Chapter LX - The Crown Prince
The Crown Prince arrived just before sunset.
Unlike the Third Prince’s dramatic arrogance or Consort Xu’s calculated elegance, the Crown Prince entered Prince Rui’s estate quietly.
Too quietly.
The kind of man people underestimated until it became fatal.
Shen Li noticed immediately from the inner courtyard window as the procession entered through falling snow.
No excessive attendants. No lavish display.
Only calm precision.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Beside her, Prince Rui’s expression remained unreadable. “You’re observing him too carefully.”
Shen Li blinked softly.
Then slowly turned toward him.
Prince Rui stood beside her with arms folded calmly beneath dark robes, yet the faint coldness around him had sharpened noticeably.
Jealous.
The realization almost made her laugh.
Dangerous man.
Shen Li lowered her voice softly: “This daughter merely wished to understand the future emperor better.”
Prince Rui looked entirely unconvinced. “The future emperor is looking toward this courtyard already.”
Shen Li froze slightly.
Then immediately realized—
the Crown Prince truly had glanced directly toward the inner residence windows.
Sharp eyes indeed.
Prince Rui’s expression cooled further. “This prince dislikes him already.”
The shameless possessiveness nearly made her smile openly.
Instead, Shen Li gently adjusted the fur collar around Prince Rui’s neck. “Your Highness behaves increasingly childishly lately.”
Prince Rui looked down toward her hands briefly.
Then quietly:
“Princess Rui caused it.”
The answer carried such calm certainty that her heartbeat softened painfully again.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
—
The audience chamber remained warm beneath lantern light while snowstorm winds echoed faintly beyond the estate walls.
The Crown Prince sat calmly across from Prince Rui once formal greetings concluded.
Elegant. Sharp. Dangerously observant.
And from the moment the conversation began—
the Crown Prince noticed something unusual.
Prince Rui kept glancing toward the inner corridor doors unconsciously.
Tiny movements. Barely visible.
Yet enough.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The Crown Prince finally smiled faintly. “Royal Uncle appears distracted recently.”
Prince Rui answered calmly:
“The Crown Prince appears observant recently.”
The atmosphere sharpened softly.
Neither man smiled afterward.
Because despite outward politeness— both clearly understood the conversation had nothing to do with tea.
The Crown Prince lowered his teacup quietly. “The palace grows unstable.”
“Yes.”
“The Third Prince grows impatient.”
“Yes.”
“And Consort Xu grows dangerous.”
Prince Rui’s gaze darkened faintly. “She always was.”
Silence settled briefly.
Then the Crown Prince finally spoke directly:
“Royal Uncle should know this crown prince never supported attacks against Princess Rui.”
The room cooled instantly.
Direct honesty.
Interesting strategy.
Prince Rui studied him silently.
Then quietly:
“The Crown Prince came personally tonight only to say this?”
“No.”
The Crown Prince leaned slightly back afterward.
Calm. Measured. Sharp enough to feel dangerous.
Then:
“This crown prince came to ask one thing.”
“If the palace eventually forces Royal Uncle into choosing between imperial stability…”
“And Princess Rui—”
“What would Royal Uncle choose?”
Silence crashed through the room.
Absolute silence.
Even the guards outside seemed to stop breathing.
Because the question itself bordered dangerously close to treason.
Yet the Crown Prince asked calmly anyway.
Watching carefully.
Testing.
Prince Rui did not answer immediately.
Then slowly— very slowly—
he smiled.
A terrible smile.
The kind that made battlefields freeze.
“The Crown Prince asks dangerous questions.”
The Crown Prince remained entirely calm. “This crown prince merely values honest answers.”
Prince Rui’s gaze cooled into winter itself afterward.
Then quietly— without hesitation—
he answered:
“This prince already chose.”
The atmosphere sharpened violently.
Because the answer came too fast.
Too naturally.
The Crown Prince stared silently afterward.
Then suddenly— unexpectedly—
he laughed softly.
Real amusement.
“How terrifying.”
Prince Rui remained expressionless. “Yes.”
The Crown Prince shook his head slightly. “The empire truly underestimated Princess Rui’s importance.”
Prince Rui’s eyes darkened faintly. “No.”
“The empire underestimated how far this prince would go.”
The room fell silent again.
Because suddenly— the terrifying rumors surrounding Prince Rui and Shen Li no longer sounded exaggerated at all.
Not even slightly.
—
Meanwhile, inside the inner residence, Shen Li quietly prepared fresh tea herself after hearing the audience still continued.
Qingyu looked deeply suspicious. “Princess Consort worries about His Highness too much lately.”
Shen Li calmly arranged the tea tray. “The Crown Prince is dangerous.”
“Yes.” Qingyu nodded immediately. “And His Highness becomes scarier whenever people approach Princess Consort.”
Accurate.
Very accurate.
Then suddenly footsteps approached the inner corridor.
Both women looked up instantly.
The Crown Prince himself appeared at the doorway entrance unexpectedly.
Alone.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Shen Li rose gracefully. “This daughter greets the Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince studied her quietly for one long moment.
And finally understood.
No wonder Prince Rui lost control completely.
Shen Li possessed none of the aggressive ambition common among palace women.
Instead— she felt calm. Warm. Dangerously sincere.
The kind of person capable of becoming someone’s emotional home completely.
The Crown Prince suddenly pitied the imperial court slightly.
Because trying to separate Prince Rui from this woman now?
Impossible.
Then softly— with faint genuine amusement—
the Crown Prince said:
“Princess Rui.”
“This crown prince finally understands why Royal Uncle threatens empires for you.”