Chapter 35: Counterattack

Gu Jingshi was momentarily dazzled by the charm in her eyes. Flustered, he quickly looked away and said, "In that case, you should change into men's clothing; it would be better not to attract any unnecessary attention."

"That works."

Yu Qingyan picked up another piece of pastry and popped it into her mouth. "However, I don’t have any men's clothing here. You’ll have to lend me a set."

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. "Your Highness."

"I’m leaving," Gu Jingshi said, rising and vanishing from the room.

Yu Qingyan tidied up the pastries on the table. "Come in."

"Your Highness, Lady Rou refuses to leave. Would you like to go and see her?"

"Throw her out!" Yu Qingyan frowned. This woman was truly a nuisance!

"Cui’er has already tried, but Lady Rou is now kneeling outside the room. Your Highness, you really should go and see."

"Tell Meixiang to find Chu Yuchuan and have him remove her."

"…Your Highness, the Prince is out and hasn't returned yet."

Yu Qingyan furrowed her brows fiercely. She had timed this perfectly! Hmph!

She didn't want to engage with her, but she wouldn't allow herself to be bullied either!

Yu Qingyan stood up, and Xique hurried to follow behind her.

Stepping outside, she saw Lady Rou kneeling on the ground, with a crowd of onlookers already gathering around Cuizhu Garden.

Huh, people rarely visited her quarters; why were they all so interested today?

"Your Highness! Wanrou knows she was wrong! I beg you to forgive me this one time!"

"Meixiang, Lüju, the ground is cold. Hurry and help Lady Rou up."

"Yes."

Tears streamed down Lin Wanrou’s face, and her eyes were filled with resolve. "If Your Highness will not forgive me, I would rather kneel here indefinitely!"

"Lady Rou has done nothing wrong; there is no need for my forgiveness."

"Regarding the incident last time, I have already clarified things with the Prince! If I have caused a rift between you and the Prince, my heart would truly be uneasy!"

"Meixiang, Lüju, what are you standing there for! If Lady Rou ruins her health kneeling like this and the Prince blames us, who can bear the responsibility? Help her up quickly!"

Meixiang and Lüju looked at Lin Wanrou in a dilemma.

Lin Wanrou remained on her knees. "Your Highness..."

Yu Qingyan’s gaze sharpened. "What is this? Lady Rou claims to be begging for my forgiveness, yet she refuses to listen to my words?"

"I would not dare, Your Highness."

"In that case, come inside."

"Yes."

Xiao Die supported a trembling Lin Wanrou into the room. Yu Qingyan signaled to Xique, leaving everyone else outside.

"Your Highness..."

Yu Qingyan shut the door and turned to face her. "Alright, Lin Wanrou, there’s no one else here. Drop this hypocritical act; it’s disgusting to look at."

"I wasn't—"

"Whether you were or not, you know perfectly well in your heart." Yu Qingyan had long lost her patience. "I have no interest in your Prince. If you insist on being self-righteous and playing these jealous games, don't blame me for being unkind!"

Lin Wanrou lowered her eyes, remaining silent as if contemplating the weight of her words.

"I have no intention of being disrespectful to Your Highness."

"Still putting on a show? Lin Wanrou, in this regard, you aren't even as good as Lin Wanjing. At least she had the guts to be openly hostile; that’s far better than this underhanded, sickening behavior of yours!"

As expected, Lin Wanrou’s expression turned ugly at the mention of that name.

"Even if you don't care about the Prince, he still has you in his heart."

Yu Qingyan’s expression remained cold. "Whether he has me in his heart or not, I don't know, but your repeated provocations are undeniably real."

Having said this, Yu Qingyan moved in a flash, appearing right beside Lin Wanrou. Startled, Lin Wanrou looked up at Yu Qingyan, who now stood just a step away from her.

Lin Wanrou followed Yu Qingyan’s gaze to the hairpin in her hand and instinctively reached up to touch her own hair.