Chapter 20: The Crown Prince

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"Why does His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have time to visit the Ministry of Personnel? Is there any command from His Majesty?"

After all, the Crown Prince had always been studying under the Crown Prince Tutor, and usually, if there were any homework checks, the Emperor himself would personally review them. Logically, he had little interaction with the Ministry of Personnel.

His unexpected visit surely meant that either the Emperor or the Crown Prince Tutor had something for him to convey.

However, nothing unusual had occurred over the past few days, so it was unclear what kind of instructions the Emperor might have.

Before the tutor could finish pondering, Xiao Minghe spoke, "There is nothing urgent. I just wanted to take a walk and relax after finishing my lessons. Unconsciously, I found myself near the Ministry of Personnel. It has been a long time since I last spoke with my imperial brothers and sisters, so I thought I would come and see them. Tutor, please continue with your work; I’m merely taking a casual look around."

Though the Crown Prince said this, the tutor did not dare to conduct lessons as usual under his gaze. The tutor had once vied for the position of Crown Prince Tutor himself, but the Emperor had rejected him, citing insufficient erudition, and appointed him as Chancellor instead.

The Chancellor was indeed a learned man and had taught the Crown Prince very well over the years.

For instance, the Crown Prince was now exceptionally well-versed in knowledge, which would have been impossible without the Chancellor’s guidance.

Thus, the education the heir apparent received fundamentally differed from that of ordinary princes, especially in matters of statecraft, which those princes might never master in their lifetimes.

Still, there were situations where the Crown Prince might be deposed by other princes.

When those princes ascended the throne, they had to learn the art of governance through practice, unlike the Crown Prince, who, despite his early education, had no real experience. This gave him some advantage, but not overwhelmingly so compared to the others.

Now, the Fifth Prince was with the Crown Prince at the Emperor’s side, which was unusual and likely to cause fraternal strife.

The tutor thought to himself but failed to notice Xiao Minghe’s gaze had already fallen upon Wen Qiao, who was quietly writing with her head lowered.

He knew the Imperial Grandfather had once left a pair of earrings to Lady Changle, rumored to command a formidable but small and elite force, whose members were powerful and highly coordinated in formations.

If that army could be at his disposal, he wouldn’t have to worry about his younger brother usurping his position as Crown Prince.

However, those earrings were now likely in Wen Qiao’s possession, and he wondered if she knew their significance or how to persuade her to hand them over.

He had considered many schemes but ultimately dismissed them all.

This visit was intended to use the simplest approach—if Wen Qiao developed feelings for him, they would marry naturally, and he wouldn’t fear her reluctance to surrender the earrings. As family, she would inevitably support him. This was a perfect plan to gain power effortlessly—no cost or extra effort, just a few words to win her heart, and the powerful force would be his.

As for what happened afterward, once he became Emperor, how he treated Wen Qiao would depend on his mood. He would never let a woman hinder his progress.

Thinking this, Xiao Minghe felt everything was perfectly aligned.

He had considered many possibilities but never that Wen Qiao might simply never fall for him, after all, he was the legitimate Crown Prince destined to be Emperor—what woman wouldn’t want to be Empress?

Though Wen Qiao kept her head bowed, she felt a repulsive gaze upon her and knew without looking that it was Xiao Minghe.

However, Wen Qi’s eyes sparkled brightly the moment she saw the Crown Prince, her gaze fixed intently on him.

This was the Crown Prince she wished to approach.

If she got close to him, she would have no trouble explaining things to Wen Congqing upon returning.

After all, the Emperor only had a few years left to live, and it seemed Wen Congqing thought it too ambitious to approach the Crown Prince directly, so she settled for having Wen Qi get close to the Emperor instead.

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Indeed, Wen Qi was fairly pretty, and though the Emperor was still in his prime, signs of aging were showing, and he preferred the company of young, beautiful girls. Entering the Emperor’s inner circle was obviously easier than getting close to the Crown Prince, which explained Wen Congqing’s arrangement.

But if she managed to win over the Crown Prince outright, Wen Congqing would likely be even happier than if she entered the Emperor’s harem.

The people in the Marquisate of Yongning had short-sighted views and failed to assess the broader picture, unaware of whether the Crown Prince would truly ascend the throne.

Otherwise, approaching the Crown Prince might only lead to being executed alongside the new Emperor.

What good was such a bright future, really?

As long as Wen Qiao was alive, Xiao Minghe would never claim the throne.

It was unclear whether Xiao Minghe was truly idle this afternoon or what, but he lingered around the Ministry of Personnel, seemingly deliberately waiting for them to finish lessons.

Wen Qi’s heart pounded.

She had never heard of the Crown Prince being so free to stroll near the Ministry of Personnel before.

Unexpectedly, the very day she came to study, news must have reached the Crown Prince, prompting his visit. She would never believe it was not to see her.

Wen Qiao was reluctant to glance at Xiao Minghe, partly because she instinctively avoided memories from her past life and partly because she found him repulsive. She hadn’t expected to meet him again so suddenly.

At the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, they had merely exchanged distant glances without speaking.

Wen Qiao had thought there would be no connection between her and Xiao Minghe, yet he was so eager in this life, appearing at the Ministry of Personnel so soon just for those earrings. He must have been holding back for days, as she had been coming here for quite some time.

Finally, when class ended, Wen Qiao was slowly gathering her things, preparing to visit the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace for lunch. Although she usually dined there, she had gone to Chengfu Palace today because if she didn’t see the Empress Dowager, she felt uneasy.

Xiao Yunshu left quickly; whenever class ended, she would rush out to play, usually just in the Imperial Garden. However, since Xiao Yunshu liked it, after exchanging greetings, she hopped away.

"Cousin, although we only briefly met at the Imperial Grandmother’s birthday banquet, I never had the chance to greet you properly. You are Lady Changle’s biological daughter, so I should indeed call you cousin. I hope you don’t find me abrupt."

Abrupt? What difference could it make if she said that? He had already called her cousin; would he really take back his words just because she said it was abrupt?

Better to let him call her that for now, perhaps she might find other useful leverage later.

"Of course not. In that case, I shall call His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cousin as well. My mother passed away early, and I have not had much care over the years. Cousin, did you come here especially for me?"

Hearing this, Xiao Minghe realized this so-called cousin was quite starved for affection. If he let a little love slip through his fingers, she would probably be eager to give him the earrings.

Thinking of this, Xiao Minghe felt pleased and even joked, "If Cousin sees it that way, then so be it. I only caught a distant glimpse of you at the Imperial Grandmother’s banquet before and never this close. Now that I do, Cousin really resembles Lady Changle. Since Lady Changle passed early, and I was young, my impression was faint. But seeing you brings back her image. Lady Changle’s fate was hard—you did not have such a privileged birth and ended up as you are. But rest assured, Cousin, I shall protect you in the palace. If you have any troubles, come to me. I remember when I was young, Lady Changle often carried me around to play."

Although Wen Qiao wished to ignore Xiao Minghe, Wen Qi standing at the Ministry of Personnel’s entrance did not know what they were saying and mistakenly thought they were getting along well. She clenched the handkerchief tightly in anger.

Wen Qiao, Wen Qiao, everywhere she went, this Wen Qiao ruined her plans!

Clearly, the Crown Prince came here because she arrived at the Ministry of Personnel the day before, so how was Wen Qiao involved?

Thinking this, Wen Qi tidied her hair, ensuring she looked presentable, then stepped between them, separating Wen Qiao and Xiao Minghe.

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Wen Qiao breathed a sigh of relief. Wen Qi, this brainless fool, had finally done a good thing. If they remained that close, Wen Qiao feared she would not be able to restrain her fists from striking Xiao Minghe’s face.

The Crown Prince was clearly annoyed by Wen Qi’s sudden interruption of his conversation with Wen Qiao.

What if Wen Qiao fell for him because of just these two words? It was all this unexpected woman’s fault!

He still didn’t know what this woman’s role was. Just now, he noticed her staring at Wen Qiao as if she was a dish to be devoured at any moment.

If Wen Qiao knew how Xiao Minghe described Wen Qi in his heart, she would probably find it amusing.

In the previous life, although Wen Qi had taken the initiative to approach Xiao Minghe, their relationship had been fairly good afterward; otherwise, they wouldn’t have conspired against her together.

At that time, Wen Qi tried every means to coax the earrings from her. It was unknown if Xiao Minghe had the same attitude toward Wen Qi in the past life.

After her death, her soul lingered over the capital for a few days but did not witness subsequent events, so she was unsure whether Wen Qi became Empress after Xiao Minghe ascended the throne.

Moreover, Xiao Minghe’s accession occurred after her death, so she could only see this brief moment and nothing more.

"Cousin, who is this?"

Xiao Minghe forced himself to suppress the urge to strike the woman before him. To leave a good impression on Wen Qiao and not seem violent, he restrained his dislike.

"Cousin, please forgive her. This is my seventh younger sister. Today is her first day at the palace. Although she learned etiquette at home, she might be a little nervous because she has never seen someone as elegant as Cousin before. If she errs, please pardon her; after all, she is young."

Though Xiao Minghe was impatient, having just established a connection with Wen Qiao, he refrained from troubling Wen Qi but formed a poor impression of her.

Wen Qiao had not intended to tarnish Wen Qi’s reputation; her words had slipped out without much thought.

In the last life, Wen Qi often harmed her this way, and gradually, she had learned Wen Qi’s tactics. She wondered if Wen Qi still aimed to get close to Xiao Minghe as before.

Judging by Wen Qi’s behavior, she was likely still targeting Xiao Minghe. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed to insert herself between them at the slightest exchange, possibly believing the Crown Prince’s visit was for her.

Undeniably, although Wen Qiao had no special advantages, she truly understood Wen Qi’s thoughts perfectly.

After all, she lived one more lifetime and could not fail to see Wen Qi’s little schemes.

"Never mind, if she is your younger sister, then I suppose she is my cousin as well."

Judging by Xiao Minghe’s tone toward Wen Qi, he was evidently reluctant to engage with her.

Yet, with Wen Qi’s personality, she would surely seize the chance to climb higher.

As expected, Wen Qi’s eyes lit up upon hearing Xiao Minghe’s words.

She was convinced the Crown Prince had come to the Ministry of Personnel specifically to see her; it couldn’t be for Wen Qiao, who had not come for the first time today. If he truly wished to see Wen Qiao, he would have come earlier, not waited until now.