The little devil nodded vigorously. "It counts! Huge progress!"
Chu Heng glanced toward the door and asked, "Aren’t you usually reviewing memorials at this hour? Why are you here now? Did you come across something you didn’t understand?"
Only the two of them were in the room. Jin Cheng went over to support him and replied, "No, I understand everything. It’s just that there might be a war—You Country is making suspicious moves."
Chu Heng sat back down and guessed, "Hmm, is Luo Jingfeng leading the troops?"
"Yeah… He won’t let Father go, afraid no one will keep an eye on me," the little devil said worriedly. "Besides, Mother just became pregnant, so he needs to stay with her."
Chu Heng nodded in understanding. "That’s good too. Luo Jingfeng has fought for many years. With the Great General of Pacifying the West in command, there’s no need to worry about suffering losses against You Country."
Jin Cheng still hadn’t figured out why Luo Jingfeng had given him the military tally. He really wanted to ask His Highness but felt it would be wrong to go against Luo Jingfeng’s instructions.
Chu Heng noticed his inner struggle and hesitation and asked gently, "Are you worried something might happen to Luo Jingfeng?"
The little devil instinctively retorted, "I’m not worried about him! The wicked live a thousand years."
Chu Heng chuckled but didn’t comment.
After a moment of thought, Jin Cheng couldn’t help but ask, "Your Highness, Luo Jingfeng has bullied you for so many years. Do you hate him to death?"
Though the poison in His Highness’s body wasn’t administered by Luo Jingfeng, the Luo family had constantly opposed him—investigating this and that, making threats. Anyone would be fed up after being harassed for so long.
Chu Heng had always been mild-tempered.
But it wasn’t because he was weak or easily bullied. Rather, he possessed a strong sense of empathy. Whether it was Luo Shu or Luo Jingfeng, he didn’t dislike them. Because…
"He’s a pitiable man," Chu Heng said.
What he desired, he couldn’t obtain. Those he wanted to protect, he couldn’t shield.
The harder he tried to grasp something, the more it slipped through his fingers.
The little devil grumbled, "But he always oversteps his authority and does things I hate."
The Crown Prince smiled faintly. "Are you really asking whether I hate him, or are you asking yourself whether you hate him?"
Jin Cheng flushed at being seen through but then said resentfully, "His actions in court always annoy me, yet he’s genuinely good to me. I want to dislike him, but I also don’t want to."
Chu Heng’s fingers twitched.
Things were indeed developing in the direction he had feared.
The heart is made of flesh, after all.
Even if there had been many misunderstandings before, Luo Jingfeng’s sincerity toward Jin Cheng was real. Over time, it was only natural to be moved.
Fortunately, before Luo Jingfeng’s return, he had instilled in the boy the ability to distinguish right from wrong, ensuring he wouldn’t be led astray later.
Chu Heng suggested seriously, "Then separate public and private matters. In official matters, if he does wrong, dislike him. In personal matters, since he cherishes you, don’t dislike him."
Jin Cheng burst out laughing. "Your Highness, what kind of solution is that? Should I become a master of changing expressions?"
Chu Heng smiled. "It’s already a difficult situation. There’s no need to force a clear-cut distinction. Human nature is complex. As long as no boundaries are crossed, I don’t think it’s necessary to condemn someone outright."
Jin Cheng nodded thoughtfully. "Understood. I’ll think about it more."
After chatting with him for a while, Chu Heng finally spoke up. "Jin Cheng, my health has improved greatly. I’d like to visit the Prince of Ruining’s residence you gifted me."
Jin Cheng had indeed promised Luo Jingfeng to escort His Highness out of the palace today.
But he hadn’t expected His Highness to bring it up himself.
The little devil pouted unhappily. "Your Highness, Luo Jingfeng is leading the troops tomorrow. Once he leaves, no one will control me anymore. I’ll bring you back to the Eastern Palace right away."
Chu Heng chuckled softly. "Such a childish temper. I stayed here before because it was inconvenient to move. Now that I’ve recovered, how would it look for a prince to live in the Eastern Palace, a residence meant for the Crown Prince? What would the people and the officials think?"
Jin Cheng pursed his lips. "Then I’ll arrange another palace for you. If you leave, I won’t be able to see you every day."
Chu Heng tapped his little nose and smiled. "I’ll work hard to regain my health. Once I can move freely, you can summon me to the palace whenever you want."
The little devil was still disappointed but found a new hope. "Then you must take good care of yourself. I’ll send the imperial physician who treated you to your residence to help you recover faster."
"Alright."
By afternoon, the Prince of Ruining, along with his consort and young daughter, had moved out of the Eastern Palace, leaving the imperial palace where he had lived for over twenty years.
The court was abuzz with speculation—some discussing their relationship, others predicting future developments. But regardless of the rumors, everyone sensed an unspoken realization: the young emperor’s throne was becoming increasingly secure.
Early the next morning, the army set off.
Civil and military officials gathered to see them off. Luo Jingfeng, accompanied by his generals, came to bid farewell.
At the palace gates, the little devil glanced at Marquis Yuanyang among the entourage and reminded Luo Jingfeng uneasily, "You must take good care of the Marquis. He’s old and shouldn’t lead troops into battle. Also, the moment you find Zong Yan, send him and his father back to the capital immediately."
Luo Jingfeng’s face was cold as he snorted arrogantly. "You’ve been talking for so long, and it’s all about others. Don’t you have anything to say to me?"
The generals at his side lowered their heads even further. Everyone said the Duke Protector was cold-hearted and indifferent, but look at him now—acting jealous and petty. How could this be the relationship between a ruler and his subject, or an uncle and nephew?
It was more like a childish kid fishing for parting words but too proud to say it outright.
The little devil retorted irritably, "What’s there to say to someone as tough as you? It’s not like you’ll let Crown Prince Jin'an of You Country escape unscathed."
Though the words were meant as a jab, they struck a chord with Luo Jingfeng. He threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern! This subject will surely live up to your expectations and send Crown Prince Jin'an fleeing in defeat!"
The crowd erupted in laughter, morale soaring.
Luo Jingfeng turned and left.
Leading hundreds of thousands of troops to the border, he would fight for those he wished to protect, for Great Chu, until You Country no longer dared to harbor thoughts of invasion!
Meanwhile, after the army had departed, the youths who had gone to Su Xi in Lucheng finally returned—only to miss even the tail end of the procession.
Jin Cheng summoned his brothers to the imperial study.
Shen Yibai was the first to exclaim, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! What major event happened?! Why is there another war?! What did we miss?!"
After the palace examinations, he, Xinglu, He Zheng, and their five mentors had gone to Lucheng to deliver the good news to Mr. Su. This was their first time seeing Chu Jin Cheng again since then.
The former leader of the four little troublemakers was now the emperor of all Great Chu, seated right before them on the dragon throne.
He looked so imposing and majestic!
The little devil was delighted to see his brothers again, as if they had returned to the days of a month ago. He picked up a bright yellow memorial and rapped it on the table as a reminder. "Scholar Shen, can’t you be more composed? You’re about to become an official, yet you’re still so reckless. People will say the Marquis Manor Elite Class only produces unruly children."
