Chapter 6: The Emperor's Good Crown Prince

Qiao Niannian shifted her gaze away from Qiao Yueying and began to size up the Third Prince.

It was no wonder Qiao Yueying was fond of him; this male lead from the book was truly good-looking.

Having inherited the fine genes of both the Imperial Noble Consort and the Emperor, it was only natural that he wouldn't be ugly.

He was a man who had been pampered since childhood, his arrogance seeping from his very bones; he was flamboyant, unruly, and accustomed to having his own way.

After a couple of glances, Qiao Niannian withdrew her gaze. Being overly sharp-edged was a sign of lacking manners; she didn't like it.

Her eyes swept past the Third Prince and landed on the Crown Prince, who had remained silent behind him.

At this moment, the Crown Prince looked like nothing more than a backdrop.

It was just that this "backdrop" was so handsome that it genuinely stunned Qiao Niannian.

The young man stood between heaven and earth, like a cool breeze scattering orchid snow.

His appearance was outstanding, in the prime of his youth, yet he was as gentle as jade—a truly elegant gentleman.

He was truly peerless, a man without equal in this world!

Qiao Niannian had seen countless faces and calculated millions of fates, but this was the first time she had encountered such a noble destiny!

Even in the imperial family, few possessed such dense purple energy.

Moreover, the person before her had golden light swirling within that dense purple aura.

This purple energy was a symbol of an extremely noble destiny, one in ten thousand, while the golden energy belonged to those who followed the Heavenly Dao—everything they did would go smoothly, and it also signaled a long, healthy life.

It seemed this Crown Prince had had his destiny stolen.

Qiao Niannian hadn't expected this.

In a small courtyard, three people with altered destinies had gathered: two who had stolen the destinies of others, and one whose destiny had been stolen.

Xia Rongyu was the Emperor’s sixth son, only thirteen years old this year. His birth mother was the Empress who managed the inner palace. Since ancient times in the Great Xia Dynasty, the Crown Prince had always been the legitimate son born to the Empress, but this Crown Prince was destined to die young at fifteen.

Such a brilliant and graceful young man, to pass away in the prime of his life—it was a great pity.

Qiao Niannian sighed with regret as she squeezed her way toward the Crown Prince.

Everyone’s attention was currently on the Third Prince and Qiao Chushan, so no one noticed Qiao Niannian.

She quietly arrived at the Crown Prince’s side, but just as she prepared to lean in, she was blocked by his attendants.

As a little mute, Qiao Niannian couldn't speak, so she could only wave frantically at the Crown Prince. Finally, having no other choice, she decided to expend a bit of spiritual energy and tapped Xia Rongyu on the shoulder.

Xia Rongyu turned his head, his clear, moist eyes landing on Qiao Niannian. He then waved his attendants away and walked over to her.

"Little girl, do you need something from me?"

Qiao Niannian made two "ah-ah" sounds, but not a single word came out. She remembered that her throat couldn't speak, so she could only nod obediently.

"So you really have become a little mute? I hope you'll be able to recover!"

Qiao Niannian:...

No.

Why did this person start cursing her the moment he opened his mouth!

For someone who looked like a jade tree in the wind, his words were remarkably unpleasant.

As expected, beauty was just a test for me.

Qiao Niannian rolled her eyes unceremoniously, holding the expression for a moment longer just to make her feelings clear.

The sight was...

Amusing.

Xia Rongyu laughed at Qiao Niannian without any restraint!

No wonder Qiao Chuanbai was so protective of this younger sister; how was she so funny?

He had a good relationship with Qiao Niannian’s older brother, Qiao Chuanbai. Before Qiao Chuanbai left for his military campaign, he had specifically come to ask him to look after Qiao Niannian.

He naturally took his friend's request to heart.

However, his father the Emperor had been so ill these past two days that he couldn't sleep, and he had stayed in the palace to keep him company, so he hadn't paid attention to the little girl's movements.

When he finally left the palace, he heard she had jumped into a lake and ruined her voice. Coming to the Marquis of Mingyuan’s estate today was partly to check on her condition.

Now, seeing Qiao Niannian acting like a little mute, he confirmed the news was true.

She really had become a little mute!

Qiao Niannian really wanted to turn around and walk away just to show him.

He could at least hide that mocking expression; she was still standing right there!

But she couldn't leave.

The entire Marquis of Mingyuan’s estate relied on her protection.

Unable to speak, Qiao Niannian could only grab the Crown Prince’s hand and trace characters on his palm.

The guards nearby were terrified and hurriedly tried to stop her.

"Audacious! His Highness the Crown Prince is of golden status; let go at once!"

Qiao Niannian ignored them.

After she finished writing a few words, Xia Rongyu’s expression changed.

When the guards tried to say more, he stopped them.

At this moment, Xia Rongyu’s heart was filled with shock.

What Qiao Niannian had just written were the symptoms of his father’s illness, and they were entirely correct. His first thought was that the Marquis of Mingyuan had told Qiao Niannian about the Emperor’s condition.

But then he thought, no—not only would the Marquis never discuss the Emperor’s affairs in private, but even if he had, he wouldn't have been this detailed.

Some of these symptoms were things even Qiao Chushan didn't know.

Could it be that Qiao Niannian truly possessed some supernatural ability?

Xia Rongyu thought again; her purpose in saying these things was to make him believe her.

And the purpose of making him believe was to ask for something.

So.

"You want me to help you?"

Qiao Niannian hadn't even explained her plan yet, and he had already guessed it.

This brain of his was truly sharp.

Since she had been seen through, Qiao Niannian simply shoved the peace talisman into the Crown Prince’s hand and gestured a few times on her palm.

Xia Rongyu looked at the talisman, his eyes dark and unreadable, before the young man let out a soft laugh.

"I can help you, but consider it a favor you owe me."

Qiao Niannian:...

No, was this person a bandit?

She widened her eyes.

'I'm saving your father, you know.'

Do you have any conscience at all!

Xia Rongyu looked at Qiao Niannian’s bright but incredulous eyes and saw through her thoughts instantly. He spoke with complete indifference.

"You don't have to save him. After all, it's my father who is suffering, not me."

Qiao Niannian:...

She glared at him without saying a word, but the look in her eyes was clearly very "dirty."

Xia Rongyu toyed with the peace talisman, looking as if he might throw it away at any moment.

Qiao Niannian suppressed the urge to hit him and traced on Xia Rongyu’s palm: *Deal.*

Only then did Xia Rongyu put away the peace talisman, even reaching out to pat the little girl’s head.

"Get well soon. You can only repay the favor once you've recovered."

Qiao Niannian’s fists tightened.

It was the first time she had been stunned by someone’s beauty, and even more so, the first time she had been so angry she wanted to hit someone.

Over there, the Third Prince was still negotiating with Qiao Chushan about taking Lady Huo away.

Qiao Chushan refused: "Your Highness, Third Prince, this matter hasn't been fully clarified yet. My wife would absolutely never do such a thing; she just misspoke."

The Third Prince shook his head: "A family has its rules, and a country has its laws. My apologies."

With that, he had his men take Lady Huo and the box away. Qiao Chushan tried to stop them, but was blocked by the Third Prince’s guards.

"Marquis of Mingyuan, witchcraft is a forbidden art. The evidence is conclusive. If you continue to obstruct us, you are interfering with official business."

Qiao Yueying stepped forward at this moment, tugging on Qiao Chushan’s sleeve.

"Father, I'm scared."

With Qiao Chushan delayed, Lady Huo and the evidence were taken away.

Shiliu watched as her mistress was taken and wanted to step forward to stop them, but was stopped by a look from Lady Huo.

Shiliu couldn't help but cry, wiping away her tears.

She had to be strong; the person most heartbroken right now must be the Young Miss, so she had to comfort her first.

Shiliu turned her head, only to find that the Young Miss she had been following was gone.

Looking up, she saw her actually mingling beside the Crown Prince, and her fists were clenched tight.

Shiliu’s face turned pale instantly.

My Young Miss! You aren't planning to hit the Crown Prince, are you???