301. Something's Wrong with the Little Prince

The little prince gripped her hand a bit too tightly, causing the little princess to frown. She quickly shook off his hand, took a step back, and looked wary.

Something's wrong with the little prince, something's definitely wrong!

It's like they're possessed.

No, she absolutely couldn't tell him that the girl was Tao Wanbi.

We must not let them meet!

The little princess realized this: "I don't know her! I was just saying!"

"You clearly know her!" The young prince refused to give up, his tone even pleading. "Chaoyun, just tell me, I promise. I just want to make sure she's safe. I won't cause you any trouble, and I won't tell anyone, okay?"

"I said I don't know him, and that's final!" The little princess raised her voice, stepped back behind her chair, and crossed her arms. "Don't ask anymore, or I'll get angry! Just leave and don't bother me!"

Seeing her resolute refusal to budge, the young prince's face dimmed, and his eyes turned dejected.

He lowered his head and whispered, "Then... if you know her, could you ask her for me if she's safe?"

"I already said I don't know him! You'd better leave now, or I'll call for help!"

The young prince didn't say anything more, but turned around and slowly walked out of the palace. His back looked listless, and his shoulders slumped.

Gone was all his former high spirits; he looked exceptionally dejected, and even his steps were much slower, as if he had no strength left to walk.

The little princess watched his retreating figure and muttered softly, "What an idiot, he's been tricked and doesn't even know it. I'm not telling you where she is."

-

The residence of the Marquis of Beiding.

Tao Wanbi's room.

At that time, Tao Wanbi managed to escape back thanks to the invisibility potion.

After that, she stayed there in fear and trembling.

During this time, she lived in constant fear, afraid that someone would suddenly break into her room, accuse her of crimes, and arrest and kill her as if she were a monster.

Fortunately, for some reason, no one came looking for her.

However, just as she was beginning to breathe a sigh of relief, she received news that Xiao Tuanzi and her group had returned to the capital.

Her heart jumped again.

"System, do you think... they might have already discovered my secret?"

There's no need to be so nervous. I told you, the male lead has been covering for you the whole time.

Besides, if they had actually found you, you wouldn't be sitting here peacefully now; someone would have already come to question you.

Tao Wanbi beamed when she heard that the system hadn't scolded her and had even given her some encouragement: "That's right, I'm invisible, how could they possibly find me?"

Even if someone does have doubts, there is no evidence.

"And the male lead actually sided with me so easily... The power of the plot is really strong."

[It could have been even stronger. If you had spent a little more time with the male lead, the power of the plot would have been more natural and manipulated him on a deeper level, instead of feeling stiff like it is now.]

Speaking of this, the system also became restless.

[Damn it, if it weren't for Wei Chaoyun, we would have already won over the male lead. If only we had a little more time...]

If we had known, we should have killed her first.

Tao Wanbi, however, was more concerned about something else: "In other words, the male lead is on my side now. Won't it be a breeze for me to complete the missions from now on? Just the male lead's goodwill towards me during this period has given me quite a few points..."

Don't get too cocky. Don't forget, Xie Wenling is back. You'd better tone it down and not court disaster.

The system issued a warning.

"Xie Wenling?" Tao Wanbi cowered again, her voice dropping eight octaves. "If he... if he comes back, what if he finds out what I did before and kills me?"

He's too busy to deal with you right now.

[The Prince of Zhennan hasn't been completely rounded up yet, and those who colluded with him also need to be dealt with one by one. He has a lot of things to do and many people to deal with; it's not your turn yet.]

Upon hearing this, Tao Wanbi felt relieved: "That's great! I knew it! He's so busy, how could he have time to care about such a small thing as mine? Even if he does find out about me, with the male lead protecting me, he can't do anything to me."

Stop being so smug. The most important thing right now is to find a way to see the male lead again.

He still cares about you; this is the best opportunity. If you see him again and get closer to him, you'll have his protection in the future, and only then can you truly feel secure.

"I know, I know! I've already thought of it. I can pretend to be a palace maid delivering snacks and blend into the food delivery team. I'm sure I can sneak in!"

【？】

The system asked that question again—

Do you even have a brain?

The system couldn't understand how she came up with such a bizarre plan.

[First, delivering food? What kind of food?]

[Do you think the palace is some small company without a cafeteria? Do you think you have to order takeout just to get a meal?]

Their food was provided directly by the imperial kitchen.

[To put it another way, if you're trying to sneak into the purchasing team, then even delivering goods to the palace requires a waist tag. Without one, you won't even be able to get through the palace gates.]

[If you're trying to sneak into the imperial kitchen, you should know that the food delivery staff are fixed. If you're an unfamiliar face, the guards will spot you as soon as they check.]

[The villains won't even need to lift a finger; you'll be detained as a spy before they do anything.]

"Oh? Then, I'll try another way!"

"I... I can find a secluded spot by the wall and climb in. I'm really good at climbing walls."

That won't work either.

The system still denied it.

The palace walls are very high, with protective measures in place, and the guards patrol closely.

[If you climb halfway up, you'll either be discovered or fall down, not only failing to see the male lead but also getting injured or getting into trouble.]

"Then, then I'll tell the guards that I'm a friend of the young prince and I have urgent business with him. Would they make an exception?"

Do you think it's possible?

You say you're his friend, what proof do you have?

[Besides, what kind of place is the palace? Is it like your friend's house? You can't just say you're a friend and walk into the palace.]

[There was just an incident in the palace, and the guards are checking even more strictly. If you say something like that, you'll only be treated as a spy and detained, and you won't even be able to see anyone.]

Tao Wanbi was completely deflated: "Then, what should I do? I can't get into the palace and I can't see the male lead. Will he forget me soon?"

"Besides, even if Xie Wenling is too busy to take care of me right now, it's not like he'll never take care of me..."

"I really can't think of anything."

"We can't get into the palace, and we can only wait foolishly outside the palace gates. What if we don't get in? Wouldn't that be a waste of time?"

[...]

The system felt despair once again.

It had to come up with ideas for its foolish host once again.

Jin Lanyue has just returned safely. Her family will most likely hold a banquet, both to celebrate her return and to let them know she is safe and sound.

[You should take a gamble; the male lead might participate, and that would be your chance to meet him.]

"A banquet? Oh yeah, how come I didn't think of that? I'm sure I'll run into the male lead then. I'll figure out a way to strike up a conversation with him, no problem!"

You'd better not cause any more trouble.

[Be discreet then, don't be too flamboyant, and avoid conflicts with others. First, appease the male lead.]

"I know, I know!" Tao Wanbi nodded repeatedly, her tone full of certainty. "I'll definitely be fine this time!"