Chapter 126: Flattery Done Right, Life Done Bright

"Quiet! The Prince is known for his consideration toward his subordinates. He hasn't said a word about 10009's injury, has he? Your Prince is a man who dominates the battlefield; in his daily life, he is magnanimous and free-spirited—would he really concern himself with such trifles? It is your constant nagging that lowers the Prince's stature." Su Jingluo knew well that Xiao Jingxuan was prone to jealousy. Faced with his predatory expression, she decided to shower him with flattery; she knew that as long as the praise was loud enough, life would be smooth sailing.

Zhuo Yue'an was left stunned, wondering when the Princess had become so adept at buttering people up. With those few sentences, even if the Prince had wanted to make trouble, the platform she had built for him was so high that he would surely break his neck if he tried to climb down. He had no choice but to accept it.

In truth, Xiao Jingxuan never accepted excuses from others, but Su Jingluo’s praise was different. It felt like a gentle spring breeze, soothing and comforting. The dark clouds on his handsome face had dissipated, and a hint of a smile even played at the corners of his eyes.

Seeing this, Zhuo Yue'an realized he no longer needed to worry about 10009 and silently took a step back.

"How did you fall?" Xiao Jingxuan, determined to maintain the persona Su Jingluo had crafted for him, immediately transformed into a benevolent leader and began inquiring about 10009’s injuries. In fact, Agent 15 had not dared to withhold the truth from Xiao Jingxuan, as their duty was to monitor, observe, protect, and report in secret; hiding facts would violate their professional code. However, they had not dared to mention that 10009 had fallen asleep.

10009’s face flushed instantly. Just as he was about to report the truth, Su Jingluo stepped in, blocking his line of sight with Xiao Jingxuan.

"He was saving me," Su Jingluo quickly took the blame upon herself.

"Saving you? What were you doing that required saving, resulting in such a serious fall?" Xiao Jingxuan had not heard from his secret guards that 10009 was injured while saving the Princess.

"Well, it’s like this... I didn't have anything to do last night, so I climbed onto the roof to lift a few tiles." Having prepared no draft for her lie, Su Jingluo found it incredibly difficult to spin. She stammered and stuttered for a long time before coming up with such a flimsy excuse.

"Climbing onto the roof to lift tiles? Why? Is that a hobby of yours?" Xiao Jingxuan was taken aback. It was obvious that Su Jingluo was lying.

"Ah, no, that is, well..." Su Jingluo wished she could slap herself; this lie was impossible to patch up.

"Why are you stuttering?" Watching Su Jingluo’s embarrassed expression, Xiao Jingxuan found her quite adorable and deliberately continued to press her.

Beside them, Zhuo Yue'an and Rui Huan were anxious, their brains racing to come up with a reason to help the Princess cover her lie. They were practically on the verge of inventing excuses for her, but the lie was so bizarre that they couldn't think of anything plausible, leaving them to fret in silence.

"Ugh, it’s just that I fell while on the roof, and I was too embarrassed to admit it, hence the stuttering." Su Jingluo’s mind was buzzing; as expected, one lie requires countless others to fill the gaps.

Behind her, 10009 was dying of anxiety. He was on the verge of blurting out the truth, but Su Jingluo shot him a glare, and he was forced to shut his mouth. To admit the truth early on would have been to admit a dereliction of duty, which might cost him his position as a secret guard, but that would be acceptable. To confess now would be to personally expose Su Jingluo’s ruse. He felt guilty for making her lie to the Prince on his behalf.

"Then why were you on the roof?" Xiao Jingxuan persisted. It was a scene of monumental awkwardness; everyone except Xiao Jingxuan felt like scratching the walls in their discomfort.