The Crown Prince is at his peak lately. Everyone seems to be avoiding his edge. Yin Zhen's fall seems to have affected the other princes, making them less and less outspoken. Smooth sailing turns down one's guard. This is the time you've been waiting for to deal a fatal blow.
Xiu Ying:[Greet] Your Highness. I've requested someone to get more poisoned grass. We should be able to make a new pillow soon for the Fourth Prince.
Crown Prince: [Nods approvingly] The Fourth Prince always tried to get ahead of me. He forgets that I'm the heir apparent! If he can stay put from now on, I will make it worth his while.
Xiu Ying: (Worth his while means crippling him to the point that he won't be able to fight for the throne, right? Unbelievable.)
But pride is exactly what you want the Crown prince to have. You play to his desires.
Xiu Ying: The Crown Prince is the rightful heir apparent. Anyone who thinks otherwise should get punished.
Crown Prince: You've done well with these tasks. How do you wish to be rewarded?
He lowers his voice and scans you, smiling. You force down your disgust and move backwards quietly.
Xiu Ying: I'm content with having been able to help you. I was worried that I couldn't do it before.
Crown Prince: Everyone has something they want. If you keep saying no, I'd get suspicious.
Xiu Ying: I only want to serve you, and nothing more!
Crown Prince: I know I see everything that you've done for me. That was a joke. Just look at you.
How should you respond so the Crown Prince doesn't get suspicious?
Xiu Ying: I have no wishes but for my family's safety and comfort.
Crown Prince: You are filial. I will give you more income supplements so you can give back to your parents.
You've had enough of the Crown Prince. Just as you need an excuse to leave, the 14th Prince appears ahead.
Xiu Ying: Your Highness, that looks like the 14th Prince. It's best we keep some distance.
The Crown Prince doesn't want to be seen to close with you. He nods and leaves quickly. As you are about to leave by a different path, the 14th Prince calls out to you with a huge smile.
14th Prince: You again. Although my brother walks fast, I could see him quite clearly.
Xiu Ying: The Crown Prince and I bumped into each other. His highness might be busy with someone, so he left.
You speak to the prince calmly, and the 14th Prince keeps smiling. He nods and appears to believe you, but that makes you nervous instead. The words of the 14th Prince surprises you however.
14th Prince: The Second Prince gets what he wants all the time, and that made him pretty narcissist. My other brothers are different though. They had to work really hard just to be treated the same way. The Fourth Prince is smart, and all of us know that. He keeps a low profile, and all the other brothers follow suit, because they know he's probably just waiting to strike the Second Prince.
Xiu Ying: This is quite sudden coming from you, Your Highness.
14th Prince: If you can, try to persuade my father a bit. Spoiling the Crown Prince too much will only make him sink even lower.
The 14th Prince is young, but he's wise. He should be the one who least wants to see brotherly feud between the princes.
Xiu Ying: You understand "you reap what you sow", don't you, 14th Prince? It's too late to turn back sometimes, and some things need to be settled.
14th Prince: [Looks towards a tree in a distance] I know what you mean. But I'm afraid that things won't be peaceful even when the Second Prince falls.
Xiu Ying: So what. It's almost impossible for even a moment of peace in the palace.
You surprise yourself with how aloof you've become. Perhaps you're used to such devious plots already.
14th Prince: [Gazes at you] I have to tell you though, that no matter what happens, you should never lose yourself, missy. [Waves] The Master taught me that yesterday, and now I'm telling it to you.
Xiu Ying: (He's younger than me and he's calling me "missy'?)
Still, you stand still, lost in thought as you ponder what the 14th Prince said.
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