Jiang Yanchuan had not experienced such astonishment in many years.
Once the astonishment passed, he instantly understood System Bro's painstaking intentions.
His fearsome reputation was well known. Although he was often lenient with the children of the Imperial Harem, emperors were notoriously mercurial. System Bro's wariness of him was likely born of a fear of bringing trouble upon the little one.
Even if System Bro could reveal the truth to the little one afterward, the fact that she knew about it could never be brought so easily into the open.
And if System Bro had told her what was written on the note in advance, she would certainly have wanted him to open the box the moment she saw him. With his meticulous mind, that might well have made him suspicious of her.
Letting the little one briefly regard it as an ordinary box was the best solution both he and System Bro could devise.
Jiang Yanchuan felt somewhat amused, and gratified that the little one had a "comrade-in-arms" who was so considerate of her.
But now was not the time to ponder that.
Jiang Yanchuan's thumb gently brushed the yellowed Xuan paper. The writing on the note was clearly visible-
Huh? Prince Xin wasn't the Late Emperor's biological son?! The little one read the note in her mind before he could.
He distinctly heard her sharp intake of breath, followed by her astonished thoughts: Then whose child was he?!
Jiang Yanchuan's gaze instantly grew distant.
Jiang Silin had been the most unusual imperial prince of their generation.
Born frail, he had been weak and sickly in childhood, yet he had loved following them around. Back when they had yet to understand the struggle for power and profit, he had been much like the little one now, beloved by all