Chapter 292: Chapter 292

The Crown Prince, who hadn’t closed his eyes for three days and nights, entered the room, lay on the bed, and instantly fell into a deep sleep.

Several of the Crown Prince’s companions were also extremely exhausted. There were limited rooms in the Imperial Mausoleum, so the four of them shared one room. At such a time, they couldn’t be bothered with petty matters like personal grudges or who found whom unpleasant. They didn’t even change clothes, simply closing their eyes and falling asleep.

Listening to the various snoring sounds around, Zheng Chen turned silently to face inward, but after closing his eyes, a figure constantly flashed in his mind, disturbing his peaceful heart lake, unable to calm down.

There are many beautiful and outstanding women in this world.

But the only one who can truly stir his heartstrings and make waves in his heart lake is Jiang Shaohua.

How can he bear to watch her leave him again?

Now that she’s in the Capital City, he absolutely won’t allow her to leave again.

On the same night, Jiang Shaohua slept soundly. The Second Prince clung to her, refusing to leave, sleeping right beside her, snoring sweetly.

After the night passed, any slight soreness in Jiang Shaohua’s body vanished, with endless energy filling her body once again.

"Cousin," the Second Prince rubbed his drowsy eyes, calling continuously: "Cousin!"

Jiang Shaohua appeared at the bedside with slight impatience: "What is it?"

After wearing mourning clothes for over a month, they began to emit a faint stale smell. She could only bathe and change clothes upon returning to the palace. Jiang Shaohua did a brief morning wash, took a bite for breakfast, and the Second Prince, like Yama calling for life, kept calling nonstop. It would be a wonder if Jiang Shaohua was in a good mood.

However, the Second Prince never understood the concept of reading others’ expressions, he only knew to ask for what he wanted, stubbornly calling for his cousin to hold him.

Eunuch Yuan, standing by the bedside, had a face full of embarrassment, and said softly, "This servant came to serve the Second Prince, but His Highness refuses the servant, insisting on the Commandery Princess." Thıs content belongs to 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⁂𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⁂𝓷𝓮𝓽

Jiang Shaohua cast a glance at Eunuch Yuan: "In the palace, who does he usually want?"

Eunuch Yuan’s face turned even more embarrassed, quietly answering, "His Highness is still young and has always lived with the Noble Lady. His Highness’s daily life is cared for personally by the Noble Lady."

In other words, this personal Chief Eunuch was merely a figurehead. The Second Prince only allowed Eunuch Yuan to hold him when away from Consort Fan.

Now that Jiang Shaohua was present, the Second Prince still rejected his personal servant and persisted in calling for his cousin.

There was no need for acting without the Crown Prince and other ministers around. Jiang Shaohua didn’t have to put on a show and had no intention of indulging the Second Prince. She said calmly: "Stop calling, let Eunuch Yuan serve you. If you make more fuss, I’ll block your acupoints and make you mute for a day."

Though the Second Prince was indeed foolish, he still had the intuition of a child. He immediately understood Jiang Shaohua’s threat and instantly shut his mouth.

The whole world grew silent.

Jiang Shaohua was satisfied enough, signaling for Eunuch Yuan to step forward and serve.

Eunuch Yuan was inwardly amazed repeatedly.

Whenever the Second Prince made a fuss, Consort Fan would always indulge him, letting him have his way. Yet, with just a few words from the Commandery Princess, the Second Prince became quiet and well-behaved... Is this still the willful Second Prince?

Eunuch Yuan served the master while secretly complaining in his heart.

The breakfast today consisted of steamed buns and hot porridge, along with two small side dishes. The Second Prince sat by the table, eagerly watching Jiang Shaohua, obviously waiting for her to feed him.

Jiang Shaohua made a simple gesture, placing a bowl full of hot porridge before the Second Prince, putting the spoon in his right hand and the bun in his left: "Eat by yourself."

The Second Prince picked up the spoon, feeling aggrieved, clumsily scooping half a spoon of rice porridge into his mouth, then taking a bite of the bun. As for the small dishes, he couldn’t free his hands to eat or use chopsticks, so he simply didn’t eat them.

Jiang Shaohua happily enjoyed the double portion of side dishes. In fact, she hadn’t had a full meal since entering the Capital City. Now that the mourning was over, and everything had been settled, she was slightly relieved, naturally regaining her appetite.

"Go fetch two more plates of buns. Just say the Second Prince wants them."

Eunuch Yuan hesitated for a moment before quickly responding and leaving. Moments later, he returned with two plates piled high with buns.

Then, he watched with wide eyes as the Nanyang County Princess slowly finished off the two plates of buns.

Eunuch Yuan was dumbfounded.

The Second Prince was full after just two buns and focused on watching his cousin eat. Jiang Shaohua sighed with satisfaction: "Finally had a full meal today."

The Second Prince looked on with admiration: "Cousin, you’re amazing!"

With her stomach full, Jiang Shaohua was in rare good spirits to interact with the Second Prince: "There were eight buns on each plate, I ate two plates. How many in total?"

The Second Prince began to count on his fingers, but even after a long time, it wasn’t enough. He even took Eunuch Yuan’s hand to continue counting, but he was too slow-witted, barely able to count to eleven, let alone twelve. He became so anxious that sweat dotted his forehead and pouted his lips, about to cry.

Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but laugh: "If you can’t count, just take your time. What’s there to cry about? You’re still young, keep practicing and you’ll learn."

She casually picked up a handkerchief and wiped the corners of the Second Prince’s mouth.

The Second Prince was bad at many things, but he was great at acting cute and lovable. He immediately snuggled into Jiang Shaohua’s embrace, his chubby little body trembling with sobs.

Jiang Shaohua gently patted the Second Prince’s back, and suddenly another boy’s face and figure flashed in her mind, causing a pang of bitterness.

How much can a mother love her son?

After dedicating herself for over ten years, all she got in return was her son’s resentment and hatred. How chilling and despairing is that?

The words she told Zheng Chen back then were true. In this life, she would never marry Wang Jin again. Her son from her previous life would naturally never be born.

Her heart had turned cold. Whether it’s her first lover from the past life or her husband and son, they would find it hard to move her heart anymore.

Still, whenever she thought of her son, the pain was unbearable.

The Second Prince suddenly stopped crying, looking up at Jiang Shaohua: "Cousin, don’t be sad."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows shifted slightly, meeting the Second Prince’s gaze: "I’m not sad."

The Second Prince’s features were exquisite, fully inheriting Consort Fan’s beauty, with eyes that were clear and transparent: "I heard your heart crying."

Jiang Shaohua’s heart trembled briefly, but her expression remained unchanged: "You heard wrong."

The Second Prince did not argue, doing his utmost to reach out and pat Jiang Shaohua’s back. Unfortunately, his hands were too short, barely reaching the edge of her back, merely patting twice for effect.

Jiang Shaohua’s heart was like a stone, not softened by such small things to forgive the poison killing hatred of her past life. Consort Fan was the Second Prince’s own mother; the decree for poison was stamped by the Second Prince with the Imperial Seal.

However, a corner of the ice mountain in her heart did melt.

Jiang Shaohua’s voice softened a bit: "It’s getting late; let’s go see Cousin the Crown Prince."

The Second Prince obediently nodded, reaching out to hold Jiang Shaohua’s hand spontaneously.