The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the palace gates.
Ye An’an lifted the curtain, ready to jump down, but paused mid-motion.
At the palace entrance stood two men, both wearing dark blue official robes, their postures upright, looking to be around the same age as Xiao Jingshi. One had a handsome, gentle face with a refined aura, while the other had sharp, deep-set features with a hint of unruly valor.
They seemed to be waiting for someone. Seeing the crown prince’s carriage stop, both immediately approached, their expressions tinged with urgency.
“Your Highness, you’ve finally returned,” said the gentle-looking young man first, his tone carrying familiarity.
Xiao Jingshi had already stepped down from the carriage.
He glanced at the two men, his voice still cool and composed: “What’s the matter?”
“It’s those old foxes at the Ministry of Revenue again,” the sharp-featured youth complained, frowning. “They’re dragging their feet over the funds for the southern irrigation project, claiming the treasury is empty, saying not a single coin can be allocated.”
Ye An’an sat inside the carriage, listening to their conversation, and quickly understood the situation. These two must be Xiao Jingshi’s trusted colleagues.
She was wondering whether to slip back to the Eastern Palace so as not to disturb them discussing official business when Xiao Jingshi suddenly turned to her, extending his hand.
That hand was long, slender, and graceful, hovering in the air as if waiting.
Ye An’an froze.
This… was he offering to help her down?
She looked at his hand, then at his otherwise expressionless face, and couldn’t help but smile inwardly. This guy, clearly making the first move, still wore that “I’m very aloof” expression—awkwardly adorable.
Without overthinking, she placed her hand in his.
Xiao Jingshi’s palm was cool but steady. With a gentle grip, he helped her down from the carriage.
Once Ye An’an was standing firmly, he released his hand. The whole process was natural, as if he had done it hundreds of times before.
However, the two men at the palace gates nearly had their eyes pop out.
The gentle-looking young man, Lu Chengyuan, was the son of the Vice Minister of Personnel, now serving in the Hanlin Academy. The sharp-featured youth, Xie Zhao, was the heir of the Dingbei Marquisate, currently in the Ministry of War. Both had grown up with Xiao Jingshi—officially their lord, but in reality, close friends.
They had never seen their crown prince, who normally kept distant from women, act so closely and considerately with any female.
Moreover, this woman wore men’s clothing, her features bright and lively, her expression confident—nothing like the timid young ladies of the capital.
The two exchanged shocked glances: Who is she? Since when did the crown prince have such a companion?
“Cough.” Xiao Jingshi seemed to notice their reaction and awkwardly cleared his throat. “This is the crown prince’s consort.”
“Pfft—” Xie Zhao nearly choked, unable to contain himself.
The crown prince’s consort?!
The one from the rumors—big-chested, spoiled, arrogant, using military achievements to force a marriage, only to be left alone in the bridal chamber on her wedding night by the prince?
This… didn’t match the gossip at all!
The rumored consort should have been tearful and resentful, yet this one appeared lively, carefree, even wearing men’s clothes, accompanying the prince out of the palace!
Lu Chengyuan, being more composed, quickly recovered and cupped his hands in salute: “Your servant, Lu Chengyuan (Xie Zhao), pays respects to Her Highness, the crown prince’s consort.”
“No need for formalities,” Ye An’an waved her hand graciously. She was in a good mood and felt kindly toward everyone today.
She glanced at the documents in their hands, then at Xiao Jingshi, and understandingly said, “You have official matters to discuss, so I won’t disturb you. Your Highness, I’ll head back first.”
With that, she waved at Xiao Jingshi and turned to leave.
“Wait.” Xiao Jingshi called after her.
He glanced at the large bundles Chang Ting and Chen Zhu were carrying and slightly frowned. “With so many things, have them escort you back.”
Then, as if remembering something, he told Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao: “Go to Jingming Hall first.”
This meant the two of them were to wait in the study while the consort was settled.
Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao were stunned.
The crown prince… was prioritizing the consort over them, the two officials urgently seeking his help?
The sun had risen in the west!
Ye An’an, however, didn’t mind. She looked at her shopping spoils and suddenly remembered something.
From the paper bags Chen Zhu was carrying, she took out two still-warm meat buns and handed them over.
“You both look like you’ve been busy all morning and probably haven’t eaten. Have these to tide you over—they’re fresh from the oven and quite tasty.”
Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao froze.
They stared at the buns wrapped in oiled paper, unsure whether to accept them.
The crown prince’s consort… giving them food? From a street vendor, no less?
“Th-thank you, Your Highness, but… it’s not proper,” Lu Chengyuan politely refused. As officials, how could they casually accept food offered by their lord, especially at the palace gates?
“Oh, what properness are you talking about?” Ye An’an said, shoving the buns into their hands. “You’re the prince’s friends, so you’re my friends. Friends shouldn’t be so formal. Eat quickly before they get cold.”
Her eyes curved in a mischievous, generous smile, like a clever little fox—impossible to refuse.
The warm aroma of dough and meat filled their noses, and their empty stomachs betrayed them.
Xie Zhao, always weak at restraining his appetite, looked at the bun and whispered to Lu Chengyuan: “Smells… really good.”
Xiao Jingshi watched Ye An’an’s casual, friendly manner. A trace of helplessness passed through his eyes, but more than that was an indulgence he didn’t even realize he felt.
He said nothing to stop her, tacitly approving her actions.
Seeing that the crown prince didn’t object, Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao exchanged glances, stopped resisting, and took the buns.
“I’ll leave first. You two carry on,” Ye An’an waved, then set off with Chen Zhu and Chang Ting, a lively and imposing figure moving toward the Eastern Palace.
Watching her confident back, Xie Zhao couldn’t help but take a bite of his bun.
The next moment, his eyes widened.
“Mm!”
The bun’s exterior was crisp and fragrant, while the inside was soft and chewy. The meat filling, marbled and savory, oozed flavor—one bite brought pure happiness.
“This bun is amazing!” Xie Zhao finished one in just a few bites, licking his lips, wanting more.
The two devoured the buns like a whirlwind, feeling much of their fatigue melt away.
“Your Highness,” Xie Zhao said, smacking his lips, “this consort… is really nothing like the rumors at all.”
Xiao Jingshi glanced at him, saying nothing, but the faint curve of his lips betrayed a good mood.
“Let’s go inside and discuss official business,” he said, stepping through the palace gates first.
Lu Chengyuan and Xie Zhao exchanged glances, reading the same thought in each other’s eyes: this crown prince’s consort is no ordinary woman. Life in the Eastern Palace was about to get lively.