As Xie Xianqing gazed up at the moon, Chen Jiao was thinking about accompanying the Crown Prince to the temple.
It was common knowledge that only a trusted aide could follow a leader on such trips. The Crown Prince had asked her to accompany him to the temple to pay respects to the late Empress Mother. In other words, he regarded her as a trusted confidant.
Such a perfect opportunity to demonstrate loyalty, how could someone determined to be the top junior ever miss it?
The more Chen Jiao thought about it, the more excited she became. She declared with righteous fervor, “It is my duty to assist Your Highness. I will return home now to pack and depart with you!”
She rubbed her hands together, eager to make a mark on this journey. Once she said it, she was ready to leave immediately, fearing that if she delayed, the Crown Prince might change his mind and leave her behind.
Xie Xianqing watched the young figure, helplessly calling out to her, and then asked an unrelated question, “How did you get the wine from the Yijia household in Jingzhao?”
Chen Jiao looked back in confusion and said frankly, “I simply asked for it.”
Xie Xianqing raised an eyebrow. “They gave it to you just like that?”
Chen Jiao’s behavior that day had been casual, yet the host of the banquet, the son of the Yijia household, must have been furious. The Crown Prince was curious how she had persuaded him to part with a treasured wine despite his anger.
Chen Jiao replied matter-of-factly, “I told him I thought the wine was excellent and wanted to bring a jar back for Your Highness. He immediately agreed and even went to the wine cellar to select it for me.”
She then flashed a mischievous smile. “Actually, the wine we just drank here tastes even better than what I had at the poetry gathering.”
Her smile was bright, her demeanor open, and she admitted openly that the wine had been obtained under the Crown Prince’s name. Moonlight softened around the young figure, scattering gentle reflections across the lake—beautiful and captivating.
Xie Xianqing, at first surprised, then lowered his gaze with a smile, thinking it entirely reasonable. It suited Chen Jiao’s playful nature perfectly.
Chen Jiao left the Crown Prince’s residence in high spirits. Outside, she didn’t immediately get into her carriage but stood at the gate, gazing at the road she had come from.
The night was late, and due to the curfew, the streets were quiet. Outside, her waiting carriage from the Marquis’s residence sat ready.
Chen Jiao stared at the Crown Prince’s residence, expression unreadable.
Many likely brought gifts to the Crown Prince, but given his busy schedule, he could not personally handle every offering. Most gifts would end up forgotten in some storeroom.
Before delivering the wine, Chen Jiao had considered this likely outcome. It would probably sit in some corner, quietly gathering dust.
She had not expected Xie Xianqing to open it on the spot and share a drink with her.
Her choice had been correct; Xie Xianqing truly was an outstanding heir and an excellent superior. She resolved to work even harder, to be more attentive, striving to become his number-one junior.
With that thought, Chen Jiao’s eyes hardened with determination. She turned and climbed into the carriage. “Take me back to the Marquis’s residence.”
The Crown Prince did not believe in superstition, yet his mother had been devout in life, so each year he visited Daming Temple to pray for the late Empress Mother. Though it had not been made public, Chen Jiao was fortunate to be chosen to accompany him.
The Daming Temple lay on a hill outside Chang’an. Carriages could only reach the foot, requiring a long walk up the mountain, making the round trip over a day’s journey.
Because the Crown Prince was praying for his biological mother, they walked the entire way up to demonstrate sincerity. If the leader walked, the subordinates could not leisurely ride or take a sedan chair—that would have been disgraceful.
The journey was long and tiring, and under ordinary circumstances, Chen Jiao would have protested. But this was an opportunity too valuable to pass up.
She packed snacks and several water flasks, the bamboo tubes carrying dew infused with osmanthus fragrance. She believed that being a devoted junior required perfection in execution, becoming the indispensable right hand of her leader.
On the day of the temple visit, Chen Jiao remained attentive, walking beside the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, are you thirsty? I brought osmanthus water.”
“Would Your Highness like tea?”
“Try a bit of this glutinous rice cake. It’s sweet! I also brought a small jar of pickled plums, perfect to refresh the palate or steep in water.”
“The sun is strong. I brought a parasol. Would Your Highness like shade?”
Chen Jiao carried a small basket woven from bamboo, neatly organizing all her preparations inside. She frequently pulled items out—sometimes a box of cakes, sometimes a few green plums and sipped from the bamboo tubes when thirsty.
Occasionally, a wild rabbit would be bound across the path. Chen Jiao would raise her sleeves, eager to chase it playfully. With her ample preparation and relaxed demeanor, it seemed more like a leisurely outing than a mountain climb.
The Crown Prince had traversed this path many times due to his mother, and it usually weighed heavily on him. Yet for the first time, he felt lighthearted. Even the familiar scenery seemed fresh.
He used some of what Chen Jiao offered; he declined the glutinous rice cake. She didn’t mind, nor waste anything, happily consuming the remainder herself. Xie Xianqing could reasonably assume she had packed all this with her own preferences in mind.
Chen Jiao’s diligent attentiveness surrounded the Crown Prince completely, leaving no room for others to intrude.
The other attendants and eunuchs were inwardly exasperated: …
What was Chen Jiao doing? Normally he competed for attention with the adults, but today he was even taking over the duties of the young eunuchs, and with everything so perfectly prepared! Couldn’t he leave anything for the rest of us?
Truly, the adults were right—this Chen Jiao was scheming.
All along, Chen Jiao remained meticulous and thoughtful, a true “king of diligence,” causing the Crown Prince’s other attendants to feel a real sense of workplace crisis, fearing their positions were threatened.
The young eunuch who had recently joined Xie Xianqing’s retinue was especially impatient. Spotting Chen Jiao, he muttered, half-heartedly, “Chen Jiao is so attentive, even we rootless ones can’t compare to his thoroughness.”
Chen Jiao, contemplating which flavor of cake to eat, turned around and said with satisfaction, “I know, sir, that you still have much to learn from me. But assisting the Crown Prince and preventing danger is my duty. Therefore, you need not overpraise me—I know I am excellent!”
The young eunuch: …you son of a—!
He wanted to argue further, but his master sharply grabbed his arm. Startled, he lowered his head and fell silent.
His master was Zhang, a eunuch who had served the Crown Prince for years and understood him best. Even the Crown Prince’s usual attendants would show deference. With this warning, the young eunuch realized his misstep and trembled.
Ahead, Xie Xianqing had observed all of this, glanced at Zhang, and coolly withdrew his gaze.
He beckoned Chen Jiao over, saying gently, “Come here. I will test the assignment I gave you a few days ago.”
“Ah? A spring outing and an assignment?!” Chen Jiao was shocked, yet could not refuse. She hung her head and went over, “Alright.”
Walking slowly toward Xie Xianqing, they strolled side by side. Those accompanying them fell silent, nerves taut.
Though the exercise was nominally to test Chen Jiao’s work, anyone familiar with the Crown Prince’s temperament knew it was also a display of favor.
Zhang, who had served Xie Xianqing for years, recalled the Crown Prince’s glance and already had sweat on his brow.
The Crown Prince was known for his elegance and kindness, but anyone thinking he could be easily deceived was gravely mistaken. He had rules and decisive methods, known only to those close to him.
Today, the young eunuch had committed a grave offense simply by challenging Chen Jiao. A subordinate’s first priority was to place their master above all else. Failing that, no master would trust or employ them.
The young eunuch’s failure rendered him useless to the Crown Prince, yet he still tried to hinder the diligent Chen Jiao, tantamount to blocking a competent colleague while failing at your own work.
Meanwhile, Chen Jiao chatted casually with the Crown Prince, paying no attention to the young eunuch. Exceptional people often incite jealousy; these rivals were no threat.
After being tested, Chen Jiao offered modest praise: “Your Highness, you are diligent and hardworking. Being beside someone like you has benefited me greatly!”
Had any other lazy student been singled out for assessment, they would likely have hung their head in defeat. She, however, remained spirited and even managed to flatter her superior with ease—a feat unparalleled.
Xie Xianqing had intended to protect her from the eunuchs’ petty harassment, yet couldn’t help but smile and lightly tap the young forehead. “You, you…”
His fingers brushed her soft, smooth skin, and he paused, surprised by how delicate a male’s skin could be.
Lowering his eyes to conceal the unusual reaction, he withdrew his hand, brushing his fingers subtly along his sleeve.
Chen Jiao, unaware of his thoughts, touched her own forehead, puzzled. “Did I say something wrong?”
She stepped slightly closer. The Crown Prince, who had seemed composed moments before, suddenly stepped back. Chen Jiao halted, looking up, confused.
Xie Xianqing felt the lingering touch of her fingertips but could not explain his own reaction. He found an excuse, softly explaining, “I am sensitive to scents.”
Chen Jiao blinked. “Huh?” She raised an arm, sniffing—there was no smell at all.
This was the second time the Crown Prince had mentioned a scent on her, leaving Chen Jiao a little hurt. Knowing he was sensitive to odors, she never used sachets or incense and had bathed diligently each day.
Though disguised as a boy, her heart was still that of a girl. Being accused repeatedly of carrying a scent made her embarrassed.
Feeling slightly aggrieved, she said, “I’ll bathe properly tomorrow.”
Xie Xianqing, lost in thought, heard the naive comment and his previous unease dissipated into helpless amusement.
He hadn’t expected her mind to wander so wildly, immediately assuming he was complaining about her odor.
He sighed, “You carry a faint osmanthus scent.” Perhaps it was the lingering sweetness that made his fingers tense.
Chen Jiao was puzzled. “But it’s only spring…” Osmanthus only bloomed in autumn.
Realizing, she took a small box from her bag, opened it, and revealed a box of osmanthus cakes.
She held one out to the Crown Prince. “Is it this scent?”
Immediately realizing he might be sensitive to scents and that bringing it close could annoy him, she quickly took a bite herself, explaining softly, “I was born in autumn and have liked osmanthus-related things since childhood. I often carry some when I go out. Perhaps that’s why Your Highness noticed it.”
The persistent sweet fragrance mingled with the spring breeze, while before her, the young Crown Prince nibbled the cake delicately.
Xie Xianqing slowly turned his gaze away, concealing his emotions, and after a long pause, said, “It’s nothing.”