Indeed, I was curious. If the yahua flower embroidery was coincidence, the angle and form were too similar to be mere happenstance. An Jin had always kept the handkerchief I gave him close and wouldn’t display it in front of anyone, especially the Crown Prince.
Despite my curiosity, I refrained from seeking clarification, more concerned about my sister’s situation.
The number of girls in Yan Feng City dreaming of marrying the Crown Prince was likely similar to those dreaming of marrying An Jin. However, An Jin already had a wife, while the Crown Prince did not. Despite his many concubines in Qifeng Palace, more girls hoped to marry the Crown Prince and gain his affection. This desire was likely fueled by vanity, as the Crown Prince was noble, handsome, and charming. Winning his complete devotion would feel more satisfying than winning the admiration of other men. However, young girls lost in romantic fantasies often dismiss the saying, “rivers and mountains are easy to change, but nature is hard to move.”
While this fascination might seem harmless, I worried about my younger sister. An Jin was once a notorious romantic himself, but the Crown Prince’s capricious nature could lead my sister to suffer if she fell into his hands. This concern was rooted in the Crown Prince’s treatment of Fei Wu at White Crane Plain. An Jin interacted with women while maintaining propriety and respect, whereas the Crown Prince showed none, viewing his concubines merely as slaves to manipulate.
Someone who could elevate you when happy and throw you to the ground when displeased was certainly not a good match. Yet my younger sister displayed her stubborn attitude, scheming ways to get close to the Crown Prince, eventually seeking help from me and An Jin. Surprisingly, our mother did not object this time, thinking liking the Crown Prince was better than being attracted to some social-climbing pretty boy.
