He had often heard that guards would go to brothels together and drink flower wine. When their wives asked, they would cover for each other, claiming they were on duty.

Xie Chaoyun had thought that everyone around him, like Qian Shicheng and Xiao Heng, either feared their wives or remained unmarried, so he never had the chance to experience it himself.

Today, he had indirectly experienced it! It felt very real!

For a moment, he was puzzled, but he understood Xiao Heng’s intentions. Their plan was almost complete, so there was no harm in revealing it. However, the importance of Xiao Heng’s benefactor to him needed to be kept under wraps. The more vulnerabilities, the more danger.

When the young emperor asked, he even took a serious look at the girls’ answers. His unusual interest in this matter might indicate that he had some way of finding people. But after today, the young emperor would definitely not focus on this anymore.

As Xie Chaoyun spoke, he observed Chu Zhaoyou and noticed his expression gradually darken, as if a certain firm belief he had when he entered had been shattered.

He had a sudden realization. Could the young emperor really have a way? Was the effort all for naught, leaving him feeling utterly dejected?

Chu Zhaoyou glanced at the Regent and said lightly, “The Regent is truly brilliant. This method is excellent.”

The study door was open, and Chu Zhaoyou walked out without a word. His expression was even worse than when he had entered.

Xiao Heng was taken aback. Was he angry?

He had acted on instinct, not wanting Chu Zhaoyou to misunderstand that he was looking for a queen for the Regent, so he had overexplained. But now… it seemed like he had overdone it.

Xiao Heng glanced at Xie Chaoyun. “Why did you say so much?”

Implicitly, he had portrayed me as a ruthless villain, scaring Chu Zhaoyou away.

Xie Chaoyun was now convinced that the Regent’s intelligence had been halved by Chu Zhaoyou.

After all was said and done, Xiao Heng was simply explaining that he wasn’t looking for a queen for the Regent Prince! He had overcomplicated things himself! Xiao Heng was playing his cards differently, and he had also misjudged the young emperor.

Xie Chaoyun couldn’t help but say, “Have you been paying too much attention to Chu Zhaoyou since your disappearance? It’s not a love Gu, but because of the He Xin Gu, right?”

Did the Regent feel that he had encountered a wise ruler and automatically returned to the position of a loyal minister?

The Regent’s expression changed abruptly, as if his inner thoughts had been exposed.

He pressed down on the teacup that Chu Zhaoyou had only half-drunk, his hand tensing. “Even you think that I’ve been acting strangely lately?”

Xie Chaoyun replied, “Very strangely.”

Xiao Heng closed his eyes. “Lately, I’ve often wondered if the He Xin Gu has an effect that we don’t know about.”

After discovering the existence of the He Xin Gu, he and Xie Chaoyun had searched through medical books and consulted renowned physicians, piecing together only a fraction of the truth about the He Xin Gu.

The detoxification method, the specific timing of the attacks, how foolish he became during the attacks… he knew nothing.

All the physicians claimed to have poor memories, and the He Xin Gu was far more insidious and malicious than they had initially thought.

Xie Chaoyun’s breath hitched. The topic was one he had impulsively brought up, and now he regretted it. “Could I be overthinking it? The young emperor has indeed changed, showing a bit more concern for a puppet who has slipped from his control. It’s only natural. You’ve always been cautious, especially in this regard.”

Xiao Heng replied, “It’s more than that.”

Xie Chaoyun sought a reason. “His Majesty is intelligent, and he has learned from you. Even heroes appreciate each other. Now, he is a reflection of your other side. One’s own possessions are always different.”

“One’s own possessions?” Xiao Heng’s eyes deepened.

“If you doubt it, stay away from His Majesty for a few days and see the effect.”

Xiao Heng suddenly crushed the teacup on the table, spilling the tea onto the paper.

Xie Chaoyun’s words made sense, but he resisted it vehemently.

Once he recognized his inner resistance, he felt compelled to act.

No one could control him. Whether in life or death, he would make his own choices.

Chu Zhaoyou stormed out in anger, his feet moving non-stop. He didn’t even hear the guard behind him saying he was going the wrong way.

The Regent was truly unscrupulous, using everything to gain power.

After walking for a while, he realized he had taken the wrong path and asked, belatedly, “Where’s the entrance?”

The guard pointed to a small path, and Chu Zhaoyou frowned. He had been so angry that he hadn’t even noticed he had walked several hundred meters along the garden path.

He turned back, still fuming, and coincidentally met Xie Chaoyun leaving through the main gate.

Xiao Heng said, “Today is the anniversary of the old general’s death. You don’t need to be busy this afternoon. Remember to help me offer incense.”

Xie Chaoyun’s eyes welled up. Xiao Heng was always like this, remembering all sorts of little things, such as the anniversary of the old general’s death, or escorting the eunuch who had served the late emperor back to his hometown…

“Thank you, Your Highness, for remembering.”

As he was about to leave, Xiao Heng saw Chu Zhaoyou walking out with a sullen expression.

He paused, wanting to observe the his reaction.

Xiao Heng was slightly surprised to see Chu Zhaoyou. Where had he been? He looked even angrier now?

Suddenly, he remembered his decision and steeled himself to ignore it.

Chu Zhaoyou vaguely overheard something about an “anniversary” and his eyes lit up.

On the anniversary of the old general’s death, would Xie Chaoyun’s stepmother also appear?

He hurried a few steps and stopped Xie Chaoyun, as if they were old friends, warmly greeting him, “General, as gallant as ever today.”

Xie Chaoyun was bewildered. Did the young emperor consider him a mere backdrop after what he had said in the study?

Chu Zhaoyou continued, “The old general made great contributions on the battlefield. May I offer incense on his behalf?”

Xie Chaoyun felt as if he and Chu Zhaoyou were close friends. If a friend wanted to offer incense for his father, there seemed to be no reason to refuse.

“I’ll convey my father’s gratitude to Your Majesty.”

Chu Zhaoyou had already spoken, leaving Xie Chaoyun no choice but to take Chu Zhaoyou back to the Xie residence later. He was deeply puzzled. Couldn’t the young emperor discern that he had always sided with the Regent, and that his actions were merely superficial formalities?

Why was he still trying to vie for attention?

Chu Zhaoyou noticed Xie Chaoyun’s conflicted expression and smiled, “I have no ulterior motives. General, you are the pillar of the nation. Your well-being is the greatest comfort to me.”

Here he goes again!

Xie Chaoyun: “…”

He subconsciously glanced at the Regent.

The Regent’s face turned ashen.

Xie Chaoyun had advised him to stay away from Chu Zhaoyou, but what about himself?

Author’s note: Xiao Heng: An emperor’s heart is as elusive as a needle in the sea. Explaining or not explaining is all wrong.