Chapter 382: Take Me into the Palace
Seeing the Third Prince admit so calmly and openly that he had been looking into her, Yu Luo’s lips twitched.
“In that case, what exactly do you want from me, Your Highness?”
Seeing the wariness in her gaze, the Third Prince’s smile widened.
“It seems that Xiao Luo doesn’t trust me at all. Have you ever considered that maybe—just maybe—I’m worried about you?”
“You don’t have to worry,” Yu Luo said flatly. “As long as you don’t expose my identity, no one should be able to recognize me. So, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now. It’s getting late.”
The Third Prince sighed helplessly.
“You’re just as distant as you were in the frontier. But tell me this—why would you take such a huge risk to come back to the capital? If you tell me, maybe… I could actually help you.”
This time, his expression grew serious, and his voice carried a genuine sincerity.
Yu Luo hesitated.
She weighed her options for a moment, then made up her mind—she would take a gamble.
After all, just waiting outside for news of her mother was unbearable. If she could find a way into the palace, she could at least confirm her mother’s safety.
“You really want to help me?”
Seeing her caution, the Third Prince raised a hand and made a swearing gesture—his face full of amused exasperation.
“I swear,” he said, his tone half-joking. “You’re my life-saving benefactor. I’d feel guilty if anything happened to you. Besides—if I wanted to harm you, do you really think I’d need to go through all this trouble?”
“Fair enough. You have no reason to harm me,” Yu Luo admitted. “Then… can you take me into the palace?”
The Third Prince: …
He laughed dryly.
“Ah. I’ve really brought trouble upon myself, haven’t I?”
“If it’s too much trouble,” Yu Luo said indifferently, “just pretend I never asked.”
She stood up to leave, but before she could even take a step—
The Third Prince moved even faster.
He pressed a hand firmly on her shoulder, forcing her back into her seat.
“You’re so impatient,” he chuckled. “I was just surprised that you want to enter the palace. I never said I wouldn’t take you. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”
“If you find it too troublesome, I have no intention of forcing you.”
“You really haven’t changed,” the Third Prince mused. “Even though we didn’t spend much time together in the frontier, I could already tell—you’re the type who keeps everyone at a distance. But here’s what puzzles me—for someone as stunning as you, how is it that I’ve never seen you before in the capital? With the Marquis’ status, I should have at least heard of you.”
“Your Highness must be joking,” Yu Luo replied. “You’ve already investigated me, haven’t you? I’m just the illegitimate granddaughter of the Marquis. My status is too low to have ever entered the noble social circles. It’s completely normal that you’ve never seen me before. But, Your Highness—can we not stray from the main topic?”
Seeing her straightforward attitude, the Third Prince chuckled.
“Fine. Tomorrow at dawn, wait for me at the alley entrance. My men will come pick you up.”
Back at the courtyard, when Yu Luo returned, Chi Jinchen was already sitting in the courtyard, leisurely drinking tea, as if he had been waiting for her.
Seeing her approach, Xuan Qi immediately stepped forward.
“Miss Yu, the kitchen has prepared dinner. Would you like to eat now?”
“No need,” Yu Luo said. “I’m feeling a bit tired.”
Without another word, she walked straight to Chi Jinchen’s table and sat across from him.
“You went out today,” he said casually, taking a sip of tea.
“Good thing your aunt didn’t recognize you. But there’s good news—your mother should be able to begin the Emperor’s treatment tomorrow. If all goes well, she should be able to leave the palace soon.”
“Really?!” Yu Luo’s eyes lit up.
“That’s amazing! Hardly anyone in the palace would recognize my mother, and the Crown Prince should be helping her stay under the radar. But… those who don’t want the Emperor to live might try to interfere.”
Chi Jinchen’s gaze deepened slightly.
“Xiao Luo, you seem to understand palace politics quite well.”
“Not really,” she replied. “I just made a logical guess. But I did notice—you and the Third Prince seem very familiar with each other.”
Chi Jinchen’s expression remained calm, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“The Third Prince and I are cousins. Nothing more to it.”
“I see,” Yu Luo mused. “Actually, I’ve met the Third Prince before. We ran into each other earlier on my way back. He promised to take me into the palace tomorrow. I want to check on my mother.”
Chi Jinchen looked slightly surprised.
Not because she knew the Third Prince—but because she was willing to tell him about her plans.
“Tomorrow is the critical day for your mother’s surgery,” he said.
“If you suddenly show up, won’t it distract her?”
He leaned back slightly.
“Xiao Luo, you don’t have to take such a big risk. I’ve already arranged for someone inside the palace. Once your mother finishes the operation, my people will escort her out—before the Crown Prince even has a chance to go back on his word.”
Yu Luo was caught off guard.
She hadn’t expected Chi Jinchen to have already thought this far ahead.
“I appreciate it,” she said gratefully. “But I only plan to sneak in and take a quick look.”
Seeing her determined expression, Chi Jinchen didn’t press further.
Instead, his gaze turned sharp.
“You claim to know very few people in the capital,” he mused, “but it seems you’re rather close to the Fifth Prince.”
Yu Luo’s body tensed slightly.
Seeing her instinctive wariness, Chi Jinchen sighed in exasperation.
“Xiao Luo,” he said. “You don’t need to look at me like that. I’m not trying to pry into your past. But… if the Fifth Prince is truly your friend, then as a favor to you, I’ll give you a piece of advice—tell him to stay away from the Fourth Prince.”
Yu Luo’s fingers tightened slightly around her sleeve.
“Do you know something?”
She hesitated, then added, “A’Bai and I… were friends before the Emperor recognized him.”
Chi Jinchen simply smiled faintly.
“Xiao Luo, that’s all I can say,” he said.
Then, he stood up.
“Get some rest.”
With that, he turned and left for his room.
Yu Luo stared after him, her thoughts weighing heavily on her mind.
Actually, even without Chi Jinchen’s warning, she already knew—many people wouldn’t accept A’Bai’s existence.
But now…
Chi Jinchen’s words made it feel even more dangerous.
The next morning, Yu Luo woke up early to change her disguise, then left the courtyard after informing Xuan Qi.
At the alley entrance, just as promised—
The Third Prince’s carriage was already waiting.
