Chapter 0228: The Culprit Xie Shoujun? Xie Chengze Escapes Unscathed?

The moment he thought about what the Cao family might do upon learning of the dragon robe incident, Xie Chengze’s hand trembled as he wrote his teaching materials.

Previous confrontations had been minor skirmishes, but once military power was involved, it could lead to bloodshed. Even though Xie Chengze had protection, he didn’t want to see a river of blood.

In his eyes, the Cao family’s soldiers were still soldiers. The military strength of the Jian’an Dynasty was far too scarce and precious; losing even one soldier would pain Xie Chengze immensely, as if he had lost a thousand taels of silver.

He needed to figure out how to help Xie Jinyu successfully suppress the Cao family’s influence while also gaining complete control over their military forces without bloodshed, rather than being constrained and controlled by the Cao family, having to consider their interests in every policy he wished to implement.

After all, in the original storyline, the Crown Prince’s pressure came not only from the Second Prince but also frequently from his maternal family.

Ah, there really weren’t many Prince Regents in this world as benevolent as him!

Xie Chengze’s hand shook as he wrote a few more characters, then he heard Zhu Xiaobiao report from outside the door, “Your Highness, the Grand Prince is here to see you.”

Xie Shoujun?

Xie Chengze glanced at the sky; it was already evening, mealtime. Why had Xie Shoujun suddenly come?

“Let him in,” Xie Chengze instructed. It was just as well—he had some questions for him.

Soon, the door to the bedchamber opened, and Xie Shoujun walked in dressed in casual attire. His dark, sleek robe was as low-key and steady as ever, much like his personality, which brought a sense of reassurance.

“Elder Brother, what brings you here so suddenly?”

Xie Chengze stood up to greet him. Xie Shoujun looked at him and slowly strode over. “Can I not come if there’s nothing?”

“Of course not~” Xie Chengze asked with a smile, “Have you eaten? Or would you like to have something more?”

“I came on an empty stomach,” Xie Shoujun said as he sat beside the desk, his right arm resting lightly on his raised knee, accentuating his strong arm and long, well-proportioned leg.

His gaze fell on the teaching materials Xie Chengze was writing. In a deep, resonant voice, he said calmly, “Am I disturbing you?”

Xie Chengze was about to say “not at all” when Xie Shoujun continued, “Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

Xie Chengze: …

Xie Chengze couldn’t help but chuckle.

For some reason, whenever he was around Xie Shoujun, he felt both mentally and physically relaxed.

Perhaps it was because Xie Shoujun was straightforward and sincere, unlike Xie Jinyu, who was always scheming, or Xie Zimiao, whose excessive innocence made him uneasy. It might also be due to their shared memories—Xie Shoujun was four years older than him. Though he had spent years on the battlefield, he kept his killing intent well-contained. His calm and reserved demeanor instead made him feel safe, someone he could rely on and trust like an elder brother.

So, Xie Chengze rubbed his neck and decided to ask Xie Shoujun directly about that night when he was drunk.

Thinking back carefully, that morning, Xie Shoujun had suddenly told him to wear a scarf—he must have already seen the marks. Perhaps he knew something.

Xie Chengze could only ask Xie Shoujun. Xie Jinyu definitely wouldn’t give him a straight answer, and Xie Zimiao had probably slept like a log, completely unaware of what happened.

As for Shen Yuan…

Xie Chengze pinched his fingers. He was too embarrassed to ask him, and if Shen Yuan really knew, he would surely hint for him to stay away from someone. If he didn’t say anything, it was either because he didn’t know, wasn’t aware, or didn’t understand.

Either… it was himself.

So, Xie Chengze could only ask Xie Shoujun.

During the meal, Xie Chengze spoke directly, “Eldest Brother, there’s something I want to ask you.”

Xie Shoujun glanced up at him.

Although they had only spent a few months together since being separated in childhood, Xie Shoujun could keenly discern a pattern: whenever Xie Chengze called him “Eldest Brother,” it meant he had an embarrassing request to make.

Normally, he would restrainedly address him as “Imperial Brother.”

“What is it?” Xie Shoujun lowered his gaze and continued serving himself food.

“That night when you all got drunk with Shen Yuan, do you know who approached my bed?” Xie Chengze asked very tactfully.

Xie Shoujun’s hand, holding the chopsticks, paused.

He looked up at Xie Chengze again, his eyes swirling with a dark, profound intensity.

“It’s been so long, why are you suddenly asking this?”

Xie Chengze raised his hand to touch his neck. Noticing Xie Shoujun’s intense gaze following his hand downward, fixed intently on the skin of his neck, he quickly withdrew his hand and said softly, “Didn’t you see it that day, Eldest Brother? I thought it was Xiao Bai, but it seemed like… it was done by a person.”

He had considered asking Xiao Bai to recreate the marks, but felt that forcing the little white tiger to suck on his neck would make him look like an idiot, so he abandoned the idea.

Realizing his gaze was somewhat intrusive, Xie Shoujun lowered his eyes and withdrew his stare. The silver chopsticks in his hand retracted slightly, lightly touching his palm. “Do you care about this that much?”

“Of course!” Xie Chengze nodded eagerly, seizing the opportunity. “Eldest Brother, I trust you the most, and I’m sure it wasn’t you who did it, which is why I’m asking you!”

Xie Shoujun: …

Xie Shoujun’s dark eyes lowered further. “Perhaps the truth isn’t what you think.”

“Huh?” Xie Chengze didn’t quite understand. Watching Xie Shoujun’s hesitant expression, he suddenly blushed after a moment. “Ah, could it really be that I overthought it?”

Could it really have been Xiao Bai, and Xie Jinyu was just teasing him?

Then, saying all this in front of Xie Shoujun must make him seem… so narcissistic!

Xie Chengze was so embarrassed that his entire face turned red. He lowered his head, staring at the dishes in front of him, feeling as if his toes could dig out another Dujiangyan Irrigation System for Yi Province right then and there.

Seeing Xie Chengze blush all the way to his neck, Xie Shoujun pressed his lips together slightly, carefully choosing his words. “That night, you were sleeping restlessly…”

Hearing this, Xie Chengze looked up with a puzzled expression.

Somewhat confused as to why he was suddenly saying this.

Xie Shoujun paused mid-sentence. His chopsticks lifted slightly as he slowly served himself more food, his expression natural as he continued, “When I got up during the night, I saw you weren’t sleeping well, so I pressed your acupoint. I’m not sure if I pressed too hard or if your skin is too delicate, but it left a mark.”

Xie Chengze blinked.

After a long moment, he suddenly slapped the table and stood up excitedly. “Aha! I knew it!”

He had thought it over repeatedly and felt that none of his brothers would secretly do such a thing, and Shen Yuan was even less likely. Now that Xie Shoujun had explained it, he immediately felt relieved and thought he was back to normal.

Thank goodness, thank goodness, they were still a loving family!

Thank goodness no one had gone astray!

Seeing Xie Chengze so agitated, with a look of relief at having narrowly escaped disaster, Xie Shoujun swallowed back the words, “But the mark has somehow grown larger,” that had been stuck in his throat.

He felt that now might not be the right time to bring it up.

Never mind. He would wait for a more suitable moment to mention it.

After all, the night was still long.