Did the Empress know about this?
As Bai Qing pondered this, he gradually fell into deep thought.
He was the Empress's spy planted beside the Emperor.
That's not quite right. He was willingly bribed because Chunhua, the lady beside the Empress, was his wife.
Of course, this matter was not made public, otherwise the emperor would certainly not have kept him by his side.
Chunhua's entire family worked for the Empress's maternal family, and given the Emperor's previous high regard for the Empress, Bai Qing didn't make things too difficult for her.
Anyway, the Emperor and Empress were of one mind and were both his masters, and the Emperor never hid anything from the Empress.
Moreover, his interactions with Chunhua were usually very discreet, so no one should have noticed.
Of course, he was confident that the emperor truly hadn't discovered anything; otherwise, how could he have remained safely by the emperor's side?
only……
Things are different now!
The Emperor seems to have taken a liking to the Crown Princess. What will happen to the Empress? Should he continue to rely on her?
If the Empress wants to relay messages between the Emperor and the Crown Princess in the future, should I tell her or not?
Bai Qing was extremely conflicted. Even after his three masters had entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he was still deep in thought at the entrance.
No one knew Bai Qing's confusion, because in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Liu Lingxi was even more fearful and uneasy than him.
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The incense smoke rose gently from the burner, carrying a pleasant, faint scent of peach blossoms.
Liu Lingxi felt that the smell was very similar to her own, but she wondered if she was just imagining things.
But she couldn't ask at this time; she only wanted to wait until she returned to Chonghua Palace with the Crown Prince before asking him.
Before she could even speak, the crown prince beside her asked a question first.
"Father, the fragrance smells wonderful today. It's not ambergris, so has it been changed to something new?"
"Sit down. You have a keen sense of smell. I just changed the fragrance today, and you could smell it."
This incense is called Peach Blossom Intoxication. When burned, it resembles peach blossoms in full bloom in spring. I long for the splendor of spring, so I had this incense brought here, and it is only today that I have lit it.”
As expected of the emperor, Sheng Jin answered the crown prince's questions flawlessly.
At the very least, it didn't arouse any suspicion from the Crown Prince, and even dispelled some of his doubts.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. With five princes vying for the throne, the competition was so fierce that anyone who couldn't act wouldn't have survived.
As expected, Crown Prince Sheng Changfeng had no doubts whatsoever; on the contrary, he was reflecting on whether he had been neglecting his father too much lately.
He is usually very considerate, but this time he failed to understand the emperor's intentions in time.
Thinking of this, he rose from his seat and knelt down, bowing deeply to his father, the emperor.
"Father, please forgive me. It was my oversight that I was unaware of your recent thoughts."
"There's no need for you to kneel. I haven't had breakfast yet. You two can keep me company."
Just then, Xiao Yezi returned. When Sheng Jin saw him nod at her, she knew that the meal had been prepared.
He waved his hand and led the two to a side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation to have a royal meal together.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
The Crown Prince was surprised by the coincidence; he had just been asking his father to prepare more snacks for his Crown Princess.
After all, it's well past breakfast time and far from lunchtime.
The Crown Prince excitedly squeezed his Crown Princess's small hand, only feeling satisfied after receiving a gentle smile from her.
However, beneath Liu Lingxi's gentle and composed exterior lay deep-seated anxiety and unease.
Here it comes again, that weird feeling is back.
The spot on her arm where it had been gently pinched still felt hot, and the emperor's aggressive gaze flashed before her eyes.
However, the current situation did not allow her to think too deeply, because Sheng Changfeng had already pulled her towards the side hall.
Upon arriving at the side hall, Sheng Jin was already seated in the main seat, leisurely observing the two of them.
"Please sit down, Your Highness. There's no need to be so formal. If there's nothing you like on the table, just have someone go to the Imperial Kitchen to get some."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the Crown Princess's hand, which was obediently held by the Crown Prince, and he paused slightly.
He also noticed the woman's uneven gait; although the movement was very subtle, he still managed to capture it.
A surge of bitterness and jealousy welled up in Sheng Jin's heart, gradually eroding his remaining rationality.
Of course he knew who the culprit was.
The Crown Prince is so rude and doesn't know how to cherish women at all; he's unworthy of the title.
Thinking this, his gaze toward the crown prince turned hostile.
Fortunately, at the last moment, he managed to control his emotions and did not show any unusual expression.
"Yes, Father Emperor loves me and the Crown Princess the most. She likes to eat some easy-to-digest porridge or soup, and she likes this old hen and vermicelli soup."
The Crown Prince was completely unaware of his father's wolfish ambitions, and instead gazed intently at his Crown Princess.
He glanced at the food on the table and easily picked out the Crown Princess's favorites.
"Father, could you please serve a few more dishes of chicken and pork congee, stewed duck until tender, jujube paste cake, and osmanthus honey cake?"
Liu Lingxi suddenly turned to look at Sheng Changfeng, seemingly surprised that he knew what she liked to eat.
The prince's heart softened at her surprised gaze, and he smiled as he gently rubbed her cheek with his finger.
"I've already asked Ye Zhi, so don't worry, I remember everything you like."
"Your Highness, I..."
Liu Lingxi was pleasantly surprised, her heart warmed, and her fear from before dissipated.
She thought she had nothing to be afraid of, as the Crown Prince was always there to protect her.
Thinking this, she turned her head slightly, only to meet Emperor Sheng Jin's jealous gaze—
Is it really that blatant?
Fortunately, the Emperor seemed to notice her astonished gaze and quickly looked away.
Looking again, the emperor's face was full of majesty, and there was no trace of jealousy or ill intent in his eyes.
The scene just now seemed like an illusion, making her doubt that she had seen it wrong.
Just as she was thinking this, the Emperor had already spoken and given instructions to the palace servants.
"Hmm, that's right. Little Yezi, go and spread the word as the Crown Prince instructed."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
The crown prince had no doubts whatsoever and felt quite pleased, believing that his father valued him.
Seeing that the Crown Prince had not suspected anything, Liu Lingxi could only suppress her doubts and comfort herself that she had misjudged the situation.
Even so, Liu Lingxi still felt somewhat uneasy and absent-minded during the meal.
Sheng Jin glanced at her several times and noticed that she was frequently distracted, so he knew that the woman had discovered something.
Can--
The thought that she had discovered his feelings filled him with a secret joy, and he eagerly awaited her response.
Although the possibility is slim, what if she accepts?
He will guarantee that he can do better than the Crown Prince!
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