The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"stop!"

"The Crown Prince has personally ordered that no one be seen. Steward Chen, you should return."

The next morning, as soon as Chen Changgeng approached outside the Crown Prince's residence, several of the Crown Prince's personal guards came forward and stopped him.

The group had met before and knew that Chen Changgeng was a person close to the Crown Prince, so they didn't make things too difficult for him and spoke to him quite politely.

Chen Changgeng knew this wasn't the time for him to joke around, so his expression turned serious.

"Please inform them for me."

"I have important business to discuss with the Crown Prince. This matter... is of great importance."

The guards exchanged glances, their brows furrowing.

They all knew the Crown Prince's temper.

Even the personal guards hesitated after being given strict orders.

"Brothers, I'm not joking!"

"If you don't go in and report this, I'm just going to stay here and not leave."

Chen Changgeng put on an anxious look.

"Okay, okay, wait a minute."

One of the guards waved his hand and was about to turn and go inside when the Crown Prince's weary voice came from inside the room.

"Is this Xiao Gengzi? Let him in."

"He wouldn't hurt me."

The guards were all delighted and quickly made way for them.

Having been in the Crown Prince's residence for so long, this was Chen Changgeng's first time visiting the Crown Prince's residence.

The place wasn't large, but the decor was very luxurious, no less than that of the palace.

As soon as he pushed open the door, the mess inside made Chen Changgeng frown.

Broken porcelain and rotten wood littered the ground, and torn paintings and calligraphy were scattered everywhere.

Except for the bed in the inner room, everything else in the house was destroyed.

Clearly, Crown Prince Xiao Lie had lost his temper.

"Little Gengzi, come in."

In the inner room, by the bed, Xiao Lie stood with his hair disheveled, wearing a loose, light yellow nightgown.

He lifted the table, which had a broken leg, and used his hand to hold it up, then used his foot to hook up the two stools.

"Why are you coming to see me at such a crucial time? Has something serious happened?"

Although the crown prince appeared to be insane, his tone was remarkably calm.

This surprised Chen Changgeng.

He had completely concealed his former sharpness and looked like a completely different person.

Chen Changgeng walked over silently. When Xiao Lie pointed to a chair and gestured for him to sit down, Chen Changgeng quietly moved the chair a little further away before sitting down properly.

"Was it my fourth brother who came to cause trouble?"

"I already know about this."

The prince bent down, picked up a wine pot from the ground, poured it out, and found it empty.

He casually tossed it aside, then looked up at Chen Changgeng.

Those eyes, at this moment, only showed weariness and tranquility.

They've even changed how they address me; they're calling me "I" now.

Xiao Lie has suffered a great blow this time!

Chen Changgeng is now a little worried about his mental state.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Chen Changgeng asked in a low voice.

"What could possibly happen to me?"

Xiao Lie gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"It's just that I've seen through things and figured some things out."

"Logically speaking, I shouldn't be seeing anyone during this time. Do you know why I specifically chose to see you?"

Chen Changgeng's heart tightened, and he shook his head.

"I was such a jerk before. I had someone like you by my side, but I didn't know how to make the most of it."

"Your heart may no longer be with me, but I still want to tell you that I admire you and thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Upon hearing this, Chen Changgeng began to feel a little uneasy.

No, please don't do this!

I still prefer your old, rebellious, and silly self.

Why are you suddenly so rational?

"Your Highness! I have always been loyal to you and have never harbored any disloyalty!"

Chen Changgeng's expression changed, and he quickly pledged his loyalty to test the Crown Prince's current level.

Xiao Lie grinned.

"Stop with the formalities, I understand."

"As for my affairs, you don't need to worry. My claim of illness and seclusion is just for show."

"This matter must be kept from Qingci; only you and I know."

This suggests that Xiao Lie genuinely considers Chen Changgeng his strategist.

Chen Changgeng was slightly startled and opened his mouth.

"Pretending...?"

"As you know, my third brother is now acting as regent. If I were still the crown prince, he would definitely try to deal with me."

"Only by relinquishing his position as crown prince and feigning illness to stay at home can he preserve his life."

"It took me a long time to figure this out."

"Father, you want to protect me!"

Chen Changgeng was immediately shocked, his eyes widening in surprise. How did this guy suddenly become so smart!

He didn't tell Xiao Lie any of this!

"Crown Prince..."

"Don't be surprised. Although I was a bit reckless in the past, I'm not stupid."

"I am presumptuous because I have always relied on the power of the Crown Prince, thinking that there is nothing in this world that I cannot get or accomplish."

"I didn't want to waste time, so I used the simplest and most direct method, and it felt great."

Xiao Lie grinned, seemingly laughing at his past self for being naive.

"This time, after losing the position of crown prince, I realized that I am nothing at all."

"Thinking back to my father, he wasn't in the line of succession, so the throne shouldn't have been his."

"He was able to become the emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty because he was qualified."

"And I am not qualified to be the crown prince!"

Xiao Lie's eyes were filled with melancholy.

Chen Changgeng scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, wondering if he should even listen to such words.

That would probably cost him his head, right? He's the only one who dares to whisper something like that behind his back.

"So, Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"When I am capable, the position of crown prince will naturally be mine."

"And I need your help."

Xiao Lie's gaze shifted, instantly becoming exceptionally fervent.

Chen Changgeng was a little embarrassed by what he saw.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

Seeing that the topic had finally been brought back, Chen Changgeng quickly went along with it.

"Your Highness, I would like to ask you..."

"Do you know anything about the Miaoyin Sect?"

Xiao Liegang, who had just put on an enthusiastic expression as if entrusting someone with an important task, suddenly froze.

"Where did you learn about the Myriad Sounds Sect?"

"Before I entered the palace, I loved listening to storytellers tell stories, hehe."

"Yesterday, while I was walking around the manor, I suddenly heard a mesmerizing zither melody, which immediately reminded me of the demon from the Miaoyin Sect."

"I'm just worried about your safety, Your Highness, and I came to give you this reminder."

"Why don't you, Young Master, have your personal guards thoroughly search the manor to see if any assassins have infiltrated it?"

Chen Changgeng quickly made up a reason on the spot.

"Yes, you don't need to worry about that, it's not an assassin."

"This matter concerns my royal family, and I cannot disclose it to you at this time. Please set it aside for now."

Xiao Lie nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then answered.

Chen Changgeng's eyes darted around, and he realized that Xiao Lie had essentially tacitly agreed to the answer.

But that's not enough. Even if he knows Qin Lan's identity, it won't help him get the things!

After a moment's thought, Chen Changgeng considered the Crown Prince's current state and decided that perhaps he could speak frankly with him about that matter.

Then he suddenly looked up.

"Your Highness, there is one more thing I need to report!"