“I thought Your Highness was truly reluctant to let me suffer in the palace. It turns out it was for this reason.”

Yu Qingwu raised the corners of her lips, a hint of mockery in her expression.

She was already strikingly beautiful, and the glint in her eyes made one’s heart grow cold.

Xie Jinyan felt a little guilty under Yu Qingwu’s gaze and coughed dryly. “It’s nothing like that. I just wanted to bring you back sooner.”

“Is that so?” Yu Qingwu gave him a deep look, then dropped the subject.

Her expression turned serious. “Since Your Highness planned this early on, you must have a good strategy. So, what should I do?”

The usual gentleness returned to her eyes, but a hint of coolness was hidden within.

Yu Qingwu had always felt that even if Xie Jinyan was affectionate towards her, there was still a barrier between them.

She had previously thought it was because of the ice lake incident and his years of targeting her, which she couldn't get over. But now, she suddenly realized that it wasn't just those things separating them.

There was also the impure nature of their feelings. Xie Jinyan always said he loved her deeply, but he could use her at any time.

But that was right. Wasn't her affection for him mixed with exploitation as well?

Thinking this way, she felt much better.

While she was lost in thought, Mama Xun had already instructed the maids to bring up dinner.

Today’s dinner was clearly prepared in advance, with sweet and sour fish, four-joy meatballs, winter melon and pork rib soup, and several dishes that Yu Qingwu didn't recognize.

Mama Xun served the two of them one by one, then bowed and retreated.

Once Mama Xun was out of sight, Yu Qingwu continued the conversation she had started earlier, placing a piece of sweet and sour fish in Xie Jinyan's bowl as she said slowly, "Your Highness, if there's anything you need me to do, you should tell me as soon as possible. Otherwise, if I'm forced into it and make a mistake, A-Yue's life may not be spared."

"Is Shijie blaming me for not discussing it with you?" Yu Qingwu was slowly putting a piece of vegetable in her mouth when she heard Xie Jinyan's deep voice.

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu's hand stiffened slightly, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip on her chopsticks, forcing a smile. "No, I wouldn't dare."

"I think you dare quite a bit." Xie Jinyan snorted, put down his chopsticks, and teased, "What's the big deal? Are you angry already?"

Angry?

"I wouldn't say I'm angry."

"I just feel like there's always something between me and Your Highness."

"I used to think it was because I couldn't let go of the past, but now I realize it's because we're never honest with each other, and this seemingly intense relationship is mixed with too much exploitation."

"Mutual exploitation."

The chopsticks fell from her hand, and Yu Qingwu smiled as she looked at Xie Jinyan, deliberately emphasizing the last four words.

She had originally wanted to hide it, but since Xie Jinyan had already seen through it, there was no need.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and constant dripping wears away the stone.

Sometimes, it's best to lay things out in the open when you can, because by the time the stone is worn through, it might be too late.

Yu Qingwu's lips curled into a smile, and her eyes were filled with indescribable complexity.

Xie Jinyan didn't seem to expect Yu Qingwu to suddenly admit it. He was silent for a moment, then took her hand, as if he had suddenly understood something, and said, "Shijie, I promise you, I will be honest with you from now on."

"I also hope that you can be honest with me in the future."

"For example, the matter of you using my beauty."

Xie Jinyan frowned slightly, a hint of grievance appearing on his handsome face.

If this were on another man's face, he would be labeled a 'sissy', but on his face, which was so beautiful that it angered both gods and men, it seemed particularly harmonious.

Now that things were out in the open, Yu Qingwu felt better.

She pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Alright, I'm not angry anymore..."

"Let's talk about it, what are you planning to do?"

"Well, nothing more than a miscarriage or poisoning." Xie Jinyan said, gently pointing to Yu Qingwu's abdomen.

So, his idea was to fake a miscarriage and frame A-Yue?

This guy, as expected of someone who grew up in palace intrigue, he had a whole set of schemes.

However, framing A-Yue for causing her miscarriage for no reason seemed a bit too sudden.

Not to mention that the emperor and empress wouldn't buy it, even the cook would become suspicious.

Thinking of this, Yu Qingwu frowned tightly. After a moment, she looked at Xie Jinyan and said, "Your Highness, I can do this, but I hope Your Highness won't interfere out of pity for A-Yue."

Pity for A-Yue?

What was this woman's train of thought? Gao Minyue had already betrayed the country, how could he pity her?

In her eyes, was he an incompetent fool?

Xie Jinyan was a little displeased, but he didn't say anything. He just nodded, raised his eyebrows, and said, "If this can be done, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

"A reward is unnecessary. I only hope that Your Highness won't regret it and then blame me."

"I'll take my leave." As she spoke, Yu Qingwu got up and left without even finishing her dinner.

???

"What... what are you doing?" Xie Jinyan was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly followed her.

He chased her all the way to the outside of Chunfang Pavilion and seemed to understand when he saw Yu Qingwu walking inside.

His brow furrowed slightly, and he quietly went to the door.

At this time, Yu Qingwu had already reached the outside of the warm pavilion. The maids at the door were startled by her sudden intrusion, but none of them dared to stop her.

Yu Qingwu entered unimpeded. Gao Minyue, who was sorting letters at the table, was shocked by her sudden arrival, and then hurriedly put the letters she had exchanged with the spy into the book.

Yu Qingwu glanced at them indifferently and sneered, "A-Yue, are you having dinner? Is it delicious?"

"Yu Qingwu, what are you doing here? Are you here to show off?" Gao Minyue was a little confused, but seeing Yu Qingwu's arrogant face, she couldn't help but explode, gritting her teeth and saying, "Don't be smug! Even if Shixiong is deliberately protecting you now, those aristocratic families won't agree! Tell me, will Shixiong stand on your side or the aristocratic families' side?"

"Aristocratic families? From the moment I entered the door, you've been talking about aristocratic families and powerful people. Gao Minyue, should I say you're too stupid or too naive?" Yu Qingwu originally just wanted to provoke Gao Minyue so that it wouldn't seem abrupt when she sent her away later.

But at this moment, seeing Gao Minyue still indulging in her dreams, she felt that perhaps she should let Gao Minyue die knowing the truth.

Gao Minyue was even more confused by Yu Qingwu's words. Was she wrong? For the sake of power, even if Shixiong liked Yu Qingwu, he would execute this woman because of the pressure from the aristocratic families.

"A-Yue, you don't think I was able to become the Crown Princess just because of my beauty, do you?" Seeing that Gao Minyue still didn't understand, Yu Qingwu simply said it more bluntly, looking at Gao Minyue with a sneer and saying, "Do you know that what your Shixiong hates the most is these aristocratic families?"