Chapter 263: Favoritism
Xie Qiao could not help but sympathize with Zhao Xuanjing. No wonder he could not live in the East Palace. There were many devils of all sizes. The only reason he could live until now was because he had the protection of the dragon bloodline and his own fate was strong enough!
Xie Qiao’s expression was complicated. The palace maid beside her felt that Young Lady Xie was very strange.
His Highness had told her earlier to take Young Lady Xie around. So this morning, she asked about Young Lady Xie’s appearance and stood nearby, waiting for Young Lady Xie to speak.
She thought she was only showing her around…
She thought it would be a stroll through the garden, looking at the flowers and plants. If Xie Qiao had any requests, she would respond to her in time.
However, Young Lady Xie was really taking a stroll!
When she came out of the courtyard, she had almost checked out the entire East Palace!
What shocked her even more was that Young Lady Xie had brought a brush and paper along with… a small compass.
She would mumble, and she would lower her head to write on the paper. Some were words, and some were drawings. She could not understand the drawings either, but for some reason, she felt that this young lady was very mysterious!
“Young Lady Xie, it’s almost time. Do you want to go back and rest?” The palace maid asked carefully.
Xie Qiao looked at the sun, it was warm.
In fact, she was not tired. After walking a few steps, she would sit down and rest. This palace maid had also received instructions to take the shortcut. Moreover, Zhao Xuanjing had prepared the drawings of the Crown Prince’s mansion in advance. Xie Qiao had a rough idea of the place.
“The Crown Prince’s consort selection should be starting now, right? What’s the procedure? Will it be decided today?” Xie Qiao asked.
“It has already started since the Crown Prince entered the palace. This consort selection is different from the past. There’s actually no procedure as long as Your Highness likes anyone.” The palace maid smiled, “Your Highness actually chose once the year when he was 16. At that time, the legitimate daughters, younger sisters, nieces, and granddaughters of the hundreds of officials who were single could participate in the selection. After rounds of selection, a few were finally selected. Each of them was a beauty and the portraits were sent to Your Highness. However, something happened at that time, and Your Highness did not choose anyone.”
Xie Qiao was quite curious, “What happened?”
The palace maid hesitated for a moment.
However, thinking of His Highness’ instructions that she would have to answer whatever Young Lady Xie’s question may be, she said, “At that time, the Second Prince was involved with one of the women and was caught by Your Highness.
“The consort selection was originally prepared for the Crown Prince, but the other princes also had a part in it.
“After the Emperor had chosen the consort for the Crown Prince, if he felt that it was appropriate, then it was normal for him to decide for the other princes.
“But before the Crown Prince had chosen, the Second Prince was involved with one of the women. It was obviously a slap to the Crown Prince’s face. At that time, His Highness was also angry and ended the consort selection directly.”
“Second Prince? Why haven’t I heard of him?” Xie Qiao asked suspiciously.
After coming to the capital, she had heard of the Crown Prince and… the Fourth Prince.
When she was cleaning the stables earlier, she had also met a person called Meng Jifang. That person seemed to be a relative of the Fourth Prince.
However, she had indeed not heard of the other princes.
Even the palace maid was surprised.
‘She came to the Crown Prince’s mansion, but she didn’t even know about the past?’
“The Emperor doted on the Crown Prince. The Second Prince embarrassed the Crown Prince and directly angered His Majesty. Later, he found a reason and imprisoned him,” the palace maid said embarrassedly.
Xie Qiao was extremely surprised.
“Then is there a Third Prince?” Xie Qiao asked again.
“Yes, the Third Prince… has become a commoner.” The palace maid’s words were shocking.
Seeing that Xie Qiao was puzzled and curious, the palace maid simply explained, “When the Crown Prince was 12, he injured his hand. At that time, the Third Prince did not know how to comfort his elder brother, and even mocked the Crown Prince privately that from now on, he would be a cripple. When these words reached His Majesty’s ears, His Majesty was furious and demoted the Third Prince that night.”