"This servant has never thought of climbing the social ladder to the Crown Prince. Besides, didn't I tell you before that the Crown Prince might not always be..."
Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Li Tiao blurted out what he meant, but realized halfway through that she had been too hasty and had mentioned something that hadn't happened yet, so she swallowed the rest of her words.
But while feeling frustrated, Li Tiao belatedly realized something: "Does the Crown Prince want... me... for my death?"
In her panic, Li Tiao almost forgot how to speak, but fortunately, she was corrected in time.
At this moment, Li Tiao would rather the Crown Prince "take a liking" to her, at least then she could save her life.
"Your Highness..." After a long while, Li Tiao finally digested what the Fourth Prince had said. She spoke timidly, and when she looked up, she found that the Fourth Prince was staring at her intently.
Although she didn't understand what the Fourth Prince's gaze meant, the cowardly Li Tiao was only concerned about her life at this moment: "Your Highness, is there no way to ease this matter?"
"There is some relief."
Li Tiao was so excited, it was as if she was about to die but someone suddenly told her that there was a miracle cure.
"What can I do to save my life?"
The Fourth Prince looked away from Li Tiao and said, "If you stay with the Crown Prince and he makes sure you don't talk nonsense in front of others, your life will naturally be saved."
This... Li Tiao fell into despair once again.
"This servant will never speak nonsense again." After a long while, Li Tiao managed to utter these words. She knew they were probably not very useful, but she thought it was better than nothing.
However, this only earned him the merciless mockery of the Fourth Prince: "Do you even believe that yourself?"
How embarrassing! After realizing that the Fourth Prince recognized him as the person who had told his fortune before, he shouldn't have talked nonsense anymore, and he shouldn't have said anything more to the Eighth Prince.
With a regretful blink, Li Tiao took two steps toward the Fourth Prince's bedside, her head bowed and eyes downcast, looking like a wilted eggplant: "Your Highness, is there really no other way to resolve this?"
The Fourth Prince clenched his hands tightly inside the quilt.
If the Crown Prince hadn't publicly reprimanded him, there might have been some way to resolve the situation, but now... the Emperor knows, so...
"My lord, I really won't say anything nonsense." Li Tiao may seem silly, but after living in the palace for a while, she has gradually become able to see things more clearly.
Although she knew that her words might incur the Fourth Prince's wrath, Li Tiao hesitated for a long time before whispering, "Your Highness, wouldn't it be best if I disappeared without a trace at this time?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Fourth Prince suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Li Tiao.
His hawk-like scrutinizing gaze made Li Tiao quickly lower her head, looking helpless and frightened, making one want to hug her and comfort her.
The Fourth Prince turned his head away again and said sarcastically, "You've finally gotten your wish."
"No, no... that's not what I meant..."
Previously, Li Tiao had always denied that she wanted to run away because she was afraid of dying, but now that things have come to this point, Li Tiao feels that telling the truth will make it easier to survive.
"Now that things have come to this, I won't hide it from you, Your Highness. To answer your question, I did think of running away before, but I'm sure you can guess why. Putting aside the fact that I was threatened by the Eighth Prince to become a spy, there's just my status..."
I used to think that no one in the palace knew my identity except for the Eighth Prince and Granny Liu, but as time went on, I realized that I was naive.
My lord, you already knew my identity, and you even knew more about it than I did. My lord, do you think I can stay here in peace under these circumstances?
Of course not.
Everyone is afraid of death, but servants are especially afraid.
But at that time, I secretly ran away and went to a place where no one knew me to live in anonymity. Maybe I could have lived a happy life there.
But if I run away now, the Emperor might order my execution, and then I'll be a fugitive..."
At this point, Li Tiao choked up and didn't continue.
Even with his eyes closed, the Fourth Prince was somewhat moved by Li Tiao's words.
Indeed, Li Tiao was passive from beginning to end.
Although he wasn't good at comforting people, the Fourth Prince still felt that he should say something at this moment. But when he slowly turned his head to look at Li Tiao again, he was stunned, and his expression changed again!
Li Tiao lowered her head, secretly put her hand behind her back, touched the uncovered teacup on the table behind her, dipped her hand in water, and then wiped it under her eyes and on her cheeks.
Just as she finished her work and looked up again to continue lamenting her miserable situation, she found the Fourth Prince looking at her with a gloomy expression.
The embarrassment of being caught made Li Tiao's still-wet hands unsure of what to do, so she subconsciously wiped them on her clothes.
She didn't notice it herself, but the Fourth Prince saw the water stains on her clothes and gave a haughty snort.
"Get lost, I need to rest."
Li Tiao swallowed hard. "Your Highness, please rest. I'll stay here and watch over you so that when you wake up, there won't be anyone to serve you."
"No need, I'm afraid I'll get so angry I'll die."
Thinking that she still needed the Fourth Prince to save her life, Li Tiao hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Your Highness, what I just said is true, it really is what I think, but I just can't cry, so I..."
She might as well not have said anything; her explanation only earned her a few more glares from the Fourth Prince.
Startled, Li Tiao immediately made a shut-up gesture and slunk away.
"Eunuch Su, why don't you go in and keep an eye on things? Just in case the master gives any instructions," Li Tiao instructed Su Peisheng, who was waiting outside.
Despite being physically and mentally exhausted, Li Tiao dared not relax after returning to her room. After all, the Fourth Prince's words, "Second Brother wishes you dead," lingered in her mind like a curse.
Although the Crown Prince will suffer great misfortune in the future, he is still the Crown Prince for now. Li Tiao is not stupid; she naturally knows that the Crown Prince wants her dead, and she may really not live to see the sun tomorrow.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that the prince is fine, so you don't need to worry too much."
Seeing Li Tiao's worried expression, Hongye couldn't help but comfort her.
Although she misunderstood, Li Tiao thought that she might as well try anything after hearing Hongye's words. She could ask Hongye what she should do now. The fear of dying made Li Tiao need to talk to someone, otherwise she would really go crazy.
"Hongye, what do you think of what happened today?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this servant didn't look at it much."
Li Tiao sighed: "Hongye, I'm about to die. As they say, a dying man's words are kind. Tell me what you're thinking, even if it's just to comfort me."
Although you haven't been with me for long and may not know much about me, I've always treated you quite well.
Could you say a few words that offer some hope, to put my mind at ease?
Seeing Li Tiao looking pitiful and lacking her usual liveliness, Hongye hesitated for a moment before speaking...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
