Chapter 5: You’re Not Worthy of Knowing

The dungeon was perpetually dim, with narrow corridors bathed in dim light, the air heavy and damp.

Step by step, Wen Jin approached the cell where Xiao Jinghan was held captive. His footsteps drew the attention of the inmates, and soon Wen Jin met a pair of dark, furious eyes and the sweat-drenched face of Xiao Jinghan.

“Where is Yan Qing? I want to see Yan Qing!” Xiao Jinghan gritted his teeth, the pain from the eighty lashes still coursing through his body. “She’s retaliating against me just for visiting the brothel?”

“Don’t overestimate yourself, Master Xiao.” Wen Jin’s voice was indifferent as his gaze fell on the messy scars on Xiao Jinghan’s body, “Even if you were to spend every day with a hundred women, Princess Chang wouldn’t care.”

Xiao Jinghan’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger, “The esteemed Minister Wen, who appears so refined in public, is actually shameless!”

Wen Jin’s smile was cold, “You’ve done shameless things, yet you can’t bear to hear it from others?”

“Did the Emperor send you?” Xiao Jinghan’s face darkened, “Now that Yan Qing is angry, can she let me out?”

“How can Master Xiao, at your age, still be so naive?” Wen Jin raised an eyebrow, his voice gentle and pleasant, “Princess Chang mobilized so many people, went to great lengths to bring you back and lock you in the dungeon. Do you think you still have a chance to get out?”

At these words, Xiao Jinghan’s pupils dilated, “What are you saying?”

“The late Emperor gave you a task to poison Princess Chang within seven years.” Wen Jin’s voice was lazy, casually dropping the bombshell, “I believe both the Emperor and General Xiao are aware of this.”

As this revelation hung in the air, the temperature seemed to drop suddenly.

Xiao Jinghan stared at him in disbelief, a mix of shock and fear briefly crossing his eyes before being masked by a feigned anger, “What nonsense are you spouting? How could the late Emperor poison Princess Chang? She is his daughter, the sister of the current Emperor, a noble and esteemed figure—”

“Why so agitated, Master Xiao?” Wen Jin smiled, appearing harmless and refined, “Whether you know it or not, Princess Chang knows, the late Emperor knew, and so do I.”

Xiao Jinghan’s face turned ashen as he looked at Wen Jin, unable to hide his astonishment in his eyes, “Are you working for Princess Chang?”

“I belong to someone you’re not worthy of knowing.” Wen Jin’s voice was calm.

As the words fell, he suddenly waved his sleeve, a strand of true energy piercing through the cell door, a powerful airflow sweeping towards Xiao Jinghan.

Bang!

Xiao Jinghan’s body slammed against the wall, his internal organs shaken, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“Yan… Yan Qing…” Xiao Jinghan’s face turned pale, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart, “To fabricate crimes, one will always find a pretext! Yan Qing!”

He thought she was genuinely trying to catch them in the act, thinking it was just his affair with Qiao Yue that had angered her, tarnishing the dignity of the esteemed Princess Chang, which led to his capture.

If he had known the truth beforehand, known that she was aware of the late Emperor’s decree, deliberately using the excuse of catching them to capture and imprison him, even if it meant risking it all, he would never have surrendered so easily!

Yan Qing would never let him go, and Xiao Jinghan struggled fiercely, “Let me out! Let me out!”

Wen Jin glanced at him, then turned and left, ignoring the sudden sharp pang that pierced his heart and chest.

For someone destined to perish, there was no need to waste words with him here. His visit was merely to confirm the facts—although he never doubted Yan Qing’s words.

But it was necessary to make this trip.

As for… him being Princess Chang’s person?

Walking along the long corridor, the dim light shone on his exquisitely ethereal face, casting a faint glow, revealing his somber and enigmatic expression.

Yes.

Silently answering himself in his mind, Wen Jin affirmed that he was Princess Chang’s person, in the past, present, and future.

In this lifetime.

The influential Wen Jin quickly took a carriage back to the palace.

Despite Princess Chang’s residence not being far from the palace, the round trip delayed him for nearly half an hour.

Xiao Zhongshan was still in the study room.

Emperor Yan Chen, seeing Wen Jin return alone, looked gloomy, “Yan Qing didn’t come?”

“I was unable to see Princess Chang in person.” Wen Jin respectfully replied, “General Shen from Princess Chang’s residence said the Princess was in a bad mood and didn’t wish to see anyone.”

In a bad mood?

She led a group to catch them in the act, ordered the killing of Qiao Yue, Xiao Jinghan’s favorite, and still dared to claim she was in a bad mood?

Emperor Yan Chen gritted his teeth, “Summon Chief Lu Guozhong!”

“Yes.”

Lu Guozhong was the Chief Commander of the Imperial Guards, a skilled martial artist, an eighth-ranked expert by the Emperor’s side, in charge of the Ministry of Rites, known for his cunning and ruthless methods, obeying only the Emperor’s commands.

Ordering a high-ranking eunuch from the Ministry of Rites to deliver a decree to Princess Chang’s residence illustrated the Emperor’s firm stance and deep-seated anger.

Wen Jin’s refined and handsome face showed no emotion, maintaining a calm exterior, yet a hint of a chilling aura flickered in his lowered eyes.

Upon Lu Guozhong’s arrival, after bowing to the Emperor, he heard the Emperor’s cold command, “Summon Princess Chang and her husband to the palace immediately. If Princess Chang defies the decree, force can be used!”

“I obey the command!” Lu Guozhong bowed and left. As he departed, he discreetly glanced at Wen Jin.

Wen Jin’s composed demeanor remained unchanged, portraying the image of an elegant and untroubled gentleman.

“In truth, Xiao Jinghan is at fault in this matter.” Xiao Zhongshan reproached himself. “As Princess Chang’s husband, openly visiting a brothel in broad daylight disregards her dignity. It’s only natural for Princess Chang to be angry. Your Majesty need not be too harsh on Princess Chang.”

“I believe General Xiao’s assessment is correct.” Wen Jin calmly interjected. “As Princess Chang’s husband, openly engaging with brothel women not only tarnishes Princess Chang’s reputation but also disgraces the royal family. It’s only natural for Princess Chang to be upset.”

Xiao Zhongshan’s expression froze in an instant.

The Emperor’s expression was cold, but his attitude towards Wen Jin was always somewhat special. “The temperament of Yan Qing is well known to all in the court, Wen Jin, you don’t need to defend her.”

Wen Jin remained silent. Arguing with someone who was deaf and blind was simply a waste of words.

“If you have nothing else, Wen Jin, you may leave.” Yan Chen frowned. “I need to have a conversation with General Xiao.”

Understanding the unspoken dismissal, Wen Jin graciously excused himself, “I will take my leave now.”

Leaving the study room, Wen Jin walked calmly towards the palace gates and noticed Lu Guozhong assembling his men from a distance.

He hesitated for a moment before steadfastly approaching.

“Master Lu.”

Lu Guozhong turned to see Wen Jin, a hint of a smile appearing on his face as he bowed respectfully, “Prime Minister.”

“Today, the mood of Princess Chang is not good. I went to her residence on orders but was unable to meet her.” Wen Jin spoke politely, offering a gentle reminder, “Master Lu, please avoid a direct confrontation with Princess Chang.”

Pondering his words, Lu Guozhong smiled lightly, “I am just following orders. If Princess Chang does not cooperate, it may not be possible to avoid a confrontation. After all, when the Emperor assigns a task, who dares not to fulfill it with care?”

Wen Jin casually nodded, his smile warm, “I am just offering a friendly reminder. Whether you heed it is up to you, Master Lu. Excuse me.”

With that, he turned and left without looking back.

Lu Guozhong watched his retreating figure expressionlessly, giving a cold sneer, then waved his hand, leading his men straight to Princess Chang’s residence.