无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

The food had already been reheated three times.

Chunlai and Xiachu stood nearby, both showing expectant looks when they saw Huang Ying return.

“Sister Huang Ying, how is it? Where is the Prince?” They looked behind her.

Huang Ying remained silent, her face grim.

Chunlai and Xiachu looked at each other and stopped speaking.

Jiang Ning was awakened by the sound of footsteps, raised her head, and saw Huang Ying. With a slightly sleepy voice, she asked, “Sister Huang Ying, what time is it?”

“It’s already the third watch of the night.” Huang Ying answered softly, “It’s very cold at night these days, why don’t you go back to your room where it’s warm?”

Jiang Ning rubbed her eyes, glanced at the untouched food in front of her, and although she was not sure where Li Hongyuan was at that moment, she had a rough idea that she had been played with by him.

If he didn’t come, why make her wait foolishly? Was it enjoyable?

Jiang Ning didn’t get angry, she just found Li Hongyuan ridiculous.

She stood up and said to Huang Ying, “Don’t waste this food. If you are hungry, eat it. But don’t eat too much at such a late hour, or you might have trouble digesting and feel uncomfortable. I’m going back to my room to sleep.”

She yawned and walked towards her bedroom.

Huang Ying hurriedly followed her: “Master, don’t you want to ask why the Crown Prince didn’t come and where he has gone?”

“He didn’t come, so why should I ask him where he went? Does it make any difference where he went?”

“Master, don’t get angry when I tell you.” Huang Ying hesitated for a moment before saying, “The Crown Prince did come to the East Palace early. However, he went to Concubine Li’s room. Just now, when I went there, Li Xiu told me that the Crown Prince was still in the room, chatting and playing chess with Concubine Li while drinking.”

Jiang Ning glanced at her and laughed, “You seem to be angrier than me. You should advise yourself that being angry is bad for your health.”

“Master, you’re really not angry?”

“Not at all.”

“But, Master, don’t you hate being deceived the most?” Huang Ying was puzzled.

“Indeed.”

“Then why…”

“Since I hate being deceived by him, why should I be angry at him? Wouldn’t I lose even more?” Jiang Ning leaned to the side and lay on the soft padded quilt, “With such a despicable person, the more you pay attention to him, the more you lose.”

Huang Ying: “…”

This statement was genuinely outrageous.

Luckily, there were only the two of them in the room, with no outsiders.

After thinking for a moment, Huang Ying still felt that she could not let the relationship between the Princess Consort and the Crown Prince deteriorate further, so she whispered, “The Crown Prince has always been considering the Princess Consort seriously. He wouldn’t deceive you over such a trivial matter. I think it’s highly probable that Concubine Li used some trick to pull the Crown Prince to her side halfway. Concubine Li is really out of line.”

“The whole point of the women in the Harem is to serve the Emperor and the princes and receive their favor. Even if Concubine Li really did this, you can’t say she’s wrong.” Jiang Ning laughed, “But seriously, Sister Huang Ying, do you really think that a man like Li Hongyuan can be easily swayed by a woman using just some small tricks?”

Huang Ying thought about the Crown Prince’s recent actions and silently shook her head.

The Crown Prince even personally said that he liked the Princess Consort and cared about her. Didn’t he also say that he would keep her confined and take away her management rights in the East Palace?

It just shows that the Crown Prince is inherently cold-hearted.

Jiang Ning said, “So, you shouldn’t blame Li Yuanyuan either. She’s just a tool used by Li Hongyuan.”

“A tool?”