otherwise, it wouldn't be possible to hear the tone of anticipation and joy in Prince Jin's voice after being informed that Miss Qin wished to seek an audience?
It was completely different from the indifference he showed when speaking to them before.
So when he reached Qin Linglong, his respect and fawning were particularly evident.
Qin Yiqing naturally sensed this.
A flicker of expectation suddenly arose in her heart.
If this scene could be witnessed by more people, then those who looked down on her would absolutely not dare to do so again.
She followed the palace attendants inside.
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia waited on the side. They exchanged glances. The people around Prince Jin showed such respect to their lady, which was completely different from the disdain of others. Did this mean Prince Jin had her in his heart?
"Everything will be alright!" Xiao Huan whispered.
"Mmm!"
Qin Linglong followed the palace attendants into an adjacent palace hall. As soon as she sat down, the attendants brought the tea.
Zhan Tianye had already arrived.
He walked with quick steps, as if he was in a hurry to see someone very important to him.
When Qin Yiqing saw Zhan Tianye enter, her already tense heart began to pound wildly. With no one else around, she could no longer hide the adoration in her eyes.
"Your Highness Prince Jin."
Her first four words were filled with deep emotion, even a hint of grievance.
But as Zhan Tianye heard the words "Your Highness Prince Jin," the light in his dark eyes instantly dimmed, and his rapidly advancing steps came to a halt.
Seeing this, the color drained from Qin Yiqing's face.
She hadn't understood moments ago, but now she understood everything. Why he had come so quickly, why there was a light in his eyes when he first saw her. It was because he had mistaken her for that woman!
She had only tried to test him by mentioning what happened at the palace banquet, hoping to see him.
And he had indeed come to see her!
Not to see her, but because of her at the palace banquet! No wonder he had acted the same way the last time she entered the palace, asking her so precisely who she was. Back then, she hadn't understood, but she had vaguely guessed during this time, yet she had continued to deceive herself. Now, she understood everything!
There was no room for self-deception anymore!
If she continued to deceive herself, she would truly be beyond redemption.
No wonder that woman could remain so composed. It was because she was certain that Prince Jin had her in his heart.
Her eyes welled up with a sour and uncomfortable feeling. She didn't understand why Prince Jin wouldn't try to look at her, to fall in love with her. Why was he so cruel as to lay the truth bare before her?
"Speak," Zhan Tianye said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
These two words struck Qin Linglong's heart like a warning bell.
Her face was deathly pale.
Her eyes were severely red.
She opened her mouth slightly, her voice hoarse, and said, "Your Highness Prince Jin, I wish to confess something to you. The person who entered the palace that day was not me; someone impersonated me. After much thought, I felt this matter could not be kept from Your Highness Prince Jin."
After saying these words, Qin Linglong felt all her strength drain away.
Zhan Tianye glanced at Qin Linglong and gave a simple "Mm."
With just one glance, he could distinguish between the two.
Qin Linglong's eyes grew redder, and she could barely stand. Yet, she forced a smile and said, "It seems nothing can escape Your Highness Prince Jin."
Half an hour later.
Qin Linglong sat in the carriage returning to the Ministry of Personnel.
She remained silent all the way.
She looked as if she had lost her soul.
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia watched Qin Linglong with great concern.
A layer of sweat suddenly broke out on Qin Linglong's forehead.
Seeing Qin Linglong's frighteningly unusual state, Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia became anxious. "Miss!"
"Miss, what's wrong?"
"Is Miss sick? There seems to be a medical clinic ahead, shall we have them take a look?"
Qin Linglong slowly shook her head, her neck stiff. "No need, I'm not sick."
She was indeed not sick, but shocked.
Shocked by Prince Jin.
Prince Jin had said he would arrange another marriage for her as compensation; he would not marry her.
This was a result she had never expected.
She had originally thought that by being honest, he would consider her not a vain person and would treat her with more consideration. Instead, it seemed he knew everything and had no feelings for her.
Then why was he so concerned about that woman, yet also so protective of Ningde County Princess?
Was it because of Ningde County Princess's status?
Or did he dislike her low status?
To arrange another marriage for her? He intended to push her off onto someone else.
Status...
It must be because of status. The only difference between her and Ningde County Princess was status, wasn't it? Ningde County Princess could become his primary consort based on her status, while she would be a secondary consort.
Now, he didn't even want to give her the position of secondary consort.
Even Qin Linglong herself didn't realize that her eyes were now filled with jealousy, anger, hatred, and even a longing for everything she couldn't obtain.
All these emotions accumulated in her eyes, making her entire person appear somewhat ferocious.
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia had never seen their lady like this and were terrified on the spot.
Xiao Jia tremblingly asked, "Miss, Miss, what exactly is wrong?"
"Did Prince Jin say something that hurt Miss?" Xiao Huan quickly inquired.
Qin Linglong's gaze suddenly turned fearful as she glared at Xiao Huan. "Even you can see it?"
Xiao Huan looked like she was about to cry. "Your servant... your servant is just worried about Miss."
"Yes, yes, your servant and Xiao Huan are both worried about Miss. Miss hasn't spoken since seeing Prince Jin until just now. Your servant and Xiao Huan are truly frightened," Xiao Jia quickly added.
Qin Linglong bit her lip, her eyes filled with intense hatred. She looked coldly at Xiao Jia and Xiao Huan. "Are you all mocking me? Do you think I'm deluded? Do you think I'm not worthy of Prince Jin? Are you happy to see me neglected by Prince Jin?"
Yes, even those closest to her thought this way, let alone others.
At this point, what else could she not understand or see clearly?
She had been too kind, too weak before, afraid to fight for anything, believing that all good things in this world had nothing to do with her.
And it was good enough that she could still live a life of food and clothing.
She had always told herself this before, but what was the result? The result was that she had poured all her hope into believing she could gain Prince Jin's favor, wholeheartedly wanting to marry Prince Jin, but it had all come to nothing!
Prince Jin didn't want her!
Gradually, the light in Qin Linglong's eyes became increasingly sinister. Since the Emperor had publicly betrothed her to Prince Jin, she would absolutely not concede defeat so easily!
She could only marry Prince Jin to avenge her humiliation!
She must marry Prince Jin!
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia, watching Qin Linglong's expression change rapidly, turned pale with fear. Miss... why had Miss become so terrifying?
...
Clear lake water, a vast blue sky.
A boat floated slowly in the center of the lake.