Lin Qinghe stirred the white porridge in the bowl with a spoon, scooped up a spoonful and put it into her mouth, swallowing. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this bowl of porridge is absolutely fine. Please eat."
Unexpectedly, You Rong's gaze at Lin Qinghe became even more complicated.
Seeing that You Rong still didn't react, Lin Qinghe tentatively asked, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, would you like this servant to feed you?"
You Rong's eyes showed undisguised disgust. He said coldly, "No need. Put the porridge down, I'll eat it myself."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Qinghe placed the porridge on the small wooden stool in front of the couch. Seeing You Rong weakly sit up from the couch, she was about to reach out to help him, but before she could touch You Rong, he shouted in a cold voice, "Get out! Don't touch me!"
Lin Qinghe awkwardly withdrew her hand. "Yes, this servant will retreat to the side. If the Crown Prince has any commands, call this servant."
You Rong picked up the porridge himself and ate. Even though he was ravenously hungry, he ate slowly and methodically, his every word and deed exuding a cold and noble demeanor.
After You Rong finished the porridge, Lin Qinghe, upholding the professional ethics of a considerate palace maid, offered him a handkerchief. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please."
You Rong glanced at Lin Qinghe, his face stern, and ignored her words.
Lin Qinghe clenched her hand holding the handkerchief slightly, telling herself repeatedly, "Don't get angry, distinguish reality from the system."
Lin Qinghe still maintained a smile. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, do you need anything else? Please feel free to command this servant."
You Rong let out a cold snort and said with disgust, "I'm tired and want to rest a while longer. Get out."
Lin Qinghe endured it, still maintaining a smiling face. "Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This servant will withdraw first and not disturb Your Highness's rest."
You Rong sat on the couch, his dark eyes narrowed slightly.
The food Lin Qinghe brought today was not only not stale leftovers, but something was indeed missing...
Lin Qinghe came out of the Crown Prince's palace and returned to the side hall where she lived. She pushed open the door and went inside.
Lin Qinghe massaged her aching shoulders and grumbled, "Well, after toiling for a day and a night, it was all for nothing. You Rong's hatred for me hasn't decreased at all. Trying to please him doesn't seem to work. I need to think of other methods, like a ruse of self-inflicted injury..."
Lin Qinghe's peripheral vision caught sight of a mirror stand to her right. She walked over, intending to check if her appearance was the same as in her real world.
Before Lin Qinghe could get a clear look at her reflection in the bronze mirror, a cold gleam of a long sword was suddenly placed against her neck.
The icy blade pressed against the fair skin of her neck, making Lin Qinghe want to complain again, "Can the plot in the system world be a little more reasonable? They're not even waiting for nightfall, and they're already trying to commit murder in the Eastern Palace in broad daylight. Isn't that a bit much?"
The man in black holding the sword warned in a cold voice, "What nonsense are you talking about! Lin Qinghe, I'm here on behalf of Noble Consort Duan to remind you, don't forget what you're supposed to do in the Eastern Palace!"
Hearing the man in black's words, Lin Qinghe realized he was one of Duan Noble Consort's subordinates.
Then, the original owner's master, Duan Noble Consort, was a major problem.
If it were discovered that she had now defected to You Rong, let alone helping You Rong become powerful and seek revenge, she would be the first to have her throat slit by Duan Noble Consort.
Seeing Lin Qinghe's silence, the man in black pressed the sword against her neck even closer to her skin. "Why aren't you speaking? Have you truly forgotten what Noble Consort ordered you to do?!"
Lin Qinghe's eyes flashed, and her demeanor immediately changed. She forced a dry laugh. "Haha... Big brother... This servant naturally hasn't forgotten Noble Consort's orders. Being nice to You Rong yesterday was also to coax him into eating the poisoned meal. Please help me tell Noble Consort that taking You Rong's life is just a matter of time!"
The man in black scoffed upon hearing this. "It's best if you remember! Noble Consort also said that after the matter is done and the Third Prince ascends the throne as Crown Prince, your position as Crown Princess is guaranteed."
"Yes, yes, yes... This servant thanks Noble Consort."
Lin Qinghe smiled outwardly but cursed inwardly.
Duan Noble Consort dared to use such nonsense to deceive people, and the original owner, lacking intelligence, actually dared to believe it.
The man in black withdrew his sword and took out a white porcelain bottle from his robes, throwing it to Lin Qinghe. "This is the poison for You Rong's meals this month. I will bring the next month's dose on the same day."
"Yes, this servant remembers."
After the man in black leaped out the window, Lin Qinghe's fawning smile gradually disappeared. She stared at the white porcelain bottle in her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Lin Qinghe walked to the bronze mirror and found a similar white porcelain bottle from the wooden cabinet. It contained pearl powder used by women for beauty.
Lin Qinghe swapped the bottle given by the man in black with this one, and the corners of her lips curved upwards, a cunning glint in her eyes.
She would obediently follow Duan Noble Consort's orders and add something to You Rong's meals every day.