Qi Chen’s remark hit home for Prince Duan. Mortification flashed through his face before it gave way to grave seriousness. He glanced at Qi Chen and said to the guard, “Go back to keeping an eye on the consort. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be held accountable.”

“Understood.” The guard left without another word.

“Why don’t you learn?” Prince Duan sighed and tried talking some sense into Qi Chen. “I told you there wasn’t much we could do at this moment.”

Qi Chen knew he’d overreacted again. He stared at the floor silently without a word. After a long period of silence, Prince Duan said that...