Chapter 38 Entering the Palace

Chapter 38: Entering the Palace

Cheng Ge couldn't shake the feeling that Cui Ji was off, like something was bugging him, as he slowly sat down.

He glanced up at the guy, reached into the chess jar, grabbed a black stone, and placed it on the board.

"Nothing... nothing really. Maybe His Majesty and the Crown Prince think I'm sharp and clever, a man of character, elegant, refined, and crazy smart—like, super talented and well-read...

They suddenly realized I'm a one-of-a-kind talent, bound to be their right-hand man, so they're trying to butter me up early..."

Cui Ji shot him a look, said nothing, and dropped his white stone.

Cheng Ge's chess style was seriously sketchy. They say you can tell a lot about someone from how they play, and after just a few moves, Cui Ji figured he wasn't playing like a proper gentleman, but more like some shameless street punk.

Cui Ji stared at the board, knuckles pressing against his throbbing temple, his face looking like he'd just shared a bed with the Barbarians.

But when he looked up, Cheng Ge was staring right at him, like he was rushing him to play.

"Your Highness, dinner's ready," the steward said softly, stepping forward.

Hearing that, Cui Ji tossed his stone back in the jar.

He shot up, even quicker than Cheng Ge, "We'll pick this up another day. Let's eat."

After dinner, Cheng Ge had the maid brew the medicine and downed it.

After the medicine, he got pretty drowsy, washed up, and crashed.

Cui Ji sealed the military report and passed it to a nearby shadow guard. The candlelight flickered, making shadows dance on the wall.

"Tell Wang Feng to keep an eye on Falling Cliff and beef up the defenses there."

"Yes, sir." The guard took the order and left.

Cui Ji rubbed his temples. After dealing with all that military stuff, he was beat too.

Just then, a knock came at the door—the steward's voice, "Your Highness."

"Come in." The steward pushed the door open, carrying a tray, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, this old servant brought you a little midnight snack."

The old steward had served the Cui family his whole life, his hair now gray. He'd watched the younger generation of the Cui family grow up.

Back then, Cui Ji only survived because the old steward sensed something was off in the middle of the night.

Luckily, Cui Ji had been sick those days and barely ate, so the poison wasn't strong enough to kill him—he was barely saved. Otherwise, the main branch of the Cui family would've been wiped out.

No matter what, Cui Ji still had a lot of respect for the old steward.

Cui Ji nodded at him, signaling for him to set the soup pot on the table.

After setting it down, the steward kept his warm smile, "Your Highness, get some rest early. Don't run yourself ragged."

Cui Ji grunted in acknowledgment, lifted the lid, and a strong ginseng smell hit his nose, making him frown.

"This is the black chicken stewed with that ginseng Master Cheng gave you. Perfect for a little boost."

Cui Ji: "..."

Cui Ji picked up the porcelain spoon, finding it a bit rough, but he still took a sip.

It was a little bitter, but okay—not terrible.

"Is he asleep? Send a bowl to his room too. I think he's pretty weak himself."

The steward knew exactly who he meant, "Master Cheng's already asleep. Tomorrow morning, this old servant will make it early for him."

Cui Ji nodded, then thought of something else.

"Did something happen to him in the palace today? What did the investigation turn up?"

The steward's smile vanished. Thinking of what the shadow guards reported, he didn't know how to start.

Seeing him quiet, Cui Ji looked up, "Just spit it out."

The steward hesitated but finally told the truth, watching Cui Ji's face as he spoke.

He noticed that the further he went, the darker his master's face got.

With a clang, the spoon was flung into the pot, rolled across the table, and clattered to the floor, shards of porcelain and soup splattering everywhere.

"What a prince!" Cui Ji's chest heaved, his fists clenched.

Thinking how Cheng Ge was fine yesterday, and today the Crown Prince kicked him until he coughed up blood, his rage boiled over.

Cheng Ge could mouth off in front of him, and he'd let it slide, but that Crown Prince—who the hell did he think he was?

"Saddle the horse. I'm heading to the palace." Cui Ji stood up and ordered coldly.

The steward flinched and quickly tried to stop him, "Your Highness, the palace gates are locked at this hour. Going in now might piss off His Majesty."

Cui Ji let out a cold laugh, "I don't give a damn about his anger. Let him take my head if he's got the guts!"

...

Zhou Mingqi had just settled down to rest. He hadn't even closed his eyes for three minutes when he heard a eunuch rushing in to report that Cui Ji was seeking an audience.

Zhou Mingqi didn't delay. For Cui Ji to come at this hour, it was likely urgent military matters.

He quickly dressed in his robes and went to the side hall.

There stood Cui Ji in the hall, still carrying a chill from the night air.

Zhou Mingqi was momentarily stunned to see Cui Ji standing there, but quickly regained his composure.

"Prince Zhenbei, coming so late—is there urgent news from the border?"

Cui Ji performed a perfunctory bow and sat down, saying, "News from the border: the Northern Di may be making a move at Falling Cliff."

Hearing this, Zhou Mingqi wasn't too surprised, "Mm, Falling Cliff's terrain is complex and hidden, extremely treacherous.

If the Northern Di intend to launch a surprise attack from there, we must indeed be on guard. Is there any other military intelligence?"

Cui Ji poured himself a cup of tea, then casually filled another full cup for Zhou Mingqi, "Your Majesty's tea is quite good."

Zhou Mingqi was speechless. He raised a hand to rub his brow, his eyes full of fatigue, and took a sip from the cup.

"This tea should be the newly offered Fangshan Dew Buds. If Prince Zhenbei likes it, I'll have some sent to you."

Cui Ji set down the porcelain cup, a cold sneer in his heart, "Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity. I am but a rough soldier, unworthy of such fine tea."

Zhou Mingqi: “???” Are you out of your damn mind?

Cui Ji reached over and topped off Zhou Mingqi’s teacup, a hint of… sneering amusement in his eyes.

“I hear the ginseng the vassal states sent as tribute this year is of excellent quality, likely very nourishing.”

Zhou Mingqi was caught off guard, wondering why he’d suddenly bring that up.

However, Cui Ji was known for his erratic temperament and occasionally goes off the rails, so Zhou Mingqi was not particularly surprised. As long as it wasn’t too excessive, he usually let it slide.

But then, Cui Ji shifted the topic and began to ramble again, “The soldiers at the border fight tooth and nail against the enemy every day. If you, Your Majesty, have more ginseng than you can use, why not load a cart or two and send it over? Let the troops replenish their energy and give them a morale boost.”

Zhou Mingqi: “…”

Zhou Mingqi was getting annoyed too, couldn’t figure out why Cui Ji had to bring up ginseng out of nowhere. Already annoyed from being woken up, his expression turned cold as he stood up.

“I have already ordered provisions to be transported to the border; you will not be short of supplies. If there are any urgent needs, submit a request to the Ministry of Revenue. If there is nothing else, Prince Zhenbei, you may return and rest.”

Cui Ji straightened up, a smile curling at the corners of his lips. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has now come of age at sixteen. I humbly request permission to take him to the border for training, so he may share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

Zhou Mingqi: Ah, I see—this time he’s after my son.