Chapter 18: Can a Mad Tyrant Be Forced? [18]

Chapter 18: Can a Mad Tyrant Be Forced Too? "18"

Yun Fuyue sneakily touching Mu Jin's leg was something Mu Jin could still tolerate and pretend to ignore.

But once they were alone, Yun Fuyue's advances grew increasingly bold, until he went ahead and wrapped his arm around Mu Jin's waist!

Mu Jin was deeply exasperated—if his wheelchair were any bigger, would this guy just climb right on top of him?

Yun Fuyue whispered by Mu Jin's ear, "Why is Your Majesty so quiet?"

Mu Jin's expression turned cold as he slapped Yun Fuyue's hand, then grabbed his wrist and removed his hand from his waist.

"National Preceptor, please show some restraint."

Mu Jin's voice was cold and laced with displeasure—he might as well have had "get lost" written all over his face.

Yun Fuyue wasn't angry in the slightest; instead, he let out a soft laugh:

"It's just a little touch—why is Your Majesty so upset?"

"I heard that a few days ago, Your Majesty had the Miaojiang Holy Son warm your bed, and then turned around and sent that Noble Lady Zhao a bunch of fine gifts."

"Not only that, even the Prince Regent has been staying in the palace these past few days, eating and sleeping alongside Your Majesty, living it up!"

As Yun Fuyue brought up these matters, the amusement in his eyes faded, and a hint of barely discernible jealousy crept into his voice.

"They can all stay by Your Majesty's side—so why can't I even touch you?"

In just a few short days, the little emperor he had his eye on was being snatched up by one person after another before he could even get his hands on him!

He could let Ying Huaifeng and Zhao Ruoqian slide—those two were people he had sent over himself, so no matter how much he hated or resented it, he could still endure it.

But what the hell was Mu Siyang supposed to be?!

Relying on his status as Prince Regent, he dared to openly stay overnight in the palace!

Yun Fuyue knew very well that Mu Siyang only saw Mu Jin as a chess piece and would never do anything improper to him.

But just thinking about how they had been staying together these past few days...

The rage burning deep in his heart nearly consumed Yun Fuyue whole.

Mu Jin saw Yun Fuyue lose his temper and was filled with confusion.

Two of the people Yun Fuyue mentioned had been personally sent by Yun Fuyue himself.

Even if Mu Jin had grown closer to them, why would Yun Fuyue be angry?

The minds of villains really were hard to fathom.

Mu Jin simply said calmly, "The National Preceptor is naturally different from them."

Yun Fuyue pressed, "Different in what way?"

Mu Jin was momentarily at a loss for words and could only vaguely deflect: "In any case, in my heart, you are different from them."

Yun Fuyue was quite pleased to receive such an answer.

"In that case, surely Your Majesty won't refuse to let me stay in the palace tonight and rest alongside Your Majesty?"

Mu Jin: "???"

Wait—was the Lifebound Gu really at his bedside?

Mu Jin was silent. Mu Jin was bewildered.

Yun Fuyue was still smiling as he asked, "Does Your Majesty not wish it?"

Mu Jin rested his head on his hand against the armrest of his wheelchair and let out a light laugh: "It's not that I'm unwilling, but does the National Preceptor know what it means to share a bed with me?"

This gave Yun Fuyue pause, and he reflexively asked, "What?"

Mu Jin curled his lips and said casually, "My bed is not something just anyone can sleep in. If you're going to sleep by my side, it naturally means... serving me in bed."

Yun Fuyue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and for a moment he didn't respond.

Mu Jin assumed Yun Fuyue had been disgusted by his words and was backing off, but little did he know that the excitement in Yun Fuyue's eyes was practically about to materialize.

Yun Fuyue's voice trembled slightly: "Does Your Majesty mean it?"

Mu Jin tilted his head up, curling his lips in a lazy smile:

"The words of the Son of Heaven are naturally true."

"If the National Preceptor is willing to give up his position and enter my harem, I could make you Empress."

These words instantly cooled Yun Fuyue down.

As much as he truly wanted the little emperor, that didn't mean he was willing to give up everything he currently possessed.

Yun Fuyue slowly withdrew his hand. "Your Majesty jests."

That was a refusal.

The curve of Mu Jin's lips deepened, and a strange glint flickered in his eyes.

"I was merely joking with the National Preceptor—no need to take it to heart."

Neither of them continued on that topic.

Yun Fuyue said calmly, "Miss Su will need some time to brew the medicine. Let me prepare some tea for Your Majesty first."

With that, he turned and left, and Mu Jin didn't stop him.

A faint aroma of tea filled the air, and Mu Jin's mood eased considerably.

But just then—"BANG!"—the door was kicked open!

Both of their attentions were drawn to the entrance at once.

Cold wind rushed in, and Mu Jin pulled his cloak tighter around himself. The light fragrance of tea was instantly replaced by the stench of blood.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

It was Mu Siyang.

There was a bloody gash on Mu Siyang's face, and traces of blood seeped from the corner of his lips. He wiped it with his finger, his gaze locked firmly on Yun Fuyue.

The attendants standing behind him were cloaked in a murderous aura, their faces cold, each holding a person in their grip.

Or rather, a bloody, mangled mess, their original features no longer discernible.

"M-My... lord..."

Those people stared with eyes blurred by blood, their eyes filled with despair and agony.

The instant they caught sight of Yun Fuyue, their fingertips twitched slightly, their lips parting and closing, yet unable to form a single complete syllable.

"Save...save..."

Mu Jin disliked the stench of blood and snapped coldly, "What is the Regent doing?"

Mu Siyang let out a sneering laugh, strode over to stand beside Yun Fuyue, glanced at the freshly brewed hot tea, then poured a cup and splashed it directly onto the nearest person's face.

"Ahhh!!!"

A piercing scream of agony instantly echoed through the entire room.

Mu Siyang toyed with the teacup in his hand and said with a light chuckle, "Truly worthy of the Grand Preceptor's own hand-brewed tea—what excellent tea this is."

Mu Jin frowned. The stench of blood was overwhelming; he wanted to leave, but clearly, given the situation, he couldn't.

Yun Fuyue watched the scene coldly and spoke in a low voice, "The Prince certainly has nerve, daring to act so boldly before His Majesty... Could it be you don't hold His Majesty in your eyes?"

"Hmph, the Grand Preceptor jests. If we're talking about not holding His Majesty in one's eyes, that title would have to go to you, Grand Preceptor!"

As Mu Siyang spoke, he clapped his hands, and the bloody figures were dragged over and dumped at Yun Fuyue's feet.

He stepped forward and viciously kicked the person closest to him. Hearing the pained groan that escaped him, he turned to Yun Fuyue with a knowing look.

"These people should look pretty familiar to you, Grand Preceptor."

"After all, they were all gifts you gave His Majesty. It's only been a few days—surely you haven't forgotten them already."

Yun Fuyue glanced at them once, then looked away, rising to meet Mu Siyang's gaze at eye level with an indifferent smile.

"And what if they are?"

Mu Siyang: "Then that settles it."

"A couple of days ago, I stayed overnight in the palace, and wouldn't you know it, I got bitten by a snake."

Mu Siyang paused, then raised a hand to pat Yun Fuyue's shoulder, his gaze turning even more sinister.

"After investigating, it turned out that snake was set loose by your people, Grand Preceptor..."

"I wonder, when you had your people set snakes loose in the palace, were you trying to harm me—or His Majesty?"

Yun Fuyue snapped back coldly, "The Prince should watch his words!"

"My loyalty to His Majesty is as clear as day! Just because of a snake and a few men, is the Prince trying to pin treason on me?"

Mu Siyang seemed to find this hilarious, letting out a snicker before turning to Mu Jin:

"Your Majesty, the evidence is conclusive. My staying overnight that day was purely on a whim—had that venomous snake not bitten me, it likely would've bitten Your Majesty instead."

Yun Fuyue also turned to Mu Jin, his tone more serious and earnest than ever:

"Your Majesty, trust me. I had nothing to do with this. I would never harm you! This must be the work of some petty schemer framing me!"

Mu Jin, who had been planning to stay and watch the drama since he couldn't leave anyway: "...?"

Must these two villains drag him, a mere pawn, into their fight?

Even though he couldn't see a thing, Mu Jin could feel both burning gazes fixed on him.

They were both waiting for him to answer.

More precisely, not just them—but also that little snake hiding in the shadows, watching.

Yet his instincts told him that at this moment, no matter who he chose to believe or side with, he'd end up wrong.

But if he had to pick one...

Mu Jin spoke in a low voice, "Come to think of it, I suddenly recall that my blindness was also caused by a gu poison... Does the Grand Preceptor have anything to say about that?"

Ying Huaifeng hated Yun Fuyue more than anyone, so he absolutely couldn't choose Yun Fuyue in front of Ying Huaifeng.

If he chose Mu Siyang, that would definitely provoke Yun Fuyue.

Mu Jin lowered his eyes, hiding the fleeting ruthlessness that flashed within them.

First, use Yun Fuyue to take care of Mu Siyang, then find Yun Fuyue's Lifebound Gu.

With a plan forming in his mind, a faint smile crept across Mu Jin's face.

"The Grand Preceptor is the most skilled in gu arts—shouldn't you explain yourself?"

Yun Fuyue froze, staring hard at Mu Jin, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

The little emperor, who had just said he was different from everyone else, was now siding with Mu Siyang, doubting him...

Even though this matter did have his hand in it, and even the gu worm had been personally given by him to Zhao Ruoqian.

Yet meeting the little emperor's eyes, filled with suspicion, Yun Fuyue still felt a tightness in his chest.

Mu Siyang was nearly sickened to death by Yun Fuyue's wounded expression, his disdain and revulsion completely unconcealed.

He sneered, "Indeed. His Majesty's eyes were perfectly fine before—shouldn't the Grand Preceptor explain that?"

Yun Fuyue ignored him, looking only at Mu Jin as he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty does not trust me?"

"I went out of my way to find someone who could cure the gu poison for Your Majesty, yet you don't believe me?"

Mu Jin replied calmly, "I only believe in the facts and evidence before my eyes."

"There's no need for the Grand Preceptor to be so worked up. I merely asked casually."

Yun Fuyue's hands, hidden under his wide sleeves, clenched into fists.

Mu Siyang flashed a blatantly smug smile, his light voice dripping with delight.

"Yeah, after these men of yours saw their plot exposed and tried to attack me directly, I gave them a proper beating, and they confessed everything."

"I have both witnesses and physical evidence here. For the Grand Preceptor to claim with empty words that you have nothing to do with it—that won't fly."

Mu Siyang then turned to Mu Jin. "Your Majesty, why not let the Grand Preceptor come with me? Let me conduct a thorough interrogation. If he's truly innocent, then this will clear his name~"

Yun Fuyue gritted his teeth, still unwilling to yield, his gaze dark and terrifying. "Your Majesty, do you truly trust him over me?"

Mu Jin had no desire to keep arguing with them. Propping his head on one hand and rubbing his brow, he waved the other hand weakly.

"Enough. Leave this matter to the Regent. I am weary—take the prisoners away."