ASTRP -Chapter 83 Xiao Jinghan Was Forced to Be a Regent Prince

The normally calm Xiao Jinghan sat with his eyes closed, speaking lightly, “This Regent Prince… do you think I wanted to be it?”

Feng Jingge rolled her eyes. “If you didn’t want it, could anyone possibly force you into it?”

In her mind, someone as powerful as Xiao Jinghan couldn’t possibly be coerced by anyone.

“Mm.”

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinghan actually agreed.

He slowly opened his eyes and met Feng Jingge’s gaze.

“Being forced into the regency… that is the grudge between me and Xiao Yu.”

Feng Jingge froze. “What do you mean?”

“To be precise, it is the grudge between me and my elder brother… the late emperor.”

At that, Xiao Jinghan paused and glanced out the window with a faint, self-mocking smile.

“He clearly knew I disliked court affairs, yet still left a will appointing me as Regent.”

…So it really was forced?

Feng Jingge was stunned.

By logic—whether in palace dramas or history—shouldn’t the late emperor be wary of his brothers competing for the throne? Or seizing power from his son?

Why would he trust Xiao Jinghan so much?

Not only not fear him, but even entrust him with regency?

Wasn’t he afraid Xiao Jinghan would just usurp the throne?

While thinking this, Feng Jingge suddenly noticed Xiao Jinghan’s mood wasn’t right. His brows were filled with gloom.

She quickly spoke to comfort him.

“If the late emperor left you the regency decree, it means he trusted you. That’s why he chose you.”

“You must have other imperial brothers, right?”

“Think about it—why didn’t he choose them? Why specifically you?”

Xiao Jinghan gave a cold laugh.

“Because he knew the others were ambitious. I wasn’t.”

“At least… those few are not peaceful. Reports from spies say they’ve been exchanging letters frequently lately. No one knows what they’re plotting.”

Feng Jingge curled her lips. “What else could it be? Obviously planning how to pull Xiao Yu down and take the throne for themselves.”

Her blunt words made Xiao Jinghan pause slightly.

He looked at her steadily.

Only then did Feng Jingge realize she might have spoken too freely.

She quickly smiled awkwardly. “Your Highness… pretend you didn’t hear that.”

Xiao Jinghan glanced at her.

“Put away that flattering smile first before speaking.”

Seeing her own overly fawning expression, he felt an urge to throw his cup.

Feng Jingge immediately straightened her face into seriousness.

Just then, the carriage stopped.

From outside came the voice of Qing Shan: “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at Prince Yu’s residence.”

Xiao Jinghan got out of the carriage first. Feng Jingge had no choice but to follow.

Prince Yu’s steward came forward immediately.

“P-… Prince…”

He froze the moment he saw Feng Jingge instead of the Regent Prince.

His mind instantly filled with questions:

Was this the Regent Prince’s carriage?

Who was this woman?

Why did she come out of his carriage?

What was her relationship with the Regent Prince?

Where was the Regent Prince?

Wasn’t he told to wait for the Regent Prince?

Just as Feng Jingge stepped forward, Xiao Jinghan appeared behind her, and the steward immediately snapped back to attention, smiling.

“Your Highness, you’ve arrived.”

“The Prince and Lord Wang are waiting in the main hall.”

Lord Wang?

Feng Jingge frowned slightly. The prefect of Jingzhao, Wang Zhizhi?

The steward led the way.

Inside the main hall, the entire Prince Yu’s residence servants had gathered, filling the room.

“Regent Prince has arrived!”

At the announcement, everyone hurriedly made way.

Xiao Jinghan and Feng Jingge walked through.

Prince Yu quickly stood up with a smile.

“Imperial Uncle has arrived.”

Meanwhile, Wang Zhizhi knelt immediately.

“This official greets Your Highness.”

“Rise.”

Feng Jingge casually found a seat and sat down. A maid poured tea for her.

Xiao Jinghan stood beside her.

She glanced at him. “Sit.”

He looked at her but didn’t move.

Prince Yu observed them and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

So even this thousand-year iron tree of an imperial uncle had finally bloomed.

Feng Jingge’s “push” really did lead to a relationship.

Prince Yu smiled. “Miss Feng, why are you standing? Sit. We’re practically family now. No need to be formal.”

Family?

Wang Zhizhi nearly dropped his jaw.

She was already together with the Regent Prince?

No wonder the Regent Prince personally intervened when something happened to her last time.

Good thing he hadn’t offended her before. Otherwise, offending the future Regent Princess would’ve been disastrous.

Xiao Jinghan glanced at Prince Yu, then sat right next to Feng Jingge.

After he sat, everyone else followed.

Feng Jingge said coldly, “Start.”

Prince Yu waved his hand. “Bring them in.”

Soon, the steward returned with four people.

Two were tied up, gagged, and two others were pushing them forward.

Once inside, Prince Yu walked up and kicked them both to their knees.

“You burned my house and still refuse to kneel before the Imperial Uncle? You’re courting death!”

The two men glared fiercely, struggling violently, trying to speak through the cloth.

Prince Yu pulled out the cloths.

“Xiao Che, you bastard!”

“You heartless beast! My sister is only thirteen and you dared to touch her!”

“She only accidentally bumped into you, and you tried to kill her!”

“You beast!”

Prince Yu: “???”

Feng Jingge calmly sipped her tea. “Seems there’s more to this.”

Prince Yu panicked. “Imperial Uncle, don’t believe their nonsense!”

He turned back angrily. “What are you talking about?”

“What sister? I don’t even know your damn sister!”

“Not only did you burn my house, now you’re framing me too!”

“Don’t you dare shirk responsibility!”

One of the men shouted fiercely:

“I’ll ask you again—earlier this month, outside Zhang’s Pawnshop, a girl bumped into you. The pastries in your arms all fell to the ground…”

Prince Yu frowned, thinking.

“…There was such a thing. So what?”

“Don’t tell me that girl… was your sister?”