As soon as these words were spoken, one could clearly detect a flash of panic in Zhiyuan's clear and bright eyes.
Although it was only a moment, Lin Jiangnian still captured it keenly.
Is it really like this?
Is she really jealous?
Lin Jiangnian's mind flashed back to Xiao Zhu not long ago, and the time at Liuxiang Tower...
It seems that something is wrong with this little maid since she came to Liuxianglou?
"No."
However, Zhiyuan still rejected it coldly.
Apart from the flash of panic just now, there was no other strange expression on his face.
"Really?"
Lin Jiangnian continued to stare at her, trying to find some clues from her face.
However, Zhiyuan remained expressionless and unmoved. Even though Lin Jiangnian stared at her for a long time, he still couldn't detect any emotion on her face.
Facing Lin Jiangnian's stare, Zhiyuan slowly lowered her eyes and said expressionlessly, "I'm tired. I need to rest."
"You haven't eaten yet."
"Not hungry."
“…”
Lin Jiangnian gave up.
This little maid was like a cold stone. No matter how eloquent Lin Jiangnian was, she remained unmoved.
It seems that words are no longer effective. If I want to make her surrender, the only way is to use violence.
However, after weighing the difference in strength between the two, Lin Jiangnian gave up the idea.
This little maidservant was now showing signs of rebellion, not taking her master seriously at all. If Lin Jiangnian used force, it would probably backfire.
"Then you should rest early."
Lin Jiangnian did not expose Zhiyuan's lie and got up and left the room.
He left very decisively.
It was so straightforward that even the kite seemed a little surprised.
After the door was closed, Zhiyuan sat quietly at the table, staring at herself in the bronze mirror. In the mirror, her fair and beautiful face was still reflected.
Still expressionless!
She stared silently for a long time without saying a word.
But the hint of confusion in those originally clear eyes became even more intense.
It didn't dissipate for a long time.
Outside the door.
Lin Jiangnian had not walked a few steps out of the room when he saw a familiar figure under the eaves of a nearby house.
Small bamboo.
Xiao Zhu, wearing a light blue skirt, stood timidly under the eaves. Seeing His Highness coming out, she hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Highness..."
"Sister Zhiyuan...what happened to her?"
Xiaozhu felt that Sister Zhiyuan was a little strange.
I haven't seen you for a long time, and Sister Zhiyuan seems to have changed a lot.
Not only was he a little cold towards her today, he had been staying in his room since he came back.
This made Xiaozhu a little worried.
"fine."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head.
Xiao Zhu was worried: "Sister Zhiyuan, is it true that you don't like Xiao Zhu..."
Her voice was a little weak: "I think Sister Zhiyuan is a little unhappy today..."
Even Xiao Zhu could see it, which was enough to prove that there was indeed something wrong with the kite.
It really seems like he is angry!
But why angry?
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment: "Xiao Zhu!"
"Hmm?" Xiao Zhu raised his eyes worriedly, his dark pupils flashing with anxiety.
Lin Jiangnian glanced behind him, his brows slightly raised: "Help this prince do something."
…
Night falls.
In the room.
After gradually coming to his senses, Zhiyuan slowly stood up and looked out the window. It was already late.
Her injuries had not yet healed, and she forced herself to attack today. Although she was not injured, the exercise still consumed a lot of her internal energy and spirit, and she felt sleepy at this moment.
Just as I was about to go to rest, I heard footsteps in the corridor outside the door again.
She stopped and looked up.
There was a knock on the door, followed by a cautious voice: "Sister Zhiyuan?"
Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, and then a hint of unintentional coldness emerged in his eyes.
When the chill disappeared, she said calmly, "Come in."
“Squeak!”
The door was pushed open.
Xiaozhu, dressed in a skirt, appeared outside the door and looked around the room cautiously.
"Sister Zhiyuan, His Highness asked me to come and bring you some food."
There was no response, and the room was silent.
Xiao Zhu glanced over and saw Sister Zhiyuan standing in a room not far away, staring at her outside the door. For some reason, she always felt that Sister Zhiyuan's gaze was a bit sharp, and there was an indescribable sense of panic when it fell on her.
Xiao Zhu subconsciously wanted to turn around and run away.
But when he thought of His Highness's instructions, he swallowed secretly, took a deep breath, and walked into the room cautiously.
In her hands, she was carrying a meal freshly prepared from the kitchen, which she carefully placed on the table beside her. She looked up at Sister Zhiyuan and whispered, "Sister Zhiyuan, you haven't eaten anything today. This, this is something His Highness ordered me to bring to you..."
After Xiao Zhu finished explaining in a low voice, there was still no response and the room seemed to fall into an eerie silence.
Xiao Zhu was anxious and cautious. She looked up cautiously, but her eyes met Zhi Yuan's. Zhi Yuan stared at her for a long time, and Xiao Zhu even felt a little scared.
Sister Zhiyuan, what on earth is going on?
Why does the look in her eyes seem so wrong and dangerous?
This made Xiao Zhu feel extremely uneasy.
Did she offend Sister Zhiyuan in some way?
The little head thought carefully, but still couldn't remember how he had offended Sister Zhiyuan.
Could it be...
The next moment, Xiao Zhu thought of something.
Her little face turned slightly pale, and she suddenly remembered...
When she was still in Prince Lin's Mansion, Sister Zhiyuan placed her by His Highness's side, and she would report His Highness's whereabouts to Sister Zhiyuan at any time.
However, she was later discovered to be a traitor by His Highness, and under His Highness's threat, Xiaozhu was forced to rebel...
Could it be that Sister Zhiyuan knows about this?
Sister Zhiyuan knew that she had betrayed again?
Thinking of this, Xiao Zhu's face immediately became panicked and he subconsciously lowered his head, not daring to look at Sister Zhiyuan again. His mind was in a mess.
It’s over!
Sister Zhiyuan must be very angry!
Sister Zhiyuan trusted her so much, but she was threatened by His Highness and secretly betrayed Sister Zhiyuan...
If it were her, she would be angry too!
Sister Zhiyuan was so good to her, how could she let Sister Zhiyuan down and do something to let her down?
Thinking of this, Xiao Zhu felt extremely guilty.
"Sister Zhiyuan..."
Xiao Zhu felt so ashamed that he couldn't face his own face. Just when he was about to say something, he heard Zhiyuan's calm voice.
"You should step back first."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhu felt not relieved, but even heavier. Just as he was about to say something, he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.
Finally, she bit her lower lip and nodded, nervously preparing to leave the room. Just as she reached the door, she heard Zhiyuan speak again.
"etc."
Xiao Zhu's delicate body trembled, her whole body tensed. "Sister Zhiyuan, is there anything else you want to say?"
In the room, Zhiyuan stared at her back, and there seemed to be some complexity in his cold eyes.
But in the end, she said nothing.
"It's okay, you can go down first."
“…”
In the side yard.
"Zhiyuan really didn't say anything?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised and looked at Xiaozhu who seemed a little confused in the yard.
Xiao Zhu lowered his head slightly: "Hmm..."
"Sister Zhiyuan didn't say anything, but, but I feel that Sister Zhiyuan is angry with Xiaozhu..."
After Xiaozhu came back, he anxiously told His Highness everything that had happened before.
After listening to this, Lin Jiangnian was thoughtful. He wanted to let Xiaozhu give it a try, but he didn't expect that she would back down first.
Seeing Xiao Zhu lowering her head with a guilty look, he gently touched her head: "Okay, don't worry, Zhiyuan is not such a petty person, why would she be angry with you?"
"But……"
"If I'm really mad at you, I'll go talk to her later. If she doesn't listen..."
Lin Jiang laughed young: "It's not too late for you to prepare."
Xiao Zhu was startled: "Preparing for what?"
"Be prepared to be beaten."
Lin Jiangnian pinched her and said, "You're such a traitor at such a young age. Zhiyuan will definitely beat your ass into pieces."
“…”
Just then, a voice came from outside the door.
"Commander Lin is back."
"Qingqing is back?"
Lin Jiangnian looked up and saw Xiaozhu nervously covering her little butt, and didn't tease her any more: "Okay, stop thinking about it and go get some rest."
After comforting Xiao Zhu, Lin Jiangnian turned and walked to the front hall of the house.
In the front hall, Lin Qingqing waited for a long time.
"Your Highness."
Lin Qingqing stepped forward quickly and said with a bow, "I have followed your instructions and brought Wang Qin back."
"Where is he?"
Lin Jiangnian asked.
"I will be held in a secret room in the adjacent courtyard, awaiting your Highness's disposal."
Lin Jiangnian nodded in satisfaction after hearing this. He then looked at Lin Qingqing, who looked exhausted from the journey, and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
"This is what my subordinates should do."
Lin Qingqing spoke in a deep voice, and seemed to think of something: "By the way, I heard that Your Highness wanted to see me for something?"
Lin Jiangnian nodded: "Indeed, there is one more thing I need you to do."
"Your Highness, please give your orders."
Lin Jiangnian glanced outside the courtyard: "What's the situation in the city now?"
Lin Qingqing said, "The governor's office has learned of Wang Qin's disappearance. Now the city is full of their spies. They are looking for Wang Qin..."
Lin Jiangnian nodded and said, "My guess is correct. Wang Shiquan cares a lot about his son. If nothing unexpected happens, he will find you soon."
"Looking for me?"
Lin Qingqing was startled, as if a little surprised: "Why are you looking for me?"
"Wang Qin is missing. Who do you think is the most likely person to have kidnapped him?"
Lin Qingqing thought about it and quickly realized something: "Your Highness, what you mean is..."
"Wang Shiquan will definitely doubt you."
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes. "Now they all believe that this prince is dead, and as the commander of his personal army, you will definitely avenge him..."
"Wang Qin's disappearance must be seen as an act of revenge by you in their eyes."
Hearing this, Lin Qingqing understood instantly, and her expression immediately turned cold: "Your Highness, don't worry, I will be careful and won't let them find any traces."
"No."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly: "Not only must you disclose your whereabouts openly, but you must also proactively reveal your information so that the Wang family can find and contact you."
"If the Wang family invites you, you have to go to the Wang family."
Lin Qingqing was a little confused: "Your Highness, why do you do this?"
"Go meet Wang Shiquan."
A cold smile appeared on Lin Jiangnian's face: "Help me test him..."
“…”
early morning.
After dawn, the fog had not yet completely dissipated, and there was a bit of white frost hanging on the grass in the yard.
The weather is getting colder!
Lin Jiangnian woke up in the morning, yawned, wrapped himself in clothes, opened the door and walked out. The cold wind blew through the courtyard, and he subconsciously wrapped himself in clothes.
It’s getting cold!
I wasn’t used to sleeping alone last night!
It’s not cold!
But it's definitely not warm enough.
Lin Jiangnian inexplicably missed the days when he and Zhiyuan shared a bed in the small mountain village. Even though they hadn't done anything, and hadn't even taken advantage of each other...it was still as comfortable as sleeping alone.
But after returning from the small mountain village, I no longer have this opportunity.
Thinking of Zhiyuan's cold face, Lin Jiangnian shook his head with some regret.
It seems that I have to ask Xiaozhu to help warm the bed tonight.
After making up my mind, I stepped out of the room and saw Xiaozhu walking towards me.
"Your Highness, are you awake?!"
Xiao Zhu's eyes were bright as she walked into the room with a hot water towel and busied herself helping Lin Jiangnian wash and change clothes.
After dinner, Lin Jiangnian finally remembered something: "Where's the kite?"
"Sister Zhiyuan woke up early, but went back to her room after breakfast."
"How did she react?"
Seeing Xiaozhu pouting slightly and lowering her head, Lin Jiangnian understood.
"I'll go take a look."
Lin Jiangnian patted Xiaozhu's head comfortingly, then stood up and prepared to go find Zhiyuan. After taking two steps, he thought of something and turned in another direction.
In the room.
Zhiyuan sat on the windowsill, looking at the scenery outside the window with a dazed look on his face.
The sun had just risen, a ray of morning light slowly shining into the yard. It wasn't warm, and the weather was still a little cold.
Her eyes fell on the grass growing in the corner of the courtyard, and then she slowly looked up at the sky outside the courtyard. Her expression was neither happy nor sad, as if she was wandering in the sky.
Until the sound of the door being pushed open behind her woke her up.
She had no habit of locking the door, and no one ever dared to enter her room without permission.
Except for a certain shameless Prince Lin!
"What are you looking at?"
A slightly impolite voice sounded, and the shameless Lin Jiangnian appeared behind her at some point.
Zhiyuan didn't turn around or look at him, still staring out the window in a daze.
But the next second, the window was suddenly closed.
Lin Jiangnian closed the window and walked up to her.
Zhiyuan frowned slightly, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just came to see you."
Lin Jiang smiled young: "Are you still angry?"
Zhiyuan retracted her gaze: "Why should I be angry?"
"I don't know, but your expression right now is as if I owe you a lot of money."
The kite remained silent.
But out of the corner of his eye, he inadvertently glanced at the bronze mirror not far away.
"Forget it, put aside whether you're angry or not, and get down to business first."
As he spoke, Lin Jiangnian took out a palm-sized porcelain bottle from his arms and placed it in front of Zhiyuan.
Zhiyuan glanced at it, confused.
"Heavenly Ointment."
Lin Jiangnian explained, "I promised you the ointment in the small mountain village!"
"Your back injury hasn't fully healed yet. This genuine Tianxiang ointment is more effective."
“It’s time to apply the medicine!”
“…”
