Xuesong then understood that the young master's previous words were not from his heart, but these current words were.
Xuesong nodded, "This subordinate will go and protect Your Majesty immediately."
Watching Xuesong leave, Yan Jin Chao had never before wished so strongly to replace Xuesong and protect her himself.
But he could not. Some matters had not yet been resolved, his memories had not yet returned; he could not rush any of this.
"Young Master Yan?"
Yan Jin Chao looked down and saw Lin Shishu standing there. He leaped down, landing before Lin Shishu.
Lin Shishu was slightly taken aback. She knew Yan Jin Chao's appearance and demeanor were stunning, almost otherworldly.
But as he leaped down towards her, she felt as if she were seeing an immortal, and her desire to possess him grew even stronger.
"Miss Lin, is there something?" Yan Jin Chao asked.
Lin Shishu nodded, "I know the Empress has left, and Young Master Yan must be feeling down. Therefore, I wish to invite Young Master Yan out for a cup of tea."
"Tea can be had anytime, anywhere. There's no need to go out," Yan Jin Chao said coldly.
Lin Shishu was startled. If Yan Jin Chao hadn't said anything further, she would have truly believed he knew something.
"But I wish to invite Young Master Yan out for tea."
After saying this, Lin Shishu waited. Just when she felt all hope was lost, Yan Jin Chao's voice finally came, "Alright."
Lin Shishu was somewhat excited. She asked several times to confirm, only then daring to believe it was true.
When Lin Shishu returned to her room to change, she saw Yu Xiaoyu.
Yu Xiaoyu said, "How was it? What I said was right. Men are always like that; what they cannot have, they always long for. Once they realize they can never have it, they will give up."
"What are you doing here?" Lin Shishu eyed Yu Xiaoyu warily.
Yu Xiaoyu smiled, opening her palm. Inside lay a small medicinal bottle. Seeing this, Lin Shishu took a step back. "What is this?"
Yu Xiaoyu said, "Just put this into the tea, and watch him drink it. Your task will be complete."
Lin Shishu retreated several steps, shaking her head. "No… impossible. I can't do something like that."
Yu Xiaoyu chuckled, "Cousin, if you don't agree, do you believe you won't even be able to leave this room?"
"If I can't leave, Young Master Yan will be suspicious. Then you will be exposed."
Yu Xiaoyu shook her head. "Cousin, you are too naive. Do you really think if you don't do it, there are no other ways?"
"What do you mean?" Lin Shishu asked cautiously.
Yu Xiaoyu said, "I can pretend to be you. Do you think Yan Jin Chao will recognize that I'm not you?"
"You… Yu Xiaoyu, you are truly despicable and shameless," Lin Shishu said angrily.
"Cousin, I have no other choice either. You know I am also under someone's control. If you don't do as I say, then I must do it myself. Perhaps then I can get closer to the water and enjoy the moon first."
"You dare…" Lin Shishu said, infuriated.
"How could I not dare? Because I'll be impersonating you, you won't even know where you are, so how will you know what I've done?"
"You… Who said I don't agree?" Lin Shishu said in a low growl.
Yu Xiaoyu smiled. "Since you agree, then things will be easier."
Lin Shishu frowned and extended her hand coldly, "Where is the medicine? Give it to me."
Yu Xiaoyu, however, retracted the medicine. "I've changed my mind. I'm going with you."
Lin Shishu took a step back. "What? You still don't trust me?"
"Yes, I'm afraid you'll have a change of heart at the last moment," Yu Xiaoyu admitted frankly.
"I won't," Lin Shishu said through gritted teeth.
"No one can be certain about this. How can I allow a success that was hard-won to have a chance of failing at the last hurdle? What do you say, cousin?"
"Miss Lin, the carriage is ready," a servant from outside the manor announced.
Lin Shishu was about to reply when Yu Xiaoyu interjected, "Alright, Miss will be there shortly."
After speaking, Yu Xiaoyu looked at Lin Shishu. "Let's go, cousin."
Lin Shishu bit her lower lip, and could only obediently follow Yu Xiaoyu out of the Yan residence and into the carriage.
In the carriage, Lin Shishu said, "You cannot administer the medicine without my permission."
"I know," Yu Xiaoyu did not refute her words this time.
Lin Shishu breathed a sigh of relief. Upon arriving at the teahouse, she chose a private room by the window. The tea had been served. Lin Shishu looked at Yu Xiaoyu and asked, "Why aren't you poisoning it?"
Yu Xiaoyu sneered, "If I poison it now, won't Yan Jin Chao discover it?"
Before she finished speaking, footsteps sounded from outside the door. Yu Xiaoyu, who was seated, stood up and positioned herself behind Lin Shishu.
The door opened. Lin Shishu looked towards the entrance and saw a figure walk in. It was the familiar moon-white brocade robe, his slender figure standing there. For a moment, she felt as if all things in heaven and earth were centered on him, and everything else lost its color.
"Miss Lin," Yan Jin Chao said as he entered, his voice faint.
Yu Xiaoyu nudged Lin Shishu and whispered, "Miss, Young Master Yan is here."
Lin Shishu snapped back to reality and quickly stood up. "Young Master Yan, please sit. I don't know if this is a place you favor."
"It matters not," Yan Jin Chao said as he sat down casually.
As Lin Shishu was about to sit, Yu Xiaoyu seized the opportunity to slip the medicine into her palm.
She poured a cup of tea. Yu Xiaoyu said from the side, "Miss, won't you give it to Young Master Yan first?"
Lin Shishu trembled. She knew that the moment she touched the teacup, the powder would enter it.
"Miss…" Yu Xiaoyu reminded her again.
Lin Shishu bit her lower lip and, holding the teacup with her hand, offered it to him. "Young Master Yan, please have some tea."
She watched as Yan Jin Chao picked up the cup and drank from it.
Lin Shishu turned her face away. "Young Master Yan, I apologize for what I did in the past." Including what she had done today, she was even more apologetic.
"It matters not," Yan Jin Chao replied with the same phrase.
As soon as his words fell, Yan Jin Chao collapsed onto the table.
Tears streamed down Lin Shishu's face. Filled with guilt, she said, "I am sorry, Young Master Yan."
Yu Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped forward to feel Yan Jin Chao's nose and found nothing unusual.
She walked to the door and said, "I have done as you said. Where is the antidote?"
Outside the door, a man in black entered. He came before Yan Jin Chao and sneered, "Yan Jin Chao, you have such a day?"
Saying this, he reached out to grab Yan Jin Chao.
Lin Shishu's expression changed. This man in black was clearly ill-intentioned and seemed poised to harm Yan Jin Chao. She quickly stepped in front of Yan Jin Chao and said coldly, "Who are you? What do you want to do?"
"Get lost…" the man in black said coldly, shoving Lin Shishu aside with one hand. But suddenly, he realized the person behind him was gone.
The man in black shuddered, looking around, but found no one. Just as he was about to look out the window, he felt a chill approach his back.