CFSSIR

‧₊˚ 37 ‧₊˚

On that night, after coaxing Shen Qingyao to sleep, Lu Zhao pondered his several encounters with Xiao Jing, his brows furrowing deeper with each thought. He contemplated the situation in the capital: the continuous struggle between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, and several other princes who had been appointed as kings early and sent to their fiefdoms were also eyeing that position.

Even Xiao Mu was planning for the future, but what about Xiao Jing?

Lu Zhao's brows twitched, feeling something amiss. Despite the Emperor's favor towards Xiao Jing, there had never been any intention from the Emperor to let Xiao Jing inherit the throne. While other princes had their own fiefdoms, Xiao Jing remained confined to the palace at the outskirts of the capital. From this, it could be seen that the Emperor only treated him as a beloved toy, indulging him with luxuries but never granting him any real power.

Moreover, Xiao Jing's health had always been frail, and everyone considered him aligned with the Crown Prince, with no one paying much attention to him otherwise.

Even Lu Zhao had thought so before. Xiao Jing could be trying to get close to him because of the Crown Prince. But today, he felt something was off.

Xiao Jing had shown an unusual concern for Yaoyao and him.

Lu Zhao narrowed his eyes. Though the possibility was minimal, it didn't mean it was nonexistent, right? This Ninth Prince might have already harbored thoughts of seizing the throne...

In fact, upon closer examination, Xiao Jing had done many things covertly, not entirely without traces.

Lu Zhao chuckled coldly, mocking those self-proclaimed smart people in the capital who had been deceived by Xiao Jing. If it weren't for Yaoyao showing an unusual hostility towards Xiao Jing, he might not have noticed these...

Thinking of Shen Qingyao, Lu Zhao's expression softened a bit. He listened to Shen Qingyao's even breathing in the inner room, and a hint of a smile finally appeared on his frosty face.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Zhao lowered his head, hastily wrote a line on a piece of paper, carefully sealed it after it dried, then pushed open the window and called someone in.

The covert guard arrived silently, and Lu Zhao handed him the letter, instructing in a low voice, "Deliver this letter to the Fifth Prince as soon as possible."

The guard nodded, disappeared with a leap out of the window.

After finishing these tasks, Lu Zhao sighed lightly and rubbed his forehead before entering the inner room. On the bed, Shen Qingyao breathed evenly, her face buried in the blanket, flushed but not sleeping peacefully, frowning slightly and tossing and turning.

Lu Zhao watched her for a while, smiled to himself, then turned to wash up.

When he returned, the young girl had rolled to the inner side of the bed. Lu Zhao paused for a moment, then became even lighter in his movements. He gently pulled a corner of the blanket and lay down beside Shen Qingyao.

They had been married for some time now, and Shen Qingyao was already accustomed to Lu Zhao's presence. So, upon sensing the familiar cold fragrance and warmth, she automatically turned towards him, snuggling into this source of warmth. The restless girl stuffed herself into his embrace, rubbed her chin against his shoulder, then found her comfortable spot and stayed still.

Watching her actions, Lu Zhao silently chuckled, feeling satisfied that his efforts had paid off. He hugged her contentedly and closed his eyes.

The next day, Shen Qingyao unusually woke up early. The convoy heading south was ready to depart, and Shen Qingyao was in high spirits, eagerly pulling Cui Qiao towards the carriage, but was stopped by Lu Zhao.