That afternoon,
Cui Rong composed himself and set off for the Eastern Palace.
The Eastern Palace
He had just passed through the corridor when he heard cheerful laughter from the rear garden.
He could not help walking toward the sound.
Looking up, he saw the Crown Prince chatting and laughing with the woman he had proposed as Crown Princess-Princess Ning'an. Talented and beautiful, they looked every bit a perfect couple, enough to make anyone envious.
An inexplicable emotion suddenly welled up in Cui Rong's chest. His feet froze in place, and he could not bring himself to take another step forward.
Rustle, rustle.
A sudden breeze swept over a flurry of petals, dazzling his eyes.
The branches around him rustled, as though mocking his one-sided affection.
And his humiliation.
A flicker of realization crossed his eyes. He silently turned and left the Eastern Palace.
As though sensing something, the Crown Prince turned around, but he was a moment too late. Cui Rong had already rounded the corner.
"Your Highness, what are you looking at?" Xiao Zhiyu followed his gaze and asked curiously.
The Crown Prince's eyes darkened slightly. "Nothing..."
Xiao Zhiyu suddenly grew serious. "Your Highness, are you really sure you want me to be your Crown Princess?"
"Yes. I hope you can help me get through this."
The Crown Prince raised his eyes slightly and looked at her. "Once the court has stabilized, I'll give you back your freedom."
"I have no objections. After all, I promised Qi'an that I would protect you for as long as I stayed in the Capital."
Looking at him, Xiao Zhiyu suggested, "But I think you could try talking to Imperial Uncle and the others first. If you truly don't want to appoint a Crown Princess right now, I don't think they would