate he understood and dismissed Ling Hai.

Perhaps because his recent interactions with Jiang Wang had been too pleasant, he had almost forgotten that Jiang Wang’s identity was not clean.

Just the fact that he was in overly close contact with Chang Wenji alone meant he couldn’t trust Jiang Wang.

Moreover, the two of them had deeper connections…

If there wasn’t even the most basic trust, how could he speak of other feelings?

Indescribable emotions collided with stark reality. Burdened with too much, Xiao Yan knew he shouldn’t choose the former, nor could he choose the former.

＊

Similar to Xiao Yan’s situation, Jiang Wang was also lying in bed, wide-eyed like a little deer, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

He was now utterly unable to defend himself.

How had the idea that he was “favored” become so deeply ingrained in everyone’s minds?

Chang Wenji in particular, with his earnest and expectant gaze, seemed utterly convinced that Jiang Wang was in favor.

Moreover, after yesterday's Imperial Council, he'd even come personally to check on his wound. On the surface, it looked like an elder caring for a junior, but in reality, it was a veiled warning.

Previously, when dealing with underlings like Chang Da, he had to use his wits to handle it. This time, with the big boss showing up personally, he was so nervous he was speechless.

Despite a few minor hiccups, he'd managed to pull it off.

Cen Maoshi too, on the verge of death, had left him with this massive problem.

Jiang Wang sighed while pondering, what on earth was he supposed to do...

Today, he truly experienced the power of the saying, "Spreading rumors takes only a mouth, but refuting them requires running your legs off."

While having the subject of the rumors personally deny it can stop the spread, the speed of information in the ancient world is too slow. He can't possibly go and find every single person to tell them, "I am not favored."

Just thinking about it was awkward and strange; people would probably think he was a lunatic.

So, what other methods were there?

Jiang Wang racked his brains, and a flash of inspiration finally struck—he had thought of an excellent solution!

Since the rumor of being favored only intensified after he moved into the palace, then moving out should solve it.

This way, his contact with Xiao Yan would decrease, and the rumor would have no ground to grow on.

Moreover, now that the Yuanzheng festival had ended, business everywhere was picking up again. He could go find a new residence.

After all, he still needed his own home; staying in the palace indefinitely was no way to live. Although everything in the palace was of the highest quality, there's nothing more comfortable than your own place.

Furthermore, when he "confessed" earlier, Xiao Yan was so pleased he gave him a hefty reward. He estimated he could use that to buy a decent house, and any leftover funds would be enough for the two of them and the cat to live on.

His decision was final; the next step was to put it into practice!

But before taking action, he needed to catch some sleep. By the time Jiang Wang woke again, it was already afternoon.

The exhaustion from staying up late had been replenished by this solid sleep. So, the first thing after waking was to go house-hunting!

Jiang Wang excitedly picked out what to wear, his mind racing with plans for how big the house should be, where to buy it, and how to decorate it.

He was both thrilled and excited; after all, this was his first real house, which held a special significance for him. His mind was already filled with endless fantasies about it.

But as he stepped out of the courtyard gate of Biwu Hall, he suddenly realized something.

Earlier, Xiao Yan had only said he would reward him with three thousand taels of silver, but he hadn't actually given it to him yet...

Right now, he didn't have a single penny on him!

Without money, how was he supposed to buy a house? Was he supposed to rely on his handsome face...?

Jiang Wang turned on his heel and headed toward Cangwu Hall.

Today's task was forcibly changed from house-hunting to asking for money!

Jiang Wang hurriedly walked to Cangwu Hall, a light sweat already beading on his forehead. Just as he was about to enter, he was stopped by the guards at the door.

"Lord Jiang, please stop. His Majesty has ordered that no one is to disturb him unless it's a matter of great importance."

But he did have one! Wasn't the Emperor's reputation a matter of great importance? If he didn't move out soon, the rumors outside would spread like wildfire!

"Please inform His Majesty. I truly have important matters to discuss. If His Majesty is still sleeping, I can wait."

The guard at the door glanced at Jiang Wang and ultimately chose to announce him.

After all, the Emperor had been on good terms with Lord Jiang recently, and Lord Jiang also seemed close to Chancellor Chang. Helping him a bit surely wouldn't be wrong.

Jiang Wang, unaware of the guard's reasoning, simply thought he was genuinely kind.

After a short while, the guard returned with a message.

"Lord Jiang, His Majesty asks you to enter."

"Thank you, thank you!"

Jiang Wang was overjoyed. He had thought Xiao Yan might still be asleep.

Following the guard's guidance, he walked all the way to the innermost part of Cangwu Hall.

But the further he went, the more he felt something was off. Shouldn't discussions take place in the main hall? Why was he being led to the bedchamber?

Although puzzled, Jiang Wang still stepped into the all-too-familiar bedchamber, as he had taken care of Xiao Yan here for three days not long ago.

Perhaps since he arrived right after Xiao Yan woke, that's why the location was chosen here?

Hesitantly, Jiang Wang walked in slowly, calling out softly as he went, "Your Majesty? Your subject is coming in?"

"Mhm, come in."

Xiao Yan's lazy voice sounded from ahead.

Jiang Wang walked around the large screen in front of him and, turning his head, saw Xiao Yan half-reclining on the soft couch.

Xiao Yan wasn't wearing any clothes. From the waist down, he was covered with a mink fur quilt, while his upper body was completely exposed.

His arms and abdomen revealed firm muscle lines, and on his chest, the scar from the assassination attempt remained clearly visible.

This wild, alluring version of Xiao Yan was something Jiang Wang had never seen before.

He stared, dumbfounded, swallowed hard, and murmured softly.

"Your Majesty..."

Author's Note:

A tiny emotional sprout has appeared, but Xiao Yan's great vengeance remains unavenged, and the mastermind colluding with Beixiang hasn't been uncovered yet. He dares not let himself go...

Moreover, he still doesn't know that Jiang Wang isn't actually helping the villains. He's conflicted...