Chapter 275 - 267: Can’t Bear to Leave Someone
Chapter 275: Chapter 267: Can’t Bear to Leave Someone
He paused, then continued, "Chun Fei—oh no, I should call her Empress Chun now. Empress Chun gave birth to a capable son, the Fourth Prince, Prince Xiao. Prince Xiao commands a powerful army and earned great merit for quelling a rebellion on the border. I hear he’ll soon be named a Prince. But my aunt, that is, Lady Shu, only gave birth to a princess. Even if the Emperor dotes on her, she could never ascend to the Empress’s throne."
’Bai Zhi thought back to the novels and TV shows she’d seen. When an emperor’s son achieved great merit and had his father’s favor, wasn’t he supposed to be made Crown Prince? What’s more, his mother had already taken the Empress’s throne. Wouldn’t it be perfectly justifiable to name him Crown Prince now? Why was he only being made a Prince?’
"If Prince Xiao truly has the Emperor’s favor as you say, why not make him the Crown Prince?" Bai Zhi asked.
At Bai Zhi’s question, even the normally composed Hu Feng’s expression changed slightly. The girl was far too bold, daring to say anything at all.
Though his expression had changed, Hu Feng still looked to Meng Nan, awaiting his answer.
Meng Nan was also taken aback, not expecting Bai Zhi to ask such a question.
As a young master of the Meng Family, he naturally knew the reasons, but they were not something that could be casually discussed.
Seeing the troubled look on Meng Nan’s face, Bai Zhi quickly said, "You don’t have to answer. I was just curious. I’m really sorry if I’ve put you in a difficult position."
Meng Nan was at a loss for words, his heart sinking, growing cold and desolate.
’Perhaps this was the chasm between him and Bai Zhi—an uncrossable gulf. He could not be completely honest with her; there would always be things that could not be said, even though she seemed so eager to know.’
’Clearly, Bai Zhi understood this as well. That was why she had refused to go with him to the Capital City. She was smart; she knew what kind of life she wanted and had the ability to build it for herself.’
’And what about me?’
’If he took her to the Capital City, would he be able to protect her?’
’He didn’t know!’
Seeing his master’s demeanor, Jin Xiao’an was also embarrassed. He gave Bai Zhi an awkward smile and said, "Miss Bai, please don’t take it to heart. It’s not that my master is deliberately refusing to tell you, it’s just... we can’t recklessly speculate on the affairs of the Imperial Family."
Bai Zhi genuinely didn’t mind. She had just been asking casually. People are naturally curious, after all, but she wasn’t the type to get obsessed with gossip.
"It’s fine, it’s fine, I don’t mind. I shouldn’t have asked. Alright now, let’s drink our tea."
’She hadn’t expected a casual question to make the atmosphere so awkward. If she’d known, she wouldn’t have asked. She wasn’t even that interested in the affairs of the Imperial Family to begin with.’
Hu Feng stood up again and walked back to the window, his gaze dark as he watched the endless stream of people on the street below.
For today’s farewell banquet, the chefs had pulled out all the stops, preparing all of their specialties. The large round table was laden with dishes.
But despite Boss Chen’s exuberant hospitality, Meng Nan didn’t smile again. He just kept downing one cup of wine after another.
Boss Chen pulled Jin Xiao’an aside to ask, "What’s wrong with your master? He doesn’t seem right."
’Jin Xiao’an didn’t know why his master was suddenly acting this way. He’d been perfectly fine just moments before. It couldn’t be because of that one casual question from Miss Bai, could it?’
Jin Xiao’an shook his head. "I don’t know what’s gotten into him either. Perhaps he’s just reluctant to leave tomorrow." Jin Xiao’an replied with a dry laugh. ’His master had changed a lot recently. Or, to be more precise, he’d changed a lot since meeting Miss Bai.’