For the first time, Lin Qingwan saw a hint of losing control in the Crown Prince's usually calm eyes, and instinctively stood up and knelt down first.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger." She kowtowed.
Zhao Cong was stunned for a moment, then realized what he had said and raised his hand to press his brow.
Expressing her dissatisfaction only made her more agitated, as she knelt down to beg for forgiveness just like everyone else.
Oh dear, Zhu An didn't mention any side effects from blood transfusions.
Seeing Lin Qingwan's shoulders hunch, he realized he had gone too far.
She had just woken up after escaping death, and it was he who took the initiative to ask her about her plans. Why was she getting so angry now?
Zhao Cong gave himself a moment to calm down and then composed himself. "Get up."
"What Feng'er does is none of your business."
“He is my son, and it is my responsibility to comfort and care for him.”
Lin Qingwan couldn't help but be moved when she thought of Feng'er, and said softly, "Your Highness is the only one who has ever truly been good to me."
How could I not miss him?
Zhao Cong's gaze was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating a ripple.
"It's just that Consort Ning colluded with the Xiongnu, and Jiang Su is also guilty of treason, which means his entire family should be executed. The Crown Prince risked his life to save me, so I should hide away and never show myself again; that would be the best way to repay you."
“Your Highness…” she choked out, “you’ll slowly forget as you grow up.”
Zhao Cong lowered his eyelashes, concealing his intention to stay away and hide for his sake.
He thought of how his maternal grandfather and uncle had taken on fabricated charges so that he could live a peaceful life...
At that time, he was isolated and helpless, barely able to protect himself, and this incident became a lifelong regret in his heart. Now, Lin Qingwan kneeling before him made him taste that same feeling again.
For a moment, he felt that all his hard work over the years had been meaningless.
The revenge was taken, but the Empress Dowager, the Grandfather, and the Uncle would never return.
Time remained frozen as he couldn't save them and had to watch them choose to sacrifice themselves so that he could live.
Zhao Cong's expression froze, his powerful, pulsating hands gripping the corner of the table. He squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth, "The entire Da Ning belongs to me. Whoever I say you are, that's who you are."
"Truth is merely icing on the cake for the victors. If power is enough to suppress everyone, then I am the truth."
Lin Qingwan couldn't help but look up, her heart and eyes filled with shock.
Her blood was boiling, but she hastily lowered her eyelashes, still not daring to reveal her true feelings before him. Did the Crown Prince mean to give her a new identity so she could appear openly in the capital?
But why would the Crown Prince do this?
No one can resist the emperor's authority, but it is not a glorious thing. Why would he take such a risk for himself?
Lin Qingwan forced a glimmer of hope out of her chaotic thoughts: Yes, it was for the young prince.
Zhao Cong stood up and said, "You should stay here and rest well. There's no need to rush out of the city or think about hiding your identity."
"Besides, the whole city is currently being searched for Xiongnu spies, so even if you recover, you won't be able to leave the city."
"Just stay put."
Zhao Cong left the courtyard.
Qiu Hong tidied the room, and Mu Xue helped Lin Qingwan with her washing and dressing. Seeing that she was absent-minded, she couldn't help but ask, "Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't want you to leave the capital."
Lin Qingwan's eyes were cold. "Right now, we're still dealing with the remnants of Consort Ning's faction. The city gates are under tight security, so it's definitely not the time to go out."
Mu Xue blinked. "I don't think that's the reason."
Lin Qingwan turned to look at her.
Mu Xue smiled enigmatically, “The Crown Prince has already said that he can let you stay in the capital openly and legitimately, so sending you out of the city is a piece of cake.”
Lin Qingwan had no rebuttal.
"This servant thinks the Crown Prince doesn't want you to leave."
Mu Xue said bluntly, "The poison in your body has no end in sight, and you can't leave Physician Zhu's place. Why don't we stay here?"
Lin Qingwan remained silent, because she was reminded of the Crown Prince's anger at her for not mentioning repaying his kindness.
How does the Crown Prince want her to report this? Or is there something he needs her to do?
*
Zhao Cong's horse galloped through the long street, shattering the silence of the night.
When the whip fell, there was a sense of exhilaration, like galloping across the border. It would have been even better if I hadn't seen Zhu An, who was holding his back and leaning against the wall.
"Your Highness!" Zhu An's eyes lit up, and he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I told you I couldn't walk an inch. You've already come out, and I haven't even reached the palace yet."
Zhao Cong glared at him, "Do you think I'm feeding you for free?"
"I didn't eat for nothing," Zhu An retorted. "I saved Miss Qingwan and didn't sleep for two days and two nights."
"That's what you're supposed to do on your salary."
Zhu An choked, "Well, I did offer you some advice."
Zhao Cong flicked his riding whip, "I have also rewarded you with plenty of gold and silver."
Zhu An pursed his lips. "If that's how you put it, then I'll tell you the truth. Actually, I deliberately struck up a conversation with Miss Qingwan today, all for... ah!"
"drive!"
Zhu An crouched in the corner, clutching his head, because the horsewhip had almost hit him!
Zhu An came to his senses, still shaken.
Shen Xu suppressed a laugh, "Don't try to be clever next time."
Zhu An composed himself, "The Crown Prince's jealousy is truly stingy..."
Shen Xu raised an eyebrow. "Hopeless. A perfectly good doctor is neglecting his duties."
Zhu An said, "If I don't light a fire, wouldn't it be a pity that he had to explain things to Miss Qingwan before he died?"
"Who?" Shen Xu's ears perked up.
Zhu An sneered, "A fool."
Shen Xu: "Are you kidding me?"
Zhu An chuckled, his face serious. "No."
Sequence: ......
When Zhao Cong returned to the East Palace, he learned that Feng'er had woken up and couldn't find him, so he immediately went to the side hall.
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