There was, in fact, a certain connection between the Crown Prince and County Princess Mu Jin.
When the Emperor bestowed the marriage upon them, it was precisely because of their childhood connection.
At that time, both the Crown Prince and County Princess Mu Jin were young, around eight or nine years old.
During that period, County Princess Mu Jin's father had just passed away. To express imperial favor and show solicitude for the bereaved family, the palace not only conferred the title of County Princess upon Mu Jin but also frequently had the Empress Dowager and Consort Wei invite her to the palace to play.
Consort Wei's three sons were of similar ages and were all around the same age as County Princess Mu Jin. The Crown Prince was even the same age as her.
However, at that time, Prince Rong was kept by the Emperor's side for tutelage, Prince Qi followed Wei Qing everywhere, and the Crown Prince spent most of his time playing with Wei Yu.
County Princess Mu Jin's family background was not prominent, and the Wei sisters did not care to associate with her. Prince Qi and the Crown Prince also looked down upon her.
Yet, Prince Qi was arrogant and, being young at the time, openly displayed his likes and dislikes.
The Crown Prince, on the other hand, had been deep and calculating since childhood.
Although he disliked County Princess Mu Jin, whenever they met, he would be amiable and speak gently, occasionally playing with her for a while, offering words of comfort, and even giving her a few insignificant trinkets.
Once, County Princess Mu Jin was teased by Wei Yu, who stuck a turtle onto her back. Although she did not run around the entire palace,
many people saw it.
There were also many sycophants in the palace. County Princess Mu Jin was ridiculed for a long time, but she didn't understand why.
It was only later that the Crown Prince removed the paper, and she learned the reason.
Her eyes immediately turned red.
"I will never come to the palace again. Everyone in the palace bullies me," County Princess Mu Jin said.
The Crown Prince replied, "It's alright. I will protect you from now on."
It was like a promise.
But the words were spoken casually. Although the listener remembered them for a while, as time passed and their connection did not deepen, County Princess Mu Jin eventually forgot.
After all, they were young at the time, and without prolonged companionship leading to affection or experiencing any thrilling events together, it was difficult for love to develop.
However, at this moment, the Crown Prince's memory suddenly became exceptionally sharp. He recalled his childhood memories with County Princess Mu Jin, and unconsciously added many ambiguous and subtly suggestive details.
These subtle ambiguities were magnified, magnified, and magnified again. Intertwined with the recent reunion with the Yun family of Dong Ling, they filled the Crown Prince's heart with tender affection.
The Crown Prince almost believed that County Princess Mu Jin had feelings for him.
As he left Ning Hui Hall, the Crown Prince's steps were heavy.
With each step, he recalled their childhood days together.
Looking up, ahead, Madam Mu and County Princess Mu Jin were walking hand in hand.
The second son of the Yun family walked to the left of County Princess Mu Jin, occasionally looking at her with a smile.
The third son of the Yun family walked in front of County Princess Mu Jin, turning back to say something with a smile as he walked.
The royal family of Dong Ling was surnamed Yun. Prince Xin had four sons, and County Princess Mu Jin was his only daughter.
From the demeanor of the second and third sons of the Yun family, one could gauge the status of County Princess Mu Jin in Prince Xin's mansion, in the Yun family, and even within the entire royal family of Dong Ling.
A pang of pain shot through the Crown Prince's heart again.
Wei Yu said sourly in his ear, "I never expected that Mu Jin, that simpleton, would be the daughter of Prince Xin of Dong Ling. Hmph, she truly struck gold. Having nothing, how could she be so lucky?"
County Princess Mu Jin's appearance was ordinary, and her talents were average. Perhaps, apart from her loyalty and bravery, similar to her adoptive father, she had no other advantages.
Prince Xin's two sons also had appearances similar to County Princess Mu Jin's, nothing outstanding.
Compared to the princes of Da Sheng, it was like the difference between a protagonist and a background character.
However, having been trained in the army by Prince Xin since childhood, both of them possessed a steely aura that the princes of Da Sheng lacked. Coupled with their resolute countenances, they became exceptionally captivating.
The Crown Prince did not hear Wei Yu's words clearly. He appeared dazed and lost in thought.
Seeing his lack of response, Wei Yu became even more incensed, "Your Highness, you don't still have thoughts of that Miss He, do you? At this time, doesn't Your Highness know what Prince Xin of Dong Ling represents?"
Never before had the Crown Prince found Wei Yu so bothersome.
Strange, hadn't she always been like a bright moon, a pearl of the sea in his heart?
The Crown Prince wearily closed his eyes.
Wei Yu, seeing that he did not reply, grew furious. "Does Your Highness think that being made Crown Prince means everything is secure and you can rest easy from now on?"
"Shut up!" The Crown Prince, annoyed and with a headache, suddenly reprimanded her loudly.
Wei Yu's expression froze.
The palace path was not only frequented by the group that had just emerged from Ning Hui Hall, but also by many passing palace maids, eunuchs, and patrolling guards.
At the sound of the Crown Prince's roar, everyone's gaze collectively turned towards Wei Yu.
In an instant, Wei Yu's face flushed crimson.
The dignity she had maintained for half her life was trampled underfoot at that moment.
Her long fingernails dug into her palm again, deeper than the last time.
County Princess Mu Jin and Madam Mu turned to look back.
County Princess Mu Jin's face showed a look of surprise.
The sense of humiliation deepened in Wei Yu's heart.
The Crown Prince, completely oblivious to Wei Yu's embarrassment, strode quickly towards County Princess Mu Jin. "County Princess Mu Jin, may I have a word with you privately?"