The Crown Prince pouted, "I’m going out myself, what does it have to do with you? If Father punishes you, I’ll go reason with him... But I haven’t seen Father for a long ti, I wonder how his health is lately..."
A hint of disappointnt and worry appeared on the doll-like face.
Fan Sijin was silent for a mont, then said, "His Majesty is blessed by heaven, with imperial majesty and grace, protected by the heavens, Your Highness need not worry."
"Really?"
The Crown Prince, after all a child, was easily comforted and grinned, "I think so too, Father is a True Dragon, surely nothing will happen to him."
Fan Sijin didn’t continue on that topic, instead asked, "Your Highness is quite familiar with Mr. Chen?"
"Not really, I’ve only seen him a couple of tis." The Crown Prince bit his finger and said, "But he’s different from others, he doesn’t have that serv... serv..."
"Servile fright?" Fan Sijin supplied.
"That’s right." The Crown Prince nodded, "He doesn’t have that servile fright deanor, and he’s interesting to talk to, far more amusing than those palace attendants who kneel at the drop of a hat."
Seeing the Crown Prince’s eyes sparkle as he spoke, Fan Sijin pressed her lips together, hesitated slightly, then said, "I don’t an to interfere with Your Highness making friends, but do be mindful of your actions, after all, you are the Crown Prince of the Eastern Royal Palace, every move represents the foundation of the state..."
The Crown Prince pouted and snorted, "But I didn’t want to be the Crown Prince, maybe Father should just have another one..."
"Your Highness mustn’t speak such words!"
Fan Sijin hurriedly interrupted, "If Master Lv hears this, you’ll be punished again!"
At the ntion of "Master Lv", the Crown Prince shivered, a look of panic appearing on his face.
"Fan Sigui, I’m closest to you, you won’t tell on to the Grandmaster, will you?"
"Of course I won’t, but Your Highness should also be careful with your words, after all, there’s no wall in this palace that doesn’t leak." Fan Sijin hinted.
"I understand..."
The Crown Prince responded obediently.
"By the way, Your Highness hasn’t told yet, what did you and Mr. Chen talk about?" Fan Sijin asked casually.
"A lot! If it weren’t for Chen Mo, I wouldn’t know there’s sothing more fun than a ball in this world." The Crown Prince said excitedly.
Fan Sijin was a bit curious, "Oh? And what is that?"
The Crown Prince answered earnestly, "Beautiful won."
Fan Sijin: "..."
The Crown Prince jumped down from her arms, looked up with a childish voice, "Fan Sigui, later find a place where no one is around, let play with your ball, will you?"
?
Fan Sijin’s face turned green, her temples throbbing.
"What exactly did Chen Mo talk to you about?!"
...
...
"Director Xu, where are we going?"
Chen Mo followed Xu Qingyi into the armpit courtyard.
Here stood rows of low houses, neat and orderly, connected to the Inner Court by paths, occasionally palace attendants hurried past, casting curious glances at Chen Mo.
The two entered a small, independent courtyard deep in the Palace Chambers, its white walls and gray tiles exuding a tranquil and serene atmosphere.
Passing through the courtyard, they opened the door.
Xu Qingyi gestured sideways, "Mr. Chen, please co in."
Chen Mo stepped inside and found the room was small, clean, and simply furnished, with nothing more than a bed, table, chairs, and a wardrobe.
"Is this Director Xu’s bedroom?"
"Indeed."
Xu Qingyi closed the door and said, "There’s a Shielding Array here, set up by the Empress, so no one can sense what’s happening inside the room."
As a trusted confidante of Consort Yu, she had to handle many affairs personally, so privacy was a must.
Chen Mo sat on a chair, looked around, and remarked, "Your room is really simple, much like a cultivator who’s free from desires."
"Bare walls and untroubled, clear windows and tidy furniture, providing ease of rest." Xu Qingyi said faintly, "Too many things would disturb one’s mind, only by maintaining clarity can I better serve the Empress."
"I can’t compare to Director Xu’s state of mind."
Chen Mo asked, "But as an outsider, is it really appropriate for to be here?"
Xu Qingyi’s expression showed slight unease, she whispered, "Mr. Chen, you’ve already slept at the Yangxin Palace and the Frozen Sky Palace, so what’s the issue with coming to the Palace Chambers?"
Chen Mo: "..."
I guess there’s so truth to that...
Xu Qingyi seated herself opposite Chen Mo, hesitated for a mont, then asked, "Earlier, the Crown Prince said he wanted to reward to you, why did you stop from speaking?"
Chen Mo shrugged and said, "It’s obvious the Crown Prince responds better to gentleness than authority. If I had argued further, I’m afraid he would really grant us marriage."
After two encounters, Chen Mo had roughly figured out the temper of this Crown Prince.
Naive, innocent, unaware of worldly affairs, with no airs about him, but very sensitive internally. If you reject his ’good intentions’, who knows what he might do.
"The Crown Prince was just speaking from a child’s whim, no need to take it seriously." Chen Mo reassured, "After all, I hold the command in my hand, as long as I don’t use it, naturally, no one else will know..."
Xu Qingyi bit her lip lightly.
Though the Crown Prince’s edict seed like a joke, it had the Seal on it, representing the will of the Eastern Royal Palace.
This ant Chen Mo could ask her to do anything at any ti...
"He dared to be forward with before; now, with the Crown Prince backing him, he’ll certainly be unrestrained." She could already envision Chen Mo waving the decree in one hand, spanking her with the other, while shouting, ’By the Emperor’s order, this official is courting, raise your butt higher’...
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