I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Liu Ruyan's pastry offensive ended in a dismal way that she never expected.

But she did not give up.

In her opinion, the reason why Xiao Jingshi and the others did not eat her pastries must be because they were soldiers who were used to eating simple meals and did not know how to appreciate such exquisite food.

So, she tried a different approach.

She refused to believe that there were men in this world who didn't love beautiful women or admire talented women.

On the second day of their journey, Liu Ruyan began to try different methods to get closer to Xiao Jingshi.

During breaks, she would sit under a willow tree with a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) in her arms and play melodious tunes. The music was indeed beautiful, and the artistic conception was quite lofty, attracting many soldiers to turn their heads and listen.

As she played, she secretly observed Xiao Jingshi not far away with her watery eyes, hoping that he would be attracted by her music and come over to play a piece with her.

However, Xiao Jingshi remained under a large tree the entire time, resting with his eyes closed, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

All he could think about was getting Ye An'an to cook him the most authentic Chongqing hot pot when he got back to Beijing. He wanted the nine-compartment kind, with a rich, buttery broth, overflowing with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. He'd dip a slice of fresh tripe in it, quickly flip it a few times, and then drizzle it with minced garlic and sesame oil—the taste…

Thinking of this, his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

What are lofty mountains and flowing water, what are refined and elegant music? For him, nothing compares to a steaming hot pot.

After the zither music was finished, Xiao Jingshi did not react.

Liu Ruyan refused to give up.

She changed her tactics again.

She knew that scholars and literati loved to compose poems and couplets. Although this "benefactor" looked like a military general, he had a refined temperament and extraordinary speech, so he must also be a man of literary talent.

Then, she "bumped into" Xiao Jingshi, who was looking at a map by the river.

"My benefactor," she began softly, "look at this mountain scenery, the green hills and clear waters, shrouded in mist and rain, truly like a traditional Chinese ink painting. I am but a humble woman, and have come up with two lines: 'The mountain colors are enchanting even in the rain, the water sparkles beautifully in the sunshine,' but... but I just can't think of the last two lines. I wonder if my benefactor could... offer some guidance?"

As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Jingshi with anticipation, her eyes filled with admiration for the "talented man".

Xie Zhao, who was standing to the side, grimaced as he listened.

My goodness, isn't this a poem by Su Dongpo? And it's called "just a couple of lines"? Sister, do you think our prince is illiterate?

Xiao Jingshi didn't even turn his head; his gaze remained fixed on the map as he studied which route was the shortest from here to the next town.

What he was thinking about was that the sooner he got to the next town, the sooner he could stay in a comfortable inn, the sooner he could return to the capital, and the sooner he could see Ye An'an.

He coldly uttered four words: "I don't like it."

Liu Ruyan was stunned: "My benefactor... what doesn't he like?"

"I don't like it when people are making noise around me while I'm thinking about important matters." Xiao Jingshi finally raised his head and glanced at her, his eyes as cold as ice.

He referred to himself as "this palace" and "I, the lonely one," clearly telling her his identity and his impatience.

Liu Ruyan's face turned completely white in an instant.

Even if she were naive, she would have discerned the warning in his voice. She hadn't expected the other person to be of such high status. Was he from the "palace"? Or...?

She dared not think any further, and quickly curtsied, her voice trembling, "It was...it was my rudeness, please...please forgive me, Your Highness."

She finally changed how she addressed him.

Xiao Jingshi ignored her and turned to leave.

After being hit one blow after another, Liu Ruyan finally calmed down for a while.

But deep down, she was a person who refused to admit defeat. She felt that the reason why His Highness the Crown Prince was so cold to her was because she had not taken the initiative enough and had not let him see her more "vulnerable" and more "protectable" side.

So, that evening, as the team was preparing to set up camp, she started causing trouble again.

As she walked, she suddenly cried out "Ouch!" and her body went limp as she collapsed to the ground beside her.

"Miss! Miss, what's wrong?" Her maid immediately rushed to support her in a panic.

"I...I feel so dizzy..." Liu Ruyan leaned against her maid's chest, her face pale and her breath weak, looking as if she was about to faint at any moment.

The commotion here naturally attracted the attention of Xiao Jingshi's side.

Xie Zhao was the first to rush over, anxiously asking, "Miss Liu, what's wrong? Are you suffering from heatstroke?"

"I...I'm fine..." Liu Ruyan shook her head weakly, her tearful eyes looking through the crowd at Xiao Jingshi not far away. The expectation and plea for help in her eyes were obvious.

She hoped he would come over and say something to show his concern, even if it was just asking a question.

However, Xiao Jingshi only glanced at her coldly before turning his head and instructing Changting beside him, "Go and have the accompanying military doctor come and examine her. If she is seriously ill, force-feed her a bowl of the bitterest medicine; I guarantee it will cure her."

After saying that, he walked straight to his tent, as if what had just fallen was just a blade of grass by the roadside.

Liu Ruyan: "..."

Hearing the Crown Prince's emotionless words, especially the phrase "give me a bowl of the bitterest medicine," she was so angry she almost fainted.

She pretended to be weak for so long, and this is what she got in return?

This man... is he even a man? Is his heart made of stone?

Xie Zhao listened from the side, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

He finally understood: this Miss Liu had misjudged the situation. Their prince was only interested in the "seductive and shameless" tactics of Ye An'an—her antics of jumping around and acting lawlessly were actually quite amusing to him. Someone like Liu Ruyan, with her "pure and innocent" weakness, was probably no different from noise in his eyes.

The military doctor arrived quickly, took Liu Ruyan's pulse, and finally concluded that Miss Liu was in good health and had no major problems. Perhaps it was due to her weak constitution and the fatigue from traveling.

Liu Ruyan's face flushed red and then turned pale, feeling utterly embarrassed.

She knew that her little trick had been seen through.

Lying in her carriage, listening to the occasional suppressed laughter of the soldiers outside, she felt a burning pain on her face.

She couldn't understand what she had done wrong.

Why could that man be so indifferent to me?

The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became. A crazy idea slowly took shape in her mind.