Chapter 1005 At the East Palace

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Upon learning that the renowned Editor Shao from the Hanlin Academy had arrived with his wife, the Crown Prince was taken aback.

After a moment of contemplation, he instructed them to be brought in.

During an imperial court session, his father had mentioned that if Editor Shao encountered any difficulties, he could seek assistance from him or the princes. Since they were here, it would be inappropriate not to meet them.

Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan followed a young eunuch through a long corridor and several courtyards, finally arriving at a small, exquisitely adorned parlor.

Seated on the main chair in the hall was a middle-aged man donning a ginger-colored round dragon collar robe. His eyes exuded gentleness, elegance, and nobility. It was evident that he was the crown prince. Shao Yunduan promptly approached and performed a kowtow.

The Crown Prince smiled and raised his hand in a gentle gesture. “Rise. Have a seat.”

“Thank you, Crown Prince!”

Shao Yunduan stood up and attempted to assist Qiao Xuan in getting up.

However, when he turned to her, he was taken aback.

Qiao Xuan seemed lost in her thoughts.

Shao Yunduan grasped her arms and whispered, “Wife, wife!”

He called her multiple times, gradually raising his voice. Eventually, Qiao Xuan snapped out of her reverie.

Startled, she apologized, “Please forgive me.”

“It’s alright, rise!”

The Crown Prince remained affable and harbored no ill feelings.

The Crown Prince held a simple understanding of the situation. He considered that Ms. Qiao was a sheltered woman who had not experienced much of the world. It was natural for her to feel nervous and lose her composure upon seeing him.

Being a magnanimous and benevolent individual, the Crown Prince harbored no blame for such a minor incident.

Qiao Xuan expressed her gratitude, yet her legs remained weak. Shao Yunduan, filled with suspicion, believed that her unease was due to nervousness, much like what the Crown Prince had assumed. He cast a concerned gaze her way and helped her find a seat.

The Crown Prince observed the entire scene and inwardly sighed. His fondness for Shao Yunduan grew stronger.

Shao Yunduan displayed loyalty and did not forsake his wife. It appeared that he was not merely seeking fame; he genuinely cherished his wife.

Sincerity or not, certain details could not be feigned.

Unbeknownst to both of them, as Qiao Xuan knelt to greet the Crown Prince, her mind buzzed with fleeting images of him. Perhaps due to the Prince’s esteemed status, those images were not as distinct as the other two, but Qiao Xuan was certain they depicted the Crown Prince.

Furthermore… if all of this was indeed true, the Crown Prince did not ascend to the throne in the end. It appeared that his fate had taken a turn for the worse…

Qiao Xuan felt a pang of regret. Her heart skipped a beat upon witnessing that scene, and then the images swiftly vanished.

If only she had known earlier, she would have exercised control over her thoughts and observed more…

However, what she had glimpsed was sufficient to shock Qiao Xuan and weaken her legs.

She compelled herself to push those thoughts aside and regain her focus.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince did not hold them accountable for the momentary lapse.

Yet, the weight of the Crown Prince’s grim fate weighed heavily on Qiao Xuan, causing her to feel a sense of suffocation.

The Crown Prince gazed at the couple and inquired with a gentle smile, “Editor Shao, why have you come to see me?”

Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan exchanged glances and were about to rise and respond when the Crown Prince interrupted, “Please remain seated. There is no need for formalities in my presence.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness, I heard that there has been an issue with the peony flowers in the palace. It is quite coincidental. My wife possesses expertise in cultivating and preserving flowers and trees. Perhaps… perhaps she could find a way to save them…”