The Crown Prince gazed at Rong Ning silently, his gaze seemingly traversing the river of time. When it landed on her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation.

He shook his head slightly, trying to clear his mind, then took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and slowly revealed the words that had been buried in his heart for a long time, "A-Ning, perhaps it is not appropriate for me to say these words, but for some reason, many times this thought flashes through my mind—how wonderful it would be if you were a man. Compared to me, you would be more suitable to become the master of the Eastern Palace and sit on the throne of the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, Rong Ning was struck dumb, as if by lightning.

Her hand, which was about to pick up a piece of food with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, froze in mid-air, and her expression was one of utter astonishment.

After a long while, she finally came to her senses, abruptly putting down her chopsticks. She stared at the Crown Prince with wide eyes in disbelief, her voice slightly shrill with surprise, "What...what did you just say? Did I hear that right? How could you suddenly say something like that?"

She frowned deeply, her mind filled with doubt and confusion.

"You heard me right... Don't be nervous!"

The crown prince slowly shook his head and sighed softly, "You are not like me, bound and troubled by so many worldly matters."

In comparison, you are much more decisive and resolute, a quality that even I am ashamed of.

Over the years, you have followed your master all over the country, witnessed the hardships and difficulties of ordinary people, and deeply understood the joys and sorrows of their lives. Later, you resolutely joined the army, and with your wisdom, courage and perseverance, you quickly established a very high reputation in the army.

"If you were not a woman, but a man, and were able to ascend this supreme throne, perhaps you would indeed rule far better than I have."

After hearing the Crown Prince's words, Rong Ning fell silent.

She subconsciously reached out and gently scratched her head, then looked up at the Crown Prince and replied, "You're right, but usually when someone says something like that, it often means there might be something amiss."

Could it be... that you're secretly jealous of how well I've done?

At this point, Rong Ning's lips curled up slightly, and she looked at the Crown Prince with a half-smile, a sly glint in her eyes.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

The crown prince rubbed his forehead with a helpless expression, his voice unconsciously rising a few decibels, "You're my own sister, how could I be jealous of you?"

Rong Ning showed no signs of being persuaded. Instead, she widened her eyes and asked suspiciously, "Then what is your purpose in telling me all this?"

You must understand, we are in the royal family, and once these thoughts are spoken, it often means that a bloody struggle is about to begin.

Who knows, the next moment you might try every means to get rid of me!

I've even started to suspect that you've secretly poisoned my food!

This is getting more and more outrageous!

It looks like this lunch won't be enjoyed in peace.

The Crown Prince pondered to himself that he needed to find a suitable opportunity to have a proper talk with Rong Ning.

He slowly sat up straight, his gaze sharp and fixed on Rong Ning before him. With a serious and solemn expression, he said, "Ning, do you know that you are my own sister? What I am saying to you today comes from the deepest and most genuine thoughts in my heart."

Then, the crown prince paused slightly, as if organizing his thoughts for what he was about to say.

Then he continued, “Although you and Yang’er have very different personalities, one is gentle and graceful, and the other is lively and fiery, you are both undoubtedly the best women in this world.”

To me, both you and Yang'er are the most precious and cherished beings in this world.

At this point, the Crown Prince couldn't help but sigh slightly, revealing a hint of helplessness.

"To me, the Emperor is both my father who gave me life and my supreme monarch."

We share not only the bond of blood ties, but also the insurmountable distance of the proper relationship between ruler and subject.

For this reason, there are many things on my mind that I cannot confide in my father; and many troubles that I cannot tell others.

Being in such a high position, seemingly glamorous, is actually lonely and desolate; this is what they mean by "the higher you climb, the colder it gets." Under such circumstances, I am destined to find it difficult to easily trust others.

However... you, A Ning, are the only exception.

In the imperial court, the situation was constantly changing and unpredictable, with bloody battles sweeping in like a storm.

In the days to come, who knows how many storms and waves we will face.

I know that your current desire to seize military power in the North is nothing more than a way to quickly enhance the military strength of the Southern Dynasty so that we can bring Yang'er back to our embrace from that distant land as soon as possible.

I understand and comprehend this point.

However, others may not be able to understand the deeper meaning behind it. As you go further down this path, more and more gossip will inevitably reach my ears, or linger in yours.

They might try to sow discord and damage our friendship; or they might spread rumors and sow discord between us.

But Ah Ning, please remember this: no matter how the world changes, no matter how complicated the situation becomes, I am not only the noble Crown Prince, but also your blood-related elder brother.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!