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...Your Majesty, he softly called him.

Mmm?

Thank you.

What are you thanking me for?

Li Chenjing raised the scroll in his hand, curling his lips into a faint smile, shaking it slightly, his meaning clear without words.

He was saying that nothing mattered more than the trust between the two of them. Even with the powerful Liu family and Rongrong's father paving the way for her to enter the palace and bribing the painters, for the sake of the trust between them, he could afford to offend them and would never summon Rongrong into the palace.

I already said it. I don't like fragile, porcelain-doll-like little sisters like that.

Then there is no need to force yourself to like a girl with dark bruises around her eyes, no manners, and who can fall asleep over the imperial selection portrait album, is there?

She has her strong points, too. Look, her handwriting is quite good.

Li Chenjing leaned in closer, looking at the line of small characters at the bottom of the portrait album: Green reeds and red ripples accompany the spring breeze, orioles sing sweetly while carp leap in red.

The handwriting was small and forceful, not looking like it came from the weak and soft wrist of a young maiden, carrying quite a bit of masculine and heroic flavor.

It seems she has a bit of talent after all. Yet these verses truly do not match the person portrayed.

I actually think she did this on purpose.

On purpose? How so?

Waiting for me to take up the next line. He touched his chin. She must be unhappy that she was the only one being picked and chosen, and wants to test my scholarship. Let's see if I can match the verse she fancies.

...Oh? Then can you