Sensing Jun Wu Xie’s undecided stance and demeanor, Qiao Chu gulped loudly as he asked warily: “What you intending to do Little Xie?” Without exactly knowing why, seeing that kind of expression on Jun Wu Xie made him strongly feel that something very terrible was about to occur very soon.
Jun Wu Xie instead shook her head. She gauged the amount of time that had passed before determining that the effects of the drug would be wearing out soon, and they would not be able to continue with the session today.
“Return first.”
Volume 9
Chapter 811 : “Retreat in Order to Advance”
When Lei Chen woke up, it was already the morning of the next day. When he got out of bed, he summoned the servants to help him wash up and changed his clothes.
“Has Young Master Jun and his companions awakened?” He had not gotten this tipsy since a long time ago and Lei Chen was still feeling a throbbing in his head.
“They are awake.”
Lei Chen nodded and ordered for the servants to invite Jun Xie and his companions to have breakfast together.
In the dining room, Jun Wu Xie and the others had already arrived. Lei Chen arrived just a little later and when he saw Jun Xie and the others, his face lit up with joy.
“Did my guests sleep well last night?”
“Very well.” Jun Wu Xie nodded.
“That’s good. I have not had any guests stay over at the Crown Prince’s Residence for quite a while and I was afraid that I might have not arranged things adequately and made all of you uncomfortable.” Lei Chen said with a laugh.
Qiao Chu glanced at Lei Chen discreetly and slipped over to stand beside Hua Yao. In a voice that was only audible to the two of them, Qiao Chu said: “Brother Hua, what do you think Little Xie will do next?”
Hua Yao shook his head.
What happened last night had upset all of Jun Wu Xie’s plans. After they went back to their rooms, they did not know if Jun Wu Xie had thought up other plans for them.
As the others were thinking what they were to do next, Jun Wu Xie spoke at that moment: “Your Highness, in regards to the rumours that swept through the Imperial Capital yesterday, what are you intending to do about it?”
Lei Chen was taken aback a moment, never expecting that Jun Xie would bring up the topic regarding the rumour today.
“That….. I will naturally send people to clarify the entire situation. I will see to it that little brother Jun will not have to worry.”
Jun Wu Xie looked expressionlessly at Lei Chen and her eyes swept over the servants standing at the sides of the room. “Can I ask that Your Highness dismiss the servants? I have things that I would like to say to you.”
Lei Chen saw the gaze that Jun Xie gave him and immediately understood what she meant, his heart suddenly taking a leap. Thinking that Jun Xie had something private to talk to him about, he immediately ordered all the servants to be dismissed and close the door tight behind them as they went out.
“What does little brother Jun need from me? It is safe to speak now.” Lei Chen’s face was filled with gentleness and smiles, though his heart was getting anxious and nervous. He had repeatedly tried to win the disciples from the Zephyr Academy over to his side but they had never showed any enthusiasm towards him. They had suddenly initiated for a meeting yesterday to come visit him at the Crown Prince’s Residence but it had turned out that they were here because of the rumours running amok in the Imperial Capital. He had initially been worried that those rumours would have caused Jun Xie and the others who were working towards rebuilding their academy’s glory to be displeased but from the way things were looking now, it might not be as bad as he had thought.
Seeing the highly anticipating smile on Lei Chen’s face, Jun Wu Xie asked him slowly: “Does Your Highness know who was the person who started the rumours?”
Lei Chen froze. He had assumed that Jun Xie had asked for the servants to be dismissed because he had wanted to discuss about an alliance or was intending to serve under his banner but Jun Wu Xie was instead still talking about the rumours and that had made Lei Chen involuntarily shown a flash of perplexity to show in his eyes briefly.
He knew very well who the culprit was but he was not able to share it with anyone in detail.
“That is still currently being investigated and the culprit behind it has not yet been identified.”
Jun Wu Xie’s eyes were lowered as she sipped at her tea, the fragrance rolling around in her mouth. She lifted her head slowly and her eyes chill as an autumn’s lake turned to look at Lei Chen.
“The rumours have affected our Zephyr Academy and in order to not let it drag the academy’s name down, my companions and I should not be frequently seen to be in close contact with Your Highness.”
Lei Chen’s heart dropped and hit the ground with a thud. Was Jun Xie severing ties with him now? ! The moment that thought had entered his head, Lei Chen panicked. He could not do without these guys from the Zephyr Academy at that moment.
“Little brother Jun that would not help anybody. I have always treated all of you from the Zephyr Academy courteously and with respect. Why would little brother Jun want his own plans to change just because of untrue rumours spread by others?” Lei Chen said hurriedly.
Volume 9
Chapter 812 : “Retreat in Order to Advance (2)”
“Moreover, regarding this matter, I am looking into dealing with it very soon and I would ask for little brother Jun to rest assured, that the matter will end very soon. I will ensure that the incident does not affect the Zephyr Academy as I know the Zephyr Academy’s position now is rather sensitive and the matter will not escalate any further.” There was a slight tinge of panic on Lei Chen’s face and his tone sounded a little flustered.
Fan Zhuo noticed all the signs that told of Lei Chen agitated response and he glanced at Jun Wu Xie discreetly out of the corner of his eyes. They had just found out that the map was in the hands of the Emperor of the Yan Country last night and for them to have a chance to get closer to the Emperor, they only had Lei Chen as the only link. But Jun Wu Xie had instead said those words to Lei Chen, which clearly showed the companions that they were taking the stance of wanting to sever all ties with the Crown Prince.
The contradicting stance from yesterday and today caused Fan Zhuo to raise any eyebrow and his eyes to flash with interest, confident that Jun Wu Xie had another motive in mind.
Nevertheless, Jun Wu Xie continued to ask unhurriedly: “Will this matter really end just like that?” As she spoke, her eyes looked up. The cold chill in her gaze looked directly, unwavering at Lei Chen.
The words in his mind that Lei Chen was about to say choked up in his throat. That pair of eyes, had seemingly seen through everything.
“Within the Imperial Capital of the Yan Country itself, to be able to spread rumours detrimental to Your Highness, the Crown Prince, that person’s identity must be someone with an extraordinary background. Don’t you think? If Your Highness really has a way to deal with it, you wouldn’t be in such a passive state of affairs now. Does the Crown Prince really not know who the culprit is? Or….. Are you afraid to say it?” Jun Wu Xie’s voice was gently warm but edged with a slight tinge of chill, and on that cold morning, those cold words could almost be physically felt.
Lei Chen’s eyes widened as he stared at disbelief at Jun Xie. Every word that Jun Xie was saying, all seemed to be….. telling him that Jun Xie knew something behind all this…..
Impossible!
Every action that that person had taken, beside the Grand Adviser and himself, it was not possible that anyone else would know about it. Just how long had Jun Xie been here in the Imperial Capital? And Jun Xie had never even met that person before, how would he know anything about this?
“What is little brother Jun saying? I do not really understand.” Lei Chen laughed awkwardly, trying to avert his eyes, unable to look into Jun Xie’s eyes, that seemed to look through everything they saw.
Jun Wu Xie di
d not mind Lei Chen avoiding her. “If this was about anything else, I will not even be bothered to ask. But as the matter concerns our Zephyr Academy, Your Highness’ decision would also directly affect the name and reputation of the Zephyr Academy. Moreover, I sincerely do not believe that there is much Your Highness can do against that person.”
Lei Chen’s heart raced. His eyes were locked on the redwood at the edge of the table, as waves of emotion swept and billowed within them after hearing Jun Xie’s words.
“If Your Highness is genuinely keen to be friends with us, then there is no need to hide. If we are to be allied, certain things are better if they are clearly stated, so that we can collaborate and think of a way to resolve the situation.” Jun Wu Xie’s words took a sudden turn, her hook baited and line thrown out.
Lei Chen immediately turned and stared at Jun Xie, a strange expression on his face.
“You guys are willing to help me?”
An eyebrow on Jun Wu Xie’s face raised up: “For what other reason would Your Highness think we are all still sitting here with you?”
Lei Chen could feel even single cell within his body boiling and surging. He fought very hard to contain himself and the excitement that threatened to overwhelm him. “Why? Little brother Jun had not seemed to be very interested in working with me, that much was at least obvious to me, so why have you changed your mind?”
Jun Wu Xie replied: “The whole incident just irks me. If the matter was only directed at Your Highness, I would naturally not probe too much. But since the other party has dragged the Zephyr Academy into the picture, we would not just take this lying down.”
Lei Chen immediately shot to his feet and his eyes were aflame. He turned his head and looked around, making sure that the doors and windows were all securely shut. Once that was done, he turned his eyes back and his gaze turned serious as he slowly looked at every single one of the youths sitting at the table, one after another, seemingly searching for something…..
Volume 9
Chapter 813 : “Retreat in Order to Advance (3)”
“I’ll just ask one last time. Are all of you really willing to help me?” Lei Chen asked, looking rather nervous.
Jun Wu Xie nodded.
Lei Chen suddenly slumped back into his chair gasping for air, not knowing whether it was due to him having been overly anxious or was it due to having the big rock in his heart lifted. He was in no hurry to speak and merely continued to stare at Jun Xie, Hua Yao and the others one after another, trying to ascertain just how serious the companions were as he studied their expressions.
Although all these people were extremely important to him, but could he truly trust them?
“Since little brother Jun already knows who the culprit is, you would undoubtedly know that person’s identity. So, it must be clear to you that even as the Crown Prince, I am just merely a child to be used and manipulated before his eyes. In terms of title and authourity, I am inferior in both instances to him. If little brother Jun has any something you want to get from me, that person would instead be able to give you so much more that I ever could. Despite all these, you are all still willing to help me?” Lei Chen asked, looking directly at Jun Xie. He had come to understand, among this group of youths from the Zephyr Academy, the one who really led them all was instead Jun Xie, the youngest one among them.
Lei Chen’s tone of voice had changed from before, a little less of the smiles, replaced by a tinge of seriousness.
His words had caused Qiao Chu to widen his eyes in surprise, as they filled up with confusion.
[Jun Wu Xie already knows the culprit that was going against the Crown Prince? How come none of the others knew anything about it?]
Qiao Chu’s confused eyes turned to look at Jun Wu Xie and it turned out that Jun Wu Xie couldn’t even be bothered to spare him the briefest glance from the corner of her eyes. Qiao Chu racked his brains to recall it but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t remember Jun Wu Xie having mentioned anything about knowing the identity of the culprit that was going against the Crown Prince yesterday!
He was just about to open his mouth to whisper to Hua Yao to ask when Hua Yao merely glared at him and looked away.
“I do not go against me who do not act against me. It was a fact that the Zephyr Academy had initially not harboured any intentions of working with Your Highness before and we have no need to fear anyone. Our alliance here now is for no other reason than because the other party had used our Zephyr Academy as a tool to create an issue. Although the Zephyr Academy isn’t as big and as prestigious as before, but we are however still no easy pushover that allowed itself to be manipulated and used so easily.” Jun Wu Xie said with an icy laugh.
Lei Chen’s eyes stared at Jun Xie. It was true that before yesterday, Jun Xie and the others had not once initiated to meet with him and it was only after the incident came about that they had taken actions contradictory to their usual demeanor.
“If that is truly the case, then please accept a bow in gratitude from Lei Chen!” Lei Chen stood up and without another word, he bowed respectfully towards Jun Xie and the others, bending low at the waist.
Even before such a big gift of humility from a Crown Prince no less, Jun Wu Xie was completely unmoved, accepting the show of gratitude easily.
“I will ask for my revered guests to wait a moment. I have something I would like to show all of you.” Lei Chen straightened up and immediately went out of the dining room.
After Lei Chen had left, Qiao Chu could no longer hold himself back as he turned instantly to Jun Wu Xie and asked anxiously: “Little Xie! Who is so dead against the Crown Prince! ?” How did you manage to find out?”
Jun Wu Xie slowly picked up her cup of tea and sipped at it, her eyes lowered before she said: “I do not know.”
“Har! ?” Qiao Chu was at a complete loss for words.
[She doesn’t know! ?]
“I was just misleading him.” Jun Wu Xie replied as her eyes turned to look at Qiao Chu calmly.
“…..” [Misleading him…..] Qiao Chu’s eyes staring at Jun Wu Xie were wide as marbles as mind blowing shock registered in his brain. Jun Wu Xie’s every single words had been sharp and cutting, pushing at Lei Chen incessantly, whereby even he himself had been influenced and became highly excited! But…..
[She was just leading Lei Chen by the nose all that time?]
“Then….. Then…..” Qiao Chu began to stutter.
Jun Wu Xie knew what he wanted to ask and she answered him directly: “It’s either the Emperor or the Fourth Prince. To make Lei Chen believe that we are genuinely willing to help him, we would naturally have to make him think that we know the culprit’s identity and that we are not concerned with his title or position before he will be convinced.”
Volume 9
Chapter 814 : “Retreat in Order to Advance (4)”
“How would you know it’s either the Emperor or the Fourth Prince? The Emperor….. is afterall still Lei Chen’s father. Although Lei Chen might have been seen to have his own ideas about it, but he still plays his role as the Crown Prince rather well, at least, on the surface of things, he is doing quite well in it. Why would the Emperor….. do this to him?” Qiao Chu was feeling he might be working his brain a little too hard.
Jun Wu Xie paused a moment and was silent before she suddenly asked: “Do you know who the ruling Emperor of the Qi Kingdom is?”
Qiao Chu thought on it and said: “Yes, I do. Isn’t he the previous Crown Prince?” As Jun Wu Xie was the Young Miss of the Qi Kingdom’s Lin Palace, hence, even Qiao Chu had heard some things about the Qi Kingdom.
“Then, did you know that while he was the Crown Prince, his mother and his entire maternal family was massacred by the previous Emperor?” Jun Wu Xie asked.
“How can that be possible?” Qiao Chu asked, his eyes wide.
“Nothing impossible about that.” There wasn’t a trace of expression on Jun Wu Xie’s face when she said that, like she was telling him a
story completely unrelated to her.” The previous Emperor didn’t like the Crown Prince and he schemed to make the Second Prince as the heir apparent. But as he was concerned about his reputation among his people, he could not get rid of the Crown Prince in too obvious a manner, employing vicious underhanded methods instead. While he slowly pushed the Crown Prince towards death, he was also tarnishing the Crown Prince’s name among the people as well, at the same time pushing the Second Prince up. If not for something unexpected that occurred, the Emperor of the Qi Kingdom now would have been a different person.”
The intricate secrets within an Imperial Harem. That was the first time Qiao Chu and the others were hearing something like this. Although Jun Wu Xie narrated it in a calm and unaffected tone, the others were all shocked and horrified hearing it.
“As a Crown Prince….. he had had to lead a life so compromised and helpless?” Just by thinking about it, Qiao Chu was suddenly feeling highly sorry for the current sitting Emperor of the Qi Kingdom!
Fan Zhuo was instead looking thoughtfully at Jun Wu Xie as he said: “You are thinking that Lei Chen could be caught in a situation like the current Qi Kingdom’s Emperor had in the past?”
Jun Wu Xie nodded slowly. “I wasn’t sure at first, but I was able to confirm it yesterday. The Spirit Battle Tournament this year, was the trap the Yan Country’s Emperor has set to overturn the Crown Prince.”
“But why does he want to do that? The Emperor has a total of four sons, and besides the Crown Prince, the Second Prince is dumb and a bumbling fool, the Third Prince is weak and timid, while the Fourth Prince is still too young. Moreover, both the Fourth Prince and Lei Chen were brought up by the Empress who is also Lei Chen’s biological mother, while the Fourth Prince was born from a mere lowly concubine. Even if the Emperor really wanted to change the heir next in line, there isn’t a better choice available!” Fei Yan interjected, quickly running through the qualities of the Yan Country’s four princes in his mind, quickly coming to the conclusion that besides Lei Chen, there really wasn’t anyone suitable.
Genius Doctor: Black Belly Miss Volume 9 Page 4
