Her eyes were sparkling, and her small hands clung tightly to the man's chest.
It looked like a kitten that had successfully escaped its natural enemy, its eyes filled with the joy of surviving a disaster.
She looked at the Crown Prince with reliance, wrapped her arms around his neck with peace of mind, and pressed her entire weight against the man.
"Really? I really don't need to go?"
Liu Lingxi's cute and lively appearance made the men quite fond of her.
Moreover, after being comforted by the woman, his anger, which had been so intense that it hurt his liver, immediately subsided.
The prince affectionately rubbed his nose against her little face, and lingered for a long time on her forehead, cheeks, and the tip of her nose.
The two were truly in sync this time, and could feel each other's dependence and affection, creating a warm atmosphere between them.
After a long period of intimacy, the Crown Prince finally answered the question directly.
"Yes, Xi'er, ask the kitchen to make some of your favorite dishes later so you can fill your stomach first."
"I've spoken with...Father, and I'll be back soon, Xi'er, don't worry."
At this point, Sheng Changfeng no longer wanted to call Sheng Jin "Father Emperor," but due to etiquette, he had no way to resist for the time being.
The thought of this made him feel cold all over, and his eyes hardened.
How could Liu Lingxi, nestled in his arms, not sense his changes?
The Crown Prince cannot be harmed!
"Don't be impulsive. My body and the child in my womb are waiting for you. He cannot be without a father."
Liu Lingxi gently grasped his large hand, letting him touch her stomach and feel the warmth beneath his hand.
Perhaps it's truly a blood connection, or perhaps it's for some other reason...
Even though he knew that a one-month-old fetus was nothing, probably just a pool of blood, it miraculously calmed Sheng Changfeng's anxiety and unease.
"Don't worry, leave everything to me. You just need to take good care of your pregnancy."
After His Highness the Crown Prince finished speaking, he bent down and gently placed a kiss on the woman's lower abdomen.
After doing all this, he bid farewell to Liu Lingxi and walked resolutely toward the Imperial Kitchen.
Liu Lingxi watched his retreating figure, watching him leave with a do-or-die determination, and her little hands quietly clenched.
As her husband, he absolutely cannot be harmed.
Otherwise, wouldn't my previous life of loneliness and helplessness be repeated?
No, she won't. She'll find another way out and won't die another innocent and tragic death!
Your Highness, please don't disappoint me.
Liu Lingxi prayed silently in her heart, her glass-like eyes flickering, but ultimately turning into a resolute expression.
...
Imperial Kitchen.
Sheng Jin looked at the table full of imperial dishes, which were colorful, fragrant and delicious. Several of them were medicinal dishes that were warm and nourishing, which really made people's appetites whetted.
He nodded in satisfaction, a glimmer of hope rising in his heart as he looked forward to the smile of a certain young woman.
Sheng Jin didn't rush to pick up her chopsticks, but instead closed her eyes to rest, while listening to everything that was happening.
Xiao Fuzi, being very perceptive, remained silent and stood with her head bowed beside Sheng Jin.
In reality, his clever little brain was spinning like crazy.
Today, the Emperor treated the Crown Princess so specially. If I know so much, will I be silenced?
Master, you've really ruined your disciple's life! Did it really take so long to go to the storeroom to get ginseng?
They've definitely disappeared somewhere, leaving only their disciple here to serve the Emperor at the risk of being silenced.
The thought of seeing something she shouldn't be seeing in a moment made Xiao Fuzi feel uneasy.
Finally, the footsteps at the door drew closer.
Sheng Jin, hearing the footsteps getting closer, suddenly opened her eyes and stared straight at them.
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was—
"Your Majesty, I have learned that the Crown Princess is unwell. I have decided to have her return to her room to rest. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
The crown prince bowed and clasped his hands in greeting to his father, the emperor, looking every bit the refined gentleman.
If you ignore the hostility in his eyes, he truly is a peerless gentleman, a picture of serene beauty.
Sheng Jin let out a cold laugh in his heart, leaned back lazily in his chair, and glanced at the growing crown prince with a sidelong look.
"Hmph—what, has the Crown Prince finally realized it?"
"Yes, I fully understand Father's good intentions."
The prince stopped bowing and straightened up, looking directly at the person he had admired since childhood.
His gaze held solemnity, doubt, tension, and sudden realization, but not fear.
Looking directly at the emperor's face is a grave sin. Sheng Changfeng, who had been taught court etiquette since childhood, clearly knew this, but he still knowingly committed the offense.
"I didn't understand before why Father Emperor was acting so strangely this month, not allowing me to set foot in the Hall of Mental Cultivation."
They even assigned me to run errands outside, and I wouldn't be able to return until the palace gates were locked. Now—I understand everything.
The Crown Prince's accusations were explosive; he dared to speak, but no one else dared to listen.
Is this the way to speak to one's sovereign or father?
Xiao Fuzi only regretted that she didn't have wings to fly away at this moment. Royal father and son fighting each other, such a palace secret, how could she survive if she knew about it?
Just as he was sweating profusely and thinking about his last wishes, he heard a voice that made him feel like he had been granted a pardon.
"Xiao Fuzi, have the imperial kitchen prepare a new set of these imperial dishes, and you personally deliver them to the Crown Princess."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiao Fuzi didn't know how the Emperor would deal with or punish the Crown Prince on his own, but none of that mattered; he wanted to leave this place!
He walked with incredible speed, running as fast as he could, afraid of being left behind if he slowed down.
They disappeared into the palace in a flash.
...
After Xiao Fuzi left, only the two of them remained in the Imperial Kitchen, father and son. The atmosphere was tense, and that was all.
"Father, I will not give up the Crown Princess. She is my only wife in this life."
Moreover, she is pregnant with my child, our flesh and blood.
The crown prince did not bow, but stood ramrod straight, staring directly at the emperor high above him.
If his provocative behavior were in a political context, he would have been dragged out and beheaded long ago.
But at this time, the emperor did not do so.
He stood up from his seat and walked step by step toward the Crown Prince, exuding immense pressure.
With each step he took, his aura grew stronger, as if he wanted to completely annihilate people.
"I'm truly jealous of your good fortune. Without my arranged marriage, do you think you could have gotten Xi'er?"
At this moment, Sheng Jin finally tore off that peaceful mask, revealing his long-hidden madness and jealousy.
His bloodshot eyes completely lost their usual composure, making him look like a wild beast, wanting to tear the enemy in front of him to shreds!
The Crown Prince was still too young. Although he did not want to back down, he was clearly no match for the Emperor's imposing presence.
"So what? Xi'er is now my Crown Princess. Father, you're too late!"
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