Leap Forward Comics: Watch How I Become a Villainess

Chapter 98 The Crown Prince's Intentions

"Are you still willing to follow me?"

Lu He pursed her lips: "Yes!" Her answer was without hesitation, but there was emotion in it.

She didn't answer "yes" but rather "yes".

If it weren't for the mission, she really wouldn't want to associate with someone like Li Cen. They were completely different people; one treated life like dirt, the other treasured it dearly…

But she had no other choice, so it was "yes" rather than "willing".

“You don’t have to force yourself.” Li Cen felt uncomfortable with her attitude, but couldn’t quite put her finger on why: “I can send you away from the capital, as long as you promise never to come back…”

"Your Highness!" Lu He didn't wait for her to continue, but stepped forward. Lu He's body was half a head taller than the princess. She approached her, stood up straight, and looked down at her. This was the first time she didn't have to bend down to look up at Li Cen.

Li Cen was startled by her actions and subconsciously looked up at her slightly. He didn't expect her to be so tall. Had she been bending over all the time before?

"Your Highness need not doubt my resolve." At this moment, Lu He adopted an equal stance with Li Cen. "No matter what kind of person you are, you are my unwavering choice!"

The lake in Li Cen's eyes was finally stirred.

"Why?" Why were you so determined to choose me?

Lu He took a deep breath and closed her eyes: "Because I want a day when women here can walk in the world without dressing as men, without calling themselves 'sir,' and without being inferior to others." As she spoke, she opened her eyes, her pupils shimmering with distinct layers of color and light: "And I know you can do it. You can turn this country into the way I envision it."

Lu He's bold words were actually what Princess Li Cen said to the female protagonist An Linqing at the end of the comic she was reading.

The regret she couldn't fulfill in the original comic book universe.

Sure enough, the dim night sky in Li Cen's eyes suddenly lit up with stars, and her eyelashes trembled slightly as she tried her best to hide her excitement.

Finally, have I found a kindred spirit?

East Palace.

The Crown Prince also noticed last night that Lu He glanced at the high platform in front of him before refusing the Emperor.

As clever as he was, he naturally guessed that it was at the behest of the eldest princess.

"This Mr. Lu actually rejected such a great temptation; he's truly remarkable," Grand Tutor Gao couldn't help but admire. Liu Qi, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement: "It seems her goal isn't power."

After being terrified by the Heavenly Palace last night, Liu Qi became completely obedient and went to the East Palace early this morning to huddle together with the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor.

He almost thought his life was in danger. Losing his position as Imperial Advisor was the least of his worries. When the Emperor asked Lu He if he was willing to become Imperial Advisor, he was terrified. Based on his past experience, Lu He's first act upon taking office would be to kill him, because that's how he treated the previous Imperial Advisor.

"Her refusal doesn't necessarily mean she lacks ambition; on the contrary, she might have even greater ambitions." The Crown Prince smiled and took a sip of tea. "However, she seems to be following my elder sister now. Although I don't know what my sister promised her, I think it's worth trying to win her over." This Lu He isn't someone who doesn't want power; what she probably wants is greater power, not just the position of Imperial Advisor.

“Indeed,” Grand Tutor Gao nodded in agreement, “This woman is certainly no ordinary person.”

"It seems I need to pay my respects in person." Crown Prince Li Guangqi took another sip of tea.

"If she does not submit, what will you do?" Grand Tutor Gao asked.

"Kill." Li Guangqi still smiled and spoke in the most relaxed tone about who would take a life.

"If Your Highness has already submitted to the Eldest Princess, I advise you not to act rashly, lest you offend her," Grand Tutor Gao suggested. "After all, Li Cen is still on Your Highness's side, and her people are essentially your resources, aren't they?"

Li Guangqi still wore an enigmatic smile. He gently shook his head and said, "It was my oversight. Thank you for reminding me, teacher."

Gao Yi, although you are more experienced than me, you don't understand my eldest sister. She is the same kind of person as me... Do you really think she will support me wholeheartedly?

Li Guangqi turned and walked out of the East Palace. The smile that was always on his face, like a mask, gradually disappeared. He knew perfectly well that his relationship with Li Cen was one of mutual exploitation. And he would only be more ruthless than Li Cen; emperors throughout history have been known for their coldness…