This time... it was Youjiang's turn to be stunned, staring blankly at the Crown Prince, his mind unable to process what was happening for a moment.
She seemed to have never considered that the Crown Prince would choose a consort.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't had any other women around him during those three years that she developed the illusion that she was the only one.
“Youjiang… If it were before, I would have been just the heir of the Yuwang Mansion, and I could have sworn to the heavens that I would marry no one but you in this life.”
But things are different now. My father has ascended the throne, and I have become the crown prince. I bear the future of the Southern Dynasty on my shoulders. My father, the ministers of the previous dynasty, and even myself are not allowed to be willful in the slightest.
My marriage is not something I can decide for myself; it is destined to become a political sacrifice.
My Crown Princess will definitely be chosen to unite the women of the court and the harem, helping me consolidate my power, gain more support from the court officials, and do what I want to do.
The prince's voice carried a hint of helplessness and bitterness, filled with pain and struggle.
You Jiang felt a sharp pain in her heart, and she suddenly understood the Crown Prince's situation and predicament.
As the crown prince, he must consider the interests and stability of the country, not his personal feelings.
He didn't want to be like he was now, watching his beloved younger sister go to a political marriage while he was powerless to stop it.
“I understand…I understand everything…” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s alright. You can choose your concubines. It has nothing to do with me. I can always be your right-hand woman and do things for you. Maybe in the future, I can even become a great hero.”
"No... it's not as simple as you think. The Southern Dynasty has long been plagued by problems, and neither my father nor I will allow the situation to deteriorate further."
Reform is imperative.
However, reform involves many aspects and requires the support of high-ranking officials in the court.
To achieve this, Father's harem will grow increasingly filled with women, and I will not only marry one Crown Princess in the future; women will be sent into the harem one after another, and these women are connected to their respective families.
“Youjiang… If you stay by my side, you will watch me spend every day surrounded by various women.”
The crown prince felt a dull ache in his heart. After a moment, he continued, "This is torture for you, and it's torture for me too. Do you understand?"
Given the current situation, it is unlikely that he will marry You Jiang as the Crown Princess, but it is even more impossible for him to take You Jiang as a concubine.
The Crown Prince was well aware that Youjiang possessed his own dignity and pride.
You Jiang herself knew that, given her personality, she wouldn't be able to handle being the Crown Prince's concubine and navigating the relationships with various noble ladies.
He silently turned his head and looked out the window, falling into a long silence.
"Let it go... let it be... let yourself go!"
The prince's voice was unusually soft, as if he were afraid of waking something.
"You are an exceptionally good woman; you shouldn't waste your youth by my side."
The crown prince knew that he might become an excellent heir apparent, and if nothing unexpected happened, he might even become an outstanding ruler of the country, but he was destined not to be a competent husband.
What Youjiang wanted was precisely what he couldn't give.
"After leaving the Eastern Palace, wherever you go, as long as you don't come back, that's fine."
While his possessiveness toward Youjiang hasn't become too intense, while he still retains a shred of reason, he can accept the pain of unrequited love.
A dull ache shot through his chest, and he blinked twice, as if trying to force the tears back.
She took a deep breath, raised her head, stared intently at the Crown Prince, and said in a cold and firm voice, "Rong Sheng, you should know my personality very well."
Whatever your reasons for asking me to leave the Eastern Palace, once I take that step today, I will never come back.
Are you really willing to give it up?
This was not a joke or a threat; she meant what she said, and if she left today, she would never look back.
From then on, one was a high-ranking crown prince, and the other was a chivalrous woman who roamed the martial world.
From then on, we were separated by vast distances and never met again.
Even though You Jiang's tone was so resolute, the Crown Prince still kept his back to her and did not turn around.
He slightly raised his hand, his tone as calm as still water, and slowly said, "I know...you should go..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
