It seemed You Rong was well aware of who had sent the assassins.
Lin Qing He had been quite worried about You Rong amidst the string of assassination attempts these past few days, fearing he wouldn't be able to handle them. Now, seeing how he dealt with the attackers with such ease, her concerns vanished.
Lin Qing He lay on You Rong's chest, listlessly listening to the sounds from outside. You Rong, unable to see her face, gently patted her back and whispered, "Don't be afraid. With me here, no one will be able to harm you..."
Lin Qing He nodded, "Mhm, I believe you, Your Highness."
The rain of arrows ceased, replaced by a fierce clamor of fighting. In a moment, silence fell again. The study door creaked open, and Fu Sheng entered, cupping his hands in a bow. "Reporting to Your Highness, all the assassins who came today have been apprehended. Does Your Highness wish to have them thrown into the dungeon for interrogation?"
You Rong, holding Lin Qing He's hand, walked out and said calmly, "There's no need for interrogation. Just throw them into the dungeon and keep them locked up."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Fu Sheng was about to withdraw, a guard ran in from outside, speaking urgently, "Reporting to Your Highness, those assassins... the assassins all committed suicide by poison!"
Fu Sheng was astonished, "What?! All the assassins committed suicide by poison?"
"Yes, my subordinates were careless and forgot they had hidden poison in their teeth... Please forgive us, Your Highness."
You Rong paid it no mind, scoffing sarcastically, "Such loyal hounds... No matter. Dispose of their bodies. I don't need to glean any information from them."
Fu Sheng exchanged a glance with the arriving guard. They both cupped their hands in assent and retreated.
You Rong led Lin Qing He out of the disheveled study and back to the bedroom. Lin Qing He poured You Rong a cup of tea and casually asked, "From Your Highness's words... it seems you already know who is behind the assassins."
You Rong did not conceal anything, stating directly, "Indeed. Besides Consort Xiao and the Crown Prince, there is no one else."
"Since Your Highness already knows who the mastermind is, yet you allowed them to attack repeatedly, I presume Your Highness... has laid a trap for them to fall into?"
You Rong's eyes were full of smiles. He affectionately pinched Lin Qing He's nose, "Mhm, my clever Consort guessed my thoughts with just a guess."
Lin Qing He pouted, a hint of pride in her voice, "Naturally. You should be laughing in your sleep to have married such a clever Consort like me."
Lin Qing He did not consider herself shameless. The reason she could guess You Rong's intentions was all thanks to the system's cheat, something no one else could know.
Looking at the intelligent and lively Lin Qing He, You Rong's heart stirred. He extended his arm and pulled her into his embrace, their foreheads touching, his nose brushing hers. His voice hoarse, he asked, "Consort, I wish to kiss you. May I?"
If you want to kiss, then just kiss! No matter how she answered, it would be awkward, right?
Lin Qing He's cheeks flushed. Thinking that it was for the progress bar, there was nothing to be embarrassed about. She wrapped her arms around You Rong's neck and tilted her head up to kiss him, answering his question with action. Sudan Novel Network.
You Rong's gaze darkened. He took control, deepening the kiss that Lin Qing He had initiated.
After the kiss, Lin Qing He leaned against You Rong's chest, feeling weak, and as she met his gaze, her face began to burn.
Lin Qing He abruptly stood up, muttering, "I... I'll go prepare dinner!"
Lin Qing He scampered away. You Rong's lips curved upwards. He raised a hand to caress his own thin lips, his smile growing more pronounced.
After running out, Lin Qing He slapped her face forcefully, muttering to herself, "You have no self-control! You Rong is handsome, but how long have you been staring? Calm down..."
At that moment, the system's prompt sounded, "Progress bar increased by five percent. Total progress is sixty-six percent."