Steward Hu walked out of the study with the midday meal and sighed as he saw Qi Ling waiting at the door, shoulders slumped, shaking his head.
Qi Ling didn't know what to say, feeling despondent, as if even breathing was a waste of energy.
Ever since the Crown Prince had returned from the Qishun Building that day, he had been like this, silent. For two consecutive days, he had stayed in the study, ceaselessly reading Memorials to the Throne, without sleep or rest. He hardly ate unless reminded to do so, and he didn't ask for tea; he drank whether it was cold or hot.
Steward Hu carefully asked Qi Zhu several times what had happened that night. However, except for sighing in despair, Qi Zhu couldn't give any clear explanations. Steward Hu clearly felt that this time it was different—was it because of Prince Duan's interest in arranging a marriage for the Commandery Princess?
