Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 15

When the ladies saw the Crown Prince personally stepping down from the hall, they were secretly delighted. Each of them tried their best to catch his attention.

However, the Crown Prince paid them no mind, passing by each one without even a smile. Instead, he frowned repeatedly as he walked.

When he reached Li Yingshui, he was about to walk past her just like the others. But she seized the opportunity—pretending to trip, she deliberately fell into his arms, flashing him a seductive gaze. “Your Highness, forgive me,” she said in a soft, enchanting voice, one that had been carefully trained to make hearts flutter. She refused to believe that the Crown Prince wouldn’t notice her beauty.

He helped her stand upright. “Be careful,” he said plainly, without even sparing her a proper glance. His mind was entirely focused on finding the one he truly wanted to see.

Li Yingshui’s face turned green with embarrassment. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” she said, barely able to contain her anger. She prided herself on her beauty, yet he hadn’t even lingered for a second. This was a great humiliation.

The other candidates secretly mocked her in their hearts. She always thought she was the most stunning among them, but look— the Crown Prince didn’t even glance at her. Let’s see how proud she acts after this.

Yi Han hurried past, paying no attention to Li Yingshui. Behind the curtains, Consort Li and Li Guochao grew anxious.

“What do we do? The Crown Prince doesn’t seem interested in Yingshui,” Li Guochao said worriedly.

“Don’t panic. No matter what, the Crown Prince must choose someone today—that was the Emperor’s final order. Among all these girls, Yingshui is the most outstanding. Once he’s seen everyone, he’ll have no choice but to choose her,” Consort Li said confidently.

“But…”

“Relax. If he picks someone else, we’ll step in. With our influence today, the Crown Prince will have to give us some respect,” she said smugly. As the Emperor’s favorite consort, she had everything her way—except for securing the position of Crown Princess.

Li Guochao nodded in agreement. “That’s true.”

They continued watching the Crown Prince closely.

Yi Han was becoming increasingly impatient. She wasn’t here! How could she not be here?

“Your Highness, please make your selection,” Minister Xu, one of the officials overseeing the selection, stepped forward to prompt him. Since the Crown Prince had already reviewed all the candidates, it was time for him to make a decision.

Yi Han’s face darkened. “Is there anyone missing from this group?”

The officials were startled. “Your Highness, all the candidates are present. No one is missing,” Minister Xu answered nervously, cold sweat forming on his forehead. He had never seen the Crown Prince this furious before—what had upset him so badly?

“Ridiculous! There is obviously someone missing, yet you dare to deceive me? This is a crime punishable by death!” Yi Han thundered. These ministers must have removed her name! Otherwise, why wasn’t she here today?

The officials trembled in fear and immediately knelt down.

“Your Highness, please calm down. We have carefully counted, and not a single person is missing. Please investigate this matter thoroughly,” Minister Xu stammered on behalf of the group.

“You still dare to argue?” Yi Han slammed his hand on the dragon throne.

Minister Xu quickly bowed his head. “May I ask, Your Highness, who is the person you believe is missing? If you could tell us, we would be able to clarify.”

What a grave mistake! They had unknowingly offended the Crown Prince. He must have already set his heart on someone, and these old fools must have removed her name without realizing it. This was a disaster!

“Hmph! I am talking about Murong Xi’s only daughter—Murong Ziying.” She was the one he had long set his heart on, the one he intended to make his Crown Princess.

The officials were stunned. “It’s her?!”