After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Lu Jiangnian stepped into the palace gates and soon met the Crown Prince in the Imperial Study.

The Crown Prince was engrossed in a mountain of memorials. Although the weariness from days of toil was hard to conceal, a closer look revealed an irrepressible air of high spirits about him.

Clearly, the settled power transition had relieved him of a heavy burden, and he felt unusually relaxed.

Upon seeing Lu Jiangnian enter, the Crown Prince immediately put down his vermilion brush, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.

"I've been so busy these days that I haven't had a moment to breathe."

"You can't keep hiding away and doing nothing. Come back and lend me a hand!"

He spoke in a light tone and then revealed his plan: "I have carefully considered it, and there are a few important positions that have become available. You can take a look and see which one you prefer."

The Crown Prince paused for a moment, then said, “For now, I’m afraid you’ll have to hold the position of Minister of the Imperial Guard concurrently. As for a new candidate, we can discuss it once things are more stable.”

He spoke decisively, clearly considering it a done deal.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Lu Jiangnian actually bowed deeply to the Crown Prince behind the imperial desk and performed a standard salute!

This sudden and solemn bow instantly shocked the crown prince.

He and Lu Jiangnian had known each other for many years, and they were not only ruler and subject, but also close friends who shared a deep bond.

Lu Jiangnian had always been very careful in his conduct in front of him, being able to uphold the duties of a subject while maintaining the intimacy of a friend. He had never performed such a grand ceremony for the Crown Prince.

"Jiang Nian? What are you doing?"

Lu Jiangnian straightened up, his face solemn. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint His Majesty. I've come here to resign."

what?

The crown prince felt he hadn't heard clearly; he simply didn't believe what he had heard.

He leaned forward instinctively, his expression one of disbelief and astonishment: "What did you say?"

Meeting the Crown Prince's shocked gaze, Lu Jiangnian clearly stated again: "Your subject, Lu Jiangnian, wishes to resign from my post."

The Crown Prince hadn't misheard.

"No!"

The crown prince practically roared it out; he didn't hesitate for a moment before uttering the words of refusal.

The Crown Prince repeated firmly, "I will not allow it!"

His eyes blazed with anger: "What are you thinking?"

"How many capable people do I have left? Why would you resign at this time?"

His gaze was piercing, fixed on Lu Jiangnian. "If you don't want to be the Minister of the Imperial Guard, we can discuss it again!"

The Crown Prince's voice rose, carrying an undeniable force: "Tell me what you want to do, or just abandon this absurd idea immediately!"

The more he talked, the angrier he became, and a nameless fire surged up in his chest.

The Crown Prince abruptly stood up and paced restlessly back and forth in front of his desk.

He stopped abruptly, turned around and glared fiercely at Lu Jiangnian, as if the other party had not resigned but had committed some heinous crime.

Lu Jiangnian stood quietly, letting the Crown Prince vent his anger before he slowly spoke.

"Your Highness, I have known you since we were young. Do you remember when we were young and riding horses, I told you what I wanted to do most in this life?"

The prince's anger was instantly choked up by this casual remark.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

remember.

Of course he remembers.

Lu Jiangnian, a boy with a childlike face, lay on a grassy slope on the outskirts of the city, his arms propped up on his head, gazing at the vast sky with boundless longing in his eyes.

He said that when he grows up, he wants to be a wandering knight-errant, unrestrained and free as the wind, traveling all over the world and seeing all aspects of human life.

What made him change his mind later?

In a daze, the Crown Prince recalled that it was during that time that he always complained to Lu Jiangnian that his father's attention was no longer so focused on him, and that his younger brothers were more or less coveting his position.

From that time on, Lu Jiangnian rarely mentioned his dream of becoming a wandering knight.

Later, he packed his bags and went to the border, where he fought amidst the clash of swords and the shadows of spears. With his outstanding military achievements, he managed to catch the eye of his father, the emperor.

This also gave him an advantage in the imperial court.

silence.

After a long silence, the prince said dryly, "Dreams are ultimately just unrealistic ideas from youth."

"Jiang Nian, you are now in a high position of power and have a bright future. It is the perfect time for you to realize your ambitions. Why do you have to revive this illusory idea at this moment?"

A faint smile appeared on Lu Jiangnian's lips: "Your Highness, in truth, I have never truly forgotten that dream; it has simply been hidden away by me."

He met the Crown Prince's gaze calmly: "Now, the overall situation is settled, and the world is clear and bright."

"You are about to rule the world and usher in a golden age. I have no more concerns for you or for this country. It is time for me to do what I want to do."

"It's not suitable! It's not suitable at all!"

The Crown Prince rushed up to Lu Jiangnian and, without warning, raised his fist and slammed it hard into Lu Jiangnian's shoulder!

This punch carried all his anger and resentment!

"I have so many things to do! So many plans to make! I need you! I need you, Lu Jiangnian, to stand by my side!"

"You ungrateful bastard! I won't let you leave! I won't allow you to run off and have your own fun!"

Lu Jiangnian took the punch squarely. He looked at the Crown Prince's eyes, which were red from excitement, but his attitude remained as steady as a mountain, without wavering in the slightest.

"Murong Chi".

The Crown Prince was stunned when he heard Lu Jiangnian call his name.

"I haven't called that name since I was eight years old."

Lu Jiangnian gave a nostalgic smile: "We're friends, right?"

"You should know that I have never been a power-hungry person."

"If you truly consider me your friend, your brother, then you should let me go."

The prince's pupils contracted sharply. He stared intently at Lu Jiangnian, gritting his teeth, and said, word by word, "Lu Jiangnian, if you truly consider me your friend, your brother, then you should stay."

The two looked at each other.

One was determined to leave, while the other refused to let go.

The air seemed to freeze.

Only a silent standoff remains.

Former best friends are now like two silent, opposing mountains, neither willing nor able to yield to the other.

After a long stalemate, Lu Jiangnian sighed, "Your Highness, you have your path, and I have mine. The most fulfilling outcome is when everyone lives the life they want, isn't it?"

The crown prince remained silent for a long time.

"Go back first and think it over carefully."

"In short, I haven't agreed yet, so you're not allowed to sneak away."

Lu Jiangnian chuckled: "Your Highness is joking. If I were to leave, I would do so openly and honestly. How could I possibly sneak away? I'm not a thief."

The crown prince scoffed, "You might as well become a thief."

The prince had originally intended to ask him for help, but upon hearing such bad news, he was completely disheartened.

bother.