8
Breaking the Mold
Even he felt a twinge of compassion seeing Lin Qingran in such a state—it was truly moving.
If one ignored her inner thoughts, it would indeed appear that Lin Qingran was deeply in love with the Crown Prince, deeply worried about his injury, and utterly distressed.
But what did she mean by “male lead” earlier?
Xiao Che was puzzled and turned his gaze to Xiao Heng, but the latter wasn’t looking at him—he was watching Lin Qingran.
Xiao Heng lifted his eyelids slightly to glance at Lin Qingran, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his thin lips parted.
“Then I’ll trouble you,” Xiao Heng said leisurely, his voice clear and cold, echoing in the room.
Lin Qingran’s reaction didn’t matter to him; he only knew that the best way to handle uncertain people and situations was to keep them under close watch. Only then could he discern their true intentions.
As a candidate for the throne, he had been taught since childhood how to manage people and affairs, so his decisions were inevitably the most prudent.
“See, I told you, Crown Prince gege…” Lin Qingran suddenly widened her eyes. “Crown Prince gege, did… did you just agree?”
[He actually agreed? How could Xiao Heng, that dog of a man, agree? Isn’t he notoriously fussy and dislikes others getting close?]
[Wait, if he agreed, does that mean I actually have to come?]
[Oh my god, what exactly went wrong here!]
Hearing the term “dog of a man” again, Xiao Heng had grown somewhat accustomed to it. It wasn’t that he wasn’t angry—he certainly was—but Xiao Heng had always been a man of composure.
No matter. He could simply note it down for now; there would be opportunities to settle the score later.
“Yes, I agreed. Since you have such sincerity, I ought to grant your wish,” Xiao Heng replied indifferently.
As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Lin Qingran’s pale face, his tone carrying a hint of gentleness.
“Thank you, Crown Prince gege, for granting my wish.” Lin Qingran forced a smile, though her inner reluctance was undetectable. “Then, until Crown Prince gege recovers, Ranran will take care of you.”
“Approved,” Xiao Heng said flatly.
[I suddenly wish I could go back to the moment I spoke and slap myself hard—shouldn’t have said what I shouldn’t have.]
[Well, look at that. I volunteered to be a maid, and who knows how difficult he’ll be to serve.]
Xiao Che listened, wanting to speak but hesitating. He had already realized that Lin Qingran’s feelings for his Crown Prince brother might not be what they seemed. Yet, seeing how moved his brother appeared and how he had agreed, Xiao Che found it difficult to voice his concerns.
For a moment, Xiao Che could only silently fix his gaze on Lin Qingran.
“Miss Lin, this could be considered… getting what you wished for,” Xiao Che said with a complicated expression.
Lin Qingran gave a dry laugh. “Yes, what the Third Prince says is quite right.”
[Seriously, why isn’t that dog of a man following the script? I had my lines ready, and he just hit pause on me!]
Xiao Heng lowered his eyelids, concealing a trace of amusement in his eyes. He suddenly felt that having Lin Qingran care for him, aside from helping him understand why he could hear her inner thoughts, might also bring unexpected amusement. Her current state of saying one thing while thinking another was quite entertaining.
Of course, it would be even better if she stopped cursing him in her heart.
Xiao Che remained silent for a moment, deciding it was best not to interfere. Ensuring his Crown Prince brother was safe and sound was what mattered most.
“Your Highness, please rest well. This humble brother shall take his leave now, and also inform our mother that Your Highness is unharmed to ease her worries.” Xiao Che spoke before turning to Lin Qingran. “I’ll trouble Miss Lin with caring for His Highness. I believe Father Emperor and Mother Empress will surely reward Miss Lin appropriately.”
Xiao Heng nodded in acknowledgment without further words, his face etched with exhaustion while the pain in his chest remained severe.
Lin Qingran naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity to showcase herself, quickly responding to Xiao Che.
“Third Prince, rest assured. Crown Prince gege is my betrothed, so I will certainly take good care of him and ensure his swift recovery.” Lin Qingran wore an expression of bliss.
[But if I’m clumsy and make him angry, or accidentally bump into his injuries, that can’t be blamed on me!]
[The male lead appears so concerned about this dog man, but it’s all an act. Step by step, he’ll push this dog man into the abyss.]
[Well, the throne is such a temptation that few can resist it. Though I think being emperor isn’t all that great anyway.]
Xiao Heng’s expression faltered momentarily, though he didn’t look toward Xiao Che, instead pondering what Lin Qingran meant. Could it be that Third Brother covets the Crown Prince position?
Lin Qingran only voiced these thoughts internally, knowing speaking them aloud would mean certain death—such treasonous words.
Xiao Che nearly bulged his eyes out in shock. Fortunately, the Crown Prince couldn’t hear Lin Qingran’s inner thoughts, or he’d surely be misunderstood.
Where did this Lin Qingran get the idea that he was acting?
He genuinely cared for the Crown Prince! How could he possibly push his royal brother into the abyss step by step?
Yet he could only refute these accusations in his heart. If he voiced them aloud, wouldn’t that confirm he had ulterior motives?
At this moment, Xiao Che opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words, ultimately turning to leave Lizheng Hall.
After Xiao Che departed, only Lin Qingran and Xiao Heng remained in Lizheng Hall, the atmosphere growing somewhat peculiar.
Remembering the original host’s behavioral patterns, Lin Qingran quickly turned to pour Xiao Heng a cup of water from the table.
The teapot contained no tea, just plain hot water kept warm by a hand warmer beneath—likely prepared so Xiao Heng could drink warm water anytime.
“Crown Prince gege, have some water quickly. Does your wound hurt?”
[If your wound hurts, drink more hot water. Nothing wrong with that logic.]
Saying this, Lin Qingran brought the poured hot water to Xiao Heng’s lips without blowing on it first.
The novel mentioned this major antagonist had mysophobia, so Lin Qingran certainly wouldn’t blow on the water before offering it—otherwise he definitely wouldn’t drink.
Xiao Heng looked at Lin Qingran, his eyes seeming veiled by a thin mist, unconsciously opening his mouth to take a sip.
“Gulp.”
Scalding hot water burned from his tongue down his throat. Xiao Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he clenched the hand resting inside the blankets into a tight fist, thoroughly scalded by the water.
Yet Xiao Heng showed no outward reaction, despite his throat now burning fiercely.
“Enough.”
Lin Qingran removed the cup, giving Xiao Heng a somewhat strange look.
[Why does his voice sound hoarse all of a sudden, even more so than before?]
[But this dog man is so delicate—one sip of water is enough? Too refined. Shouldn’t drinking water just be gulping it down in one go?]
Xiao Heng took a deep breath, ultimately choosing not to explain the reason. After all, he couldn’t admit he hadn’t been careful and got scalded.
“Crown Prince gege, if you don’t want water, are you perhaps hungry? If you are, I’ll have the palace servants prepare a meal for you, preferably something light. You’ve been through so much this time, you must replenish your health properly. It truly pains my heart to see you like this.” Lin Qingran blinked her eyes, speaking with utmost sincerity and tenderness.
“No need. You should go back and rest first.” Xiao Heng let out a warm breath.
He decided to let it be for today. His wound was hurting too severely, and he genuinely didn’t wish to speak further with Lin Qingran.