Chapter 473
Under the same sky.
Luoyang.
After resting for a few days, Shen Rang's complexion recovered well, but his aloof and distant aura returned, seemingly even stronger than before. Even Jing Yuan, who was beside him, didn't dare to raise his head.
Yesterday, the imperial edict summoning him back to court was issued. Logically, he should have returned to the Ministry of Rites today to continue his work, but Shen Rang took a day off and went straight to the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince was taken aback by his sudden arrival, but after settling the Crown Princess in, he hurriedly left.
"Zirong, shouldn't you be on duty today?" the Crown Prince said with a smile. "To get you to go back, I put in a lot of good words for you before His Majesty!"
"Your Highness, are you saying these kind words to get me to go back to my duty, or to get me to see my beloved woman off?"
As Shen Rang finished speaking, the Crown Prince's expression changed: "What do you mean by this?"
"Your Highness is puzzled and does not understand why you would interfere in my family affairs. Please enlighten me."
After a moment of silence in the hall, the Crown Prince composed himself and said, "Zirong, what are you saying? Why should I interfere in your family affairs? And what evidence do you have to prove that I was the one who did it?"
After the Crown Prince finished speaking, Shen Rang remained silent for a long time.
"I'll pretend you were never here today. Go back now. If you do this again in the future, don't blame me for turning against you."
After saying that, the crown prince turned his back to him.
Shen Rang stood up and carefully arranged the bamboo leaf-sprinkled gold sachet at his waist. His clear voice rang out again: "Just like when Your Highness wanted to win me over, I hesitated to agree, and then I was suddenly left idle at home, is that right, Your Highness?"
The Crown Prince suddenly turned around, his sharp gaze piercing straight at Shen Rang: "Shen Qing! Do you know what you're saying?!"
Shen Rang did not avoid the gaze and met the Crown Prince's eyes.
After a moment, Shen Rang smiled and said, "It was my rudeness, Your Highness. Please forgive me. But I am not willing to be a puppet to be manipulated. Your Highness and I are not on the same path. From now on, please forgive me for not being able to travel with Your Highness."
After saying this, Shen Rang cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the Crown Prince, then turned and left.
He took a few steps forward when the Crown Prince's voice rang out behind him: "Zirong, when did my Eastern Palace become a place you can come and go as you please?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a group of imperial guards in light armor appeared outside the palace gates and surrounded them.
"Your Highness has a reputation for being virtuous and capable. Surely you wouldn't abandon this reputation, which you've cultivated over many years, just because of me?"
Shen Rang did not turn around, but only tilted his head slightly.
The crown prince stared intently at him, his knuckles cracking as he gripped him tightly, but just as Shen Rang had said, he couldn't keep Shen Rang.
Seeing Shen Rang take another step, heading straight for the Imperial Guards wielding sharp weapons.
Chen Rang walked slowly and deliberately, clearly having already made his plans.
Just as he was a few steps away from the tip of the sword, the Crown Prince finally flicked his wrist, and the Imperial Guards all sheathed their weapons and moved aside.
Shen Rang had anticipated this, and without pausing for a moment, he left.
The crown prince's gaze fell on him, and his face was no longer the calm and collected person he usually appeared to others. His eyes were bloodshot and somewhat frightening.
Shen Rang was even more astute than he had imagined!
He handled the last incident without leaving a trace, and this time it seems to have nothing to do with him on the surface. Unexpectedly, even so, Shen Rang still noticed some clues!
How did he manage to do that?
The crown prince looked up with a question in his eyes, only to find that the palace gates were empty and Shen Rang was nowhere to be seen.
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