Prince Xuan's Residence
Prince Xuan glanced at the man below him, his eyes shifting thoughtfully.
Suddenly, he asked, "Uncle, has my Elder Imperial Brother, the Crown Prince, still not said when he plans to return to the capital?"
Cui Rong abruptly stiffened.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze darkening.
Then he looked up.
"The Crown Prince hasn't said..."
Privately, he hoped the Crown Prince would stay in Jiangzhou a few more days, so he could see him for a little longer.
But for the public good, he hoped the Crown Prince would leave Jiangzhou as soon as possible.
As heir to the throne, every extra day the Crown Prince spent in Jiangzhou brought more danger.
He should not linger.
Otherwise, someone might find an opening to exploit.
It was against protocol, too.
And if anything happened to the Crown Prince in Jiangzhou, His Majesty would punish Xuan'er as well.
Cui Rong wilted at once.
However reluctant he was to part with him, he ought to urge the Crown Prince to return to the capital.
"Uncle... don't tell me you can't bear to let him go?"
Seeing his sudden dejection, Prince Xuan's eyes flashed with concern and warning.
"Uncle, you've overstepped."
He looked at him and said, "If Emperor Father finds out you harbor those feelings for my Elder Imperial Brother... when that happens, never mind me-even Maternal Grandfather or Consort Mother probably won't be able to protect you."
Cui Rong instinctively averted his gaze.
How could he not know that?
Of course he also knew that he and the Crown Prince could never have a future together.
But he simply could not control himself.
"Tsk, Uncle, what's so good about him, anyway?"
Disdain and bewilderment flickered in Prince Xuan's eyes.
He had never been able to understand it.
Unlike his