After Madam Luo's public outburst, the entire court buzzed with speculation. What had once been mere suspicion now grew into amplified rumors.
If Jin Cheng had simply announced at this moment that the military authority had already been reclaimed, everyone would have recognized his strength. But his uncle had not yet been released, and Luo Jingfeng would have felt humiliated, making reconciliation impossible.
So Jin Cheng remained patient, continuing to keep his uncle company. Apart from reviewing memorials, he would fill their idle hours with amusing anecdotes from his studies, forcibly weaving Luo Jingfeng into the fabric of his daily life.
Luo Jingfeng’s attitude softened, but his pride wouldn’t allow him to show it. He either ignored Jin Cheng or responded with cold indifference.
Fortunately, Jin Cheng had already learned his temper. Each time he was met with icy retorts, he refused to take offense. Instead, he would grin and shower his uncle with sweet words: "Uncle, you’re so good to me!"
His twelve-year-old nephew enthusiastically advised, "Uncle, you should learn to express yourself bravely—like me! If you like something, say it. If you care, say it. Don’t do something kind only to follow it with harsh words. That just makes people think you’re a bad person." Find the newest release on noveⅼfire.net
Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "If someone can’t see past harsh words to recognize a good deed, why bother explaining? Fools."
Jin Cheng disagreed, launching into an energetic debate. "That’s not right! Anything can be twisted by words. For example, if I keep you here, the officials might think I’m wary of your military power and want your seal. But Uncle, you gave me the seal a month ago, so that’s nonsense. The real reason I’m keeping you here… is because I love you!"
Luo Jingfeng’s lips twitched as he pointed at the iron cage. "You call this keeping? This is imprisonment! Keeping implies mutual willingness—do I look willing to you?"
Jin Cheng stepped forward, sitting cross-legged before the cage, face-to-face with his uncle. Calmly, he said, "Uncle, do you understand now how I felt before? You went behind my back—killing those failed scholars, intercepting my memorial to the Prince of Southern Pacification. Did you ever consider my feelings?"
Luo Jingfeng had always treated Jin Cheng like a child, assuming his methods were immature. Even if the boy got angry, he’d forget quickly—children’s tempers were fleeting.
He never realized how deeply it had affected him.
Enough to turn against his own uncle.
The space between them was narrow, separated only by iron bars.
Suddenly, Luo Jingfeng reached out and seized Jin Cheng’s throat.
"Thud!" Jin Cheng’s body slammed against the cage.
For the first time in over forty days, he was this close—close enough that, in the empty hall, the one outside the cage was the weaker of the two.
Jin Cheng’s face flushed red, his words choked off. He weakly slapped Luo Jingfeng’s arm, but it was futile. The suffocating grip was unbearable—yet this was the second time he’d experienced it, both times courtesy of his uncle.
But Uncle… do you really want to kill me?
Luo Jingfeng was asking himself the same question.
Every traitor he’d ever known had been torn limb from limb without exception. Even if his nephew’s words were sweet, he was still a little betrayer. Luo Jingfeng had never tolerated disloyalty.
But… the boy’s neck was so slender, so fragile. One twist, and the little brat who’d locked him up and tormented his heart would be gone forever.
Luo Jingfeng was furious, his rage uncontainable. With a shove, he released Jin Cheng. "Get lost. Don’t let me see you."
Jin Cheng collapsed, coughing violently. When he finally caught his breath, he forced a grin. "Uncle, you couldn’t do it. You used less force than last time—back then, I even prepared my last words."
Luo Jingfeng’s voice was icy. "Don’t come near me again. Next time won’t be the same."
Jin Cheng returned to his spot, taunting, "I don’t believe you’d kill me. Try again?"
The boy’s grin didn’t waver.
The little demon had won this round, his mood brighter than ever. "Uncle, let’s consider this your venting. After this, we’re even. I won’t hold your past high-handedness against you, and you won’t resent me for locking you up. Deal?"
Luo Jingfeng remained silent.
His dark eyes bore into Jin Cheng, unreadable.
Jin Cheng gripped the cage bars, pressing on. "Uncle, we both made mistakes. You acted first, and I couldn’t reason with you, so I resorted to this. But I never wanted to hurt you—I just needed you to listen. From now on… can we be proper uncle and nephew? I won’t force you into anything, and you’ll respect my decisions instead of treating me like a child. Okay?"
Luo Jingfeng didn’t know how to answer.
Logically, he should cut ties with this brat.
Emotionally… he couldn’t. No matter how hard he tried.
This was his eternal weakness.
The proud Duke of State Protection would never admit it—nor answer such a blunt question.
Just then, Buyan rushed in, visibly agitated.
Jin Cheng frowned. "What’s wrong, Buyan? I’ve never seen you ."
Buyan glanced at Luo Jingfeng, carefully choosing his words. "Your Majesty, the Luo family… has rebelled."
The news stunned both Jin Cheng and Luo Jingfeng.
"Who’s leading them?" Luo Jingfeng demanded.
He’d been investigating who orchestrated the hunting grounds assassination attempt—had they finally revealed themselves?
Jin Cheng shot to his feet. "How is this possible? Madam Luo and Luo Ji just returned! Is the Prince of Southern Pacification marching on the capital?"
Buyan shook his head. "No sign of the Prince. The rebellion is led by General Xiaofeng. He’s declared… that Your Majesty’s imprisonment of a loyal hero has disillusioned the army and the people, making you unfit to rule."
"Does he want me to release the Duke of State Protection?" Jin Cheng guessed this was another plea for mercy, like Madam Luo’s.
Buyan hesitated. "He didn’t say."
"He didn’t say?!" Jin Cheng was baffled.
Luo Jingfeng understood immediately. His eyes narrowed. "A pretext. He’s dissatisfied with being just a general—this is pure ambition."
General Xiaofeng, Zhao Feng, was Luo Jingfeng’s fiercest vanguard, a ruthless commander who’d risen swiftly through the ranks. But his brutality and underhanded tactics had earned him many enemies.
With Luo Jingfeng imprisoned, he saw his chance. Using the Duke’s name, he incited the army—men who’d fought alongside Luo Jingfeng for years—to revolt.
One spark, and the flames of rebellion would spread.