t help but pause for a moment.He had never seen the young man dressed so formally these days; most of the time he wore casual clothes. His thoughts drifted for a moment, then he frowned again.What doe...Ning Shu's eyes widened in slight surprise.

The man said to his colleague, "Yang Ping just arrived in the capital not long ago. He's always been cautious and careful at court. How could anyone want to harm him for no reason It's really puzzling."

He was panicked but steadied his mind, then asked again about Zhao Yangping's injuries.

Relieved to hear that nothing was serious.

Ning Shu couldn't help but think of the crown prince in the carriage that day. The other party's expression didn't seem unusual. But she still felt a pang of fear in her heart, could it be that the crown prince did it

Could it really be as Liu Sui said, that Li Huai De was killed by the Crown Prince, and so was the county princess Even that servant who snuck a peek at him bathing was also killed on the Prince's orders

Is it now the Prince who has caused Zhao Da's current predicament

Ning Shu didn't know, he wanted to ask Zhao Da about the details of that day, and also wanted to see how the other party was doing. But then he thought about it, as a princess, going to a stranger's house was inappropriate.

So, he held back.

What Ning Shu didn't expect was that two days later, he would find an opportunity.

He lifted the curtain and saw a figure on the other side. He then pulled the curtain down, released the birds in the Prince's Hall, and left the hall.

Ning Shu replied, "You stay here in the hall. I'll go look for sparrows outside the Crown Prince's palace."

The slave hesitated for a long time before retreating.

Ning Shu walked over and called out to the person: "Sir."

Zhao Yangping turned around and saw that it was a young man. He hesitated for a moment, then bowed slightly and said, "Princess Consort of the Crown Prince."

Ning Shudao: "The first time I met you, Ning Shu couldn't recognize you as the big brother's friend. I hope you will forgive me."

Zhaoyang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "It's nothing, I just went to the Ning Mansion once. It's normal that you wouldn't remember."

Ning Shu looked at his body, then hesitated for a moment and said: "I heard that the adults were injured in the capital a few days ago. Have you found out who did it"

Zhao Yangping shook his head and said, "No, maybe that person also mistook him."

"Fortunately, my attendant boy shouted and screamed loudly, which saved me from certain death."

Ning Shu tightened her grip, just hearing the other person mention it, she couldn't even guess if it had anything to do with the Crown Prince.

He was afraid that asking too many questions would cause confusion, so he chatted with Zhao Yangping for a few more words and thanked him for the mung bean porridge from that day.

Zhao Yangping said, "Do you truly love the prince"

Ning Shu couldn't help but glance over.

Zhao Yangping furrowed his brow: "This prince is ruthless and cunning. You must be more careful around him." He looked at Ning Shu's face, paused, and continued, "I hear...the emperor has recently become infatuated with men, two of whom resemble you in the eyes and eyebrows."

"Although the Crown Prince and the Emperor seem to be very harmonious, the Emperor's attitude is also quite strange. The Crown Prince has a cold heart and was ruthless enough to kill his seventh younger brother in the past. He treats even his subordinates with such cruelty.."

This was the most he could find out in the palace, and he had done his best.

Ning Shu was startled: "Killed the Seventh Prince"

Zhao Yangping said: “I heard that the Seventh Prince took something that the Crown Prince loved most, just like he did. At that time, the Crown Prince was favored by the emperor and ordered someone to kill the Seventh Prince, who died at the age of seven.”

Ning Shu was slightly shocked. He had never heard this in the palace before, and his mind drifted off unconsciously.

Zhao Yangping stared at his extremely handsome eyebrows and eyes, as well as his gentle and jade-like appearance. He moved his lips and then said: "... I heard that the emperor fell ill, and the prince has been by his side these days."

"I also heard that Your Majesty hasn't visited the Tang Fei's quarters in a long time. Everyone says, everyone says you beguiled the emperor and caused him to favor men."

Zhao Yangping took a deep breath and said: "The prince can even kill his own siblings. If one day, he craves power, or seeks to please the emperor's favor, he might offer you up to the emperor..."

Ning Shu was silent for a while, his fingers curled slightly as he said: "No, the Crown Prince wouldn't do that. You're overthinking it."

Zhao Yangping also knew that his words were too outlandish. He took a step back and said, "It was the official who spoke frivolously. It's just that the Crown Prince is not as simple as you think. If someone in the court could see through his mind, he wouldn't be played between the palms of his hand."

Ning Shuzhi knew that the two of them shouldn't say too much, it wouldn't be good if they were caught by someone else.

Zhao Yang made a quick bow and took his leave.

He thought about the words he had just said, and for a moment was at a loss.

Ning Shu turned and, lifting her head, saw the prince standing under the eaves of the Tai Zi Dian.

The prince stood high above, gazing down at them with cold eyes.

Dai Ning took a closer look and saw the Crown Prince walking over. The coldness in his eyebrows had softened considerably: "What are you doing here, Dai'er"

He couldn't help but hesitate. Could it be that the prince hadn't seen him talking to Zhao Yangping just now

Ning Shu moved her lips, just about to say something.

Then the prince took his hand and squeezed it, saying, “I haven't eaten yet, come keep me company.”

.,....

The Holy One's illness is worsening.

During those times, he had called Ning Shu over several times. However, the prince had people waiting for her, and the emperor's people had never succeeded even once.

This night, dark clouds gathered and the rain poured.

The youth was covered in sweat and bruises. Ning Shu clutched the prince's back, who had been pushed in very deep.

He grabbed the prince, almost feeling like he was going to faint.

Ning Shu vaguely felt like he had touched something. He couldn't help but pause and look over, he seemed to have touched the prince's wrist.

The Crown Prince leaned down and kissed him, "What are you looking at me for"

Ning Shu saw his wrists covered by clothes, and her heart was confused. She couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, these days... why do you always... do this with me while wearing your clothes"

The Crown Prince said with a faint smile, "It's just a change of pastime."

His warm breath brushed against her ear: "Ning'er is displeased I find it rather agreeable to have you this way."

Ning Shu's face was flushed, unable to speak. The prince wasn't completely naked, he *was* completely naked. So these past few days, the prince had only exposed that one spot on top of his head in bed.

He couldn't help but bury his face, revealing beautiful shoulder blades, all covered with kisses left by the Prince.

ambiguous crimson marks.

When the late hours of the night had arrived, the Crown Prince rose and dressed himself. He still bore the scent of things unfulfilled about him, and opened the door.

The servant outside bowed and said, "Your Highness, the emperor has been waiting for a long time."

The Crown Prince said, "Let me go with you."

His eyebrows and eyes held a smile that was indescribable, a touch cold and breathtakingly alluring.

....

The Emperor was already too ill to hold court, and the ministers no longer targeted the Crown Prince. Instead, they grew discontent with both the Emperor and the Grand Astrologer.

The emperor had an imperial astrologer by his side who knew all along that the emperor wanted to live longer. He often concocted pills for him to eat. The imperial astrologer, with his shifty eyes, was up to no good. Now, the emperor doesn't even attend court anymore.

The crown prince obtained an imperial edict from an unknown source and took the emperor's place in court.

Even if they were dissatisfied, it would be useless. This was indeed the Emperor's handwriting. The imperial decree was not forged, and moreover, officials had gone to meet the Emperor, who personally admitted that he had temporarily entrusted the country to the Crown Prince.

When Ning Shu heard the news, the Emperor's illness was also growing worse.

The people in the palace were uneasy.

Ning Shu looked at their expressions and knew that even if they didn't say it, they had a vague premonition that the emperor was probably about to pass away.

As expected.

Less than half a month after, news arrived that the emperor had passed away.

The crown prince effortlessly ascended to the throne.

Even if Ning Shu, this Crown Princess, were a man, she would have been personally betrothed by the Emperor when he was around. Now, no one dares to bring up her involvement.

but instead, this phrase was conveyed.

The Emperor was killed by the Prince.

Ning Shu thought it was ridiculous. After a commotion in the court, things calmed down.

It was just that night again, he had a nightmare. He dreamt of the late king.

When Ning Shu woke up, the Crown Prince was sitting beside her.

He stroked Ning Shu's blue silk, and asked, "Ning'er, did you have a nightmare again"

Ning Shu's expression was dazed. He recalled the current situation where the prince was about to ascend the throne, and he felt that the emperor's death had indeed been rather sudden. He steadied his mind, but then heard the eunuch's voice from outside.

The Crown Prince let him sleep again, waiting until the young man fell asleep before he left.

Ning Shu hadn't fallen asleep; he was feigning sleep. He heard the sounds outside, probably instructing the palace concubines to commit suicide along with him.

His heart skipped a beat.

Ning Shu is a person living in modern times, he has some sympathy for the weak women in ancient times. After all, being in the harem was not their wish, but now that the emperor is dead, they have to be buried with him.

Only the prince's faint voice came from outside: "The concubines have been given poison by me. I let them die a little more comfortably."

Ning Shu said inwardly that she wasn't surprised, but it was false. She found this method a bit too cruel to accept.

To call him a Mother Teresa is one thing, but the harem isn't just filled with women. There are innocent and helpless girls there too. Shouldn't they all be spared from being buried alongside the Emperor

What chilled him even more was the prince's calm and composed tone, as if this were a commonplace occurrence.

Ning Shu heard the sound of the door opening. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly closed his eyes, pretending to still be asleep.

The sound of the prince's footsteps grew closer and closer.

Then he stopped at the edge of his bed.

Ning Shu's heart also couldn't help but jump. He pursed his lips, tightly closed his eyes, and in fact, his hands were already starting to sweat.

Until the prince sat down, grasped his hand, and then his fingers touched that dampness.

Then, in a voice that was both pleasant and low, he spoke without coldness: "I know you haven't slept."

Ning Shuxin's heart pounded.

He took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and looked at the crown prince.

The Crown Prince was also looking at him, seemingly with no extra emotion, as if everything were within his applause.

Ning Shu fell silent for a moment, then asked: "Your Highness intends to have all the women in the harem bury the Emperor"

"Wouldn't you like that, Ning'er"

Ning Shu realized this wasn't a matter of wanting to or not wanting to. He discovered that the prince's worldviews and concepts seemed to differ from his own.

He felt a chill run through him.

Liu Shui's words echoed in his mind, and his heart had completely wavered.d to agree rather calmly. 。It was as if there was no hesitation at all. 。Ning Yang looked over in some surprise, a touch of disbelief. 。He pondered for a moment, suspiciously. After all, everyone who...