Lin Qinghe was filled with strange thoughts.
She had helped the brother and sister reunite after a long separation. While she didn't expect them to be eternally grateful, they shouldn't harbor such animosity towards her.
Lin Qinghe stopped by the bedside. You Yue, startled, trembled slightly. You Rong, holding her sister's hand, propped himself up with his other arm, forcing himself to sit up.
As expected, this movement aggravated his wounds. He grunted, his face paling with pain.
You Yue cried out, "Brother!"
Lin Qinghe's heart also skipped a beat. She quickly moved to help You Rong, "You are injured. I've told you several times, do not get up. Lie down quickly!"
You Rong did not lie down. Instead, he forced himself to sit up, cupped his hands in a formal greeting, and said through gritted teeth, "Your Highness Princess, whatever torment you wish to inflict upon this servant, I accept without a word. Please spare my sister!"
Hearing this, You Yue was on the verge of tears. She knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing to Lin Qinghe, "Your Highness Princess, whatever you wish, please do it to me. Whether it's beatings or punishments, all are acceptable… Please spare my brother. He is so severely injured. If you punish him further, it will cost him his life…" Su Dan novel network
Lin Qinghe's lips twitched violently. "Uh… When did this princess say she would punish either of you siblings?"
You Yue blinked in surprise. "Your Highness Princess brought this servant from the Second Prince's manor precisely to threaten my brother, to torment him, did you not?"
You Rong remained silent, his thin lips pressed together, leaving only a faint line.
It didn't matter how Lin Qinghe tormented him.
But his sister… he couldn't bear to see her suffer. Thinking of Lin Qinghe's ruthless and cruel methods of torture, he had no choice but to bow his head to Lin Qinghe, whom he despised and disdained the most.
Lin Qinghe suddenly realized and let out a chuckle. "What this princess said at the Second Prince's manor was merely to allay my Second Brother's suspicions. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I deliberately said it for him to hear."
You Yue was so shocked she forgot to cry and asked incredulously, "So… Your Highness Princess brought me back to the palace not to use me as a hostage against my brother?"
Lin Qinghe replied, "Naturally not!"
Lin Qinghe's gaze fell on You Rong, and she said with a faint smile, "This princess thought that You Yue is your only sister, and you must miss her dearly. So, I brought her here, simply to make you happy. As for using her to threaten you, that is even more impossible. This princess has said I will not force you, and I will not force you. My word is my bond!"
You Rong's expression became complex. Lin Qinghe did not know what he was thinking.
After a moment, You Rong said, "It was this servant who misunderstood Your Highness Princess. Please forgive this servant. Thank you for bringing Yue'er to see me."
Lin Qinghe waved her hand. "It's nothing. Lie down, and focus on recovering from your injuries. As for your sister… this princess will arrange a position for her at Yaohua Palace, allowing her to remain here. You siblings will be able to see each other whenever you wish. You need not worry about her anymore."
"Yes, this servant thanks Your Highness Princess for her grace." At the same time, You Rong said to You Yue, "Yue'er, quickly thank Your Highness Princess."
You Yue was still somewhat bewildered by the current situation, but since You Rong had spoken, she naturally obeyed.
You Yue said, "Thank you, Your Highness Princess. And earlier, outside… this servant spoke recklessly and offended Your Highness Princess. Thank you for not holding it against me."
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly. "It's nothing. You both can rest assured and stay at Yaohua Palace. If there's nothing else, this princess will take her leave. You siblings have been reunited after a long time and surely have much to discuss. I shall not disturb you."
"Yes, Your Highness Princess."
Lin Qinghe departed. As soon as the palace door closed, You Yue impatiently asked, "Brother, the Princess seems to be quite kind to us. Did I misunderstand? Did she not torment you? Then where did your injuries come from?"
You Rong pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "This matter is a long story. I will tell you more when there is time. How were you during your time at the Second Prince's manor? Were you bullied? Did Lin Chenrui do anything to you?"
You Yue sniffled and shook her head vigorously. "Yue'er was very well at the Second Prince's manor. Apart from being sent to the back courtyard for manual labor, everything was fine. As for brother…"
You Yue paused, looking at You Rong, tears welling up in her eyes. She began to cry again. "You've become like this. Father and Mother would not rest in peace in the afterlife. Why has our You family… why has it fallen to this fate? Father and Mother were always the most benevolent people. Why do good people not receive good rewards?"
"Yue'er, stop crying for now. Actually, I haven't…" You Rong's words caught in his throat.
Now that he was in Yaohua Palace, he didn't know if Lin Qinghe was friend or foe. Danger lurked everywhere. It was better not to tell her about the secret help from his father's former subordinates that allowed him to evade castration, lest it bring about disaster.
Seeing You Rong suddenly fall silent, You Yue managed to stop crying and asked, "Brother, why did you stop talking?"
You Rong pushed away all his thoughts and said in a low voice, "It's nothing. Don't worry. Brother will protect you in the future and ensure you are safe. You don't need to think about anything else. Father was wronged. One day… I will clear his name! I will seek justice for those in our You family who died unjustly!"
You Yue nodded emphatically. "Mhm… Brother, I believe you!"
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Lin Qinghe returned to her chambers and sat down. She excitedly thought that You Rong might develop a sliver of good feeling towards her because she had brought You Yue back. She didn't expect a five percent increase on the progress bar, but even one percent wouldn't be too much to ask.
However, the result was completely unexpected.
She waited and waited, but heard no system prompt. Suspecting a system delay, she personally opened the system to check.
Uh…
The progress bar was zero!
She almost thought she was mistaken. She looked at it several more times and found it was still zero, and felt as if all her strength had drained away.
Lin Qinghe slumped onto the table, sighing weakly and repeatedly.
"Alas! As expected, each world is more difficult than the last… This You Rong has absolutely no sense of gratitude. The heroine Yun Ruobing saved his sister, and he fell for her instantly. I saved his sister, and he is indifferent. You don't need to give me credit, but at least give me some effort…"
After complaining powerlessly, Lin Qinghe narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them, and a plan began to form in her mind.
By arranging for You Yue to serve by her side, You Rong would inevitably have to see her whenever he wished to see his sister. With this constant interaction, over time, she hoped… it would earn some favorability.
At this moment, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but sigh at her own self-awareness, hoping the word "hope" was being used appropriately.
Lin Qinghe acted decisively. As soon as she had the idea, she summoned Mei Lan and instructed that from tomorrow onwards, You Yue should come to her presence to serve alongside her and Zhu Ju.