My Princess and Crown Prince Are Revived
Chapter 291 Shi Jing’s Thoughts

Chapter 291: Chapter 291 Shi Jing’s Thoughts

"I have seen the Crown Prince, Princess."

Having arrived here, Shi Jing did not forget to pay his respects to Nan Li and Chu Baihan.

"Hmm."

Chu Baihan, by now, was disinterested in everything and languidly responded.

Shi Jing lifted his gaze to her emotionless profile and felt a stir within him.

Finally, he pursed his lips and, without saying a word, withdrew his gaze.

But his mood... was far from calm.

Actually, before today’s autumn hunt, the Emperor had summoned him in private.

He still distinctly remembered the conversation with the Emperor in the Imperial Study.

"Shi Jing, if I were to arrange a marriage between you and my daughter, would you be willing?"

"Your Majesty, my heart is devoted to the battlefield, and I have no interest in romantic entanglements."

"No, serving the court is one matter; settling down and starting a family is another. I cannot let you neglect your personal life. Otherwise, I would feel extremely guilty toward your parents."

"Your Majesty, I have no feelings for the Seventh Princess, I..."

"Do you think I want to marry Xiaoqi to you? No, the one I hope you will marry is... Hanhan."

"The Princess?"

"Yes, precisely Hanhan."

"Your Majesty, I am of humble origins..."

"You only need to tell me if you wish to marry Hanhan. If you are willing, I can grant you a royal marriage."

At that moment, his head buzzed uncontrollably.

A rush of blood, inexplicably, surged to his head.

He couldn’t help but declare loudly, "I am willing!"

He had feelings for the Princess...

He had only recently realized it.

He didn’t even know when the Princess began to occupy a special place in his heart.

At first, he was arrogant, insisting on his own views in the matter with the Xiang Family, determined to bet against her.

He lost, yet instead of mocking him, she offered him consolation.

Latter on, when escorting the Empress Dowager and the Sixth Princess, his obstinacy almost put her in danger.

It was also at that time that he saw another side of her.

She was decisive and ruthless with her enemies, yet extremely protective of those close to her.

Recently, people in the capital city said she was heartless and cruel.

But he didn’t think so. Surrounded on all sides, watched keenly by those around her, she had to move cautiously.

She, a woman, had managed to persevere until today, even holding up half the sky of the Nanduan Kingdom by herself.

People from other countries could criticize her, but those from the Nanduan Kingdom who were under her protection had no right to do so.

These experiences were etched into his brain, and many times upon waking from a dream, he would see her silhouette.

Perhaps, without even realizing it, she had already walked into his heart.

"Good, tomorrow’s autumn hunt will be your opportunity. Rest assured, the situation where a Prince Consort is not allowed military power will not apply to you. Not only will you keep your military power, but I will also grant you more. However, my only request is that you treat Hanhan well and never be unfaithful to her."

The Emperor’s words were still echoing in his ears.

He didn’t understand why the Emperor would grant him this marriage but also allow him to keep his military power.

He remembered that no Prince Consort in all the dynasties had ever been given such treatment.

Could it be because the Emperor cherished the Princess so much that he made such an exception?

Although Yan Lin didn’t speak, he could feel there was something off about Shi Jing’s gaze towards Chu Baihan.

His grip on the cup tightened slightly, and a flash of coldness passed through his dark eyes.

Shi Jing had better not have any other thoughts, or he would not let him go.

"All right, since everyone has arrived, the autumn hunt shall commence. Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, a splendid day, making the hunt even more lively. Today, hunt to your heart’s content, and whoever catches the most prey will be handsomely rewarded. Moreover, tonight, I have a happy announcement to make."

From above, Nan Shi’s voice came through.

The ministers seemed quite pleased to hear this.

However, the expressions of Chu Baihan and the others became very serious.

A happy announcement?

What kind of good news could there be at this time?

In the past, Father would have told her and the Crown Prince about such matters in advance.

But now...

They had not received any notice.

There could only be two reasons. The first was that Father had begun to suspect them and thus did not wish to tell them. The second was that this so-called "happy announcement" was related to them.

Among the crowd, Nan Leqin had the ugliest expression.

Her face twisted momentarily, her eyes occasionally revealing a toxic resentment.

She had people eavesdrop on the conversation between Father and Shi Jing, and thus knew that tonight, Father intended to grant marriage between Shi Jing and Chu Baihan.

Ha, she had adored Shi Jing for so many years, asking Father several times to grant her marriage, but he had always refused with various reasons.

But this time, Father actually wanted to grant marriage to Chu Baihan on his own initiative.

Father... you really are biased!

Moreover, Shi Jing, for all these years, she did not hide her adoration for him.

But he always refused her, claiming he was uninterested and did not wish to marry into the Royal Family.

Yet, he turned around and agreed to marry Chu Baihan.

She was filled with hate, so much hate!

Why should she, now disreputable and injured, having lost everything, be unable to pursue happiness while they could?

No, she must destroy what she cannot have!

She looked up at Chu Baihan and Shi Jing, her eyes full of overwhelming resentment.

Her gaze was like that of a viper releasing its venom.

"Hanhan, you were always the most formidable in the past hunts. Today, you must not let Father down," said Nan Shi with a kind expression, smiling at Chu Baihan. He had a simple thought: to have Chu Baihan and Shi Jing hunt together so that they could foster a relationship.

But after he said this, Chu Baihan replied indifferently, "Father, perhaps you have forgotten that your son needs to heal his hand these days and cannot engage in other activities."

As she spoke, she even raised her hands, wrapped like zongzi.

Nan Shi’s expression changed abruptly at that.

"Hanhan, Father forgot about this, Father..." His tone was filled with regret.

These days, so many troublesome matters had made him forget that Hanhan had mentioned a few days ago that she needed to slice flesh and scrape bone to treat her hands.

It must have hurt her a lot, yet he had forgotten and especially organized the autumn hunt.

"Hanhan, Father..." He opened his mouth, wanting to offer some explanation.

But Chu Baihan spoke first, "Father, I am fine; you need not worry. The autumn hunt should go on as planned, and it won’t be affected by my absence."

Her voice was clear, cold, and distant.

Nan Shi felt heavy-hearted, but he could not elaborate further.

At this moment, Nan Leshi spoke as if casually, "Father, it’s alright if the Princess doesn’t participate in the hunt. If she desires the first prize, there will certainly be someone willing to help her achieve it. Kong Cheng is willing to hunt in place of me to seek a reward from you; who, I wonder, would be willing to help the Princess?"

With those words, many people’s eyes brightened.

Could this not be the selection of a consort for the Princess?