Chapter 42 A flick of the tongue, licking Ji Chengnin's palm...
Qu Fengzhi could barely contain his elation and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, please calm down..."
The emperor flung his hand away and said in a deep voice, "What a fine line about failing my grace! What a sharp-tongued little marquis!"
Qu Fengzhi's face flushed red and then turned pale, overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and anger. His knees buckled, and he knelt down behind the emperor.
The emperor's voice was devoid of emotion, yet somehow, everyone inside and outside the flower pavilion prostrated themselves, pressing their heads tightly to the ground, not daring to breathe.
The jade fish tally was held respectfully in Ji Chengning's hands. The mutton-fat jade shimmered under the candlelight, its warm texture contrasting closely with its owner's pale, cold skin, conveying an unbridled sense of provocation to the emperor.
The boy's jaw was taut, and his glossy lips were pressed into a thin line. He looked nervous, but he didn't back down at all.
Just like that night when he entered the palace, amidst the thunder, his face was deathly pale, yet incredibly resolute.
The emperor was greatly shocked.
People connected by blood can be so similar.
It made him tremble with fear, it made him almost hateful.
"Loyalty to the emperor and service to the country," the emperor said calmly, as if his anger had never existed, yet it only made people more terrified. Qin Min, outside the brocade curtain, closed his eyes in despair. His Majesty was truly enraged! "Young Marquis, you have defied the emperor, so arrogantly. Did Ji Lin teach you this?"
The ending tone became increasingly soft.
Yet its imposing presence was so overwhelming that it made it hard to breathe.
From the emperor's perspective, the young man holding the fish-shaped tally clenched his thumb tightly for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, I have studied under several great masters of this era, but have achieved nothing. I am hopeless and have failed the emperor's grace above and the people below..." The hoarse words were squeezed out of his throat, "Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to punish me and take back the fish-shaped tally."
"Very well!" The emperor laughed in anger, and said in a cold voice, "Since you know you have wronged me, kneel here and reflect on your mistakes!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Qin Min with a sinister look. Qin Gonggong hurriedly scrambled in and took the fish tally from Ji Chengning's hand.
The emperor turned and left.
Qu Fengzhi felt a sense of relief. He glanced at Ji Chengnin, who was kneeling upright, and said with regret and disappointment, "Young Marquis, you are too, too ignorant!"
Ji Chengning smiled slightly at Qu Fengzhi.
Qu Fengzhi suddenly noticed that Ji Chengning had extremely dark eyes, as dark as an abyss. He was startled and involuntarily took half a step back.
He was even more furious, but since Ji Chengnin still held a title, he dared not say anything more and quickly caught up with the emperor.
"Your Majesty..." Qu Fengzhi saw Qin Min stop and wait for him, so he hurriedly stepped forward and said with trepidation, "Eunuch Qin." After a pause, he spoke again, sounding like an older brother worried about his younger brother, "The young marquis is spoiled and impetuous at a young age. Although his spoiled behavior has offended Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible for him to have any treacherous intentions. I hope you will speak well of the young marquis, and I am willing to guarantee it with my life."
Qin Min looked at Qu Fengzhi with a half-smile.
The chief eunuch's gaze was so mocking that Qu Fengzhi's smile froze slightly.
After a moment, Qin Min said softly, "Lord Qu, it's getting late. His Majesty requests that you leave the palace."
Qu Fengzhi: "...Yes."
"Furthermore, His Majesty said that although it was Marquis Ji who was arrogant and rebellious, the matter was ultimately caused by you," Qu Fengzhi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, "You do not need to attend court these few days, just wait for His Majesty's decision."
Qu Fengzhi said in a panic, "Your Excellency, I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qin Min had already turned and left, with two eunuchs following closely behind.
Only a palace servant remained, carrying a lantern, standing silently beside Qu Fengzhi, waiting to see him off from the palace.
It was completely different from the attentive and caring manner when they arrived.
Qu Fengzhi gritted his teeth. This opportunistic eunuch will regret it sooner or later!
He turned and left.
Qu Fengzhi was filled with trepidation and anger. He was trepidation because he was worried about His Majesty's intentions, and angry because Ji Chengning had caused him to be disliked by the Emperor. He completely forgot that he was the one who had put on an act before the Emperor. He said, "Your Majesty, my younger brother and the young marquis have known each other since they were young. If they were to part ways because of me, I would truly feel sorry for them. However, you know the young marquis's character. No matter how hard I try to make amends, I cannot." After speaking, he sighed softly.
The emperor understood his meaning, and since it was a favor, he didn't mind granting his request.
He had anticipated that if Ji Chengning came, he would treat him coldly, which would incur the Emperor's displeasure. He never expected that Ji Chengning would resign directly.
So much so that instead of showing his understanding and forbearance as a newly rich man, he appeared to be meddling!
At this moment, in the West Flower Pavilion.
The luxurious aroma of whalebone, the somber bitterness of the ointment, and the pungent, putrid odor that seemed to emanate from nowhere, like that of a terminally ill person, lingered around Ji Chengning's nose, persistent and inescapable.
Ji Chengning felt nauseous.
He had been feeling nauseous so much lately that if he hadn't been intimate with someone and wasn't a woman, he would have seriously suspected he was pregnant.
Upon hearing this idea, even Ji Chengning himself wanted to scold himself for being heartless.
"He brought this on himself," he heard someone say.
Ji Chengnin looked up.
The pungent, foul smell seemed to materialize, solidifying into a hideous figure that coldly stared at him and mocked, "You'd rather be a favored minister than humiliate yourself. Ji Chengning, you deserve it."
Ji Chengnin wasn't sure if he was going crazy or if it was just a hallucination caused by exhaustion, but he was certain that he was fully conscious.
Because the ground where he was kneeling was specially paved with strangely shaped stones for aesthetic purposes, it was not polished. If he were to fall, it would be enough to scrape off a layer of skin. Even through a single layer of clothing, the stones would prick his knees and lower legs as if they were being pricked by needles.
Ji Chengning could even hear the dull, teeth-grinding sound of the stone sinking into his skin as he quietly moved his knee.
The relentless pain emanating from his knees prevented him from even fainting.
So he cautiously replied, "Mmm-hmm."
"You brought this on yourself, you have no perseverance whatsoever." The figure said coldly, "You were the one who confidently told Ji Lin that you would rise rapidly in rank, and now you're the one who casually resigns, Ji Chengnin, you're truly useless." The thing made a ghostly sound like a cold laugh, "Didn't you ever think that your actions today would implicate Ji Lin and bring her condemnation?"
A night breeze was blowing.
Ji Chengning was wearing only a single layer of clothing. He had just been sweating profusely, and when the wind blew, his inner garment clung tightly to his body.
He then felt the cold and shivered violently.
"Xiao Ning!"
A gasp escaped, followed by hurried footsteps approaching from afar.
Ji Chengnin looked up abruptly, "Your Highness."
The visitor was Zhou Yu.
Arriving in such a hurry, a sickly flush appeared on Zhou Yu's pale face. He rushed forward, "Xiao Ning."
A look of surprise and emotion finally appeared on the young man's expressionless face. "It's late and the wind is cold. Why has Your Highness come?"
Zhou Yu stared at him, and said resentfully, "Tell me why I'm here?"
“I know the whole story. That scoundrel Qu Fengzhi plotted against you,” the Crown Prince’s handsome face was filled with murderous intent. “But Xiao Ning, what exactly is it that warrants you publicly defying His Majesty? Can’t you just…”
Upon hearing this, it was Zhou Yu who paused first.
Zhou Yu shut his mouth in annoyance.
Ji Chengnin smiled bitterly, "It's a long story. I am a criminal, Your Highness is of noble birth, please do not come near me again."
Zhou Yu, who was originally bowing to speak to Ji Chengning, disregarded everything else upon hearing this and immediately leaned in front of Ji Chengning. He knelt on one knee and was much taller than Ji Chengning, almost able to hug him tightly. For a moment, Zhou Yu was stunned and could have hugged Xiao Ning completely.
Ji Chengnin was shocked, "Your Highness, you mustn't!"
Zhou Yu came over, his cloak following him, almost completely enveloping Ji Chengnin. He whispered, "Xiao Ning, are you blaming me?"
The fragrance emanating from Zhou Yu largely masked the putrid stench.
The furry edges of the cloak brushed against Ji Chengnin's cheek, steaming with heat. He looked up and met Zhou Yu's mournful eyes.
It felt like his heart had been gently pinched, a mix of soreness, itchiness, and tenderness. Ji Chengning knew he was overthinking things again, so he gave him a reassuring smile. "How could I blame you, A-Yu? What could I possibly blame you for?"
Zhou Yu's throat trembled violently.
It's my fault; I didn't plead for you with all my might.
If you were in my shoes, you would definitely try your best to save me.
Ji Chengning is looking at him.
Her eyes, pure and full of affection, were looking at him.
As if bewitched, Zhou Yu slowly reached out, wanting to touch Ji Chengnin's eyes.
The latter lifted her long eyelashes slightly, looking at his bewildered movements with puzzlement, "Your Highness?"
Zhou Yu suddenly realized what was happening and abruptly lowered his hand.
His heart trembled so much that he could hardly breathe. He took several difficult breaths and said, "Xiao Ning, wait for me. I'm going to find His Majesty."
Just as he was about to get up, Ji Chengnin grabbed him.
Having been away from home for too long, Zhou Yu trembled slightly as a warm, cool palm pressed tightly against his wrist. "Xiao Ning."
Ji Chengnin looked at him and said earnestly, "Your Highness, why have you gone to such lengths? It was my carelessness that offended His Majesty. If Your Highness pleads for me and is implicated, how am I supposed to face the consequences?"
Before he finished speaking, Zhou Yu grasped Ji Chengning's hand in return.
The pale, bony fingers were surprisingly strong at that moment, pressing tightly against the back of his hand. "Xiao Ning," he whispered, "wait for me."
Just as Ji Chengnin was about to speak, an overwhelming warmth emanated from above.
It was Zhou Yu's cloak.
Ji Chengnin was shocked and exclaimed, "Your Highness?!"
What should I do if I get frostbite?
"Your Highness, this is probably related to..." the deputy chief steward, who had been watching coldly from the side, reminded him.
Zhou Yu turned his head.
The deputy general manager met his gaze for half a second, then immediately lowered his head.
Zhou Yu sneered, then turned to Ji Chengning with a gentle smile. "I would never go out with just a cloak." Before he finished speaking, a eunuch came running over with the cloak. "You were the one who told me to bring this, Xiao Ning. How could you forget?"
After speaking, he left in a hurry without waiting for Ji Chengnin's reply.
Ji Chengnin lowered his head.
Several crescent-shaped marks, tinged with red, were left on the back of his fair hand.
On the other side, Zhou Yu's face was ashen.
He asked what to do, and all the advisors in the Eastern Palace advised him not to get involved, saying that things would naturally calm down once His Majesty's anger subsided.
waste!
His eyes flashed with a sinister light. After a long while, Zhou Yu suddenly thought of something and said, "Someone come here."
In no time at all, the handwritten note was completed in one stroke.
Facing his most trusted confidant, Zhou Yu succinctly ordered, "Send this letter over."
...
Inside Yuqing Palace.
After His Majesty entered with his face flushed, all the attendants stood with their heads bowed, holding their breath.
Wang Shu wanted to ask Qin Min what was wrong, why His Majesty's face looked so bad, but after receiving a warning look from Eunuch Qin, she kept her mouth shut.
The emperor remained expressionless, with veins throbbing on his forehead, and said coldly, "I have truly spoiled Ji Chengnin, so much so that he is ignorant of his own limitations and dares to disobey the emperor."
The beaded curtain hangs down.
The tall figure of the imperial concubine was faintly visible.
The emperor stared coldly at the figure for a long time, then suddenly smiled, "Your fine son, you have nothing to say?"
Although he was smiling, the threatening tone in his voice sent a chill down everyone's spine.
The imperial concubine remained silent, as if she hadn't heard the emperor speak at all.
If the emperor hadn't been able to confirm that the other person was still breathing, he would have seriously doubted that the Consort, who had been motionless and silent since he entered, was dead.
Anger surged forth, and the emperor swept his sleeve, knocking the teacup off the table.
It was an adorable tiger claw glass cup that fell to the ground and shattered into pieces with a loud crack.
Qin Min was startled and knelt down first.
The entire Yuqing Palace was filled with kneeling figures, a sea of black.
The fragments shimmered in Consort Ji's dark eyes, and she finally spoke, "Someone come here."
The emperor raised his eyes.
Wang Shu approached tremblingly, "Your Majesty, Your Highness."
"Go to the storeroom and find the Chengbi Lianhuan Cup for His Majesty," Consort Ji said calmly.
The emperor looked at him coldly.
Consort Ji raised her hand and lifted the beaded curtain.
The pearl was lifted, clanging and clattering, making one's heart jump.
Consort Ji bent down and personally picked up the fragments from the ground one by one, carefully placing them in her palm.
It was as if those were not worthless fragments, but national treasures.
The emperor stared intently at Consort Ji, who was not looking to the side, and after a long while, he lowered his voice and sighed softly, "Cheng Ning and his mother are exactly alike."
Consort Ji suddenly clenched her fist.
Blood beads immediately welled up along the lines of his palm.
“She looks and has the same temperament. When I was at Chengning Steps, I felt like I saw her come back.” The emperor could feel the resentment in Consort Ji’s eyes. After so many years of “living together day and night,” the emperor knew what he would say to make the seemingly dead Consort Ji react. Seeing the blood rolling down, a twisted pleasure immediately welled up in his heart. “Even her son is so grown up now.”
Sixteen years have passed since we parted, and my soul still cannot enter your dreams.
They were all so radiant, so unruly and arrogant, exuding a vibrant and vigorous life force.
The emperor said in a low voice, "You miss her too, don't you?"
Consort Ji did not answer, but simply looked at the emperor expressionlessly.
Having known the Emperor for nearly thirty years, Consort Ji knew him all too well: he spoke sweet words but did heartless things, and was hypocritical and pretentious, making him nauseating.
Blood droplets fell to the ground.
"Clatter."
The crimson hue caught the emperor's eye.
Someone rushed in and whispered something to Qin Min.
Qin Min's expression changed drastically, and he stepped forward with a stiff upper lip, "Your Majesty."
He glanced at the emperor, then looked with difficulty at Consort Ji, who was expressionlessly fiddling with a pile of broken glass. He stared intently at her.
"Step forward and speak," the emperor said coldly.
Qin Min bowed and quickly explained the situation.
With each word he spoke, the emperor's expression grew increasingly grim.
The emperor's voice was as cold as frost, "Where is Xu Sheng?"
Qin Min said in a trembling voice, "The young master of Lord Xu's family has become more ill, and Lord Xu submitted a request for leave this morning."
There hasn't been a single day that I could have peace of mind!
The emperor was furious.
His heart was in turmoil, but his face remained completely expressionless.
Xu Jing'en had to fall seriously ill at this particular time, of all times. Xu Sheng was a capable and ruthless man, yet he doted on this useless son like the apple of his eye.
This is a matter of great importance, and it will involve many powerful and influential families.
Ordinary officials, when faced with these people, will inevitably be vague and gloss over the truth.
The Emperor turned his attention to Consort Ji, who was engrossed in arranging the cups. He spoke calmly, saying, "Ji Lin has always been unwilling to let Ji Chengning become an official, fearing that he might offend too many people and end up with a terrible death."
"Click".
The glass shards collided, shattering even more violently.
The emperor admired the blood flowing from the distinct knuckles of his fingers. "Qin Min, send Ji Chengning back to reflect on his mistakes." He glanced out the window and saw the sun set, dawn was breaking, and the first rays of morning light seemed to flicker in the east.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."
"Tell him what happened outside the examination hall."
Qin Min bowed his head deeply, "Yes."
Blood flowed freely.
The emperor said gently, "Don't squeeze Ah Chen, it hurts."
...
A ray of morning sunlight fell on my face.
Ji Chengning, his eyes half-closed and slightly swollen, felt the warmth of the rising sun and slowly raised his gaze.
Has a night passed?
He thought.
"Young Marquis, Young Marquis!"
I must have fallen asleep kneeling down, Ji Chengning thought emotionlessly, otherwise why would I have seen Qin Min crying and wailing as she came toward me?
But why did I dream of Qin Min?
The young marquis dusted off his shoulders, as if he felt his dream was dirty.
“Young Marquis,” Qin Min smiled more warmly than if he were seeing his own father, “Please get up. His Majesty has granted you permission to return home.”
Ji Chengnin was somewhat surprised. "Your subject is grateful."
Is that all?
What did His Highness do? Or did his second uncle get the news and plead for him?
Qin Min turned his head, his smile vanishing instantly. "You ungrateful wretch, don't you know how to help the young marquis up?"
The two eunuchs huddled up like quails and rushed forward to help Ji Chengning.
Ji Chengnin waved his hand, indicating that it was unnecessary.
The two eunuchs then quietly returned to Qin Min's side.
Qin Min smiled and said, "Young Marquis, His Majesty has asked me to escort you back."
Ji Chengnin nodded indifferently.
“Young Marquis,” Qin Min tried his best to make his voice sound extremely kind, “His Majesty was just angry, he was still good to you. Over the years, if I may be so disrespectful,” he lowered his voice, “no prince can compare to your favor.”
Ji Chengnin nodded.
Qin Min subconsciously followed his nodding gesture and looked down.
Two dark red orbs suddenly appeared in my eyes.
It's Ji Chengning's knee.
The blood flowed for an unknown amount of time, turning from red to black. The torn skin revealed the fragile flesh beneath, and even more blood flowed, the old and new blood intertwined, creating a horrifying scene that stained the robes with a black and red stain.
Fortunately, Ji Chengnin was only a little pale and did not seem to be in any pain!
Qin Min was so shocked he almost jumped up.
How can he possibly start talking when he's injured like this?
He had forgotten to ask His Majesty if the young marquis could be transported by carriage if he were injured, and now he was so regretful that he almost slapped himself.
"Small……"
He hesitated, unsure how to begin, when the Minister of Rites hurried over. He merely nodded slightly to the two of them before heading inside.
However, his gaze lingered on Ji Chengnin for a few more seconds.
The young marquis allowed him to look at him openly, which made the other man feel a little awkward, and he quickly walked past.
Qin Min finally found a topic to discuss and sighed, "Lord Feng has had a tough time. Last night, for some reason, some scoundrels spread rumors that the exam questions had been leaked long ago, and even more audacious traitors posted the so-called ranking list on the gate of the examination hall."
Ji Chengnin's porcelain-white face turned towards him.
Even Qin Min, who was as thick-skinned as the sky, paused for a moment. "Anyone with eyes can see that this is the work of traitors and villains, but some scholars are leading the trouble, blocking the entrance of the examination hall and demanding an explanation. Alas, it's hard to be an official."
Ji Chengning found it somewhat amusing to watch him sing, act, recite, and fight.
But he didn't laugh.
Because he had something more on his mind right now: how to get home.
Even setting aside the fact that there were no carriages or horses waiting for him, and whether he could even crawl back on his own two legs, how would he explain the blood on his body?
Seeing that he had no reaction and had nothing to say, Qin Min was so anxious that he was sweating profusely.
They remained silent the entire way.
Ji Chengnin straightened his cloak and strode out of the palace gate.
The movement aggravated his wound, causing him to grimace. But before he could retract his teeth, he spotted a very familiar carriage and an unexpected person.
The morning glow was a pale red, like a beautiful woman's rouge makeup.
It landed right on the man's face.
Thus, the outlines melted away, becoming obscure and indistinct.
"Ah Yao?"
Cui Yao rushed forward and helped Ji Chengning up.
Ji Chengnin thought that his cloak covered his legs completely, and since he took small steps, no one should notice anything amiss, so he smiled nonchalantly and said, "I was playing chess with Your Highness and forgot the time, so I stayed in the palace for the night. What brings you here?"
His words flowed naturally and naturally.
In Cui Yao's eyes, however, it was extremely hateful.
Despite being humiliated like this, Ji Chengnin was still trying to cover for the emperor!
He was so loyal!
Despite the bloody mess inside his cheeks from being bitten, Cui Yao showed no emotion on his face. He simply helped Ji Chengning up more carefully and half-embraced him as he got into the carriage.
The young marquis felt a little embarrassed by his cousin's attentive care in public... Although his cousin, who was dressed as a man, was taking such good care of him, he rubbed his nose. But then he thought that it was indeed inconvenient for him to get into the carriage at the moment, so he let Cui Yao do as she pleased.
"Your Highness," Cui Yao called softly.
It was so soft that Ji Chengning didn't hear the tremor in his voice.
Ji Chengnin looked up and smiled, "What's wrong? Why are you being so clingy so early in the morning?"
Cui Yao looked at him.
Cui Yao opened her lips.
He said, "How about killing him?"
Ji Chengning was terrified and deeply shocked.
The moment Cui Yao appeared relaxed and sleepy, the young marquis covered her mouth with his hand.
Kill? Kill whom?!
This is something that shouldn't be thought about too closely.
Cui Yao's gaze swept downwards, and from Ji Chengning's bloodless fingers, his pupils contracted sharply as he saw the half-hidden knees.
He looked up and, as if possessed, stuck out his tongue.
With a flick of his tongue, he licked Ji Chengnin's palm.
It was cool, a little rough, and carried the warm, sweet scent of Ji Chengnin, like a piece of ice with an excellent texture.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Ji Chengning abruptly withdrew his hand.
Help! My cousin has gone mad!
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