Resentment of the Spring Palace

Years later, they met by chance. The Crown Prince, warm and jade-like, sighed with a smile. “You’ve changed quite a bit.”

She was no longer willful and spoiled. Instead, she had become quiet and gentle.

Jiang Yinyue fell silent. She recalled how she had been kicked out of the game back then…

She had once been the proud daughter of a prestigious family, the Crown Prince’s little childhood sweetheart. Taking advantage of his favor, she acted arrogantly and overbearingly, infuriating the old Emperor until he blew his beard in rage. Rather than choosing her as the royal bride, it was better to settle for second best and select that scholarly daughter of a minor official.

It could even create a beautiful tale.

The Crown Prince’s marriage discussions were grand affairs. Everyone praised the talented man and beautiful woman, overcoming countless difficulties with love firmer than gold.

Jiang Yinyue became a laughingstock. Everyone mocked how the Crown Prince had lavished her with false praise, turning her unwittingly into a foil for the minor official’s daughter.

The minor official’s daughter was the true treasure the Crown Prince wanted to cherish in his palm.

“Yinyue, We can grant you a marriage. Any talented youth in the court is yours to choose.”

Was this compensation?

It felt like a fishbone stuck in Jiang Yinyue’s throat. All her hopes shattered.

Shutting herself away, she faced her father’s repeated scoldings for being useless. In a fit of anger, she chose to marry down to a poor scholar.

Her days passed as flat as water.

In the blink of an eye, three years passed. She accompanied her husband to take up a post in the provinces. They got separated en route. In her disheveled state, she happened to encounter the Crown Prince on his southern inspection tour.

The Crown Prince, still as radiant and upright as ever, intended to have a long heart-to-heart talk with Jiang Yinyue to make up for past debts. Yet he saw a clear and handsome man hurriedly arrive.

Wei Qin took Jiang Yinyue’s hand, full of worry. “Sorry, I came late.”

Jiang Yinyue was stunned. She had never seen him so panicked before. In her impression, Wei Qin had always been self-restrained, proper, and unhurried.

The Crown Prince watched the two quietly, his gaze falling on their clasped hands. An inexplicable sourness welled up in his chest.

He had never imagined that one day he would humbly beg Jiang Yinyue to return to his side.