The Crown Prince merely glanced at Xie Yuanchu and said, “There’s no need.”

Xie Yuanchu quickly waved his hand and smiled, “That’s not what I meant. Since what she made suits Yuanbao’s taste, it’s fine for her to go to the Eastern Palace and keep Yuanbao company.”

The Crown Prince, with a stern expression, stood up from the pool and draped a robe over himself. “It’s getting late; Yuanbao needs to go to bed.”

“Mm,” Xie Yuanchu acknowledged.

He knew Yuan Bao’s needs were paramount and didn’t try to stop the Crown Prince.

Still, he was uncertain if he had misunderstood the Crown Prince’s reaction.

Despite knowing the Crown Prince well and considering himself the best at reading his thoughts after Fu Quan, Xie Yuanchu couldn’t quite figure this out.

As the Crown Prince hurried away, Xie Yuanchu remained in the hot spring, puzzled.

With Fu Quan injured by the Crown Prince, he couldn’t consult him anymore.

After pondering for a long time without results, Xie Yuanchu decided to call Rong Rong over.

When the butler conveyed the message, Rong Rong and Zhen Zhen were already preparing for bed.

Upon hearing that Xie Yuanchu wanted her at the hot spring, Rong Rong felt uneasy.

Zhen Zhen, noticing her anxiousness, whispered, “Is the Crown Prince looking for you to give him a shoulder massage again?”

Rong Rong thought that since Xie Yuanchu had already agreed, it was odd for him to go back on his word.

Was it possible that the Crown Prince specifically asked for her?

Even though the master’s word may not always be reliable, as a servant, she had no choice but to comply.

Rong Rong quickly got ready and went to the hot spring.

When she reached the door, she didn’t see any of the Crown Prince’s personal attendants waiting outside.

Upon entering, she found only Xie Yuanchu soaking in the pool.

“Young Master,” Rong Rong greeted respectfully.

Xie Yuanchu looked up from his thoughts, feeling a bit uneasy.

When Rong Rong first joined the household, Xie Yuanchu had been struck by her beauty.

It wasn’t the kind of beauty achieved through cosmetics but a pure and ethereal kind.

However, after having her around, he found that despite her angelic appearance, Rong Rong was full of worldly scheming and calculating nature.

Over time, he had come to prefer Zhen Zhen’s straightforward personality.

“I’m sorry for making you work hard in the kitchen today,” Xie Yuanchu said.

Hearing the praise, Rong Rong felt uneasy, sensing an underlying issue.

She replied, “Young Master is too kind. I’ve had plenty of rest. Whether working in the study or the kitchen, it’s all the same to me.”

Xie Yuan Chu nodded and gazed thoughtfully at Rong Rong.

Although she didn’t know why she was summoned, his gaze suggested something important.

“The Crown Prince has always liked the dishes you prepare. From a young age, I knew he was particular. Among all the palace chefs, he never liked their dishes, but he has always enjoyed yours…”

Rongrong listened to Xie Yuanchu’s endless talking with her head lowered, looking dejected.

“… When we return to the capital, you should go work in the East Palace,” Xie Yuanchu said.

“No!” Rongrong replied firmly.

Xie Yuanchu was surprised by her intense reaction, noticing the fear in her beautiful eyes.

Before he could speak, Rongrong suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud. “Young Master, please don’t send me to the Eastern Palace.”

Hearing her sobbing, Xie Yuanchu felt very conflicted.

He liked Rongrong and wanted to keep her by his side.

However, his intention to send her to the Eastern Palace was not just to please the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was his friend, and Xie Yuanchu had seen how the Crown Prince had closed himself off for years.

Now, the Crown Prince seemed to have a special interest in Rongrong.

Xie Yuanchu wanted to send her there out of concern for both his friend and Rongrong.

Fu Quan shared this sentiment, so the Crown Prince was not truly angry about their plans.

“Rongrong, why do you not want to go to the Eastern Palace?”

“There’s a saying, ‘Serving the Emperor is like serving a tiger.’ I don’t dare to have any expectations, I only want to live a stable life in the Marquis’s residence.” Rongrong bit her lip and decided to reveal her plans. “I sold myself to the Marquis’s residence under a contract. I have been saving money privately, hoping to buy my freedom one day.”

Seeing the confusion in Xie Yuanchu’s eyes, Rongrong hurriedly explained, “I’m not making excuses to avoid the issue. I’ve always wanted to buy my freedom, and Zhenzhen knows this.”

“You really want to buy your freedom?” Xie Yuanchu asked with a serious tone.

“Yes, if you could be lenient and let me go with less money, I could leave today.” Rongrong bowed deeply to Xie Yuanchu. “I’ve had good days in the Marquis’s residence, and I had hopes of depending on you for my future. But after being punished by the Marquis’s wife, I genuinely do not want to be a servant anymore. I want to live a peaceful life.”

Seeing Rongrong kneeling on the floor, Xie Yuanchu felt a mix of emotions.

He was astonished by Rongrong’s determination and felt a deep pity for her.

However, he had already discussed this matter with the Crown Prince, and once the words were out, they could not be taken back.

“Rongrong, get up. This matter concerns the Crown Prince and is not for me to decide. I can only promise that I won’t force you.”

Rongrong was unsure of the Crown Prince’s true feelings.

Seeing Xie Yuanchu’s willingness to be lenient, she knew he was speaking honestly.

There was nothing more she could say.

She truly did not want to go to the East Palace.

Her despair and sadness were genuine, not feigned.

Xie Yuanchu saw this and felt sympathy.

He told her to return to her room and rest, and that she didn’t need to stay up tonight.

Rongrong barely made it back to her room, too exhausted to speak with Zhenzhen.

She lay down and fell asleep immediately.

The next morning, Rong Rong did not attend to Xie Yuanchu.

Zhen Zhen, unaware of what had happened, saw Rong Rong’s condition but didn’t ask and went to serve Xie Yuanchu herself.

“Young Master, Rong Rong is feeling unwell today…” Zhen Zhen tried to cover for Rongrong and informed Xie Yuanchu.

Xie Yuan Chu did not respond, silently continuing his breakfast.

Soon, the butler entered with news. “Young Master, the Little Prince has requested the small dishes that Miss Rong Rong made yesterday.”

Hearing this, Zhen Zhen looked at Xie Yuanchu, who frowned deeply, clearly troubled.

Although she didn’t understand fully, she suggested, “Young Master, why don’t I ask Rong Rong for the recipe and prepare the dishes to send to the Little Prince?”

Xie Yuanchu hesitated for a moment and then made up his mind. “Just tell them that Rong Rong is ill.”

He paused and then told Zhen Zhen, “Go and inform them.”

“Yes.”

Xie Yuanchu continued his breakfast.

After a while, Zhen Zhen had not yet returned.

Instead, Fu Quan burst in urgently. “Young Master, what’s going on here?”

“What do you mean?”

Fu Quan, with a poultice on his forehead, looked rather comical.

Hearing Xie Yuan Chu’s response, he became agitated. “Young Master, are you joking with me? You… you can’t possibly be not thinking of sending that girl to the Crown Prince, can you? He’s rarely been interested in anyone for so many years. Can’t you be a bit more generous?”

“It’s not a matter of generosity. Rong Rong is not a member of the Hou family; she’s a hired servant. She told me last night that she plans to redeem herself. I can’t force her into the Eastern Palace.”

Fu Quan narrowed his eyes. “Did you tell Rong Rong that she’s being sent to the Eastern Palace?”

“Of course.”

Fu Quan’s expression became thoughtful. “Since you have no objections, may I speak with Rong Rong personally?”

“Feel free,” Xie Yuan Chu said with a smile, though he had little faith in Fu Quan’s efforts.

Rong Rong’s resistance was so strong that Xie Yuanchu felt she would rather die than go to the Eastern Palace if he insisted.

Fu Quan, undeterred, went directly to find Rong Rong.

When he reached her courtyard, he instructed Chun Xing to knock on the door.

After a moment, Rong Rong came outside. Seeing her somewhat haggard appearance, Fu Quan believed Xie Yuanchu’s words were likely true.

“Miss, are you feeling unwell?” Fu Quan asked with a polite smile.

Rongrong was surprised that Fu Quan had come to see her.

She feared he might be there to take her away, which made her feel even more distressed.

She forced herself to maintain a brave front and replied, “I was ill a while ago, but I’m better now, though still a bit weak. May I ask why you have come?”

Fu Quan, hearing her response, realized that Wang An’s praise of Rongrong was indeed true.

Despite being just a maid in the Marquis’s residence, Rongrong was meticulous and capable, showing no panic or loss of composure in front of a high-ranking official.

“The young lady is skilled in cooking. The Little Prince has enjoyed the dishes you made very much. I discussed with the Young Master about inviting you to serve in the Eastern Palace, where the monthly salary would be twice as much as it is here.”

“I’m flattered by the Crown Prince’s high regard, but I don’t think my cooking deserves such praise. The Little Prince enjoyed it not because of my skill, but because the ingredients were fresh. The kitchen here doesn’t handle ingredients well, and if the ingredients were given to the palace chefs, the Little Prince might not enjoy my dishes anymore.” Rongrong explained, causing Fu Quan to be momentarily at a loss for words.

“Do you truly not want to go to the Eastern Palace?” Fu Quan, seeing that Rongrong was unwilling, grew stern, his tone turning cold.

Seeing his anger, Rongrong hurriedly knelt down. “I am bound by a contract to the Marquis’s residence, and my family has arranged a marriage for me. I’m waiting to save enough money this year to buy my freedom and get married.”

Fu Quan, seeing she was unmoved and kneeling before him, was at a loss.

The Crown Prince had only praised Rongrong’s cooking, and the Crown Prince himself had not said a word.

If he had, Fu Quan would have taken her without question.

Unfortunately, the Crown Prince had said nothing, so Fu Quan was left to act on his own initiative.

Sighing for his own prince’s indecision, Fu Quan left, shaking his head.

Wang An had been waiting outside the courtyard.

Seeing Fu Quan come out looking dejected, he was pleased but kept his smile and said, “Master, you were too polite with Rongrong. If you had been as stern with her as you are with your apprentices, she would have followed you immediately.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others,” Fu Quan said with a scowl.

Wang An replied awkwardly, “We’re both servants. She serves the Young Master, and I serve the Crown Prince. I’m actually a bit higher up!”

“Higher up my foot!” Fu Quan vented his frustration on Wang An, giving him a hard knock on the head. “You think you can compare to her? She has caught the Crown Prince’s eye. Even I am not worth a hair on her head!”

Xie Yuanchu kept his promise.

Since the Eastern Palace did not come to demand Rongrong, he did not bring up sending her there again.

Rongrong had claimed to be ill, so Xie Yuanchu had not called her to serve him or made her help in the kitchen.

She stayed quietly in her room for ten days and finally received news that she would be returning home.