Chapter 45 The thing I fear most is "the fear that His Highness will abandon me"...

No one expected the Embroidered Uniform Guard to act so forcefully. The wealthy families were thrown into chaos, tied up, and thrown back. They could only sit there, waiting for their fate. They had been robbing and killing for money, and this was a fitting retribution for their crimes.

The Imperial Guards, seeing their constant complaints, were utterly bewildered. "This is nothing! They've already been extremely restrained, haven't they? No blood has been spilled, no torture has been carried out. Shouldn't they be secretly happy?"

Several more people were dragged away, their cries for mercy mingling with their sobs. But the thirteenth prince, sitting in the corridor, remained calm and composed, not even the curve of his sleeves changing.

He was there, seemingly completely detached from everything around him, like a beautiful yet cold statue. Even his breathing was light, and there was always an inhuman sense of alienation. His dark eyes were lowered, looking down at the people below without any emotion.

The fox appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, he was subtly shifting his numb buttocks. Normally, his buttocks don't go numb so easily, but he was nervous and scared, and dared not move at all.

Perhaps it was because he was too tense, but his whole body felt stiff and numb. He thought, Tinglan seems different from before, and Chen Yu is also different from before. Their words are a little scary.

But those are Tinglan and Chen Yu, there's nothing to be afraid of. Tinglan tells me stories every day and puts me to bed, and Chen Yu's roasted chicken legs are especially delicious. Besides, those people down there are all bad people.

The fox carefully jumped off the stool and stood beside Tinglan.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"It's alright, my butt's numb, I'll stand for a bit," the fox replied honestly.

Tinglan was taken aback and almost laughed out loud. He looked down at the group of people below and said, "Everything is fine here. This servant will accompany Your Highness back first."

The fox beamed with delight, nodded immediately, and couldn't wait to head out the door.

The Imperial Guards bowed their heads and saluted, saying, "Respectfully seeing off Your Highness, respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."

No matter how many times he saw it, the fox still couldn't get used to the scene. He was a little timid and uneasy, and walked over quickly with his hands and feet moving in unison.

Once back in the carriage, he could finally relax comfortably on the couch, and then take out some delicious treats from his sleeve, happily munching on dried apricots.

Hehe, this is the kind of life a fox should live.

"Your Highness..."

"Hmm?" The fox looked up, its mouth stuffed full, and stared at the viewer.

"I have informed the Emperor that this disaster relief effort will be carried out in Your Highness's name. The Emperor replied yesterday, and everything has been arranged."

The emperor originally intended to select a prince to take the lead, but there was no suitable candidate at the time. Now that Tinglan has proposed it, the emperor naturally has no objection. As for the thirteenth prince's own thoughts, that is not important. As long as he is obedient and quickly packs up to go to the disaster relief, that is fine.

This achieves two goals at once: it resolves the issue of the young prince running away from the palace without permission and allows them to claim credit for the disaster relief efforts. Because they need to consider the young prince's reputation, the Imperial Guards have been much gentler in their approach this time; otherwise, those people would have definitely made an example of them on the spot.

But the fox couldn't understand any of this. He couldn't even understand the literal meaning. The fox blinked, swallowed the delicious food in his mouth with a gulp, and smiled brightly.

"Whatever Tinglan says goes!"

Such a foolish fox, if sold off in a package deal, would happily count the money for the seller.

"In this way, Your Highness and I will become a faction."

The fox continued to nod blankly. Although it didn't understand, it felt good to be with Tinglan.

Tinglan's eyes were deep and dark as he stroked the young prince's cheek.

The fox was munching away on small walnuts.

"Your Highness, are you willing?" From this day forward, we will be bound together in the court.

The fox was stunned. What is "ganxin"? Can chicken hearts be made sweet?

He's never had anything like this before. He usually eats spicy or salty stir-fried chicken hearts, but it would be nice to try it.

The fox nodded somewhat reluctantly, sensing that it wouldn't taste particularly good.

“In that case, this servant will certainly do my utmost to assist Your Majesty.” A smile finally appeared in Tinglan’s eyes.

The fox tilted its head, nestled in its best friend's arms, and asked, "So, when are you going to eat the food I brought you?"

Tinglan choked and looked down at the food box on the small table.

"Alright, alright," the fox waved his hand magnanimously. "It's all cold, let's not eat it. Let's go back and eat something fresh."

"This servant will obey Your Highness's orders." Tinglan nodded with a smile.

The matter here is almost settled. The big players who acquired the real estate are gone, and the temple has been sealed off. However, the local people have no complaints. It's just that after the fox caused such a commotion that day, rumors spread everywhere that the temple was immoral and dared to use the name of the fox spirit. When the fox spirit found out, it took a grudge and dealt with the people itself.

In short, the matter here is settled, and the fox can pack his things and prepare to go back.

But this broke Xie Yunchuan's heart.

"Now that Your Highness has left, who knows when we will see each other again?"

Tinglan raised his head, his voice cold, "In that case, why not transfer you to be His Highness's bodyguard?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunchuan slapped his thigh with delight, "Then I really have to thank you, Master."

Tinglan casually tossed the book in his hand onto the table, appearing calm and collected on the surface, but his tone was somewhat resentful, "The palace is strictly controlled, and promotion is very difficult. General Xie, you should think this through. Your father doesn't want you to act so recklessly, does he?"

Upon hearing his father's name, Xie Yunchuan immediately deflated, "My dad will definitely break my legs."

Tinglan chuckled upon hearing this, maintaining her nonchalant demeanor, and picked up the book on the table.

How could he possibly transfer Xie Yunchuan to the young prince's side? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?

The fox, standing to the side, looked at his good friend and then at the dejected Xie Yunchuan, not understanding what had happened. He tugged at Tinglan's sleeve and whispered, "Will we really never see him again?"

Tinglan's expression hardened, as if facing a formidable enemy, but in the end, she didn't say anything. She turned her head and sighed, "How could we never see him again? It's not like he can't go to the capital. We'll probably see him again during the New Year."

Xie Yunchuan scratched his head, thinking to himself that it made sense. He smiled sheepishly, realizing he had learned a lot from His Highness these past few days, including receiving hands-on guidance from him.

For example, when eating fried dough sticks, how can you keep them crispy while they're soaked in broth? Or, for example, roasted chicken wings taste better with honey.

His Highness pays such attention to details in such small matters; one can only imagine how meticulous he must be in ordinary times. He is truly a role model for us all.

The disaster relief matter was resolved by Tinglan with lightning speed. After all, besides him, there was no one else in the court who could be trusted to take decisive action against the local powerful figures and temples who were exploiting the people.

There is much discussion in the court now: how could the Ninth Prince be willing to entrust such a great task of disaster relief to a thirteenth prince who has no background or foundation?

Does the thirteenth prince hold some serious leverage over him?

Regardless of what others think, the fox is already happily packing its things, preparing to go home.

Tonight is the last night I'll stay here. The fox put a lot of good food into his little bundle, and then folded up his clothes and put another piece inside.

Tinglan leaned against the bed, watching him tinker around, busy for a long time but not accomplishing anything.

"Your Highness, please rest."

The fox tied a knot in the bundle, smiled, and turned back to say, "Okay."

He ran to the bedside, looked at the bed, and, somewhat dissatisfied, put his hands on his hips and asked.

"Why are you wearing so many clothes again today?" It's uncomfortable to sleep in so many clothes. I thought you had changed your ways last time.

When sleeping, it's best to wear a close-fitting garment; that's the most comfortable and relaxing way.

Tinglan was taken aback by what he said. She looked down at herself and suddenly felt a little embarrassed. Of course, she had taken off her clothes that day, so what was she doing pretending like this now?

He was silent for a moment, then lowered his head. "...Could Your Highness please turn off the light?"

Ji Qing already knew about the scar on his chest, and that was one thing, but he had more than one scar...

He lowered his head and untied the sash on the side of his clothes, leaving only a very thin silk undergarment. This outfit made him feel very insecure, so he pulled up the brocade quilt and covered his chest with it.

The fox was finally satisfied. He kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and grinned as he rested his head on Tinglan's shoulder. "This is more comfortable."

Tinglan's ears were burning hot. He didn't know what the little prince was going to do next; his heart was just racing.

The fox stretched and buried itself in the blanket, hooking its legs around Tinglan's calves like an octopus.

His clothes were thin, and the little prince's body heat quickly seeped through the fabric.

"Your Highness..." Tinglan exhaled a long breath, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.

Seeing him like this, the wicked fox in his heart immediately knocked out the good fox with a stick, and his evil intentions won out again. He chuckled softly, grabbed Tinglan's hand, and pressed it against the headboard.

The fox bared its teeth and claws at him, asking arrogantly, "Are you afraid of me? I'm a fox spirit, you know."

Tinglan smiled and shook her head.

The fox was disheartened by the answer, feeling that it had lost its dignity as a fairy. "No, you have to be afraid of me."

Tinglan had no choice but to coax him, "Alright, Your Highness is the most afraid of me."

Hearing this, the fox became smug, its non-existent tail wagging. "That's more like it. So what are you afraid of me for?"

"I fear that Your Highness might one day abandon me."

Upon hearing this answer, the fox blankly released his grip. For some reason, he seemed a little sad, and lowered his head, whispering, "I won't leave you. You still have to come home with me. I'll take you to pick grapes."

"Then Your Highness must keep your word."

The candlelight had gone out, and in the darkness, Tinglan could barely see that the little prince's eyes seemed to be glistening with tears.

The fox thought, "I want to be with you forever."

I'd eat those awful sweet chicken hearts for the rest of my life, I'd do it.

I do.