After my father was sent to marry into the princess's household, I became the darling of the en

Fu Yibai finally raised his head.

There was no fear in his narrow eyes, as if he were calmly waiting for the storm to pass.

He was personally sent by the Zhao family to the Third Prince's side.

The old master of the Zhao family had saved his life, so he spent ten years studying hard not for the imperial examinations, but for one thing.

That is to make the bloodline of the Zhao family the next emperor.

If Xiao Jingchen were to ascend the throne, the Zhao family would be related to the imperial family for two generations, enjoying great wealth and prosperity, and would no longer have to be subordinate to the Wang family.

He stood up, pinched the corner of his robe with two fingers, and wiped away the spilled tea. He then looked up at the young prince in front of him.

"Your Highness, please calm down."

"Setting up this scheme was not a hasty decision."

"Firstly, if successful, the Wang family will lose their granddaughter, the Empress's power base will be shaken, and the balance of power in the harem will be overturned overnight."

"Secondly, the incident occurred during the Princess's journey. If successful, it would inevitably create a rift between the Empress and the Princess."

Even if the real culprit is found, this thorn will remain embedded between the two sides, making it difficult to remove.

"Killing two birds with one stone, with no harm whatsoever."

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly, revealing a hint of resentment.

"The only variable is Rong Jing, the hostage prince of Great Yan. According to my intelligence, he shouldn't be on that road."

That's enough.

Xiao Jingchen's voice was low and deep, as if it were being squeezed out from between his teeth.

Fu Yibai narrowed his eyes.

Over the years, he had served by Xiao Jingchen's side and had some understanding of the prince.

A sixteen-year-old boy may have some shrewdness and be able to endure, but he is still young.

Those inappropriate emotions would always unconsciously affect him.

For example, right now.

Xiao Jingchen was preoccupied with something else.

His spies reported that Shen Jingque was right beside him at the moment of the assassination.

If Rong Jing hadn't appeared out of nowhere, even if the three arrows had missed their targets, the startled horses would have been enough to trample the two girls into a bloody pulp.

This thought kept him in a state of near-madness and agitation all afternoon.

But he also knew that Fu Yibai was right.

A few days ago in the Imperial Garden, he stood outside the flower wall and heard his father's voice.

Cold and disgusting.

"Behave yourself and don't covet what doesn't belong to you."

The mother knelt on the gravel path, not daring to cry out loud.

He stood in the shadows, his fingernails digging into his palms inch by inch.

Xiao Jingchen knew from a young age that his father disliked him.

So he began planning at the age of thirteen, and patiently accumulated wealth for three years.

If he doesn't seize the opportunity and take the initiative, once his father completely abandons the Zhao family, he too will be discarded, becoming the most insignificant speck of dust in this imperial city.

There will never be a chance to turn things around.

After a long while, he finally regained his composure.

"Mr. Fu."

Xiao Jingchen finally turned around, the twisted emotions on his face had faded, and he regained his usual gentleness, with a calmness beyond his years.

"Thank you for your hard work. Has the aftermath been cleaned up?"

It's as if that out-of-control teenager from just now doesn't exist at all.

Fu Yibai returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"We have arranged for someone to meet you and take you away as planned. Once you are out of the city, we will silence you and leave no trace pointing to Your Highness."

Xiao Jingchen nodded.

"Go down."

Fu Yibai bowed and took his leave, pausing for a moment as he reached the door.

"Your Highness."

"Um?"

"That Princess Shaoning... I suggest Your Highness stop paying attention to her for the time being. She is now in the Princess's residence and is one of the Princess's people. What Your Highness needs right now is a minister in the court who can speak up for you."

The hall was silent for a long time before Xiao Jingchen finally spoke.

His voice was cold, revealing no emotion.

"understood."

Fu Yibai said nothing more, bowed, and left.

The moment the door closed, Xiao Jingchen lowered his eyes and clenched his fist.

Then he called out, "Someone, prepare the carriage."

……

Even in the afternoon, the White Crane Tower was still bustling with activity.

The aroma of wine and laughter wafted from all directions, mingling with the hustle and bustle of the streets.

At the far end of the third floor, the private room number one in the "Heavenly" section was as quiet as another world.

Xiao Jingchen had already arranged for all the surrounding rooms to be booked. At this moment, he sat alone by the window, holding the rim of a teacup with two fingers, quietly closing his eyes to rest.

The door was pushed open from the outside.

Shen Tingyun walked in wearing a gray-blue cloak, her hair slightly disheveled, and her breathing rapid, clearly having rushed over after receiving a message.

She looked up and saw Xiao Jingchen's face under the lamplight; her eyes immediately filled with cautious concern.

"Your Highness's sudden summons... has something happened...?"

Before the words had even finished, the words were spoken.

Xiao Jingchen stood up from his chair, stepped over the corner of the table, and pulled her into his arms.

The movement was completely unexpected, and the force was so great that it felt like it was going to crush her.

Shen Tingyun froze.

She felt the person rest their chin on the top of their head, their chest pressed against her ear.

She could clearly feel Xiao Jingchen's heartbeat.

It was abnormally fast, like it was afraid of something.

"Thank goodness... thank goodness..."

The young prince's muffled voice came from above, carrying an unprecedented vulnerability.

Since they met, Xiao Jingchen had always been gentle and polite to her, but there had always been a veil between them, and they had never been so uncontrollably close.

Shen Tingyun's heart pounded like a drum, and her ears burned.

She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly as she touched his back and carefully hugged him back.

At this moment, it seemed as if all the forbearance had found its home.

But the hug lasted only a few breaths.

Xiao Jingchen suddenly withdrew his arm, his gaze sweeping across her face, a moment of bewilderment in his eyes.

Then, with his eyes lowered, he pressed his fingertips against his brow, and his voice returned to its gentle and distant tone.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure. Something happened today, and I apologize for being rude to you."

Shen Tingyun slowly lowered his hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, and returned it to his side, his five fingers slowly clenching.

The temperature from just now is still burning in my palm.

She didn't press for details, because this brief loss of control was enough to make the flames in her heart burn even brighter.

So she lowered her eyes and gave a faint, gentle smile.

"It's good that Your Highness is alright."

Looking at her submissive, gentle demeanor, and her complete lack of resentment at being pushed away, Xiao Jingchen felt a surge of inexplicable annoyance.

If it were Shen Jingque, he would probably have already taken action against him.

That hateful and infuriating girl.

Xiao Jingchen closed his eyes and slumped down.

……

When Shen Tingyun left Baihelou, her steps were light and graceful.

After this experience, she felt that she was special in Xiao Jingchen's heart.

At least, in my most vulnerable moment, the first person I wanted to see was her.

This slight difference will become her bargaining chip for entering the palace in the future.