Chapter 40 – You Are the Best Person in the World

Consort Jing didn’t dare say another word. She bowed to the Crown Prince and retreated from the room.

The rest of the consorts quickly followed after her.

Once they were out of sight, Qian Ning—clever as ever—also quietly withdrew and closed the door behind her.

After the ruckus caused by Consort Jing today, Shu Ruohua now knew Xiao Che’s true identity.

At this moment, there were clearly many things they needed to say.

Now that the room was empty, with only Xiao Che and Shu Ruohua left, Shu Ruohua finally mustered the courage to ask timidly,
“You… Are you really the Crown Prince?”

She seriously suspected that she might’ve just had a dream, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember what it was.

Xiao Che: “…”

Was she blind?

He didn’t say anything, nor did he show a trace of emotion on his face.

Shu Ruohua stared at him for a long while, wanting to ask more, but in the end, his icy expression intimidated her into swallowing her words.

The room fell into an eerie silence.

Xiao Che didn’t speak, and neither did Shu Ruohua.

She was terrified that if she said the wrong thing, the Crown Prince might slice her neck.

After a long pause—

Xiao Che finally spoke, stiffly and awkwardly,
“You… don’t blame me for deceiving you, do you?”

He had spent a long time thinking about how to explain his deception to her.

But in the end, he decided it was best to just ask directly.

Shu Ruohua choked.

Blame him?

Was this a joke?

How could she dare?!

He was the exalted Crown Prince. One word from him, and her little life would be gone.

Shu Ruohua quickly waved her hands with a forced smile, “I wouldn’t dare! Absolutely not!”

She kept silently reminding herself to be extremely cautious with her words, or else her “vegetable garden” (i.e., her future plans) would be in serious danger.

But Xiao Che didn’t seem pleased with her response.

His dark eyes deepened. “Am I really that frightening?”

He didn’t know Shu Ruohua very well, but ever since he met her at Lengfeng Pavilion, he felt she had changed.

Yet he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed.

He just suddenly disliked this feeling—of her being so cautious and fearful of him.

“Frightening?” Shu Ruohua quickly put on a bright smile and started shamelessly flattering him.

“What are you saying?!”

“You’re the best person in the whole world! How could you be scary!!”

Xiao Che: “…”

That was… quite the compliment.

He said no more and walked over to the round table.

Even though the food had already gone cold, he still wanted to eat a little more.

For some reason—

Eating with Shu Ruohua recently gave him a kind of comfort he had never felt before.

Shu Ruohua hurried after him, smiling.

“Your Highness, shall I heat the dishes for you?”

Xiao Che answered flatly, “No need.”

By the time he finished eating, it was already the Hour of the Dog (around 7–9 PM).

Qian Ning came in to clear the dishes, and after she left again, Shu Ruohua hesitantly asked,
“Your Highness… will you be returning now?”

As soon as she said it, she regretted it.

Xiao Che was the Crown Prince. Saying that might make him think she was trying to kick him out.

Before he could even respond—

Shu Ruohua hurriedly explained, “I-I didn’t mean to rush you! I just… just asking, that’s all.”

Xiao Che replied coldly, “Really?”

Shu Ruohua nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, yes…”

Xiao Che’s face remained as frosty as ever. “Mn, I’ll go now.”

His voice was cold and distant, and Shu Ruohua found herself completely unable to read his thoughts.

She panicked.

What if he was angry?

Then her “vegetable garden” would be…

She quickly ran forward and blocked his path. “Um, wait a moment…”

Xiao Che halted, a faint sneer tugging at the corner of his lips.

In the Eastern Palace, which woman didn’t want his favor?

Surely Shu Ruohua was no different.

She must be trying to make him stay.

…

(End of Chapter)