Lu Qiao wore a reluctant expression. "Your Highness, it seems Lin Qingluo is indeed the one who saved the Heir."
"What rotten luck Lin Qingluo had, to stumble upon the Heir and then, as fate would have it, save him."
"It truly makes one feel indignant for Your Highness! For days, Your Highness has been pondering which young ladies from noble families in the capital would be worthy of the Heir, only for this commoner to seize the opportunity in the blink of an eye."
Princess Ningde's face was ashen. She pursed her lips tightly and said in a deep voice, "So it truly was her."
"But it's rather strange. Lin Qingluo is just a commoner, and I don't recall anyone in her family being a physician. How did she know how to use acupuncture to save someone?" Lu Qiao murmured, not thinking too much of it.
However, these words served as a reminder to Princess Ningde.
Princess Ningde's expression shifted. "Acupuncture to save someone?"
"Yes, they say she first gave him medicine and then used acupuncture," Lu Qiao replied.
Princess Ningde's gaze flickered, and her eyes narrowed. "Acupuncture is a skill only known to those who understand medicine. How could a commoner have access to it? She actually deceived the Heir!"
"Lin Qingluo has quite the audacity, daring to lie even to our Pingyang Prince's Mansion! Who gave her the courage to act this way? She's incredibly bold!" Lu Qiao added indignantly.
"Let's go, we're going to see the Heir," Princess Ningde said, her anger fueling her steps.
Lu Qiao quickly followed.
In no time, they arrived.
Upon seeing Princess Ningde, a servant immediately bowed. "Your Highness."
Princess Ningde's face was cold. "Is my brother in his room?"
The next moment, the door opened.
Lin Qingluo emerged first, her pretty face flushed as if deeply embarrassed. Upon seeing Princess Ningde, she was momentarily startled, then quickly lowered her head.
It was as if she didn't want anyone to notice her blushing.
Seeing Lin Qingluo's feigned modesty, Princess Ningde's expression grew even colder.
The next moment, Zhen Lin walked out of the room.
They had exited the room one after the other.
Recalling Lin Qingluo's flushed face just now, Princess Ningde guessed what had transpired in the room. What a Lin Qingluo, seducing her brother!
Seeing Princess Ningde, Zhen Lin seemed surprised. His sister seemed to be visiting rather frequently these past two days.
Immediately, he thought of Lin Qingluo. He and his sister had always been close, growing up together. She had been under his watchful eye since childhood, and he had always indulged her, so he knew exactly why she had been coming to see him every day for the past two days.
However, he looked at the cautious Lin Qingluo and didn't want her to become timid because of his sister.
As for Lin Qingluo, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Princess Ningde. The look Princess Ningde gave her felt as if she wanted to kill her. She secretly trembled, comforting herself that with the Heir's protection, she had nothing to fear from Princess Ningde.
"Sister, what is it?" Zhen Lin asked.
Princess Ningde sneered inwardly. When she used to visit, her brother would never ask what was wrong, but rather if she had eaten breakfast or lunch, or if anything was troubling her. Now, because of a commoner woman, he directly asked her why she was there!
Was he afraid she would bully Lin Qingluo?
In the eyes of the capital's citizens, everyone said she was kind and virtuous. Yet, her brother was afraid she would bully a commoner woman.
She let out a long sigh inwardly, then with no trace of emotion on her face, she smiled and asked, "Can't I come see you if there's nothing specific?"
Zhen Lin was taken aback by Princess Ningde's retort. After a moment of stunned silence, he smiled, "Of course not. You are my sister, and you can come whenever you wish."
He had been overthinking it.
His sister had become much more mature over the past two years; she was no longer the child who would cry over trivial matters. In fact, she was the one who took better care of him now, searching far and wide for a divine physician to cure his poison.
"Brother, I haven't had lunch yet. Let's have lunch together," Princess Ningde said with a radiant smile.
Zhen Lin naturally agreed.
Then, the servants began to make arrangements.
Watching the servants busy themselves, Princess Ningde's eyes held a deep meaning. She glanced back at Lin Qingluo.
But Lin Qingluo kept her head down and didn't notice Princess Ningde's meaningful gaze.
Seeing that Lin Qingluo dared not even look at her, Princess Ningde chuckled inwardly.
Some things were not to be rushed; they could be taken slowly.
Lu Qiao, however, was anxious. She couldn't understand why her mistress hadn't exposed Lin Qingluo's true colors yet. However, she suddenly realized that her mistress always acted methodically and would never act rashly.
Therefore, there was no need for her to be anxious.
Soon, the servants brought the midday meal.
Since the two of them had grown up, they had rarely dined together in the past two or three years.
After Princess Ningde sat down, Zhen Lin also sat.
However, after Zhen Lin sat down, he suddenly thought of something and looked up at Lin Qingluo, who was standing not far behind him. "Qingluo, please join us for the meal."
Lin Qingluo was startled at first, then inwardly delighted. In just a day or two, she had gained a place in the Heir's heart! Even if Princess Ningde disliked her, what did it matter?
She hesitated, but still walked over and sat beside Zhen Lin.
During this time, Princess Ningde merely glanced at Lin Qingluo and then calmly withdrew her gaze.
Lin Qingluo noticed this glance, and a sudden bad premonition surfaced in her heart.
She always felt that Princess Ningde couldn't possibly be this friendly towards her, to actually agree to let the Heir invite her to sit down. What had seemed joyous moments ago now made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles.
She tried to figure out what Princess Ningde was thinking, but she couldn't.
She had a feeling that something big was about to happen.
Therefore, she ate distractedly and dared not eat much. Even though the meals at the Nanyang Prince's Mansion were delicious and unlike anything she could eat elsewhere, she still didn't dare to eat much.
Seeing Lin Qingluo's restraint, Zhen Lin felt a pang of tenderness. "There's no need to be so reserved. Ningde is my sister, and she will be your sister in the future. We will dine together often from now on."
A dark gleam flashed in Princess Ningde's eyes.
Did he say she would also be Lin Qingluo's sister?
She never imagined her brother would trust a commoner woman to this extent, and pamper her so much! His words were filled with concern for Lin Qingluo.
Hearing Zhen Lin's words, Lin Qingluo's previously tense heart immediately relaxed. The Heir was truly good to her! She was determined to hold onto the Heir tightly, and one day, make it so that only she existed in his eyes! Then, in the Pingyang Prince's Mansion, she would fear no one!
Princess Ningde finished the last spoonful of soup in her bowl.
Putting down her bowl, she looked up at Lin Qingluo.
Seeing Lin Qingluo gazing at Zhen Lin with affectionate eyes, her red lips curved into an icy arc. "I heard Miss Lin is skilled in acupuncture?"