The imperial study room was a bit messy.
The huge desk was piled with memorials, but at this time, half of it was cleared out. What was more, a few plates of exquisitely crafted snacks were piled up there accompanied by a pot of fragrant tea.
Behind the desk, the one sitting drowsily and holding a snack in one hand, was none other than His Highness Jingwang.
When he spotted Huo Yuyan, he didn’t get up. Instead, he smiled faintly towards him and ordered, “Is no one moving yet? Go and bring a chair for His Highness, got it?”
As he spoke, he didn’t forget to take another bite of the snack.
“I didn’t expect Jingwang to be here, too…” Huo Yuyan greeted him smilingly.
But before he could finish speaking, Jiang Suizhou interrupted him.
“The imperial chef who made snacks today is very attentive.” Jiang Suizhou put the remaining bit of dessert into his mouth, even lazily licked his fingers, and instructed Meng Qianshan next to him. “Go and write down his name and reward him well.”
Meng Qianshan knew that he was acting, so he happily cooperated. He nodded abjectly and said in an extremely flattering manner, “Right away! Your Highness, please don’t worry. I will definitely ask someone to reward the cook generously!”
Jiang Suizhou laughed, then with a twinkle in his eye, he looked at Huo Yuyan.
“What is Your Highness doing here?” he asked.
Huo Yuyan paused, smiled and explained: “I came today to handle some business. After all, the imperial study room is an important place, so please avoid this place, Jingwang. Do not…”
But before he could finish his speech, a eunuch interrupted him.
“The chairs are here, Your Highness. Please have a seat!” This time, it was the eunuch behind Jiang Suizhou who spoke ingratiatingly.
Even if Huo Yuyan was indeed good-tempered, he could stand such repeated interruptions. He took a deep breath, followed the eunuch’s request, and sat down on the chair brought there.
Jiang Suizhou spoke languidly.
“Business? What business is it that I can’t hear?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Huo Yuyan frowned. Displeasure surfaced on his face, but he still responded genially, “Naturally, they’re important matters in the court.”
Jiang Suizhou snorted twice.
“What big deal can it be?” A trace of disdain radiated from his face. “Isn’t it just the officials on Southern Jing’s side that want you to come and change blood for once? There’s no need for me to avoid you. Just make yourself comfortable.”
Huo Yuyan, however, did not back down.
“But, Your Highness Jingwang, although I am now respectfully addressing you as Your Highness, you need to know that Southern Jing has perished.” He said, “Wujiu is benevolent and has left you alive, so I will not say anything. But if you take an inch further, Your Highness, then whatever the result is, you are to blame.”
Jiang Suizhou looked at Huo Yuyan as if he had heard a joke, his eyes burning.
“Perished?” he asked. “Your Highness, are you threatening me?”
But Huo Yuyan said, “I’m only saying this for your own good.”
Jiang Suizhou merely raised an eyebrow in response.
“I don’t need it.” He said. “Now, why don’t you ask the people serving in this imperial study room? Any of them, just ask. Ask them whether I am allowed to enter Huo Wujiu’s imperial study anytime I want. In recent days, haven’t I also been free to listen to the affairs of the court? Even Huo Wujiuu’s military matters, when did he ever avoid me?”
Huo Yuyan’s face gradually turned ugly.
“You’re reaching out for a yard after taking an inch,” he said.
Jiang Suizhou laughed and retorted, “Is an inch too far? Then let me ask you, isn’t Huo Wujiu supposed to be the one to take care of these things in Southern Jing? What have you got to do with them?”
Huo Yuyan pursed his lips.
That was true. His father had always been shallow-minded and thoughtless. He had written a decree earlier and simply entrusted all the affairs of Southern Jing to Huo Wujiu. When he heard about it, the decree had already been issued. It was too late, so he could only ask for permission to come, just to use his status as the Crown Prince to suppress Huo Wujiu.
He stayed silent for a moment and said, “You’re right. But Wujiu has never been proficient at this. I’m here to assist him, and Wujiu agreed long ago.”
Jiang Suizhou smiled and stood up from the throne. He slowly stepped down and walked towards Huo Yuyan.
“Isn’t that right? This is still Huo Wujiu’s territory, so you have even less power to drive me away.”
As he said that, he stopped in front of Huo Yuyan. Although he was smiling, his eyes were brimming with the arrogance and malice of a villain.
Wrapped in a cloak, he leaned down lazily, curled his lips, looked at Huo Yuyan who was sitting on the chair, and whispered.
“So what if I’m the orphan of a subjugated state? Here, the person who’s honoring his promise is Huo Wujiu. He listens to this Prince, then the one who speaks is this Prince. Crown Prince? Northern Liang and Southern Jing were both defeated by Huo Wujiu, so who do you think you are? If you want to drive me away, you might as well kill Huo Wujiu first.”
After saying that, he straightened up and looked down at Huo Yuyan.
“But, are you capable of it?”
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