Chapter Fourteen: The Eldest Miss Xu

Inside the room.

Lin Jiangnian, who had stormed off in anger earlier, now sat expressionless at the table, his face drained of any emotion.

He recalled the previous scene, and a chill still ran through his heart.

Closing his eyes, the image of Chen Yingying’s fierce and vengeful gaze as she bit her tongue to take her own life surfaced vividly in his mind.

Though he knew her hatred was directed at the Crown Prince Lin, Lin Jiangnian couldn’t help but feel a twinge of shock.

Back in the dungeon, he had restrained himself as much as possible, but Chen Yingying’s sudden suicide still struck him deeply.

Had he revealed any weakness?

Would Ziyan suspect anything?

Lin Jiangnian wasn’t sure—she was too deeply hidden. Behind her calm and stunningly beautiful exterior lay a mind that was meticulous and profound.

Impossible to read!

Yet Lin Jiangnian had a premonition, like an instinct sensing danger… Ziyan was still suspicious of him.

She might not doubt his true identity, but she certainly harbored doubts in some regard.

That was not good news for Lin Jiangnian.

Taking several deep breaths, it was only after a long while that he gradually calmed down.

From now on, he needed to be even more cautious, never revealing the slightest flaw again.

Fortunately, Chen Yingying was the top courtesan of the pleasure house and likely the only person besides Ziyan who knew the Crown Prince Lin well. Now that she was dead, it might be good news for Lin Jiangnian.

Some matters would now remain forever without witnesses.

Earlier, Lin Jiangnian had deliberately made things difficult for Lin Kong in front of Ziyan, partly to test the loyalty of the Crown Prince’s personal guard captain and partly to put on a show for Ziyan, easing her suspicions.

Looking back, though the Crown Prince seemed grand and illustrious, the reality appeared otherwise.

As his thoughts swirled, a sudden sound of footsteps approached outside the door.

The next moment—

Bang!

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open, and a figure burst in with great urgency.

Lin Jiangnian squinted, lifting his gaze to see a man?

No.

Lin Jiangnian furrowed his brow, then relaxed. More precisely, it was a “man” disguised as a woman.

An exquisitely delicate and refined face, small and symmetrical features, fine eyebrows, bright eyes, a perfect nose, and cherry-red lips—clearly a woman.

Only she wore clothing styled more like a man’s, and with her slightly tall stature, at first glance she truly looked like a handsome, fair-skinned young man.

But beyond that, Lin Jiangnian’s gaze fell on the “brother’s” flat chest and he understood the reason immediately.

Some people were simply born to be brothers!

At that moment, the “brother” stormed into the room and, upon seeing Lin Jiangnian, paused with a stunned expression, eyes wide as she appraised him up and down.

“You’re not dead?!”

“...”

Her shocked and surprised look suggested that Lin Jiangnian’s survival was quite unexpected.

If it had been anyone else, daring to speak to the Crown Prince Lin like this would have meant being dragged out to the dogs long ago.

But this person was different.

Lin Jiangnian studied her carefully; her features matched someone the red-clad woman mentioned last night.

Miss Xu of the Xu family—Xu Lan.

...

“So? You’re not dead, and you’re disappointed?”

Lin Jiangnian dismissed his thoughts and glanced at her.

“Of course!” Xu Lan’s shock faded as she stepped forward, clicking her tongue. “What a pity. You’re such a menace, and yet you survived. Truly a calamity that lingers for a thousand years…”

Lin Jiangnian sneered coldly. “So you came here today just to see if I was dead?”

“What else?” Xu Lan shrugged, matter-of-fact. “Given our ‘friendship,’ do you think I’m here out of kindness?”

Seeing Lin Jiangnian silent, Xu Lan looked regretful. “When I heard you were assassinated, I thought I’d come see you off and maybe crash a meal at your manor… but you actually survived?!”

“Since the mood’s like this, maybe you should just leave.”

Lin Jiangnian looked at this outspoken woman calmly.

The Xu family was a prominent household in Linjiang City, long allied with the Lin family. Their elders had maintained close ties for generations.

Xu Lan’s grandfather was the current Minister of Rites, who had once shown great favor to Lin Hengzhong over a decade ago. Even after Lin Hengzhong was granted his princely title, the Xu and Lin families remained closely connected.

The Xu family rose to prominence in Linjiang City thanks to Lin Hengzhong’s support, all to repay past kindness.

And Xu Lan was the beloved eldest daughter of the Xu family.

She was probably the only person in the world who dared to openly insult the Crown Prince Lin without fear.

Though Xu Lan and the Crown Prince had known each other since childhood, their relationship was poor. The Crown Prince’s irresponsible and bullying behavior was abhorrent to Xu Lan.

Her straightforward and bold personality lacked any trace of the gentle and virtuous demeanor expected of a woman, so she was equally unappealing to the Crown Prince.

However, due to the connection between the Lin and Xu families, despite their mutual animosity, they had known each other for so many years. Plus, Lin Hengzhong favored his niece and often warned the Crown Prince.

Thus, the Crown Prince dared not act recklessly toward Xu Lan.

Still, their relationship was far from cordial. When they met, it was either passive-aggressive or taunting for amusement.

Look!

Now that Lin Jiangnian had gotten into trouble, she had rushed over at the first news just to feast on the spectacle!

“Hey, why don’t you tell me how you survived?”

Xu Lan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I heard the assassin this time was especially skilled. Even your third-rank Daoist warrior was slain. How on earth did you manage to cling to life?”

Lin Jiangnian glanced at her sideways. “I am blessed with great fortune; my life was not meant to end.”

“Oh, do you have any shame?”

Xu Lan crossed her arms, sneering. “From what I see, you probably wet your pants in fear, curled up in a corner trembling.”

Lin Jiangnian ignored her.

But Xu Lan wasn’t about to let him off. His survival seemed to disappoint her a little. Sitting opposite him, she rested her face on her hand and clicked her tongue. “You, this menace, still alive, means the people of Linjiang City will suffer again… You don’t know how many citizens started planning fireworks celebrations when they heard you were assassinated…”

Lin Jiangnian glanced at her; perhaps that was the only truly feminine trait she had—being talkative.

...

“What are you staring at?” Xu Lan noticed Lin Jiangnian’s odd gaze and shot him a wary glance.

Lin Jiangnian asked, “Are you really that idle?”

“What else?” Xu Lan raised her eyebrows. As the eldest daughter of the Xu family, she neither worried about money nor bore any family duties.

So, she was free all day long.

Otherwise, how would she have time to come mock Lin Jiangnian?

“If you’re really that bored, go find someone to marry.”

Lin Jiangnian shook his head. “I have no time to entertain you.”

“Hah!”

Xu Lan sneered, lifting her head with a hint of pride. “I’m not getting married.”

“That figures.”

Lin Jiangnian seemed to have thought of something, glanced at her, and nodded. “You probably can’t get married, either.”

Xu Lan noticed the teasing glint in his eyes, and her expression instantly changed, anger flaring. “What did you say?!”

“Who said I can’t get married?!”

“Then have you gotten married?”

“I just don’t want to marry!”

“Well then, isn’t that the same as not being able to marry?”

“...”

Xu Lan stormed off, slamming the door behind her in fury.

She came fast and left fast, just like her fiery, decisive personality.

Lin Jiangnian breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Xu Lan had known the Crown Prince since childhood, she was likely familiar with him despite their poor relationship. Spending too much time with her risked exposing his identity.

He had to find a way to send her away.

But compared to the cold and icy maid Ziyan, Xu Lan seemed loud and somewhat foolish.

She should be easy enough to fool.

Night fell.

After his usual meal and bath, Lin Jiangnian dismissed the servants and returned alone to his room.

The dimly lit room.

Turning around, Lin Jiangnian saw a familiar figure in red standing by the table.

The flickering lantern light illuminated an extraordinarily beautiful face.

She had been waiting for him for some time.

...