"Acupuncture?" Lin Qingluo froze.
When had she ever claimed to be skilled in acupuncture? Her greatest talent was using embroidery needles to create lifelike flowers and plants.
But acupuncture? How could she possibly know it!
Seeing Lin Qingluo's stunned and bewildered expression, Princess Ningde understood. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, not rushing to ask further.
Lin Qingluo, however, became increasingly anxious. What did Princess Ningde mean? Why mention acupuncture so suddenly?
She looked towards Zhen Lin again, confused.
Zhen Lin was equally puzzled as to why Ningde would ask Lin Qingluo such a question.
The next moment, Princess Ningde suddenly smiled, "Miss Lin, didn't you perform acupuncture on my brother when you saved him? It's only been two or three days, have you already forgotten, Miss?"
"This servant also heard people say that Miss Lin's acupuncture skills are excellent. Those who saw Miss Lin treating the Crown Prince that night all said so," Lü Qiao added.
Hearing the words of the mistress and her maid, Lin Qingluo's heart pounded.
How could she have forgotten…
Zhen Lin looked at Lin Qingluo in surprise, "You even performed acupuncture on me that night?"
He had undergone acupuncture before. Some of the renowned physicians Princess Ningde sought were skilled in acupuncture, but they had little effect on him.
Because he felt nothing after the acupuncture, and he was delirious at the time, he had no memory of being treated.
Lin Qingluo was in a panic, extremely flustered. She knew nothing about acupuncture!
But, at this moment, she could not deny it. She could only maintain a smile and nod, "Yes, I did perform acupuncture on the Crown Prince that day."
Princess Ningde raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised that Lin Qingluo dared to admit it.
Still being stubborn even now?
"Qingluo, you know acupuncture." Zhen Lin was pleasantly surprised. If it were any other woman, she would have immediately revealed her skill to gain his favor.
But Qingluo had not done so.
Zhen Lin felt as though he had found a treasure.
Lin Qingluo maintained a calm nod, not daring to say or do anything else. She secretly resolved to buy a medical book and study acupuncture thoroughly in the future.
"My wrist has been hurting for the past two days. Miss Lin, perhaps you could give me some acupuncture?" Princess Ningde extended her fair wrist towards Lin Qingluo.
Lin Qingluo's heart sank. She looked at Princess Ningde in astonishment, "I… I'm afraid I might not do a good job. Could the County Princess have another physician treat you?"
No matter how foolish she was, she understood now! Princess Ningde did not dislike her, nor was it because she was of common birth, but because Princess Ningde suspected her!
Therefore, she must have investigated what happened that night, which was how she knew that a woman had performed acupuncture on the Crown Prince!
Lin Qingluo's face turned a shade paler.
"You don't need to be so nervous. My brother said you would be my sister-in-law in the future. Since you know acupuncture and could calmly handle my brother's complicated condition, what is there to fear between us women?" Princess Ningde's tone was gentle, making it impossible to refuse.
To refuse further would make her seem unreasonable.
Lin Qingluo was so anxious that tears welled up, "I… I only have a basic understanding of acupuncture. It was just a daring attempt when I saw the Crown Prince that day. Your Highness is of noble birth, so I truly dare not act carelessly."
What should she do?
What should she do now?
Would the wealth and status she had almost attained be lost just like this?
She was unwilling!
Zhen Lin also sensed something was amiss, "Qingluo, you can try. There's no need to be overly nervous."
Lin Qingluo truly felt like crying without tears.
She couldn't understand why Princess Ningde would make things difficult for her. She hadn't done anything wrong.
She simply wanted a different life from before. Must she be targeted by Princess Ningde for this alone?
"I… I… I'm really nervous." she said, biting her lip with red eyes.
Princess Ningde did not want to waste any more time. She suddenly slammed the table, "Lin Qingluo, how dare you!"
The loud noise startled Lin Qingluo so much that her legs felt weak, and she almost fell to her knees.
Fortunately, she managed to hold back at the last moment.
"County Princess…"
Seeing this, Zhen Lin frowned slightly and said sternly, "Ningde, what is going on?"
Princess Ningde looked coldly at Lin Qingluo, "Brother, you've been deceived by her. She is not the one who saved you. She impersonated someone else. The person who truly saved you knows acupuncture, and she doesn't. That's why she keeps saying she's nervous."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Lin's gaze turned cold as he looked at Lin Qingluo, "Is what Ningde says true?"
Lin Qingluo trembled violently, tears streaming down her face as if she had suffered a great blow and was terrified. Her body swayed, and she said, "Does the Crown Prince not believe me? If you don't believe me, I… I can leave now."
With that, she turned and ran outside, wiping her tears.
But the next moment, Zhen Lin grabbed her wrist. He sighed helplessly, "I don't disbelieve you."
"Brother!" Princess Ningde couldn't believe that her brother had been deceived by such a lowly person like Lin Qingluo with just a few words!
"Ningde, this is my matter. Just as I have never interfered in your affairs, I know very well who saved me. You don't need to say any more," Zhen Lin said sternly.
Lin Qingluo covered her face and cried. Hearing Zhen Lin's protection, she felt relieved. The next moment, she gritted her teeth and fainted!
"Qingluo!"
Zhen Lin picked up Lin Qingluo and hurried back to her room.
As he passed Princess Ningde, he said to her, "Ningde, you don't need to concern yourself with this matter!"
Princess Ningde clenched her fists, watching Zhen Lin's retreating back in disbelief.
Lü Qiao was dumbfounded, "The Crown Prince actually believes Lin Qingluo and not the County Princess! What the County Princess said is the truth! Lin Qingluo is too good at pretending! This servant can see that she doesn't know acupuncture, so why can't the Crown Prince see it?"
"Don't look at Lin Qingluo's ordinary appearance; she's so cunning!" Lü Qiao was angry on behalf of her County Princess.
Look at how angry the Crown Prince was with the County Princess just now, as if he were scolding her.
Princess Ningde narrowed her eyes coldly and said sternly, "Order someone to investigate. I want to know who saved the Crown Prince that night!"
A mere commoner's daughter dared to play tricks on her and make her brother have reservations about her.
She had to find the person who truly saved her brother!
"Yes! This servant will go and have someone investigate at once!"
…
A carrier pigeon landed on the windowsill.
Jing Heng happened to see it and took the carrier pigeon to find Qiu Lu.
These carrier pigeons usually had markings on their legs; they belonged to Qiu Lu's spies.
Qiu Lu was surprised to see Jing Heng bringing him a carrier pigeon, "You're bringing me a carrier pigeon?"
"I just happened to see it. Let's see what the news is," Jing Heng said with an indifferent expression, still rather proud.
Qiu Lu was also anxious to read the letter. He took the letter from the pigeon and immediately read it. His expression changed drastically.
"What's wrong?"