Chapter 14 What kind of loyal service can a sheltered young woman like you provide for me?
Just then, Ru Mo lifted the carriage curtain and reported, "Your Highness, I have found out."
The word "Your Highness" struck like a thunderbolt, causing Su Qingci to tremble and stare in shock at the woman who had saved her life.
Under heaven, apart from a few masters in the palace, who else dares to call themselves Your Highness?
The aura of the person before them clearly didn't belong to the obedient and adorable Third Princess, so it could only be...
The powerful and influential Princess!
She was so startled that she forgot to bow.
Ru Mo continued, "They were assassins sent by Madam Su from the Prime Minister's residence, intending to take Miss Su's life. The coachman and the two maids are all dead."
As her suspicions were confirmed, Su Qingci felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.
Before she even stepped into the house, her stepmother was already eager to kill her...
Li Yuanzhao said calmly, "I understand."
After Ru Mo withdrew, Su Qingci suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly knelt down to perform a grand salute.
"Your humble servant Su Qingci greets Your Highness, the Eldest Princess! I was unaware of Your Highness's identity earlier and offended you greatly. I humbly beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
"Get up."
Su Qingci did not get up, but instead kowtowed three times solemnly.
"I will never forget Your Highness's kindness in saving my life today. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you with my life."
"Oh?" Li Yuanzhao's interest was piqued. "How do you intend to repay me?"
She recalled the plot of the "picture book" she had heard from that "time traveler".
After Su Qingci was "rescued by a hero" by Chen Yanqing, she became devoted to him and vowed to marry no one else.
She was willing to scheme and plot for him, using the power of the entire Prime Minister's mansion to help him ascend the throne.
In the end, she got her wish and wore the phoenix crown, becoming the empress who ruled the world.
Furthermore, this daughter of the Prime Minister's family truly loved everything about him to an outrageous degree.
Not only did she feel no jealousy towards Chen Yanqing's many concubines, but she also treated the illegitimate children as her own, spending her days mediating conflicts among the concubines, making her a model of a "virtuous empress".
Now, the protagonist of this drama has changed to her, Li Yuanzhao. How does she intend to repay this debt?
Su Qingci knelt on the soft fox fur coat, her forehead pressed against the back of her hand, her voice trembling slightly.
"Although I am of humble status, if Your Highness does not despise me, I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."
Li Yuanzhao tapped the small rosewood table lightly with his fingertips and let out a soft laugh.
"As a princess, what don't I have? You, a sheltered young lady, besides reciting a few sentimental poems and embroidering a few idle flowers, what kind of loyal service can you offer me?"
“Your Highness.” Su Qingci raised her head, her eyes shining with determination, “Although I am not talented, I have been studying poetry and books with my maternal grandfather since childhood and am well-versed in the classics, history, philosophy and literature.”
She paused, then added, "Moreover, my father is the current Prime Minister, Su Jingzhi. If Your Highness does not mind..."
"Prime Minister?" Li Yuanzhao sneered. "Su Jingzhi abandoned his own daughter in the wilderness for eighteen years because of a baseless curse. Do you think such a person would be someone you could rely on?"
These words were like a sharp blade, piercing Su Qingci's heart.
She trembled, her slender fingers unconsciously gripping the fox fur coat beneath her.
Li Yuanzhao continued, "Besides, do you think you can survive in the Su family mansion in your current weak state?"
Su Qingci trembled all over; the princess was right.
Yes, she hadn't even stepped into the Prime Minister's residence when she was already facing such a deadly disaster.
What awaits her behind the gates of the Su residence is likely a scheme and conspiracy more terrifying than swords and spears.
However, the next moment, this seemingly frail girl stubbornly straightened her back and crawled half a step on her knees. "I know that I am as weak as grass now, but I have also suffered from hunger and cold, and have seen the wickedness of people's hearts."
She raised her eyes, and a glint of light ignited within them.
"This humble woman is not afraid of hardship, much less death... This humble woman will definitely live on! No matter what method she uses, this humble woman will gain a foothold in the Su family... just so that one day she can repay Your Highness for saving her life."
Li Yuanzhao stared at her for a moment before revealing a satisfied smile.
“Interesting.” She leaned forward and lifted Su Qingci’s chin. “This fierce look of hers is much more docile than the docile act she was putting on just now.”
Su Qingci's breath hitched.
She had always heard that the eldest princess was arrogant, domineering, and power-hungry.
But at this moment, she felt a fatal attraction to the person in front of her, making her want to get closer involuntarily.
“Remember…” Li Yuanzhao released his grip, “In this cannibalistic world, you are either the butcher or the fish. There is no third way.”
Su Qingci kowtowed deeply, "Your subject will humbly follow the teachings of the Princess."
"Ru Mo." Li Yuanzhao suddenly sat up straight. "Bring me my token."
A gold-inlaid jade token was presented.
Li Yuanzhao casually tossed the token in front of Su Qingci.
"Take this, and once you return to your residence, no one will dare to touch you in the slightest."
Su Qingci held the token in both hands, as if it were a priceless treasure.
She couldn't understand why the princess had treated her so well after their first meeting.
He not only saved her life and taught her how to live, but now he's even protecting her...
Feeling grateful, she became even more determined to repay the princess.
"This humble woman thanks the Princess..."
"Don't rush to express your gratitude," Li Yuanzhao interrupted her. "Live well, I'm still waiting for you to repay my kindness."
The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Prime Minister's residence. Li Yuanzhao watched Su Qingci stagger as she got out of the carriage, a meaningful smile curving his lips.
"Why is Your Highness helping her so much?" Ru Mo asked, puzzled.
Li Yuanzhao looked at the book in his hand, "Chess pieces, of course, the more the better. Besides..."
She gazed at the towering vermilion gates of the Prime Minister's residence, "This chess piece could strike right at the heart of the enemy."
She knew that Su Qingci was no ordinary person. With her status as the daughter of the prime minister, the background of her maternal family, and her intelligence that far surpassed that of ordinary men, how could she not achieve great things?
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been such a great help to Chen Yanqing.
Now, Chen Yanqing, your "noble lady" has become my person.
I wonder what your expression will be when you see her standing beside me, personally pushing you into the abyss?
Li Yuanzhao was in a good mood when he returned to Xihe Palace.
She leaned back on the soft couch and casually ordered, "Bring him to me."
Ru Mo understood immediately, and soon led Chen Yanqing into the hall.
Before Chen Yanqing was brought from the dungeon, he made a point of changing out of his blood-stained old clothes.
After taking another bath and rubbing himself to make himself smell nice, he was then taken to the princess's bedchamber.
He was wearing a light pink silk robe today, and his wet black hair still had moisture on it, which made his handsome face look even more refined and otherworldly.
Li Yuanzhao's red lips curved slightly as her gaze swept over him.
Chen Yanqing stood with his head down, not daring to utter a single word.
He was terrified that he might have offended this madman again and that he would be stabbed in the back.
As the candlelight flickered, Li Yuanzhao suddenly squinted.
An ordinary person suffering such a serious injury would be bedridden for at least six months.
But this person in front of me, after only half a month, without any medical treatment, was already able to move around normally.
Such astonishing restorative power truly deserves the title of "Chosen One".
She dared not imagine that if such fortune were bestowed upon her, not only would she be able to ascend to the throne, but she might even be able to unify the world.
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