Chapter 123 World Five (Twenty-Five)
When he met the Sixth Prince and the treasured fan in the palace again, Prince Rong Zhao always had a cold expression, nodded slightly to the Sixth Prince, and never even gave the treasured fan a glance.
The slender and handsome figure gradually disappeared into the distance. Bao Shan frowned slightly, biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth. She asked the Sixth Prince beside her softly, "Does Your Highness really dislike me..."
Bao Shan, despite her soft nature, was somewhat afraid of Crown Prince Rong Zhao. But being openly disdained was not a pleasant experience. Furthermore, Crown Prince Rong Zhao was the Sixth Prince's elder brother, and would eventually be Bao Shan's own. Bao Shan feared his cold and indifferent attitude, but she couldn't help but admire him for his reputation among the people. The tip of Bao Shan's delicate, white nose was tinged with a faint red, and her tearful expression moved the Sixth Prince to pity.
The Sixth Prince gently rubbed the tip of Baoshan's nose with his finger and said leisurely, "The Crown Prince has a strange temper. There is no need to please him. Besides—"
The Sixth Prince's eyes were burning as he looked at Bao Shan's soft lips.
"You are my principal wife, and my love for you is enough. The Crown Prince is indifferent, so I will double his love for you to compensate him. Is that okay?"
Baoshan's cheeks flushed at such intimate words. She lowered her head shyly, but her small and delicate chin was lifted up by slender fingers.
Bao Shan and the Sixth Prince met eyes, their hearts pounding like drums. The air around them gradually grew hot and scorching, and Bao Shan felt a sense of panic and anxiety. She turned her head away from the Sixth Prince's gaze.
But the Sixth Prince did not restrain himself at all. Instead, he leaned forward and moved closer to the treasure fan.
No, no, that's not possible...
Bao Shan was extremely confused. If the Sixth Prince wanted her before the marriage, and then others spread the news, she would be labeled as a restless and seductive woman.
Prince Rong Zhao's voice, as if quenched by ice, rang out beside Bao Shan's ears—
Everyone looked at her with contempt and harshly rebuked her for being so self-deprecating...
Bao Shan mustered up her courage and put her arms in front of the Sixth Prince to prevent him from getting any closer.
How could she, with her weak strength, resist a strong man?
However, when the Sixth Prince saw this situation, he naturally understood Baoshan’s resistance.
Although the Sixth Prince wanted to get close to Baoshan, she was his future wife, and he should cherish her instead of acting recklessly and only caring about his own happiness.
The Sixth Prince stopped extending his arm, and his rapid, hot breathing gradually became steady. He took a few steps back, putting some distance between him and the treasured fan.
The charming atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
On the banks of the Yangliu River, Prince Rong Zhao and Yao Chunru walked together, keeping a distance between them.
If they were ordinary men and women, such a distance would be considered as abiding by their duty.
However, Yao Chunru was already the Crown Princess, so doing this seemed too unfamiliar.
Yao Chunru was interested in Prince Rong Zhao and was willing to abandon the rules and etiquette of a lady from a noble family and take the initiative to approach Prince Rong Zhao.
Seeing this, Prince Rong Zhao stopped and spoke in a faint voice.
"Miss Yao, this is against the rules."
Yao Chunru was slightly stunned and could only nod in agreement. Her eyes were filled with dejection. Crown Prince Rong Zhao's obedience to the rules was a sign of his appreciation for her, and she should be happy.
But compared to respect, she wanted Prince Rong Zhao to be close to her more.
A beautiful palace maid held an exquisite porcelain plate and placed delicious pastries in front of the two men.
The palace maid whispered a few words to Prince Rong Zhao, and Yao Chunru suddenly felt bitter in her heart.
She picked up the osmanthus cake from the porcelain plate, took a bite, couldn't tell what it tasted like, and swallowed it whole.
Yao Chunru raised her head and quietly looked at the face of Prince Rong Zhao.
His demeanor revealed an indifference that kept people at a distance.
And this handsome man is her, Yao Chunru's husband.
Prince Rong Zhao refused concubines, which meant that after Yao Chunru married the prince, she would be the only mistress in the harem.
Just thinking of the beautiful face of the palace maid just now, Yao Chunru's expression darkened slightly.
There are so many beauties in the palace. If someone tries hard enough, how can Prince Rong Zhao refuse them every time?
Yao Chunru knew she should maintain the demeanor of a lady from a noble family, so as to satisfy Crown Prince Rong Zhao. However, she looked down at the osmanthus cake in the bowl, which had been bitten and discarded, and the resentment in her heart could not be dispelled.
Yao Chunru finally couldn't help but ask, "There are so many women in the palace. Is there anyone that Your Highness is interested in?"
Crown Prince Rong Zhao frowned and looked at her, his thin lips slightly parted: "So what if there is?"
Yao Chunru's heart was pounding, and she forced a smile: "Which noble lady is she, or which palace maid? If Your Highness is pleased, after you and I get married, we will carry her into the palace..."
Prince Rong Zhao had a cold expression on his face, and he looked at Yao Chunru with his dark eyes, which were so deep and profound.
It seemed as if he could see through all of Yao Chunru's tests and observations.
After telling the name, Yao Chunru sincerely welcomed the person into the mansion, still wanting to cut the grass completely and completely cut off all obstacles between her and Prince Rong Zhao.
Prince Rong Zhao's voice was slightly cold: "You are so magnanimous, it is really commendable."
After saying this, Prince Rong Zhao stood up and left.
Yao Chunru felt relieved. She was glad that Prince Yu Rongzhao did not mention a specific name, which meant that he did not have a woman in mind.
But just now, Prince Rong Zhao used only a few words to stir up Yao Chunru's mood and realized that she was not saying what she meant.
Yao Chunru had a conflicted look on her face, not knowing whether what she had done today was right or wrong.
Prince Rong Zhao was satisfied with Yao Chunru. After all, Yao Chunru had a good family background and was beautiful. Prince Rong Zhao would eventually marry a princess, and compared to other noble ladies, Yao Chunru was the most suitable candidate.
Yao Chunru's tentative words revealed that her reputation for gentleness and dignity was somewhat false.
But even so, Prince Rong Zhao had to admit that she was still a qualified princess.
She has a decent family background, decent looks, and knows a few tricks, so she won't be easily deceived by servants...
Prince Rong Zhao acted entirely on rationality, without any emotion.
This is also true when choosing a princess to accompany you for life.
But humans are not plants or trees. If Yao Chunru married into the palace, Prince Rong Zhao might be moved by years of companionship.
Night falls.
Prince Rong Zhao walked to a clear lake. The moon was bright and graceful. There was a moon in the sky, and there was also a moon in the lake. The hazy moonlight, like frost and snow, made Prince Rong Zhao's thoughts wander, and he thought of another moon in the world.
It is like the finest white jade, with a warm color and soft texture.
Prince Rong Zhao thought of the treasured fan, which was wrong. Remembering the beautiful scenery of his future brother's wife in his heart is ungentlemanly.
A slender figure was reflected in the clear lake. Prince Rong Zhao looked at himself in the lake. He was no different from usual, but he frowned and looked down on himself.
——Thinking about someone else’s wife, he even had blasphemous thoughts.
Rong Zhao, you look so miserable, it's really disgusting.
Prince Rong Zhao knew clearly that his feelings for the precious fan were due to Gu Qiannian's misconceptions, not any deep love.
He had seen many women who used tricks on him. But Baoshan was different. When he stood with the Sixth Prince, Baoshan would only focus all her attention on the Sixth Prince and would not give him a single cent.
Prince Rong Zhao originally thought that he had never felt jealous.
But when Baoshan and the Sixth Prince looked at each other and expressed their affection, he felt a little depressed.
Prince Rong Zhao thought to himself: He didn't love the precious fan, he just hated the feeling of being ignored.
He was not in love with the precious fan, but was just following the conventional cliché and being seduced by the beauty, causing his mind to become unstable for a while.
There are many ways to clear distracting thoughts, and Prince Rong Zhao has tried them all. Now there is only one way left.
——The reason why I think about it day and night is because I have never had it.
If you can get there, you will feel that it is nothing special and will no longer miss it.
With a light tap of his black boots, he kicked the sharp stone into the clear lake. Ripples suddenly rose, and the figure of Prince Rong Zhao in the lake became hazy and indistinct.
Ever since that day, when Bao Shan and the Sixth Prince nearly crossed the line, they haven't seen each other since.
The Sixth Prince initially disapproved of this proposal, but after Bao Shan softened her stance and begged softly, he reluctantly agreed.
But the Sixth Prince asked Baoshan to stay in the palace for a while, claiming that he had been wronged.
As the Sixth Prince was a prince, he could have disagreed with his request, but he gave in. Bao Shan felt soft-hearted, so how could she refuse the Sixth Prince's request?
So, the two lived together in the palace, but never met each other, and only communicated through letters.
The Sixth Prince would wrap the written letters and small gadgets he had received recently in a handkerchief and throw them over the high wall into the courtyard where Baoshan lived.
Baoshan would also send the palace maids away and carefully open the handkerchief.
Baoshan took a small bite of the golden malt candy and found it sweet.
Even without meeting the Sixth Prince, Bao Shan could imagine how the Sixth Prince pestered the imperial chef in the palace. His attitude must have been even more pestering than this sweet malt candy, which made the imperial chef agree to make these folk snacks.
Baoshan wrapped the remaining malt sugar in a handkerchief again and stuffed it into his own box.
The sun is shining brightly.
Baoshan picked up the handkerchief on the ground, and there was a letter inside.
Baoshan opened the letter, and found that it contained poetry.
Baoshan was really curious about what kind of poems the Sixth Prince, who was illiterate, had written.
She read carefully, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly, and her cheeks flushed.
——It is actually the first word that means dissolute behavior.
It's so explicit that it makes people blush.
Baoshan was filled with shame and indignation, wanting to tear up the shameful poem. Yet, she felt reluctant. After all, it was written by the Sixth Prince himself; he must have put a lot of effort into it. Baoshan lowered her beautiful eyes, hesitated for a moment, and decided to put the poem away.
But before she turned around and went back to the house, she heard a loud noise.
Baoshan turned around and saw a group of armored guards standing in front of her.
At the head of the crowd was Prince Rong Zhao, who had a cold expression.
"Your Highness..."
Her eyes were wide open, clear as day, and her voice was soft and mellow: "This is..."
The leading guard bowed and explained, "There's been a scandal in the palace. Rumors suggest someone is secretly having an affair. The man is a palace guard, and the person has been found. According to his confession, the person is here, having an affair with the guard, most likely a palace maid."
But Crown Prince Rong Zhao said coldly: "Don't speculate casually."
The guard said yes.
Prince Rong Zhao looked at the treasured fan and frowned, "What's that in your hand?"
Baoshan then realized that she was still holding the poem in her hand. Her palm trembled and she wanted to hide it behind her.
But her movements were far slower than those of Prince Rong Zhao. He stretched out his arm and took the thin paper in his palm.
Bao Shan's cheeks flushed with shyness, not daring to look at Prince Rong Zhao's reaction. She thought to herself: Prince Rong Zhao dislikes her so much, and after reading the letter, he will definitely think her behavior is dissolute and dislike her even more.
But Prince Rong Zhao just read the letter quietly without getting angry.
The guards received the order and went into the hall to search everywhere.
The guards knew that Bao Shan was the Sixth Prince's most beloved person and they could not afford to offend her, so they were very careful in their actions.
The incriminating evidence had been found, but the guards dared not present it to Crown Prince Rong Zhao because it was an inner garment embroidered with lotus flowers and was found under Bao Shan's pillow.
The guards did not dare to touch Baoshan's clothes, so they could only find clean cotton cloth, wrap the inner clothes, and bring them to Prince Rongzhao.
Prince Rong Zhao asked the guards to leave and walked to the treasured fan. He unfolded the inner garment.
"The evidence of the infidelity was found on your bed."
Bao Shan's face turned pale, and his voice trembled: "This is not mine..."
She had never seen this lingerie before.
Despite her pitiful appearance, Crown Prince Rong Zhao remained unmoved. There was a frozen ice in his eyes, and his voice was somewhat baffling: "How do you prove it?"
Only if the inner garment does not fit can the innocence of the precious fan be proven.
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