"Kite?"
Jiang Yuxiang saw Zhiyuan standing under the eaves and walked over quickly. Seeing her thin clothes and cold hands, she said in a reproachful tone, "It's so late, why are you still outside? I'm worried you'll catch a cold!"
Zhiyuan lowered her eyes slightly, averted her gaze, said nothing, and just shook her head gently.
Jiang Yuxiang was about to say something, but subconsciously turned her head to look at Lin Jiangnian standing in the yard behind her, and realized something.
This silly girl is probably waiting for that boy.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxiang couldn't help but feel distressed. At the same time, she felt a little angry.
Besides being angry, I also felt a weird feeling.
Zhiyuan had been with her since she was little, and she had practically watched her grow up. Jiang Yuxiang was incredibly concerned about Zhiyuan, and when she was about to move into the Lin Wang Mansion, Jiang Yuxiang was so worried about her that she personally escorted her there.
In addition, Jiang Yuxiang is nominally Zhiyuan's elder. Although she is not very old, she subconsciously treats Zhiyuan as her daughter. Now when she sees Zhiyuan again, she finds that Zhiyuan, who has always been aloof, has begun to care about others.
Jiang Yuxiang suddenly felt like the cabbage she had worked so hard to grow was being eaten by other pigs.
And this pig turned out to be her nephew.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxiang felt very complicated. She looked at Zhiyuan, then at Lin Jiangnian who was not far behind her, and said unhappily, "Why don't you come over here quickly?"
Lin Jiangnian walked slowly to the eaves, "Aunt, is there anything else?"
"I have something else to do, so I won't bother you anymore!"
Jiang Yuxiang looked at the two of them and knew that they had finally met again and must have a lot to talk about. As their aunt, she should know what to do and leave now.
However, before leaving, Jiang Yuxiang grabbed Lin Jiangnian and whispered a warning in his ear: "Be nice to Zhiyuan and don't bully her. If you dare to do anything to let Zhiyuan down, I, your aunt, will definitely kill you for the sake of justice and will never forgive you!"
Feeling the warm breath of his aunt so close to him, Lin Jiangnian swore and made a promise with firm words. Only then did Jiang Yuxiang let him go. She looked at him with complicated eyes for a few more times, turned around and said a few words to Zhiyuan before leaving the yard.
After Jiang Yuxiang left, only Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan were left in the courtyard. Zhiyuan still stood under the eaves, silent, with a cold face, looking at Lin Jiangnian calmly.
Lin Jiangnian walked over slowly and said softly, "Zhiyuan, do you have something to talk to me about?"
Zhiyuan still didn't speak.
His eyes fell calmly on Lin Jiangnian, and it was unknown what he was thinking.
Seeing that Zhiyuan still didn't speak, Lin Jiang walked forward and habitually wanted to grab Zhiyuan's little hand.
However, this time, Lin Jiangnian's hand was only halfway extended when it missed. Zhiyuan's bare hand, which had been lingering outside, was retracted under his sleeve, and Lin Jiangnian grabbed nothing.
Lin Jiangnian was stunned for a moment, looked up, and saw that Zhiyuan's face still had no expression.
but……
But it seems different from before.
"What, what happened?"
Something is wrong!
Something seems wrong with the kite!
At this time in the past, her expression was cold, but not as distant as it was today. Although she concealed it well, Lin Jiangnian still saw some emotions.
More importantly... every time Lin Jiangnian tried to pull Zhiyuan's hand at this time, he would sneakily take advantage of her, and although Zhiyuan resisted slightly, he didn't break free.
And this time, she actually dodged it?
This is obviously not normal!
"fine."
Zhiyuan lowered her eyes slightly, and spoke in a neutral tone.
There was no emotion at all.
Lin Jiangnian gazed at the cold, jade-like face before him, so close. Her skin was as white as jade, as cold and pale as winter snow, and her features were delicate and petite, perfectly fitting the image of a gentle woman from the Jiangnan water towns, watery and clear. But Zhiyuan's unique personality and temperament added a touch of otherworldliness to this gentle aura.
More and more attractive.
"You don't look like you're okay."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head gently: "You have changed. Now you have learned to lie."
Zhiyuan was slightly startled, looked up at Lin Jiangnian, and then looked away.
"It's cold outside, let's go back to the room first."
Lin Jiangnian knew Zhiyuan's personality too well, so he didn't ask any more questions. He glanced at the sky outside. It was already late, and the weather was indeed cold at this late hour.
Zhiyuan was silent for a moment, turned around and went back to her room.
Lin Jiangnian followed closely behind and closed the door.
Zhiyuan walked over to the table and sat down, picking up the unfinished book on the table and looking down at it. Lin Jiangnian walked over, glanced at the book Zhiyuan was reading, and was slightly surprised. Then he chuckled: "Do you also like reading this kind of popular story?"
Zhiyuan didn't look up: "Just take a look."
Although the capital was more prosperous than Linzhou, Zhiyuan was a solitary person. During her time in the capital, she had basically stayed in the Jiang Mansion, where there were not many entertainment activities. Apart from wandering around the courtyard, Zhiyuan spent most of her time in her room reading.
Although these folk stories are boring, they are indeed a good way to kill time.
Lin Jiangnian glanced at them a few times and then shook his head slightly. "It's boring. These stories are too clichéd... things like seeing injustice and drawing swords to help, heroes saving beauties, and beauties giving themselves to men... It's too clichéd!"
It's no wonder he feels this way. No matter in what era, the hero saving the beauty is always a timeless classic story plot. In addition, for the common people of this era, they have not yet been deeply influenced by routine stories. The ordinary hero saving the beauty story, plus the plot of a small person being favored by the ladies and daughters of wealthy families, will always be the favorite of ordinary people and people in the world.
After all, this is a cool story that fits the fantasies of the contemporary lower-class people, and it is a good thing that the public likes to see!
In a nutshell, it can be summed up in one sentence... I am a vulgar person, but I love to watch!
Lin Jiangnian glanced at Zhiyuan's cold expression and saw that her eyes were still fixed on the book. He sighed, "If you like to hear stories like this, I can tell you a thousand or eight hundred of them a day without repeating myself."
He just said it casually, but he didn't expect that not long after he finished speaking, Zhiyuan, who had been unresponsive, suddenly put down the book in his hand and looked up at Lin Jiangnian.
"What's wrong?"
Zhiyuan didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly.
Lin Jiangnian finally realized something: "You, really want to listen?"
The kite still didn't speak.
have to!
I really need to listen!
"Okay, then I will satisfy you!"
It was just a casual remark, but Zhiyuan actually wanted to hear it. Lin Jiangnian naturally sat up straight, looked at Zhiyuan, and coughed lightly: "What story do you want to hear?"
Zhiyuan looked indifferent. After a moment, he said casually, "Whatever."
"The story of a hero saving a beauty is too cliché. So let me tell you a story of a beauty saving a hero."
Lin Jiangnian gathered his thoughts and spoke slowly, "The protagonist of this story is a weak scholar named Ning Caichen. One year, this weak scholar went to Beijing to take the imperial examination. In the middle of the night, in the heavy rain, he passed by a dilapidated temple and met a beautiful woman who took the initiative to flirt with him..."
In the middle of the night, Lin Jiangnian started telling ghost stories!
Although Zhiyuan's personality shouldn't make him afraid of ghosts, what if...
In the middle of the night, a man and a woman alone, coupled with an atmospheric ghost story, it can be said that the time, place and people are all right.
But unfortunately, kites are not afraid of ghosts.
In fact, he listened to Lin Jiangnian telling this ghost story with an expressionless face from beginning to end.
Of course, the storyline of A Chinese Ghost Story itself is not very long, and strictly speaking it's not a serious story of a beauty saving a hero, but the story is quite fascinating, with many plot elements. The fact that it has been passed down from ancient times to the present day, as a popular folk supernatural story, speaks volumes about its excellence.
However, after Lin Jiangnian finished speaking, he found that Zhiyuan did not react much, which made him somewhat frustrated.
The sensible girl had already thrown herself into his arms with a frightened look on her face, sobbing and saying, "You are so bad for scaring me."
Zhiyuan remained motionless, sitting quietly at the table, her aloof and cool demeanor transcending the ordinary. She even had the aura of someone who could chop down Grandma Nie Xiaoqian with a single blow.
Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian sighed deeply: "How about I tell you another story?"
Zhiyuan didn't say anything, but just blinked slightly.
"This story begins in a small mountain village. One year, in a small place called Lijia Village, an unknown village doctor rescued a seriously injured woman in white at his doorstep..."
The story was long, and Lin Jiangnian told it very slowly. However, Zhiyuan's thoughts seemed to have wandered away from the story.
As Lin Jiangnian excitedly recounted this wonderful story, Zhiyuan's gaze remained fixed on him, quietly gazing at his face. After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly spoke softly, "Where did you go today?"
"today?"
Lin Jiangnian was interrupted in the middle of his story, feeling very uncomfortable. However, when Zhiyuan suddenly asked him about it, he explained, "I tricked Jiang Shaoan into going out for a walk, and took the opportunity to find out about the situation."
Zhiyuan was silent for a while, then spoke again: "What's the matter?"
She has always been like this, not asking too many nonsense questions.
"I have a guess..."
Lin Jiangnian did not hide anything and told Zhiyuan about how he scared Jiang Shaoan tonight.
"This kid is close to the Eighth Prince, who in turn has a close relationship with the Third Prince. He'll probably get the news soon. I wonder if he'll even be able to sleep well by then!"
Lin Jiangnian sneered.
He had heard of the Third Prince's name ever since he entered the Lin Palace. Even though it had been so long since he'd even seen him, the Third Prince had already given Lin Jiangnian several generous gifts.
This grudge is really huge!
Zhiyuan lowered her eyes, but her gaze still did not leave Lin Jiangnian. She said softly: "The Third Prince is not easy to deal with!"
"Is this prince easy to deal with?"
Lin Jiang asked back with a young smile.
Zhiyuan shook her head slightly and looked at Lin Jiangnian. Her pale and cold face seemed to show some worry. "The situation in the capital is very chaotic right now. The prince in the palace has fallen ill. The situation is not good!"
Lin Jiangnian seemed to realize something and narrowed his eyes: "You mean..."
"Over the years, the Third Prince has never given up. He stayed in the capital just to seize the throne..."
"The Crown Prince is seriously ill now. If anything unexpected happens, the capital will probably be in turmoil, even now..."
Zhiyuan didn't continue speaking, but Lin Jiangnian understood.
The Third Prince had cultivated considerable influence in the capital over the years. Now that the Crown Prince was gravely ill, the situation in the capital was in turmoil. The existing powers in the capital would certainly not sit idly by.
If anything unexpected happens to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the heir apparent, will naturally become the target of their efforts.
The Third Prince currently held immense influence in the capital. It wouldn't be easy for Lin Jiangnian to deal with him. His status as the Lin Prince's heir might be useful in Linzhou, but in the capital, few would buy into his claims.
Lin Jiangnian naturally knew what Zhiyuan was worried about. He chuckled, sat down next to Zhiyuan, grabbed her little hand and held it tightly in his palm.
This time, Zhiyuan did not resist.
"He is indeed extremely powerful now, but as you said, all this is premised on something happening to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. As long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is safe and sound, the Third Prince won't be able to cause any unrest... Not to mention, the current Emperor is still alive!"
"Even if he doesn't care about state affairs, as long as he's alive, these princes below won't be able to cause trouble!"
Lin Jiangnian held the soft hand in his palm and stroked it gently, as if he was pinching a ball of soft cotton.
"Besides, this bastard has tried to assassinate me time and again. If I can't let this out, I'll be furious!"
Zhiyuan didn't say anything, just stared at Lin Jiangnian.
"By the way, where is Miss Shen?"
Lin Jiangnian did not continue discussing with Zhiyuan and changed the subject.
Mentioned Shen Lingjun.
I haven't seen her since that night in Xiaocheng.
Zhiyuan was silent for a moment: "She's gone!"
"Where did you go?"
“I don’t know.”
Zhiyuan shook her head slightly and whispered, "After she sent me back to Jiang Mansion, she left alone."
Having said that, Zhiyuan looked at Lin Jiangnian again and paused: "She asked me to ask you a question."
"What?"
"She said she was sorry."
Kite spoke softly.
Lin Jiangnian was stunned, somewhat unexpectedly.
"She probably feels she has no face to see you again." Zhiyuan said softly.
Although this incident had nothing to do with her, the assassin of Lin Jiangnian was, after all, her uncle. She felt guilty, perhaps because she couldn't get over it herself. She also felt ashamed to see Lin Jiangnian again, so she chose to leave quietly.
Upon hearing the news, Lin Jiangnian was surprised and a little sad.
This Miss Shen is indeed not a bad person by nature, and can even be considered a female hero with a strong sense of justice. This is indeed rare in this world.
Unfortunately, her acquaintance with Lin Jiangnian was unpleasant from the beginning, which led to this series of events.
"It's not her fault."
Lin Jiangnian sighed and shook his head gently. When he looked up, he saw Zhiyuan still staring at him.
"how?"
Lin Jiangnian smiled and moved closer, gently embracing Zhiyuan in his arms. Zhiyuan's delicate body stiffened slightly, but she didn't struggle. Seeing this, Lin Jiangnian's large hand, which had been holding Zhiyuan, slowly moved down the girl's back, past her soft, slender waist, and slowly upwards.
"Well, it's getting late. Should we go to bed early?"
Lin Jiangnian showed an innocent expression to Zhiyuan, and his sinful hand slowly moved upwards, seemingly about to reach a part of the woman that had not yet been developed.
Just when he was about to succeed, Lin Jiangnian suddenly felt a pain on the back of his hand.
"hiss!"
Lin Jiangnian took a deep breath and looked down to see a hint of panic flash across Zhiyuan's fair and delicate face, but this was followed by a slightly embarrassed and angry tone.
"You, don't...don't touch me!"
“…”
I am outside, so this chapter is a little rough. I will revise it later and let the author think about how to eat the kite.