A few words, Lin Qinghe sent away the worried Zhu Hong, and lay feebly on the bed, constantly moaning.
She had risked her life to save him, yet You Rong remained as unyielding as ever, showing no change of heart towards her. She was completely at a loss.
Just as misfortune never comes singly, Lin Qinghe closed her eyes, her mind a turmoil, when she suddenly felt a chill around her neck. A vaguely familiar voice echoed in the room.
"Lin Qinghe! After the Noble Consort sent you to the Eastern Palace, it seems you've truly forgotten who your master is!"
Lin Qinghe opened her eyes to see a black-clad figure standing by the bed, holding a long sword. The gleaming blade was pressed against her neck in mockery.
Lin Qinghe only felt like rolling her eyes.
It was broad daylight, the same entrance, almost the same lines. Couldn't he come up with something new!
Seeing Lin Qinghe open her eyes and remain silent, the black-clad figure's gaze sharpened, and the sword tip moved closer to her skin by another inch.
The slight stinging sensation made Lin Qinghe frown. Her thoughts stirred, and she said weakly, "Big brother, this servant naturally remembers. The Noble Consort is this servant's master, and this servant is loyal to the Noble Consort. Heaven and earth can bear witness to this loyalty!"
"Hmph! What do you have to say for yourself, risking your life to save You Rong in the Imperial Garden yesterday?!"
Lin Qinghe feigned urgency as she explained, "Everything this servant did was for the Third Prince! The Noble Consort must not misunderstand this servant!"
The black-clad figure coldly scrutinized Lin Qinghe, "Everything was for the Third Prince?"
Lin Qinghe wanted to nod heavily, but wary of the sword at her neck, she refrained. She said earnestly, "Indeed! Yesterday in the Imperial Garden, if You Rong had drowned after being thrown into the lotus pond, the Third Prince, who is destined to become Crown Prince and ascend the throne in the future, would have been stained with the infamous reputation of fratricide. This servant risked her life to save You Rong, purely for the Third Prince's sake! I implore the Noble Consort to understand!"
The black-clad figure remained silent, his fierce eyes narrowed.
After a moment, he sheathed his sword. "It seems I misunderstood you. However, since you are devoted to the Third Prince, I will certainly report this truthfully to the Noble Consort. When the Noble Consort learns of this, she will surely appreciate your intentions. When the Third Prince eventually claims the position of Crown Prince, he will surely bestow the title of Crown Princess upon you."
Lin Qinghe naturally didn't believe a word of this, but to fool him, she put on a show of overjoyed ecstasy. She struggled to get up from the sickbed and knelt to bow.
"Yes! This servant thanks the Noble Consort. Please convey to the Noble Consort that this servant will never forget her kindness, even unto death!"
"Hmm, then rest well. Remember, the poison you put in You Rong's meals must not be missed for a single day!"
"Yes, this servant understands."
The black-clad figure once again leaped out the window. Lin Qinghe slowly dropped the earnest expression from her face, rolled her eyes, stood up, brushed the dust off her knees, and lay back down on the bed.
Lin Qinghe sighed.
After completing the mission in this world, her acting skills would surely have improved considerably. Day after day, she was constantly performing.
Lin Qinghe lay listlessly on the bed for two days. Recalling the taunts and ridicule she had endured in the real world, she suddenly felt a surge of motivation.
She could not be discouraged!
She would complete the mission, obtain the position of Chief Operative, and make those who underestimated her look at her with newfound respect!
Lin Qinghe flipped over and sat up, changed her clothes, and with determined eyes, walked towards You Rong's sleeping quarters.
Since acting wasn't working, she would resort to thick-skinned flattery and appeasement. She refused to believe that with enough shamelessness, she couldn't change You Rong's animosity towards her!
You Rong's sleeping quarters.
Lin Qinghe took the osmanthus cake from Zhu Hong, knocked symbolically on the door, and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant is coming in."
Without waiting for You Rong's reply, Lin Qinghe pushed the door open and entered.
After all, if You Rong heard it was her, he would never have wanted her to come in.
As expected, You Rong was sitting at his desk, practicing calligraphy. Upon seeing Lin Qinghe enter, he immediately frowned.
Lin Qinghe pretended to be blind, ignoring You Rong's disgust. With a radiant smile, she leaned in, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this is osmanthus cake I made myself. Please try some?"
You Rong ignored her, coldly withdrew his gaze, and continued practicing his calligraphy, treating Lin Qinghe as if she were invisible.
Lin Qinghe was not annoyed. After putting down the osmanthus cake, she rolled up her sleeves and continued to curry favor, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, allow this servant to grind ink for you."
Without waiting to see if You Rong was willing, she picked up the inkstone and proceeded to grind ink for him.
You Rong's hand paused momentarily as he wrote, his brows furrowed tightly. However, he seemed unwilling to engage with Lin Qinghe and said nothing.
Lin Qinghe watched You Rong practice calligraphy. His strokes were powerful, and his movements fluid, indicating he had put in a great deal of effort in this area.
Although Lin Qinghe didn't understand calligraphy, it didn't stop her from flattering You Rong.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, your calligraphy is truly exquisite. This servant has never seen anyone write as beautifully as you! Of course, our Crown Prince is also extremely handsome. In the Western Chu Kingdom, there is likely no man who can compare to you..."
Unbeknownst to her, her flattery was falling on deaf ears. You Rong's face turned grim, and he stared at her coldly.
Lin Qinghe instantly became timid, and with a dry laugh, she said, "Heh heh... Um, this servant will focus on grinding ink and will not disturb Your Highness's practice. Please continue, continue..."
You Rong withdrew his gaze and sat upright, continuing to practice calligraphy.
Lin Qinghe absentmindedly ground the ink, her thoughts having long since drifted away.
How could she make You Rong believe that she had truly repented?
Looking at You Rong's icy expression, Lin Qinghe irritably turned her face away, her gaze falling upon the window.
Two magpies chirping on the eaves outside caught Lin Qinghe's attention.
Her eyes flickered, and a sudden idea struck her.
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong and said with a serious expression, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, how can you believe that this servant has sincerely repented and will only serve you as my master from now on?"
Lin Qinghe's earnestness caused You Rong to pause his writing. Almost instinctively, he replied, "How do you expect me to believe you?"
Lin Qinghe said, "If this servant can find a way to have Your Highness's house arrest lifted, allowing you to freely enter and leave the Eastern Palace, will Your Highness then believe this servant?"
Upon hearing this, You Rong curled his lips into a somewhat disdainful smile. "You can have my house arrest lifted?"
Lin Qinghe stated firmly, "This servant can! As long as this servant succeeds, you will believe what this servant says, won't you!"
Perhaps thinking Lin Qinghe was boasting, You Rong said, "If you can do it, then I will believe your words."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. "Good! It's a deal. Your Highness the Crown Prince must not go back on your word then!"
Lin Qinghe eagerly got up and left. You Rong watched her receding figure disappear through the door, lost in thought for a moment. A subtle change finally occurred in his heart.
She... seemed like a different person.