After returning from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Crown Prince felt stifled and filled with confusion.
He clearly sensed his mother's malice towards the Crown Princess today.
Although his mother hid it well, he still caught the murderous intent that poured out in that instant.
"This servant greets Your Highness."
As soon as the Crown Prince stepped into Chonghua Palace, an unfamiliar voice called out to him and blocked his way.
Sheng Changfeng turned around, realized he didn't recognize him, so he simply gave a curt reply and left.
"Your Highness—"
The woman, Li Hua, stamped her foot in frustration and watched helplessly as the Crown Prince left.
The thought of those women in the backyard waiting to see her make a fool of herself made her irritable.
She was a woman whom His Highness Prince Jing had gathered from Jiangnan. Although she was not a "slender horse" from Yangzhou, she had undergone a period of training in a brothel.
Seeing how miserable many of her sisters were, she made up her mind to become a person of value.
She never wanted to go back to those miserable days of homelessness, uncertainty, and lack of medical care when she was sick.
She was determined to seize every opportunity to rise in rank. This chance to be sent to the Crown Prince's side was something she had secured by drugging her sister.
She just didn't expect that the Crown Prince never touched a woman!
Damn it, she's been sidelined for so long.
After news broke last night that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had consummated their marriage, she couldn't wait to find the Crown Prince and try to steal his favor.
Don't say that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. If you don't seize every opportunity to climb up the ladder, you'll be ignored for the rest of your life.
Xiao Changzi thought to himself, Li Hua was indeed beautiful, but compared to the Crown Princess's stunning beauty, she was still too inconspicuous.
No wonder the Crown Prince didn't even spare her a glance.
well.
I just hope she'll be sensible and not offend the person the Crown Prince cherishes most, otherwise even ten lives wouldn't be enough for her to pay for it.
In a secluded corner where no one was watching, a young palace maid witnessed the entire incident and quietly slipped away to Fengyi Palace.
Phoenix Palace.
Wisps of smoke rose from the purple-gold auspicious beast incense burner, filling the air with a subtle fragrance that soothed the mind and spirit.
A woman in palace attire was sitting at a table listening to a servant report on palace affairs when she saw her personal maid walk in and wink at her.
"Your Majesty, would you like to rest?"
"Okay, everyone, you can go now. The rest can come tomorrow."
After everyone had left, Granny Jiang approached the Empress and whispered her report.
"Xiangdie, a palace maid from Chonghua Palace, came to report that she saw the Crown Prince's concubine, Lihua, meet His Highness today, but she failed to win his favor."
"Oh, it seems that not everyone in Chonghua Palace is an honest person."
The Empress looked up and smiled, seemingly having made up her mind, and spoke meaningfully.
Granny Jiang understood what her mistress was talking about, and responded accordingly.
"There are no honest people. It's just that the Crown Prince didn't get close to women before, so they had nothing to fight over."
Now that His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have consummated their marriage, those ambitious individuals naturally want to rise in the ranks.
"Good. Have someone sneak up on that concubine and make things convenient for her if necessary. Also, continue searching for the secret medicine."
A cold glint flashed in the Empress's eyes; she would never allow herself to fall into the kind of situation depicted in storybooks.
Having finally become the mother of a nation, she must cherish her reputation and not give anyone any ammunition against her.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Oh, and Wuyou too. Tell her to spend more time with the Crown Prince and not just blindly follow Prince Jing around."
The Empress felt a headache whenever she thought of her niece. The girl had liked the Crown Prince and had even said she wanted to marry him.
As a result, after being rescued by Prince Jing two years ago, she became obsessed with him and stopped coming to the palace.
"Yes, Your Highness, please rest assured, the Second Miss knows what she's doing."
"I hope so."
...
While the master and servants were plotting how to make things difficult for the Crown Princess, harmony was already playing in Chonghua Palace.
Chonghua Palace.
Zhengde Hall.
Upon entering the palace, the Crown Prince went straight to the Zhengde Hall, his steps light and quick, clearly eager to see his Crown Princess.
The red silk that was hung in the hall last night has been removed, but the exquisite and festive decorations are still there.
Inside the elegant and refined hall, the playful little objects added a touch of fun to the whole room.
As soon as the Crown Prince arrived at Zhengde Hall, he saw his young Crown Princess walking towards him.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Liu Lingxi woke up late again today and missed the Emperor's dispatch of Eunuch Bai Qing to deliver the gifts. She wondered if the Emperor would be angry.
She had just tidied herself up, dressed in a light red begonia palace gown, with wide sleeves and a belt inlaid with white jade around her waist. She walked slowly, looking every bit the graceful beauty.
She wore a white and pink ivory lotus headdress, along with several white magnolia hairpins, hair bracelets, and tinkling ornaments, all complementing each other beautifully.
However, no matter how beautiful the hair ornament is, it can't compare to her unforgettable little face.
Furong was beautiful, with a rosy face and a pair of affectionate eyes that seemed to sparkle with starlight. One glance was enough to make anyone lose their soul.
What truly means to be a beauty of unparalleled grace and captivating charm has now been witnessed.
"Everyone says there's no need for formalities, especially in private. They should be punished."
Sheng Changfeng only said that he should be punished, and then said nothing more. Liu Lingxi thought he was just saying it casually.
However, as night fell...
But she didn't know that at the moment.
"Has Your Highness had lunch yet? Why don't you join me?"
"Alright."
Sheng Changfeng took Liu Lingxi's small hand very naturally, and then they walked together towards the dining hall.
Liu Lingxi had been led by the hand a few times before, so she wasn't so unfamiliar with him anymore. Now, she only glanced at him twice before looking away.
While waiting for their meal, the two chatted about everything that had happened in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"The Empress Dowager has proposed a talent show—"
"Crack—" The perfectly good jade chopsticks fell to the ground and shattered.
Upon hearing this, Liu Lingxi's heart skipped a beat, and she almost dropped her chopsticks.
Looking up, she met Sheng Changfeng's smiling eyes and could only hurriedly explain.
"That's not what I meant."
"Hmm, isn't Xi'er jealous if another new person comes into the household..."
Seeing that his Crown Princess couldn't hide her disappointment, Sheng Changfeng's smile grew wider and his words became more and more direct.
Liu Lingxi was deliberately showing that she cared, even though she had no experience interacting with men in her previous life.
But she also knew from her mother that if a woman showed a little jealousy, her husband would love her even more.
If she does nothing, it will only make her husband unhappy.
"I am not jealous, but this is too sudden. I... I was not prepared."
snort.
She knew from the start that the Crown Prince couldn't possibly belong to her alone, as there were concubines in the mansion.
Only a fool would harbor any illusions about a royal man.
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