Chapter 63: What Exactly Is She Trying to Do?

Tears have always been a woman's best weapon, especially when dealing with men. No man could ever remain unmoved before a girl weeping so pitifully. Particularly in this instance, for the fault lay entirely with Yuan Zaichun.

“Stop crying, I understand now.” Yuan Zaichun walked over to Qiao Qingyun’s side, took out the silk handkerchief she always carried, and gently wiped her cheeks. “Don’t cry.”

It was a while before Qiao Qingyun could compose herself. She dabbed at her tears once more and sat down on a chair. “I’m hungry.”

“All right, all right. Someone, bring food.”

“Yes, sir.”

Liu Fu, standing outside, heard every word clearly. She could never have imagined that Qiao Qingyun would start crying just like that and soften their master’s heart so easily.

“How is it?” Yuan Zaichun asked, glancing at the exquisite dishes before them. Not only were they light and delicate, but they also wouldn’t weigh heavily on Qiao Qingyun’s stomach.

“Thank you, sir.” Qiao Qingyun was still sobbing, and the sight made Yuan Zaichun’s heart melt. No one could harden their heart against such a fragile, helpless girl.

“All right now, don’t cry while eating, or you’ll make yourself unwell.”

“Thank you, sir.” Qiao Qingyun, seizing the opportunity, nodded to Yuan Zaichun, with a faint hint of a smile in her eyes.

For some reason, seeing Qiao Qingyun smile at him today filled Yuan Zaichun with immense satisfaction.

As the meal drew to an end, Qiao Qingyun rose with grace, feigning a pain in her waist. She inhaled softly. “Ah…”

Her brows knitted, her face pale. The sight threw Yuan Zaichun into a panic. He quickly set down his chopsticks and hurried to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, just a pain in my waist.”

Qingluo, watching from the side, was utterly dumbfounded. She never thought her mistress could be so cunning!

That was something few women could pull off.

“Your waist hurts?” Yuan Zaichun followed her gesture and saw, indeed, it was the spot she had injured earlier.

“Is it very painful?”

“Not much, just a little… oh!”

Yuan Zaichun was about to massage the spot when Qiao Qingyun cried out in alarm, causing his hand to jerk back in fright.

“What happened?”

“Sir, could you be more gentle? My waist is exceedingly delicate. If you press any harder, I may well lose my life.”

Seeing her tearful eyes, Yuan Zaichun took a deep breath. Though feeling slightly awkward, he bent down and scooped Qiao Qingyun into his arms.

“Sir!” she exclaimed, startled, pushing against him. “Sir, I—”

“Behave,” Yuan Zaichun commanded, brooking no refusal, and carried her off toward the Tingzhu Courtyard.

Along the way, many servants passed by. At the sight, they turned to press themselves against the walls, refusing to look. Some, hurrying in opposite directions, even collided with each other.

“Are you not tired, sir?” Qiao Qingyun asked, noticing that Yuan Zaichun showed no sign of strain.

“Not at all,” he replied calmly.

She was skeptical. “But you—”

“You’ve grown thin these days. Once we’re back, you must rest and recover.”

“And what am I to recover for?” she asked, looping her arms around his neck and clinging to him like a child.

Yuan Zaichun’s steps faltered at her unexpected gesture. He gazed at her, momentarily dazed.

Indeed, the women who know how to be coquettish are the most fortunate. Now that Qiao Qingyun kept showing weakness and depending on Yuan Zaichun, he felt a satisfaction he’d never known before.

They reached the Tingzhu Courtyard, and from afar, Zhong Shi and Hong Ying saw Qiao Qingyun cradled in Yuan Zaichun’s arms as he carried her inside.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Yuan Zaichun paid them no heed, but carried Qiao Qingyun straight into the bedchamber.

Qingluo remained outside, listening to the voices within.

“Rest well. Our cooperation isn’t over yet—you can’t die just like that.”

Qiao Qingyun chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I know my limits. I’ll be sure to preserve this life; I won’t throw it away.”

At her words, Yuan Zaichun’s mind abruptly cleared.

Yes… they were nothing more than partners.

He looked at Qiao Qingyun lying on the bed, serene and smiling, as if none of this troubled her. With a cold laugh, he said, “Very well,” and strode from the courtyard.

Watching Yuan Zaichun leave in a huff, Qiao Qingyun was puzzled. What had just happened?

Moreover, she hadn’t said anything wrong… Why had this man become angry for no apparent reason?

After Yuan Zaichun’s departure, Qingluo, Zhong Shi, and Hong Ying hurried into the room, only to find Qiao Qingyun calmly sipping her tea.

“Madam, could it be that you’ve reconciled with His Highness?” Qingluo asked, scarcely daring to believe it.

Zhong Shi’s fists clenched, and Hong Ying’s face was full of worry.

They had heard what happened. If anyone had found her any later, Qiao Qingyun might have died.

“Reconcile? What are you talking about?” Qiao Qingyun laughed, then took a delicate sip of tea. “There’s too much going on here. I don’t know everything, but at least I understand the importance of self-preservation.”

“You mustn’t be so impulsive. From the outset, I didn’t come for the position of Crown Princess.”

For the sake of survival—once Yuan Zaichun deemed her useless, being dismissed would be her only way out.

“Madam…” Zhong Shi took a step forward, deeply concerned. “Your health—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t die. Qingluo, go and tell Chun Cheng and Xu Lu to serve well at the clinic. They won’t be short of money.”

“Yes, madam.” Qingluo could only sigh—how could her mistress still be thinking about the clinic at a time like this? But since she had given the order, it had to be done.

Outside, time ticked by. In his own room, Yuan Zaichun dug his nails into his palms.

He never expected that, without realizing it, he had been so thoroughly bewitched by this woman.

“Liufu.”

“Sir.”

Liufu entered swiftly, knelt cleanly before Yuan Zaichun. “What are your orders?”

“Did you notice anything odd about Qiao Qingyun today?”

Liufu hesitated, then shook her head. “I am too dull to see anything, sir.”

“It’s not you—it’s that I can’t see through her either.”

Indeed, Yuan Zaichun could not fathom what Qiao Qingyun truly intended.