ASTRP -Chapter 160 The Prince Is About to Issue a Marriage Edict

Xiao Yu’s mood had already soured. When he heard his imperial uncle’s words, it felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, chilling him to the bone.

His uncle seemed to have returned to the cold, sharp-tongued version of himself from the beginning—no longer the gentle man who had once guided him patiently and analyzed matters in detail.

Xiao Jinghan was extremely perceptive and immediately noticed that something was off with Xiao Yu’s emotions.

At that moment, he suddenly recalled what Feng Jingge had once said to him.

Xiao Jinghan pursed his lips and slowly said:

“Sweet words and tender traps are like invisible blades that kill.”

“Some words may sound unpleasant, but every single one comes from the heart.”

“If a ruler can only hear praise and cannot tolerate criticism, corrupt officials will inevitably grow within the court.”

“And when that happens, the fall of the nation will not be far away.”

Xiao Yu understood that his uncle was disciplining him.

He immediately admitted his mistake. “Uncle, Yu’er knows he was wrong.”

Xiao Jinghan continued patiently:

“You’re not entirely wrong. It’s normal for a child to like pleasant words.”

“To be precise, everyone likes to hear good things and dislikes criticism.”

“But you must remember—you are not an ordinary person.”

“You are the Emperor of Great Jin. Every word and action of yours will be watched by countless people.”

“The moment you sit on that throne in the Taiji Hall, you no longer belong to yourself.”

“You belong to Great Jin—and to its people.”

“Do you understand?”

Xiao Yu did not answer immediately. He just looked at Xiao Jinghan.

After a long moment, he suddenly asked: “Uncle… do you want that position?”

At that moment, Eunuch Chen had just found the marriage edict and stepped out of the bookshelf area. Hearing this question, his hand shook so badly that the edict almost fell to the ground.

Eunuch Chen: !!!

He nearly cried out in alarm.

Ancestor! What kind of life-threatening question is this?!

He was terrified, his heart practically suspended in mid-air, afraid that Xiao Jinghan would get angry.

But—

Xiao Jinghan seemed to have already expected this question.

He met Xiao Yu’s gaze and smiled lightly.

“If this prince wanted that position,” he said slowly, “do you think there would still be a place for you?”

Xiao Yu: “???”

He stared blankly, completely stunned.

Xiao Jinghan continued casually, “No, to be precise—there wouldn’t even be your father’s place.”

“….”

Arrogant.

Utterly arrogant.

Eunuch Chen’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Your Highness… although what you said is the truth…

Must you say it directly in front of the Emperor?

Xiao Jinghan’s smile deepened.

“If you don’t believe me, ask Eunuch Chen—or your mother.”

“This so-called position of Regent… was forced onto me by your father.”

His gaze locked onto Xiao Yu, carefully observing every change in his expression.

Then he added calmly: “Xiao Yu, if you truly think this prince intends to fight you for the throne, I can leave the capital tonight and never step foot in it again—”

Xiao Yu panicked immediately.

“Uncle, that’s not what I meant!”

“I’m not doubting you!”

“I just feel… I’m incompetent. I’m afraid I can’t hold up the empire, and I fear I might ruin Great Jin…”

Xiao Jinghan’s expression suddenly changed. He stood up abruptly and interrupted him sharply:

“You don’t even think about such things!”

“Sit properly on that throne. Everything has just begun—stop overthinking!”

Xiao Yu froze, staring at him in shock.

Xiao Jinghan quickly realized his reaction had been too intense.

He walked over, patted Xiao Yu’s shoulder heavily, and said in a deep voice:

“I will guide you.”

Xiao Yu opened his mouth, wanting to respond, but Xiao Jinghan had already turned away.

“Eunuch Chen, where is the marriage edict I asked you to find?”

Eunuch Chen hurried forward, clutching the edict tightly.

“It’s here! It’s here!”

He quickly handed it over with both hands.

Xiao Jinghan took it and said coldly: “You found it but didn’t bring it out immediately. What were you hiding for?”

Eunuch Chen immediately cried out: “Your Highness, I am innocent! I only just found it!”

Xiao Jinghan stared at him silently.

The pressure made Eunuch Chen’s scalp tingle.

“Your Highness… since I’ve found the edict, may I retire now?”

Xiao Jinghan replied flatly: “Grind ink.”

“….”

Eunuch Chen had no choice but to comply, feeling deeply wronged.

“Yes…”

Xiao Jinghan unfolded the edict on the desk.

“Xiao Yu,” he said, “copy this. Write a marriage edict for your imperial uncle and your future imperial aunt.”

Xiao Yu hesitated. “This…”

Xiao Jinghan glanced at him.

Xiao Yu immediately changed his tone. “Alright.”

Meanwhile, in the Feng Residence.

Feng Jingge had learned from Feng Mingyue about why the entire household’s attitude toward her had changed so drastically.

Everything started with Xiao Jinghan.

During the days she was unconscious, Xiao Jinghan had gone mad—ordering that the entire Feng family be buried with her.

The Prince’s guards had surrounded the Feng Residence completely.

Fortunately, an old man appeared later and persuaded Xiao Jinghan with great effort, telling him that killing so many people would only create more karma and make it even harder for her to wake up.

It was this argument that finally stopped him.

However, Xiao Jinghan did not let the Feng family off easily.

He gave them a seven-day deadline.

If Feng Jingge woke up within seven days, the Feng family would be spared.

But if she did not wake up within seven days, the entire Feng family would be executed.

Now, four days had passed.

And she had awakened.

Alive, well, and full of energy—as if nothing had ever happened.

Because of this, the Feng family treated her like a deity, carefully and respectfully.

Not only because she had saved them from disaster, but also because of the man behind her—Xiao Jinghan.

No one dared provoke him.

Offending him could easily cost one’s life.

Feng Mingyue looked at Feng Jingge, who was lost in thought behind the curtain, and a hint of envy appeared in her eyes.

To be honest, no matter who it was, they would be envious of Feng Jingge’s situation.

Xiao Jinghan truly treated her sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Even if he were not a prince, being loved so deeply by such an extraordinary man would still be an immense blessing.