Jin Kingdom
Imperial Study
Emperor Jinyuan looked at the petition for appointment in his hand, his brows drawing together slightly, then raised his eyes to the man below.
"Xuanzhi, is this your own wish... or the Chancellor's?" he asked.
"Your Majesty, it is my own wish," Cui Rong stepped forward and replied.
"The sixth prince has never gotten along with the Crown Prince. Surely you know that."
Emperor Jinyuan paused, studying him with a probing gaze. "As the sixth prince's maternal uncle, shouldn't you stand with him against his enemies? Why would you suddenly want to serve under the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince... will be a good sovereign."
Cui Rong went still for a moment, his lashes lowering.
He gathered his thoughts.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. My return to Capital City to assist the Crown Prince... was also Prince Xuan's wish," he replied.
Emperor Jinyuan's brows eased slightly. "I never expected the sixth prince to show such consideration for his elder imperial brother."
"Prince Xuan's repeated clashes with the Crown Prince in the past were merely his way of asking Your Majesty to pay him a little more attention," Cui Rong replied frankly.
Emperor Jinyuan paused and looked out the window, his gaze flickering.
Then he abruptly asked, "Has the sixth prince... settled into Jiangzhou?"
"Does he still resent me?"
Cui Rong silently lowered his head without answering.
Although Jiangzhou was not an impoverished region, it could not compare to Capital City.
A prince of noble birth who had grown up in the bustling capital had suddenly been sent somewhere distant and unfamiliar. How could he not feel the difference? How could he feel at ease, or bear no resentment?
When Emperor Jinyuan received no answer, he did not press him. Instead, he said to himself, "Never mind.