Chapter 654: Chapter 653: 653: Are You Willing to Be My Crown Prince's Consort?

Even if the Emperor was faking his illness, as his subjects, they couldn’t expose him.

Besides, the Emperor’s emaciation and weakness were evident to the naked eye.

Jiang Ning believed in the Emperor’s true feelings for Concubine Jin.

But that didn’t mean the Emperor wasn’t wary of the Crown Prince.

After all, they were first ruler and subject, and only then father and son.

If the Crown Prince appeared too capable and too popular, perhaps that wouldn’t be a good thing either.

Jiang Ruobai walked at a leisurely pace with his hands behind his back, speaking softly, “The Crown Prince’s foundation is gradually stabilizing, even if Prince of Zhao comes, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not worried about anything, I just feel that the Emperor’s intentions are unfathomable. And this Li You is also a bit strange. You were late, and you didn’t see it, Li You’s injuries all over his body looked even more severe than Mu Jian’s. But from beginning to end, did you see him show any resentment towards the Princess and Crown Prince of Silla Kingdom?”

“No.”

“This person is either a simpleton, or a terrifyingly scheming person.” Jiang Ning said with a smile, “Someone who you sent to be a spy shouldn’t be a simpleton.”

“How do you know he’s not?” Jiang Ruobai smiled, “Do you think I’m really counting on a pampered Prince to gather information for me?”

Jiang Ning was stunned.

Jiang Ruobai laughed heartily.

Jiang Ning regained her senses and said softly, “That’s impossible.”

“What?”

“Li You can’t be a simpleton.”

“Why not?”

“His identity. The Prince of Kang County knew his identity all along, how could he possibly pamper and love him? For an Emperor’s illegitimate son to become the Prince of Kang County’s heir, one can infer that he has a set of skills. The Prince of Kang County has more than one son.”

“Is it possible that the Prince of Kang County is trying to please the Emperor?”

“… It’s possible.”

Jiang Ning sighed.

Jiang Ruobai patted her forehead: “You’re too young to sigh like this.”

“People’s hearts are treacherous, just one careless move and it could be beyond redemption!”

“My girl, don’t worry, you have your daddy, and if that doesn’t work, don’t you have your uncle, and your brothers? They’ll protect you.”

Jiang Ning muttered: “When you’re no longer capable, the whole Jiang Family will be pretty much finished, can we still count on them…?”

“What did you say?”

“I mean, how long are you and Uncle going to keep playing this charade of not getting along?”

“Until I die.”

“Tch, tch, tch, it’s New Year’s, don’t talk about life and death; it’s not auspicious. At your age, you should be aware of taboos.”

Jiang Ruobai laughed, “Your mother is still waiting up ahead, I’ll go back first. I’ll pick you up at the beginning of the second day of the new year.”

“Thank you, daddy.”

“You’re being polite with your dad.” Jiang Ruobai wanted to tousle her hair but saw the magnificent phoenix coronet on her head and decided against it, “I’ll be going.”

Jiang Ning watched him walk away, then prepared to return to the East Palace. Turning around, she saw the little Prince Xinhai in his red clothes standing not far away, looking at her.

Earlier, she had unknowingly walked to a quiet spot so she could have a private conversation with Jiang Ruobai, and no one was passing by on either side.

The little Prince had actually followed her here.

Of course, Jiang Ning wouldn’t be so foolish as to think that he was lost.

But the first thing she said was, “How did Prince Xinhai end up here? Are you lost?”

Prince Xinhai approached her with his hands behind his back, stood in front of her, and asked, “Are you willing to be my Princess Consort?”

Jiang Ning: “???”

She pointed at herself: “Can’t you tell, I’m already the Crown Princess?”