The progress bar had only increased by five percent?!
Lin Qinghe closed her eyes, a wave of sadness washing over her. She suddenly felt that the injury wasn't worth it...
Wang Jiang called for palace maids to change her soaked clothes. After the imperial physician had treated Lin Qinghe's wound, just as she was about to wake from her feigned unconsciousness, she heard You Rong's voice from outside. She decided not to rush waking up and to see what was happening first.
"Prime Minister You, there's no need to worry. Although His Majesty is not lightly injured, the arrow was fortunately not poisoned. With proper rest, he will be fine."
You Rong asked, "When will His Majesty be able to wake up?"
Imperial Physician Zhang replied, "This... His Majesty should wake up tomorrow morning at the earliest."
You Rong nodded, "Mm, I see. Imperial Physician Zhang, you may withdraw for now."
"Yes, your subordinate takes his leave."
After Imperial Physician Zhang left, You Rong walked to the bedside and stood for a while without speaking. His gaze was lowered, his expression indifferent, showing no emotion on his face.
Lin Qinghe was wondering what was wrong with him when Wang Jiang spoke, "Prime Minister You, it's getting late. Perhaps you should return first? This servant will look after His Majesty."
You Rong's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "No need. I will stay and watch over His Majesty tonight. You may withdraw."
"This... doesn't seem to be in accordance with protocol, does it?" Wang Jiang said hesitantly.
Lin Qinghe, who was still pretending to be unconscious, was so angry she wanted to jump up and punch Wang Jiang twice. What was against protocol! I've let You Rong stay in Changning Palace before, where has your usual perceptiveness gone?!
Fortunately, You Rong insisted, "There is no protocol violation. You may withdraw. If His Majesty has any issues, I will call for you."
Wang Jiang thought for a moment, recalling Lin Qinghe's special regard for You Rong, and did not insist further. "Yes, this servant withdraws. This servant will guard outside the sleeping quarters. If Prime Minister You needs anything, just call for this servant."
You Rong: "Mm."
Wang Jiang retreated, and the door closed. You Rong stood by the bed for a moment, then sat down beside it.
Lin Qinghe, eyes closed pretending to be unconscious, could feel You Rong's gaze fixed on her. She was almost unable to maintain her act.
What was You Rong doing? He neither spoke nor did anything? Just staring at her like this? And the progress bar wasn't increasing either...
As she was thinking this, the system's notification suddenly sounded: "Progress bar increased by ten percent. Total progress is sixteen percent."
Lin Qinghe: "!!!"
She did nothing, and the progress bar increased just by letting You Rong stare at her?!
Lin Qinghe desperately wanted to open her eyes and see what You Rong was thinking. But remembering what Imperial Physician Zhang had said, she could wake up tomorrow morning at the earliest. If she woke up now, You Rong might become suspicious, and everything would be for naught. She had to suppress the urge. Sudan Novel Network.
Forget it, it wouldn't be too late to observe You Rong's reaction tomorrow. To be safe, she would continue to pretend to be unconscious.
But... why was You Rong staring at her like this! It made her incredibly uncomfortable, and she couldn't even move!
At first, Lin Qinghe was uneasy with You Rong's prolonged gaze. Then she reconsidered. He could stare if he wanted; it wouldn't cost her anything. Perhaps staring longer would increase the progress bar a bit.
Lin Qinghe let him be. She had been pretending to be unconscious, and as she kept pretending... drowsiness crept in, and she genuinely fell asleep.
You Rong sat by the bed, his brow furrowed, and looked at Lin Qinghe with complicated eyes.
Those assassins were after him. When she lunged forward, did she ever consider that if the arrow had struck her vital spot instead of her arm, she could have lost her life!
You Rong closed his eyes, Lin Qinghe's pale face and anxious questioning, her relieved expression upon learning he was unharmed, all flashed through his mind.
What was she thinking?
Why did she do that?
Why did she bravely take an arrow for him, disregarding her own safety?
Was her declaration of love... genuine?