The Empress said with a faint smile, "I know he's not competing for the throne, but what if he wants something else? Like... your most beloved Crown Princess Consort?"
The Crown Prince was stunned, "How could that be? My fourth brother is the least serious of all. He's fickle, no lady can make him fall in love."
"Then why did he have the Crown Princess Consort paint his portrait?"
"Portrait?"
"I saw it today, your Crown Princess Consort was painting him. What kind of married woman does such a thing, painting pictures of another man? It's scandalous to talk about out loud. You need to be more careful with her, don't be too indulgent, and keep an eye out so no one steals her away."
...
When the Crown Prince returned to the palace, his complexion was not good.
Nangong Nini, always clever, asked him, "Did you see Mother on your way back?"
"Yes," the Crown Prince said.
