After finishing the meal, Jiang Chen took the tableware outside and handed it to the maidservant.
When he returned, Xiao Ying had arrived. However, she had nothing to report; she simply wanted to check if Jiang Chen had entered the palace smoothly.
After chatting for a few sentences, Jiang Chen sent her back.
However, retribution came quickly; Qian Renxue immediately drove him out of the room.
Jiang Chen pouted, went to the adjacent room, tidied up simply, took out the bedding, and spread it on the bed.
He had just lain down to rest for a moment when the sound of splashing water came through.
He listened carefully and suddenly remembered that Qian Renxue's bathroom was separated from his bed by only one wall; the distance between them was probably less than two meters.
Jiang Chen's heartbeat quickened slightly, and a strong impulse suddenly surged in his heart. Perhaps he could lie on the bed and catch a close-up view of her beauty.
After some inner struggle, he shook his head forcefully. "No, I have to restrain myself. I don't want to become a quick-shot guy in the future…"
In the end, he did not commit any despicable or filthy act. With great willpower and determination, he forced himself to leave the room and climbed onto the roof.
Only cultivation could suppress the evil fire that had suddenly appeared in his heart.
Qian Renxue's temptation was simply too great; she was not on the same level as Xiao Ying, that completely unattractive little girl.
He felt that once he broke his chastity, he might lose control completely afterward.
Sitting on the roof, his gaze swept around. He saw Zhao Hu and the others on patrol, as well as the squad of imperial guards outside.
Looking a bit further, he saw several palace maids having secret rendezvous with eunuchs, comforting each other and confiding their loneliness in the depths of the palace.
Further back, he saw parts of the harem. Several voluptuous and alluring concubines were complaining that the emperor had not summoned anyone for several months.
Their ripe bodies and lonely, empty, resentful expressions made one unable to resist feeling pity for them. It was as if they were dried-up wells that had run out of water; as soon as a little water was poured into the opening, sweet springs would gush out endlessly from within.
Jiang Chen quickly withdrew his gaze, thinking that the old emperor might already be impotent in that regard.
It was just pitiful for the dozens or hundreds of "starving and waiting to be fed" concubines in the harem.
Listening to the faint sounds coming from below, Jiang Chen sighed. This was what a twenty-four-hour personal bodyguard truly meant.
…
At dawn, when the sky had just begun to brighten, Jiang Chen climbed down, quickly washed up, and then waited outside Qian Renxue's room.
He listened for a moment, confirming that Qian Renxue had just gotten up, and gently knocked on the door, saying expectantly, "Your Highness, does this subordinate need to attend to Your Highness while washing and changing clothes?"
The sounds inside paused for a moment. Qian Renxue did not respond and continued washing.
A moment later, a deep male voice came out: "Number Nine, attend to this palace while changing clothes."
Hearing this deep male voice, Jiang Chen's body subconsciously shivered. How delicate and charming Xue'er was, instantly turning into a man.
However, upon hearing the latter part about attending while changing clothes, Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. He pushed the door open with a sudden shove.
Yet he was quickly disappointed. At this moment, Qian Renxue had already transformed into Xue Qinghe's appearance, and her chest was no different from that of a normal man.
Seeing the sudden look of disappointment on Jiang Chen's face, Qian Renxue secretly laughed, then put on a straight face and scolded, "What are you still standing there for?"
Her voice carried authority, imposing without anger.
Jiang Chen pouted. Usually, when pretending to be Xue Qinghe, wasn't she quite refined and easygoing?
He walked to the side, picked up the crown prince's outer robe, and helped Qian Renxue put it on.
Qian Renxue frowned and said, "Remember, outside, you cannot show your little emotions. The only things you can display are respect and obedience."
Jiang Chen smiled, "I understand. These years of mine haven't been lived in vain."
After helping Qian Renxue put on the jade crown properly, the two walked out.
Jiang Chen followed a few steps behind Qian Renxue, his right hand resting on his blade, wearing soft armor, his aura heroic and extraordinary. Coupled with his handsome face, he was quite eye-catching.
Qian Renxue suddenly stopped, frowned, and said, "Restrain your kingly aura a bit. Don't steal this palace's limelight."
"Heh, okay." Jiang Chen restrained his own aura, becoming ordinary and unremarkable. Apart from his face, there was nothing eye-catching about him.
But he was just a guard; who would pay attention to his face?
"I'm just a supporting character without any camera time." Jiang Chen mocked himself inwardly and quickly caught up with Qian Renxue.
"Your Highness, where are we going now?" Jiang Chen asked softly.
Qian Renxue did not turn her head and replied, "To pay respects to Mother Empress."
After leaving the courtyard, Zhao Hu and the others were already waiting outside.
Qian Renxue walked ahead, with Jiang Chen and the others following behind, heading toward the harem.
Upon reaching the outside of the Empress's sleeping palace, Jiang Chen and the other guards stopped and waited outside.
Jiang Chen looked inside. The imperial palace was too large; he had not been able to see this area last night.
The Empress was a mature woman who appeared to be in her forties, with slight crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. Her skin was well-maintained, and her appearance was outstanding, only slightly inferior to Xue'er.
Besides the Empress and Qian Renxue, there was also an eleven- or twelve-year-old little girl inside. She was cute and lively, wearing a delicate princess long dress—a living example of a pretty loli.
This should be Princess Xue Ke, the princess most favored by Xue Ye.
Qian Renxue also doted on this younger sister extremely, though it was unknown whether it came from genuine affection or was just an act.
Qian Renxue stayed inside for over an hour before coming out.
Jiang Chen had been basking in the morning sun outside for over an hour. Apart from secretly chatting a few words with Zhao Hu and the others, he could not even walk around.
This was the harem, after all. If these grown men wandered around and offended any concubine, they would be beheaded.
Even if they needed to relieve themselves, they had to hold it in; otherwise, they could only return to the Eastern Palace to take care of it.
Being a guard was not easy either, Jiang Chen sighed.
Qian Renxue came out with a gentle smile, seemingly in a good mood.
"Return to the palace."
Qian Renxue did not attend the morning court today.
The crown prince originally did not need to attend morning court. It was only because Xue Ye's health had begun to decline that he required the crown prince to attend and listen to politics, to learn in advance.
Generally, after the morning court, Xue Ye would keep the crown prince behind and impart some experience in governing the country and managing officials based on the content of the court session.
Qian Renxue did not need to go every day; attending occasionally was sufficient.
After returning to the Eastern Palace, Jiang Chen finally relaxed a little. This kind of work serving as a servant was indeed not easy.
Qian Renxue did not return to her small courtyard but went to the study instead, sipping tea and reading.
Jiang Chen sat boldly beside her, occasionally helping Qian Renxue refill her tea.
Qian Renxue tossed him a few books on military strategy and leading troops in battle. Jiang Chen flipped through them a few times and found them utterly boring.
Leading troops in battle and such, he felt he was not suited for it.
"Xue'er, when are we going to Xue Xing's side?" He finally could not help but ask.
It was already approaching noon. His Number Two was still at Xue Xing's residence, and officials offering congratulations had already begun arriving since dawn.
Yet now, Qian Renxue was still sitting here as steady as an old dog.
Qian Renxue said indifferently, "No rush. We'll go after lunch."
That calm and composed demeanor made one unable to help but feel admiration.
Jiang Chen pouted, his eyes rolling as he said, "Xue'er, you're wearing the crown prince's clothes, layer upon layer. It must be very inconvenient when you need to pee, right?"
Pfft~
Qian Renxue sprayed out a mouthful of tea. Her refined, elegant, steady, and calm aura was instantly broken.
"Go to hell!" A clear and pleasant female voice came from the crown prince's mouth, carrying anger, as she chased after Jiang Chen.
"Xue'er, hitting is affection, scolding is love~"
The crown prince's thick eyebrows rose, and she hit even harder.
Fortunately, those guards were stationed far away. Otherwise, if they had heard this flirtatious banter, they might have felt their stomachs churning and goosebumps rising all over, then thought fearfully with their *** tightening: These two lords are actually gay.
Qian Renxue only stopped after hitting until she was out of breath. Those bright eyes glared at Jiang Chen, and her handsome face strangely revealed the annoyed expression of a young maiden.
"Let's go, depart." She straightened her clothes and walked out first.
Jiang Chen quickly followed.
Qian Renxue boarded the carriage that had been prepared long ago. They first went to the harem to pick up Princess Xue Ke, then left the imperial palace and headed toward Xue Xing's residence.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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