Cui Rong emerged from the study.
"Xuanzhi."
The Chancellor's wife suddenly called out to stop him. "Xuanzhi!"
Cui Rong stopped and turned around. "Mother."
The Chancellor's wife walked up to him and took his hand, urging him to stay. "Xuanzhi, your father didn't truly mean to drive you away..."
Cui Rong lowered his lashes. "I know." It was precisely because he knew that he had to leave...
He had disappointed his father.
He raised his eyes to her. "Mother... don't you blame me?" For loving a man-and the reigning Crown Prince, no less...
The Chancellor's wife shook her head. "Since you've made this decision, you must have thought it through carefully. I trust you."
Men Xuanzhi's age already had wives and concubines at their side and children gathered around their knees, yet at twenty-five, he was still alone.
Now that he had someone he loved, far from blaming him, she was even a little delighted.
After all, he had been composed and self-restrained since birth, disinclined to grow close to others and forever buried in books-a bookworm through and through, without a trace of worldly desire.
She had been worrying that one day he might suddenly announce that he wanted to become a monk.
Though learning that he loved the Crown Prince was no less shocking, at least he now had someone he wanted to protect and knew the joys and sorrows of being human.
He seemed human now.
She looked at him, her eyes flickering.
Suddenly, she asked, "The Crown Prince... does he know how you feel?"
She had met the Crown Prince a few times. Gentle as jade, humble and courteous, he was a good young man. No wonder Xuanzhi loved him; even she could not help feeling fond of him.
Cui Rong stiffened slightly and lifted his