Chapter 945: The Young Empress (78)— continues from 940

Translator's Note:

Again, chapter numbers was like this in the raws I found😭But this chapter is the direct continuation after chapter 940.... so read without worry💝

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The moment Su Qing heard the old emperor ordering him to bring Xiao Jin back, his heart sank.

He truly hadn't expected that after he had ruined every single prince, the old emperor would end up remembering Xiao Jin instead.

Bring Xiao Jin back?

Impossible.

Return to Western Saint Kingdom?

Until he seized Qi Kingdom, he would never return to Western Saint Kingdom.

A hesitant expression appeared on Su Qing's face, immediately displeasing the old emperor. "What? Is there some difficulty?"

"Father Emperor, it isn't that your son is unwilling to fetch Sixth Prince, but..."

"But what?" The old emperor's expression remained ugly. "Speak."

"The princess has always kept an eye on Sixth Prince's situation. Sixth Prince became a secondary husband to Prince Yue of Western Saint Kingdom many years ago. According to the latest reports, his health is poor. I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to endure such a long journey."

The old emperor frowned. "Really?"

"If Father Emperor does not believe it, you may secretly send people to investigate. If your son goes personally, I fear it might provoke dissatisfaction from Western Saint Kingdom. Sixth Prince was sent there back then. If we simply decide to bring him back now, it might offend the other side."

"That makes sense. Then I shall send people to investigate."

That was exactly the answer Su Qing had been waiting for.

Xiao Jin hadn't sent him any messages, but he had information on Xiao Jin himself.

As for Tang Nuoyue, she had changed tremendously over the years. Xiao Jin's life had not been easy. It was said that many of the forces he had cultivated within Western Saint Kingdom had been uprooted by Tang Nuoyue, seemingly by chance. Whether it had been accidental or deliberate, no one knew.

If the old emperor investigated personally, he would naturally discover that Xiao Jin was no longer suitable to inherit the throne.

Had Su Qing gone to retrieve him and brought back a prince incapable of becoming heir, the old emperor would have blamed him first for his incompetence.

The old emperor's people departed the very next day. Several months later, they returned with news of Xiao Jin. After that, the old emperor never again mentioned bringing Xiao Jin back to Qi Kingdom, as though he had forgotten he even had such a son.

Meanwhile, inside Tang Nuoyue's residence, Xiao Jin sat with a dark expression and lowered head, listening to Wangfu Shan Ge's lecture.

"You've gone out and embarrassed the prince again. Can't you stay obediently in the manor and enjoy a life of luxury?" Shan Ge said.

Xiao Jin remained silent. Shan Ge wasn't angered in the slightest and continued, "The prince is already busy and overworked every day, yet you're constantly trying to sneak out and do all sorts of ridiculous things. From today onward, you're not leaving the residence."

"You—"

Shan Ge smiled. "What about me? I'm the principal husband. You're only a secondary husband. The prince manages matters outside, but everything inside this manor is under my control. The prince personally ordered it."

Xiao Jin nearly choked from frustration.

He deeply regretted it now. He should never have coaxed that woman, Tang Nuoyue.

Who could have imagined that she would grow into what she was today?

A vicious thought flashed through his mind. Since they wouldn't let him live peacefully, then no one else would enjoy peace either.

Two days later, Tang Guo heard that Tang Nuoyue requested an audience.

She had assumed Tang Nuoyue had discovered some problem somewhere and had come to seek an imperial decree.

Unexpectedly, Tang Nuoyue arrived dragging Xiao Jin with her.

"What is this about?" Tang Guo asked.

Tang Nuoyue let out a cold laugh. "Your Majesty, I can't keep this man anymore."

"Tell me what happened."

"He attempted to poison the meals of my husband and me. If Wangfu hadn't discovered it in time, I'm afraid I would already be dead."

Tang Nuoyue's gaze toward Xiao Jin was icy.

Had Xiao Jin simply behaved himself and lived quietly, she would have treated everything from her previous life as water under the bridge.

After all, she had already exacted every revenge she needed.

Yet Xiao Jin had never been willing to stay put.

And now, he had even tried to poison her.