Chapter 142: Jealousy (1) (2/2)

His eyes seemed to have darkened, showing hidden depths.

Everything that happened in Defeng Teahouse played in Prince Jin’s mind once again. He hadn’t forgotten how Chu Lian had been able to recognise him at first glance back then.

Although he was part of the imperial family, and even held the status of fourth prince, he wasn’t as favoured as the other princes. His mother had passed away long ago, and his mother’s maiden family was too weak. Thus, he had no support to speak of.

He was already eighteen this year, and had left the palace two years earlier to establish his own estate. After moving out, other than for the major court meetings held twice every month, he didn’t enter the palace often. In their earlier years, he and He Changdi had regularly visited the military camp located in the outskirts of the city, so he was familiar with most of the military officials at court. Otherwise, he couldn’t possibly have arranged a position for He Changdi at Liangzhou.

However, the Great Wu Dynasty favoured literary officials over the military. Thus, not many cared that he was making connections with the military officials.

Due to his uncommon eye colour, the emperor had already told him in private that a prince with mixed blood would never be accepted in the competition for the throne. Thus, Prince Jin had never sought to fight for it, even in his younger days. This was also the main reason he had been given an official title of Prince and sent out of the palace to establish his own estate much earlier than the rest.

Perhaps in two more years he would take a wife and be sent off to some other territory, but for now, he was allowed to spend his days in the capital mostly idle.

Prince Jin’s abnormal eyes were one of the taboos in the imperial family. With his reclusiveness, not many people knew of this strange trait of his apart from some trusted officials at court.

Even if people found out about this fact, few of them would dare to discuss it openly. As much as Prince Jin wasn’t favoured, he was still one of the imperial sons carrying the bloodline of the emperor.

Despite this, Chu Lian had been able to identify him at first glance.

Sixth Miss Chu had simply been a forgotten little miss of House Ying before her marriage. She had probably never attended any important feasts in her entire life. He Sanlang wouldn’t have mentioned him to her either. And judging from He Sanlang’s attitude towards her during the first few days, did he really seem like someone who would share intimate details of his life with Sixth Miss Chu? Not at all!

Prince Jin hadn’t been dressed like a prince that day in Defeng Teahouse. However, Chu Lian had been able to tell who he was the moment she had met his gaze after coming out of her private compartment. She had clearly recognised him.

This was getting interesting.

He Sanlang, He Sanlang… You’ve been pretty fortunate to have picked up such an interesting wife. Not only was she in contact with some strange man, she seemed to be hiding a lot of secrets.

Prince Jin didn’t dare to guess at what Sixth Miss Chu was thinking. However, it was a fact that Chu Lian had sent her servant to bring the city guards back, saving his life.

Prince Jin knew how to repay his debts.

He wouldn’t refuse to acknowledge Chu Lian’s efforts in saving him just because his good friend, He Changdi, happened to despise her.