Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Chapter 58

He wore a treasure-encrusted purple-gold crown on his head and donned a dark green robe with arrow sleeves. Around his waist hung a long tassel palace belt, from which dangled a piece of exquisite and transparent jade, marking him as a person of supreme identity and nobility. His smile, always carrying a touch of casual disdain and a deliberately flirtatious air, even the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes exuded an arrogant yet revered demeanor.

The Jin family elders gasped, uttering, "Shen... Prince..."

The person who arrived was none other than the third son of Emperor Jiayun, Prince Shen Zongzheng Li Han.

Xiaobao felt a relentless panic. Only now did he realize that Prince Shen's attendance at the opera was not due to his interest in any beauty, but because he already knew who Huai en was. His visit this time must be related to Huai en, as they shared the same surname. And deep down, Xiaobao had begun to speculate on Huai en's true identity.

Prince Shen emerged from the shadows, followed silently by two black-clad guards, exerting an unspoken pressure.

Xiaobao rushed to the prison bars, forgetting all decorum as he shouted, "Who is he!! Tell me!!!"

Prince Shen replied with a teasing smile, "Oh, Young Master Jin, how have you been? Enjoying your time with your beauty? Have you both been enjoying each other's company thoroughly?"

Old Master Jin pulled Xiaobao back, gently reprimanding him, "Xiaobao, do not be disrespectful." After speaking, he also knelt down to pay respects.

Prince Shen waved his hand dismissively, saying, "In the current circumstances, there's no need for such formalities, Old Master Jin. Or is it just force of habit for you?"

Old Master Jin's face turned ashen, "This humble one trembles in fear before Prince Shen, not knowing why Prince Shen would grace..."

Prince Shen interrupted Old Master Jin with a cool, mocking laugh.

"Indeed, Old Master Jin is frightened. You didn't get to see the person you wanted to see, but instead, you're greeted by me. I have quite a connection with the Jin family, and in such special times, if we don't seize the moment to catch up, there might not be another chance."

Old Master Jin, voice trembling, replied, "This humble one... does not understand... Your Highness's meaning."

Prince Shen chuckled, "You used to guess my intentions accurately. Now, are you truly confused, or just pretending to be?"

Old Master Jin knelt silently, while Xiaobao stared intently at Prince Shen with a mix of intense emotions.

Prince Shen mocked, "Did your father tell you any good stories?"

Xiaobao was stunned.

"Actually, when you were quite young, around twelve or thirteen, I had seen you before. You were always trailing behind the Emperor's nephew, timid and unlikely to amount to much. It's unfortunate that my judgment was so poor upon visiting your family; I thought your father was just a crude peasant. It turns out I was mistaken, and it upset my plans. You are nothing more than an ignorant fool, also disrupting my plans. Ah, it's demeaning for me to even be angered by the likes of you, but indeed, it angers me."

This speech, though delivered casually as if discussing household matters, left the Jin family sweating profusely in fear.

"Ah, Young Master Jin, your fate is indeed peculiar, destined to enjoy only twenty years of fortune. You must be wondering how you suddenly went from a wealthy young master to a prisoner. In truth, Huai en is not to blame for this. If anyone is to be blamed, it's your father's insatiable greed and his multitude of sins."