Chapter 58: Mission Impossible

Zhang Yuge sent Lü Zhu to cook the porridge, then dined in the room with Zhang Qingyao and Li Yuluo.

The two girls sat facing each other, with Zhang Yuge in between them.

During this breakfast, Zhang Qingyao noticed Li Yuluo constantly staring at her, which made her quite uncomfortable.

“Why do you keep staring at me?”

At last, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

“It’s an honor for this prince to look at you, such a lowly servant,”

Li Yuluo retorted.

“Oh? Now you call yourself a prince? And yet just a moment ago, it was you calling someone ‘Husband’ over and over—your tone was so coquettish it was deadly.”

“And you? I called him Husband, you called him Young Master. Whose status is higher, I don’t even need to explain.”

“You—”

Zhang Qingyao was momentarily speechless, but then a clever idea struck her, and she continued:

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t I change how I address you? Should I start calling you Young Madam then?”

“That’s definitely the right change, Zhang San,”

Li Yuluo answered.

“Huh? Zhang San? What Zhang San?”

Zhang Qingyao froze.

Zhang San—that was a servant who died a few months ago when she was attacked by the Zhong family.

Why was Li Yuluo bringing him up?

“Hehe,”

Li Yuluo smirked proudly,

“Zhang San, Zhang San—you might as well stop pretending, it’s you I’m talking about!”

“…You’re saying I’m Zhang San?”

Zhang Qingyao pointed at herself, half laughing, half crying.

“Hmph, just a lowly servant. Husband had a momentary slip-up and turned you into a girl, and yet you still dream of flying up the branches to become a phoenix. What a fool’s dream.”

Zhang Qingyao was annoyed and laughed bitterly.

She countered:

“Who told you I’m Zhang San?”

“Naturally, it was Husband who said so.”

As she spoke, Li Yuluo rubbed her body against Zhang Yuge, looping her arm through his.

Zhang Yuge didn’t resist, letting her lean against him like a little kitten.

“Young Master, is what she said true? Did you say I’m Zhang San?”

Zhang Qingyao looked at Zhang Yuge with wronged eyes, but he turned his head, refusing to meet her gaze.

Li Yuluo revealed a triumphant, provocative smile.

Zhang Qingyao’s anger surged.

She really wanted to give up and just declare she was the Zhang family Young Master, and Zhang Yuge was the servant impersonating her.

After much thought, she dared not say it aloud and swallowed her humiliation.

“Lowly servant, aren’t you going to serve the Young Madam some tea?”

Zhang Qingyao snapped, standing up.

“You haven’t yet married the Young Master, so I will never recognize you as Young Madam. Don’t even think about me serving you tea!”

Li Yuluo picked up a piece of cake and fed it to Zhang Yuge with an affected tone.

“Husband, look, this servant is bullying me.”

“Xiao Yao, don’t be rude,”

Zhang Yuge said.

“Young Master, she clearly started it…”

Before she could finish, Zhang Yuge interrupted.

“Apologize to the prince.”

Zhang Qingyao wanted to argue, but seeing Zhang Yuge’s sharp gaze, she immediately wilted.

The girl was so aggrieved, she clenched her teeth and struggled out the words.

“Prince… I’m sorry…”

“Husband, look at her—no sincerity at all. I don’t want such a half-hearted apology.”

“Alright, as you wish, my lady.”

Zhang Yuge gently comforted Li Yuluo, then in a somewhat stern tone said,

“Zhang Qingyao.”

The girl was stunned, standing frozen.

The last time the Young Master called her full name was ages ago; usually, he just called her “Xiao Yao.”

Now that he used her full name, it was clear he was angry.

Had months of living with the Young Master really meant less than a few passionate moments with Li Yuluo?

The more Zhang Qingyao thought about it, the more hurt she felt.

She raised her eyes again, only to meet Zhang Yuge’s cold stare.

“I’m sorry, Prince, this servant failed to recognize greatness. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

The girl bowed her head, humbly apologizing to Li Yuluo.

“My lady, see? Zhang San has apologized, so you should calm down now, right?”

“That’s more like it,”

Li Yuluo muttered.

After breakfast, Zhang Yuge sent Li Yuluo off.

Before leaving, Li Yuluo specifically reminded him,

“Husband, I didn’t tell the Imperial Brother I brought you food today, and you must not let him find out, alright?”

Zhang Yuge agreed readily, then leaned forward and kissed the girl’s smooth, delicate cheek.

After watching Li Yuluo walk away, Zhang Yuge’s expression gradually turned cold.

“System, open status panel.”

Seeing his health status was good, the weight on Zhang Yuge’s heart finally eased.

He turned and glanced at Zhang Qingyao, who was silently tidying the bowls, then walked over.

Sensing his approach, the girl immediately straightened up and stopped what she was doing.

“Y-Young Master.”

She bowed her head, afraid to meet his eyes.

Zhang Yuge sighed, stepped forward, and hugged Zhang Qingyao gently.

She struggled a little but only halfheartedly, then allowed him to hold her.

“Young Master?”

Zhang Qingyao whispered.

“Still mad at me?”

“Xiao Yao wouldn’t dare.”

“Not dare means you’re still mad, right?”

Zhang Yuge smiled.

Zhang Qingyao remained silent.

“Are you jealous of Li Yuluo?”

After a long moment, the girl asked.

“This time, Li Yuluo didn’t poison me, but I still can’t be sure if she’s working with Li Yuhan. If I protect you too openly in front of her, I’m afraid Li Yuhan will turn against you later.”

Zhang Qingyao couldn’t believe her ears and asked,

“So, Young Master, you were worried about Xiao Yao all along?”

“Xiao Yao is very important to me. Of course, I worry about your safety.”

“So, when Young Master is harsh with Xiao Yao, it’s really to protect her, right?”

“Of course.”

“Young Master…”

Zhang Qingyao was so touched she hugged Zhang Yuge tightly, tears streaming from her eyes.

This girl really was easy to comfort, Zhang Yuge thought.

Li Yuluo left the pawnshop, frequently glancing back.

After confirming no one was following, she slipped into an alley.

A man in a black robe and mask had been waiting there for some time.

Li Yuluo whispered,

“Imperial Brother.”

“How did it go? What was Zhang Yuge’s attitude when he saw you?”

“His attitude…”

Recalling the intimate scene with Zhang Yuge earlier, Li Yuluo was too embarrassed to say more.

“My Shidi told Zhang Yuge that she came alone, and Zhang Yuge believed it without question.”

“Did he notice the poison in the cake?”

“Not only did he not notice, he didn’t suspect it at all.”

The man in black pulled out a pill and handed it to Li Yuluo.

“Good work. This is the antidote. Take it, and you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you, Imperial Brother.”

Li Yuluo took the pill and swallowed it.

“Imperial Brother, I have a favor to ask…”

“Speak.”

“After tomorrow’s Rain Supplication Ceremony, could you let me deliver the antidote to Zhang Yuge again?”

“What’s this? You don’t want him to die?”

Li Yuhan asked coldly.

“No. I think keeping Zhang Yuge alive might be useful in the future,”

Li Yuluo hurried to explain.

“Fine. After this is done, I’ll provide him with temporary antidotes. As long as he serves me, I will keep him regularly detoxified.”

“Imperial Brother is wise.”

Knowing Zhang Yuge wouldn’t die, Li Yuluo’s heart secretly rejoiced.

She had no idea that the cake she gave Zhang Yuge was actually not poisoned.

Li Yuhan had deceived her.

The pleased look on the girl’s face was all noted and stored by Li Yuhan.