Princess Luo Shu did not show any special feelings toward Xie Qiao, and many people secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
Everyone knew that Princess Luo Shu was Consort Dowager Jiang's favorite!
The current Emperor was a filial son. He naturally treated Consort Dowager Jiang's beloved princess well. Even the Zhou family had received a lot of favors. The Old Master Zhou had passed away for many years, and the family was still as prosperous as ever!
Princess Luo Shu had a good relationship with the imperial palace, so their preferences were naturally the same.
Today, they specially invited this young lady from the Xie family over. Many people were surprised, and even suspected that this lady had been chosen as the Princess Consort.
However, thinking about it now, it was indeed impossible.
The status of the Xie family was too low. The Crown Prince was the prince of the country. Even if he took a fancy to this lady, she would at most be a side consort.
Thinking of that, some people revealed mocking expressions toward Xie Qiao.
Although they had no grudges with the Xie family, this girl's good looks would steal the limelight.
Xie Qiao was neither surprised nor happy. At that moment, she sat back down.
She had just sat back down when the Crown Prince arrived.
After everyone bowed, the Crown Prince actually had an amiable smile on his face as he sent a congratulatory gift to Princess Luo Shu. This aunt and nephew even started to chat!
During this Zhou family's elegant banquet, the Fourth and Fifth Princes did not even show. They did not think that the Crown Prince would actually show. It was truly somewhat baffling!
The Crown Prince's personality was cold and indifferent, and he did not like to socialize. There were not many people in the imperial court who supported him. There were only a few old ministers, and their influence was not great!
It could be said that as long as the Emperor was willing to reveal the slightest bit of intention to depose the Crown Prince, almost no one in the imperial court would object!
The Crown Prince had always been willful and reckless. He never made friends with courtiers and even often offended people. Even to these members of the imperial family, he was always cold and indifferent.
Today…
The sun had risen from the west.
He had even specially sent gifts to Princess Luo Shu.
Princess Luo Shu also felt a little awkward at that moment, "The Crown Prince managed to spare some time today? I heard that since you've gone to the criminal division, the division has solved several big cases consecutively. Previously, I even heard from the Empress that you've been so busy that you've lost weight. You've even entered the palace less and less..."
Even entering the palace was rare, let alone coming to her place.
"It's just solving cases. There's no need for me to personally go to work. It's just to urge the officials under me to do things. There's nothing to work hard about," The Crown Prince looked like he was smiling, but his smile did not reach his eyes. It made people feel a chill.
Princess Luo thought to herself, recently…
She often met the Empress in the Consort Dowager's palace and did not do anything that would attract the Crown Prince's attention...
Could it be that...
The matter of Consort Shu befriending Imperial Concubine Meng in the palace... had made the Crown Prince uncomfortable?
Thinking about that, Princess Luo Shu felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles.
Her sister-in-law was useless. She had only given birth to a princess. Seeing that the Emperor's health was not as good as before, it was probably impossible for her to give birth to another prince. She could only place her hopes on other princes.
The Crown Prince…
He did not listen to the carrot and stick. He never accepted any kind gestures. He only did things based on his mood. He was neither cold nor warm to the Zhou family. He also did not have any close or distant attitude toward his younger brothers and sisters.
Although the Fourth Prince was younger, he was more amiable.
What he said carried weight.
Only then did she secretly... let Consort Shu and Imperial Concubine Meng get closer to each other.
She did it inconspicuously. How did the Crown Prince notice it so quickly?
Princess Luo Shu's heart was already in chaos.
However, the Crown Prince still refused to leave.
Xie Qiao found that the Crown Prince was the king of awkward silence. The originally lively scene changed instantly when he came. The surroundings were silent, and the atmosphere was even more solemn than when the academy's examination was held!