Quick Transmigration: The Green Tea Mistress's Guide to Seduction - A Master's Handbook

"Is that so?" Even Xie Qingyu couldn't help but show a shocked expression after hearing what Prince Shen had to say.

Although Xie Qingyu knew that there must be a reason why the Consort treated her two sons differently, she never expected it to be this reason.

"Does anyone else know?" Xie Qingyu couldn't help but ask.

Prince Shen gave her a look as if she were an idiot.

Xie Qingyu realized her mistake and understood that she had been foolish. This matter involved the royal bloodline, so how could anyone else possibly know about it?

Even if you speak out, without solid evidence, you'll only face certain death.

Prince Ling was not the emperor's biological son!

It should be noted that Prince Ling was a popular candidate for crown prince and had much more prestige among civil officials than Prince Shen.

Moreover, he had an advantage in age over Prince Shen. It could be said that the Consort's family had placed almost all their hopes on Prince Ling, rather than Prince Shen.

With a prominent maternal family, a favored mother, and a good reputation, plus the support of the Princess Consort's family, and with the eldest prince's son, who died young, Ling Wang had the advantage. He was practically in a position with all the right timing, location, and support.

He even had a prominent younger brother, Prince Shen, to share his attention, diverting the attention of his brothers from him.

If he is smart enough, the throne will almost certainly be his.

But even this Prince Ling was not of imperial blood.

It's really a big joke in the world.

"When did you find out?" Xie Qingyu's gaze fell on Prince Shen.

“A long time ago.” Shen Wang said casually, seemingly without any pressure to tell Xie Qingyu this secret.

Indeed, without any evidence, even if Xie Qingyu spoke out, she would only be seen as a madwoman, and would be killed on the spot for speaking out against the royal family.

Xie Qingyu naturally had no intention of telling anyone; she was just wondering when the Prince Shen meant by "a long time ago."

When he was very young and old enough to understand things, he discovered that he was being treated differently by his mother. At that time, he did not know why, but even a child could keenly sense the difference between his mother and his brother, especially someone as precocious as Prince Shen.

He only realized the truth one day when he learned it: the reason he was disliked was because he was the emperor's own son.

Xie Qingyu seemed to suddenly understand the reason why Prince Shen went to the battlefield at a young age.

"Alright, just keep this a secret and don't let anyone know you know." King Shen showed no awareness whatsoever of revealing such an important secret.

Xie Qingyu looked at him and then stopped herself from saying what she was about to say.

She originally wanted to ask why, since she knew about this, she didn't use it to bring down Prince Ling, even though the two of them were clearly at odds.

But the moment Xie Qingyu met Shen Wang's eyes, she immediately understood.

This matter will never be revealed by King Shen, and even if someone tries to stir up trouble, King Shen will not allow it unless it is absolutely necessary.

Otherwise, having an elder brother who is not of royal blood would mean having a concubine who has cuckolded the emperor. In such a situation, it would be unimportant whether Prince Shen is of royal blood or not. They would share the same fate, and the same applies to the harem and the princes.

Therefore, Prince Shen harbored such a secret in his heart, and had to conceal it while watching the Imperial Concubine favor Prince Ling.

The so-called imperial favor he gained was nothing more than a target.

"Don't look at me like that." Prince Shen reached out and touched Xie Qingyu's eyes. "It's just superfluous emotion."

King Shen had long since given up on it and felt nothing about it.

He just didn't want to see the look of pity in Xie Qingyu's eyes; he didn't need it.

"Alright, since you have this time, why don't you prepare a few more clothes for me? The hot spring pool at Chunhui Garden is quite large." Prince Shen stood up. "By the way, prepare some for yourself too."

Xie Qingyu remained silent, first going outside to tell Qingyan and Xinping about Prince Shen's trip to the hot springs, asking one of them to check out the pools while the other arranged for food. Only then did she return to the room to pack two light outfits for Prince Shen.

Before soaking in the hot spring, you need to take a bath first. When Prince Shin was in the palace, he did not need anyone to serve him when he bathed, and it is the same here.

But it's different when soaking in a hot spring; you need someone to serve you.

Of the several hot spring pools in Chunhui Garden, this one is the largest.

Xinping and Qingyan had already set out food and a set of chess pieces on the stone platform.

While Prince Shen was taking a bath, Xie Qingyu hung another set of clothes she had brought on a rack nearby, so that Prince Shen could change into them later.

After putting away all the towels for washing, Xie Qingyu reached out and tested the water temperature.

After everything was prepared, Xie Qingyu stepped aside.

In this era, soaking in hot springs is indeed a top-notch indulgence, especially when everything is prepared by someone else.

After taking a bath, King Shen barely dried himself, wearing only a loose undergarment.

As she watched him go into the pool, Xie Qingyu went up to him, placed a wooden board beside him, and brought him some food and tea.

The pool was clearly divided into levels. After Prince Shen went down, he only took off his undergarments and found a place to sit down, wearing only his underpants, and watched Xie Qingyu busy herself.

It's likely that the hot spring pools were designed with in mind that servants might be taller than their masters, hence the high edges of the pools.

Xie Qingyu knelt below the edge, placing things on the wooden planks on the edge, her gaze meeting that of Shen Wang in the hot spring.

"Soaking in hot springs is good for your health. There are two more pools in the back; you can soak in them for a while later," said Prince Shen.

Xie Qingyu had already seen the two pools when she arrived, and only now did she realize what it meant for Prince Shen to ask her to carry a change of clothes as well.

"I'll go over once Your Highness has finished getting things ready." Xie Qingyu arranged her things and got up to check.

“If he stays outside for a while, I’ll contact him if anything happens.” Prince Shen appeared very serious at this moment.

Xie Qingyu hummed in agreement, got up and checked the incense burning in the corner. After confirming that there was nothing else, she approached the steps of the pool and picked up the clothes that Shen Wang had just taken off, intending to put them aside.

Accidents often happen at this time; the damp clothes that King Shen took off made people slippery.

Xie Qingyu was holding the clothes and was about to go downstairs when she saw that she was about to roll face down the steps. Xie Qingyu exclaimed in surprise.

The next moment, a force came from behind, and Xie Qingyu's clothes were pulled.

The sound of splashing water, water droplets rising and falling, and then, after a moment, Shen Xie Qingyu was already in Shen Wang's arms.

When he opened his eyes, he saw a concerned look on his face. He only breathed a sigh of relief when he was sure that the person was safe and sound in his arms.

No one knew the panic he felt when he stood up and grabbed Xie Qingyu.

She let out a long sigh before slowly saying, "Are you throwing yourself into my arms?"