After everyone had left, Jing Shu said to Tong Jia Shi, "Mother, Aunt said that the Emperor will betroth He Xue to the Crown Prince during this selection of concubines!"
Although Consort Tongjia had heard the Imperial Noble Consort mention it before, hearing the confirmed news still made it hard for her to accept that He Xue was not suited for life in the palace.
“Since your aunt says so, I’m afraid there’s no room for change!” said Madam Tongjia.
Looking at Tongjia Shi's expression, Jing Shu thought it was as if she already knew about this matter. Could it be that her mother had also seen through the Crown Prince's thoughts?
"Mother, you don't seem very shocked?" Jing Shu asked tentatively.
"Your aunt once told me that the Crown Prince has a special relationship with He Xue."
At the time, her mother thought Xue was still young, so she didn't take it to heart.
Just then, your father was going to Fujian, and Hexue went to Fujian with him. Mother thought that the Crown Prince would forget about Hexue after a long time, but unexpectedly, the Crown Prince has not gotten married all these years.
However, Mother has heard that the Crown Prince is not interested in women. Is this true or not?
Lady Tongjia was a little worried. Could the Crown Prince have some kind of hidden illness that was difficult to talk about? Over the years, she had never heard of any romantic affairs involving the Crown Prince, nor did he have many concubines around him before he even got married, unlike other princes.
Over the years, she had heard a lot about the Crown Prince. Some said he was cold-hearted and didn't like women, others said he had a hidden illness, and still others said he was gay.
She felt that the Crown Prince probably didn't like men, otherwise how could the Imperial Noble Consort have discovered the Crown Prince's feelings for He Xue?
Moreover, she could tell that the Crown Prince doted on He Xue. Could it be that the Crown Prince was doing this for He Xue's sake? She didn't really believe that men could be devoted to one woman, especially royal princes. Did they really know what devotion meant?
If the Crown Prince really has some hidden illness, she doesn't want to marry him with Xue.
However, if the Crown Prince is truly aloof and indifferent to women, that's acceptable; it's better than him being a womanizer and philanderer!
Lady Tongjia thought it best to give it a try and see if the Crown Prince had any problems.
“Mother, there are almost no maids serving in Yuqing Palace, and the Crown Prince has not had any concubines or maids in recent years! I don’t know the specifics of the matter!” Jing Shu said. Could it be that the Crown Prince is really chaste?
"No matter what happens, why don't we try and see?" Tongjia said with a smile.
"Try it? How do you try it?" Jing Shu looked at Tong Jia Shi in disbelief. Could it be what he was thinking?
"Jingshu, find a way to get the Crown Prince to drink. As for what kind of wine, I don't need to tell you, do I?" Tongjia said to Jingshu.
"Mother, no!" Jing Shu hurriedly waved his hand. Of course he knew what kind of wine they were going to drink: wine with courtesans. Taking the Crown Prince to wine with courtesans was exciting to think about, but also very dangerous. If his father found out, he would probably break three of his legs.
He's already married, how could he go to a place like that! Besides, he's now a government official, so he absolutely cannot go.
"Mother, I really can't do it. If your daughter-in-law finds out, won't my family be in turmoil? Besides, if the censor sees this and impeaches me, what will I do then?" Jing Shu told Tong Jia Shi the reasons why he couldn't go.
"Mother, I think this is really unreliable. Only a brainless prince would go out drinking and carousing!"
Lady Tongjia also agreed with Jing Shu, but she couldn't let He Xue marry the Crown Prince without knowing what was going on. What if the Crown Prince was ill? "I'll think about this matter again. You really are not suitable to go. Let Shu Yi go instead!"
“I think it’s a good idea! Mother, your decision is very wise! No one can outdrink Shuyi in the military camp these past few years, so it’s most suitable for him to test the Crown Prince!” Jing Shu immediately said, adhering to the principle of “better to die for your friend than for yourself.”
“Alright, in that case, let Shuyi go!” said Madam Tongjia.
“Mother, it will probably be a while before the Crown Prince is injured and won’t be able to leave the palace for some time!” Jing Shu said.
Lady Tongjia had only heard that the Crown Prince had been punished by Emperor Kangxi, but she didn't know the specifics. "Then let's wait a while!"
"Mother, there's something I feel I need to tell you!" Jing Shu decided to tell Tong Jia Shi where He Xue had gone today.
"What is it? Tell me!"
“He Xue actually went to the palace to see the Crown Prince today!” Jing Shu said while observing Tong Jia’s expression.
Tongjia did not show much shock, and picked up her teacup to take a sip.
"Mother, did you already know all along?" Jing Shu asked suspiciously.
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