The Crown Grandson had remained rigid-faced all this while, but at this moment, his expression finally softened somewhat.

The atmosphere, which had been tense and heavy, eased along with it.

Ling Jingshu’s mood, however, had not lightened much.

She had talked herself hoarse, and had seemingly persuaded the Crown Grandson. Yet in truth, she had still been exploiting the Crown Grandson’s fondness for her. He might be willing to act against the Lu Family for her sake — but that was still far from enough. And she had no wish to owe such a vast debt of favor on those terms.

Since she was pledging allegiance, she needed to prove her own value and usefulness.

“Your Highness, I have a few more things I wish to say. Only — these words are somewhat presumptuous, and I ask that Your Highness first pardon my boldness.” Ling Jingshu’s tone and bearing had returned to respectful deference.

A fine maneuver — advancing by the appearance of retreat.

The Crown Grandson glanced sidelong at Ling Jingshu with an expression that was neither a smile nor not: “If the words are truly presumptuous, they needn’t be said at all.” He finished speaking and settled back comfortably, waiting to see Ling Jingshu’s awkward reaction.

He did not expect that Ling Jingshu would immediately lower her head and reply: “Your Highness is right. This subject has overstepped.” And then she fell completely silent.

The Crown Grandson: “…”

A flash of grinding frustration crossed the Crown Grandson’s face.

This Ling Jingshu! Both quick-witted and cunning! She had deliberately aroused his curiosity, and now she simply refused to speak another word!

“Very well! I shall allow you this one transgression. Say whatever you wish to say!” The Crown Grandson, his handsome face darkened, opened his mouth with something less than enthusiasm.

Ling Jingshu did not seize the advantage to press further; she immediately followed his words: “Many thanks, Your Highness. Then I shall be bold just this once and speak what is in my heart.”

Ling Jingshu paused briefly to gather her thoughts, then lowered her voice and said: “Your Highness, though the Crown Prince’s residence appears resplendent and honored from without, it is in truth treading on fragile ground. The precise reasons behind this, Your Highness surely knows in your own heart — there is no need for me to elaborate.”

“The man who sleeps beside you cannot tolerate another sleeping at ease near his pillow. Even if Your Highness bears no hostile intent toward Empress Xu or Prince Yan, you must still guard and defend against the other side’s ambition to seize the position of heir apparent.”

“I believe Your Highness has long been vigilant in your heart. And you have long since made numerous arrangements. Whether within the palace or at Prince Yan’s residence and the Princess’s manor, eyes have been planted — secretly watching the every movement of Empress Xu and her two children. As for which officials have thrown their lot in with that faction, Your Highness ought to have a clear accounting of that as well.”

The Crown Grandson: “…”

The Crown Grandson had not anticipated in the slightest that Ling Jingshu would suddenly speak of these matters. His pupils contracted sharply in an instant, flashing with a cold and piercing light; a threatening chill bled into his voice as well: “You audacious woman! Do you know what you are saying?! On the strength of those few words alone, there is more than enough to take your life!”

With this show of anger from the Crown Grandson, the authority and majesty befitting an heir of the imperial household radiated outward at once, enough to make one hold one’s breath in fear.

Ling Jingshu did not shrink back. She raised her eyes and said: “If Your Highness truly believed I was speaking nothing but nonsense, you would not be genuinely angry at this moment.”

The Crown Grandson started — then, rather than remaining angry, he began to laugh: “I permitted you just now to speak your mind. If I were to truly lose my temper now, it would only make me appear untrustworthy and narrow of heart. Very well — today I shall hear exactly what you have to say.”

He paused, then added coldly: “If what you say holds genuine merit, I will not pursue your offense of overstepping propriety. If it does not — do not blame me for showing no mercy!”

He was a young man in the first awakening of tender feeling, drawn to her — but he was also the legitimate eldest son of the Crown Prince, and the Crown Grandson of the great Dazhou dynasty. An identity such as his had forged the character he possessed.

In his heart, the fate of the realm and the security of the dynasty would always come first.

Affairs of the heart could never occupy his entire thoughts. And he would not, because of the affection he carried within him, extend her his unconditional trust. Were he to grow suspicious of her, he would still choose to eliminate her as a potential threat.

Ling Jingshu saw this clearly and plainly — and so she felt all the more grateful that she had not, in her eagerness for revenge, simply agreed to his terms.

In this world, there had never existed love freely given, asking nothing in return. Rather than becoming entangled in something muddled and unresolved later, it was better to refuse cleanly and decisively from the start.

A relationship of lord and retainer, established through a pledge of allegiance — that was far more stable and preferable.

“That Your Highness would condescend to hear this subject’s earnest and sincere words is truly a testament to Your Highness’s magnanimity and breadth of heart — deeply admirable.” Ling Jingshu first offered a measure of flattery.

The Crown Grandson gave neither assent nor denial, but his expression improved slightly.

Ling Jingshu continued: “I am a slight and delicate woman, incapable of lifting even a chicken. Even so, I possess something others lack. I have already become a welcomed guest of Princess Changping’s. So long as I remain in her good graces, I will be able to come and go freely from the Princess’s manor, and to come into contact with many noble ladies of the capital. However numerous Your Highness’s informants and hidden agents may be, there will still be matters beyond their reach. I can secretly gather intelligence for Your Highness, or serve as a channel through which messages are conveyed.”

She paused and added: “There is also this — Prince Yan has some goodwill toward me. He will not be especially guarded against me.”

“Think of it as placing me here as a single piece on the board. Who can say — perhaps one day, this idle piece will prove to be of great use.”

A gleam stirred in the Crown Grandson’s eyes.

Ling Jingshu’s words were reasoned and well-grounded, and they caused him to put away his earlier condescension and begin to think the matter over in earnest.

Empress Xu and her children harbored great ambitions, secretly forming factions and installing their people in positions of importance. They had long since become a deep-rooted threat to the Eastern Palace.

The Eastern Palace held the title and standing of the legitimate firstborn heir, with no shortage of supporters. Yet Empress Xu commanded the inner palace, and the Emperor showed particular favor toward his youngest son, Prince Yan — these too were incontestable facts.

Constrained by the Emperor’s presence, both sides still maintained a surface appearance of cordiality for now, contending with one another only in the shadows.

Empress Xu and her children had planted informants within the Crown Prince’s residence and the households of officials loyal to the Crown Prince; the Eastern Palace had naturally not stood idle in return, and had placed a considerable number of its own pieces on the board.

Given Ling Jingshu’s position, her coming and going from Princess Changping’s manor would not draw undue attention — and she might well be able to gather intelligence that would prove useful.

The contest for the heir’s throne was like a game of chess. A single idle piece placed today — who was to say it would not become the decisive force that secured victory tomorrow?

“If Your Highness does not trust me, you may place a hidden agent at my side.”

Ling Jingshu’s voice reached his ears: “This would serve two purposes — one, to keep watch over my every action; two, to make it convenient for me to relay intelligence to Your Highness at any time.”

The Crown Grandson’s expression was deep and unreadable, conveying neither pleasure nor displeasure: “Let me consider for a few days before making my decision.”

That he had not refused outright meant the Crown Grandson’s heart had already begun to stir.

A long, quiet breath of relief released itself within Ling Jingshu’s chest. She bowed properly and took her leave: “Yes. This subject will await Your Highness’s instructions. I have taken up Your Highness’s time and caused considerable disruption — this subject’s heart is uneasy. I shall withdraw now.”

The Crown Grandson said nothing to detain her, offering only a single nod.

Ling Jingshu bowed, then turned and departed.

Just as when she had arrived, her steps were neither hurried nor slow — her figure graceful and slender.

Not a trace of panic. Not the faintest hint of nervousness or apprehension.

The Crown Grandson watched the girl’s figure as it grew gradually distant, and a suppressed, bitter ache rose within him. She would rather take the risk of serving as an informant, gathering intelligence and rendering loyal service to him — yet she refused to become his woman…