The cold wind howled outside the door, covering up the soft voice in the room.
"Um?"
Lin Jiangnian paused, wondering if he had heard it wrong.
He turned his head to look at Zhiyuan who was sitting at the table, his expression slightly stiff.
What did she just say?
No, did you hear that right?!
In the dim room, the oil lamp on the table was about to burn out, and the surroundings were getting darker and darker. A fair and delicate face was reflected in the weak light.
It is cold and gives people a sense of fragility that is pity and love in a trance.
Those delicate and exquisite facial features were less aloof and indifferent than usual, and more gentle and tender.
Zhiyuan lowered her head slightly, avoiding Lin Jiangnian's sight.
A strange feeling spread in the room.
Lin Jiangnian stared at her face, making sure that he had not heard wrongly.
What she said was...
"Don't go?"
What does this mean?
"You, what did you just say?"
Lin Jiangnian asked again tentatively.
However, Zhiyuan didn't say anything else. She just looked down at the lamp on the table that was about to burn out.
silence.
A moment later, the oil lamp on the table burned out completely, the last flame went out, and the room fell into complete darkness.
The cold wind that was still raging outside the window blew against the doors and windows, making a whistling noise.
"It's late, go to bed early."
In the dead of night, the sound of a kite could be heard again in the dark room.
His tone was neither cold nor indifferent, and no emotion could be heard. It was as if he was talking to himself, but also as if he was talking to Lin Jiangnian.
After saying that, she slowly stood up and walked towards the bed on the other side.
Lin Jiangnian watched the scene quietly, his eyes gradually adapting to the dark environment. He saw the hazy figure walk to the bed, sit down, take off his shoes and socks, and then turn around and get on the bed.
The movements were light and natural, without any abnormal pauses.
It was as if he had completely ignored Lin Jiangnian's existence.
Lin Jiangnian stopped where he was and fell into deep thought.
She, what does this mean?
What does this imply?
still……
Is he overthinking it?
Lin Jiangnian's face showed a hint of doubt.
There's something wrong with the kite tonight.
Her tone, behavior, and reaction were all very strange.
Zhiyuan was still the same, the cold and taciturn maid. But for some reason, it felt like she had changed.
I can’t say.
Lin Jiangnian thought about it carefully again and realized that he had heard correctly. Zhiyuan had indeed told him... not to go?
What do you mean?
Lin Jiangnian originally planned to ask the old lady to borrow a quilt to sleep on the floor, but she seemed to stop him?
Doesn’t this mean that…
In the darkness, Lin Jiangnian seemed to be thinking about something, and his eyes gradually lit up.
It seems that there is nothing wrong with it?
I still remember that a few months ago, Lin Jiangnian just kissed her secretly, but this little maid dared to get angry and turn against her master.
At that time, Lin Jiangnian noticed that this little maid seemed very conservative in this regard and was extremely vigilant.
But tonight, has he changed?
Originally, Lin Jiangnian was just joking, but he didn't expect that she agreed?
Lin Jiangnian's expression was a bit stunned, surprised, delighted, and even a bit flattered...
It was not until the cool breeze blowing in from the crack of the door behind him that he came back to his senses from his trance.
When I looked up again, Zhiyuan had already lain down on the bed. There was no other movement in the room.
Lin Jiang walked towards the bed with a young step, and when he got closer, he saw the scene on the bed.
The people in this small mountain village live a simple and poor life, so their home environment is naturally not good. The bed in the room is not big, just enough for two people.
Zhiyuan had already lain down with her clothes on, but due to the severity of the injury on her back, she could only choose to sleep on her side or on her stomach.
Perhaps it was because sleeping on his stomach was not very elegant, or perhaps he was a little bored, Zhiyuan crawled into the quilt, facing the wall, leaving Lin Jiangnian with a lonely and cold back.
I don't know if it was intentional or accidental, but the other half of the bed was left empty.
Just enough room for one more person to lie down.
It's already obvious...
This little maid is serious!
Lin Jiangnian was speechless as he watched this scene.
Is this really a kite?
He vaguely remembered that when he first arrived at Prince Lin's Mansion a few months ago, Zhiyuan in front of him had an aloof and cold attitude, and was extremely wary of him, the Prince Lin's son.
Where is the awareness of a maid or servant?
On a daily basis, Zhiyuan seemed respectful and polite to Lin Jiangnian, but in reality, her attitude was very cold. Lin Jiangnian could clearly sense that Zhiyuan at that time even had some dislike for him.
But who would have thought that in just a few months, this master and servant with deep conflicts would actually sleep in the same bed?
Or even, was it Zhiyuan who took the initiative?
To say he wasn't pleased would be a lie. In the darkness, Lin Jiangnian's eyes were clearly much happier.
Although he didn't know why Zhiyuan's attitude had changed so quickly, Lin Jiangnian had a vague idea of the reason. He glanced at Zhiyuan, who was still curled up in the corner on the bed with her back to him, his eyes full of amusement.
Since she took the initiative, Lin Jiangnian was naturally not afraid.
Besides, Zhiyuan was his personal maid. It was only natural for a personal maid to warm the bed and sleep with her master.
Now, it’s just a little late!
After taking off his coat, shoes and socks, Lin Jiangnian got on the bed and got into the quilt skillfully.
As soon as I got into bed, a warm feeling suddenly hit me, dispelling the coldness in the room. At the same time, a faint fragrance entered my nose.
Very familiar!
The same scent as the kite.
At the same time, the moment Lin Jiangnian got into bed, he could clearly feel that a figure beside him stiffened slightly.
The bed wasn't big, just enough for two people to lie down, leaving little room for movement. However, since Zhiyuan had her back to him, there was still some distance between them.
But this little distance is not enough to widen the distance between the two people.
Very close!
It was so close that Lin Jiangnian could clearly feel Zhiyuan's tense and stiff body, and could even hear the slightly rapid breathing beside him, as if he was extremely nervous.
Lin Jiangnian was happy to see this.
In the darkness, he turned his head and saw a round and beautiful back of the head. Zhiyuan had her back to him, with her jet-black hair scattered on the pillow, and some strands fell near Lin Jiangnian's nose.
Apart from anything else, this little maid exudes an alluring and refined aura.
After staring at him for a while, Lin Jiangnian suddenly sighed softly: "Are you planning to sleep against the wall like this tonight?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhiyuan's body trembled slightly.
Still silent.
But her breathing was still rapid, and her bare hands that were clutching the quilt tightened unconsciously.
Lin Jiangnian felt somewhat helpless and sighed, "Don't worry, I'm a gentleman and I won't eat you. Why are you so nervous?"
silence.
The kite remained motionless.
This statement is not convincing.
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her again and said, "You are still injured. This prince doesn't like this. Even if I want to do something, I have to wait until you recover."
“…”
As soon as he finished speaking, he could clearly feel that the delicate figure next to him seemed to be in a state of intense emotion.
But after a while, it gradually calmed down. His originally stiff and tense body seemed to relax a little.
However, he still didn't move.
It looks a bit like a temper.
Seeing this, Lin Jiangnian stopped talking nonsense.
Saying that he wanted to share a bed with her was just a joke, but Zhiyuan didn't expect that she would actually agree.
This promise actually surprised Lin Jiangnian.
But one thing that is certain is that at least this arrogant little maid's attitude towards him should have softened a lot.
In fact, it should be accepted as one of their own!
...Can't we sleep in the same bed if we're not family?
This is a pleasant surprise.
However, Lin Jiangnian glanced at Zhiyuan, who was still tense. Although they were lying in the same quilt, he felt an indescribable sense of tension.
I didn't expect that this little maid would be afraid?
However, if Lin Jiangnian really wanted to do something bad to her, did she think it would be useful if she turned her back to him?
Even from the back... it seems more romantic?
Feeling the girl's warm body beside him, and the faint fragrance of her body filling the air, Lin Jiangnian felt a little distracted. Sharing a bed with a beautiful woman, it would be a lie to say that he didn't have any thoughts.
What's more, the other party is the arrogant, cold and stubborn little maid that Lin Jiangnian has always wanted to conquer?
But Lin Jiangnian is no longer a newcomer after all. During the one month's journey from Linjiang City to Xunyang City, Lin Jiangnian and Xiaozhu discussed, studied and learned along the way, and are already experienced.
Lin Jiangnian was diligent and studious, and was eager to learn. Whether in the inn room, lobby, country road, or even in the carriage along the way, whenever he had free time, he would often exchange experiences with Xiaozhu.
Therefore, in just one month, Lin Jiangnian has gone from a newcomer to a veteran in the world of martial arts who can remain calm and unaffected by temptations in the face of the dangers and turmoil of the world.
At this moment, it is late at night and everyone is asleep.
In the dark room, Lin Jiangnian was a little insomniac.
The slightly stiff bed, the cold wind whistling outside the door, which made the doors and windows creak, and the soft and warm body beside him all made it difficult for Lin Jiangnian to fall asleep.
He stared at the dark beams and narrowed his eyes.
daze!
After leaving the secret room in the back mountain, Lin Jiangnian was busy treating Zhiyuan's illness and injuries, forgetting about the previous events. Now that he had some free time, he finally had the time to sort out the events of the past few days.
Why did the secret room in the back mountain suddenly explode?
This is not unusual!
earthquake?
Obviously not.
The sudden earthquake and tremor came without any warning, which was obviously very strange. And apart from the secret room in the back mountain, there was no movement or impact anywhere else.
Obviously, there was movement only in the secret room in the back mountain.
In this case, the explosion in the secret room in the back mountain was probably caused intentionally by someone.
As for who it is, it goes without saying!
But why did Wang Changjin suddenly do this?
What good would it do him to blow up the secret room in the back mountain?
Lin Jiangnian thought for a moment and soon came up with the answer.
There is only one reason why Wang Changjin would do this...to prevent the secret in the secret room from being exposed?
It seems that Lin Qingqing brought people here and forced him into a corner?
Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes, a sneer appearing on his face.
I have to say that Wang Changjin's move was a brave move, it was really a good move!
The destruction of the secret room in the back mountain caused heavy losses to the Wang family, which was a serious blow to their vitality. However, at the same time, all evidence that was unfavorable to the Wang family was completely destroyed.
In this way, the Wang family can be saved!
Good trick!
Wang Changjin is a meticulous person who can make such a decision. He should not be underestimated.
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian turned his head slightly and glanced at the kite beside him.
She remained motionless, as if she were asleep.
"Are you asleep?"
Lin Jiang shouted in a young voice.
The kite didn't move or respond.
However, Lin Jiangnian knew that she was not asleep.
Still staring at the dark beams, Lin Jiangnian suddenly said, "This time, we've made a feud with the Wang family."
"How do we settle this account with them?"
The kite beside him still didn't respond.
"I never thought the Wang family would be so ruthless. They were willing to sacrifice a thousand dollars and pay a terrible price just to destroy the evidence..."
At this point, Lin Jiangnian paused and glanced at her again: "If nothing unexpected happens, the secret room in the back mountain should have completely collapsed, and all the evidence of the Wang family's crimes in the secret room should have been buried..."
"Without this evidence, can you still bring down the Wang family?"
silence.
silence!
An unknown amount of time had passed, but just when Lin Jiangnian thought Zhiyuan had fallen asleep, a slightly cold and hoarse voice came from beside him.
"Without evidence, they will still die."
His tone was cold, and there was a hint of murderous intent in it.
"That's true."
Lin Jiangnian nodded.
They deserved to die.
If the previous feud with the Wang family was just Zhiyuan's business, then it's no longer the case!
Wang Changjin blew up the secret room in the back mountain, destroying all the evidence and killing Lin Jiangnian at the same time.
If Zhiyuan hadn't sacrificed himself to save him, Lin Jiangnian would probably have died there.
This revenge must be avenged!
As for how to report...
Lin Jiangnian already had a plan in mind.
For Zhiyuan, her revenge was to redress the Jiang family. But for Lin Jiangnian...
Does Prince Lin need a reason to seek revenge?
Obviously, it is not necessary!
…
“That’s right!”
Lin Jiangnian suddenly remembered something and said thoughtfully, "When your Jiang family was slandered for treason, it must have been the work of the Wang family, right?"
"The Wang family is colluding with a foreign enemy nation and is blaming the crime on your Jiang family?"
There was another long silence.
Zhiyuan then spoke in a deep voice: "The Wang family is the mastermind!"
Lin Jiangnian understood that there was an accomplice.
As for who the accomplice was, he did not ask again, but he already had the answer in his mind.
Back then, the Jiang family was considered the largest family in Xunyang County, but it collapsed overnight. The Wang family alone could never have been capable of such a thing. There were likely other forces behind the Wang family, fanning the flames.
Lin Jiangnian heard the coldness in Zhiyuan's tone, chuckled, and turned to look at her: "Tell me, does this count as being too muddy, and being sober is also a mistake?"
The Jiang family back then was perhaps the only one who was still awake in Xunyang County?
"I guess so."
Zhiyuan's tone was a little light, neither cold nor indifferent. After a long silence, he suddenly spoke again.
"Then Your Highness, do you want to be a muddy person or a clear person?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little surprised. He turned his head to look at her and chuckled, "Does it matter what kind of person you are?"
The kite didn't say anything.
Lin Jiangnian smiled and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Who can really tell the difference between clarity and confusion? If I were to choose, I would like to be a clear-headed person with confusion."
"The two are actually not in conflict."
In this world, how can there be so much black and white?
Many times, it is difficult to distinguish between turbidity and clarity.
Take Lin Hengzhong, for example. In the eyes of the court officials, he was a powerful traitor who was eyeing the dynasty with rebellious intentions. In the eyes of the common people, Lin Hengzhong was an uncivilized savage from the wilderness, a demon who killed without blinking an eye, and whose hands were stained with countless innocent souls.
Yet, in the eyes of the people of Linzhou, Lin Hengzhong was a diligent and devoted prince. Under his rule, Linzhou, once a "wild land," became the economic center of southern China, where the people lived and worked in peace and stability. The people praised the prince highly, claiming that, aside from his unruly and dissolute son, he possessed few flaws.
So, is he a good guy or a bad guy?
I'm afraid Lin Hengzhong himself can't figure this out.
“…”
In the dark.
Zhiyuan had her back to Lin Jiangnian, her clear and bright eyes staring at the wall. She looked dazed and a little surprised.
He lowered his eyes, as if muttering something silently.
I was in a daze for a long time.
Outside the window, the cold wind seemed to be gradually dying down.
There was silence inside and outside the room.
Zhiyuan still didn't feel very sleepy.
Maybe it's nervousness, maybe it's... discomfort.
This was her first time sharing a bed with a man, and the feeling was even more uncomfortable than when His Highness's aunt forced her to sleep with her.
She was constantly enveloped by a feeling of nervousness and uneasiness, even a hint of fear...
Even she herself didn't know why she suddenly... asked him not to go?
Zhiyuan didn't know, and couldn't find the answer. Perhaps it was just a sudden thought, or perhaps there was some other reason...
The moment Lin Jiangnian lay down on the bed, Zhiyuan's breathing nearly stopped. A wave of anxiety washed over her, and she dared not turn around, nor move. Beneath her black hair lay a flushed face, brimming with unspoken emotion. She gritted her teeth, her body trembling, not daring to stir.
Although she knew in her heart that His Highness would not do anything to her... at least not now.
But she was still afraid...
She was afraid that His Highness would notice that she was trembling all over and looking scared and nervous.
She was even more afraid that His Highness would discover how fragile and uneasy she was at the moment... She didn't want to be seen by anyone.
…
Until the sound of gentle breathing came from behind him, Lin Jiangnian, who had not spoken for a long time, seemed to have fallen asleep.
It was late at night and the room was quiet. The cold wind no longer blew outside the window, and only the sound of Lin Jiangnian's gentle breathing remained in the room.
It was so close, as if lingering in her ears.
Zhiyuan, who was originally tense, listened to the familiar breathing sound, and for some reason, his tense body gradually relaxed slightly.
However, she still didn't dare to turn around.
I was afraid that the slightest movement would wake him up.
After a long time, the breathing sound behind me was still steady, as if he had been fast asleep.
Zhiyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As he relaxed, he suddenly felt sleepy. He closed his eyes and fell into a drowsy sleep.
She slept very peacefully that night.
…
When I woke up the next day, it was already bright.
When I opened my eyes, the room was empty.
Zhiyuan looked down and saw that her clothes were neatly dressed, and breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, looking at the empty seat next to me, an inexplicable emotion surged in my heart.
last night……
Zhiyuan lowered her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.
After a long time, she got up from the bed, pushed the door open and walked out.
The weather was nice today, and the sun was shining outside, making her feel warm. Zhiyuan then realized that she had slept until almost noon.
Perhaps it was because she was seriously injured, or perhaps it was because she slept too peacefully last night, so she slept too deeply and was even less alert to the unfamiliar environment.
"Girl, are you awake?"
The old woman's enthusiastic and surprised voice came to her ears. Zhiyuan turned her head and saw the old woman under the eaves looking at her with concern: "Did you sleep well last night? Are you feeling well?"
Zhiyuan was still at a loss and nodded silently.
The old woman nodded and said, "Are you hungry? Come and eat!"
This time, Zhiyuan was silent, then nodded. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she seemed to think of something and glanced around: "He..."
"Where?"
The old woman smiled and said, "Your husband is in the backyard making medicine."
Zhiyuan blushed slightly, somewhat unaccustomed to this name.
But he didn't explain. He was stunned: "Get medicine?"
"yes!"
The old woman nodded and explained with a smile, "Your husband woke up early this morning and said he wanted to go to the back mountain to pick some herbs to treat your injuries. He left early in the morning and just returned not long ago. He also brought back a lot of mountain herbs..."
The old woman's words were full of praise for Lin Jiangnian.
Judging from the way Mr. Lin was dressed, he was either rich or noble, and he was definitely from a wealthy family. Most wealthy young men lived a life of luxury, but none of them treated their wives as well as Mr. Lin did.
Young Master Lin was busy taking care of the old woman all night long, and he went to collect herbs and boil medicine early in the morning. He was busy all morning and didn't even have time to eat. Even the old woman's son-in-law was not so nice to her daughter.
This Mr. Lin really loves his wife!
The old woman couldn't help but sigh, and secretly glanced at the kite in front of her.
However, this girl is as beautiful as a flower, like a fairy, and she is a good match for Master Lin.
What a perfect match!
Zhiyuan stood there in a daze, his eyes dazed.
He went to the back mountain to pick herbs early in the morning?
Give, heal yourself?
At this moment, something seemed to be stirred in Zhiyuan's heart.
Tremble suddenly!
…
In the backyard.
Lin Jiangnian was rolling up his sleeves, mashing the herbs he had picked into a paste. The lush green herbs had been mashed to a dark green, and the courtyard was filled with a rich herbal aroma.
Lin Jiangnian added some powder to the crushed herbs and stirred it.
Mission accomplished!
Looking at his masterpiece in the basin, Lin Jiangnian nodded with satisfaction.
It may look a bit ugly, but it is a good medicine for treating external injuries as recorded in the prescriptions collected in Ruyi Tower!
When I looked up, I saw a figure appear not far away in the yard.
Kite.
She was standing quietly under the eaves, her eyes looking somewhat complicated.
Her simple clothes could not conceal her cold temperament, and her delicate features showed some indescribable emotions. She was like a statue, just looking at him quietly.
"woke up?"
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her.
Zhiyuan was silent, his eyes falling on the basin in front of Lin Jiangnian, which was filled with sticky herbal juice, with a hint of doubt.
"What's this?"
“Herbs!”
Zhiyuan was silent, "Where did you pick it?"
"Back mountain."
Lin Jiangnian's tone was a little proud, this was his masterpiece.
Zhiyuan remained silent, looking into the basin, then back at Lin Jiangnian, wanting to speak but hesitant. She said nothing, her eyes only growing more complicated.
Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
Zhiyuan was silent and nodded slightly.
"Then go back to your room and get ready."
Lin Jiangnian nodded and pointed to the basin: "I'll help you apply the medicine later."
Zhiyuan nodded subconsciously and turned to leave.
But just as he took a step, he realized something, stopped and turned back.
"Apply medicine?"
A hint of doubt appeared on that cold and beautiful face.
"Where to?"
“…”
Make up for yesterday's chapter, two chapters in one