"May I ask what the prince's request is?" Lin Qingwan thought for a moment and then asked.
Zhao Yan smiled mysteriously, "Once this matter is settled, you'll know when you come with me to a certain place."
"Rest assured, I cherish you dearly and will never mistreat you."
Lin Qingwan smiled but remained silent.
From the very beginning, Prince Jing's advances towards her were ambiguous, even though he was clearly engaged to Jiang Yanwan.
Even when Butcher Lin and Lady Cheng bought her, they knew to go through the motions of formalities to cover it up. The dignified Prince Jing said he liked her, protected her, and would stand up for her, but he never mentioned rules and etiquette, assuming that she would not reject his good intentions.
Of course, Lin Qingwan never imagined she would have that kind of good fortune.
Therefore, she knew in her heart that as long as she nodded, it would mean no betrothal or marriage, and she would willingly be played by the powerful and wealthy. It wouldn't even qualify as an elopement or a mistress.
Prince Jing is His Majesty's beloved son. As he said, he can kill or beat anyone he wants. What's the big deal about teasing a woman who is disliked by the Prime Minister's family and has a bad reputation?
Moreover, even if she suffered something, the Prime Minister's residence would not stand up for her.
Nobody cares about her.
But she had no choice; she needed Prince Jing's power. She was unwilling to be trampled underfoot and unwilling to let the Cheng family ruin her.
Lin Qingwan took a deep breath, "It is my blessing to be able to share the prince's burdens."
Zhao Yan smiled broadly, his fingers stroking the back of her hand to ignite a flame, but thankfully he didn't do anything else excessive.
"Your calligraphy is very good. Write a few 'Fu' characters for the Prince's Mansion this year."
Lin Qingwan's heartstrings twitched. (Words?)
Yes, she wrote a thank-you note to the prince last time.
Although she had practiced for a while, she didn't feel she had reached the level to write the character "福" (fu, meaning good fortune). Wait, that calligraphy practice book...
“Miss Qingwan, Butcher Lin is uncooperative during questioning and insists on seeing you before revealing his accomplices. What do you think…”
Cang Ying bowed and stepped forward, his voice not as sharp as that of an ordinary eunuch, but rather very gentle.
Zhao Yan said directly, "I said I would have killed him long ago, why bother with all this trouble? The Ministry of Personnel is not the Eastern Palace, what right does he have to interrogate people?"
Cang Ying remained calm and composed. "After all, the Heart-Eating Grass has been delivered to the Crown Prince and the Prince. The Minister dares not act rashly. The sooner the Crown Prince investigates the matter, the easier it will be for everyone."
"So I'll have to trouble Miss Qingwan to help me out."
Lin Qingwan didn't particularly like being alone with Prince Jing either, because she always felt uneasy. At this moment, she was actually grateful to that butcher Lin.
“Your Highness, this matter concerns my innocence. Qingwan is willing to help with this, please forgive me.”
"Qingwan will be back soon."
Zhao Yan was displeased that the Crown Prince had openly taken him away, regardless of the reason. But now was not the time to take things further with Lin Qingwan; the place wasn't right, and their moods weren't quite right either.
"Yes. If that person doesn't know what's good for them, just kill them."
Lin Qingwan smiled, and that clear and gentle smile instantly dispelled Zhao Yan's discomfort.
After the others left, he asked his attendant, "She suits my taste better than anyone before, especially in terms of personality, isn't that right?"
The attendant shivered. "Yes."
Lin Qingwan left with Cang Ying, and the oppressive feeling in her heart slowly disappeared.
It turned out that Cang Ying hadn't led her to the room where Lin the butcher was imprisoned, but rather...
"My beauty." Feng'er ran out of the inner room and threw herself into her arms. "You'll have dinner with me."
Lin Qingwan knelt down, her expression unconsciously softening with warmth. "Your Highness."
As soon as he finished speaking, a tall, slender shadow was cast in front of him, and Zhao Cong's deep voice descended, "If you don't want to eat, then go hungry. If you're hungry, you won't need anyone to keep you company."
Feng'er said frankly, "A beautiful woman eats ravenously, and it tastes delicious."
Lin Qingwan looked embarrassed; this praise was something she hadn't expected at all.
Feng'er comforted her, "Don't be afraid. Father just likes to put on a stern face in front of others. He clearly agreed before he sent Eunuch Cang to find you."
Are you hungry too?
Feng'er opened her eyes wide, waiting for her to nod, and then Lin Qingwan's stomach really did rumble.
Although it was very quiet, it was still embarrassing enough.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Cong turned and walked into the inner room first, saying, "Come in."
Given the magnitude of the incident at the birthday banquet, Minister Gao dared not invite the Crown Prince and Prince Jing to dine with the male guests. Instead, he ordered a dozen or so exquisite dishes to be served and even personally tasted the poison.
Seeing that Lin Qingwan dared not sit with the Crown Prince, Feng'er said to Zhao Cong, "Father, smile."
Zhao Cong's eyebrows twitched, and his dark eyes exuded a hint of pressure.
Feng'er added, "With your stern face, even a beauty wouldn't dare sit down."
"If Father isn't hungry, could you..."
"Are you trying to drive me away?" Zhao Cong asked bluntly, his tone suggesting he was about to accuse him.
Lin Qingwan interlocked her index fingers with her clasped hands. Should she... sit down?
Suddenly, a look of surprise flashed across her face, because His Highness the Crown Prince frowned, smoothed his sleeves, and got up to go to the couch next to him to drink tea.
The Crown Prince really dotes on the young prince.
Feng'er smiled broadly, "Thank you, Father. I'll massage your legs when we get home."
Then he pulled Lin Qingwan aside, saying, "Please sit down!"
The young prince was too enthusiastic, and she was really hungry.
Zhao Cong unknowingly drank two cups of tea, and his peripheral vision kept involuntarily catching Lin Qingwan serving food to Feng'er.
She was very sensible; she knew to switch chopsticks when picking up food, and no matter how much Feng'er pleaded and coaxed, she encouraged Feng'er to use chopsticks herself. Unlike the palace maids, who practically broke the food into pieces to feed Feng'er.
Feng'er doesn't like leafy green vegetables, and unlike the nanny, she doesn't lecture her. Instead, she deliberately pretends to dislike certain foods to pique Feng'er's interest. When Feng'er threatens her, she uses leafy green vegetables as a bargaining chip.
The meal was enjoyed in a cheerful and relaxed manner, which made Zhao Cong think of the word "harmonious".
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