You Rong's pale and handsome face flickered with a hint of shock, mixed with disgust.
After a moment, he suppressed all emotion and said in a low voice, "Your Highness the Princess is of noble birth, and this servant is merely a broken body, unworthy of the Princess's favor."
A broken body?
Did she not know if that was true or false!
Lin Qinghe had not broken through her cultivation, and still looked at You Rong with a bitter expression.
She forced a smile, "This Princess knew you would not believe it... Three years ago, at the royal stables, you were galloping with my imperial brother and other sons of officials. This Princess fell for you at first sight and approached you to talk, wanting you to teach me horse riding. You didn't even pay me any mind... For so many years, this Princess has been unable to forget you. The more I miss you, the deeper my longing becomes, and the more resentment and hatred I feel for you..."
Lin Qinghe paused, "When the Great General met with misfortune, you were punished and entered the palace as a slave. When I heard the news, the love and hate that had been accumulating in my heart could no longer be suppressed. Seeing you, I wanted to ask you... why you didn't like this Princess? But out of consideration for my princess's dignity and pride, I couldn't bring myself to ask, and could only intensify my efforts to torment you."
You Rong's eyes drooped, his emotions hidden. He seemed to be lost in thought.
Lin Qinghe secretly pinched the flesh on her thigh, the pain making her eyes glisten with tears.
She sniffled and said, "I thought I would be happy if I could make you bow your head to this Princess through torment, but that wasn't the case. Seeing you on the verge of death, all this Princess felt was endless regret and fear, afraid of losing you forever... At that moment, I finally understood that more than anything else, I wished for your safety!"
Lin Qinghe bit her cherry-red lips, on the verge of tears, "You Rong, this Princess doesn't mind! No matter what you look like, you are still you. This Princess simply likes you!"
Even though You Rong detested Lin Qinghe, he was greatly shocked at this moment.
How could a pampered princess like herself fall for an incomplete man, and even say she didn't mind.
After a moment, You Rong suppressed the flicker of emotion that had escaped, his brows slightly furrowed. He replied respectfully and coldly, "Your Highness the Princess, this servant is a eunuch and truly unworthy of the Princess's affection. I implore Your Highness not to burden this servant."
You Rong's refusal was expected.
Lin Qinghe's words were merely to provide a plausible reason for the original body's torment of You Rong and for her own subsequent actions.
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, adopting a strategy of retreating to advance.
"This Princess understands that you despise this Princess and will not love her..." Lin Qinghe's small face showed disappointment, but quickly, she feigned a forced smile, "It's alright, it's alright... After this, this Princess has understood. As long as you are safe, everything is fine. If you don't like this Princess, I will not force you. You should focus on recuperating. Once your injuries have healed, whatever you wish to do, this Princess will do her utmost to help you."
Lin Qinghe turned sideways, wiping her moist eyes, and said, "You Rong is heavily injured and has just woken up. You must be tired. Rest well. This Princess will leave now. Xiao Guizi will wait outside the pavilion. If you need anything, just instruct him."
"This servant thanks Your Highness the Princess."
"You... there's no need to thank this Princess."
You Rong's eyes drooped, remaining silent. Lin Qinghe did not linger and rose to leave the side hall.
As the door closed, You Rong lay on the bed, his brow furrowed, repeatedly contemplating Lin Qinghe's words.
Back then, at the royal stables, Lin Qinghe was arrogant and domineering. Because a young eunuch had slightly over-heated her tea, she had ordered the eunuch's execution. He had formed a very poor opinion of her, even developing a dislike.
After the horse race with the many princes, Lin Qinghe imperiously asked him to teach her horse riding. He refused, using the excuse that he was not good at riding.
At that time, everyone could see it was an excuse, as he had won first place in that race.
Lin Qinghe's expression had turned extremely unpleasant. If he hadn't still been the son of the Great General, she might have had him executed as well.
He had not seen any signs of Lin Qinghe liking him back then.
You Rong narrowed his eyes, contemplating Lin Qinghe's purpose in lying.
Was she instructed by Lin Chenrui?
Now that he was a slave, Lin Chenrui should consider him no threat. Why would he still instruct Lin Qinghe to deceive him? What was the purpose of this?
Could it be that he feared retaliation from his father's former subordinates? Or did Lin Chenrui intend to eliminate him completely?
After much thought, You Rong could not come to a conclusion. Coupled with the fact that he had just woken from a severe injury, he soon closed his eyes in exhaustion and fell asleep.
On the other side, in Lin Qinghe's sleeping quarters.
Lin Qinghe sat on the soft couch, propping her head with her hand, her dark pupils rolling as she pondered her next move to make You Rong no longer resent her, and thus believe that she liked him.
After much deliberation, Lin Qinghe decided to bring You Rong's sister to Yaohua Palace. You Rong greatly valued his sister, You Yue.
This should be the best way to change You Rong's impression of her.
Lin Qinghe sat up straight and called out, "Mei Lan, come in."
The door opened, and Mei Lan hurried to Lin Qinghe's side, bowed, and asked, "Your Highness the Princess, you summoned this servant. Do you have any instructions?"
Lin Qinghe asked, "Do you know which palace You Rong's sister, You Yue, was assigned to work in after entering the palace as a slave?"
Mei Lan pondered carefully, "Replying to Your Highness the Princess, this servant does not know. If Your Highness wishes to know, this servant will immediately send someone to inquire."
Lin Qinghe nodded, "Yes, go. Report back to this Princess immediately after you have someone investigate and confirm."
"Yes, Your Highness the Princess, this servant will go now."
As Mei Lan took two steps, Lin Qinghe suddenly said, "Wait! There's still something to instruct you on."
Mei Lan quickly turned back, "Please instruct, Your Highness the Princess, this servant is listening."
Lin Qinghe said, "You Rong is heavily injured and has just woken up. His body is very weak. Go to the Imperial Medical Office again and ask Imperial Physician Zhang what tonics would be beneficial for him. If there are any beneficial ones, this Princess will give him all the deer antler and ginseng from her private collection, if we have any."
Lin Qinghe's great kindness towards You Rong shocked Mei Lan once again, but she dared not ask further, quickly agreeing, "Yes, Your Highness the Princess, this servant understands. This servant will go to the Imperial Medical Office to inquire with Imperial Physician Zhang."
"Mm, you may withdraw."
"Yes, this servant takes her leave."
After Mei Lan left, Lin Qinghe leaned back on the soft couch, sighing several times.
The You Rong of this world was clearly not easy to handle. Coupled with the original body's penchant for self-sabotage, she wondered how long this mission would take.
An hour later, Mei Lan returned and reported the information she had gathered to Lin Qinghe.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qinghe frowned with a complex expression, "Are you serious? You Yue is now serving as a maid in the Second Prince's manor?"