For a short bit it seemed like the Crown Prince was a bit FLIRTY with Maid Kou Jhu .. however as the Drama progressed one realised it was not so AT ALL from the CP side but tragically Maid Kou Jhu developed a secret deep crush on him (other maids thought she may even end up as his concubine - which she too may have hoped)

So - NO, he was not romantically flirty, but he was physically and emotionally intimate in a way that could be misunderstood.

• Deep Familiarity, Not Romance: The Crown Prince treated Kou Zhu as his closest confidante and family member. Because she had served him since childhood, he was incredibly comfortable with her. He let her dress him, leaned on her when he was tired, and spoke to her with a vulnerability he didn't show others.

• Misinterpreted Intimacy: To an outsider (and to Kou Zhu herself), his behavior could look like mixed signals. He would tease her, hold her hand for comfort, or allow her into his personal space (bedroom) without hesitation. However, for him, this was the intimacy of trusted family, not a lover.

• The Cruel Reality: He never saw her as a romantic partner. His heart belonged entirely to Lu Wenxi (Maid Gu). This unintentional intimacy is exactly what fueled Kou Zhu's tragic unrequited love and her intense jealousy when she saw him give his cloak—a symbol of protection and affection—to Maid Gu.

• The "Spy" & Jealousy Context

  • The Cloak Incident: When Xiao Dingquan gave his cloak to Maid Gu (Lu Wenxi), it was a rare gesture of romantic care. Kou Zhu recognized this immediately. She realized that despite all her years of service and physical closeness, she had never received that kind of protection from him.

  • Betrayal: Her jealousy, combined with pressure from Prince Qi's faction (who exploited her loyalty and fear), pushed her to spy on the Crown Prince. She felt replaced and heartbroken, which made her vulnerable to manipulation.

Summary: He was playful and affectionate with her, but it was purely platonic love for a lifelong companion. He did not realize that his closeness was hurting her or giving her false hope until it was too late.