The door was pulled open, and Lin Qinghe, who had fallen to the ground, looked up to meet You Rong's deep eyes.
Her heart suddenly tightened.
Lin Qinghe's mind raced.
She couldn't let You Rong know she had been eavesdropping. He already suspected her, and this would only make things worse.
Lin Qinghe forced herself to stay calm, rubbed her arm as if in pain, and stood up to bow, "Your servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
You Rong narrowed his eyes, "Why are you here?"
Lin Qinghe knelt down and said fearfully, "Your servant was bringing soup to Your Highness the Crown Prince. I stood outside for too long, and the soup got cold, so I asked someone to heat it up in the kitchen. I am so useless that my legs went numb from standing too long, and I tripped. I have disturbed Your Highness and the esteemed elders. I deserve to die! Please forgive me, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ying Chun and the eunuch who had gone to heat the soup happened to return. You Rong glanced at the soup and plum blossom cakes in their hands, his eyes dark and unreadable, as if he were pondering something.
A middle-aged man standing behind You Rong stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, with the major event approaching, this servant believes this palace maid is acting suspiciously and must be dealt with! Killing her will ensure everything is foolproof!"
You Rong remained silent, staring at Lin Qinghe for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "What did you hear outside just now?"
Lin Qinghe lowered her head guiltily, not daring to look at You Rong, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! Your servant heard nothing, truly! How could your servant dare to eavesdrop on Your Highness and the esteemed elders discussing matters of state!"
You Rong fell silent again. Lin Qinghe, with her head bowed, was sweating profusely from nervousness.
After a long pause, You Rong pursed his lips and said, "Leave the soup and osmanthus cakes. You may withdraw."
Lin Qinghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fortunate that You Rong did not suspect her!
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince, your servant will take her leave."
You Rong gave Ying Chun a look, and Ying Chun, understanding his intent, followed Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe turned and left. The middle-aged man behind her looked anxious, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, absolutely not! What if she..."
You Rong interrupted him, "Minister Zhang, I have my own discretion. Let's talk inside."
Minister Zhang reluctantly replied, "...Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Qinghe returned to her room and closed the door behind her. Leaning against it, she panted heavily with nervousness. She patted her chest and muttered softly, "Fortunately, You Rong was fooled. But which part went wrong? You Rong was about to force his way to the throne, and the progress bar was increasing. Why haven't I heard any whispers about You Rong and Xu Ling'er's marriage? Is he wary of me and keeping it from me?"
Lin Qinghe was baffled but certain of one thing: You Rong had no intention of killing her.
As long as she was alive when he successfully seized the throne and crowned Xu Ling'er as empress, her mission would be considered complete, and she would move on to the next system world.
At night.
Lin Qinghe lay on her bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The words she had overheard in You Rong's study today replayed in her mind.
Who was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace's dungeon?
Could it be Zhu Hong?
Lin Qinghe tossed and turned, unable to bear it any longer. She sat up, "If I don't find out, I won't be able to sleep tonight. No! I have to go and see!"
Lin Qinghe got out of bed quietly, knowing that Ying Chun was guarding the door. She couldn't leave through the main entrance, so she set her sights on the window.
She carefully pushed open the wooden window, climbed out, and clapped her hands outside, secretly feeling fortunate that ancient architecture was not like modern skyscrapers. Otherwise, with guards at the door, she wouldn't have been able to climb out the window of a multi-story building.
Relying on the original body's memories, Lin Qinghe headed in the direction of the Eastern Palace's dungeon.
However, after taking only two steps, Lin Qinghe abruptly stopped. Facing the figure in front of her, she said guiltily, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it's so late, haven't you rested yet?"
In the dim light, You Rong walked slowly, step by step, towards her. Each heavy footstep seemed to land on Lin Qinghe's heart, sending a shiver down her spine, and she instinctively retreated.
You Rong's handsome face, initially blurred, gradually became clear as he approached Lin Qinghe.
His icy gaze was tinged with something she couldn't understand. He asked, "Where are you going?"
Lin Qinghe quietly backed away, "Your servant, your servant... your servant couldn't sleep and just wanted to wander around. I didn't expect to run into Your Highness the Crown Prince by such a coincidence."
A sinister glint flashed in You Rong's eyes. He suddenly grabbed Lin Qinghe's shoulder and pushed her forcefully against a pillar. Lin Qinghe instinctively tried to struggle, but her hands were instantly held tight, pinning her so she couldn't move.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, you, what is this..."
You Rong let out a mocking laugh, "Trying to sneak out of the Eastern Palace? To inform You Feng that I'm about to stage a coup and rebel, right?"
Lin Qinghe's heart leaped. The coup was expected, but the mention of You Feng made her confused, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, what are you talking about? Your servant doesn't understand."
"You don't understand?" You Rong leaned closer to Lin Qinghe, cupped her chin, and lifted it. "Your acting is truly superb. I was almost fooled by you again."
Lin Qinghe's heart trembled as she realized something was wrong, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! Have you misunderstood something?"
"Heh... weren't you listening in the study today? If I didn't know your true colors, your current expression... would truly show no flaws."
True colors?
What was You Rong talking about?!
Surrounded by the cool sandalwood scent from You Rong, Lin Qinghe's breathing quickened inexplicably. She forced herself to calm down and explained, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please listen to your servant's explanation! You must have misunderstood me. Your servant has sworn to heaven that you are the only master in this life! No matter what you do, your servant will follow you to the death!"
You Rong suddenly tightened his grip on Lin Qinghe's chin. Lin Qinghe let out a muffled groan of pain, looking at You Rong's face, which was becoming even angrier, completely bewildered.
"Be quiet! Not a single word you say is true. You have been scheming to deceive me. Do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"
Lin Qinghe's face contorted in pain, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, your servant truly doesn't know what you're talking about..."
You Rong watched her in pain, feeling a grim satisfaction.
It was right to feel pain! When he learned the truth in Yonghe Palace that day, he had felt the same pain!
But when Lin Qinghe's tears welled up from the pain, his heart felt as if it were being stabbed, making it difficult to breathe.
Damn it!
Lin Qinghe couldn't bear the pain, feeling as if her chin were about to be crushed. She struggled with all her might. You Rong, provoked by her struggle, showed a fierce expression on his handsome face. He swept Lin Qinghe up into his arms and strode into his sleeping quarters.
A wave of dizziness washed over Lin Qinghe as she was thrown onto the bed.
Before she could regain her senses, You Rong lunged forward and pinned her down beneath him. Without a word, he lowered his head and bit her lips fiercely.
"Mmm... mmm..."
Lin Qinghe's eyes widened in terror. The pain of her lips being bitten couldn't snap her out of her chaotic thoughts.
Ah!
You Rong was kissing her!
What on earth was he doing!