“I know you’re the one who makes me worry the least,” the Crown Prince said, glancing sideways at Bai Shixi.
Though Bai Shixi wore a smile on her face, she was inwardly tense. Something was clearly off with the Crown Prince today—his expression was strange, and the look in his eyes sent a chill down her spine.
She forced herself to stay calm—don’t be afraid. She was already pregnant. As long as she gave birth safely, regardless of whether it was a boy or girl, her future would be secure.
Bai Shixi did her best to appear ashamed. “When Your Highness chose me, I knew I was neither the most beautiful nor the most talented. I could only work hard to fulfill my duties.”
Hearing this, the crown prince’s lips curled slightly. “Since you say that, there’s something I’d like you to do.”
Bai Shixi’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at him and said, “Please instruct me, Your Highness.”
“Duke Zhen has had too much leisure lately. I think it’s time he did something useful. Don’t you think so?”
Hearing this, Bai Shixi’s tense mood gradually eased. She had thought it was something serious. She immediately said, “I’ll invite my mother over tomorrow to talk about it. Since Your Highness is thinking of my Father, I’m sure he’ll be deeply grateful.”
Whether he’d be grateful or not, she didn’t know. In any case, Xingan Marquis had just gotten into trouble, so her Father definitely wouldn’t want to work for the crown prince.
Whether he did or not wasn’t her concern. Her Father wouldn’t consider whether her days in the Eastern Palace would be easy or not.
“It’s good you think that way,” the crown prince said, his tone softening. “Have you heard about Xingan Marquis?”
Bai Shixi looked puzzled. “What happened to the Marquis? All my attention has been on the baby. I haven’t heard anything about him.”
The crown prince met her confused gaze. There was only curiosity and puzzlement in her eyes—nothing else.
It seemed she really didn’t know.
“Xingan Marquis brought this on himself. He trafficked girls and controlled prostitutes, trying to gather intelligence on court officials. He was exposed today and has been stripped of his title and exiled by the emperor.”
Bai Shixi looked shocked. The tea in her hand spilled all over the place.
Su Ying quickly came forward with a cloth to wipe the tea and clean up the mess.
Bai Shixi exclaimed in disbelief, “How could he? Was he trying to get himself killed? No wonder the marchioness came to see me last time and insisted on sending me expensive gifts. Good thing I didn’t accept them—it would have caused trouble for Your Highness. Thank goodness.”
“The marchioness sent you something?” the crown prince asked with a strange expression.
“Yes, a large jade Guanyin statue. The jade was crystal clear and smooth—obviously worth a fortune. She said that since I’m pregnant, worshipping Guanyin could bless the child’s safe birth.” As Bai Shixi spoke, she subtly observed the crown prince’s reaction.
She saw his eyes narrow slightly. Just as she expected.
She knew that woman wouldn’t be so generous without a reason.
“You did well. Don’t accept things from others. I have a pure gold statue in the treasury—I’ll have someone bring it to you.”
Bai Shixi smiled brightly. “Since Your Highness is giving it personally, I won’t be polite. I’ll make sure to give birth safely and live up to Your Highness’s expectations.”
“We are husband and wife, no need for such formality,” the crown prince said lightly. “I heard you reprimanded Jiang Liangdi?”
Bai Shixi nodded, looking helpless. “Yes, Your Highness heard about it too? I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Just speak plainly.”
“Since you said so, I will.” Bai Shixi sighed. “I don’t know what Jiang Liangdi was thinking, but she insisted on inviting the second daughter of the Dingyuan Marquis to the Eastern Palace. Second Lady Duan refused multiple times, but she wouldn’t give up and forced her way in.”
“It even got to Duan Wangfei, who wrote to ask me about it. That’s when I found out. If word got out, wouldn’t people say Jiang Liangdi used her position to bully a court official’s daughter?”
“So I called her over and reprimanded her, told her to restrain herself and not bring trouble to Your Highness. You know Duan Wangfei’s temper—if she caused a scene, we’d be the ones at fault, and that would harm Your Highness’s reputation. I couldn’t let that happen.”
The crown prince looked at her. “Duan Wangfei wrote to you?”
“Yes,” Bai Shixi nodded, then turned to Su Ying. “Bring the letter for His Highness to see.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“But Your Highness should see it.” Bai Shixi looked troubled. “I’ve met Duan Wangfei a few times and know she’s direct, but this letter was so harsh, I didn’t know how to respond.”
“Is that so? Since you say that, I must see it.”
Su Ying handed the letter over. The crown prince took it. The envelope was full of creases, clearly from being gripped tightly.
Seeing that, Bai Shixi explained awkwardly, “Her words made me so angry I crumpled it—please don’t be offended.”
“For someone like you to be this angry, I must read it,” the crown prince said slowly as he opened the letter.
He had already seen it before. It was exactly the same.
The crown prince looked at her. “You just believe everything Duan Wangfei says? Jiang Liangdi is new here—wanting to see her sister is normal. How could Duan Wangfei be so heartless? Then again, she didn’t grow up in the Dingyuan Marquis’s household—what feelings could she have for her family? She doesn’t like others being close either. That’s just tyrannical.”
Bai Shixi felt a chill in her heart. She could hardly believe these were the words of the crown prince.
She forced herself to stay composed and said hesitantly, “The letter also mentioned that Jiang Liangdi once wanted to be Duan Wang’s side consort. I don’t know if that’s true, but I thought avoiding unnecessary gossip would be best.”
“Even if the Jiang family has fallen, they wouldn’t let their eldest daughter become a side consort. Duan Wangfei is speaking nonsense. As the crown princess, you should support Jiang Liangdi.”
The crown prince gave her a cold look. “Understood?”
Bai Shixi understood. The crown prince was forcing her to go against Duan Mingxi.
She felt a surge of anger but couldn’t afford to argue now. She made a thoughtful expression and said with guilt, “You’re right. I was too naïve, thinking Duan Wangfei was just blunt. I didn’t consider whether her claims were true or not.”
“Since that’s the case, I’ll leave this matter to you now.” The Crown Prince stood up. “Crown Princess, don’t let me down.”
“Yes.” Bai Shixi stood up and respectfully saw the Crown Prince off.
After the Crown Prince left, Su Ying was about to speak, but Bai Shixi shook her head slightly. Then, she deliberately raised her voice slightly and said angrily, “His Highness is right. Though Duan Wangfei and I are sisters-in-law, I can’t just believe her one-sided words and nearly misunderstand Jiang Liangdi.”
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