The Imperial Grandson had a tense expression the whole time, but at this moment, it finally softened a little.

The originally cold and heavy atmosphere also eased a lot.

Ling Jingshu’s mood was not much relieved.

She tried hard to persuade the Imperial Grandson, but in fact, she still took advantage of the Imperial Grandson’s good impression of her. The Imperial Grandson might be willing to deal with the Lu family for her, but this was far from enough. She didn’t want to owe him such a big favor.

Since she has surrendered, she must prove her value and usefulness.

“Your Highness, I still have something to say. However, these words are somewhat outrageous. I hope Your Highness will forgive my presumptuousness.” Ling Jingshu’s tone and expression returned to respectful again.

What a good move: retreat to advance.

The Imperial Grandson glanced at Ling Jingshu with a half-smile and said, “Since it’s such treasonous talk, it’s better not to say it.” After saying that, he waited leisurely to see Ling Jingshu’s embarrassed look.

Unexpectedly, Ling Jingshu immediately lowered her head and replied: “Your Highness is right. I have gone too far.” Then she kept silent.

The Imperial Grandson: “.”

A trace of gnashing of teeth and regret flashed across the Imperial Grandson’s face.

This Ling Jingshu! So clever and cunning! She deliberately aroused his curiosity, and now she was silent!

“Forget it! I will allow you to break the rules this time. Just say whatever you want to say!” The Imperial Grandson had a dark face and opened his mouth reluctantly.

Ling Jingshu did not take advantage of the situation and immediately followed the words of the Imperial Grandson and said, “Thank you, Your Highness. I will be bold and speak out what I think.”

Ling Jingshu paused for a moment, sorted out her thoughts, and lowered her voice to say, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince’s Mansion may seem prosperous, but it is actually in danger. Your Highness knows the specific reasons very well. There is no need for me to elaborate.”

“How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed? Even if Your Highness has no intention of targeting Empress Xu and King Yan, you must be on guard against them and be on guard against them wanting to compete for the throne.”

“I believe that Your Highness has been on guard for a long time and has made a lot of arrangements. Whether in the palace or in King Yan’s Mansion and the Gōngzhǔ’ Mansion, spies have been planted to secretly monitor every move of Empress Xu and her son. In addition, Your Highness should also know which officials are on their side.”

The Imperial Grandson: “…”

The Imperial Grandson never expected Ling Jingshu to suddenly say this. His pupils suddenly contracted, flashing a cold light, and his voice was also filled with an aggressive chill: “How dare you! Do you know what you are saying? Just based on these few words, it is enough to take your life!”

When the Imperial Grandson became angry, the majesty of a royal heir immediately emanated, making people hold their breath and feel terrified.

Ling Jingshu did not back down, she raised her eyes and said: “If Your Highness thought that what I said was just nonsense, he would not be so angry as he is now!”

The Imperial Grandson was stunned, but instead of getting angry, he smiled: “I allowed you to speak your mind before, but if I get really angry now, it would seem that I am not keeping my promise and is narrow-minded. Well, today I want to hear what you have to say.”

After a pause, he added coldly: “If what you said is indeed reasonable, I will not care about your reckless crime. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

…

He was a young man who had just fallen in love with her, but he was also the eldest son of the Crown Prince and the grandson of the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty. This identity determined his character.

In his heart, the country and the people always came first.

Love and affection could not occupy all his thoughts. He would not trust her without reservation just because of his feelings. If he had doubts about her, he would still choose to eliminate her as a hidden danger.

Ling Jingshu saw this clearly and was even more grateful that she did not agree to his conditions because she was eager for revenge.

In this world, there was no such thing as unconditional love without reason. Rather than being entangled in the future, it was better to reject it completely from the beginning.

The master-servant relationship after the surrender was more stable and better.

“Your Highness is willing to humble yourself and listen to my heartfelt words. You are truly broad-minded and admirable.” Ling Jingshu started by flattering him.

The Imperial Grandson did not comment, and his expression looked slightly better.

Ling Jingshu continued, “I am a frail woman, and I am powerless, but I have something that others cannot. I have become a guest of Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ. As long as I please her, I can often go in and out of Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ’s mansion. I can meet many noble ladies in the capital. No matter how many spies and secret guards Your Highness has, there are still things they can’t do. I can secretly collect information for Your Highness, or pass on information.”

After a pause, she continued, “Also, King Yan has some good feelings towards me. He won’t be too wary of me.”

“Just think of me as a chess piece. Maybe one day, this idle chess piece will come in handy.”

The Imperial Grandson’s eyes flashed.

Ling Jingshu’s words were well-reasoned and made him put away his contempt and start thinking seriously.

Empress Xu and her son were ambitious, secretly forming a clique for personal gain and placing people in important positions. They had long been a source of worry for the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince had the title of eldest son and had many supporters. However, it was an indisputable fact that Empress Xu controlled the harem and the Emperor favored the youngest son, King Yan.

Because of the Emperor, the two sides could still maintain harmony on the surface, and at most they would fight in secret to see who was stronger.

Empress Xu and her son placed spies in the Crown Prince’s residence and the homes of officials who supported the Crown Prince. The Eastern Palace would naturally not give in in secret and also deployed many pawns.

With Ling Jingshu’s identity, she would not be conspicuous when entering and leaving Chāngpíng Gōngzhǔ’s mansion, and perhaps she could collect some useful information.

The battle for the position of the Crown Prince was like playing chess. A casual move today may help you win in the future.

“If Your Highness doesn’t trust me, you can place a secret guard beside me.”

Ling Jingshu’s voice rang in her ears: “First, he can monitor my every move, and second, it is convenient for me to pass on information to His Highness at any time.”

The Imperial Grandson had a deep expression, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or angry: “Let me think about it for a few days, and then make a decision.”

The fact that he didn’t refuse immediately showed that the Imperial Grandson was already deliberating.

Ling Jingshu let out a long sigh and bowed properly, “Yes, I will wait for your instructions. I am sorry for bothering you for so long and wasting your time. I will take my leave now.”

The Imperial Grandson did not say anything to persuade her to stay but just nodded.

Ling Jingshu bowed and turned to leave.

Just like when she came, she walked slowly and her figure was graceful and charming.

There was no panic, nor any nervousness.

The Imperial Grandson watched the girl’s figure gradually go away, and the suppressed bitterness in his heart surged up. She would rather take the risk of being a spy to collect information and serve him loyally than become his woman…

(End of this chapter)