Hearing Dongfang Wuche's concern for him, Dongfang Wuye was moved, but he couldn't reveal the real reason, otherwise he would have a hard time surviving in the harem. "Reply, reply to the eldest brother, I'm not cold."

"Aren't you cold? I was going to prepare a few sets of clothes for you, but since you don't want them, then forget it," Qiao Qiu said with a smile.

"Sigh..." Dongfang Wuye hurriedly wanted to say something, but when he met Qiao Qiu's gaze, he was stunned. There was not a trace of ambiguity in her eyes. Her gaze was completely teasing her younger brother, without any sense of possession.

Was Dongfang Wuche hiding it too well, or was he simply not a homosexual in the first place? Dongfang Wuye was unsure.

"Just kidding. Although there's no brotherhood in the royal family, I can still care about one or two people based on my own preferences." Qiao Qiu straightened his clothes and combed his long hair.

As he approached Dongfang Wuye, the warm and pleasant scent of ambergris captivated him, and for a moment it felt as if he had found a powerful ally.

After Qiao Qiu finished combing his hair, she stepped back without making any ambiguous moves. She rested her chin on her folding fan, squinted her deep, captivating eyes, and examined Dongfang Wuye, saying, "Hmm, quite handsome. You can accept what I give you without hesitation. In this harem, no one is foolish enough to touch what I give."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Eldest Brother." Dongfang Wuye bowed in gratitude, deeply moved. He knew, of course, that no one dared to touch anything given by Dongfang Wuche. Once, Dongfang Wuche had given his unfavored Third Princess a string of pearls, which should have been a cause for great joy. However, upon returning home, her pearl bracelet was snatched away by a palace maid. When Dongfang Wuche learned of this, he immediately sent men to cut off the maid's arms and then sent a box of gold and silver jewelry to comfort the Third Princess.

Because of this incident, everyone in the palace was wary. Whenever Dongfang Wuche gave something to a prince or princess, not only would they not dare to touch the gift, but they would also have to serve the person with extreme care.

Qiao Qiu gently pressed the folding fan on Dongfang Wuye's clasped hands, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite. "Read more books when you have time. As you grow older, you will need to learn more and more knowledge and etiquette."

Dongfang Wuye didn't understand what he meant, but he still obediently nodded, "Wuye understands."

Qiao Qiu was essentially telling him to reflect on his actions before he completely went astray. Judging from his expression, he clearly didn't understand. But this couldn't be rushed; she'd teach him to be a better person when he made mistakes later.

"Hmm," Qiao Qiu responded, playing with her fan as she turned and left.

Dongfang Wuye wanted to follow, but he had already done it once. If he were discovered and followed again, it would annoy Dongfang Wuche, which was not what he wanted.

Under the peach blossoms, Dongfang Wuche was like a dashing young master whose youth had been ruined. Even just seeing his back was enough to make Dongfang Wuye reluctant to blink.

Dongfang Wuye felt both sweet and infatuated by Dongfang Wuche's concern just now; he liked this warmth too much. But it seemed that Dongfang Wuche only had brotherly feelings for him, nothing more.

For some reason, Dongfang Wuye suddenly felt a little lost and heartbroken.

...

After leaving the peach grove, Qiao Qiu went directly to the Imperial Study where the Grand Tutor was giving his lessons.

It was class time, so she didn't go to disturb them. Instead, she stood by the window and glanced around.

After just one glance, she left.

The reason was simple: one person was missing from a seat in the Imperial Study.

Judging from how the plot unfolds, the one she'll be looking for later is definitely the one who will make things happen!

Ring: ...Master, you must have read too many novels in your past life.

After asking the guards who hadn't come to class, Qiao Qiu went to find them herself.

The one who didn't come to class was the son of Consort Zi of Ruihua Pavilion, the thirteenth prince, Dongfang Wuji.

Look, this name isn't bad either; it sounds more like a protagonist's name than Dongfang Wuche's. Tsk, no wonder Dongfang Wuche tried so hard but still lost in the end. Could it really be related to his name?

Qiao Qiu fiddled with her folding fan as she arrived at Ruihua Pavilion. After the young eunuch guarding the gate went in to announce her arrival, a moment later, the elegantly dressed Noble Lady Zi came out to greet her, her head adorned with gold and silver that dazzled the eye. Qiao Qiu suddenly understood why Noble Lady Zi remained Noble Lady Zi even after giving birth to a son.

"What brings His Highness the Crown Prince here?" Consort Zi greeted him with a broad smile.

In terms of status, Qiao Qiu's status was much higher than that of Consort Zi. According to the rules of the royal family, Qiao Qiu simply nodded with a gentle expression, "I passed by the Imperial Study today and did not see my thirteenth brother, so I came to see what was going on."

Speaking of this, Consort Zi couldn't help but cry, "The Crown Prince doesn't know, but this morning, Ji'er broke his leg, and the imperial physician said it's beyond repair."

Qiao Qiu raised an eyebrow. This was a little different from what she had expected. In Jinxi Kingdom, there were clear regulations that the emperor had to be healthy.

"Take me, Your Highness, to see this. How come such a serious matter hasn't been reported to Father Emperor?"

Consort Zi wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and invited Qiao Qiu in. "Your Highness, please come in quickly. The Emperor has sent someone to inform you, and the eunuch who replied said that the Emperor will be here soon."

Qiao Qiu nodded and walked into Dongfang Wuji's room, where she immediately saw the unconscious little man lying on the bed.

Dongfang Wuji's room wasn't very big. Upon entering, you could see a round pear wood table with a tea set on it. By the window was a kang (a heated brick bed), and opposite the kang was a large bed. Between the two, against the wall, was a cabinet, and the rest of the room was filled with small decorations.

Qiao Qiu walked to Dongfang Wuji's bedside in a few steps, sat down, put the fan aside without saying a word, and gently lifted Dongfang Wuji's injured right leg.

"Your Highness, please be gentle." Consort Zi looked on with great concern. Even in his dream, Dongfang Wuji frowned and his lips turned pale.

Qiao Qiu didn't remove the bandages, but only roughly assessed the situation. Dongfang Wuji's injuries were indeed severe, not much different from when he first transmigrated into Shen Junbai's body.

Qiao Qiu took a purple jade thumb ring from her hand and placed it beside her pillow. "Noble Lady Zi, you must properly guide the thirteenth brother in the future. I, the Crown Prince, will not keep him any longer."

"On behalf of Ji'er, I thank the Crown Prince for his reward," Consort Zi said gratefully. Usually, rumors circulated about how ruthless the Crown Prince was, but at this moment, he was the one who offered help in her time of need. A purple jade ring might not seem like much to him, but at least it would help Ji'er recover without worrying about money for tonics.

Qiao Qiu's current identity is, after all, that of a man. Even if he is a son, it is not appropriate for him to linger in his father's woman's room. So, after seeing Dongfang Wuji, he left.

However, before Qiao Qiu even left Ruihua Pavilion, she ran into the newly arrived Emperor.

Qiao Qiu bowed and greeted the Emperor, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

A hint of approval flashed in the Emperor's eyes; he was extremely satisfied with his son's character.