"You want me to seduce the Crown Prince? Why are you crying now that I've entered the pala

Chapter 132 Hint
"I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Eunuch Li, with your presence at my humble abode."

Upon recognizing that the eunuch in the python robe standing in the hall was indeed the one from the Eastern Palace, Qin Rusong was filled with surprise, but greeted him with a smile.

It's said that you can't hit a smiling face, but that saying doesn't quite apply to Eunuch Li.

As the powerful chief steward of the Eastern Palace, even when he met the Prime Minister, he remained arrogant, simply nodding to the smiling Qin Rusong and saying, "Prime Minister Qin."

Then, with a forced smile, he said, "My subordinate said some things that he shouldn't have that day, which caused Miss Qin to misunderstand. Today, I have come here on the orders of the Crown Prince to apologize."

Qin Rusong was clearly stunned, not understanding the logic behind it.

Eunuch Li...is here on the Crown Prince's orders to apologize to the Third Sister?

"Father-in-law, you're too kind. Sangsang is just a little girl; how could she deserve your apology?" he said politely.

Eunuch Li smiled and said, "Whether I can bear it or not is His Highness's order. May I ask where the Third Miss is? Would she be willing to come out and meet me?"

Not wanting to get entangled with Qin Rusong any longer, Eunuch Li got straight to the point.

"This……"

Qin Rusong thought of Qin Su, who was still being controlled, and felt a surge of dissatisfaction and annoyance towards Zhang Shi. If she hadn't insisted on talking today, he would have already calmed down and released her.

"Is Lord Qin facing some difficulties?"

Upon hearing Eunuch Li's question, Qin Rusong readily adopted a helpless expression: "Eunuch, you are unaware that Third Sister has made a minor mistake and is currently under house arrest. I'm afraid she might not be able to help today..."

However, to his surprise, he was interrupted by the old eunuch before he could finish speaking:
"Does Lord Qin mean that His Highness's influence is insufficient to exempt Miss Qin from this punishment? I wonder, what grave mistake has Miss Qin, a young girl, committed to warrant such punishment?"

Qin Rusong had forgotten how many years it had been since he had been humiliated like this, but this person was someone he couldn't afford to offend.

The servants in the hall were so frightened by the fact that they had never seen anyone treat their master like this before that they dared not even breathe.

As for Eunuch Li, once he said he wanted to see him, he was determined to do so.

Seeing that Eunuch Li was adamant and that there was also the Crown Prince's decree, Qin Rusong had no choice but to agree: "In that case, go and invite the Third Miss over."

He gave a signal, and the butler beside him understood, turning around and quickly retreating.

He had to hurry and remind the third young lady to be more sensible and not cause trouble for the master.

Eunuch Li saw it, but did not stop it.

Steward Zhao was already quite old, and after running all the way, he was still out of breath. When he arrived at the entrance of the ancestral hall, he shouted, "Where is everyone? Get out here and open the door!"

The gatekeeper, who had been lounging in the shade, came running over upon hearing this, his face still bearing the marks of sleep: "Steward Zhao..."

"Enough nonsense, open the door! The master needs to speak with the third young lady!"

Urged on by him, the servants dared not delay and hurriedly reached for the keys.

"By the way, did the Third Miss make any moves today?"

He asked casually, then smelled a sour, foul odor. Looking down in confusion, he saw the food laid out on the ground.

At first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong, but the sour and foul smell indicated that the food had gone bad...

The servant opened the door and, seeing that the steward didn't move, turned around and saw his gaze. Startled, he quickly began to explain:
"Butler, no, it's not a small matter at all. The meals are always the same, they're always delivered like this, I absolutely haven't touched them!"

He was practically swearing an oath to the heavens.

If it were good food, he might actually sneak a bite because the Third Miss is not favored, but every day he was given spoiled food that even a dog wouldn't eat!

The butler naturally knew what was going on, and glared at him fiercely: "Why aren't you taking it away and throwing it away!"

Thankfully, that old eunuch didn't come along, otherwise it would have been truly embarrassing!
Thinking this, Steward Zhao composed himself and went inside, a fawning smile on his face: "Third Miss, this old servant is here on Master's orders to take you out. Your confinement has been lifted, you no longer need to stay inside."

However, after talking for a while, there was no sound from inside the ancestral hall. Steward Zhao frowned and stepped inside.

Upon entering, he was greeted by an unpleasant and strange smell of smoke. He couldn't help but frown: "Third Miss? Where are you? You can leave now..."

After walking a few steps, and as his eyes finally adjusted to the light in the ancestral hall, he noticed—

A slender, petite figure seemed to be lying motionless in front of a futon not far away, as if...

Oh no, something's happened!

Butler Zhao's heart skipped a beat, and unease instantly spread throughout his body. He took a few steps over and reached out to try to wake the girl.

When his hand touched her body, he almost screamed, "It's so hot..."
-
"We've finished our tea, Prime Minister Qin. Hasn't Miss Qin prepared anything yet?"

Hearing the old eunuch's sarcastic voice, Qin Rusong's expression also turned sour, and he looked up outside.

As soon as you speak of Cao Cao, he appears; Steward Zhao enters with a rather unpleasant expression.

Seeing his expression, Qin Rusong frowned slightly, thinking that Qin Su was throwing a tantrum and deliberately trying to embarrass him.

Then, Butler Zhao spoke in his ear: "Master, something terrible has happened! The Third Miss has fainted due to a fever..."

"what?"

Qin Rusong's expression changed slightly: "How could this be..."

"What happened to Prime Minister Qin? Did something happen to Miss Sangsang?"

Seeing Qin Rusong's expression, Eunuch Li couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing his question, Qin Rusong remembered that there were other people around, and forced a smile: "I'm afraid you've made a wasted trip today, Father-in-law. Sangsang isn't feeling well and can't receive guests..."

"is it?"

Eunuch Li's face instantly darkened, and the head steward's imposing manner became uncontrollable: "You tell me."

Steward Zhao was taken aback, thinking he was being asked to tell the truth. He hesitated, wanting to see what the master's orders would be, when he saw an unfamiliar guard step out from behind him:

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Miss Qin has fainted in the ancestral hall and was taken away by this steward. Her current condition is unknown."

Qin Rusong was also shocked by Eunuch Li's domineering behavior, daring to send guards to investigate in an official's home without informing the owner.

The old eunuch, who had been so composed just moments before, suddenly stood up, his face changing drastically: "What did you say? What did you say?"

Then she turned to him and said, "Lord Qin, Miss Qin is the one my prince has taken a liking to. We cannot bear the consequences if anything happens to her. Please lead the way so that we can meet her."

The old eunuch's eyes were venomous, sending chills down one's spine.

Qin Rusong originally wanted to refuse, but seeing his appearance, he knew he probably couldn't refuse.

He could only sigh helplessly, "If you insist on doing this, then let's go together."

He then instructed the steward, "Go and fetch the family physician to examine the young lady."

However, he was interrupted by Eunuch Li as soon as he said this: "No need."

He was surprised: "?"

Eunuch Li said coldly, "I was originally going to summon Imperial Physician Su to the palace today, but it's convenient that we can do it together. Since Miss Sangsang is ill, I'll trouble him to come and take a look."

Qin Rusong only thought it was a coincidence, but didn't think too much about it.

After all, how could the Crown Prince have known that the Third Princess was sick and therefore arranged for a royal physician in advance?
It's impossible no matter how you think about it.
-
The housekeeper was somewhat sensible and arranged a room for Qin Su to stay in nearby.

That would have prevented Qin Rusong from leading his men through most of the Prime Minister's residence to the most remote side courtyard.

The imperial physician arrived quickly, and everyone waited for him to examine them. They had initially thought it was just a minor illness, perhaps heatstroke or starvation, but after he took their pulse, his serious expression made everyone uneasy.

"Miss Sangsang's condition is extremely critical; she needs emergency medication immediately!"

Physician Su's words seemed to explode like a thunderclap in everyone's ears, and everyone's expression changed:
“Miss Sangsang is already physically weak, and her old illness has not yet been cured. Now, cold and dampness have entered her body, causing her vital energy to be impaired. This condition is no small matter. The persistent high fever may damage her internal organs and deplete her vital energy; and being unconscious is an even greater sign of weakened life functions. If she does not wake up today, the consequences will be unimaginable…”

After listening for a while, Eunuch Li only caught the last sentence, "If he cannot wake up today, the consequences will be unimaginable." His brow twitched several times, and he glared fiercely at Qin Rusong before speaking to the imperial physician:
"No matter what, Miss Sangsang must not be harmed. Imperial Physician Su, you must do your utmost!"
-
Murong Jing was once again trapped in a nightmare.

This is already the umpteenth time in recent days.

The girl was so thin that her face was so pale it could barely hold any flesh, and her beautiful eyes were dark and frightening.

She lay prostrate on the ground, her body terribly thin, pleading with him:

"I know I was wrong. I don't like you anymore. Please let me go."

He stood there, unmoved by the girl's pleas, and spoke cruelly and coldly: "Leave? You caused Qiong'er to lose her child and almost lose her life. Until you've paid back your debt, you're not going anywhere!"

"not me!"

As the girl spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, which had already stopped flowing, and her voice seemed to carry endless sorrow: "I didn't! Why have you never believed me?"

He stood there straight, like a stranger: "Because you don't deserve it."

After saying that, the man turned and left.

Murong Jing watched from mid-air, wanting countless times to reach out and keep the person there, but could only watch helplessly as the door closed.

The girl was locked in a dark room once again.

He knew perfectly well that she was timid and most afraid of the dark.

But he still kept her with him.

Just as Murong Jing was furiously venting his anger at his past self, the girl in the room suddenly chuckled softly:
"I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy... I'm not worthy!"

After saying that, she seemed to suddenly remember something, and abruptly stood up and rammed her head against the pillar.

"Sangsang!"

Murong Jing cried out in alarm, desperately trying to stop her, but he couldn't touch anything.

She lay there, blood spreading beneath her, staining her dress once more.

"Sangsang!"

He woke up with a start and reached out to touch his face, which was covered in sweat.

But the shock and pain still lingered in his chest.

"Why, why is this happening?"
-
Eunuch Li's status was special, and he could not stay outside the palace for long. However, when he left, he left behind the imperial physician and guards, and gave the following instructions in front of Qin Rusong:
"Report back immediately as soon as Miss Sangsang wakes up."

Not only that, he also left Qin Rusong with a seemingly plausible but ultimately ambiguous remark:

"His Highness greatly admires Miss Qin and intends to summon her to the palace. Lord Qin, you must not betray His Highness's trust."

He didn't say which prince it was, but he knew that if he spoke, everyone would misunderstand it as the crown prince.

But if it really is the Crown Prince, that's fine; the Crown Prince won't take someone's life.

If that person finds out when they return...

Looking at his utterly biased and scumbag father, a hint of disgust and pity flashed in Eunuch Li's eyes.

Qin Rusong was stunned by the news. His original guess had come true, but it felt like he was dreaming.

Just then, the gatekeeper came to report: "Master, the young master has arrived."

Qin Rusong's heart skipped a beat, and he blurted out instinctively, "Wasn't he supposed to be recovering from a broken bone? Why is he here?"

As soon as he said it, he suddenly remembered an idea he had previously thought was laughable, but now it seemed that it might not be entirely impossible—

How could the heir of a duke be injured every few days?

If it wasn't an accident, there's only one possibility... he offended someone he shouldn't have offended.

And in the capital, the only one with such power is...

"Why did you suddenly come here instead of resting at home, Your Highness?"

Murong Jing, oblivious to the elder's coldness, frowned and spoke with a hint of panic in his voice, "Uncle, I've come to see Sangsang. I heard she's ill?"

Qin Rusong did not answer, his gaze sweeping over the young man's cane with a complicated expression.

He originally intended to give the third daughter to the young man as a concubine, since as a concubine's daughter, it would not be a waste for her to become a noble concubine for the Duke's heir.

This is an unspoken understanding between the two companies over the years, and even he himself believes it's a done deal.

But now...

Remembering the old eunuch's advice before he left, he quickly made a decision.

Now that the Crown Prince has spoken, I certainly cannot go against his wishes.

As for Sangsang and Murong Jing... let's just assume they weren't meant to be.

“Sangsang is indeed sick. The doctor prescribed medicine, and she is resting.”

Once he had thought it through, his tone became gentler.

Upon hearing this, Murong Jing pictured the girl lying there covered in blood, his heart pounding wildly, almost losing control of his panic.

"Then I'll go check on her!"

As he spoke, he prepared to barge in to meet the person, his concerned and worried expression giving Qin Rusong a strange headache.

"Your Highness, please wait!"

Despite his headache, he didn't show it on his face and raised his hand to stop him: "Sangsang just took her medicine and is still asleep. You won't be able to see her if you go now. Let Qiong'er entertain you instead."

This was the first time Qin Rusong had taken the initiative to mention Qin Qionghua to Murong Jing.

He had always known that the young man in front of him was in love with the second daughter, and that he allowed the third daughter to entangle with him only because he felt that... he wasn't good enough.

But now, it seems there are new plans.

In the past, Murong Jing would have been overjoyed to hear this.

But his recent recurring dreams have made him unable to muster the desire to see Qiong, or rather, he feels somewhat resistant to seeing her.

He dared not think about whether he would really hurt Sangsang because of her.

The man in his dream seemed to have lost his mind; it was terrifying, and even just watching him made him angry.

He then declined, saying, "Qiong has never liked me bothering her. I'd better go see Sangsang instead. When she was sick, she loved eating Aunt Cao's sugar-roasted chestnuts from East Street. I brought some for her."

Seeing that the young man, though haggard, was still gentle and polite, Qin Rusong finally felt a bit of a problem.

Could he have... noticed something?