Before leaving Shen Jia's chamber, Ji Cheng appointed two maids to take care of her and stationed two guards outside her chamber so that they could rush into the room in case of an emergency.

  Zhao Ming felt that he was overreacting when he appointed two guards outside but chose to stay silent.

  He was doing all this because he is worried about Shen Jia. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to visit her immediately after getting the news.

  On their way back to the chamber, Ji Cheng looked at Zhao Ming and asked, " Since Aunt Shen Jia is here, shouldn't we find Uncle Lu and bring him here as well? It must be difficult for her to live alone without him. "

  Zhao Ming was surprised that he didn't call Zhao Ming's uncle as Master Lu but Uncle Lu? He has visited the royal palace before but at that time they weren't aware where Shen Jia is.

  She nodded and said, " I think it's a good idea. However, do you know where he is now?"

  " I have heard that he has gone to the mountains again. But I can send someone to look for him. Maybe we will be able to find him."

  She nodded and agreed to his suggestion.

  Before going back to the palace, they decided to take a stroll in the garden in front of the main palace since the weather is good.

  The season was changing and was getting chilly. Even the days are not that hot anymore.

  It was perfect to take a stroll in the garden. Just as they were taking the fresh air while holding onto each other's hand, Zhao Ming couldn't hold onto her curiosity and asked.

  " Ji Cheng, about Prince Zhelan, do you believe that he is not wrong? I mean you said to your mother last time that it's her fault for throwing him and his mother out of the palace. Is it because you feel that Empress Dowager did wrong, you allowed him to stay in the palace?"

  He stopped in his steps when he heard her words. A frown appeared on his forehead as he looked into her eyes.

  He looked at her and stayed silent for a few minutes, his silence made her uncomfortable. Just as she was about to change the topic, she heard his words, " I do believe that mother did wrong. Even if he is concubine's son, it doesn't mean that he doesn't belong to the palace. After all, he is father's son. However, that was not the reason that I allowed him to stay here. " He stated plainly.

  She was even more confused now. Then why did he allow him to stay here?

  Just as she was about to ask this question, she heard a familiar voice.

  " Your Majesty!"

  She was startled hearing Ji Zhelan's voice from behind.

  Ji Cheng was expressionless when Zhelan came to them and greeted them politely. However, Zhao Ming felt like she was caught bitching about someone behind their back.

  " Your Majesty, it's been days since I have seen you. How have you been?" He asked Zhao Ming who was still getting used to his polite words despite knowing his real character.

  " Erm……I……am fine." She tried to calm down and manage to flash a smile on her face.

  He nodded and turned to Ji Cheng whose expressions were as dark as ever.

  " Your Majesty, I have something to talk about. Can you spare me some time?"

  Ji Cheng didn't show any expressions and turned to Zhao Ming, " You go and wait for me at the chamber. We will have lunch together."

  Ji Zhelan pursed his lips seeing him brightly smiling at Zhao Ming. His gaze fell on Zhao Ming and clenched his fists tightly while trying to keep a smile on his lips.

  Zhao Ming nodded and left the two alone.

  " Let's go to study." Ji Cheng said and walked towards the palace while Ji Zhelan followed behind him.

  [ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, then this novel is pirated. Support the original author, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Regards Kamlyn]

  ….

  Inside the study room, Ji Zhelan sat opposite to Ji Cheng and stared at him with an unexplainable gaze.

  " Your Majesty, I heard that you're trying to find information about me. If you're suspicious of me, you can directly ask me. Why go through all the hassle?" Ji Zhelan smiled while trying to remain polite but mocking was obvious in his words.

  Ji Cheng crossed his legs on one another and asked with an interest, " So if I ask directly will you tell the truth?" He stared into his eyes without blinking away.

  Both were staring into their eyes threateningly not blinking away.

  After a long silence, Ji Zhelan finally removed his gaze from him and said, " I will try to do my best. "

  Ji Cheng nodded and asked, " Ah Leng, the bodyguard who followed the Empress and was trying to keep tabs on her, was your man right?"

  Ji Zhelan pursed his lips hearing the question about Ah Leng. He smirked and looked away.

  However, a minute later, he returned his gaze to Ji Cheng and said, " I don't know about who you are talking about, but if you're talking about the same Ah Leng I know, then you're right. He was my man, at least used to be."

  " When we were young, I saved his life from the villagers who wanted to beat him to death for stealing four dumplings. Since then, he started following me. But a few years ago, he went his way to find another job. I don't know anything about him after that."

  Ji Cheng raised his brows seeing the way Ji Zhelan answered. He avoided the critical point and said that he does know him but for a few years, they have no connection.

  " Very well." Ji Cheng commented while tapping his fingers on the armrest.

  " Then what will you say about the things that were going on the border?" He questioned in a cold and deep voice while his lips tucked upwards.

  Just as he had expected, Ji Zhelan's expressions darkened hearing this question.

  [ Read this novel on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, then this novel is pirated. Support the original author, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Regards Kamlyn]