Although her status was not low, compared with his, there was still a vast gulf between them. In this feudal era, that was the difference between heaven and earth. Even the man sitting on the imperial throne probably would not want to see them grow too close.
Besides, on the surface, she was still the Fourth Prince's future Secondary Consort.
Even if she had helped the Crown Prince before, frequent contact would likely still invite gossip.
Although Xi Hanzhou felt displeased, he held himself back when he thought of her reputation.
"You go back first. I'll follow behind."
Su Qiao nodded slightly and prepared to spur her horse ahead.
"Wait."
Xi Hanzhou rode forward. "Have less to do with my Fourth Brother. He isn't a simple man."
The corners of Su Qiao's lips lifted slightly. So this was the real reason he came looking for her tonight!
The incident of Xi Muyan coming to see her around nightfall had probably been discovered by his men.
"Heh, you should worry about yourself first. Be careful that they don't join forces against you."
"Besides, no one can be trusted in the face of power."
Perhaps the Emperor did care about him, but he did not trust him enough. Otherwise, he would not have confined him in the end.
When it came to him and power, the Emperor had ultimately chosen to preserve his own power.
Xi Hanzhou's gaze darkened. "What about you?"
"Me?"
Su Qiao looked up at the stars filling the sky, then urged her horse into a gallop and left. The cool breeze carried her words to everyone's ears.
"I don't care about these things. To me, they're burdens."
Jincheng found it hard to believe that she truly thought that way. "Would anyone really regard wealth, status, and power as