The woman moved with graceful steps, her skirt fluttering, her long, ink-black hair piled high in a flying bun, adorned with a striking jade headdress.
She wore a red lotus flower ornament between her eyebrows and a richly colored red dress adorned with phoenix flowers; something seemed to flutter around her as she walked.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a hairpin dangling from the forehead, adorned with bright gemstones that shimmered in the sunlight, its pink color quite beautiful.
The woman's abdomen was swollen, but her limbs remained slender, and she walked with some difficulty.
Fortunately, he was always supported by maids, and followed by eunuchs and palace maids, so he must be a cautious person who would not be arrogant.
Most of the officials were old and their eyesight was not good; they could only vaguely make out a red shadow.
However, just from that figure, they were able to guess the person's identity with a high degree of accuracy, and they all exchanged glances and began to discuss it.
"This must be the Crown Princess. She has come to the Star-Picking Tower to see you off in person. She is truly devoted to His Highness and is a model of womanhood in this era."
"Indeed, it is said that the Crown Princess is a beauty of unparalleled grace and that she and the Crown Prince are a perfect match. Moreover, the Princess is currently pregnant and will soon be giving birth to a little prince. This is truly a cause for celebration."
"The Crown Princess is gentle, quiet, dignified and elegant. If the Crown Prince hadn't discovered it, he probably would have had to see her off silently. It's clear that the Crown Princess is very sensible."
In the Qianqing Gate, no one dared to say a bad word about the imperial family; everyone praised them and was full of smiles.
Regardless of what they think in their hearts, everyone acts the same way on the surface, maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.
Among this group, there was only one exception—King Jing.
Unlike his previous resentment, Prince Jing, Sheng Changling, was now filled with amazement—no, utter astonishment.
No words could adequately describe his current feelings. Imperial power and throne, wealth and glory—all were meaningless in the face of this woman.
Although Sheng Changling had never met this woman, she could easily stir his heart.
He could clearly feel his blood flowing faster and his heart beating faster.
Each blow, heavy as it struck my heart!
If he could have this woman in his life, he would be content.
Sheng Changling thought this to himself, and he sighed from the bottom of his heart.
He gazed in the direction of the Star-Picking Tower, watching that figure, his eyes burning with a heat that seemed to devour him completely.
The woman... was clearly his future Princess Jing!
Why did this change happen? It all started just now. In the beginning, he just wanted to have some fun...
The crown prince rode his horse at breakneck speed, and all the officials exclaimed in admiration. Then, a woman in red appeared in their sight.
Sheng Changling had excellent eyesight. He had only intended to watch the spectacle, but as the crowd looked over, he ended up—
Love at first sight!
The moment the woman appeared before him, he felt as if he were seeing the most vibrant red plum blossom standing gracefully on a branch in winter, his eyes sparkling with light.
She possessed a unique allure, as if it were designed specifically for him, making it impossible for him to look away.
Having never understood what love was, this was the first time he had felt his heart pounding so hard, a long, unstoppable beat.
My heart was pounding like a drum, just as a storyteller described.
So, that kind of feeling really exists!
Sheng Changling felt his body stiffen, his hands and feet became increasingly numb, as if all the blood was concentrated in his heart.
But he was happy to do it, even if he just stood there, staring blankly, he was still happy.
No one has ever given him this feeling before. It's wonderful...
Sheng Changling stared intently at that figure, automatically blocking out all other sounds, as if it were just him and her.
A beautiful image automatically flashes in my mind: a pair of celestial lovers gazing at each other in the snow, a look that seems to last a lifetime.
Although he didn't know why, this scene suddenly popped into his mind, but it was really fitting.
Everyone else was fake, automatically becoming background figures, unable to stand out and get in his way, because his gaze was completely occupied by the woman.
So beautiful...
What amazed him most was not her beauty, but her eyes, which were bright and sparkling, instantly bringing joy to anyone who saw them.
At this moment, Sheng Changling had only one thought in his mind: he wanted to request an imperial decree to grant him the marriage!
Our usually wise Prince Jing has lost his mind at this moment, and for a moment he didn't even think about the woman's identity.
The women appearing in the imperial harem were either imperial concubines or the crown princess; there were hardly any unmarried women there!
Sheng Changling felt he could keep watching, just watching the woman's figure—
but!
All the beauty came to an abrupt end here, not for any other reason than—
The Crown Prince, the man he considered a formidable rival, stepped onto the city wall and embraced the woman he had his eye on!
They embraced and laughed!
No--
At this moment, Sheng Changling, whose mind had been frozen, suffered a blow and finally resumed functioning.
In no time, the woman's identity automatically appeared in his mind—
She was the Crown Princess whom he had once been curious about, manipulated, and even fabricated stories about!
Crown Princess!
The Crown Prince's principal wife!
No, it won't happen.
Sheng Changling tried desperately to recall some clues to piece together evidence that the woman was not the Crown Princess, but it was all in vain.
Legend has it that the Crown Princess was exceptionally beautiful and quickly won the Crown Prince's favor upon entering the Eastern Palace.
Later, by chance, the Crown Princess won the Emperor's favor, which also aroused the Empress's jealousy.
However, before the Empress could make a move, the Emperor sent the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to the Hall of Mental Cultivation!
and--
He even once considered getting rid of the Crown Princess's unborn child!
Although it wasn't ultimately implemented, the matter was handed over to the Jiang family, and it's said that it's already underway.
No, he had to stop it right away!
It's so messy.
Too much information flooded Sheng Changling's mind, all clashing within him.
He still has many plans targeting the Crown Prince, some of which involve the Crown Princess, and these can no longer be carried out.
And most importantly—
He wanted to ask the emperor to grant him a marriage with the woman, but... I'm afraid that this will never, ever, ever happen!
King Jing, Sheng Changling, wanted to blame himself, but he didn't know where to begin.
Should he blame himself for not being the crown prince and not receiving a crown princess from the emperor earlier?
Is it still his fault for not infiltrating the inner palace sooner, especially the Eastern Palace, and not getting to know the Crown Princess?
If that's the case, then perhaps we should blame... the Emperor...
Even if they knew each other from the beginning, what difference could it make if he was Prince Jing and she was the Crown Princess?
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