"Your Highness, the Crown Princess started having a fever early this morning. She probably caught a cold last night and is unable to come and serve you, so she specially sent me to bring you food to add to the festivities."

"Qing...Qing'er is sick? Is it serious?"

“It’s not serious,” the servant explained. “Her Majesty specifically instructed us not to let her illness disturb His Highness and Consort’s good mood, otherwise it would be a sin.”

Chen Ci paused for a moment, then gave a slight smile.

I understand.

She's probably not sick; she just wants to set him up with Shu Tong.

"Okay, I understand."

Chen Ci glanced at the vast crabapple grove, raised his hand to take his sword, broke off a few crabapple branches from the nearest tree, and handed them to the servant.

"Since you're here, take these few crabapple branches back with you. Tell her it's a gift from me to express the arrival of spring. 'Jiangnan has nothing to offer, so I'll give you this branch of spring'..."

"Yes." The servant took the crabapple branch, carefully protected it, and left.

Tang Ming, who was standing to the side, observed the Crown Prince's expression and his heart sank.

I don't know what's wrong with Her Majesty.

They were clearly in love before, but ever since the arrow killed the disgraced official Lin Feiyan, he seems to have changed his nature and shows no intention of accepting the emperor's favor.

Why.

A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

His gaze swept over the picturesque crabapple grove again, and he felt a little relieved. Fortunately, Consort Shu was there to accompany him today; otherwise, His Highness the Crown Prince would have been truly miserable.

While he was pondering, he heard the sound of a carriage stopping again, and a moment later a servant came over carrying a food box, and bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, Consort Shu started having a fever early this morning. She probably caught a cold last night and is unable to come and serve you, so she specially sent me to bring you food to add to the festivities."