Xuanzhao Ran shook her head. No, that would not do — the Crown Prince might get angry and become even less willing to help her. After all, if A’Ci became her Prince Consort, at future palace banquets he would be seeing Ningning constantly.

A’Ci looked at the girl whose eyes were cast downward at the ground, deep in serious thought, and for no apparent reason his eyelid gave a twitch.

He had a feeling she was scheming something.

…

Third Prince’s Residence.

Qi Qingchen had his eyes lightly closed, reclined against a soft couch, while a maidservant behind him kneaded his shoulders with practiced hands.

“Your Highness, the eldest daughter of the Yan family is still in Pingshi Town, and Xuan Yanyu is with her. Don’t you want to go take a look?” The guard Wu’an bent slightly at the waist.

Qi Qingchen opened his eyes and hooked the corner of his mouth. “She is fond of this prince. How could she be with Xuan Yanyu?”

Besides, Xuan Yanyu still had Ningning by his side, and he spent every day hovering around her. How could he be together with Yaoyao?

Strangely, in the past, the sight of Yaoyao had made his heart race. Ever since Zhao Ran had appeared, that feeling was gone.

“Your Highness, you must be on guard. If the eldest daughter of the Yan family changes her heart, or if the First Prince and the others cut in ahead of you, the Emperor has not yet installed an heir — you need the support of the Prime Minister’s household.”

The sharpness in Qi Qingchen’s pupils hardened. “This prince understands.”

The Emperor had not yet named an heir. If he could secure the support of the Prime Minister’s household, he would have considerably better odds than his imperial brothers.

“Your Highness, in this subject’s eyes, the second daughter of the Yan family is better suited to be Your Highness’s Third Prince Consort than the eldest,” Wu’an reasoned. “Your Highness, the eldest daughter of the Yan family has a reputation throughout the capital for being far too meek. As for the second daughter, though this subject knows little of her, she must at least be stronger than her elder sister.”

Even the Yan family’s third daughter, Yan Shiyu, was stronger than the eldest — having married into a marquis household, not only did she manage the household with impeccable order, she had the young marquis entirely domesticated and obedient.

Qi Qingchen narrowed his eyes slightly. In the past, he would certainly have chosen Yaoyao. With Yaoyao there, he had no attention for anyone else. Now Yaoyao held no great appeal for him anymore.

He had no idea where Zhao Ran had gone, either. In that case, why not simply take Ningning into the Third Prince’s Residence? He disliked people who were dull and conventional. Ningning and Zhao Ran had the same temperament — if she married him one day, the household was sure to be lively.

In a few days he would go seek out Ningning and suggest that she keep some distance from Xuan Yanyu. After all, Xuan Yanyu was merely someone Yaoyao had brought back to the Prime Minister’s residence. If Ningning were to marry him one day, he would mind her being with Xuan Yanyu now. Between him and Xuan Yanyu, the Prime Minister would surely choose to have Ningning marry him.

“Your Highness.” Jiang Jin walked into the main hall, steadied by Zhuqing’s supporting arm.

Qi Qingchen sat up from the couch and spoke in an even tone. “What brings you here?”

Jiang Jin curtsied in greeting and said in a sweet voice, “Your Highness, the little one in this concubine’s belly is making a fuss to see their father.”

“This subject pays respects to the Side Consort.” Wu’an cupped his hands and bowed.

Jiang Jin smiled and gave a nod.

Qi Qingchen’s voice softened. He patted the spot beside him. “Xiao Jin, come sit.”

Jiang Jin dramatically supported her small, rounded belly and sat down at Qi Qingchen’s side.

“Have you been uncomfortable anywhere these past few days?” Qi Qingchen rested his hand on Jiang Jin’s belly, his voice gentle.

Jiang Jin’s eyes and brows were full of smiles. “Your Highness, this concubine has nothing to complain of. If there is truly anything that is uncomfortable, it is that this concubine and the child in her belly cannot see Your Highness — that makes this concubine’s heart feel unwell.”

Qi Qingchen paused, then broke into laughter. “Then this prince shall keep Xiao Jin company for a few more days. How does that sound?”

“Your Highness, of course it sounds wonderful. This concubine is overjoyed.” Jiang Jin’s voice was soft and gentle.

Qi Qingchen lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against it. “Xiao Jin, if you can give this prince a firstborn son, he would be the Emperor’s first imperial grandson. This prince intends to reward you handsomely.”

Jiang Jin stroked her belly with her other hand and smiled shyly. “Your Highness, how would you reward this concubine?”

Qi Qingchen tilted her chin upward, laughter kept very low in his voice. “What reward does Xiao Jin want?”

“Whatever Your Highness gives, this concubine will be glad to receive.” Jiang Jin’s face was full of bashfulness, and her cheeks flushed red of their own accord.

Qi Qingchen raised a brow, the amusement in his eyes unmistakable. “Good. Then this prince looks forward to Xiao Jin giving this prince a firstborn son.”

Jiang Jin bit her lip. She truly had to make sure this child was a boy.

…

Kingdom of Xuanzhao — The Crown Prince’s Residence.

Yan Yunning sat with both hands propping up her cheeks, nearly bored to death.

She wanted to go out but could not. Unless Xuan Yanyu took her, she could not step a single foot past the gates of the Crown Prince’s Residence.

When she had entered, the two guards at the door had stood ramrod straight like statues, as though they could not see her at all. When she tried to leave, those same two guards sprang to life as though suddenly awakened, leveling their swords to block her path.

She had lost count of how many times she had cursed Xuan Yanyu in her heart!

“Xuan Yanyu.” Yan Yunning sidled up close to the man who was reading through official documents.

“Mm. What is it now? Yan Yunning, can you not sit quietly by yourself for a while?”

He had barely gotten through his documents at all. First she had pestered him: “Xuan Yanyu, when can I go find my elder sister?”

Then: “Xuan Yanyu, you’ve been sitting there for so long, aren’t you tired? I’m exhausted. Can I please go out?”

Then: “Xuan Yanyu, are you thirsty? Would you like some tea?”

Then: “Your Highness, oh most esteemed Crown Prince, when might you deign to let this humble girl return to Qilan?”

Then: “Xuan Yanyu, didn’t you say you couldn’t bear for my elder sister to get hurt? You’ve been away from her for days now. What if she gets hurt? Wouldn’t you be heartbroken?”

Then: “Didn’t you say A’Yao absolutely must not get hurt? You’re not there with A’Yao — she might as well get hurt any moment now!”

Listening to her had left his eyes going dark one after another.

“I have been behaving,” Yan Yunning said with a pout. “Can I please go out and have a chat with Ye Chen and Ye Jian?”

She had no desire to sit here with him going through documents.

Xuan Yanyu tossed down the document in his hand, a smile curling at the end of his words. “You already disrupt me — and you want to disrupt someone else? You call that behaving?”

Yan Yunning opened her mouth. Ye Chen and Ye Jian were standing right at the palace door with nothing to do. What was so disruptive about going over to chat with them?

“Tired? If you’re tired, go rest on the couch. I’ll take you out of the residence for a walk in a little while.”

Yan Yunning sprawled across the writing table, and with a deceptively innocent air changed the subject. “Xuan Yanyu, you are the Crown Prince of Xuanzhao. Why would you deign to go to my elder sister’s side? Are you up to some conspiracy?”

Xuan Yanyu raised a brow slightly and let out a helpless sigh. “Mm. A very grand conspiracy.”

“What conspiracy? Are you trying to obtain something from my elder sister?” Yan Yunning asked in a languid drawl.

“Would you count?” The man’s mouth curved into a shallow arc, his low voice lazy and alluring.

Yan Yunning pressed her lips together. Her?

He meant he was going to obtain her through her elder sister?

Xuan Yanyu rubbed the jade archer’s ring in his hand and said with a low laugh, “Yan Yunning, this prince will grant you the title of Commandery Princess one day. How about staying by this prince’s side?”

Yan Yunning rubbed her chin and mimicked him. “This prince will grant you the title of Commandery Princess one day. How about staying by this prince’s side?”

Staying by his side to go through documents with him?

And later, after he ascended the throne, accompanying him through memorials to the throne?

How was this any different from being a secretary?

How had she transmigrated into a novel just to end up as someone’s secretary?

“This prince finds the idea quite agreeable,” Xuan Yanyu said with a raised brow, looking at her with a mix of helplessness and amusement.

Yan Yunning smiled with her eyes and blinked. “This prince finds it not at all agreeable.”