Chapter 9, "Who said that? The Lonely Man pulled out his tongue..."

The usually carefree young man was so anxious that he didn't even care about his manners and rushed past him like a gust of wind.

Therefore, Cui Yao's expressionless demeanor suggests that Ji Chengning's deep friendship with the Crown Prince is genuine.

Ji Chengning strode out of the courtyard, then suddenly remembered that Cui Yao was still alive.

He turned his head.

Cousin Cui remained seated at the table, her delicate features lowered, obscuring her expression.

His dress was a somber, almost cold, dusky gray, and his black hair was simply tied up in a masculine style, secured with a white jade hairpin. The white, gray, and black colors blended together, making the person in front of him look like a dark cloud that gradually intensifies.

Ji Chengnin's heart skipped a beat, and he added, "Cousin, please make yourself at home."

Cui Yao respectfully replied, "Yes."

After speaking, Ji Chengnin turned and left without hesitation.

He was so anxious that he didn't notice a gaze fixed on his back, following him like a shadow.

Until his figure completely disappeared.

Half an hour later, at the Eastern Palace.

The announcement had just been made when His Highness the Crown Prince came running out, followed by palace servants carrying cloaks, who called out repeatedly, "Your Highness, Your Highness, please slow down!"

Ji Chengning laughed when he saw that His Highness the Crown Prince Zhou Yu hadn't even had time to change out of his everyday clothes.

Is this what they call being sick?

Just as he coldly raised the corners of his lips, the young man who had just run over suddenly swayed and was about to fall.

Ji Chengnin, disregarding his anger, quickly helped the Crown Prince up.

"Xiao Ning," the Crown Prince said with a hint of complaint, "why are you so late?"

Ji Chengning helped him inside, and coldly snorted, "I'm afraid."

Zhou Yu asked, "What's wrong? Who scared you?"

“I was afraid that if I came rashly after hearing the news, Your Highness would really ruin your health if you kept running around like this.”

Zhou Yu sensed the blame in his words, but instead of being angry, he laughed and said, "Then you should blame yourself. If you came often, I would be used to it and wouldn't be anxious when I see you."

Ji Chengnin snorted through his nose.

He helped Zhou Yu to sit down on the soft couch, and did not forget to instruct the palace servants, "Go and fetch two hand warmers."

"I don't want to. My body isn't that weak yet," Zhou Yu said, then coughed several times.

Ji Chengning glanced at him with her beautiful eyes, and Zhou Yu immediately covered his mouth, quickly changing the subject, "It's rare for you to come here, I don't want to talk to you about these trivial matters. Xiao Ning, you have five days left before leaving the Imperial Academy, so, have you decided where you want to serve as an official?"

Why does everyone say this to me?

Ji Chengnin said lazily, "Your Highness, please spare me. How could a spoiled brat like me be fit to be an official?"

Zhou Yu smiled and asked softly, "Who said that? I ordered someone to pull out his tongue."

Ji Chengning was used to his tendency to threaten violence at the drop of a hat. He took the hand warmer, tested the temperature on the back of his hand first, and then handed it to Zhou Yu, saying, "If Your Highness continues like this, I will never come again."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu extended a finger. He had been ill for a long time and was emaciated. His finger was as bony as a piece of withered wood, which startled Ji Chengning. He immediately stood up again and looked around the hall.

The Crown Prince ran his finger lightly to his lips, pleading, "I won't say it again, Xiao Ning." He was puzzled by Ji Chengnin's action. "What are you doing?"

Before he finished speaking, a soft, gold-colored blanket was draped over his shoulders.

Zhou Yu lowered his head and saw a pair of hands moving nimbly below his neck. The fingers were white and slender, and the hand cream he usually used had a pear scent. As the owner of the hands moved, the sweet fragrance wafted out.

Zhou Yu raised his lips slightly.

Then I saw those hands deftly wrap him up in a blanket, turning him into a cocoon.

"Can't you...!" Ji Chengnin was furious.

Even without thinking, Zhou Yu knew what he was going to say. "I will definitely take good care of my health. Xiao Ning, don't be angry with me." His dark eyes darted around, and he raised his price. "Considering that I've agreed to everything you ask for, will you grant me one wish as well?"

Ji Chengning knew this was bad news as soon as he heard it, so he ignored him and pretended to be pitiful, saying, "You go first."

“I think that although Minister Ji has made arrangements, he ultimately wants you to be a civil official,” Zhou Yu smiled. “Xiao Ning, I know you don’t want to spend your life working on paperwork. How about you come to the Crown Prince’s residence as an official? You can be the head of the department, and you’ll be a third-rank official right away. I won’t ask you to do anything, and I’ll listen to you in everything.”

The prince spoke too quickly and hastily; after he finished speaking, his eyes were covered with a layer of mist.

There are still things left unsaid.

Zhou Yu is the rightful heir apparent. If he were to ascend the throne, Ji Chengning, his confidant, would not only rise rapidly in rank, but his status would likely be second only to the emperor.

As long as this frail and sickly Crown Prince can live to ascend the throne.

"No." Ji Chengnin refused outright.

Zhou Yu was taken aback. "Why?"

Ji Chengning spoke decisively, as if he had never had any affection for the Crown Prince.

He was looking at the Crown Prince.

His Highness appeared calm, but in reality, he silently stretched out a hand and tightly gripped the edge of the blanket.

Ji Chengnin chuckled and stepped forward, saying, "I was thinking that I should first go out and serve as an official. After I have gained enough experience in handling official duties, I will then serve as an official in the Crown Prince's residence. Wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger for Your Highness?"

Zhou Yu was initially unhappy, but Ji Chengnin's sweet tone, complete with a smile, made the Crown Prince's expression change.

He complained, "You're always good at sweet-talking people."

Ji Chengnin protested his innocence, "When have I ever lied to Your Highness?"

Zhou Yu smiled, "Then I will wait for you, to be my trusted advisor." After speaking, he casually mentioned, "I heard that a young lady has arrived at the Marquis's mansion, and she is to be your wife," his icy fingertips unintentionally tapped the side of the cup, burning his hand, "and make you his wife."

Ji Chengning almost spat out his tea.

For some reason, he suddenly thought of the assassin's gentle, beautiful yet strangely eerie face from his dream, and goosebumps rose all over his body. "Unfounded rumors, utter nonsense."

Zhou Yu put his hand down. "I knew they were talking nonsense. Xiao Ning, how old are you? There's no rush to get married."

Ji Chengning laughed and said, "Isn't it a hurry? My grandfather got married when he was fifteen. When I was his age, my children were already crawling all over the place. If I don't get married soon, I'll be old and faded." He touched his face and said, "No one will want to marry me."

Zhou Yu smiled and lightly scolded, "Nonsense."

After speaking, he gave a wink to the eunuch beside him, who, upon receiving the order, quickly brought out an item and presented it to the crown prince.

Zhou Yu opened the box, picked up the contents and put them in his palm. "Xiao Ning, come and take a look at this."

...

The lines of the evening mountain flowers are exquisitely crafted, lifelike, as if they are blooming passionately.

However, these exceptionally beautiful flowers were engraved on the lead bullet, their splendor carrying an indescribable eeriness and chilling aura.

A slender, pale hand picked up a lead bullet, squinted, and examined it closely.

He had only met Ji Chengnin a few dozen times, and each time he wore a different dress. He felt that he had no preference, but his taste... The man's long eyebrows, which were somewhere between a boy and a young man, were pressed down sharply, but Ji Chengnin saw it clearly.

After washing away the makeup, his features were actually quite deep, and he looked astonishingly cold and aloof.

It's like a sharp blade, eagerly awaiting its unsheath.

“My lord,” another person appeared silently in the tea room. He had an ordinary appearance and a face that you would never remember even if you looked at him a thousand times. He bowed and handed over a letter. “Tomorrow’s affairs have all been arranged.”

His gaze swept across the area, lingering a few moments longer on the three characters "Xianyunfang".

The man put down the lead bullet.

"Um."

...

"Xiao Ning, come and look at this."

Ji Chengning leaned closer and saw the Crown Prince take out a pearl the size of a bone joint from the box. Its luster was like the bright eyes of a beautiful woman.

Actually, a string of beads is not unusual; what is unusual is that the beads are as bright as blood, and in the prince's pale palm, they give the illusion of flowing blood.

"This item is called Yuzhu. It has recently become very popular among high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital. Just a few days ago, I saw that the Earl of Dongping had made a new beaded hat. Right in the center was a Yuzhu the size of a baby's fist. Xiao Ning, do you like it?"

Ji Chengning's mother left him a considerable amount of property, including several jewelry shops. In addition, Ji Chengning had a great love for beautiful things, so when he saw this pearl, a look of amazement flashed in his eyes.

"It's dazzling and vibrant, truly beautiful," he praised.

Zhou Yu raised his lips and continued, "It is said that this thing requires human blood to nourish the pearl oyster, and it must be the blood of a girl under the age of ten. It is extremely rare, hence the name 'a bushel of pearls and a thousand catties of blood'."

Upon hearing this, Ji Chengning immediately felt that the bead was not only no longer beautiful, but also exuded a nauseating fishy smell.

Whoever comes up with the idea of ​​cultivating pearls deserves to be torn to pieces.

He frowned and said, "Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness, but I believe that taking human lives to make pearl ornaments is against the natural order."

Zhou Yu sighed softly, "Yes, His Majesty was displeased after hearing this and wanted to send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to manage the matter."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a private guard established by the emperor twenty years ago. Hidden in the shadows, unlike ordinary guards, they had no rank or direct superiors. They only obeyed the emperor's orders. Whenever the Embroidered Uniform Guard went out, blood would be shed. They were the emperor's sharpest sword.

"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent." He quickly realized why the Crown Prince had summoned him, and bowed his head. "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I understand."

"There's no need for such formalities between us." The crown prince was breathing too fast, and a faint blush appeared on his pale cheeks.

Ji Chengnin quickly got up. "I'll go get the medicine."

Before he could finish speaking, his wrist was grabbed.

Zhou Yu covered his lips with the back of his hand, took a few weak breaths, and said in a hoarse voice, "It's a minor ailment, no need to trouble yourself." He looked at Ji Chengnin, his voice becoming even softer, "I only hope you come often, then my illness will improve a lot. Since my mother passed away, this palace has been so desolate, it's unbearable for me."

His hands were too cold.

Ji Chengning gently squeezed Zhou Yu's hand back, pressing his palm tightly against Zhou Yu's cold fingertips.

He lowered his head, a breath of warm air landing on Zhou Yu's cool skin, and softly comforted him, "Don't overthink it, I'll come often."

Zhou Yu coughed twice more. "Let's not talk about these things." As if to reassure Ji Chengnin, he forced a smile. "Xiao Ning, tomorrow is the Flower Festival. I have to accompany my father on his death anniversary and cannot leave the palace. I heard that Xianyunfang is full of flowers. If you have some free time, go to Xianyunfang and pick a couple of vases of flowers for me, okay?"

A note from the author:

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