People like Emperor Lin who paid attention to reputation and image will not let the Great Lin Empire spread rumors of the contemptuous abuse of Song Empire’s royal hostage. On the contrary, he had to let everyone know that the proton of Song Empire lived a superior life in the Great Lin Palace and was treated the same as the princes of the Great Lin Empire.
Therefore, he was given the opportunity to study in the Imperial School and to practice martial arts in the paddock. He would also be invited to attend any large-scale state banquets on weekdays so that everyone in the world would praise the Great Lin Empire as a benevolent and righteous nation that treated protons with courtesy.
The effort in maintaining a good image was done very well, but only the people involved knew what kind of evil intentions were hidden behind his good deeds.
Song Jinglan entered the palace at a young age. Surrounded by wolves, he had been long used to hiding his cleverness. Whether it was in the Imperial School or the paddock, he was the least conspicuous one.
Lin Jiwen was ridiculed by Lin Feilu in the Imperial School today, hence he was naturally blamed. When they were practicing martial arts in the paddock, Lin Jiwen challenged him by name to compete with him in the arena.
This was also a part of the daily practice, so Song Jinglan naturally couldn’t refuse. In public, he could only be on the defensive as it was even more impossible to show that he could fight back by following the kung fu taught by Ji Liang. Brute force was a part of Lin Jiwen’s nature and he made it clear that he was going to teach him a lesson as all of his moves were deadly attacks.
In the end, had it not been for Xi Xingjiang who rushed into the arena to stop him, he probably would probably end up in a worse state today.
Fortunately, he was not as weak as he seemed and his injuries were not serious. He coughed up blood just to smoothen out the congestion that was stuck in his chest and lungs. Tian Dong had always been known to make a fuss and even the little girl became concerned.
When she was angry, her soft little face was slightly bulging as if she was clenching her teeth. Her eyes always looked like there were blades hidden within them, fierce and adorable with a different kind of cuteness.
She was different from everyone in this palace.
Under her innocence there was not an ounce of scheming intentions concealed, but there was also stubbornness in her well-behaved attitude.
Those contradictory and complicated characteristics were perfectly integrated in her body, which resulted in the existence of a unique little girl.
Song Jinglan took out the bulging small handkerchief from his sleeves. Upon opening it, the two peach blossom crisps wrapped in it were a bit broken, but they smelled very sweet. He smiled and asked, “What is this?”
Lin Feilu still maintained her expressionless look, her small face slightly strained: “Sugar heart peach blossom crisp. It’s a new variety and I brought it over for Your Highness to give it a taste.”
Song Jinglan nodded before he picked up one of the crisps and took a bite. After eating, his index finger wiped the crumbs at the corner of his mouth and he smiled: “It’s delicious.”
No matter what happened, he would always smile like this.
The anger in Lin Feilu’s heart suddenly turned into depression and helplessness with this smile.
What can I do? This is how he lives here.
Even if she knew that he was not truly happy, that he may not like to laugh, but being born in such an era, there wasn’t anything that could be done. After all, wasn’t she still trying to play her instance dungeons herself?
(T/L note: Instance dungeon is a gaming term where players have their own designated maps to conquer or play in so other teams can’t cheat or give them assistance. Here, it probably refers to her unique ‘map’ that she has to clear as she was the one who transmigrated.)