A Zhu fell silent. She dressed in silence, and only after a long while did she answer hoarsely, "Fine, I agree."
Song Qingshu hesitated, then added, "A Zhu, I know you hate me now. No amount of explanation would earn your forgiveness, so I will not explain. Stay in the palace for the time being and familiarize yourself with what needs to be done next."
After getting dressed, A Zhu said flatly, "Actually, I understand. If I had not once done you a favor, you would not need to go through so much trouble. You could have simply killed me."
Song Qingshu looked at her in surprise. He had not expected such a reaction. She truly was the understanding A Zhu from the original story—but being this understanding was a little... strange.
Sure enough, A Zhu immediately continued, "But do not expect me to be grateful to you or forgive you. I never will, not for the rest of my life!"
Song Qingshu was instantly relieved. Now this was the reaction she should have had. "A Zhu, you should be thinking of Brother Xiao. Remembering another man for a lifetime makes it very easy to fall in love with him."
A Zhu bit her lip and looked deeply at him. "Your smooth talk will not work on me."
Song Qingshu smiled faintly, utterly unconcerned. "You are Brother Xiao's woman. I never intended to flirt with you."
A Zhu's breath caught. You did far more than flirt with me just now—you even teased my thigh... there! But this was clearly not the time to argue with him over such matters, so she could only say with a stern face, "Can I leave now?"
"Of course. Someone, take Miss A Zhu to find a room to rest in..." Before Song Qingshu could