Chapter 114: Has the Emperor Been Drugged?

“I’m fine, don’t worry!” Feeling as if she had just slapped the emperor’s face, Su Jingluo quickly patted Xiao Jingxuan’s slightly cold hand with gentle care.

“Then I thank the emperor for escorting Jingluo back.” Although she sensed the emperor’s strong efforts to show goodwill, even bordering on sycophancy, Xiao Jingxuan remained cold and distant.

“I should be the one thanking Jingluo for saving the empress. Also, is the crown prince here with you?” Warming this perpetual ice block named Xiao Jingxuan would take time. For now, the emperor was more concerned about the crown prince and the princess.

“He is.” Xiao Jingxuan knew that after the crown prince left the palace, the emperor would naturally think to look here.

“Next time, please let the emperor know if the crown prince is coming to the manor. It only causes the emperor unnecessary worry.” Xiao Jingxuan answered plainly whether the crown prince was present, offering no further explanation. Su Jingluo, worried, quickly tried to smooth things over. The emperor was still the emperor; one must save face.

“Invite? The crown prince came to the manor of his own accord. The inner palace is strict—I cannot just bring him out.” In principle, Xiao Jingxuan was correct. It was Yun Bai who called the crown prince over, not himself.

“Ah?” The emperor was a bit stunned. The crown prince was so capable and bold? But now wasn’t the time to question this. He forced a slight smile and said, “The crown prince is mischievous. He hasn’t caused you any trouble, has he?” The emperor had lost his son but still had to speak kindly—how stifling that felt.

“No trouble. But it’s late, and the crown prince and princesses should rest. Do you want me to wake them now?” Xiao Jingxuan glanced down at the delicate and petite Su Jingluo. The emperor’s words and actions were truly strange—had Su Jingluo drugged him?

“Wake them. It will be troublesome to return to the palace in the morning.” The emperor certainly wished to take the crown prince back that very night. At dawn, fetching him from the Jing Prince’s manor would bring suspicion and gossip. Moreover, the emperor wanted to immediately interrogate Xiao Chengze—who had given him the audacity to act so recklessly?

Before long, the sleepy crown prince and princesses were summoned. The youngest, Princess Xiahe, was still pouting from sleepiness, her little hand clutching Yun Bai’s tightly, refusing to let go.

“Crown prince, why did you run out of the palace?” The emperor’s anger flared at the crown prince’s carefree demeanor. What was the difference between him and a fool? This trip to the Jing Prince’s manor nearly sparked a war.

“Ah, I…” Crown Prince Xiao Chengze lowered his head and stole a glance at Yun Bai. Yun Bai frowned—he had already warned the crown prince that their secret could not be revealed.

“I missed Yun Bai. My sisters missed Yun Bai too. I missed him so much, so I snuck out.” Xiao Chengze, instead of blaming his friend, mustered the courage to lie.

“Since you’re so close, Yun Bai could stay in the palace too.” The emperor tried a roundabout way to win favor, hoping that by treating Yun Bai well, Xiao Jingxuan’s hostility toward him might lessen.

“Absolutely not!” Xiao Jingxuan’s handsome brows knit tightly as he immediately refused. The emperor’s attempt to curry favor was met with the thought, You scoundrel emperor, trying to use my son as a hostage—dream on.

“It’s Xiao Chengze who misses me, not the other way around. Why should I go to the palace?” Yun Bai hastily clarified his stance. The empress and empress dowager were both rather unpleasant in the palace; he did not want to see them. Besides, entering the palace meant being separated from his mother, which he was unwilling to endure.

The crown prince had not expected the emperor to show no anger over his runaway. Feeling somewhat emboldened, he grew a bit cheeky.