I Like Your Highness

Xiao Hanye said, "If Imperial Grandmother wants to hold a great-grandson, she can urge Second Brother and the others, or have Father work harder and give you a few more grandsons to hold. As for me, just pretend I don't exist."

The Empress Dowager was utterly speechless. "I'm not constantly urging you because I want to hold some grandson or great-grandson. It's because you're all alone, lonely and desolate. Men should marry when they come of age, and women should wed when they come of age. That has been the unchanging rule since ancient times. Are you planning to be a monk who never touches meat for the rest of your life? Besides, even monks sneak meat now and then."

Xiao Hanye fell silent, his expression turning somewhat subtle. He felt as though he had just been indirectly called out.

Just then, a palace maid came in to report that the Eldest Princess had arrived with the young marquis.

The Empress Dowager immediately beamed. "Little Jue is here? Quickly, let them in."

Xiao Hanye's headache worsened. Afraid that the Empress Dowager would continue pressing him to marry in front of his little shadow guard, he hurriedly rose to flee. Otherwise, Shen Tingjue would definitely make his life miserable in private. "I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

Unaware of the Crown Prince's thoughts, the Empress Dowager swiftly grabbed him, looking reluctant to let him go. "What are you in such a hurry for? Government affairs will never be finished. Changping and Little Jue are here too, so stay for lunch. You're busy every day, busy every day, and you haven't had a proper meal with me in ages. You must eat before you leave today."

As she spoke, the palace maid had already led the Eldest Princess and Shen Tingjue inside.

With the Empress Dowager tightly clutching his sleeve, Xiao Hanye could not break free. Left with no choice, he came face-to-face with Shen Tingjue.

Their gazes met. One was calm and composed; the other seemed to have something to say but held it back.

The Eldest Princess smiled. "How rare. Your Highness actually had time to come here today."

The Empress Dowager waved for the palace maids to withdraw, then said, "I was trying to arrange a marriage for him. The other princes all have their mothers worrying over such things for them. Of course I have to put in extra thought for the Crown Prince. If he doesn't marry at his age, he'll miss the proper time."

"Indeed." The Eldest Princess nodded. "Once one reaches the proper age, one should marry and establish a household. That is how it ought to be. I've also been thinking of finding Little Jue a good marriage match lately, but though the matter is urgent, we must carefully choose a virtuous woman. We cannot be hasty."

The Empress Dowager beckoned Shen Tingjue over. "Little Jue, come closer. It's only been a few days. Why do you still look as though you haven't put on any weight?"

A fluffy ring of fur wrapped around Shen Tingjue's neck, and he wore winter clothes, making him look like a soft, snow-white tuft. He was simply adorable, enough to make anyone want to reach out and squeeze him.

Blinking his long, featherlike lashes, he obediently sat beside the Empress Dowager and affectionately linked his arm through hers. "How could that be? I've clearly gained weight recently. Grandmother, were you just about to arrange a marriage for Crown Prince Cousin?"

It was Xiao Hanye's first time hearing him call him "Crown Prince Cousin," and his expression became deeply complicated. He vaguely sensed that Shen Tingjue was about to cause trouble.

"I would like to arrange a marriage for him, but with that rotten temperament of his, how could he possibly let me decide for him?" The Empress Dowager glared at Xiao Hanye, then looked warmly at Shen Tingjue. "What about you, Little Jue? When do you want to take a wife? I'll choose a noble young lady for you."

Shen Tingjue glanced at Xiao Hanye, licked his lips, and smiled. "Whether she is a noble young lady isn't important. What matters is that she is a good match."

The Empress Dowager nodded and patted the back of his hand. "Then what kind of girl do you like? Tell me, and I can help you choose. Or do you already have a girl you like? If you do, say so. I can immediately make arrangements for you."

Shen Tingjue narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his eyes lifting like those of a little fox. His expression was utterly captivating. "Could you arrange it if they were someone like Your Highness?"

The Empress Dowager: "..."

The Eldest Princess choked on her tea. Her expression was strange as she remained silent for quite some time, then flicked her handkerchief and laughed. "Oh my, girls with a temperament like His Highness's are mostly fierce daughters of military families. Little Jue, you like that sort?"

"It has nothing to do with fierce daughters of military families." Shen Tingjue dropped a bombshell. "I mean I like men like Your Highness. But I like Your Highness best. Yes, I like Your Highness!"

The Eldest Princess: "?!!"

This was not the first time Shen Tingjue had said something like liking the Crown Prince in front of her. The Eldest Princess's gaze shifted slightly, and only then did she realize that he might not have been joking. For the first time, she took the matter seriously and asked with difficulty, "The kind of like you mean is... romantic affection?"

Shen Tingjue's eyes glistened. "Mm-hm."

Xiao Hanye could no longer sit still. He dearly wanted to step forward and cover that mouth of his. "Cousin is joking."

"I'm not." Shen Tingjue looked at him. "Didn't Your Highness know that I like you? You even said that you would consider accepting me."

The Empress Dowager was shocked. "You... you mean..."

Xiao Hanye pressed a hand to his forehead, looking as though he had shut down completely.

The Empress Dowager's gaze traveled back and forth between Shen Tingjue and Xiao Hanye several times. Her feelings were complicated for a long while, but then she thought of how common male companionship had become these days, and the matter no longer seemed particularly strange.

Though she was a woman who lived deep within the palace, she was broad-minded by nature. So long as the Crown Prince had someone by his side, she did not care whether that person was male or female. Besides, Shen Tingjue was a child she liked as well.

People always found it easier to be forgiving toward those who were beautiful.

The Empress Dowager instantly came to terms with it. Holding Shen Tingjue's hand as she looked at his endearing face, she truly could not put on any airs. She gave a cough and was just about to say something when she saw him timidly pull his hand back. With his head lowered so that his expression could not be seen, he twisted his sleeves in both hands, seemingly very uneasy. His voice was quiet. "Did I say something wrong?"

Xiao Hanye sneered inwardly.

Heh.

What a guy!

You really are impressive at pretending to be pitiful!

Shen Tingjue bit his lip and huddled there without daring to move, like a child who had done something wrong and was anxiously waiting to be scolded.

The Empress Dowager's heart softened at once. Thinking that her silence had frightened him, she hurriedly made her stance clear.

"No, no, you didn't say anything wrong. If you like someone, say so. That is what an honest good child does. Besides, if you like the Crown Prince, then you like the Crown Prince. It isn't some big deal. With his rotten temper, having such a good child as you like him means his ancestors must have burned excellent incense for him. He ought to be secretly delighted."

Xiao Hanye tugged at the corner of his mouth and gave a silent, cold laugh.

The Empress Dowager shot him a sidelong glance. "What kind of expression is that? Do my words somehow wrong you?"

The Crown Prince kept a blank face, looking utterly miserable. "I still have matters to attend to. I'm leaving."

"Stop right there! We've only just gotten to the point, so where are you going? Sit down." The Empress Dowager glared at him and reached out to drag him back wholesale. "Since this matter has been laid out today, we must make it clear. So long as you like Little Jue too, leave the marriage arrangements to me. I'll make sure the two of you get married another day."

Xiao Hanye looked at her, his emotions tangled.

"I've already said it. I only want you to have someone who understands you by your side. Children and heirs are not important." The Empress Dowager patted his shoulder. "What do you say?"

The Eldest Princess also looked at Xiao Hanye.

Shen Tingjue raised his head as well, his large eyes fixed on him.

All three of them were waiting for the Crown Prince to state his position.

Xiao Hanye's head swelled with pain. He suddenly felt as though he were facing a public trial before the Three Judicial Offices.