ASTRP -Chapter 224 An Informant Has Arrived

“Is this emperor planning to rule until death?”

“Or maybe… he simply won’t die?”

Everyone paused in shock.

Xiao Jinghan looked at Feng Jingge and asked, “Madam, even a small country like Wu Xing can create intelligent worms.”

“So it’s not impossible for Xi Qing to develop medicine that extends life—or even grants immortality.”

“But such medicine would require the lives of others.”

“And young lives at that.”

His words stunned everyone completely.

Especially Xi Liyue.

Her father had harmed even her imperial uncle for the sake of power—what else was he incapable of?

“If that’s really the case, then…”

Feng Jingge turned to Xi Liyue. “Liyue, then your father deserves to die.”

Xi Liyue bit her lip. “I’ll ask my mother tomorrow.”

Feng Jingge said, “I’ll go with you.”

“Alright.”

The next day, Feng Jingge and Xi Liyue entered the palace and went straight to Consort Fang Dijun’s Anren Palace.

They asked her to summon the trusted imperial physician for a pulse examination.

They needed a full understanding of the emperor’s condition in order to plan carefully.

Coincidentally, Imperial Physician An revealed that he had once seen the emperor’s personal physician adding large amounts of goji berries into the emperor’s medicine.

“But at the time, I thought it was better to avoid trouble and pretended I didn’t see anything.”

Xi Liyue said he had done the right thing.

If he had questioned it back then, he might have lost his life.

But Feng Jingge wanted a clearer understanding of the emperor’s true health condition.

For safety, she suggested that Xi Liyue observe the emperor from a distance through a doctor during the memorial ceremony.

Xi Liyue nodded. “Alright.”

After the discussion ended, Feng Jingge prepared to leave.

Consort Fang tried to keep her for a meal, but Feng Jingge was thinking of her husband, so she returned home.

Xi Liyue also returned to her princess residence after lunch.

Not long after, the emperor sent a new person.

An informant.

His name was Liu Rujun.

He was personally delivered by Eunuch Hai Gonggong.

Normally, a ritual instructor would not be important enough for such attention; he could have come alone.

Liu Rujun was twenty-two years old. He appeared gentle, with an androgynous beauty that made him strikingly elegant—almost more refined than a woman.

Hai Gonggong announced that from today onward, Liu Rujun would teach the princess court etiquette.

Liu Rujun added that every morning, the princess would need to spare an hour for his instruction.

Starting today.

Xi Liyue sat in her study while Liu Rujun stood before her. His tone carried the trained formal cadence of the palace.

“Princess, please take my hand.”

Xi Liyue felt immediate resistance.

They didn’t even know each other—why hold hands?

Knowing he was the emperor’s informant made her even more uncomfortable.

But Liu Rujun did not show any anger.

“Your Highness need not feel awkward. Every woman must go through this stage.”

Xi Liyue thought inwardly, I already have someone I love. I don’t need this. I already understand all of it.

Still, bound by etiquette, she reached out and took his hand.

Liu Rujun smiled faintly.

“This is the first lesson: when outside, hand-holding must not be excessive.”

“One-third contact is ideal. It represents a woman’s modesty.”

“No matter how much you like a man, etiquette must be maintained.”

After that, he had her walk while holding his hand, correcting her posture.

“Your shoulders must not be too close. If you walk too closely with your future consort, it looks improper.”

“Too far apart is also wrong—it suggests distance.”

Xi Liyue was already irritated to death.

Just then, she heard footsteps outside.

It was Yuwang.

He deliberately made a faint sound but did not enter.

Xi Liyue glanced at the door. It had already been half an hour.

“Liu Rujun, can we take it easier on the first day?”

“Your Highness, one hour daily until the day before marriage. The schedule is already very tight.”

Xi Liyue sighed and endured the entire hour.

When Liu Rujun finally declared the lesson over, she felt greatly relieved.

After he left, Yuwang entered.

His brows were tightly furrowed, clearly displeased.

He closed the door behind him, then walked over and pulled Xi Liyue into his arms, kissing her fiercely.

She was held so tightly she could barely breathe.

“Wang… mmph!”

Since being with Xi Liyue, Yuwang had never endured seeing her spend an entire hour alone with another man.

Even though he told himself repeatedly that Liu Rujun was an informant and not worth jealousy, he still couldn’t control it.

He had never been the type to yield.

Especially not when it came to the woman he loved.

When the kiss finally ended, he loosened his grip.

“Where did he touch you?”

“Just… held my hand.”

Yuwang’s expression darkened. “I want to cut off his hands.”

Xi Liyue quickly hugged him.

“Just endure it for now. We can’t let our guard down.”

“I just want to know what happens the day before the wedding.”

“Do we really have to use him as practice?”

“No. I need to go find the imperial uncle and aunt and ask them for a solution.”

But Xi Liyue stopped him.

“Your Highness, we can’t rely on the Regent Prince and Princess Consort for everything.”

“Some things… we should handle ourselves.”

Yuwang pinched her cheek. “Oh? You’re brave now?”

“You even know how to solve problems yourself?”

Xi Liyue pulled his hand away. “Your Highness, this is not Jing Nation.”

“And this is my matter. I should find my own solution.”

“I also think Liu Rujun is not that difficult to deal with.”

“I just need to be careful.”

She paused. “Your Highness, you must wait for me on the day of our marriage.”

“Hmm? Wait for what?”

“The night before the wedding… I… I will come find you. Can you handle it?”

Yuwang pinched her cheek again.

“If you come now, I can handle it too.”

Xi Liyue laughed softly.

Half a month later, deep in the night.

Xi Liyue had no intention of sleeping.

She was dressed in plain clothing, disguised as a maid, standing outside the door with Yuwang dressed as a servant beside her.

Liu Rujun usually slept early.

But today, a maid reported that he had not slept yet—something felt wrong.

Sigh… even in her own residence, she could no longer act freely.

But Liu Rujun did not disappoint.

At the third watch of the night, just when Xi Liyue was nearly falling asleep, Yuwang nudged her.

She immediately straightened up.

They saw Liu Rujun glance around carefully… and then quietly leave the princess residence.

Because recently, the palace was preparing for the memorial ceremony of Xi Qing Ren De.