Prince Qi silently savored his wine without speaking.
King Tushan didn't mind, glanced around, and asked again, "Why hasn't King Jin arrived yet? Could he still be with the Imperial Grandmother, indulging her with filial piety?"
Prince Qi put down his wine cup and smiled, "Perhaps."
King Tushan remarked with a hint of jealousy, "He truly knows how to please everyone."
Glancing at Prince Qi's expression, he added, "You said the Imperial Grandmother doesn't care much for you or me, but why does she favor him more than the Crown Prince?"
Prince Qi smiled faintly and said, "You've indeed asked the right person! You're not unaware of my predicament. I won't hide it from you, except for Fu Yun, no one in the palace is particularly close to me, so what could I possibly know?"
King Tushan sighed.
He indeed lacked favor, but Prince Qi...
King Tushan whispered, "I do have some guesses, though I'm uncertain if they're accurate."
Prince Qi replied intelligently, "Oh? Let's hear them."
