NOVEL WEB Chapter 520
Jin Cheng's eyes were red. Hidden behind someone's back, he followed Luo Jingfeng's movements, running and dodging in tandem.0
A faint sting pierced his heart.0
Why did Luo Jingfeng have to show him such wholehearted devotion now, just after he had made up his mind?0
Yet it always seemed this way—after political disagreements, he would inevitably catch glimpses of Luo Jingfeng's overwhelming affection.0
Why?0
How could a person be so contradictory?0
Jin Cheng didn't understand him, not at all.0
"Lord Protector!"0
The guards finally arrived and swiftly took control of the battlefield.0
The assassins were quickly subdued.0
Their skills were almost laughable, nowhere near the level of the death squad sent by the late emperor. It was as if they had merely seized an opportunity when the guards were absent—succeeding if they could, giving up if they couldn't.0
Luo Jingfeng sensed something amiss and ordered, "Keep one alive for interrogation!"0
"Yes, my lord!"0
Still seething, he added, "Investigate! Find out how these men infiltrated the hunting grounds. Summon every official responsible for His Majesty's security and interrogate them all!"0
He had already purged every potential threat around Jin Cheng—how could an assassination attempt still happen?0
Who was behind this?0
Which faction still sought Jin Cheng's life?0
Luo Jingfeng's expression darkened, his aura icy.0
The imperial physician arrived shortly after, alarmed by the blood staining the Lord Protector's sleeve. He moved to treat the wound, but Luo Jingfeng glared impatiently. "Attend to His Majesty first." He tugged his sleeve over the gruesome injury.0
"Ah, yes, of course…" The physician turned to the unharmed young emperor.0
Jin Cheng sniffled. "We are unharmed. Tend to the Lord Protector's wound first."0
Luo Jingfeng ignored him, dictating firmly, "Take his pulse."0
"Y-yes…"0
The physician hesitated, cautiously observing the emperor's mood. Seeing no anger at Luo Jingfeng's defiance, he quickly complied.0
"Your Majesty, Lord Protector—His Majesty's pulse shows no irregularities."0
Luo Jingfeng gave a curt nod. "Return to the palace."0
With that, he took Jin Cheng's hand and strode off.0
The bewildered physician left behind: "???"0
My lord, are you made of iron?0
Is returning to the palace more urgent than treating your injury?0
But to Luo Jingfeng, it was. The hunting grounds were compromised after the assassination attempt. He had to get Jin Cheng back to the palace immediately.0
Palace, Imperial Study.0
The young troublemaker sat alone on the steps. The Lord Protector had left to investigate the assassins—whether he'd treated his wound was unknown. Jin Cheng's mind was a tangled mess, and he dared not dwell on it further.0
He feared wavering.0
Even after clearly distinguishing justice from blood ties, he found that the heart remained flesh and blood. Reason couldn't dull the pain.0
"Vice Director Qin has arrived."0
Jin Cheng had summoned Qin Ye—his rival for over three years.0
Noticing the emperor seated on the cold steps, Qin Ye sensed something amiss but still bowed properly. "Your servant, Qin Ye, pays respects to Your Majesty. May the emperor live ten thousand years."0
Back when Jin Cheng had chased him relentlessly for the top academic rank, Qin Ye had been annoyed but never resentful. Only after Jin Cheng became emperor did their ambiguous rivalry formally shift to ruler and subject.0
Yet privately, Qin Ye missed those earlier days.0
He just didn't know if they'd ever return.0
The troublemaker waved dismissively. "Sit wherever."0
Qin Ye: "…"0
This was the imperial study. Who dared "sit wherever"?0
But the emperor had spoken, and since Jin Cheng was on the steps, Qin Ye chose a spot nearby.0
"Has Your Majesty encountered a dilemma?" Qin Ye asked, sensing this wasn't about official business.0
The troublemaker smirked. "Is this the first time you've ever shown concern for me?" He turned away, muttering, "You cold, arrogant, aloof, eyes-on-the-ceiling jerk."0
Qin Ye: "!"0
Don't think becoming emperor means I'll tolerate you insulting me to my face!0
…But he did tolerate it.0
His expression, however, betrayed silent curses.0
The troublemaker laughed, oddly satisfied. "Look at you now, Qin Ye." His gaze dropped. "But I never wanted to defeat you like this."0
Qin Ye's clenched fist relaxed. Uncharacteristically gentle, he said, "There may still be chances for competition."0
The young emperor asked, "Will there?"0
Qin Ye replied, "Yes. Life is long."0
"Life is long…" Chu Jincheng repeated softly, then suddenly asked, "Qin Ye, have you ever met someone who treats you well… yet also treats you poorly?"0
Qin Ye deadpanned, "You."0
Constantly provoking him, never a kind word—yet always shielding him from shadows. Contradictory and complicated.0
The troublemaker: "!!!"0
Damn it, this conversation is over!0
This is why we're sworn enemies!0
Jin Cheng nearly stormed off.0
But Qin Ye continued, "Everyone has someone or something they cherish. A ruthless bandit may love his wife; a cruel woman may feed her starving child. Does that make the woman virtuous? Does the bandit's love absolve his crimes?"0
Jin Cheng opened his mouth but said nothing.0
Qin Ye pressed on, "To the world, the bandit is evil; to his wife, he is good. But as an official, one must not let personal feelings override law. Justice must stand above all emotions—only then can clarity reign."0
The troublemaker lowered his head, pondering.0
Though Qin Ye didn't know whom he referred to or what had transpired, he shared his philosophy because: "You already have the answer. Otherwise, why summon me instead of your brothers? Subconsciously, you knew my words would align with your choice. You didn't seek advice—you needed me to reaffirm it."0
The troublemaker felt skewered. Flushing, he snapped, "You're insufferable! Must you always say the quiet part out loud? No tact at all!"0
Qin Ye retorted flatly, "You're no better. At the palace exams, in front of everyone—did you spare my dignity?"0
The troublemaker shot to his feet. "That's because I'd practiced debate for months just to use it on you! Of course I was furious!"0
"How is that my fault?" Qin Ye argued. "I didn't bar you from the exams. Ridiculous."0
The troublemaker rolled up his sleeves. "Let's settle this with a fight. I've wanted to punch you for years—damn you, Qin Ye! You're heaven's curse on me!"0