Chapter 60-Part 2

So she chose a middle ground and said, “Han holds a crucial role in the Crown Prince’s plans to open the Grand Canal. It would be wise to favor Princess Tian to curry favor with the emperor of Han.”

Feng Liwu coldly replied, “You seem to have thought this through well. If you were truly a man, you’d be the kind who acts swiftly and decisively!”

Jiang Xiurun awkwardly smiled, unsure why the Crown Prince had suddenly snapped at her.

So she remained silent, waiting for him to make up his mind.

Feng Liwu was indeed in a foul mood tonight.

Although he had executed the two maids and humiliated Madam Zhao, the soup had still entered his stomach.

The tonic given to the Crown Prince wasn’t overly potent, but as the night deepened, his blood began to stir.

Coupled with the image of a certain woman’s graceful figure lingering in his mind from earlier, his restlessness grew even stronger.

He suddenly grabbed her hand.

Jiang Xiurun was startled and instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but the Crown Prince forcefully pulled her into his arms.

Breathing heavily beside her ear, he whispered, “Mother fears I won’t satisfy her niece, so she gave me a bowl of tonic.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiurun immediately understood and realized why the Crown Prince had ordered the drowning of the two maidservants earlier in the day.

She had long seen that the relationship between the Empress and the Crown Prince was strained, but she hadn’t expected Empress Wei to go this far, forcing her son in such a way.

Was she treating the tiger she had raised like a mere kitten?

At this rate, would they only reunite in the afterlife?

But now was not the time for her to lament the Crown Prince’s unfortunate fate, especially when a man who had just consumed a potent tonic was holding her tightly, breathing heavily!

She quickly suggested, “Your Highness, while there’s still time, you should hurry to Princess Tian’s courtyard!”

The Crown Prince frowned and replied, “That woman? Before even entering the residence, she’s already been secretly exchanging letters with one of my aide. I’ve heard they were old acquaintances. I find her filthy!”

Jiang Xiurun gasped in surprise.

The Crown Prince had really gone to great lengths to court favor with Han, even going as far as bringing Princess Tian into the residence despite countless rumors!

But now, with Cao Xi despised due to the Empress and Princess Tian involved in scandal before marriage…

Thinking about it carefully, there was no one left in the residence!

Jiang Xiurun’s heart sank.

She considered suggesting that the Crown Prince call for a handsome young attendant to help relieve his frustrations, but the Crown Prince’s personal preferences weren’t public knowledge yet, so she had to consider his reputation as the crown prince.

She tentatively asked, “Your Highness, is there a maid you find pleasing? I can arrange it for you right away.”

At this, the Crown Prince loosened his grip slightly and looked down at his nervous little aide, drawing out his words: “That Qian’er isn’t bad…”

Jiang Xiurun forced a laugh and said, “Your Highness, please don’t joke. Qian’er is plain in appearance and dares not tarnish your royal person…”

No way!

Qian’er was meant to find a good husband someday—there was no way she would let anyone sully Qian’er’s innocence!

At this moment, the Crown Prince was already too irritated to argue.

He suddenly flipped her onto the couch and muttered, “Your master is in trouble, yet you’re shirking your duty? Always trying to push the responsibility away. Tell me, what should you call me?”

Jiang Xiurun nervously answered, “Naturally, I should call you ‘Your Highness’…”

But the Crown Prince merely snorted, glaring at her with intensity.

Jiang Xiurun swallowed hard, gathered her courage, and tentatively called, “Brother-in-law?”

The Crown Prince’s face immediately darkened like the bottom of a pot, and through gritted teeth, he warned, “Say that again, I dare you!”

Panicking, Jiang Xiurun suspected the Crown Prince was forcing her to call him “husband,” so with a flushed face, she blurted, “Didn’t Your Highness promise? I’m just stepping in to help, not really taking my sister Yao’s place…”

The Crown Prince, already overwhelmed, bit down on her lips, silencing her hurried explanation with a kiss.

After a long moment, he whispered, “Did you study those drawings in vain? If you sincerely wish to assist me, there are always ways.”