Chapter 539: Chapter 538: 538: If You Feel Pity for a Man

Li Hongyuan had no reason to stay any longer.

Before leaving, he said something.

“Jiang Ning, no matter what I do, I can’t earn your true heart.”

“Your Highness, take care, I won’t see you off.”

Jiang Ning kneeled down and bowed gracefully.

Her golden silk embroidered shoes shone under the moonlight.

Li Hongyuan glanced at them and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Jiang Ning watched him walk away, and moments later, two Imperial Guard soldiers appeared and stood at the door like two iron towers.

“Close the door!”

Jiang Ning ordered the door to be closed, keeping the guards out of sight.

Huang Ying brought a cloak and draped it over her.

“Where are the children?” Jiang Ning asked.

“The little Highnesses were playing happily today, maybe they were tired, they went to bed early.” Huang Ying said softly, “It’s getting late, and it’s chilly outside. Let’s go back inside, Master.”

“Let’s sit for a little while longer. Look how beautiful the moon is.”

“Yes, the moon tonight is really beautiful.” Huang Ying also stood still, looking up at the deep blue night sky and the clear, bright moon.

The master and servant quietly gazed at it for a long time, until Jiang Ning’s neck ached, and she stood up and stretched. “Let’s go back and sleep.”

Huang Ying ordered the palace maids to tidy up the courtyard while she followed Jiang Ning, asking, “Why did Master anger the Crown Prince? Since moving into the East Palace, the Crown Prince has never stayed here. There’s a lot of talk about it in the harem.”

“Let people say whatever they want.”

“This slave thinks the Crown Prince seems a little pitiful too.”

“Pitiful?” Jiang Ning laughed, “Huang Ying, do you know, if a woman starts to pity a man, it’s probably not a good sign.”

Huang Ying hurriedly waved her hands, “Master, don’t scare this slave, I absolutely do not harbor any inappropriate thoughts.”

“Don’t be nervous.”

Jiang Ning yawned, took off her cloak and threw it to Huang Ying, kicked off her shoes, and lay down on the bed.

Huang Ying tucked her in, whispering, “Master, as the Princess Consort, you shouldn’t reject the Crown Prince.”

“Don’t speak for him, he’s too melodramatic.” Jiang Ning turned her back to the wall, closed her eyes, and spoke drowsily, “Don’t just listen to what he says, pay attention to what he does.”

“In order to save the Princess Consort, the Crown Prince…”

“He does everything for the sake of securing the position of the Crown Prince. I won’t go into details about that since we are in a cooperative relationship. But if he wants something he shouldn’t, it won’t be allowed.”

“Has Master forgotten that when the King of Chen rebelled, the Crown Prince abandoned saving His Majesty and came to the rescue of the Jiang Family?”

“I remember, how could I forget?” Jiang Ning opened her eyes and frowned, “I thought about it later. He temporarily lost his position as the Crown Prince and lost the Emperor’s favor. But, he gained the trust of the Jiang Family.”

Huang Ying was slightly stunned.

“He’s a prince, and Concubine Jin’s son. Regardless of whether he saved His Majesty or not, that fact can’t be changed. He can, however, try to redeem his status. But with the help of General Jiang and Prime Minister Jiang, he truly gained wings.”

Huang Ying found this hard to accept.

“Is the Crown Prince not truly sincere towards you? Are those things he did only for himself, and not for you?”

Jiang Ning said, “You young maids always judge people by their appearances. Is Li Hongyuan some kind of good and honest person? His goal has always been that position. People say it’s hard to change one’s nature; do you think a lame and mad woman like me can change him?”