After pondering for a long time, Su Mowu sighed, as if he had made up his mind, but still had some doubts.

"Given the Emperor's attitude towards him, how can we get rid of him?"

Su Xinping was delighted to see this: As long as you have an idea, that's fine!

"Your Highness, His Majesty's appreciation for him largely stems from his victory over Qi Junguang in poetry. If we devise a proper plan, eliminating him will be no problem! However, if we wait until he enters the palace as an official, it will be much more difficult to get rid of him then!"

Seeing that he spoke with great confidence, Su Mowu raised an eyebrow: "Do you have any ideas?"

Su Xinping quickly turned his head and whispered something.

Su Mowu was shocked upon hearing this: "This...isn't it a bit too vicious? Besides...she is, after all, my sister!"

Despite saying that, Su Xinping could still see the restless look in his eyes.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly: Damn it, she's a whore and still wants to act virtuous. There's no one else like her. It's only because you can help us that I don't care about you!

He immediately put on a serious face and said, "Your Highness, those who achieve great things throughout history do not concern themselves with trifles! Besides, Your Highness will be the one to rule the world in the future, so you cannot be so sentimental!"

With Su Xinping's "persuasion," Su Mowu was pleased, but he still acted reluctantly and said indifferently, "Since you've put it that way, what else can I do?"

He then added, "But you must handle this matter well, and you absolutely cannot give anyone any leverage against you!"

"Your Highness, rest assured! It's perfectly normal for a drunk person to act recklessly when drunk. Who would suspect us? Besides, by then, no one will likely investigate the matter further; they'll only be thinking about how to bring him to justice!"

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other and burst into laughter, but then quickly stopped, afraid that someone might overhear them.

"In that case, go ahead!"

Su Xinping nodded, then picked up the strong liquor and sneaked out.

...

Having not seen Zhu Xinning for many years and having just recognized each other, the two held hands and seemed to have endless things to talk about.

Just then, someone pushed open the door from outside.

Yes, they didn't knock; they just pushed the door open.

Jing Zhe then realized the wisdom of Zhu Xinning's earlier suggestion to lock the door. Although they were siblings, it was so late, and if someone saw them sitting together so intimately and holding hands, it was inevitable that people would misunderstand.

Zhu Xinning glanced at him, giving him a questioning look, as if asking who else on the ship might be looking for him so late at night.

Jing Zhe tilted his head, indicating that he didn't know either.

He made a shushing gesture and asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"

"Me! Open the door now!"

A pleasant, familiar, and very soft female voice came from outside the door. Who else could it be but Su Mochen?

Although Jing Zhe also really wanted to see Su Mochen, it was definitely not now!

Zhu Xinning also recognized Su Mochen's voice and looked at Jing Zhe with a questioning gaze, asking why she would come at this time without even knocking.

Jing Zhe helplessly spread his hands: Who could know that?

"hurry up!"

Seemingly afraid of disturbing others, Su Mochen lowered his voice, and when Jing Zhe did not respond, he urged him again.

Jing Zhe looked at Zhu Xinning, unsure of what to do, when Zhu Xinning simply blew out the candle, the answer obvious.

"Your Highness, I've fallen asleep! Let's talk about it tomorrow!"

"..."

There was a moment of silence outside the door, then anger erupted: "Who are you trying to fool? Who would talk to me if I was asleep?"

"I've already lay down, and I'm getting ready to sleep!"

"Stop talking nonsense! The light was just blown out, are you doing this on purpose? If you don't open the door, I'll break it down!"

Su Mochen, standing outside the door, looked somewhat aggrieved. After speaking, he cursed inwardly: "That bastard! I secretly ran out to say a few words to him, but he actually refused to let me in."

Upon hearing this, Jing Zhe knew that there was no other way but to open the door.

He wanted to see what Zhu Xinning meant, but found that the lights were off and the room was pitch black, so how could he see anything?

In the darkness, Zhu Xinning tugged at his hand and whispered, "I'm going to bed!"

After a rustling sound, the room returned to silence.

"There was a collision!"

"No, no, please don't! Let me light the lamp!"

Jing Zhe hurriedly said, then lit the lamp and looked back. He then noticed that there were white curtains on both sides of the bed, which had already been drawn. The room was dimly lit, and he could not see inside clearly. Only then did he feel relieved and went to open the door.

Although they spoke softly, it did not escape the notice of the guards watching from the next room.

The guards, who had overheard the entire conversation, exchanged bewildered glances.

They had heard about Jing Zhe's reputation from the drunken Sui Shouren before today, and Sui Shouren, who had gone out of the city with them to pick up Su Mochen's brother, also said that Jing Zhe's relationship with Su Mochen was unusual.

Furthermore, since Jing Zhe had already made quite a splash today, they pretended not to hear it and dared not interfere in the affairs of the royal family.

...

As soon as the door opened, a fragrant breeze swept in.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and close the door!"

Su Mochen, who was full of anger, entered the room and said with dissatisfaction.

"oh."

As soon as Jing Zhe closed the door, he turned around and saw Su Mochen staring blankly at the bed curtains. He was shocked and quickly went over to block her way.

"What is Your Highness looking at?"

"So he really did lie down!"

Su Mochen muttered to himself, "If you're not lying down, who would bother to close the curtains?"

Jing Zhe was taken aback, then quickly nodded and said, "That's right! Besides, wouldn't it be awkward to meet His Highness so late at night?"

"Awkward?"

Su Mochen sneered: "Why didn't you say it was awkward when you were alone with me in Yongzhou City?"

Zhu Xinning, inside the curtain: "..."

Why didn't you say you were embarrassed when you peeked at me while I was showering?

Zhu Xinning: "???"

"Your Highness, please don't talk nonsense. That wasn't peeping, it was all a misunderstanding! Besides, didn't we see anything?"

Jing Zhe retorted, dissatisfied, fearing that she would tarnish his reputation with nonsense.

"Heh, do you expect me to strip naked so you can see everything before it counts as seeing?"

Jing Zhe looked her up and down, thinking that with such a great figure, it wouldn't be bad if she really stripped naked for him to see...

But I only dare to think about it; I'm afraid I'll be beaten to death if I say it out loud.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Su Mochen thought he was repenting and felt guilty, and became even more smug, continuing to berate him.

"I kindly brought you to Jingzhou, but you left without saying goodbye. How could you do this to me?"

"..."

"Have you forgotten the noodles you made for me back in Yongzhou? How come you've become such a different person since we left Yongzhou?"

Zhu Xinning: "!!!"

Jing Zhe: "???"

"Your Highness, please don't say such things. I made the noodles for you..."

"Hmm, is there anything different?"

Su Mochen had an innocent and naive look on his face.

"..."

Jing Zhe was stunned for a moment; a pervert really is someone you can't afford to mess with.

Just as Su Mochen was about to speak again, there was a knock on the door, followed by Su Xinping's voice.

"Young Master Jing, open the door!"

————