Chapter 16: The Captured Imperial Prince of the Enemy Country’s Canary 3

“Go ahead and sleep; I will come back tomorrow.”

Yuan Ming pulled away his hand, standing tall with his legs crossed, casting a high shadow over her, which for a moment seemed very gentle.

Lin Muqing could only accompany him with a fake smile.

Once he left, she finally dared to breathe.

“He knows it’s poisoned, and yet he made me drink it; he suspects me.”

Lin Muqing realized how difficult this task was.

The system recognized, [Because I was in your mind, you should have known it was poisoned when you drank it. Why didn’t you warn him sooner? Weren’t you just told to lie down?]

“The emperor’s suspicion is heavy; this isn’t simple at all.”

Letting him lie on the bed could be taken in another way.

The next morning, she woke up.

Eunuch Qin came in with a pile of rewards, among which were several royal treasures that Yuan Ming had seized while leading troops into battle.

A deep-sea pearl, a copper and gold enameled jewelry box, a gold hairpin inlaid with cloud patterns, and there were also tribute fruits like purple grapes, as well as a box of gold and silver jewels.

While Lin Muqing gratefully received them, she was also pondering.

The maidservant combed her hair and said, “Mistress, today I heard from the clothing department that His Majesty was very pleased last night and severely punished Lady Liu for poisoning you.

In the morning court, Lady Liu’s father, the Xiangshu Department’s Secretary, was directly dismissed by the emperor, who was furious. You should be promoted quickly.”

“Hmm? So it was that way.”

Great. The emperor is very vengeful.

Since he is “favoring” her now, there should be some kind of show of kindness.

“Is there a kitchen nearby?”

The maid pointed outside the hall, “There’s one next to the firewood storage.”

“I will go make something to eat.”

The maid hurriedly said, “How can I let you do that? I’ll do it!”

“No, no.” She refused, heading alone to the kitchen.

After ensuring no one was watching, Lin Muqing began preparing food.

She realized there were mushrooms and corn in the kitchen.

She bought water, cream, mushrooms, corn, and sugar, spending a silver coin.

She made a bowl of mushroom soup and added the restoration potion.

Carrying it, she headed to the imperial study.

…

In the imperial study.

Eunuch Qin returned to report, “Your Majesty, Lin Shuyi did not seem to be well; she just glanced at the soup and sent the servant away.”

Yuan Ming sat on the dragon throne, holding a brush and reviewing memorials.

“Let her in.”

The imperial guards stepped forward at the door and announced.

The emperor, who was just about to cover a memorial, paused his pen.

“Announce her.”

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Lin Muqing entered, holding a pear-wood tray, swaying gracefully.

The serious and quiet imperial study seemed to become lively with her arrival.

On her head, she wore a gold hairpin inlaid with cloud patterns, and the pearls accentuated her fair, plump forehead. The flowing tassels hung down to her neck, and her face was beaming as she gazed fondly at him.

“Rise.” Yuan Ming approached, his tall figure closing in, casually lifting the cover, a rich, sweet aroma wafting along with the steam into their lungs.

“What is this, my love?”

“I made mushroom soup to thank Your Majesty. Would you like to taste it?” Lin Muqing looked at him with her watery eyes, filled with anticipation.

Yuan Ming hadn’t replied when Eunuch Qin had already skillfully taken out a silver needle.

This time, Lin Muqing wasn’t afraid anymore.

After a moment, the silver needle didn’t react; Eunuch Qin had personally tested the poison.

“If Your Majesty doesn’t like it, then Eunuch Qin can drink it, and I will make you a soup that you do like next time,” Lin Muqing said in a soft and gentle voice.

Yuan Ming, not knowing how to perceive this private conversation, interrupted Eunuch Qin’s testing.

“No need to test; I will taste it myself.”

The two sat at a round table in the side hall.

Yuan Ming elegantly lifted the spoon and took a sip. The creamy soup was fresh and smooth, with the sweetness of corn and a unique milky flavor. He hadn’t tasted such a soup before.

He couldn’t help but take a few more sips.

“The culinary skills of my love are very good.”

“If you like it, I will make it for you again.” Lin Muqing leaned slightly, pretending to admire him openly, openly appreciating his looks.

Yuan Ming remained expressionless.

The soup quickly reached the bottom of the bowl, and he began to feel a little dizzy, though it wasn’t too serious.

“What did you put in the soup?”

His voice was sharp and cold, his dark eyes locking onto Lin Muqing, with a hint of concealed anger.

“There is nothing; I really put nothing in, Your Majesty. You didn’t sleep well last night, did you?” Lin Muqing remembered that she had taken the restoration potion, which caused a brief sensation of dizziness, but her body wasn’t too weak; she didn’t lose consciousness.

In a moment, her wrist was tightly seized and painfully squeezed within his grip, forcing her to turn towards him.

“Ah, that hurts.” She twisted her wrist.