Chapter 263: Chapter 263
Mrs. Qin inquired the accompanying maid and finally learned the course of events. Although slightly surprised, she considered other possibilities.
After all, this was the East Palace, a model of etiquette, where adherence to protocol was naturally more rigorous.
Thus, she persuaded Lin Yanran through the door, but Lin Yanran was in a terrible mood and refused to listen.
Mrs. Qin had no choice but to say what she thought Lin Yanran wanted to hear:
"Indeed, most families only need to observe this rule after engagement. Those with lower status only avoid meeting for a month before the wedding. It shows that the lower their status, the more relaxed the etiquette."
"So, Yan’er, the person you’re marrying is the Crown Prince, the heir of the country! The stricter the protocol you observe, the more it highlights your noble status!"
Mrs. Qin’s earnest and tireless persuasion finally brought some comfort to Lin Yanran.
"Yan’er, good child, don’t be stubborn. What good would it do if you get sick from anger?"
From inside the room came Lin Yanran’s muffled voice, "But the imperial decree didn’t specify a wedding date. How long do I have to wait before I can see the Crown Prince?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qin realized it was a case of lovesickness!
She smiled meaningfully, "They all say absence makes the heart grow fonder. The longer you and the Crown Prince wait, the more precious he’ll find you after the wedding."
Lin Yanran seemed skeptical of this and, after a silence, spoke through gritted teeth.
"Mother, perhaps you should hire some skilled assassins. I can’t stand Lin Wanyue living in this world any longer!"
"Every day she lives is torture for me!"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qin frowned, "This..."
"Mother, the Bai Family was once Tianchu’s wealthiest, and we have plenty of silver taels. Pay a high price to hire the most ruthless and skilled assassins. I want Lin Wanyue to have no place for burial!"
Mrs. Qin heard her resolute words and nodded, "Alright, I’ll have someone look into it."
"Actually, I’ve already done some inquiries. Have you heard of the Wangsheng Sect?"
Mrs. Qin was startled, "Wangsheng Sect?"
"That’s right! Ghosts walking in the night, King Yan demanding lives, capturing souls until death."
"It’s said that anyone on their assassination list, no matter how powerful, no matter where they hide, will be killed!"
"For centuries, countless kings, powerful officials, fierce generals, Green Forest leaders, and Martial Arts Alliance Hierarchs from Jiuzhou have fallen under their blades!"
"Even if Lin Wanyue had nine lives, she couldn’t escape their pursuit! Mother, let’s choose them."
Mrs. Qin was somewhat taken aback, knowing well the terrifying legends of the Wangsheng Sect.
"But Lin Wanyue is just a small good-for-nothing who can only bounce around because of the support of that cripple. Maybe she’s not even qualified for the Wangsheng Sect, shall we choose another one?"
In truth, Mrs. Qin was worried. The legends of the Wangsheng Sect were too frightening; no one wanted to associate with them.
Being on their hit list or doing business with them was something terrifying, best avoided at all costs.
But Lin Yanran was clearly too angry to listen to Mrs. Qin’s persuasions of emotion and reason.
She finally threw out a harsh statement, "If you are unwilling, I will go find them myself."
In the end, Mrs. Qin had no choice but to agree with her for the moment.
The East Palace, study.
After sending Lin Yanran back, Mingde hurried back to the study to report to Nangong Jue.
"Your Highness, the second young lady has returned."
Nangong Jue was at the desk, reviewing memorials, and upon hearing the report, he didn’t even raise his eyelids, merely giving a faint "Mm."
Mingde saw this and shook his head inwardly:
Your Highness is pitiable! No matter how reluctant he is about this marriage, he must agree.
Who said those in high positions can always follow their hearts?
All beings are born free, yet no one escapes the chains.
Not even the Crown Prince, nor the Emperor, is exempt from this.
"What about the red-clothed men from last time? Has the investigation progressed?"
As Mingde was pondering, he heard the Crown Prince’s inquiry, and the subtle undertone of killing intent in the voice startled Mingde, making him immediately bow and respond respectfully:
"Your Highness, the spies are still investigating, and for the moment... we have no news."
Nangong Jue looked up, giving him a cursory glance.
Mingde’s heart trembled fiercely, and he fell to his knees with a thud, "This old servant has been ineffective, please punish me, Your Highness!"
Nangong Jue glanced at him for a moment, then coldly withdrew his gaze, throwing out two words:
"Yes! This old servant will have people intensify the investigation and satisfy Your Highness within seven days! Otherwise, I will bring my head to see you!"
... Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
That night, after Yun Ran had dinner, she didn’t rush to wash up and get into bed as she usually did. Instead, she was reading a book in bed.
She had someone prepare a wooden barrel filled with hot water boiled with herbal medicine.
Nangong Mo watched from the side for a while before he naturally began to undress.
Yun Ran caught a glimpse of his actions from the corner of her eye, and her mouth twitched slightly, "Nangong Mo, it’s just soaking your feet, why are you undressing?"
The man, indifferent as always, continued to undress gracefully.
"You don’t understand, do you? Soaking feet, with the steam rising, naturally makes one sweat, so of course, I should take off my clothes."
Yun Ran couldn’t even be bothered to listen to his twisted logic, casting a cold glance over, "Don’t take off your shirt, come over here, take your shoes off, roll up your trouser legs, and put your feet in."
Nangong Mo obediently rolled his wheelchair to the wooden barrel and glanced inside, "Lin Wanyue, are you trying to scald me to death?"
"The skin of some people is thick as a city wall, you’re still afraid of being scalded? Besides, aren’t your legs supposed to be completely without sensation? You wouldn’t feel the heat anyway!"
The man looked at Yun Ran with an expression akin to looking at an idiot for a moment before speaking seriously:
"Just because I can’t feel the scalding, doesn’t mean my legs won’t get burns. That would defeat the purpose of your treatment."
"Lin Wanyue, you seem like an intelligent girl, how can you be so silly? Did you grow up eating Stupid Grass?"
Stupid Grass, a plant said to grow on the Mobei grasslands, rumored to make people stupid if eaten.
Hearing him say this, Yun Ran nearly couldn’t resist throwing a brick at him.
"Hmph! For the sake of you being an injured patient, I won’t argue with you. Hurry up, or the water will cool down."
Yun Ran urged him to put his feet into the water while, in front of him, she brought over a medical box.
Upon opening it, the golden and silver needles inside nearly dazzled Nangong Mo’s eyes.
A whole box full of needles!
Of varying lengths, thicknesses, even shapes, all different from each other.
Nangong Mo looked at the entire box of needles, his handsome face stiff, the corners of his mouth twitching, and even his forehead and the corner of his eyes rolled down a few drops of cold sweat.
This girl was planning to turn him into... a porcupine spirit?
Nangong Mo tugged at his rigid mouth, speaking with difficulty:
"Lin Wanyue, isn’t this... a bit much for preparation? Surely... not this many needles are needed?"
And that seven-inch long scythe-shaped needle... where is that supposed to go?