“Ugh…”
What kind of public display of affection was this, right in front of her?
Qiao Rongjin felt a wave of silent annoyance, her expression faintly disgusted.
But then she remembered her “character setting”—and what the original owner of this body should have been like when seeing Prince Rui.
Instantly, she straightened up.
That reaction just now? Not at all like a woman deeply in love with the prince.
So she immediately switched emotions on like flipping a switch, letting it flood her face perfectly.
“Your Highness, you finally came to see this servant!”
Qiao Rongjin ran toward Prince Rui like a cheerful bird.
Prince Rui, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality at the sound of her voice. He turned—and saw her rushing toward him, eyes brimming with overwhelming affection, almost burning him.
He froze.
So much so that when she threw herself into his arms, he didn’t manage to push her away in time.
Meanwhile, Qi You was completely stunned.
His young face flashed with confusion and complexity.
Just moments ago, he had clearly seen it—his mother’s expression shifted from obvious dislike to overflowing tenderness in an instant.
He really thought he was seeing things.
This… was nothing like the mother he imagined. And nothing like the rumors either.
Wasn’t his mother supposed to deeply love his father? Wasn’t she supposed to be jealous and scheming for his attention?
He had even prepared himself—if his mother truly loved the prince, he would help her win his father’s heart.
But now… was he hallucinating?
Was she acting?
That realization shocked him.
Even Qing Lian, standing nearby, looked like she wanted to speak but didn’t dare. Her expression screamed that she was equally stunned by her mistress’s rapid transformation.
Meanwhile, Qiao Rongjin herself was also slightly panicking.
Wait—why didn’t he push her away?
He actually let her hug him?
Probably because he had just been spacing out thinking about the female lead, so he reacted too slowly.
Feeling the warmth in her arms, Prince Rui moved slightly, intending to push her away.
But the frantic heartbeat against his chest made his hand pause.
And just like that, he didn’t push her away.
This kind of passionate greeting only ever came from Qiao-shi. She always spoke her love without hesitation, hugged him without caring who was watching—completely sincere, completely unrestrained.
It was completely different from Madam Chen.
And somehow… it satisfied his pride.
“Your Highness… you finally came to see this servant. I thought you would never come again…”
Qiao Rongjin stiffened slightly herself. Seeing that he still wasn’t reacting, she quickly pulled out of his arms, her expression pitiful and wounded, eyes slightly red—perfectly portraying a woman in love.
Prince Rui suddenly felt the emptiness in his arms.
He coughed awkwardly.
“This prince came to see Little Five… and you as well. Come in.”
Then he turned and walked toward the main hall.
Standing outside like this, with servants around—it was improper.
Qiao Rongjin rolled her eyes internally but followed him.
“Greetings, Father.”
Qi You looked at the tall, imposing man before him and could not avoid it—he bowed properly, face serious.
Prince Rui was instantly pleased.
So Little Five could finally call him Father now.
He reached out instinctively to pat his head—
But the boy dodged.
His hand froze midair.
Qiao Rongjin felt a headache coming on.
Why was this kid making his dislike so obvious? This was their financial backer, their “employer.”
Never mind. Kids are still young. She’d teach him proper acting skills later.
After all, this world clearly required it.
Qi You, noticing his mother staring at him with increasing determination, was confused again:
“…???”
Qiao Rongjin quickly stepped in to break the awkwardness.
“Your Highness, please have some tea to moisten your throat. Little Five, come sit. You’re still sick—how can you keep standing?”
Prince Rui picked up the tea and took a sip.
His brows immediately furrowed.
Qiao Rongjin leaned in quickly and whispered, “Please bear with it, Your Highness. We really don’t have any good tea here. This is already the best we have.”
Her eyes were practically sparkling with expectation.
Of course, Prince Rui responded as she hoped.
“Tomorrow I’ll send better tea over. These can be thrown away.”
He even looked a little disgusted at the tea.
Qiao Rongjin instantly smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Your Highness! You’re so kind!”
Prince Rui coughed awkwardly again.
It was just some tea leaves—did she really need to be this easily satisfied?
But then he thought about how poorly she was living here. Clearly, she had been neglected during her confinement. Probably the servants were bullying her.
His expression darkened slightly as he looked at her.
Qiao Rongjin: ???
“Take good care of Little Five. If you need anything, go to the Princess Consort… or to Wang Fuyang.”
Qiao Rongjin immediately brightened even more.
Oh? That basically meant she could directly reach him.
Nice.
This was going to be very useful.
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Her gaze turned even more “affectionate,” almost glowing with devotion.
Prince Rui could barely handle it.
He coughed again and quickly looked away.
“Since Little Five is fine now, I… I’ll go back to handling official matters.”
He spoke while secretly watching her reaction.
Sure enough, her face instantly fell.
Like a flower hit by frost.
“You… you’re not staying?”
Her voice carried clear disappointment.
And that—
That hit Prince Rui’s ego perfectly.
All the frustration from Madam Chen earlier vanished instantly.
After all, there was still someone in this household who truly adored him.
He felt his confidence return.
He even decided he should treat Qiao-shi better—as long as she didn’t keep causing jealousy and trouble for Madam Chen, he didn’t mind giving her more favor.
“I’ll come see you and Little Five again when I’m free. You should rest early.”
He stood up to leave.
Qiao Rongjin reluctantly sent him off.
“Then… this servant will see Your Highness out.”
As Prince Rui walked away, he almost reached out to pat her head again—but stopped himself.
This was Haitang Courtyard.
A place filled with memories of A-Yun.
He couldn’t act intimately with another woman here. It felt like betrayal.
So he only nodded and left.
But halfway down the path, he couldn’t help but glance back.
Qiao Rongjin was still standing at the doorway, watching him leave with teary, reluctant eyes.
His chest tightened.
He immediately turned back around.
He couldn’t keep looking.
Because if he did, he might not be able to leave at all.
After all… he was still a man.
And facing a woman this beautiful, this devoted—any normal man would find it hard to resist.