Sitting on the bed, after sitting for a long time, one always gets tired. For comfort, Lin Qinghe simply sat on the ground, leaning on the edge of the bed. Bored, her gaze drifted back to You Rong's face.
The young You Rong's features were as picturesque as a painting, his facial contours sharp and distinct, truly exceptionally handsome.
Lin Qinghe's thoughts gradually drifted away.
Having known You Rong for many years, this was the first time she was carefully looking at his face…
She couldn't help but wonder, did You Rong really have to be her arch-nemesis? Did their relationship have to be so strained? Couldn't they just be acquaintances, or colleagues?
Unconsciously, the sky outside darkened. Sleepiness washed over her, and Lin Qinghe fell asleep on the floor by You Rong's bed.
A night passed, and the sky outside gradually brightened. Lin Qinghe's eyelashes fluttered twice. She was concerned about whether You Rong's fever had subsided, and in her groggy state, she reached out to touch his forehead.
"Mmm... that's good, the fever is finally gone..."
Half-asleep, Lin Qinghe didn't notice You Rong had opened his eyes. A look of disgust flashed across his face as he angrily swatted her hand away from his forehead and coldly shouted, "Get lost! Don't touch me, I'm the Crown Prince!"
Lin Qinghe's arm ached from the blow, and she let out a muffled groan of pain, waking up completely. She looked up and met You Rong's furious gaze, gritting her teeth.
You little brat, I played the role of your mother all night, and the moment you wake up, you turn your back on me!
Just as detestable as the You Rong from the real world!
Thinking of her primary mission – to change You Rong's perception of her, to ensure her own survival, and to then have a legitimate reason to stay by his side, help him fill his progress bar, and clear the world.
She would endure it for now and settle the score with him later!
Lin Qinghe took a deep breath, instantly calmed her emotions, and got into character.
Lin Qinghe knelt properly, kowtowed, and said with extreme trepidation, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it is this servant's fault. This servant was too worried about your health and inadvertently offended you. Please forgive this servant, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Qinghe's sudden departure from her usual arrogant and venomous demeanor stunned You Rong. However, after a moment, the chill in his eyes intensified.
This wicked servant before him must be trying a new method to humiliate him!
Under You Rong's icy gaze, Lin Qinghe tried her best to appear loyal and devoted, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant truly knows her mistake. In the past, I was bewitched and dared to commit such heinous acts against Your Highness. Please give this servant a chance to repent and reform. From now on, this servant will serve Your Highness with all her heart, dedicating her life to you, and will not rest until death!"
Her words not only failed to move You Rong in the slightest but further convinced him that Lin Qinghe's uncharacteristic behavior was undoubtedly driven by ill intentions.
You Rong scoffed sarcastically, "Did Consort Duan order you to come and insult me again?"
"No, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you misunderstand. From today onwards, you are this servant's only master. This servant will never obey anyone else."
"Hmph... do you think I would believe that?"
Lin Qinghe was utterly frustrated by You Rong's firm disbelief.
However, putting herself in You Rong's shoes, if a wicked servant who bullied others suddenly changed her ways and declared loyalty, she too would suspect ulterior motives.
Changing You Rong's perception of her was not something that could be rushed.
Lin Qinghe's delicate face wore a serious expression, and she said word by word, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant knows that no matter what this servant says now, you will not believe me. But this servant only wants to tell Your Highness that no matter what you think, from today onwards, this servant has only you as her master. This servant swears to heaven."
Lin Qinghe raised three fingers. "If this servant ever dares to defy or betray you again in the future, may lightning strike me and may I die a terrible death!"
You Rong remained silent, his gaze shifting slightly as he subtly appraised Lin Qinghe.
This servant had actually sworn a venomous oath before him. Could she truly be remorseful and repentant?
This thought lingered in You Rong's mind for only a moment before he decisively dismissed it.
For a servant born of such malice, if ordered by Consort Duan, such an oath would be mere words spoken with a flick of the tongue.
Thinking this, You Rong, whose heart had just begun to soften, his expression turned grim again, and he withdrew his gaze with extreme disgust.
Seeing You Rong's every change of expression, Lin Qinghe was furious enough to explode.
Didn't ancient people believe in oaths the most? She had even sworn a deadly oath to curse herself with a terrible death, yet You Rong remained completely unmoved?
As Lin Qinghe racked her brains for what to do next, You Rong's stomach suddenly rumbled loudly.
You Rong gritted his teeth in shame, clenching his fists.
He had been hungry all day yesterday, and now it was this time of day. Hunger was inevitable. But to feel hungry in front of Lin Qinghe, the wicked servant who had tried to humiliate him by forcing him to eat spoiled pig feed, made him even more mortified.
Lin Qinghe, on the other hand, sighed inwardly.
To her, a fifteen-year-old boy was still a child. Seeing a child so hungry, she naturally felt compassion.
Lin Qinghe temporarily put aside her thoughts and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, your cold is just subsiding. You need a light diet. This servant will fetch a bowl of congee from the kitchen. Please have your breakfast."
Watching Lin Qinghe's receding back, You Rong clenched his fists as if in defiance, so tightly that his knuckles turned white and his bones creaked.
This wicked servant was indeed trying every possible means to humiliate him!
Her words yesterday and just now were exactly the same. Afterward, she would bring him spoiled pig feed!
Hatred surged in You Rong's chest, his eyes turning crimson, his pale lips pressed into a shallow line.
He had to survive!
He absolutely had to survive to avenge his mother!
One day in the future, he would personally kill Consort Duan and her faction, as well as these detestable dog servants like Lin Qinghe. He would never let any of them off!
Just as You Rong decided that no matter how unpalatable the food Lin Qinghe brought, even if it was still spoiled pig feed, he would force himself to swallow it rather than starve to death, Lin Qinghe, using the original owner's memories, skillfully made her way to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of congee.
Lin Qinghe approached the bed. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant has brought congee. You may now eat."
You Rong knitted his brows. He looked at the steaming white congee on the tray, then at Lin Qinghe, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
Why would she actually bring a bowl of perfectly fine congee? Had she put something in it?
Lin Qinghe had been paying close attention to You Rong's actions. Seeing his reaction, she immediately guessed his thoughts.
Lin Qinghe sighed. To reassure You Rong, she said directly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you suspect this servant has tampered with the congee. This servant can prove it to you."