Chapter 14 His Majesty is truly formidable.

Emperor Jing was not angry at the Prince of Huainan's impoliteness; instead, he laughed.

"What are you laughing at, Your Majesty? Are you laughing because you're so angry at these good-for-nothings?"

The Prince of Huainan touched his nose guiltily. His elder brother's smile reminded him of how he had been beaten and run all over the palace when he was a child, which was truly frightening.

"Nothing, what did you find?"

“Hui Mei just gave birth to a baby boy, so she probably won’t be able to return to Ye Jing this year. I was thinking of going there to see her before returning to Ye Jing.”

Hui Mei's real name is Long Minghui. She is Emperor Jing's younger sister. Although they are not from the same mother, she was pampered from childhood. At the age of sixteen, she married the Prince of Lingnan. The couple were very loving and gave birth to their second child, a little prince, this year.

Because Lingnan is remote and the roads are in poor condition, it is time-consuming and laborious to return to Yejing. At first, the late emperor was unwilling to marry his daughter there, but his daughter really liked it, and the King of Lingnan was also very sincere. He had no choice but to let the princess go there with a generous dowry.

"They're doing alright over there, but several villages that are close to the mountains have been flooded. Fortunately, the King of Lingnan had taken precautions, so there were no casualties. But the treasury must be a bit embarrassed to accommodate so many people."

The Prince of Huainan took a sip of tea, his expression somewhat worried: "It is only because the Prince of Lingnan has been so diligent and responsible that the people are not troubled by natural disasters. What about other places? Our Great Jing is a vast territory, and this year's climate is so abnormal. I have a feeling that it's not just Lingnan; other places may also be..."

"I understand. You don't need to worry about this matter; I will handle it."

Emperor Jing's words settled the matter, and the Prince of Huainan did not elaborate further. He knew his elder brother's abilities, and since he said there was no problem, there was no need to worry.

"I heard that Your Majesty has dealt with Wei Xing?"

Emperor Jing's lips curled into a smile, his gaze towards the Prince of Huainan sharp and dangerous: "Your information network is quite impressive."

Seventeen, who was squatting by the fire, shuddered and secretly looked up at the Prince of Huainan. He had a feeling that something was wrong with the Prince of Huainan.

"Oh dear, Your Majesty, please don't look at me like that. I'm terrified!"

The Prince of Huainan closed his eyes and frowned slightly, making a delicate gesture like Xi Shi clutching her heart. The disgusted Seventeen immediately lowered his head and dared not look anymore.

Emperor Jing also gave him a disdainful look, closing his eyes as if he couldn't bear to look at him: "Alright."

"Well, they're being very cautious over there. So far, they haven't told me anything except some peripheral information. It seems they don't trust their younger brother."

"I think you don't believe you have the ability to take on this great responsibility?"

The King of Huainan curled his lip and lay sprawled out on the chair, saying, "What can I do? Besides, don't the historical records say that this kind of person only needs a puppet emperor? Why do I need to be capable and decisive?"

As Seventeen listened, he felt as if he had heard something extraordinary. He stared at Eunuch Yuanfu beside him, who held up a finger to him and continued fanning the fire with a smile.

Emperor Jing lowered his head and continued reviewing the memorials: "Don't let them become suspicious."

"Don't worry, once we find all the weapons and men, we can close the net."

The King of Huainan said with a grin, then turned to look at Seventeen: "Little Seventeen, come up here and let me have a look at you."

"Yes." Seventeen stood up as ordered, took a few steps forward and stood beside the Prince of Huainan. The Prince looked at him with no malice, only curiosity.

"With such good looks, he'll probably charm a lot of people when he's in his twenties."

Seventeen lowered her head and said in a flat tone, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness, but Seventeen did not have such thoughts."

"Tsk, if you ask me, why are you still clinging to your brother? Follow me, and I'll guarantee you a life of luxury."

The Prince of Huainan took the folding fan and flippantly lifted Seventeen's drooping chin, but suddenly heard a soft cough.

He immediately put down his folding fan, sat up properly, and put on a fawning smile: "Brother, he's just a bodyguard."

"That's not something you can order around as you please."

Emperor Jing continued to bow his head and review memorials, his upper body ramrod straight, like the most proud cedar tree in winter.

Seventeen blinked, seemingly not taking the King of Huainan's words to heart.

"However, I have come here today to ask Your Majesty for some people."

After a moment's thought, the Prince of Huainan said, "Their vigilance over there has only increased; we need to find a way to gain their trust."

When Emperor Jing put pen to paper, the characters on the memorial were sharp yet elegant, and the comments on the memorial were also direct and to the point, leaving no room for escape.

"I feel sorry for my younger brother who is alone away from home, so I specially sent two guards to him, partly to ease my longing for him and to show my respect."

The Prince of Huainan then swished open his folding fan, covering the lower half of his face, and continued, "Secondly, to monitor my good younger brother and see if he is coming into contact with anyone he shouldn't be with."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, and Seventeen also exchanged a glance with Yuanfu.

Seventeen: Can we listen to this topic?

Yuanfu: In one ear and out the other.

The two men exchanged glances, and Emperor Jing glanced at them coolly without saying a word, instead setting aside the memorial he had finished reviewing.

"Yuanfu, the memorials have been approved."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yuanfu quickly got up, not forgetting to stuff the palm-leaf fan in his hand into Seventeen's arms, and hurriedly ran to Emperor Jing to pick up the pile of memorials.

"This old servant will go and report back now."

Seeing Yuanfu leave, Seventeen's eyes were filled with reluctance. He felt that he shouldn't be here. The atmosphere between His Majesty and the Prince of Huainan seemed strange no matter how he looked at it. He couldn't figure it out and felt a strange sense of loneliness from being abandoned.

"Seventeen."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Seventeen suddenly stood up, his voice so loud that even the King of Huainan was momentarily stunned. Then he coughed lightly and said, "Oh dear, little Seventeen... you have quite a strong voice. You're very suitable to accompany me to Jiangnan."

Emperor Jing gave him another cool glance, but did not refuse.

Seventeen watched the brothers' silent performance, feeling a pang of reluctance. They had only been by His Majesty's side for a short time, and now they had to leave...

"Let's wait until after the New Year, Seventeen, and go check out the sweet soup."

Seventeen accepted the order and left. A light drizzle was falling outside. He opened his umbrella and seemed to hear the two brothers talking inside the house. Then he stepped into the shallow water, splashing up crystal-clear flowers.

"This little bodyguard..."

The Prince of Huainan gazed thoughtfully at the slender, shadowy figure.

"Let him come along."

"What about my brother, the Emperor?"

Emperor Jing pinched the bridge of his nose: "The rumors have already spread; going too far will only arouse suspicion."

The King of Huainan clicked his tongue: "If it weren't for the fact that we haven't yet spotted their troops..."

"Take it slow. We've been preparing for this for so many years, a little longer won't make a difference."

"yes."

Seventeen returned carrying three bowls of sweet soup. This winter sweet soup was different from the autumn sweet soup, being warmer and more palatable, but for Seventeen, all of them tasted good.

"His Majesty."

Emperor Jing looked up and saw the Seventeenth Prince carrying in sweet soup. He placed it on the table and then turned to call him.

"Seventeen, you eat first."

The Prince of Huainan glanced at the Seventeenth Prince, then turned to Emperor Jing, his upturned fox-like eyes seeming to be thinking of something amusing.

"You should go drink too."

"Your Majesty, I don't like sweets."

"It contains tonics." Emperor Jing's tone remained calm, yet it brooked no refusal.

Long Zhaoming scratched his chin, his face full of reluctance, but he knew he couldn't disobey his elder brother, after all, it was for his own good.

"Your Majesty, I am already twenty years old, and my health is not as bad as it used to be."

But he still tried to make a last-ditch effort, praying that his elder brother would show leniency.

"Then I'll transfer you back from Jiangnan to stay by my side."

"This sweet soup is absolutely delicious, it should only exist in heaven!"

Seventeen sipped the sweet soup slowly, not understanding why the Prince of Huainan had changed so quickly.

Emperor Jing was too lazy to pay attention to his clownish younger brother. He closed his eyes to rest for a while, then got up, walked to the table, picked up the remaining bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

After finishing her drink, Seventeen put the bowl back on the plate and was about to take it back to the kitchen when Emperor Jing stopped her: "Let the palace servants do it."

After saying this, he called out, and two palace maids walked in with their heads down and took away the three bowls of sweet soup.

"Little Seventeen, when did you arrive in Yejing?"

Seventeen glanced at Emperor Jing, who merely raised his chin, indicating that he should do as he pleased.

"Your Highness, I was brought back by His Majesty when I was eleven years old."

"Eleven years old...that's already quite a big age."

Long Zhaoming thought for a moment and said, "My brother was only eighteen years old at that time, right?"

"Um."

Emperor Jing responded and shooed Long Zhaoming out of the study, saying, "Go back to your residence?"

"No, Your Majesty, I wish to sleep side by side with you."

Because the King of Huainan's expression was too serious, Seventeen thought he was telling the truth and couldn't help but feel that the two brothers had a good relationship. But the next second, he saw Emperor Jing kick the King of Huainan without any regard for his image.

Seventeen's shocked gaze fell on Emperor Jing, who noticed it as well. He composed himself, straightened his robes, and shooed her away: "Go back."

Emperor Jing had always presented a very dignified and majestic image to Seventeen, but now... Seventeen was a little stunned, but she also felt that this version of His Majesty seemed to have a more approachable quality, not like a high and mighty emperor, but like a good older brother who was troubled by his own younger brother.

Long Zhaoming wasn't annoyed by the kick. Holding his umbrella, he asked again, "Then, can I go play with Little Seventeen?"

No way! Seventeen was shocked. She didn't show anything in front of her, but the frantic resistance in her eyes hurt Long Zhaoming deeply.

Why is nobody welcoming me...?

He put on a pitiful act, and Emperor Jing endured it again and again, even the veins on his forehead seemed to be clearly visible.

"If you don't go back now, go back to your Jiangnan."

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now!"

Seeing that his elder brother was truly angry, Long Zhaoming immediately straightened up, hurriedly took his leave, and quickly departed.

"Your Majesty, His Highness..."

"Never mind him, he had a fever when he was a kid and it damaged his brain."

Seventeen blinked, thinking: If his brain is damaged, how could His Majesty dare to let him do those important things?

Emperor Jing rubbed his temples, glanced at Seventeen, paused, and asked, "Seventeen, do you want to go back and rest?"

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Seventeen asked, shaking his head.

Do you know how to play chess?

"I learned a little bit in the camp before, but I'm not an expert."

"Come."

Outside, the rain poured down, while inside, the stove crackled and popped as the two men sat facing each other, heads bowed as they stared at the chessboard, seemingly deep in thought.

"Your Majesty is truly remarkable."

A note from the author:

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