Chapter 9: The Crown Prince’s Visit
When Crown Prince Chu Ziqian arrived at the Jiang residence, Jiang Chengjin, despite having recovered for several days, was still groaning in bed.
“It hurts! It hurts so much!”
“Chengjin, are you alright?” Chu Ziqian pushed open the door and approached him with concern.
“Crown Prince, you’ve finally come!”
Jiang Chengjin saw him as a savior, lifting his covers to reveal his wounds.
“Look how badly Chu Lianmo beat me! He’s outrageous! He knew I was your friend and still beat me! He didn’t even give you any face!”
Chu Ziqian secretly chuckled—he compares himself to a dog?
But outwardly, he looked pained and angry. “Fourth Brother’s actions were excessive. I’ll teach him a lesson.”
“With your words, I’m relieved!” Jiang Chengjin, having received Chu Ziqian’s promise, calmed down.
“Rest well. I won’t disturb your recovery.”
Chu Ziqian left Jiang Chengjin’s room and went to another.
Jiang Yingnan, his younger brother, was painting.
It was a picture of a scholar reading; the young man’s features resembled his own.
After finishing the figure, he added a handsome, martial young man. The scholar was reading; the young man was watching him, adding interest to the painting.
Hearing a knock, he looked up and saw Chu Ziqian.
“Ziqian, you came.”
Jiang Yingnan put down his brush, a joyful smile on his face. He helped Chu Ziqian remove his coat and hung it on the wall. “Don’t leave tonight, okay?”
“Okay.” Chu Ziqian smiled, sat on the bed, pulled Jiang Yingnan onto his lap, and wrapped his arms around him.
Jiang Yingnan’s face flushed, but he submitted to Chu Ziqian’s advances.
“I just visited your brother. He’s quite injured.”
“…What?” Jiang Yingnan angrily pulled away from Chu Ziqian.
Chu Ziqian chuckled, pulling him back. “Are you jealous? Your brother is a spoiled brat; how can he compare to you? I went to see him for a reason.”
“What reason?” Jiang Yingnan asked, still upset.
“Still sulking?” Chu Ziqian pinched his face. “I’m working hard for your position as the heir.”
Jiang Chengjin was spoiled, often angering his father, but his mother protected him. Jiang Zhenxiong couldn’t punish him severely and failed to correct his behavior. Jiang Chengjin was the only direct son, and would inherit.
Jiang Yingnan resented this and aimed to take the heir’s position.
Chu Ziqian smiled. “Your brother asked me to teach Chu Lianmo a lesson; I decided to hire an assassin to kill him.”
“What?!” Jiang Yingnan was shocked. “Why resort to murder? And isn’t your fourth brother a martial arts expert?”
“Of course, it’s not easy,” Chu Ziqian smiled cunningly. “If he’s killed, that’s best. If the assassin fails and is captured, he’ll reveal that Jiang Chengjin hired him. Will Jiang Chengjin still be the heir?”
Jiang Yingnan understood—the conflict would make Chu Lianmo believe Jiang Chengjin hired the assassin; their relationship would irreparably break, allowing him to eliminate Jiang Chengjin. But…
“I just don’t want Chengjin to be the heir, not to kill him. Assassinating a prince is a serious crime; will it implicate the Jiang family?”
“Don’t worry,” Chu Ziqian smiled confidently. “Father trusts the Jiang family; he won’t implicate them for Chu Lianmo. As for your brother, your father spoils him; he’ll be severely punished but won’t be killed.”
Jiang Yingnan still had doubts.
Chu Ziqian wasn’t certain if Jiang Chengjin would die; his ruthlessness was well-known.
“What?” Chu Ziqian raised an eyebrow. “I devised this ingenious plan for your benefit; you’re not grateful? Didn’t you seek my help for the heir’s position?”
Jiang Yingnan realized he had initially approached Chu Ziqian for cooperation, recognizing that he was a better asset; their partnership quickly formed.
When Chu Ziqian initially requested intimacy, Jiang Yingnan was reluctant, but he fell for the man, becoming deeply attached.
“That’s not what I meant,” Jiang Yingnan softened his tone. “I leave everything to you.”
“That’s my good boy.”
Chu Ziqian smiled, picked up Jiang Yingnan, and put him on the bed…
The next morning, Chu Ziqian went to court.
Jiang Yingnan, having no official duties, wanted to sleep in when someone kicked open his door and slapped him.
Jiang Yingnan woke up and saw a woman adorned with jewelry, beautiful yet fierce, with two strong men behind her.
“You shameless fox!” the woman shouted. “My husband slept with you last night!”
“…Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”
Jiang Yingnan was unhappy but bowed. “Greetings…”
“Greetings nothing!” The Crown Princess slapped him again. “I’ll kill you!”
Jiang Yingnan grabbed her hand, his expression cold. “This is my house; you can’t act this way here.”
“Let go of Her Highness!” One of the men punched Jiang Yingnan.
Jiang Yingnan, in pain, released her; the man kicked him to his knees, holding him down.
“Hahaha! My house?” The Crown Princess laughed. “Your father is a high-ranking official, yet he allows his son to be a… I will speak to him! A-da,” she said to one of the men, “go get Jiang Zhenxiong.”
“…Don’t alarm Father!” Jiang Yingnan panicked.
His relationship with the Crown Prince wasn’t a secret, but it was shameful; it would anger his father, jeopardizing his chances of inheriting the title.
“Father is unwell; don’t disturb him,” he said. “I apologize.”
“Heh, guilty? I want to.”
The man was about to leave when a stern voice echoed, “No need, I’m here.”
Jiang Zhenxiong had been informed.
Jiang Yingnan lowered his head.
“Crown Princess, what are you doing?” Jiang Zhenxiong said sternly. “Release my son.”