ASTRP -Chapter 15 The “Divine Swindler” Best Bro Arrives

“Although it’s a copied version, everything recorded in it is true—these are all important events that have happened in recent days.”

Feng Jinge opened her mouth to ask, “Then are these memorials submitted directly to the Emperor, or first delivered to you, Your Highness?”

“Naturally, they are sent straight to the Emperor’s imperial study.”

Feng Jinge parted her lips again, clearly about to speak, but Xiao Jinghan didn’t give her the chance.

“Look through the portraits first. Memorize them all, then we’ll talk about anything else.”

Speechless, Feng Jinge casually picked up a scroll, unrolled it, and began memorizing the faces.

For the next two days, under Xiao Jinghan’s supervision, Feng Jinge stayed in the study without stepping out even once.

Meanwhile, because of the Regent Prince’s injury, and the Emperor being too young to attend court alone, the morning court sessions were suspended. Government affairs came to a halt.

The high-ranking officials knew this couldn’t continue. They gathered and went to the Regent Prince’s residence to check on Xiao Jinghan’s condition.

But to their surprise, they weren’t even allowed through the gate.

They were only given one message:
The Regent Prince would attend court the next morning.

That single sentence dismissed them all.

The officials were furious, but there was nothing they could do. After all, he was the Regent Prince appointed by the late emperor’s decree.

So they came in haste—and left dejected.

By the time this news reached Xiao Jinghan, he was testing Feng Jinge on what she had memorized.

He said nothing, only dismissing Ning An, who had delivered the message.

Just as Ning An was about to leave, Xiao Jinghan seemed to think of something.

“Ning An, wait.”

Ning An stopped. “Does Your Highness have further instructions?”

Xiao Jinghan asked, “Have there been any changes among the people guarding him?”

Him? Her?

Feng Jinge instantly perked up, the fire of gossip blazing inside her.

Ning An answered without hesitation, “Reporting to Your Highness, everything is as usual. No changes.”

Xiao Jinghan reminded, “Stay alert. The snake is about to come out of its hole.”

“Yes.” Ning An nodded.

“You may leave.”

“This subordinate takes his leave.”

Listening to their cryptic exchange, Feng Jinge felt like ants were crawling in her heart—itchy with curiosity.

The moment Ning An left, she hurried forward to ask—but Xiao Jinghan brushed her off with another portrait.

Knowing he didn’t want to tell her, Feng Jinge followed his lead and didn’t press further.

After a round of questioning, every one of her answers was perfectly correct.

Xiao Jinghan’s gaze flickered slightly.

He stood up, gave up the main seat, glanced at the memorials on the desk, and said calmly: “Go sit there. Read through them. Pick out the ones you think are important and set them aside.”

Feng Jinge glanced at the main seat, then went up and sat down.

She casually picked up a memorial and opened it, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Jinghan heading out.

“Your Highness, are you going out?”

He gave a light acknowledgment.

Feng Jinge reminded him, “Then be careful not to run into Liu Qingqing again.”

“I’m just stepping out for some air.”

The implication: he wouldn’t run into her.

Watching his retreating figure, Feng Jinge pouted.

Honestly, it’d be better if he did run into her!

That way, she could slack off for a bit.

After the study door was closed, Feng Jinge stood up and stared at it for a moment.

Once she confirmed he had left, she tossed the memorial aside and yawned, sleepiness crashing over her.

Since last night, she had only slept a few hours.

She was exhausted…

With Xiao Jinghan around, she didn’t dare show it.

Don’t ask why—because he was ruthless.

From last night until now, he hadn’t slept at all.

Thinking of this, Feng Jinge yawned several more times, her eyelids drooping uncontrollably.

Maybe…

She could sneak in a short nap?

Yeah!

Just a quick one.

Just close her eyes for a moment…

—

When Xiao Jinghan returned with a bowl of ginseng soup and pushed open the study door, the thunderous sound of snoring instantly darkened his expression.

This woman!

He was gone for just a moment to get soup, and she had already fallen asleep?!

Though his face darkened, his movements as he closed the door were extremely gentle.

Even his steps softened, as if afraid of waking her.

Walking to the desk, Xiao Jinghan looked at his own refined face—paired with that earth-shaking snoring.

Strangely, the snoring didn’t seem so unpleasant anymore.

He set the soup aside, took a cloak hanging nearby, and gently draped it over Feng Jinge.

After that, he returned to where she had been sitting earlier and closed his eyes to rest.

Time passed quickly.

Feng Jinge began dreaming of gold raining from the sky.

She was overjoyed, frantically picking it up.

But just as she was halfway through collecting it, the scene suddenly changed—she fell into water.

Lake water rushed in from all directions.

Before she could react, a woman dressed in ancient attire—who looked exactly like her—suddenly appeared, gripping her throat and demanding:

“Why did you take my body?!”

“Why?!”

The shrill questioning and suffocating pressure jolted Feng Jinge awake.

Her eyes flew open—and she saw a magnified face right in front of her.

Her pupils shrank in shock as she screamed, instinctively swinging her hand toward the person.

The man easily dodged her attack and stepped back, instantly widening the distance between them.

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Jinghan suddenly opened his eyes, frost filling his gaze.

He looked over—and saw an extremely familiar figure.

Su Xiu, the so-called divine swindler.

Feng Jinge stared warily at the red-robed man who had appeared out of nowhere.

The man also stared at her. After a few moments, the smile at his lips froze, replaced by a serious expression.

“You’re not Xiao Jinghan. Who are you?”

Feng Jinge’s heart tightened. Who was this person?

He could tell at a glance she wasn’t Xiao Jinghan?!

“Ahem…”

A soft cough sounded.

The red-robed man turned his head. His gaze landed on Xiao Jinghan—now in a woman’s body.

Seeing this, his eyes widened instantly, excitement flashing within them.

“Well, I’ll be damned!”

“A once-in-a-millennium occurrence, and I actually ran into it!”

Feng Jinge only saw a flash of red.

The next moment, the man had already moved to Xiao Jinghan’s side.

Su Xiu circled around him several times excitedly, staring him up and down, clicking his tongue repeatedly.

“Tut, tut, tut…”

“Brother Xiao, who would’ve thought!”

As he spoke, he habitually reached out to sling an arm over Xiao Jinghan’s shoulder.

Xiao Jinghan’s expression turned cold. He shifted aside, avoiding the hand, and warned in a frosty voice: “Men and women should not touch hands. If you reach out again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“…”

Su Xiu’s hand missed its target, but instead of feeling awkward, his smile deepened.

He was about to speak when—

Ning An suddenly rushed into the room, his expression extremely grave.