"It seems your martial arts have improved considerably during your time in the military camp; you can analyze the cause of events in just one sentence," Lin Xiao heard, spoken with a hint of sarcasm.
Lin Xiao's face lit up with joy. Since the Prince hadn't punished him immediately, it meant his words were correct.
He continued his explanation: "I believe the Princess Consort truly did not do it intentionally; she was simply shy."
Xiao Wangye acted as if he had heard a joke and burst into laughter. "Shy? Your Princess Consort doesn't seem like someone who would be shy." Thinking of her fiery temper, he couldn't help but curve his lips.
"I'm being serious, Your Highness," Lin Xiao hastily added.
"Then tell this Prince why she was shy."
"Today you understood the meaning of the flower crown, didn't you? The Princess Consort accepted your flower crown. So..." Lin Xiao gestured for Xiao Wangye to finish his sentence.
Looking at Lin Xiao's exaggerated facial expressions, Xiao Wangye asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Xiao felt defeated. The formidable Prince Xiao, so wise and strategic, was a complete idiot when it came to love. No wonder the Princess Consort had been angry for so many days; anyone else would have started yelling by now. But it was okay, the Prince still had him, the "wise strategist," to offer advice and make the Princess Consort devoted to the Prince.
"Your Highness, combining the meaning of the flower crown with the fact that the Princess Consort has already accepted it. So, do you know the answer now?"
Only then did Xiao Wangye realize that Qingcheng's shyness earlier was for this very reason.
Seeing his enlightened expression, Lin Xiao shook his head. Heaven was fair, after all; it had given Xiao Wangye his intelligence but withheld his emotional acumen.
"My subordinate believes the time is almost right; I'll bring in the medicinal soup now." His duty as a tool was complete; the rest was for the Prince to figure out. With a bow, he walked out without taking any pride with him.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng, in her mind, was scolding System S an San with relentless repetition.
"Why didn't you appear and remind me back then?"
"Even if I had reminded you then, there wouldn't have been enough time."
"This system of yours is truly a scam. I don't even know why you assign these tasks, and you don't tell me what I'm supposed to do next. Even game developers have navigation when they create new maps."
A torrent of complaints poured out towards S an San. This was just without face-to-face interaction; if they were talking directly, Ye Qingcheng's ability to verbally tear someone apart was unmatched.
S an San wisely chose to surrender. "I'm sorry, I was wrong. I will definitely remind you next time."
However, this did not alleviate Ye Qingcheng's embarrassment from earlier. She stared at the gurgling medicine furnace before her, the bitter scent of herbs filling the entire back kitchen. Fortunately, it was long past dinner time; otherwise, the innkeeper might not have allowed them to brew medicine here.
"Princess Consort, His Highness requests your presence. The time has come," Lin Xiao appeared in the kitchen.
"Oh, right. I'll be there now. By the way, the flower crown and bouquet today were your idea, weren't they?" she suddenly asked.
Lin Xiao was caught off guard for a moment.
"No, His Highness wanted to buy them. The flower crown was also something His Highness bought on his own initiative," he said, omitting that he had been persuaded by a flower-selling auntie without knowing the meaning. He certainly couldn't let the Princess Consort know about that.
Ye Qingcheng was a little taken aback that she had guessed wrong. Xiao Wangye's actions were too contrary to his usual demeanor; she found it difficult to accept.
"But you've already accepted his flower crown," S an San's mischievous voice reappeared at a special moment.
Lin Xiao looked at his Princess Consort's face, which had turned red like a cooked shrimp. Both husband and wife were similarly clueless when it came to matters of the heart.
"Ah, heaven is indeed fair," Lin Xiao uttered this out of the blue.
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"Ah, nothing. I just suddenly thought of something. Princess Consort, please go ahead. I'll bring the medicinal soup in later."
In the room, Xiao Wangye waited and waited, but Ye Qingcheng didn't show up. He was growing anxious. At this moment, a dark guard who had returned to the capital earlier appeared in the room.
"Speak. What has happened?" he asked, his face regaining its cold, domineering expression.
"Reporting to Your Highness, wealthy merchants have been frequenting the capital recently. And there have been some issues with the Emperor," the dark guard said respectfully, kneeling on the ground. "According to our informants, the Emperor seems to have become obsessed with alchemy, aiming for immortality." After speaking, he lowered his head even further. Such matters were royal secrets, and for lowly individuals like them to know about them could cost them their lives if they were not careful.
"Haha, how amusing. The young emperor grows bolder with each passing year," he said, his words filled with sarcasm.
"Understood. I will act once I return to the capital. You, collect relevant intelligence now. I want to see it as soon as I get back to the capital."
"Yes, subordinate withdraws." He turned and vanished from the room.
The door to the room opened, and Ye Qingcheng entered. Xiao Wangye smiled foolishly at her, "You're here. My legs feel much better. I can start training my muscles when we return to the capital." For the first time, Xiao Wangye spoke such a long sentence.
"I told you, anyone who gives a flower crown knows its meaning, which signifies their intention," S an San, as a responsible system, had been analyzing the reason why Xiao Wangye gave her the flower crown during Ye Qingcheng's walk to the room.
"You be quiet now, don't disturb me," she said, ruthlessly cutting off S an San's passionate speech.
"Your condition has already improved significantly. You won't be able to start training immediately upon returning to the capital," she analyzed for Xiao Wangye as she skillfully pulled out the acupuncture needles.
Her words fell, but Xiao Wangye did not reply. Ye Qingcheng curiously looked up at him. She then fell into Xiao Wangye's gentle gaze and was stunned.
This gaze was exactly the same as when he had looked at me before.
"Qingcheng, when we return to the capital, I will create a medical hall for you, alright?" His gentleness was almost tangible, like water.
"How did you know I had this plan?"
"Hmm? I didn't know. I just thought this would make you very happy," Xiao Wangye said, a smile as bright as the March sun on his face. "So, if I give you something, will you promise me one thing?" He seized the opportunity to gain a favor.
Ye Qingcheng's mind, on the verge of crashing, finally began to turn.
"Even without you, I would have had to complete this matter." Negotiating terms was out of the question.
"But I'm sure there will be times when you need my help," Xiao Wangye said with certainty.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Lin Xiao's voice came from outside, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, should I bring in the medicinal soup now?" As Xiao Wangye's subordinate, he had some foresight.