I think I didn’t mishear.

What Minister Han said was—male favorite.

Male favorite means… male concubine.

My heart trembled involuntarily with these words, unable to answer properly for a long time. Minister Han probably thought I was shocked by his statement—being shocked was undoubtedly the case. He prostrated himself on the ground, trembling as he said: “Please show understanding for this humble minister’s love for his son.”

I looked at the Prince Consort with bewildered eyes. He simply stood calmly at my side without helping resolve the situation, as if Minister Han had said “noodles” instead of “male favorite.” I was truly frightened, but couldn’t remain silent forever. After a long pause, I said: “If that’s the case, Master Han may simply take your son home.”

Regardless, this princess would temporarily go along with the meaning in his words and discuss it later.

Minister Han looked at me incredulously: “Does the Princess truly mean this?”

I made an affirmative sound and turned to ask Song Langsheng: “What does the Prince Consort think?”

Song Langsheng looked at me meaningfully: “The Princess has a benevolent heart—Langsheng is also moved.”

This fellow was definitely mocking me deliberately.

Since the words were spoken, naturally there was no reason to take them back. The Prince Consort leisurely waved his hand to have someone bring out that Young Master Han. I frantically drank cold tea to hide my inner unease. Soon enough, two sword-bearing guards actually brought the person up.

When stepping from the corridor into the hall, the noon light made the entire background shimmer with golden radiance. I could see the silhouette was tall with well-proportioned build. Though he had entered, somehow he still looked drowsy. Seeing his father kneeling to one side, he showed no particular expression. Only when walking closer and seeing me did he lazily bow: “Greetings to the Princess.” After a pause, “Greetings to the Prince Consort.”

He was a handsome young man with perfectly proportioned features. Though not as beautiful to the extreme as Song Langsheng, he instead had an open, magnanimous temperament. I couldn’t help but secretly admire my past self’s eye for men. The next moment I felt such thoughts were absolutely improper, so I shook my head and gave the Prince Consort a meaningful look.

Song Langsheng said: “Young Master Han has been quite leisurely in the Princess Residence, seeming more relaxed than when he first arrived.”

Young Master Han smiled ambiguously: “Thanks to the Princess’s good fortune.”

My scalp tingled as I heard Song Langsheng continue: “Unfortunately, your good days have come to an end—the Princess agrees to let you leave the residence.”

Minister Han hastily reminded from the side: “Quickly express your gratitude.”

“Oh?” Young Master Han lifted his eyelids slightly and gave me a hint of a smile: “This is truly the Princess’s intention?”

Naturally it was my intention, but his question made me hesitate whether this conflicted with my pre-amnesia wishes. I hadn’t figured out what Minister Han meant by “harm,” so if I spoke carelessly, who knows if it would arouse suspicion. I assumed a helpless expression and said consideringly: “Though this palace is reluctant to part with you, I cannot bear to reject your father’s paternal love. Since matters have reached this point, so be it, so be it…”

I didn’t understand what “so be it” meant, but fortunately this Young Master Han understood. He looked at me with very complex expression, finally smiled knowingly, and performed a great bow to Minister Han: “Grateful for Father’s great kindness, but Han Fei cannot return with you.”

Minister Han’s color changed drastically: “What… what did you say!”

After Han Fei kowtowed three times, he rose and glanced at me, then said to his father: “I once failed the Princess’s sincere heart. Thanks to the Princess’s forgiveness, I can serve in the residence. Han Fei is moved to tears—how could I wish to leave? Father, the Princess and I have mutual affection. Please grant us your blessing.”

Truly shocking words that could kill.

These words successfully rendered people speechless unto death. Minister Han’s trembling hand froze in midair, his face alternately green and white, not knowing how to respond. To speak truthfully, that he didn’t faint on the spot showed he truly had mountains and rivers in his chest. These should have been extremely moving theatrical words, but the Prince Consort’s presence twisted everything. Watching Song Langsheng’s serene smile like a clear breeze and bright moon, I suddenly realized the truly twisted person was this princess.

This time Minister Han looked at me with eyes that truly seemed ready to commit insubordination. I gathered my robes closer, still wanting to persuade Han Fei a few words, but unexpectedly Song Langsheng spoke again: “Master Han, speaking further now is useless. It’s getting late—please excuse us.”

This was clearly an order to leave.

When Minister Han’s figure disappeared from the hall, I felt the ground beneath my feet was somewhat unsteady, especially with Song Langsheng and Han Fei standing there so calmly—I truly didn’t know how to conduct myself. I thought to simply turn and leave, saying nothing at all, but Han Fei broke the silence first: “Princess, are you satisfied?”

I looked at him in surprise. The expression on his face was no longer that detached, carefree manner. His eyes held a basin full of disgust as he sneered: “If tormenting Han Fei is the Princess’s pleasure, I’ll accompany you to the end, but the Princess shouldn’t involve my father.”

I could barely maintain my composure. Song Langsheng raised an eyebrow: “Where do Young Master Han’s words come from? Your father has disturbed the residence several times, yet the Princess hasn’t blamed him. Now you’re blaming the Princess instead?”

Han Fei suppressed his cold laugh: “Should Han Fei be grateful then?”

Song Langsheng said: “When you, Han Fei, show gratitude to the Princess, the sun should set in the west.”

Han Fei’s face remained unmoved, calm as still water: “The sun originally sets in the west.”

“So you should originally show gratitude to the Princess.”

I was instantly speechless looking at Song Langsheng. So he was teasing Han Fei? Unfortunately, Han Fei couldn’t appreciate the humor in it. He glared fiercely at me and the Prince Consort, then stormed off.

Perhaps because events were developing too unpredictably, I suddenly asked Song Langsheng a question.

I asked: “Did I previously like Han Fei very much, so I forcibly kept him in the residence like I did with you?”

As soon as these words left my mouth, I regretted them. Regardless of the facts, asking one’s husband whether one liked one’s male favorite seemed like something deserving a beating no matter how you thought about it.

Sure enough, Song Langsheng’s face showed displeasure: “When has the Princess ever revealed her feelings to me?”

Looking at his appearance like an angry, bristling child, I said awkwardly: “I only asked a couple questions due to memory loss. What are you sulking about now?”

“Memory loss?” Song Langsheng couldn’t help but raise his voice: “If the Princess truly had memory loss, how could you weep from sleep-talking every night?”

This unexpected blow struck my heart, shocking me into bewilderment.

So I would weep from sleep-talking in the middle of the night. So once a heart is branded with a mark, it’s difficult to erase, yet I remained unaware.

Thinking about this, my eyes grew sore and tears fell uncontrollably. Only then did Song Langsheng panic somewhat: “Princess, crying over just one sentence—isn’t that too delicate…”

It was better when he didn’t speak. Once he did, I felt even more wronged. Song Langsheng helplessly wiped away my continuously flowing tears: “I was too petty. At most I promise the Princess that in the future, I’ll try to be more magnanimous…”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, making him amuse me again. This crying and laughing lacked imperial dignity. I lifted my sleeve to dry my tears and said: “Prince Consort, when I can let go, I’ll definitely tell you everything.”

This counted as making up.

Speaking of which, it’s strange. In the past when getting along with Xu Fang, no matter how much effort he put into pleasing me, if he made me cry, I would definitely stay angry with him for several days before forgiving him. This Song Langsheng is not only moody, even his apologies sound so reluctant. Moreover, I’m now a noble princess—shouldn’t I carry on being arrogant and willful to the end? Yet facing this proud expression, my heart was instantly healed and displeasure vanished like smoke—there was nothing I could do about it.

Let’s return to the question of “whether I previously liked Han Fei very much.”

Song Langsheng said that Han Fei was the former Prince Consort.

Author’s Note:

This slow-writing turtle originally didn’t plan to update today (yesterday’s update was too much), but seeing someone urging for more, my heart is so soft… sigh… so I updated a small chapter~~~ Seeing the comment count decreasing with each chapter, my heart grows cold… forget it, forget it, if I can’t draw out silent readers, it’s because my writing isn’t attractive enough… sigh… just bear with it…