Chapter 74: Cruel Prince 23

“What’s there to worry about?” Feng Qitong said while lifting Tang Wan’s chin lightly. “This prince guarantees that even if we arrive late today, Father Emperor won’t be angry. In fact, he’ll probably be delighted.”

Tang Wan stared at him dumbfounded.

Was this really allowed?

Didn’t ancient emperors value punctuality and respect above all else?

Wouldn’t arriving late to greet the emperor leave a terrible impression?

As though seeing through Tang Wan’s confusion, Feng Qitong curled his lips slightly.

“No one knows this matter except Father Emperor and me. But since Ai Consort is so curious, this prince will explain.”

“Father Emperor has long wanted me to marry quickly and give him a grandson soon.”

“As for the throne...” Feng Qitong continued casually, “as long as this prince wants it, I can sit on it at any time. Believe it or not?”

He let out a faint snort afterward.

If not for concerns that his violent episodes might destabilize the empire after succession, the emperor would already have passed the throne to him long ago.

Of course, none of the other princes knew this.

And ever since the age of nine, Feng Qitong had already been secretly assisting the emperor in handling state affairs.

Now that there was hope for curing his mania, the Great Tang Empire would sooner or later belong entirely to him.

As for the other princes?

If not for his illness, did they really think they were qualified to compete with him for the throne?

Feng Qitong had never truly placed them in his eyes.

...

Tang Wan instantly understood what he meant.

In other words—

the emperor had already privately intended to abdicate in Feng Qitong’s favor?

But...

none of this had ever been mentioned in the original plot.

Just as Tang Wan was thinking about it, the little cutie suddenly appeared.

“Host, don’t be surprised. The original plot was developed mainly from the perspective of the male and female leads. But even supporting characters have their own complete lives and experiences.”

“The villain is the same.”

Hearing this, Tang Wan suddenly understood.

...

Seeing Tang Wan staring blankly in thought, Feng Qitong reached out and pinched her soft cheek.

“What? Does Ai Consort want to become empress?”

“As long as you keep this prince happy, perhaps the position of empress could belong to you very soon.”

Hearing this, Tang Wan immediately snapped back to reality and quickly shook her head.

“You can say such things in front of me, but don’t let outsiders hear them. Otherwise, even if your father trusts you now, he may eventually become suspicious.”

Looking at Tang Wan’s serious expression, Feng Qitong froze slightly before suddenly bursting into laughter.

“This prince truly picked up a treasure!”

Then he directly grabbed her hand.

“Come. Let’s enter the palace.”

Being worried about like this...

actually felt rather good.

“Wait!” Tang Wan suddenly complained resentfully. “My lip makeup is gone.”

Only then did Feng Qitong react and lower his gaze toward her reddened lips.

Tang Wan hurriedly turned around and reapplied her lip rouge in front of the mirror.

However, the moment she finished standing up again, Feng Qitong suddenly lifted her into his arms without warning.

“With this prince here, Ai Consort doesn’t need to walk herself.”

Tang Wan: “???”

Was he trying to make her completely unable to walk in the future?!

Unfortunately, she still didn’t dare protest aloud.

Thus, she was carried directly into the carriage by Feng Qitong as they headed toward the palace.

Naturally, once inside the carriage, Feng Qitong once again pulled her into his embrace and refused to let go.

Fortunately, Tang Wan had anticipated this in advance and already brought extra cosmetics with her.

...

After arriving at the palace, Feng Qitong finally stopped carrying her.

However, he still firmly held her hand without any intention of releasing it.

Unfortunately, just as the two stepped down from their carriage, another carriage nearby stopped as well.

The Second Prince stepped down elegantly while using the servant’s back as a footstool before immediately approaching them with a warm smile.

“Greetings, Crown Prince Brother. Greetings, Sister-in-law.”

The Second Prince smiled gently, appearing refined and approachable.

But Tang Wan knew very clearly—

beneath that peaceful and elegant appearance hid a deeply calculating heart.