chapter 26

The servant walked out briskly. Looking at the old palace maid standing in the snow, he said, “The Crown Princess is resting now. Both of you should leave.”

The palace maid frowned slightly. “The Imperial Consort was too concerned for her child and punished the Crown Princess in a moment of blunder. She has realized her mistake now. Will you please pass the message on and receive this gift?”

Her words were sincere. The servant walked forward and “reluctantly” received the gift, saying, “Please go back.”

The old palace maid bowed and only left after the doors of the main entrance had closed.

The younger palace maid who was holding the umbrella up for them asked unhappily, “Why must you lower yourself to be so respectful to her? She’s merely a princess of a fallen country, and in addition to that, a junior. What’s that compared to the Imperial Consort’s status? Why can’t she be punished?”

“If it’s just the Empress, the Imperial Consort will naturally be unafraid.” The old palace maid’s expression was complicated. She wanted to say something, but held herself back.

In the room, Xian Sheng was wiping away the crumbs of the pastry at the corners of his lips. This pastry really suited his appetite—if he was not already full, he could still eat a couple more pieces.

Zhan Lue opened the gift that Imperial Consort Rong sent. Walking over to take a look, Xian Sheng said, “It’s a three-hundred-year-old Ling Zhi. Her gift is really quite valuable.”

“Her father was the richest man in their town before becoming an officer. This isn’t considered anything much to her.”

Xian Sheng found it odd. “She’s the elder after all. If she has already punished me, why did she have to specifically come to apologize and compensate?”

“Royal Father did not go to her palace because of Mother’s slap.”

Xian Sheng was confused. “?”

Zhan Lue placed the Ling Zhi back into the box. His gaze fell upon Xian Sheng’s intricate face and with his smile unchanged, he continued, “Do you know what he loves the most?”

Xian Sheng pursed his lips. “I don’t even know much about him.”

“Beauties.” Zhan Lue stared at him, with an insatiable desire written all over his eyes. “He’d love such an exceptional beauty like you. If he was the one who attacked the capital that day, I’m afraid that you would be my mother now.”

“…” Xian Sheng opened his mouth. He felt ashamed, yet found it ridiculous at the same time. “You, don’t spout nonsense.”

“What are you afraid of?” Zhan Lue poured himself a cup of water and said blandly, “Although he loves beauties, he knows his limits. Now that you are the Crown Princess of Northern Jin, he will only see you as his daughter. If he has any thoughts that he shouldn’t have…”

Sipping his tea, he lifted his eyelids and said, “I’ll kill him.”

“…!”

Xian Sheng’s heartbeat quickened and he almost bit off his tongue. “Zhan Lue! You…”

He looked outside hastily and said in a low voice, “How dare you speak like that?”

Zhan Lue smiled. He did not think that he had said anything shocking. “I’m just stating the facts. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“You are such a…” Xian Sheng coughed and tried to calm his heart down. From how he saw it, Emperor Jin was not a fool—otherwise, he would never have managed to develop the Northern nation to what it was now within a few decades. He would certainly understand which was more important—women or his son. Although Xian Sheng had only interacted with Emperor Jin twice, there was nothing in his eyes that made Xian Sheng uneasy. He was calm, as if he was Xian Sheng’s own Royal Father.

His sanity had finally returned to him after that huge shock from Zhan Lue. Xian Sheng was certain that what Zhan Lue said earlier will never happen, and he felt relieved.

However, when he thought about it again, he felt that something was not right. The Northern country placed a lot of emphasis on one’s military abilities. Zhan Lue was a martial genius and had been adored since he was a child. Although Emperor Jin had so many sons, he was the only one who was bestowed the title of the Crown Prince. He had authority over the entire military and could escape unpunished even after exchanging ten cities for Xian Sheng’s hand in marriage. There must be something else other than his martial abilities that won him Emperor Jin’s favour.

In other words, their relationship was extremely good. No matter how outrageous Zhan Lue was, he should not have uttered such a treacherous statement—especially in front of the Liang Princess.

He glanced over at Zhan Lue and pursed his lips tightly. “Are you trying to test me?”