bookrandom Chapter 252 Nangong Jin vs. the Little Emperor
Chapter 252 Nangong Jin vs. the Little Emperor
November of the sixth year of Fengyou in the Southern Kingdom.
When the Imperial Preceptor Zhu Yao passed away, the people mourned and grieved for him.
However, Regent Nangong Jin rescued more than a dozen young women from the secret dungeon in his mansion, as well as a skinned corpse that had not been disposed of. Zhu Yao's crimes were also exposed to the public by Wushuang Pavilion!
In an instant, the people of Nanli felt they had been tricked, and they went to the Grand Preceptor's residence in twos and threes to spit and even dump excrement on his door...
Thus, the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, which had enjoyed half a lifetime of glory, perished! The status of the Witch Clan in Nanli also plummeted, and they were ultimately forced to live in seclusion!
In November of the same year.
The young emperor of Nanli, seeking coolness, suddenly caught a cold, which proved difficult to cure and nearly cost him his life.
Therefore, all affairs of state were entrusted to Regent Prince Nangong Jin, and the power of the Regent Prince's Palace became unprecedented in Nanli!
Southern Palace.
A sickly little girl, Nangong Sheng, lay on a bright yellow bed within a canopy, looking at Nangong Jin, who wore a pear-flower iron mask and was dressed in formal royal attire, and spoke with childlike admiration:
"Your Majesty, you've finally come to see me! Some time ago, the Grand Tutor wouldn't let me leave the house..."
Clearly, this is an attempt to shift the blame for refusing Nangong Jin entry into the palace onto Grand Tutor Cui!
"Oh? Is that so?" Nangong Jin smiled faintly, still with that all-too-familiar expression and tone, but because of his change from his usual lazy and unruly demeanor, the young emperor was momentarily startled.
The young emperor looked at Nangong Jin, who exuded an aura of authority, and nodded, his small face pale and sickly. "Yes."
"Hmph!" To everyone's surprise, Nangong Jin let out a mocking laugh, and then, under the young emperor's bewildered gaze, spoke again in a sinister tone:
"Tsk tsk tsk! Such a temperament at such a young age! Good royal sister, you are truly capable! How come I never noticed before?"
As he spoke, Nangong Jin slowly approached the young emperor, lifting her chin and scrutinizing her, as if he saw a shadow of someone in her. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and his voice turned icy cold:
"But that makes sense, none of your brothers and sisters are easy to deal with at your age!"
"I knew it! How could the Nangong royal family produce such a naive thing like you? Turns out you were just pretending!"
"What is Your Majesty saying? Sheng'er doesn't understand! Cough cough... cough..."
The young emperor tried hard to suppress his fear, even stopping referring to himself as "朕" (the imperial "I"), and revealed the innocence of a six-year-old child. He even tried to elicit Nangong Jin's sympathy by deliberately coughing.
However, this time, she miscalculated.
Nangong Jin watched her performance quietly from the side, and finally uttered a bored remark:
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. You just need to know that you can still live! As for how long you live, that depends on my mood!"
Actually, he wanted to see when Lin Shu and Xu Jingyun could give him an heir! But he wouldn't say this to anyone, lest it be used by someone with ulterior motives!
The young emperor on the bed initially faked a cough to gain sympathy, but it later aggravated his trachea, turning a fake cough into a real one. Upon hearing Nangong Jin's words, he was even more terrified, and his cough became even more severe.
"Cough cough...Brother..."
Nangong Jin ignored them, instead glancing at the head maid in the outer room who was trying to keep a low profile, and gave the order:
"His Majesty is unwell and must not be exposed to the wind! From this day forward, the Hall of Diligent Governance shall be sealed off, and no one shall leave without a valid reason; no one shall have contact with His Majesty without my summons, lest they catching his illness..."
Did you hear me clearly? If you didn't, I don't mind...
"Understood, understood! Your Majesty, rest assured, His Majesty is young and playful, but I will certainly keep a close eye on him and ensure that His Majesty can rest and recuperate in peace! If anything happens to His Majesty, I will inform Your Majesty immediately."
Upon hearing Nangong Jin's words, the head maid hurriedly pledged her loyalty (meaning she would help Nangong Jin keep an eye on the young emperor!).
What a joke! The Regent now holds absolute power in the court; crushing me is as easy as crushing an ant. If not now, when?
"You're quite clever!" Nangong Jin nodded, giving the other person a 'you know what's good for you' look.
The head maid's eyes lit up, and she started spouting flattering lies like they were free:
"Thank you for the praise, Your Highness! You are truly a man of great talent and wisdom. Everyone in the court praises you. With you here, the country will surely be as stable as Mount Tai!"
Even towards His Majesty, she taught and cared for him meticulously from a young age, displaying a brotherly and sisterly affection that even I, the servant, envy.
Moreover, Your Highness, you have the world in your heart and are kind-hearted…
"Alright, alright!" Even someone as shameless as Nangong Jin couldn't stand his aunt's distorted praise and couldn't help but raise his hand to interrupt.
Then, glancing at the young emperor whose cheeks were flushed from coughing, he gave a meaningful order: "I'm leaving now. Take good care of him!"
"Yes! Your Highness, please rest assured!" the head maid replied obsequiously, bowing deeply.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Jin turned and walked out.
The young emperor had clearly understood that Nangong Jin had placed him under house arrest with just a few words, forbidding even visits. Now, forcibly suppressing the urge to cough, he angrily shouted at Nangong Jin's departing figure:
"Nangong Jin! I am the Empress! Aren't you afraid of being impeached by the officials and condemned by the people for such behavior?"
Nangong Jin paused, then gave a cold laugh before continuing to walk away, inwardly thinking how laughable the young emperor was.
[These impeachment memorials from the officials are now all in their own hands, so what's there to fear? As for the common people, they're even easier to deal with. They don't care who's in power; they only care who can ensure they're well-fed, clothed, and live a worry-free life!]
Seeing that Nangong Jin had no reaction, the young emperor changed his attitude, and her pitiful voice could be heard from afar—
"Brother! You raised Sheng'er, how can you be so heartless..."
"..."
Nangong Jin ignored him. As the doors of the Qin Zheng Hall slowly closed, the young emperor's voice was shut out.
……
On the other side, at the Peerless Pavilion.
Lin Shu was carried back by Ling Huanan that day. Even though there was a carriage available, he insisted on being carried instead. Lin Shu protested strongly, but to no avail!
Finally, whether from anger or excessive blood loss, she fainted and has not woken up for several days.
Ling Huanan thought he had angered the person, and he had been feeling rather embarrassed for the past few days.
At this moment, Lin Shu was in a place that resembled a fairyland—
The clouds and mist danced like light gauze, lingering and swirling among the mountains, like a dream, with countless towering peaks appearing and disappearing in the clouds and mist.
A clear stream meanders by, its surface revealing colorful pebbles on the bottom. The water flows gently, making a soft, babbling sound, like celestial music.
Along the stream, exotic flowers and rare herbs bloom freely, their petals crystal clear, like carved jade. Their rich fragrance drifts on the breeze, refreshing the mind and soul.
In the sky, colorful rays of light intertwined, and graceful cranes flew by, their long cries clear and melodious...
Lin Shu stood atop one of the highest peaks, gazing down at the vibrant scene before her, when she heard a voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar:
"Ah~, Master~, I've missed you so much!"
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