Volume 1 Chapter 23: An Unexpected Encounter with the Eighth Imperial Prince

  After leaving the East Palace, Xia Jinhan put down Shangguan Qing'er and took her small hand instead, leading her slowly towards the Imperial Flower Garden.

  The East Palace is still some distance from the Imperial Flower Garden. Normally, the Crown Prince could have taken a sedan chair to get there. After rushing for so many days, it's reasonable to assume that the Emperor wouldn't let him walk all the way. However, Xia Jinhan wanted to give Shangguan Qing'er a chance to familiarize herself with the environment of the East Palace and the Imperial Palace, so he personally took her on a walking tour, introducing her to some scenic spots and palaces along the way.

  All the way, Xiang Jinhan held the soft small hand of Shangguan Qing'er, with a group of servants following behind them, not even daring to breathe loudly. However, Xiang Jinhan's mood was very good, occasionally pointing at certain palaces and introducing them to Shangguan Qing'er.

  For the first time entering the imperial palace, Shangguan Qing'er couldn't help but be very curious about the surrounding buildings and scenery. A pair of big eyes kept looking around, her heart constantly marveling at the ancient imperial palace's architecture, even sighing in admiration.

  Along the way, Shangguan Qing'er saw the most of those pavilions and luxurious palaces, as well as the green plants that never stopped along the way. Although the palace buildings were majestic and grand, they were softened by the large areas of green vegetation covering them, giving Shangguan Qing'er a very comfortable and enjoyable feeling, as if she had come to a famous scenic spot with someone close to her.

  The difference is that from now on she must live in this place and interact with the people here, rather than just coming to play.

  It's still early, Xia Jin Han wasn't in a hurry to go to the Imperial Garden, instead she brought Shangguan Qing'er along and slowly started to take in the scenery on the way.

  "Wow, these flowers are so beautiful." Walking to a palace gate, Shangguan Qing'er's eyes lit up as she saw the large peony flower and couldn't help but run over, but was pulled back by Xia Jincheng.

  "Qingyun, tomorrow find someone to plant some in the East Palace." Xia Jinhan pulled up Shangguan Qing'er and said in a low voice, "This is the imperial concubine's bedroom, don't run around randomly."

  Shangguan Qing'er heard this and looked up at the three large characters "Peony Palace" on the palace gate, where dragons and phoenixes danced. She understood that it was a place where the emperor's concubines lived, and someone with Xia Jinhans status couldn't enter casually, or else they would easily attract gossip. Only then did she stop in her tracks, turn around, and follow Xia Jihan as he continued walking towards the Imperial Flower Garden.

  Just then, a voice that was both youthful and aged came from behind them.

  "Empress Dowager, Xuan'er has grown up and should also go to the battlefield to fight the enemy like Crown Prince."

  "Xuan'er has such ambition, the queen is delighted, but you are still young and want to follow the crown prince to the battlefield to kill enemies, these years must be trained well." This was a elegant and yet indifferent female voice, obviously it was a mother talking to her son, but the tone was as light as if she were talking to a stranger.

  Shangguan Qing'er furrowed her brow and turned her head, only to see a young woman wearing a palace attire embroidered with large peonies, with light makeup on, looking cold and proud. She was accompanied by a boy in a dark blue long gown, no more than five or six years old, appearing at the gate of the palace that had just been decorated with peonies.

  That boy first saw Shangguan Qing'er, thinking she was a little princess from some palace because of her small and delicate appearance. He looked down on her with disdain in his eyes. Later, he raised his head to see Xia Jincheng holding Shangguan Qing'er's hand, and he was slightly stunned. A flush appeared on his face as he quickly bowed his head to pay respects, "Your subject greets the Crown Prince, may the Crown Prince live for a thousand years."

  "See the Crown Prince." Shu Fei Jin Mudan was also stunned when she saw Xia Jinhans and the little girl he was holding, then knelt down and saluted calmly.

  "See the Crown Prince..." The palace maids following behind Shu Fei also hurriedly paid their respects.

  Xia Jin Han slightly raised her hand, and the long sleeves floated, bringing a faint fragrance. Her cherry-colored lips opened slightly, saying, "Princess Shu and Eighth Brother don't need to be so polite."

  The Empress rose to her feet, casting a faint glance at Xia Jinhan before speaking, "Congratulations, Your Highness, on your triumphant return. The Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing the news of your victory and has been in high spirits for days."

  "Thanks to the Emperor's favor, I have the opportunity to make achievements." After saying that, Xia Jin coldly lowered her head and said to Shangguan Qing'er, "Qing'er, don't you greet Empress Shu and Eighth Prince yet?"

  Shangguan Lightchild saw that the Empress was only in her early twenties, looking young and beautiful, but with a hint of coldness between her eyebrows. She knew this person was the current favorite concubine, so she immediately smiled cleverly and followed the etiquette taught by Lihua a few days ago, saying "Lightchild greets Empress Shu, greets Eighth Prince."

  Shangguan Qing'er's voice was sweet and soft, not like the princesses in the palace who were coquettish, but neither arrogant nor humble, it was very comfortable to listen to.

  The Empress glanced at Shangguan Qing'er, who was dressed up, and obviously didn't understand the girl's identity. But seeing Xia Jincheng holding her hand, she knew that this girl must have some relationship with Xia Jincheng. She took two steps forward, raised her hand, and smiled faintly, "What a lovely child, no need to be polite."

  "Thank you, Young Mistress." Upper Official Light Swallow stood up, a small face as white and tender as jade, in the evening sun, was red and very delicate.

  The eighth prince, Xia Jin Xuan, looked at Shangguan Qing'er with sharp eyes, especially when he saw Xia Jin Han holding her hand, his face turned somewhat unsightly.

  Although the Empress was favored, she had always disliked participating in those palace struggles and was indifferent to anyone. She naturally didn't want to have too much contact with the Crown Prince either. Pulling Xia Jin Xuan behind her, she slightly bowed and said, "The celebratory banquet is about to begin, so I won't delay Your Highness's time."

  "Please, princess." Xia Jinhan nodded and pulled Shangguan Qing'er along as they walked forward in big strides.

  Behind her, Xia Jin Xuan was maturely saying beside Empress Shu, "Mother, who is that girl? The Crown Prince is holding her hand..."

  Xia Jinxuan, as the eighth prince, has always been favored by the emperor due to his mother's influence in the palace. Moreover, he has admired Crown Prince Xia Jinhansince childhood and regards him as his role model. Because Xia Jinxuan was very sensible from a young age, Xia Jinhanshowed him kindness, and when they were younger, he would often follow behind Xia Jinhansand pester him to take him out to play. Although Xia Jinhanswas cold towards others, he never was towards him.

  So, Xia Jin Xuan thought that Xia Jin Han was different to him because he didn't have any hostility towards him and even pitied him. However, despite this, Xia Jin Han had never held his hand while walking on the road like that before, not even when he was little and would often trip and fall, Xia Jin Han had never personally helped him up.

  The empress dowager lowered her head, gave Xia Jin Xuan a cold glance and said, "Xuan Er must remember, things that shouldn't be interfered with, don't interfere. If you still want to follow your crown prince brother, then don't interfere in his affairs."

  Xia Jinxuan is only six years old this year. Although he looks old and serious, with a straight face, after all, he is still young. As for the words of Shu Fei, he only seems to understand but not really understand.

  It was only later that he realized his mother had seen through everything all along, but by the time he understood, he was already deeply entrenched and couldn't pull himself out.

  Digression

  Here is the translation:

  A cute prince, hehe...... Do you guys like it?

  Recommend a friend's new article "The First Black Gang Demon Queen" by Yanyun Shang http://info/[Will the rebirth of the demon queen bring chaos to the world or save humanity?]