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The princes in Zhaoming Hall seemed to only be somewhat gossipy about the floods in the south, but in reality, they were all extremely concerned about this assignment.
After all, in their eyes, the crown prince was immoral, so it was perfectly reasonable for the other princes to vie for that position.
The Crown Prince's incident presented them with the best opportunity yet.
However, only one person can get this opportunity.
Therefore, what these princes were saying just now, seemingly gossiping, was actually a way of probing what others were thinking about this matter, and how much of a chance they themselves had of winning.
Who would have thought that their scheme would end up benefiting no one but the unloved and useless Ninth Prince, who would intercept it halfway through.
These princes, who had always looked down on Jiang Heng, could not swallow this insult.
They were also completely puzzled, wondering why such a lucrative job that could put the crown prince underfoot had fallen to someone like Jiang Heng.
Didn't their maternal clans and the ministers in their factions fight for power in the court?
The princes all shared this view, so their gazes toward Jiang Heng gradually shifted from shock to disgust.
Amidst their disgust, there was even more jealousy. They were jealous that Jiang Heng had taken away the job that belonged to them, which only fueled their resentment towards him.
These princes couldn't help but think.
If Jiang Heng hadn't left Yaoyue Palace, and had spent his entire life in his mother's cold, desolate residence, thus not affecting the princes' struggle for the throne, how wonderful that would have been.
In the eyes of these princes, Jiang Heng was useless and had no chance of participating in the struggle for the throne.
Therefore, when someone blocks your path, they become a stumbling block.
Of course, he is also a useful knife when he needs to block someone's way.
Shen Wenqiu never expected that the southern floods, which were lightly mentioned in the original novel, would escalate to the point of taking away the Crown Prince's position, causing the princes to fight over it, and finally, the position would fall to Jiang Heng.
How did this matter get involved with Jiang Heng?
Shen Wenqiu's first reaction was worry; he feared these people might harm Jiang Heng.
On second thought, no prince could have gotten this opportunity, yet it fell to Jiang Heng. Perhaps it was the Emperor's good intention for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince is at fault in this matter. If it were to fall on those other princes who are eyeing the throne, it would certainly be detrimental to the Crown Prince.
It would be better to hand it over to a prince who has little competitive ability; whether the matter is handled well or poorly, it won't affect the crown prince much.
Thinking about it this way, Shen Wenqiu felt relieved.
For the sake of the Crown Prince, it's unlikely the Emperor will do anything to Jiang Heng because of this.
As for these princes, they are likely to be mindful of the Emperor's feelings and probably won't do anything too outrageous.
However... harsh words are inevitable.
The Fifth Prince glanced at Jiang Heng with disdain and was the first to make a move.
"How can someone like you, who just came from a cold palace like Yaoyue Palace, be qualified to go to the south to relieve disaster and help the people in place of His Highness the Crown Prince?" The Fifth Prince was very dissatisfied, and his words were full of malice.
After speaking, the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince exchanged a glance and gave Jiang Heng a look of disgust.
Upon hearing the words "Yaoyue Palace," Jiang Heng was naturally extremely displeased. He raised his eyes with a cold gaze and looked at the Fifth Prince, correcting him, "Yaoyue Palace is not the Cold Palace."
Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince smiled sarcastically and said, "Your maternal clan committed treason, their property was confiscated and they were exterminated. Your mother was even sentenced to death in Yaoyue Palace. What is Yaoyue Palace if not a cold palace? Do you really intend to use that unlucky place as the palace of some favored concubine?"
These princes, unable to get what they wanted and not wanting to speak out directly about the matter, resorted to spouting nonsense by picking on other people's sore spots.
Shen Wenqiu was disgusted by this behavior. He suppressed his fear of imperial power and stood up to speak for Jiang Heng.
"Sixth Prince, you are mistaken. Although His Highness the Ninth Prince's mother was executed for her family's crimes, Yaoyue Palace is just a palace within the imperial palace. It just so happens that the Ninth Prince lived there for several years. How can it be called a cold palace, let alone something unlucky? If someone's death makes something unlucky, then every place in the palace has seen someone die. According to Sixth Prince's logic, wouldn't the entire imperial palace become unlucky?"
Shen Wenqiu's words were very risky, as they were using the Sixth Prince's logic to refute his own rhetoric.
But he had indeed spoken ill of the palace. If the royal family were to blame him, Shen Wenqiu would be dead several times over.
But Shen Wenqiu was gambling; he gambled that even if the emperor found out, he wouldn't pursue the matter.
Even though these words mentioned Mu Yan, a woman the emperor didn't want to talk about, a woman he had once been attracted to but then ruthlessly murdered.
However, the task Jiang Heng has taken on now concerns the Emperor's most beloved Crown Prince. Even if it's to get Jiang Heng done as soon as possible so that the other princes don't have a chance to make trouble for the Crown Prince, the Emperor will not allow the Sixth Prince and the others to make trouble for Jiang Heng over these inexplicable matters at this critical juncture.
The other princes, including the sixth prince himself, also understood this principle.
He knew that continuing the argument would be detrimental to everyone, and it might even reach the Emperor's ears, making him lose face in the process.
I already felt humiliated by Jiang Heng, and if I were to lose face in front of the Emperor because of Jiang Heng, it would be an even greater loss.
So the sixth prince snorted coldly, and didn't mention the matter again, turning around and leaving.
Seeing this, the other princes also left one after another.
As Shen Wenqiu watched them leave, he finally felt deflated after they were all gone, and his legs almost gave way, so he quickly grabbed the table next to him for support.
Jiang Heng had been staring intently at Shen Wenqiu from the very beginning.
He was overjoyed. He knew that Qiuqiu was on his side, but he never expected that Qiuqiu, who was usually timid, would stand up for him and refute the Sixth Prince.
He was very happy.
He wanted to stop pretending and just hold Qiuqiu's hand, wanting her to stay by his side forever.
This was completely different from the feeling he had with his confidants in his previous life. Qiuqiu was special; she was able to care about him and stand by his side when he had nothing and had no special relationship with him.
This is why he places Qiuqiu in the most important place in his heart as well.
So from the very beginning, Jiang Heng stared at Shen Wenqiu with those burning, scalding eyes, watching his every move, remembering every little action, every glance, and every slight change in expression.
The moment his legs went weak, Jiang Heng immediately reached out to support him, and as he pressed his hand against the table, he took the opportunity to pull him into his arms.
This is a hugging gesture from behind.
It's very satisfying, like having the whole world wrapped up in your arms.
If Jiang Heng could see Shen Wenqiu's expression, he would have liked this pose very much.
"Qiuqiu, are you alright?"
Jiang Heng's hot breath brushed against Shen Wenqiu's ear, causing him to feel a slight itch in his heart.
I think it's because my ear tips are sensitive that I had that strange sensation.
Shen Wenqiu blushed, not daring to think too much. He quickly broke free from Jiang Heng, turned around and lowered his head to face him, saying, "Your Highness, I am fine. It's getting late, let's go back soon."
Jiang Heng's face was gloomy. He rubbed his palms, feeling the warmth that had just lingered, and savoring the memory of that soft body.
It's such a pity that he slipped away from my arms like that. But it's okay, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Jiang Heng suppressed his gloomy expression and revealed a well-behaved smile, saying, "Okay, I'll listen to Qiuqiu."
After saying this, Jiang Heng obediently stepped forward, took Shen Wenqiu's hand, and carefully held Shen Wenqiu's fingertips, pulling him out.
Shen Wenqiu noticed Jiang Heng's caution when he held his hand, so he took the initiative to tighten his grip on Jiang Heng's hand in return. He smiled gently at the other's surprised gaze and said, "If Your Highness wishes to hold my hand, there is no need to be reserved. Your Highness is Your Highness, and I will try my best to fulfill any requests you may have."
Jiang Heng stared intently at Shen Wenqiu, pondering his words. He pressed his tongue against his teeth for a long time before finally managing a smile and softly replying, "Well, then Qiuqiu, you must fulfill my wish."
Shen Wenqiu had a feeling something was wrong, but her trust in Jiang Heng prevailed.
He didn't say anything, just smiled and nodded, which was his way of making a promise.
Upon returning to Zhaolin Palace, Shen Wenqiu closed the door, pulled Jiang Heng to the table, and sat down, a hint of worry appearing on his face.
"Your Highness is going alone. If something happens to you..." Shen Wenqiu dared not think about it. But ancient times are not like modern times, and feudal society is not as good as their new era. Here, relationships are deeply intertwined, and the environment is not yet stable. Dangers may be everywhere.
This made Shen Wenqiu very worried after thinking about it carefully.
"It'll be alright, Qiuqiu, don't worry." Jiang Heng felt a warmth in his heart, squeezed Shen Wenqiu's hand, and comforted him.
“But…” Shen Wenqiu still frowned, he was really worried. He looked up at Jiang Heng again, “Your Highness has already run into trouble from all sides by getting this assignment. If they cause you any trouble over there, won’t you have a hard time dealing with it all by yourself!”
Jiang Heng pondered these words in his heart, feeling extremely happy.
It's good that Qiuqiu is worried about him.
Seeing that Jiang Heng did not speak, Shen Wenqiu continued, saying, "I would like to accompany you. If anything happens, the two of you can at least look out for each other."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng immediately shook his head, his expression turning serious, and said, "No."
Shen Wenqiu did not expect Jiang Heng to refuse so decisively. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "But Your Highness cannot go by yourself. It would be better if I accompanied you. If Your Highness encounters any problems, you can discuss them with others."
Jiang Heng calmed down, realizing he had been too hasty.
No one knows better than him, who has lived a second life, what the situation in the court is like and what those people will do at this time.
Therefore, he knew very well that staying in the palace and studying at his empty desk in the Zhaoming Hall was much safer than going south with him.
Because he was not involved in this matter in his previous life, and at that time he had not yet been released from Yaoyue Palace, his understanding of this matter was only from other people's words and the records.
With so many unknowns, how could he dare to let Qiuqiu go on an adventure with him?
Jiang Heng looked up at Shen Wenqiu, took his hand, and said earnestly, "Qiuqiu, you should study hard in Zhaoming Hall and wait for me to come back, okay?"
With such a serious expression, Shen Wenqiu couldn't refuse.
But he was still worried, and the sorrow in his eyes just wouldn't go away.
Seeing that Shen Wenqiu did not answer, Jiang Heng let go of her hand and reached into the sachet at his waist to take something out.
The moment Jiang Heng let go, Shen Wenqiu felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.
He lowered his eyes and remained silent, staring at Jiang Heng's next words.
Jiang Heng took out a jade pendant and solemnly placed it in Shen Wenqiu's hand, saying, "Qiuqiu, keep this jade pendant. If you need anything while I'm not in the palace, you can take this jade pendant to see Eunuch Zhao of the Directorate of Ceremonial.
Shen Wenqiu was slightly taken aback. "Eunuch Zhao from the Directorate of Ceremonial?"
This person wields immense power and influence; is he actually connected to Jiang Heng?
While Shen Wenqiu was deep in thought, he secretly glanced at Jiang Heng.
He always felt that... the Jiang Heng in front of him looked very different from the Jiang Heng in the original novel.
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