Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Scavenging the Imperial Palace!

Jie Chen raised his head slightly; on his stern face, there wasn’t a trace of a smile.

His eyes were filled with endless coldness.

“Does Emperor really think that by saying these words, I would immediately bow and admit wrongdoing after hearing them? The person who truly cared for Your Majesty’s feelings has already been sentenced to death by your own hands.”

Ling Su was taken aback.

Jie Chen clasped his hands together: “This official requests to be excused.”

He turned and walked away; just as he reached the door of the Imperial Study Room, behind him suddenly came Ling Su’s dissatisfied roar—

“You can confront me like this all you want, but don’t forget, Xiang Ying is still in my hands.”

Jie Chen looked back, his gaze cool and detached.

“What do you want to do?”

“I have indeed been harsh on you in the past, but everything I did was to cultivate you!”

Ling Su propped himself on the table, slightly looking down, yet his dark eyes fixedly gazing at someone, exuding a sense of oppression.

His tone was urgent: “During the thirteen years you were away from Nanyue, I have secretly been concerned about you, thinking that you have suffered enough along the way. Since you like Xiang Ying, I was willing to fulfill your wish to be together.”

“But this attitude you have towards me truly makes Father’s heart grow cold!”

Jie Chen’s lips moved slightly: “Are you saying, as long as I obediently listen, you will allow Xiang Ying to be with me?”

Ling Su stared at him: “That depends on your performance. Old Ten, Father is getting on in years, the struggle for the Crown Prince is intensifying, and there are many obstructive officials in the court. I need you to take action to help your Father eliminate them.”

Jie Chen turned around, father and son locking eyes. Suddenly, Ling Su heard a barely audible sneer.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

All he heard was Jie Chen’s lips parting in a cold laugh.

“In the past, you did the same, luring me with what I wanted most as bait, sending me to Xizhou, and now you actually want to try it again?”

Ling Su frowned: “Don’t you care about Xiang Ying’s life or death anymore? She is the elder princess of Xizhou, executing her would boost morale, Father chose not to do so out of consideration for you!”

Jie Chen’s voice suddenly rose a few notches: “Dare to lay a finger on her and see what happens!”

Watching the threatening and chilling intent emerge in his eyes, Ling Su was momentarily stunned.

His face grew stern: “Kill? You should know Father’s methods. There are many ways that can make you suffer far more than simply killing her. I’ve heard that you have a close relationship and supported each other all the way, you must like her quite a bit, Old Ten. It’s up to you to choose.”

Ling Su tossed a booklet over, which landed at Jie Chen’s feet.

He glanced down, closely packed with over fifty names.

Ling Su slightly tilted his head back, his gaze arrogant, condescending, and supremely confident.

“All these people are treasonous officials, you’ve done so much for Father. Just a few more tasks, and once they are removed, you can live a comfortable life, and Father will let you and your beloved finally be together.”

Jie Chen stared at the many names on the booklet, among them were Yan Jing and King Yong.

These people could be Imperial Relatives or court officials who were once Ling Su’s left and right hand.

But now the Old Emperor wants to settle scores, and they have all become trouble.

In order to stabilize the court and eradicate rivals, one had to find a perfect way to eliminate these people.

So Ling Su thought of Jie Chen again, wanting to use him to do these dirtiest of deeds in the shadows.

It’s easy to imagine how the court and public would brand Jie Chen if they found out he killed King Yong.

Could Ling Su help him clear his name?

Most likely, he just wants to use Jie Chen as his pawn!

Jie Chen was clear about all this.

He looked at the booklet, silent for a long time, and finally bent down to pick it up.

Turning around, he left without any dragging or delay.

As he walked out of the gallery leading away from the Imperial Study Room, Acid Scholar and a few others were waiting for him at the crossroads.

Seeing Jie Chen’s figure, Acid Scholar immediately approached him.

“Master, what did the Emperor say? Is he going to restore your identity?”

Jie Chen pressed his lips together: “To the outside world, I am still Jie Chen for now.”

Acid Scholar was stunned, and he and the people beside him were instantly furious.

“How can the Emperor be so untrustworthy? He clearly stated that once you return to Nanyue from Xizhou, he would acknowledge your identity to the world. Why has he changed his mind now?”

A trusted follower also expressed indignation.

“At tonight’s celebration banquet, it was as if our contributions didn’t count. And yet, they invited both the Sixth Prince and the elder Princess over. What credit do they have? Hasn’t our master been the one running around all along?”

Jie Chen remained indifferent: “I will not contend for these matters. If he doesn’t give it, I don’t mind either. Have you settled the children of Xiang Ying as I asked?”

Acid Scholar nodded and said with a bow: “Everything has been arranged. We have replaced the guards with our own men. You can rest assured, Master.”

“Good. Where is Xiang Ying being held? Have you found out?”

“Not yet. Her carriage entered the palace ahead of time, and we were hindered by a checkpoint, thus losing track of the direction her carriage went. But it must still be inside the Imperial Palace; I am still investigating.”

“Let me know once you find out.” After saying this, Jie Chen headed toward the direction of the outer palaces.

Although his status had not yet been restored to that of a Prince, Ling Su still arranged for his residence in the external palaces where the Princes dwelled.

…

Unaware of Jie Chen’s situation, Xiang Ying woke up to find it was already midnight.

Climbing out of the cozy and warm bed, the little sun electric heater had run out of power.

Xiang Ying stored it in her space for charging and also made herself a cup of milk with taro balls.

Holding the hot milk dessert, she walked over to the screen, intending to check on the little people’s situation.

To her surprise, she saw them vigorously attacking and conquering lands.

Xiang Ying was stunned for a moment.

“Last time they were lost in the forest due to miasma, and now they are fighting and killing again?”

Who came up with these lively little gadgets?

Feeling joyful, she directly airdropped supplies, giving them plenty of weapons and dry food, and even threw down robust horses.

This left the opposing army completely dumbfounded.

She watched the cartoon figures raising their arms and shouting something, becoming braver and more vigorous in battle.

Xiang Ying nodded in satisfaction and then left her space.

After eating and drinking her fill, it was time to put the drone to use.

She first released it outside the palace hall, elevating it above the entire Imperial Palace.

Overlooking the Nanyue Palace in the night, if the geographical position were divided into four grid sections for east, south, west, and north, the East Palace and West Palace were brightly lit despite it being midnight, still abuzz with brightness.

The remaining areas were dimly lit.

While using the drone’s infrared scanning to print a map, Xiang Ying also maneuvered the drone to meander through the palace streets.

She even casually snatched away a freshly roasted duck from the imperial kitchen.

However, the moment she tasted it, she spat it out.

Gross! This taste, an undressed duck with a fishy smell, only seasoned with simple salt.

Is this the kind of chaff the concubines of the Nanyue Emperor are eating?

Xiang Ying used the drone to airdrop the roast duck, carelessly throwing it into a corner.

She was not in a hurry to scavenge now but wanted to clarify what each chamber in the palaces was used for.