Chapter 16: That Is Not My Cup of Tea

The next morning, Lin Jiangnian woke up as usual. Soon after, the door was knocked, and the same maids from yesterday appeared to assist His Highness with dressing and washing. Unsurprisingly, the little maid from yesterday timidly followed behind them, keeping her head lowered as if trying to go unnoticed.

She cautiously glanced up, stealing a tentative look at the Young Lord. When she realized his gaze was fixed on her, she quickly lowered her head like a startled bird. Her delicate face flushed crimson, and her heart pounded anxiously, nervous and uneasy.

“Everyone else, leave,” Lin Jiangnian said, eyes lingering on her with a meaningful look. He waved his hand, “She can stay.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The two maids understood immediately that the Young Lord preferred the little maid from yesterday, so after putting down their things, they quietly exited and closed the door behind them.

The faint sound of the door closing made the little maid’s heart leap wildly. Her fingers intertwined and reddened slightly from the tension. She dared not look up.

Thankfully, Sister Zhiyuan had arrived in time yesterday, or else His Highness might have...

But then she remembered it was she who had accidentally fallen into His Highness’s arms yesterday, and her face burned even brighter.

“Look up.”

His Highness’s voice was emotionless.

The little maid’s slender frame stiffened as she cautiously lifted her exquisitely delicate, yet flushed and flustered face.

Her dark pupils were filled with panic as she stammered, “Y-Your Highness...”

Lin Jiangnian quietly regarded the anxious little maid before him. Compared to the two maids just now, she seemed easier to coax. Her pitiful appearance stirred an almost mischievous desire to tease her.

“What are you standing there for?”

His tone turned stern. “Hurry and come attend to me while I dress!”

“Ah, oh...” The little maid snapped out of her daze, cheeks burning as she carefully stepped forward, trembling as she reached out to help dress the Young Lord.

The moment her slender hand touched his body, she felt a soft, warm breath and immediately recalled yesterday’s incident. Her face flushed deeper, like a ripe apple tempting one to take a bite.

Nervous and clumsy, her movements trembled and unfamiliar. After struggling for a long time, she still couldn’t fasten his clothes. The little maid was on the verge of tears.

“Take your time, no rush,” came Lin Jiangnian’s emotionless voice at her ear.

Her body shivered, afraid to look up but stealing a glance to see His Highness’s impassive face and emotionless tone.

Yet somehow, she sensed no anger or blame from him.

Her heart relaxed slightly, and after much fumbling, she finally managed to help him put on his clothes.

---

Standing before the mirror, Lin Jiangnian saw reflected a graceful young man. Clad in an elegant blue robe embroidered with a python pattern, a golden silk belt wound around his waist, exuding a distinguished and refined aura. His features were clear and handsome, his demeanor dignified with a hint of gentle elegance.

Beside him, the little maid cautiously peered through the mirror, silently observing her lord. Seeing the imposing yet cultured figure reflected, she became momentarily entranced.

His Highness was different from what the other maids had described.

They had said he was hot-tempered, capricious, quick to anger, often punishing and scolding them. One maid had even been beaten for half a night after being too slow in attending him.

But...

Lowering her head, the little maid recalled just now: despite her slow and awkward movements, His Highness neither dragged her away to be beaten nor seemed angry.

Tilting her head, a hint of confusion and bewilderment appeared in her bright eyes.

---

Lin Jiangnian soon noticed the little maid shyly spying from behind him in the mirror’s reflection. Her puzzled expression was quite endearing.

“What are you looking at?”

He immediately turned, face stern and expressionless.

“Ah...” The little maid hurriedly bowed her head, flustered. “N-nothing, I wasn’t looking at anything...”

Seeing her so easily flustered, Lin Jiangnian did not press further. He glanced toward the door. “Where is Zhiyuan?”

The little maid lowered her head, whispering, “Your Highness, Sister Zhiyuan has gone out.”

“Where did she go?”

“I don’t know...” she whispered softly.

Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “So she’s not in the mansion now?”

“Mm...” she nodded.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Within the Lin residence, the greatest threat to him was Zhiyuan. Whenever facing her, Lin Jiangnian had to be extremely vigilant, cautious to the utmost.

Now learning she was not in the mansion, he felt much more at ease.

“I’m hungry. I will eat now,” he said, glancing at the still-daydreaming little maid, gently patting her head.

The sudden touch stunned her. When she came to, her cheeks flushed deeply, and she nervously said, “Breakfast, breakfast is ready. Your Highness, please follow me...”

With that, she almost ran out of the room.

---

With Zhiyuan absent from the Lin residence today, Lin Jiangnian’s relief was accompanied by a surge of determination.

Not only did he have to prevent his identity from being exposed, but he also needed to find out who the woman in red was.

And what kind of poisonous charm she had unleashed.

Last night’s experience had left Lin Jiangnian shaken; she had probably been wary from the start that he might neutralize the poison!

His expression darkened at the thought.

Without understanding the poison, his life would remain controlled by her, a puppet in her hands. Once her goal was achieved, death would be his inevitable fate.

“Poisonous charm…”

Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes, recalling the people surrounding the woman in red, silent in thought.

Such sinister poisons were rarely in the hands of ordinary people. If he could trace the origins of those around her, perhaps he could find some clues...

Just as Lin Jiangnian pondered his next move, a familiar figure burst in again, full of energy.

He looked up and saw the same person from yesterday... a fellow guest?

“What are you doing here again?”

Lin Jiangnian eyed Xu Lan, who had barged in without ceremony. “Do you think this is your home?”

“If not?” Xu Lan plopped down opposite him with a hint of pride, glancing at him. “I’m Uncle Lin’s niece; this Lin residence is half my home too. What’s wrong with coming home?”

“There is,” Lin Jiangnian said.

Having eaten and drank his fill, he slowly stood, glanced at her, and turned to leave.

“This home doesn’t welcome you.”

“Do I need your welcome?” Xu Lan shot back, rolling her eyes. Seeing Lin Jiangnian head toward the door, she followed. “Where are you going?”

“To sleep.”

Lin Jiangnian didn’t want to engage.

Xu Lan had known the Lin Young Lord since childhood and might see through some flaws, so it was better to keep interactions minimal.

“Are you a pig? Sleeping so early in the morning?” She glanced outside at the sky, then brightened. “The weather’s nice today. Want to go out for a walk?”

Lin Jiangnian stopped, turned, and gave her a strange look. “You mean... you’re inviting me to go out with you?”

Xu Lan nodded excitedly. “What’s wrong with that?”

His eyes landed on her flat chest, and with a hint of regret, he sighed.

“Sorry, that’s not my type.”

Xu Lan was momentarily stunned. What did he mean?

Noticing his gaze, she instinctively looked down—and her expression gradually stiffened.

“...”