Chapter 399 Substitute Bride's Dowry Versus The Idiot Prince (2)

Seeing that Lin Qinghe showed no hint of timidity, the usually overbearing Nanny Li began to have reservations. After all, Lin Qinghe was the Princess Consort of Prince Rong, her nominal mistress. She wasn't like You Rong, a fool whom Nanny Li could deceive and deal with as she pleased. What if Lin Qinghe made a scene? She would definitely not come out of it well. Nanny Li's expression shifted repeatedly. Finally, she relented, saying, "Your Highness is joking. The Consort's palace naturally has no such rules. This servant will always be a servant." Lin Qinghe sneered, "Then what are you, this servant, still standing here for! Do you need this Princess Consort to repeat myself!" Nanny Li cast a resentful glance at the wine spilled on the ground. She curtsied and said, "Yes, this servant obeys. I will withdraw now." "Fine, everyone retreat. There's no need to leave anyone to serve." Nanny Li led a group of servants out of the bridal chamber and closed the door. A trace of venom flashed across Nanny Li's wrinkled face. Hmph! When Lin Qinghe pays her respects to the Empress Dowager tomorrow, and then returns, she'll have plenty of ways to make Lin Qinghe regret it! A mere concubine's daughter, with no one to back her up, Nanny Li truly didn't take Lin Qinghe seriously. As the door closed, Lin Qinghe glanced at You Rong, who stood beside her. His expression was fearful, his body trembling slightly. He secretly retreated, trying to distance himself from her. Lin Qinghe's brows furrowed slightly. She plopped down at the table and called out to him, "Come here and sit." You Rong, however, shook his head firmly, shrinking his neck. "I won't! You... you're even fiercer than Nanny Li, you're going to hit me!" Lin Qinghe's brows knit tighter. Seeing You Rong like this, it seemed his brain had truly been injured, turning him into a fool. Lin Qinghe sighed and could only soften her tone to coax him, "I won't hit you. Come and sit. I just... want to talk to you." You Rong's eyes rolled around. His gaze fixed on the wedding cakes and other items on the table. He swallowed and said, "If you promise not to hit me, I'll sit down. Also... you have to let me eat the things on the table!" Lin Qinghe immediately refused, "No! You can't eat the things on the table!" The original host had died suddenly on her wedding night. Coupled with Nanny Li's demeanor just now, who could guarantee that nothing in this room was poisoned? It was better not to eat. Lin Qinghe didn't expect that as soon as her words fell, You Rong's lips quivered, and he began to cry, "Wuuu! I want to eat. Grandma Emperor was right, she lied... Princess Consort isn't pretty at all, Princess Consort is so fierce, just as fierce as Nanny Li. I don't want Princess Consort anymore, wuuu... I don't want Princess Consort anymore..." Lin Qinghe: "..." She wanted to explain to You Rong, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she remembered that You Rong's intelligence was like that of a young child. Even if she explained, he might not understand. You Rong continued to cry and make a fuss. Lin Qinghe's head began to ache. She could only yell at him, "Stop crying! Cry again and I'll really hit you!" You Rong was so scared that he immediately shut his mouth and stopped crying, but tears still streamed down his face. Lin Qinghe felt a bit sorry for him. Helplessly, she patiently said, "Don't cry. I was just scaring you just now. I won't really hit you. If you want to eat the things on the table, is it because you're hungry?" Seeing Lin Qinghe's expression soften, You Rong sniffled and said softly, "Today, I was woken up early. Nanny Li said I couldn't eat because of the wedding. I haven't had a drop of water all day... I'm hungry..." As soon as You Rong finished speaking, his stomach rumbled in agreement. Seeing that You Rong was genuinely starving, Lin Qinghe's anger vanished. She even felt like beating up that Nanny Li from earlier. Forget it, she'd take You Rong to fill his stomach first. Lin Qinghe grabbed You Rong's hand without explanation. He tried to pull away, but she held on tightly and warned him with a look, "Alright, I'm taking you to find something to eat now. You be good and don't make a sound, otherwise you'll go hungry today! Do you understand!" You Rong looked at Lin Qinghe with disbelief. He hadn't believed her at first, but receiving Lin Qinghe's threatening gaze, he nodded with both grievance and fear, "I understand... I won't make a sound." Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction and ruffled You Rong's hair, "Good, let's go! We're going to eat something!" Lin Qinghe led You Rong out of the room stealthily, avoiding the Prince's Mansion guards, and fumbled her way to the kitchen. It was likely late at night, so there were no servants in the kitchen. Lin Qinghe directly pushed open the door with You Rong. Since it was You Rong and Lin Qinghe's wedding day, the Prince's Mansion had hosted a banquet, so there was plenty of good food in the kitchen. Lin Qinghe casually rummaged through and tore off a chicken drumstick, handing it to You Rong. "Here, eat." You Rong's eyes lit up, and he swallowed, asking uncertainly, "This... is this really for me to eat?" "Yes, it's for you. Didn't you say you were hungry? Eat." You Rong tentatively reached out to take it. After getting the drumstick, he immediately stuffed it into his mouth and began to eat ravenously. Seeing this, Lin Qinghe frowned in exasperation. "Eat slower. Haven't you ever eaten a chicken drumstick? Why are you in such a hurry?" You Rong mumbled through a mouthful of chicken, "Nanny Li said I'm not allowed to eat meat... If I steal a bite, I'll be spanked. The last time I secretly ate a piece, I was locked in the woodshed for a whole day. I was so scared, cough cough cough... cough cough cough..." Lin Qinghe felt a pang of unease listening to him. Seeing You Rong choke from eating too fast, she patted his back. "Don't rush. From now on, I'll let you eat meat every day. Eat slower... Here, drink some water first." Lin Qinghe took a bowl and scooped water from the water vat, giving it to You Rong. After drinking more than half of it, his coughing gradually subsided. He then asked with anticipation, "Really? Will Princess Consort let me eat meat every day from now on?" Lin Qinghe nodded and picked up the remaining chicken drumstick, tearing it off and handing it to You Rong. "Eat it. Remember to eat slowly." You Rong nodded heavily and eagerly took the drumstick Lin Qinghe handed him, lowering his head to bite into it. Lin Qinghe watched him, her lips pursed, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Suddenly, You Rong, who was eating the drumstick, paused. He looked at Lin Qinghe and blinked, then handed the half-eaten drumstick to Lin Qinghe, chuckling foolishly, "Princess Consort, you eat too. Grandma Emperor said I have to be good to Princess Consort!" Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze to the drumstick offered to her. "Didn't you just say I wasn't a good person and you didn't want me?" "This..." A conflicted expression appeared on You Rong's face. After a long moment, he grinned foolishly and said, "Princess Consort is a good person! Princess Consort said she'd hit me, but she never really did. And she said she'd let me eat meat every day from now on, so... Princess Consort is different from Nanny Li!"