Li Tiao thought things had finally taken a turn for the better, but who knew there would be no end in sight?
Chunxi was indeed her maid, but recalling what Granny Liu had said unintentionally that day, Li Tiao also had doubts about Chunxi's identity. She was not one of the Eighth Prince's people, but she was also unsure whether she was friend or foe.
"Someone, bring Chunxi here."
The Fourth Prince didn't give Li Tiao any chance to refute him and directly ordered someone to summon Chunxi.
Li Tiao was feeling very uneasy, and her gaze involuntarily fell on the back of her hand. She had clearly just rubbed against a stone, but the imperial physician had bandaged it up in an exaggerated way.
Back in modern times, my best friend once commented on my appearance: "I look like I've been photoshopped."
Li Tiao's mind began to wander. While waiting for Chunxi to be brought over, Li Tiao raised her hand, which was bandaged somewhat exaggeratedly by the imperial physician: "This servant thanks Your Highness for your concern. Actually, this servant is really fine."
He hadn't paid much attention before, but now that he saw Li Tiao's hand, the Fourth Prince's eyes flickered. Just as he was about to speak, he caught the cunning look in Li Tiao's eyes.
So the words that were on the tip of his tongue were changed by the Fourth Prince: "After all, you are someone who can make the most of the dead. I'm afraid that if you get ruthless, you'll even use your own people."
Li Tiao's expression changed; this man was truly a scoundrel.
She also gave up on the "honey trap," almost forgetting about this person... but it doesn't seem to work!
Chunxi arrived quickly. Li Tiao originally intended to speak first and tell Chunxi what had happened, while also giving Chunxi a subtle signal.
But to everyone's surprise, the Fourth Prince seemed to have seen through Li Tiao's thoughts and didn't give her a chance to speak at all. He directly asked Chunxi, "When did you start serving by Li Gege's side?"
"Replying to your question, sir, this servant has been serving you since entering the Li residence."
"Have you heard any rumors about your master in the manor?"
Li Tiao thought this man was utterly despicable; with that question, Chunxi might just give herself away.
After all, the idea of twins was something Li Tiao just made up on the spot.
Li Tiao couldn't help but look at Chunxi, preparing to mouth a hint to Chunxi when the Fourth Prince wasn't looking. But even with such caution, the Fourth Prince still noticed: "Why are you looking at Chunxi? Are you afraid that you two will say different things?"
"My lord, how could that be? I was just afraid Chunxi would be nervous," Li Tiao said with an awkward laugh.
Unable to communicate with Chunxi in secret, Li Tiao mentally prayed to all the gods, both Chinese and foreign, hoping they would help her pass this test.
While Li Tiao was praying silently, Chunxi spoke up: "Your Highness, this servant doesn't quite understand what you mean by the rumors you mentioned, but this servant has indeed heard some of them, but I don't know if they are the same as the rumors you mentioned."
What did you hear?
Chunxi glanced at the Fourth Prince: "Everyone says that Your Highness has a twin sister or sister. I am young and entered the manor late, so I don't know if it's true or not. But I saw Miss Yunhui at Your Highness's residence a few days ago. The two look so alike... I think it might be true."
Li Tiao was not relieved at all; instead, she became even more puzzled.
Are she and Chunxi really that in sync? Their words are almost identical!
Or did the gods hear my prayers?
Neither of these methods could make Li Tiao feel at ease. The only saving grace was that the Fourth Prince seemed to have believed their story.
"Go down."
After Chunxi left, Li Tiao knew that no matter how many doubts she had, she had to put them aside and deal with the Fourth Prince first.
"Master, I told you I wasn't lying to you, do you believe me now?"
If it weren't for seeing how extremely nervous Li Tiao looked at Chunxi earlier, the Fourth Prince wouldn't have believed Chunxi's story.
"Is Yunhui also one of the Eighth Prince's people?" The Fourth Prince asked Li Tiao after a moment of silence.
"In reply to your question, sir, this servant does not know."
In fact, Li Tiao truly didn't know. "And Master, to be honest, I'm also very curious about how Yunhui entered the palace. Although Yunhui was still a virgin when she was in the brothel, how did she manage to enter the palace from there..."
"Heh." The Fourth Prince sneered again, his expression much uglier than before.
Recalling Consort De's attitude towards Yun Hui, Li Tiao thought it was probably related to Consort De.
But what mother would choose someone from such a place for her son? Especially in ancient times, in a strictly regulated royal family.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince waved to her, Li Tiao thought that this hurdle had been temporarily overcome.
Even though it's all in the past, it's still best to clarify some things beforehand: "Master, if the Eighth Prince seeks me out again, should I go or not?"
"Do you think you should go or not?"
Li Tiao thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, I think if the Eighth Prince comes looking for me again, and I go again, he will think that you know nothing. I can tell you the news from the Eighth Prince's side."
Compared to other spies, I would never betray you, for my life and death depend entirely on your decision.
The Fourth Prince chuckled and waved to Li Tiao.
Although she didn't understand what the Fourth Prince meant, Li Tiao thought she couldn't be too annoying, so she decided to go back to her room and stay put for the time being.
As she turned around, she caught a glimpse of the ointment the imperial physician had given her for treating external injuries on the back of her hand. Li Tiao hesitated whether to take it or not, because the bloodstains on the back of her hand were really nothing serious.
"Take it." The Fourth Prince seemed to see Li Tiao's hesitation: "Heal the injury once and for all, so you won't use it on yourself in the future."
Ridicule, blatant ridicule. Li Tiao was very principled and resolutely refused to take it, determined not to give him the chance to mock her.
In a fit of pique, Li Tiao decided to glare at the Fourth Prince before leaving, taking advantage of his inattention to vent her anger.
However, just as Li Tiao was about to roll her eyes, she noticed that the back of the Fourth Prince's clothes seemed to have a different color as well.
The weather was hot, and the Fourth Prince's clothes were also light in color, making the unusual color look like blood.
After a moment of stunned silence, Li Tiao walked to the Fourth Prince's side as if possessed: "Your Highness, did your back also... get rubbed?"
As she spoke, Li Tiao gestured behind her back. When the Fourth Prince suddenly looked at her coldly, she took another step back in fear.
"Well... Master, this servant will take her leave now."
Li Tiao was frightened by the Fourth Prince's gaze and felt that she had been meddling in other people's business. She was about to leave, but the Fourth Prince called out to her: "Stop."
Looking back at the Fourth Prince, Li Tiao remained poised to run away at any moment.
The Fourth Prince had no other intentions, but seeing Li Tiao's ever-changing expressions, sometimes showing concern for him and sometimes avoiding him like the plague, he said, "It seems my back is injured. Since you don't use the imperial physician's ointment, then apply it for me."
Li Tiao was taken aback by these words. After she had processed them and confirmed that she hadn't misheard, the Fourth Prince had already begun to undress himself...
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