The weak prince's queen

The next morning, just as the sun rose and a faint fish belly white appeared on the horizon, Qiu Ling couldn't wait to come to Chu Xiyue's door and wait quietly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen, after carefully tidying his clothes, walked out of the room with steady steps. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and his handsome face looked even more heroic in the morning light.

As soon as Qiu Ling saw Xiao Yichen appear, she immediately bowed respectfully and said in a gentle voice, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Xiao Yichen just glanced at Qiu Ling lightly and whispered, "Don't wake up the princess." His tone was gentle but carried unquestionable majesty.

Qiu Ling quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness." Then, she cautiously pushed open the door and tiptoed inside. She saw Chu Xiyue lying peacefully in bed, her clothes slightly disheveled, her collar slightly open, revealing a sliver of her jade-white skin. Seeing this, Qiu Ling felt a surge of pride, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. As long as she followed the plan, she believed she would soon be able to successfully complete the task assigned by the Empress. Then, she could leave this palace and return to the imperial court, free from its constraints.

At this moment, Chu Xiyue, who was lying on the bed, seemed to sense the movement around her and slowly opened her beautiful eyes. Her eyes were still a little hazy after waking up, but when she saw Qiu Ling standing beside the bed with a smile on her face, the corners of her mouth also curled up slightly.

Seeing this, Qiu Ling hurried forward and said happily, "Princess, you are finally awake!" Her tone was full of joy.

Chu Xiyue rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked, "Where is the prince?" Her eyes were full of concern.

Qiu Ling replied with a smile: "The prince has left, but before he left he specifically told me not to wake you up. In my opinion, the prince is paying more and more attention to the princess. I believe the relationship between you two has quickly heated up." After saying that, Qiu Ling blinked mischievously.

When Chu Xiyue heard this, her jade-like, crystal-clear cheeks instantly seemed to be stained with a vibrant hue by the sunset glow, and two red clouds quickly crept up onto her lovely face. She lowered her head slightly, covering her mouth with her hand, and chuckled shyly, like a blooming water lotus, shying away in the cool breeze.

"I have to thank you!" Chu Xiyue raised her head and looked at Qiu Ling lovingly, her eyes full of gratitude. "If it weren't for those wonderful ideas you gave me before, I'm afraid the relationship between me and the prince wouldn't have progressed so quickly as it is now."

Qiu Ling quickly bowed and responded respectfully, "Your Highness, you are too kind. This is all my duty. It is my great honor to be able to help you, Your Highness. Moreover, this is also a task assigned by the Empress, so I naturally dare not slack off in the slightest."

Chu Xiyue nodded slightly and said with a smile: "No matter what, I still want to thank the Queen for her care and concern for me." After that, she clasped her hands together and bowed deeply in the direction of the palace.

Seeing this, Qiu Ling hurried forward to help Chu Xiyue up, and comforted her, "Princess, please get up quickly. The Queen will surely be very happy for you if she knows that you have received the prince's infinite favor."

When Chu Xiyue heard this, her face blossomed into an even brighter smile, as gorgeous and dazzling as the most beautiful flower in spring. At this moment, Qiu Ling turned and walked to the dressing table, gently picked up the comb, and began to carefully dress Chu Xiyue.

Meanwhile, Dong'er, standing not far from the door, quietly watched everything unfold inside. Seeing Qiu Ling and Chu Xiyue chatting happily, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. She silently turned away, taking heavy steps as she slowly left this place that had left her feeling so lonely.

In the magnificent Lin Mansion with its carved beams and painted rafters, Madam Lin was lazily reclining on the soft couch, her narrow and long phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a hint of shrewdness and calculation.

At this moment, her personal maid, Bijun, tiptoed into the room, came before Madam Lin, bowed respectfully, and reported softly, "Madam, when I was out today, I heard the people talking about the discord between the Prince of Jin and his wife, and that the Prince of Jin had even beaten her in broad daylight!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Lin's eyes, which had been tightly closed, suddenly opened. The corners of her mouth immediately lifted, revealing a gloating smile. Then, a burst of unbridled laughter rang out: "Hahahahahaha... Great, that's great! That ungrateful bitch, who always relied on her status as the Princess of Jin to show off her power, has finally gotten her comeuppance. She deserves this!" After laughing, Madam Lin seemed to remember something important. She slightly restrained her smile and turned to Bijun and asked: "By the way, Bijun, where is Master Lin now?"

Bijun quickly lowered her head and responded, "Madam, the master is currently handling official business in the study."

Madam Lin nodded, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Okay, let's go over and tell the master about this, and have a good talk with him."

As she spoke, Madam Lin slowly rose from the couch, walked to her dressing table, and sat down, meticulously dressing herself in front of the mirror. She first carefully combed her cascading hair, then applied powder to her eyebrows, lightly painted her lips, and finally, selected an exquisite golden hairpin and inserted it into her bun. In an instant, she became radiant.

After everything was packed up, Mrs. Lin looked at herself in the mirror with satisfaction before slowly walking out of the room. She held a bowl of steaming tonic soup steady in her hands and walked towards Mr. Lin's study. Soon, Mrs. Lin arrived at the study door, gently pushed it open, and stepped inside.

Mr. Lin, absorbed in his work, was completely absorbed in the mountain of documents before him, oblivious to the subtle changes in his surroundings. Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it a rich, intoxicating aroma that reached his nose. A hint of doubt welled up in him, and he subconsciously stopped writing and slowly raised his head.

A graceful figure stood quietly beside him, as charming and beautiful as a blooming flower. A closer look revealed Mrs. Lin, who had quietly arrived. She was dressed in a lavender dress, its hem fluttering gently in the breeze, accentuating her graceful and elegant demeanor. In her delicate hands, she held a bowl of steaming soup, the alluring aroma emanating from it.

Master Lin looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he asked softly, "Why did Madam come here at this time?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Lin glanced at him coquettishly, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, brimming with alluring charm. Then, she parted her rosy lips and smiled softly, "Master, I see you're busy with official duties all day, leaving early and returning late, and you're extremely tired. I feel deeply for you, so I've specially instructed the kitchen to carefully prepare this nourishing soup for you to nourish your body. Master, please try it while it's hot." As she spoke, she extended the bowl of soup forward.

Mr. Lin joyfully accepted the bowl of soup, feeling the warmth radiating from the bowl's walls, his heart warming. He glanced at Madam Lin affectionately, nodded, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam." Before he finished speaking, he eagerly picked up the bowl, blew on it carefully a few times, and gently took a sip. Instantly, a fresh, fragrant, and mellow flavor filled his mouth and slid down his throat, as if every drop of the soup contained endless love and consideration.