Chapter 106 – Kiss

T/N-Thanyou Shihane for the support(^-^)(3/12)

For Stan Star, today was like New Year’s Day.

Ordinary citizens were busy decorating and preparing for the festivities, while the royal family had been bustling since early morning, especially the Crown Prince. He had to wake up at dawn to perform ancestral rites and put on the heavy ceremonial attire before sunrise.

Jian Mei, still sleepy in bed, muttered, “So early.”

Lu Xingwang tucked him in, whispering, “You can sleep a bit longer.”

Jian Mei did want to sleep more, and Lu Xingwang’s movements were light, not disturbing him. However, Jian Mei woke up shortly after because the absence of Lu Xingwang made the bed feel empty, and his communication terminal kept buzzing.

Jian Mei opened it and was surprised to see a message from the young master.

“Meimei, Happy Holidays,” the young master wrote.

Jian Mei smiled and replied, “Young master, Happy Holidays!”

The young master was silent for a moment before responding, “I’ve been waiting for you to message me. I thought you’d come home for the holiday this year. How is it in the imperial capital? Are you doing well?”

Jian Mei didn’t expect the young master to be waiting for him.

In his memory, the young master had a lively household with the master and a group of people like Mrs Li. Now that the young master’s leg was healed, he shouldn’t feel lonely.

Still, Jian Mei replied, “Thank you, young master. Don’t worry, the imperial capital is great, and I’m doing very well.”

The young master replied, “Good, that’s great to hear. I’ll be going to the imperial capital for school in the next spring. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Meimei.”

Jian Mei remembered this and happily replied, “Great, young master. I’m looking forward to seeing you too.”

Then he checked other messages, with the latest one from Ping Ping: “Meimei, happy holidays!”

Jian Mei replied, “Pingping, happy holidays.”

Ping Ping was clearly delighted.

After chatting for a bit, as they were about to wrap up, Ping Ping asked, “Meimei, the fever medicine you left us, can we give some to other families?”

Jian Mei asked, “What’s going on, Ping Ping? Is there a problem?”

“It’s nothing major,” Ping Ping replied sweetly. “It’s just that a lot of people here have been getting fevers recently, and it keeps coming back. It’s not a big deal, but we’re worried it might spread.”

Jian Mei frowned when he heard this: “Are there many people?”

Ping Ping scratched his head and replied, “Well, not really… You know how it is every year around this season, there’s always a bit of an outbreak. This year’s is just a bit odd, but otherwise, it’s nothing too serious.”

Given Ping Ping’s words, Jian Mei still felt uneasy: “Of course you can help if anyone needs it, but be discreet. Don’t draw attention.”

Ping Ping nodded, “I understand, Meimei. Don’t worry.”

After hanging up, Jian Mei’s sleepiness was completely gone. He couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. Everything seemed normal, but this very normalcy made him anxious, as if a storm was brewing.

Hopefully… everything will be fine.

Meanwhile, on the mountain where the ancestral rites were being held, the entire royal family was present, respectfully paying homage to their ancestors.

The Emperor’s health had been poor in recent years, and the mountain wind made him cough. He had been taking the medicine prescribed by Jian Mei.He had gotten much better recently, but could still feel the weakness.

Concubine Xi quickly stepped forward to support him: “Your Majesty, are you alright?”

The Emperor caught his breath and waved her off, saying, “My body is failing me.”

Concubine Xi understood the Emperor’s implication and glanced at the kneeling Crown Prince Lu Xingwang and his brother Lu Xinci, saying, “Your Majesty, your health is still good. How can you say such things?”

The Emperor’s gaze lingered meaningfully on his two sons, and he spoke in a low voice, “Although I can still manage for now, the imperial physicians have urged me to rest. The realm needs a capable leader to take the throne.”

Lu Xingwang and Lu Xinci exchanged a look, each seeing the gravity in the other’s eyes.

Lu Xingwang spoke first: “Father, there’s no need to worry. Your health will recover, and I will find the best doctors to treat you. As for the affairs of the state, I will do my utmost to alleviate your burdens. Please rest assured.”

The Emperor looked relieved: “You always ease my worries.”

Lu Xinci, hearing this, almost wanted to applaud Lu Xingwang for his skillful words. The Crown Prince’s response was impeccable, but it was clear that the Emperor was hinting at passing the throne to him. Even though Lu Xingwang appeared understanding and dutiful, those who knew him were well aware of the Crown Prince’s ruthlessness.

In the past few days, because Lu Xinci had approached Jian Mei, he had lost half of his supporters.

The Crown Prince had covertly cultivated loyal followers throughout the entire imperial capital. He didn’t declare war on him openly but issued a silent warning. This time it was only half, but next time, if he dared to get close to his people again, he would break all of his wings.

Lu Xinci’s lips curled into a smile as he feigned sincerity: “I, too, wish to alleviate Father’s worries and hope for your long and prosperous life.”

The Emperor was very pleased. He said, “I am glad you have such awareness. In the future, you and your brother must get along well and unite as one. Only then can our country become more prosperous and strong. Do you understand?”

With the conversation reaching this point, how could anyone not understand?

Lu Xinci knew that the Emperor would not pass the throne to him and that he would be asked to assist Lu Xingwang.

Although Lu Xinci did not object outwardly, resentment began to grow in his heart. Especially since Concubine Rui, kneeling beside him, also looked displeased. If the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, wouldn’t Concubine Xiyi be the most likely to be made Empress Dowager? And what about herself?

She had served the Emperor for many years and even bore him a child, while Concubine Xiyi had no children. Just because she had aligned herself correctly, could she now reap the benefits?

She was unwilling to accept this!

After returning to the palace, there was a festive atmosphere outside, but the Second Prince’s residence was somber.

Lu Xinci watched as his mother, Concubine Rui, smashed a collection of antiques to the ground, and said, “Mother, anger harms the body. It’s better not to be so furious.”

“Ah Ci, we cannot let Concubine Xiyi and that little minx Concubine Lan gain power.” Concubine Rui approached and grasped her child’s hand, saying, “You must think of something. If Lu Xingwang ascends the throne, where will there be a place for us?”

Lu Xinci looked at his anxious mother and smiled reassuringly: “Mother, don’t worry. I have already made arrangements. The former Crown Prince Lu Wei and the interstellar pirate Xiao Cheng have long been harboring thoughts of revenge. Xiao Cheng despises this world filled with divine power and has been researching a drug to change it. Think about it, if chaos erupts as soon as the Crown Prince ascends, how will he win the support of the people?”

Concubine Rui thought for a moment, and a smile spread across her face.

Lu Xinci’s lips also curved into a smile: “So, Mother, you can rest assured. I might not be able to change Father’s mind, but I will certainly ensure that Lu Xingwang does not sit securely on the throne.”

……

On the other side,

In the afternoon, Lu Xingwang was busy handling various matters. It wasn’t until nightfall, when the banquet outside was about to start, that he hurried back. However, he couldn’t find Jian Mei in the palace, and his expression tightened slightly as he sought out A Ruo for information.

A Ruo’s face also had a dusting of white flour, and she replied, “The young master is in the kitchen.”

Lu Xingwang felt a stir in his heart and strode towards the kitchen.

There, Jian Mei was sitting at a table, making dumplings. Under the light, his face was focused, and his soft, fair hands carefully pinched the edges of the dumpling wrappers. His face was smudged with some flour, making him look like a little kitten with a dirty face.

Lu Xingwang caught a whiff of the fragrance and approached, asking, “What are you doing?”

Seeing him return, Jian Mei was overjoyed: “You’re done with work!”

Lu Xingwang nodded. Jian Mei wanted to run over and hug him, but when he got close, he realized he had some flour on himself and hesitated. However, Lu Xingwang saw his concern, took a step forward, and gave Jian Mei a firm hug.

Jian Mei paused and softly said, “I don’t want to get your clothes dirty. This is your court attire, and you need to attend the banquet soon.”

Lu Xingwang replied calmly, “Then I’ll just say I was accidentally entangled by a mischievous little cat.”

Jian Mei, belatedly realizing the implication, felt a bit embarrassed but quickly stepped back half a step, saying, “I made dumplings. In our home, this is considered the New Year, and we always eat dumplings during the New Year.”

Lu Xingwang had eaten them the year before last.

At that time, they were separated by a great distance. After losing contact with Jian Mei, he hadn’t had them again.

Jian Mei carefully took the dumplings out of the pot, gently blew on them, and smiled, saying, “I also wrapped a coin inside. It’s said that if you find my coin, it means we are fated. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Lu Xingwang asked, “Has anyone ever found your coin?”

Jian Mei scratched his head, thinking, “I did it last year too, but none of the people around me found it. But I did wrap it, so I don’t know who ended up with it.”

Lu Xingwang narrowed his eyes with some displeasure.

The Crown Prince, slightly unhappy, said with a hint of sarcasm, “Was it your destined true love whom you’ve never met?”

Jian Mei was momentarily stunned. He was about to say probably, but seeing the Crown Prince’s expression, he smiled and said, “”I think my true love should be someone I’ve met. But if different people find the coin, which time really counts?”

Jian Mei, while speaking, took a bite of a dumpling. After the first bite, his expression changed.

Lu Xingwang asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jian Mei had bitten into the coin but still wanted the Crown Prince to find it too. After thinking for a while, his clever mind came up with a good idea. He looked up and said, “You should take a bite of this too.”

The usually proper Crown Prince felt that this might be moving a bit too quickly.

Jian Mei, however, was impatient: “Come on, take a bite.”

Lu Xingwang’s eyes darkened significantly. At Jian Mei’s insistence, the Crown Prince bent down, leaned forward, and took a bite of the dumpling. At the same time, Jian Mei felt a gentle touch on his lips—a soft and gentle kiss from Lu Xingwang.

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^)