Shen Qingyao looked at Princess Yonghe with a speechless expression. She couldn’t quite understand what the Princess meant.
A gust of cold wind blew over at this moment. Though it wasn’t snowing, the wind carried fine ice particles that stung the face slightly. Shen Qingyao shrank her neck, wishing to quickly end this inexplicable scene.
So she asked, “Princess, what matters do you need me for?”
Then she noticed Tang Shirou sneaking around on the side and suddenly had some realization. Could this Princess also be Lu Zhao’s admirer?
…Shen Qingyao could only say, Young Master Lu Zhao, you are truly something.
“Aren’t you very arrogant?” Princess Yonghe sneered, her face showing a sophistication and sharpness beyond her age, causing Shen Qingyao to furrow her brows. Shen Qingyao remained silent, wanting to hear what else the Princess had to say.
“Just putting on a show with a false demeanor. Do you really think Young Master Lu would like you?” Princess Yonghe clicked her tongue, giving Shen Qingyao a scrutinizing look from head to toe with an uncomfortable gaze. She criticized, “If it were Shen Qingli who was engaged to Young Master Lu, perhaps it would be a suitable match. But you? A sickly child? Happily being used as a pawn by others? Ridiculous.”
It had to be said that Princess Yonghe’s level was a bit higher than Tang Shirou’s.
If it were the original Shen Qingyao, and if she truly liked Lu Zhao, she might have already started a fight. Even the current Shen Qingyao, who already knew the plot, and got close to Lu Zhao just for the mission, still felt a bit irritated.
She stopped smiling, her face turned serious, and she asked coldly, “What do you mean?”
Princess Yonghe laughed exaggeratedly, as if she had heard a joke, and said in a mocking tone, “Don’t you know, poor little thing? Right now, your Elder Sister and Lu Zhao are probably on the same bed. And you’re here enjoying the view. Is it nice?”
Thinking of her departing Elder Sister and Lu Zhao, Shen Qingyao’s heart sank. At the same time, she didn’t understand these people. Weren’t they Lu Zhao’s admirers? What benefit did it bring them to scheme against Lu Zhao?
“You’re talking nonsense!” Shen Qingyao stared at the Princess fiercely.
This angry yet self-deceptive expression seemed to please Princess Yonghe even more, and she laughed more gleefully.
[Host… do you want to check?] The system was somewhat worried. After all, if something happened to Lu Zhao, Shen Qingyao’s mission would fail.
“No need!” Shen Qingyao answered decisively.
In fact, she was uncertain, but she was more willing to believe in her Elder Sister and Lu Zhao. Princess Yonghe clearly had a purpose, and she couldn’t figure it out right now, but she also knew she shouldn’t act recklessly and fall into the opponent’s trap.
“Is it nonsense? You’ll know if you go and see…”
“Yaoyao? Why are you here?”
Princess Yonghe’s words were cut off by a clear voice.
Hearing this familiar voice, Shen Qingyao turned around in pleasant surprise. Standing behind her was none other than Lu Zhao. She felt relieved, and the joy in her eyes couldn’t be concealed. She hurriedly walked over, grabbed Lu Zhao’s sleeve, and, together with him, enjoyed the sight of Princess Yonghe looking as if she had seen a ghost. She also called out, “Elder Brother Lu Zhao.”
“Hmm.” Lu Zhao responded to her and then looked at Princess Yonghe. His expression turned colder, and he said indifferently, “Greetings, Princess.”
“You, how can you be here!” Princess Yonghe couldn’t believe it. She clearly have received the news that Lu Zhao was supposed to have been drunk by someone!
Lu Zhao’s lips curled into a cold smile, evidently he had heard something just now. He seemed genuinely puzzled and asked, “If not here, where does the Princess want me to be?”
A sense of oppression surged up, and Princess Yonghe’s body froze. She couldn’t speak for a while.
Shen Qingyao and the system were almost laughing to death. The system laughed insanely and pounded the ground, [Hahaha! Host! You’re amazing, Host! This is the fastest and most satisfying face-slapping plot I’ve ever seen!]
Shen Qingyao couldn’t laugh as freely as the system but was holding back laughter like crazy, “Lower your voice! Your laughter is annoying me!” Although it was really hilarious.
“Elder Brother Lu Zhao, were you not with Elder Sister?” She squinted her eyes, her tone soft, but with a hint of scrutiny, she hadn’t forgotten her own persona setting.
“Your name is Shen Qingli?” Lu Zhao responded with a question, looking at her leisurely.
Shen Qingyao smiled, understanding that he meant, was he not with her right now? In a good mood, she couldn’t help but glance at Princess Yonghe, who was still frozen on the side.
Shen Qingyao let go of Lu Zhao’s sleeve, took two leisurely steps forward, and asked softly, “Princess, what was the last thing you said just now? I didn’t hear it clearly. Could you say it again?”
She felt triumphant. Go ahead, say it again in front of the person himself.
Princess Yonghe obviously had no guts, she didn’t dare to say it a second time, only wanting to go back quickly and strangle Tang Shirou, who delivered the false message.
Just as Princess Yonghe was figuring out how to escape from this awkward situation, another palace maid rushed out in a hurry.
Shen Qingyao : … This scene is so familiar.
Fortunately, this time the palace maid wasn’t a whisper lover; she was just panting and shouted towards Lu Zhao with a voice that everyone could hear, and very pointedly, “Young Master! Something’s wrong at the side hall!”
Shen Qingyao turned her head to look at Lu Zhao. His expression didn’t change much, just the smile faded a bit, and he appeared cold and distant. He didn’t respond, but Princess Yonghe, with a turn of her eyes, stopped her steps to escape and put on a face of watching the show. She coolly said, “Side hall? I remember, didn’t the Eldest Miss from the Shen family just go to the side hall?”
Shen Qingyao frowned, her expression freezing, and she started to feel a bit panicked, “Don’t tell me, this small scheme will really harm the female lead!”
[…It won’t, Host.] The system said without much confidence.
Meanwhile, Princess Yonghe was still inciting, lifting her chin to look at Lu Zhao, “Eldest Miss Shen is in trouble. Young Master, aren’t you going to check it out?”
Shen Qingyao noticed Lu Zhao clenching his fists, and veins bulging on his pale skin, as if he was in a struggle. Normally, Shen Qingyao would want him to hurry and help the main leads, but now she’s a paranoid yandere, how could she let ‘the person she loves’ go to rescue another girl?
Cold sweat dripped from Shen Qingyao. Making Lu Zhao go would collapse her persona, while not letting Lu Zhao go would offend the main leads. It’s a lose-lose situation…
[Host! Pay attention to the persona setting! Stay calm! That’s the female lead! There’s the male lead by her side! Just stay still!]
The system seemed really afraid of Shen Qingyao’s persona setting collapsing. But with its reminder, Shen Qingyao remembered. Right, there’s still the male lead! Why did she keep forgetting about the male lead? The female lead is in trouble; it’s not the turn of the second male lead to save her!
She raised her head again and noticed a figure standing in the distance. It was her Elder Sister’s personal maid, Yun Yu.
The maid shook her head from afar, indicating that she came specifically to comfort Shen Qingyao. However, seeing the current situation, she couldn’t approach and could only signal from a distance.
Shen Qingyao’s heart completely relaxed without any concerns.
“Elder Sister didn’t go to that side hall,” she said, lowering her head with a muffled voice, making it difficult for people to discern her emotions.
Princess Yonghe and Lu Zhao turned their heads to look at her. Shen Qingyao nervously watched Lu Zhao’s expression, afraid that the situation might change.
“Elder Sister didn’t go to that side hall,” she repeated in a low voice.
Princess Yonghe disdainfully turned her head away, ignoring her, and continued to incite Lu Zhao, “My people saw it with their own eyes. Could it be false? Young Master is not afraid of regretting it for a lifetime by not going?”
“Why is this person so annoying!” Shen Qingyao rolled her eyes.
Princess Yonghe almost had the words ‘ulterior motive’ written on her face, and Shen Qingyao didn’t know where she got the confidence.
Shen QIngyao discreetly looked around, realizing that the only path was blocked by Princess Yonghe. On one side, there were thorny bushes, and on the other side was a small artificial lake in the garden. There was no retreat.
After observing for a while, Shen Qingyao decided to take a bold move. She took quick steps towards the right, climbed a large rock in three or two moves, and almost slipped off.
Her movements were too fast, and Lu Zhao couldn’t stop her in time. When he reacted, the girl was already on the rock. His expression, which had been emotionless, finally softened. However, he frowned disapprovingly, “Yaoyao! Come down!”
Shen Qingyao bit her lip, feeling that White Moonlight might be angry, but it should be because of Princess Yonghe’s actions.
After all, the relationship between her and White Moonlight was just a scripted drama, and he shouldn’t be so worried about her.
So, she secretly sighed with relief and thought, Didn’t you tell me to be bolder.
She took a deep breath, stared at Lu Zhao with determination, and insisted stubbornly, “I said it! Elder sister didn’t go to that side hall! Lu Zhao! If you insist on going, I’ll jump from here! I’ll make you feel guilty for a lifetime!”
Lu Zhao didn’t speak, but his brows furrowed deeper.
The terrain on the rock was higher, and the wind was stronger. Shen Qingyao shivered and thought that she was not dressed warmly enough. She looked at Lu Zhao, feeling anxious. Unable to hold back, she complained to the system, “Is he mute? I’ve hinted so clearly that Elder Sister is fine! Can’t he be professional and give me a response by helping me get down from here? It’s freezing in this wind!”
[…Host, to be honest, it’s really difficult to help you get down in this situation.]
“Shut up! Do you have the nerve to say that? If it weren’t for your persona setting, would I be in this situation?!” Shen Qingyao was angry, “I want to ask you! Do you want me to pursue him, or do you want me to help him blacken? Huh?!”
While she scolded, she noticed Lu Zhao seemingly sighing. He looked helpless, and when he walked over, he extended a hand towards her, saying, “I never said I’m going.”
“Really?” Shen Qingyao didn’t believe it at all. When she heard about her Elder Sister’s situation, even if she knew the plot and knew her Elder Sister was fine, wanted to rush over. How could Lu Zhao, who didn’t know, didn’t want to go!
“I really won’t go. With you here, I’m already busy enough just looking after you. Where would I find the time to manage someone else?” Lu Zhao’s voice remained calm, but Princess Yonghe behind him widened her eyes in disbelief. How could it be? How could Lu Zhao not care about Shen Qingli?
“Do you think I’m troublesome?” Shen Qingyao raised her voice a notch, fully immersed in her persona.
“Not troublesome! Even if you are, it’s me who indulged you,” Lu Zhao laughed helplessly, seemingly unable to do anything about her.
Shen Qingyao curled her lips. If someone had spoiled her, it was her family, not him. But she knew that her leading actor had come online and understood her meaning that her Elder Sister was fine. So, she relaxed, half-pushing and half-pulling, humming lightly, “As long as you understand! You’re mine! These are things you should do!”
“Yes, yes, yes. Come down quickly,” Lu Zhao urged. Standing up there was dangerous, and he wanted her to come down.
“Okay.” Shen Qingyao turned around to reach for his hand but stepped on an icy patch and slipped. She exclaimed, and at that moment, the only thought in her mind was, “Why the hell did I climb so high in the first place? Am I an idiot?”
And the system’s final response to her : [Yes, Host, you are.]
“…..”