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  The hall was steeped in silence. Outside, heavy snow fell relentlessly, the bitter cold seeping into every corner. Yet inside, warmth enveloped the space like spring. Green potted pnts and flourishing narcissus stood in the corners, vibrant and full of life. Unconsciously, Consort Fan felt a little less burdened. Still, she clenched her fists tightly, remaining on her knees with evident nervousness.

  After a long pause, the Crown Prince let out a quiet sigh and nodded slightly toward her.

  “Rise,” he said softly. “Even though the floor is covered with carpets, your health has always been frail—how could you bear kneeling for so long?”

  Consort Fan let out an involuntary sigh of relief, hurriedly grasping the hand he extended to help her up. Her eyes curved into a demure smile. She knew well that the Crown Prince preferred women who were gentle and docile. That sharp, shrewd side of her—the one she dispyed before others—was completely concealed in his presence, not leaving the slightest trace.

  That fool, Lady Fan, still thought the Crown Prince cared about who had pyed the qin all those years ago, or about Han Zhengqing. She failed to realize that all of it had long been under his control.

  What Consort Fan truly feared was not the secret itself, but the fact that she had gone too far—forcing Lady Fan into such a desperate act that the situation had spiraled out of control. If the Crown Prince found it difficult to clean up the mess, he might very well direct his anger toward her.

  The Crown Prince cast her a gnce before releasing her hand. Without hesitation, Consort Fan quickly stepped forward, taking the kettle from the brazier herself and pouring him a cup of hot tea.

  “Was Qi’er terribly frightened?” The Crown Prince gave her a fleeting look, his tone seemingly indifferent. “He doesn’t know the full story. I imagine his aunt’s death must have shaken him.”

  Consort Fan’s hand paused for a brief moment, the green tourmaline bracelet around her wrist shimmering with a faint glow. She carefully gnced at the Crown Prince and forced a smile.

  “He actually believed his aunt’s words and thought I had some unspeakable entanglement with the Marquis of Jinxiang…” She hesitated before continuing, “…thought that I had some kind of improper retionship with him. But I’ve already covered it up.”

  This wasn’t something the Crown Prince needed to concern himself with. If Consort Fan couldn’t even handle her own son, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain the Crown Prince’s trust for so long.

  Just then, a voice rang out from outside. Sanbao, ever respectful, announced, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess seeks an audience.”

  Consort Fan’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t exactly afraid of the Crown Princess - Crown Princess Lu was indeed a remarkable woman. However, no matter how fwless she was, there was one undeniable fw—she had grown up as childhood sweethearts with Prince Gong, a bond in the truest sense of the word. Yet, because she was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Lu family, the Empress had married her to the Crown Prince instead.

  The Crown Prince had always cared deeply about this matter.

  His expression darkened, his eyes deep and unreadable. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

  “Send the Crown Princess back. I have Consort Fan here to attend to me. She has been looking after me these past few days; she must be tired. Tell her to go back and rest.”

  Sanbao found himself increasingly unable to comprehend the minds of those in power. Just a moment ago, the Crown Prince had been furious at him for announcing Consort Fan’s presence without permission. Yet now, in the span of a few moments, he had completely changed his mind.

  Suppressing his questions, Sanbao simply responded, “Yes, Your Highness,” and turned to deliver the Crown Prince’s message.

  The Crown Princess's maid, Pei Yin’s face darkened slightly.

  “Your Highness… The family of Consort Fan has committed such a grave offense, yet His Highness still protects her like this!”

  A true seductress—after all these years, the Crown Prince was still utterly bewitched by her. She had no idea what spell Consort Fan had cast on him to make him so enthralled, even at the expense of his proper wife.

  The Crown Princess rested her pale fingers on the oiled paper umbrel held by Xiangzhi, pausing for a moment in the snowy courtyard to admire the red plum blossoms. She smiled lightly and shook her head.

  “Forget it.”

  Her son was right. Consort Fan wouldn’t fall so easily. Everything had to be done step by step.

  At the same time, Yuan Hui was also trying to reassure the Prince of Commandery.

  “Your Highness need not worry. No matter what, you are still one of the only two sons of the Crown Prince. He has personally raised you by his side since childhood—the bond between you is not ordinary. Since Consort Fan has already come up with a strategy, she will not fall so easily.”

  Perhaps it was the monk’s words, carrying an air of fate and destiny, but the Prince of Commandery indeed felt somewhat reassured. He let out a long breath.

  “I hope so. But I can’t help worrying—my mother’s reach is simply too overextended. And she has no control over her emotions. If this continues, she’s bound to cause trouble sooner or ter.”

  Yuan Hui also believed that women often acted too emotionally and were unreliable in handling affairs. Take Song Chuyi, for instance—after that assassination attempt, she had immediately set her sights on him, taking swift action.

  Observing the prince, Yuan Hui’s gaze flickered as he asked, “Your Highness, how do you view the Cui and Song families?”

  Previously, the Prince of Commandery and Consort Fan had aimed to win over the Song and Cui families. But now, Yuan Hui was curious whether their stance had shifted.

  Prince Dongping looked at him strangely before answering without hesitation.

  “Naturally, if I can win them over, I will. The Cui family has been a noble cn for over a hundred years, and the Song family currently holds real power. If I can make use of them, wouldn’t that be like adding wings to a tiger?”

  “But what if they have no intention of siding with Your Highness?” Yuan Hui guided him patiently. “Look at Princess Duanhui—she is close to the Song family and also has strong ties with the Zhennan's manor. She even wants to arrange a marriage between the second young master of the Zhennan's manor and the sixth young dy of the Song family.

  “If that happens, the Song family, the Cui family, and the Zhennan's manor will be bound together.”

  And the Zhennan's manor had always been closely aligned with Princess Rongcheng, who, in turn, had stronger ties to Zhou Weizhao.

  At this thought, Prince Dongping’s expression darkened.

  Seizing the moment, Yuan Hui continued, “Moreover, the fate of the Song family’s sixth young dy is uncertain. This is not a sign of prosperity—it could very well bring disaster. Rather than wasting effort on winning over the elusive Song family, Your Highness would be better off solidifying your hold over the Chen family first.”

  The Prince of Commandery wasn’t one to be swayed by superstition about fates and omens. If Song Chuyi could truly bring him the benefits he sought, he wouldn’t care even if she was born under the most ominous of stars.

  What was there to fear? Weren’t the monks of Huangjue Temple, the Taoist masters, and the Imperial Astronomers all there for a reason? If need be, he could find a way to suppress even the most cursed fate.

  However, Yuan Hui’s second point made far more sense to him. The Song family was indeed slippery, difficult to pin down. Instead of expending so much effort trying to win over an uncertain ally, it was wiser to tighten his grip on the Chen family first.

  There was no point in chasing after a fleeting opportunity while letting a sure advantage slip away. If he lost the Chen family—a prize already within his grasp—it would be a far greater loss.