Cousin cannot escape

by image is not here

not mine. mtl. 70ch. ancient. cousin. prince

Cousin cannot escape

Author: Pi Dong

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Introduction:

Everyone knows that the prince of the Marquis of Changxing, Shen Tingzhu, is as bright as a bamboo, has outstanding talent and appearance, and is a good gentleman. It's a pity that he has been weak and sick since he was a child, so he may not live long.

Only Lin Qingran, a cousin who lives in the Hou Mansion, knows the "truth" - his bad behavior is fake, his hands can kill people, and he once trapped her by his side for several months.

At night, Shen Tingzhu opened Lin Qingran's door generously, pretending to be puzzled and asked with a smile: "Why has my cousin been avoiding me?"

Lin Qingran begged him in a low voice with red eyes: "Can you please let me go? I won't tell anyone."

"How can I believe you? Did I poison you so that you can't speak, or break your hand so that you can't write..." Shen Tingzhu kissed her ear gently, her tone was gentle and caring, "But I can't bear it, Only if Ranran stays by my side... can I feel at ease."

"Shh, it's not okay to cry."

After coaxing the crying little girl to sleep, Shen Tingzhu walked out of the house.

The attendant on the side couldn't stand it anymore: "Your Majesty, aren't you tired of being frightened and crying every time?"

Shen Tingzhu: "How interesting."

Attendant: "Didn't you see that Miss Biao is going to report to the official?!" The key is that they are really not bad people!

Later, Shen Tingzhu couldn't bear to be frightened. He held the person in his arms and comforted him in every possible way, "I'll let Ranran bully him back. You can bully him however you want."

The squeamish and cowardly delicate little beauty vs the wicked prince

Empty, especially empty

Content tags: Sweet articles about a marriage made in heaven

Search keywords: Protagonist: Lin Qingran┃Supporting role: Shen Tingzhu┃Others:

One sentence introduction: Will my cousin let me go today?

Intention: There is a certain amount of heat and a certain amount of light.

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=== Chapter === 001

In late summer and early autumn, the scorching sun is gone and the cool breeze blows the slanted willows by the river. It is a cool time.

In the tea shops set up along the river, there are many tea drinkers sitting and listening to books. They can sit there for half a day with a pot of tea and a plate of melon seeds.

People who come to the town to attend the market are also in a leisurely manner, just walking around and returning home before nightfall.

There was only one young man in a green shirt, his arms full with a bunch of objects that almost blocked his sight. His cheeks were red, his forehead was sweating, and his whole body was steaming with heat. He was incompatible with the leisurely surroundings.

Qingfeng stopped and weighed a lot of things in his arms, then hurriedly caught up and said with a sad face: "Miss, if we don't hurry up, we might not be able to reach the next town before nightfall."

Lin Qingran only nodded, her steps still light, with no intention of stopping. The gentle wind passed by, blowing the gauze on the curtain, and carried her voice with it -

"If we can't arrive today, is it possible that we won't be able to arrive tomorrow?"

The delicate voice is the unique soft tone of Wu dialect, which is gentler than the autumn wind. The tail tone is slightly raised, soft and crisp, and a bit delicate.

Qingfeng freed up her hands and wiped her sweat with her sleeves. She was still out of breath, "But Miss, that's not how it works. Logically we should have arrived at Shangyuan three days ago."

Qingfeng's voice turned into a cry as he spoke, "How many tomorrows have you had?"

A few months ago, Lin Qingran's sister-in-law, Lin, who married far away in the capital, sent a letter saying that she missed her family and it was Mrs. Shen's birthday, so she wanted her niece and nephew to stay in the capital together. .

Lin Qingran's elder brother, Lin Zhao, went to Xuancheng to do business a few days ago and has not returned yet. Lin Qingran was the only one free in the whole family, so Mr. Lin asked her to rush to the capital with congratulatory gifts.

The Lin family sent people in advance to wait at the Shangyuan River Ferry that bordered the north and south to meet them. The journey from Jiangning to Shangyuan was only three or four days at most, so Lin Qingran just walked for seven days as if touring the mountains and rivers.

Qingfeng secretly said: Fortunately, he had the foresight to send birthday gifts and valuables to the ship in advance.

Now the only thing missing is the master in front of me.

The maid Qiuzhi turned around and said, "You've been nagging all the way and can't take a break."

Qingfeng hugged the things in her arms tightly and said angrily: "I didn't tell you."

Qiuzhi snorted and said, "I am speaking for the young lady."

The two were still bickering, Lin Qingran stopped, and her dark-white skirt also stopped swinging.

Qingfeng was overjoyed when she saw this, thinking she finally listened, "Miss."

Lin Qingran turned around and looked at a shop on the street, raised her head slightly and read the words on the signboard softly, "Huarong Pavilion, this is the Huarong Pavilion that my brother mentioned, both in terms of pattern and brocade craftsmanship, it is of high quality? "

Qingfeng's shoulders slumped when he heard her say the words "Go and have a look."

He hurriedly stepped towards the door and muttered, "But it's almost noon." He then weighed the things in his arms, "It's better if you bought these."

Lin Qingran could see his sad face through the layers of photos. His red lips pursed a smile, but he quickly retracted it and said with a straight face: "You don't understand, I'm a guest at the Hou Mansion." , There are so many ladies and ladies in the house, so don't prepare too many gifts."

How could Qingfeng believe it? The young lady was obviously just having fun and looking for excuses.

"Just stop worrying, I'm sensible." As she spoke, Lin Qingran had already held up her skirt and stepped into the shop gracefully.

Seeing that Qingfeng didn't stop him, he felt annoyed and muttered behind him, "You say that every time."

"Didn't you ask people to go to Shangyuan in advance to deliver the message?" Lin Qingran looked around the shop and said slowly and leisurely: "Even if I'm a few days late, my little aunt won't blame her, as long as she arrives before the old lady's birthday banquet, it will be fine ."

When the shopkeeper saw someone coming in, he stepped forward and greeted him with a smile: "Girl, look around, there's one upstairs."

Those who open a business know how to distinguish people's colors. Although Lin Qingran was wearing a curtain and hat, which made it difficult to see her appearance, the shopkeeper could tell from her dress that she must be a young lady from a wealthy family.

Just talking about the pair of embroidered shoes on her feet, the uppers are made of snow satin, not to mention the value of the two clear and round pearls on the toes of the shoes, which are of excellent quality.

Lin Qingran gently touched the silk brocade on the counter with her fingertips. The curtains obscured her vision. She raised her hand to lift one side of the gauze curtain so that she could carefully see the patterns on the brocade.

"This pattern is quite unique." Lin Qingran nodded with satisfaction, "Wrap it up for me, please."

Not hearing the shopkeeper's response, Lin Qingran raised his gaze in confusion. Under the long and curled crow feathers, there was a pair of clear eyes full of water, which seemed to reflect the stars and the moon in the sky.

When Qiuyue saw that the shopkeeper was still staring at her young lady in offense, she coughed dissatisfied and reminded: "Can the shopkeeper hear you?"

The shopkeeper quickly came to his senses, looked away, took a ruler and said, "Should I cut a few feet for the girl, or?"

Lin Qingran said: "I want this one." She raised her delicate hand slightly and pointed to the side.

Qingfeng was excited and hurriedly complained before she could speak, "Miss, I still want these two arms."

"If you complain less, you won't have to worry about it." Lin Qingran admired him for how he could keep talking all the way. She said she was disgusted, and turned around to see Qingfeng with a bitter look on her face. She couldn't help but laugh out loud. Voice.

The watery eyes are lightly curved, and the ends of the eyes are outlined by the long curly eyelashes, which are soft and charming. The skin is as delicate as jade, and the eyebrows and eyes are flowing with a charming look.

With such a good color, the shopkeeper couldn't help but take another look at it. He said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, I'll ask the clerk to send it to your house."

The smile in Lin Qingran's eyes grew stronger, and she said to Qingfeng, "Did you hear that?"

Qingfeng gave the shopkeeper a hard look, saying he was troublesome.

When I was about to say more, I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps coming from far and near on the long street, as well as the cold sound of iron tools clashing.

Many people ran to the street to take a look, and saw a group of officials with stern faces approaching in a menacing manner, investigating along the way.

"What happened? Why are so many officials here?"

"I don't know, I seem to be arresting someone." After saying that, the man put his hands in his hands and hid back in the house for fear of being unable to escape.

Lin Qingran also heard the chatter outside. She didn't even move her eyes and continued picking out the brocade.

The other customers in the shop looked slightly panicked and looked out uneasily.

The shopkeeper told the waiter, "Go out and see what's going on."

The little boy said "Hey". Before he could cross the threshold, he was pushed back by the person who came in. He brushed past Lin Qingran's side, threw himself on the counter again, and kept shouting while lying there. pain.

Lin Qingran staggered as she took a step, and the smooth brocade fell from her hands. She held her heart in shock and exhaled, her dark pupils flickering in fear.

Qiu Zhi hurriedly helped her back to the side and asked nervously, "Miss, wasn't she hit?"

Lin Qingran calmed down slowly and shook his head, "I'm fine."

After saying this, she lowered her eyes and lifted up her skirt. There was a smear of dust on the plain snow satin on the toes of her shoes, which looked ugly and tight.

Lin Qingran frowned, it was because he tripped and rubbed his dirty hands just now.

Qiu Zhi said: "There is also a pair prepared on the carriage. The slave will bring it to the young lady in a while."

Lin Qingran relaxed his eyebrows and looked at the person coming in from the door.

The officer walking in front held a long knife in his hand, with a pair of stern and sharp eagle eyes. After looking around, he directed the people behind him to come forward.

The officer took the portrait in his hand and checked the people in the store one by one.

The shopkeeper came forward, bowed his waist, and said with a smile, "I wonder who the officer is arresting?"

The officer glanced sideways at him and raised the portrait in his hand, "There are bandits coming here. If all of you have seen the people in the portrait, come and report them immediately."

"Yes, yes." The shopkeeper nodded.

After the group of people left, Lin Qingran had no intention of shopping anymore and asked Qingfeng to bring the carriage back to the inn.

Qingfeng drove the carriage and said with lingering fear: "These bandits are all desperadoes. When I followed the young master on the trade route in the early years, I saw caravans that were looted. Things were robbed, people were killed, arms and legs Not all in one place."

Lin Qingran leaned against Qiu Zhi and fell asleep. After hearing the words, she couldn't help but straighten her body. The image of Qingfeng's words appeared in her head, and her misty pupils were slightly wider.

Seeing her slightly panicked look, Qiu Zhi stretched out her hand and patted the curtain, scolding: "You are the only one who can say such scary things."

Qingfeng scratched his head and added after a while, "I think we'd better hurry up and hurry up."

Lin Qingran was not afraid of those vicious officials, but Qingfeng was right, the bandits were robbing people of money and killing people, and all of them were desperate for their lives.

She pursed her lips lightly and said, "Can you make it to Shangyuan before nightfall?"

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng nodded quickly, remembering that they couldn't see her through the curtain, and said in a loud voice: "It's just a small town across the way, just go there."

Lin Qingran said: "Then hurry up."

Qingfeng was just short of bursting into tears, and the young lady could finally go on her way well these days.

Lin Qingran poured a cup of tea and drank it slowly. For some reason, she always felt a little uneasy.

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=== Chapter === 002

The carriage left the town smoothly.

It was still early in the morning, so Lin Qingran was bored and flipping through the book, and soon the tiredness came back to her eyes.

She blinked twice slowly, put her fingers in front of her mouth and yawned softly, tilted her head, and rested on Qiuyue's shoulder with her eyes closed.

"How long will it take to arrive? I'll be driving in a carriage every day, and my bones will fall apart." Her sleepy and lazy voice had a long drawl, and even the words of dissatisfaction and complaint coming out of her mouth were full of pity.

Qiuyue smiled, straightened her hair that fell on her cheeks, and said softly, "Miss, please sleep for a while, until the slave calls you."

Qingfeng counted the time and could reach Shangyuan before sunset. Unexpectedly, just by turning around and being distracted, the originally fine weather with clear wind and high clouds would change in the blink of an eye.

The dark clouds in the sky cover the tall trees and press down again and again, and there are flashes of thunder and lightning deep in the clouds.

It will be troublesome if this rain falls.

Qingfeng secretly concentrated on the situation, twitched the riding whip vigorously, and sped up on the road.

The sudden jolt made Lin Qingran, who happened to be sleeping, move his shoulders uneasily.

Qiuyue picked up the curtain, raised her head and lowered her voice and said to Qingfeng, "Drive carefully and steadily."

Qingfeng took advantage of the lashing of the whip and turned around and said, "Young lady hasn't spoken yet, so I think you are the master."

The two of them often quarreled at home. Qiuyue was about to reply, but for fear of waking up Lin Qingran, she just snorted and said, "Wake up the lady, let me see how you can keep talking."

Qingfeng immediately stopped talking and pointed to the horizon, "If we don't hurry up, the road will be even harder to walk when it rains."

Only then did Qiuyue notice that the sky was getting darker earlier than before, "Why did the sky change so well?"

As soon as he finished speaking, crackling raindrops fell down and were blown straight into the carriage by the wind.

Qiuyue quickly lowered the curtain to prevent the rain from blowing in.

A heavy rain caused waves to roll up on the originally calm river surface, and the sky was filled with dark clouds, giving off the gloomy feeling that the mountain rain was about to come.

In the Guanlan Tower by the river, a man in white and mysterious robes stood quietly in front of the railing. Even if his clothes were blown up by the wind, he remained unmoved. The rain curtains dripped along the cornices. The man It's like melting into a picture made of rain and fog.

Mo Ci stepped on the stairs and strode forward. Before he could get closer, he heard a voice that was a bit cooler than Qiu Yu, "How is it?"

Mo Ci said: "Your Majesty, the traces have been traced. Our people are ambushing them all the way. They will never be able to escape."

After a long time, the cold and lonely voice came again, "Then the Lin family daughter hasn't arrived yet?"

"The luggage was delivered four days ago, and the people haven't arrived yet." Mo Ci's words contained dissatisfaction, and he glanced at the boats docked on the river.

"I shouldn't have said anything, my subordinate. This Miss Lin is too pampered. A whole boatload of people are waiting for her."

If they hadn't come here for other important reasons, they would have spent their time here just for her.

Shen Tingzhu was noncommittal, turned around and went downstairs, "Let He Xuan wait."

Mo Ci followed closely and said in shock: "Your Majesty, you want to catch that person yourself? You must not!"

"Then you wait here and let He Xuan follow me."

Mo Ci immediately fell silent, not daring to say anything more.

Lin Qingran was awakened by the sound of raindrops falling continuously on the roof of the carriage.

She was speechless and didn't want to get up, and it was too uncomfortable to be disturbed. After struggling for a long time, she finally opened her eyes. Her sleepy eyes were misty, and her brows were slightly frowned, with annoyance and grievances that were about to wake up.

Lin Qingran raised her thin white wrist, pressed it gently against her stiff neck, and murmured, "Are we here...ah!"

There was a sudden and violent slump, which made her almost throw forward. Her eyes widened with fear, and she and Qiuzhi held on tightly to stabilize her body.

After a long while, the carriage finally stopped shaking.

Lin Qingran stroked her heart with her palms and took a small breath, her eyes filled with moisture from shock, and she was completely tired.

The car was opened from the outside, and cold raindrops blew directly onto Lin Qingran's face. It was so cold that she narrowed her eyes and turned her head to avoid it.

Qingfeng stood in the rain wearing an oil coat and asked in an anxious tone, "Is Miss okay?"

Qiuyue protected Lin Qingran and glared at him with lingering fear, "What happened?"

"The rain was so heavy that I couldn't see the road clearly, and the wheels were stuck in the mud." Qingfeng was still in shock, and was relieved to see that Lin Qingran was not injured.

Lin Qingran wiped the rainwater on her eyelashes. It was raining heavily outside, and it was difficult to tell the direction. Even if the carriage could move, it would not be safe to continue on the road.

She thought for a while and said, "Is there an inn nearby?"

Qingfeng said: "There is only one inn, but it is also ten miles away."

For a moment, all three of them were in trouble. Qingfeng was so anxious that he stomped twice, and suddenly his eyes lit up: "Yes, I remembered that I just passed by and saw a temple. It's not far away, just a hundred meters behind. Why don't we go there? Stay overnight and wait until tomorrow to enter the city."

With nowhere to go and no shop, there was no other way. Lin Qingran nodded, "Let's go. Maybe we can ask Master to help pull the carriage."

The three of them went to the temple, only to find that it had been abandoned for a long time. There was no one around, and even the paint on the plaque on the lintel had fallen off.

Walking into the Buddhist hall, weeds grew on the brick joints on the floor, cobwebs formed on the walls, thick piles of dust accumulated on the tables, and the air was filled with an unbreathable musty smell.

Qingfeng didn't expect it to look like this. He looked around, took out the fire seal and said, "Fortunately, there is still some lamp oil left."

After lighting the oil lamps one by one, the hall became brighter. Lin Qingran's eyes turned around, and it looked even more dilapidated. The tip of her straight nose wrinkled, and it was obvious that even her hair was resisting.

Lin Qingran turned around and looked outside the hall again. The rain still did not get lighter. After thinking about it, she did not say that she wanted to leave.

Qingfeng walked around the hall and found a stool from somewhere, "Miss, sit down and rest for a while."

Qiu Zhi carefully wiped off the dust on it, and Lin Qingran gathered her skirt and sat down, her red lips pursed, the corners of her lips lowered slightly, aggrieved, "If it doesn't stop raining, don't we have to spend the night here."

Qiuzhi knew that her young lady had been carefully raised since she was a child, so she would not be used to being in such a place.

She comforted: "When the rain stops being so heavy, let Qingfeng find a way to pull the carriage out."

It wasn't until the sky turned completely dark that the rain gradually became less intense, and the moonlight parted the clouds and mist and cast its light on the courtyard.

Lin Qingran stood up and walked out, reaching out his hand under the eaves. A smile finally appeared on his gloomy face, "The rain has stopped, go and get the horse."

Qingfeng was sitting next to the pillar of the main hall, feeling drowsy, his head was heavy and heavy, and he was woken up unexpectedly, and he still couldn't regain his senses.

It wasn't until Qiu Zhi kicked his instep that she wiped her face and stood up in a hurry, "I'll go right away."

After a while, Qingfeng ran in again panting, with a lot of mud stains on his robe, making him very embarrassed.

He found two wide wooden boards, held them in his arms, raised his chin and said to Qiuzhi: "I'm afraid I can't do it alone. You have to help me hold the horse."

Qiu Zhi nodded, thought for a moment and said to Lin Qingran: "Then miss, please wait here for a while."

She knew that Lin Qingran loved cleanliness and would not want to step on the wet mud.

Lin Qingran nodded and warned, "Be careful."

As soon as the two left, the surroundings became quiet, moving and stopping, leaving only the sound of the wind.

The night in the forest was already cold, and after it rained it was even more humid. Lin Qingran was still standing on the porch waiting at first, but for some reason, the more she looked at the dark and deep forest, the more she felt like she could A giant devouring beast.

The wind made her body feel chilly, Lin Qingran unconsciously touched her neck exposed outside her clothes, turned around and walked into the hall.

Looking at the dilapidated and depressed house, the uneasiness surged up again.

Lin Qingran walked back and forth in the hall, constantly looking outside, hesitating whether to go out and take a look.

"Squeak - squeak -"

The ear-piercing sound rang out in the air, which seemed particularly frightening in the quiet night.

Lin Qingran paused, his scalp suddenly numb, and his fingertips instantly became cold.

She held her breath and turned her gaze stiffly. The shadows of the trees were cast on the window, teeth and claws bared.

She swallowed and looked at the old door that was blown by the wind.

It was the sound the door made.

Lin Qingran exhaled heavily, her slightly wet eyelashes flashed rapidly, and she was in shock.

"Why haven't you come yet?" The trembling voice was full of uneasiness.

Lin Qingran didn't dare to go out no matter what. She thought for a while and walked around behind the Buddha statue in the temple.

It's not that she is timid, but in this desolate mountain and wilderness, she can't help but think wildly. Although it is an abandoned temple, it is safer to have the Buddha behind the Buddha statue.

Lin Qingran lowered her head, slowly arranging the shawl wrapped around her arms, looking at the people slowly, but actually her heart was hanging tightly, and she raised her ears to listen to the sound.

Hearing the sound of rapid footsteps outside the hall, Lin Qingran was overjoyed and her eyes lit up.

"You can count..."

"boom-"

The already shaky door panel fell to the ground, and a person was suddenly kicked in from the outside. He hit the Buddha statue and fell hard to the ground. The speed was so fast that only an afterimage was seen.

Lin Qingran cut off his words as if his throat was being strangled, and even the feet he stepped out froze in place.

The people on the ground hunched over and huddled in pain, and his rough groans of pain echoed in the hall.

The sound of unhurried footsteps came from outside the hall, falling on people's hearts, as if they were torturing the people inside.

Lin Qingran stared closely at the door. Between the firelight and electric stones that the man was about to step in, he quickly stepped back from the still shaking Buddha statue. From the corner of his eye, he vaguely saw a piece of robes and ink-colored soap boots that were blown by the wind. And the sword edge with cold light.

Lin Qingran leaned against the Buddha statue, clenching her hands in panic, her eyes trembling with horror, and her clothes already soaked with sweat.

"You thought you could escape."

The quiet and cold voice had no fluctuation, like raindrops falling on the body, coldly entangled in the skin, and then slowly dripped down.

Lin Qingran felt a chill in his heart. Who are they?

The man who fell on the ground forced his seriously injured body to stand up, spat out a mouthful of blood, and looked at the person in front of him like a trapped animal, "If you kill me, have you thought about the consequences?"

Lin Qingran only heard a cold chuckle, and the laughter alone made her shiver.

The little oil left in the oil lamp was almost exhausted, and the weak and swaying light reflected the two figures blurryly on the wall.

Lin Qingran saw the man lift the sword, chills crawled down his limbs to his heart, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He actually wanted to kill someone!

The sound of the sharp blade penetrating flesh was horrifying, and all the blood drained from Lin Qingran's face. With the heavy sound of his body falling to the ground, the air was instantly filled with the nauseating smell of blood.

She covered her mouth tightly, not daring to make a sound. Her eyes were filled with tears caused by fear, and her trembling eyelashes were wet.

Lin Qingran stared at the shadow on the wall through her wet and blurred vision. The man was still standing there, but the man who fell on the ground was no longer alive.

Dead, a living person died right in front of her eyes.

Lin Qingran's hands and feet were cold, and he suddenly remembered what happened in Huarong Pavilion during the day. Could this person be the bandit that the official wanted to capture?

Desperate people, robbing wealth and killing people, Qingfeng and Qiuzhi are still outside, could they have already... Lin Qingran closed her eyes helplessly and fearfully, swallowing hard the broken and choked cries in her throat.

Time passed bit by bit, and Lin Qingran never heard the sound of him leaving. The longer the delay, the stronger the fear in her heart. If he discovered her... warm tears fell down her fingers, She didn't dare to think about it anymore.

"come out."

Lin Qingran opened his eyes suddenly, he found her!

=== Chapter === 003

Shen Tingzhu cast his deep eyes into the darkness blocked by the Buddha statue. From the moment he came in, he knew that there was someone hiding there. He thought it was an ambush, but it seemed not.

"Come out and don't make me say it a third time."

Lin Qingran lost all hope and released the hand that was tightly covering her mouth. A weak sob escaped from her lips, which was particularly clear in the silent night.

Shen Tingzhu pressed his brows lightly and looked at the toes that timidly poked out from the darkness. The embroidery on the shoes was exquisite and elegant, not stained by dust. In this dilapidated place, it was unusually clean.

His eyes followed the swaying skirt of the skirt, and the waist around Pearl was as weak as a willow. He was trembling with every step he took. Tears were half wet and half dry on his face, and there were still puddles in his eyes. Inside, I trembled miserably, daring not to fall, like a frightened little beast that could not find shelter.

Lin Qingran knew that he was looking at her, oppressing her silently.

She didn't dare to raise her head and slowly moved her gaze. When she saw the dead man with eyes wide open and unable to close his eyes, her body suddenly trembled and her face turned pale.

Lin Qingran tried her best to hold on, not letting herself fall to the ground in a panic.

She wanted to ask him not to kill her, but when she opened her mouth, not even a word came out, only a soft cry choked out.

"I've seen it all."

The cold Shuoxue's voice fell on Lin Qingran's ears, like a reminder. If she said he saw it, he would definitely kill her and silence her!

Lin Qingran shook his head in panic and denied it, "No, I didn't see anything."

While speaking, she subconsciously looked up at him with a solemn gaze. It was too late for her to hide.

Lin Qingran thought that what he saw would be a fierce face, but he didn't expect that the face reflected in the light was clear and solemn, and his red lips made his face extremely white.

If he hadn't been holding a bloody sword in his hand at this moment, if she hadn't seen him murder with her own eyes, she would have even thought that the man in front of her was gentle and harmless.

There was a tear stain under Ru Mo Shen's eyes. Lin Qingran was not sure if it was a tear stain, because there was a drop of blood spattered on it. The bright red blood belonged to the person who was killed! Just lie at his feet!

Lin Qingran's breathing suddenly stopped, her hands hanging under her sleeves were shaking slightly, and she didn't even have the strength to tighten them.

The light in Shen Tingzhu's eyes was deep and unpredictable, and the tear stain with blood on it looked even more strange under the flickering lights.

He didn't speak, and Lin Qingran didn't dare to move even more. With tears in her misty eyes, she looked at him worriedly, and there was a long and silent stalemate.

The flickering candlelight became weaker and weaker, and the eyes falling on him seemed to lose patience and looked away lightly.

Lin Qingran saw him flicking his wrist, and the cold light from the sword's edge fell on her face.

Lin Qingran almost rushed forward, held down his wrist, and pressed his whole body weight on him. His voice trembled, "Don't... don't kill me."

The tears hanging under his eyes broke and fell down his cheeks, sliding over his delicate jaw, leaving a trace of sympathy.

Shen Tingzhu pulled his hand unmoved, and Lin Qingran didn't know where she got the courage to hold his forearm tightly, refusing to let go even as her chest hurt from the hard arm guard.

Shen Tingzhu didn't twitch for the first time. Shen Tingzhu frowned and lowered his eyes to look at the woman lying almost at his feet. A few stray strands of hair were stuck to her face, and her delicate skin was stained red and translucent by tears.

"Let go." The voice was cold.

If you let go she will die!

Lin Qingran shook his head, his palm-sized face stained with tears, "Don't kill me, I didn't see anything."

The thin voice trembled so much that her body also trembled fragilely.

Shen Tingzhu's gaze followed her hair scattered around her neck. His arms were entangled with her hair, and they were squeezed into her soft arms. He could clearly feel her emotions at this moment. Frightened.

Lin Qingran followed his gaze and lowered her head, but what she cared about was not the arm holding him, but the sword in his hand. The blood on the sword was dripping down drop by drop, dripping onto her shoes and seeping into it. Silver butterflies twine around the branches in the embroidery.

Lin Qingran closed her eyes in despair, tears falling silently. Could it be that she was really going to die here today.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a while before speaking, "You want me not to kill you?"

Lin Qingran was stunned, watching him nodded vigorously, the tears hanging on his cheeks dripped down, hitting his dark clothes, and soon turned into a mark.

"Reason." Shen Tingzhu's words were concise and to the point.

Since he is a bandit, he is just seeking money. Lin Qingran let go of his hand and hurriedly untied the purse from her waist.

The softness wrapped around her arm faded, and Shen Tingzhu watched her clumsy movements in silence. Lin Qingran's hands were shaking so much that she couldn't untie it several times.

Shen Tingzhu casually inserted the blade of the sword straight into the cracks in the bricks on the ground, making a shuddering sound.

Lin Qingran froze suddenly, becoming more and more confused as she became more and more anxious. The lace was twisted around and tied into a tight knot by her.

Lin Qingran bit her lower lip in annoyance, and simply took out the silver ingot from the mouth of the bag, as well as two silver notes, held them together in her hand, and carefully handed them over, "Here they are for you."

Shen Tingzhu looked down at her trembling fingertips, thoughtfully.

Lin Qingran pursed her dry lips and pretended to be calm: "You are just asking for money, there is no need to kill anyone."

Shen Tingzhu suddenly raised his lips and smiled, glancing at the dead man on the ground.

What it means is self-evident.

Lin Qingran's eyelashes flicked hard, and her mind went blank. Yes, he had already killed someone, so how could he miss her?

"I advise you to hold it. My guards will be back soon. You won't be able to leave even if you want to." The thin clothes were soaked with cold sweat and clung to Lin Qingran's thin back. The wind blew by. A chill penetrated her bones. She suppressed her panic and took a deep breath, swallowing dryly before she had the strength to continue, "Do you know who my father is? You must have heard of the Jiangning Lin family. If something happens to me, My father and brother will never let you go! If you leave now, I promise that nothing about what happened today will be revealed."

Shen Tingzhu's unruffled eyes finally started to stir, and when he looked at her again, his eyes were full of inquiry.

He held the sword in one hand, bent his knees in front of her, his forearms casually across his knees, and stared at her.

The sudden bullying completely destroyed Lin Qingran's forced composure. She looked at him in fear and leaned back helplessly, placing her palms on the ground. The rough ground made her delicate palms ache.

And the handful of silver had already fallen to the ground.

Shen Tingzhu waited for her to say something else, but in the end he only waited for her to burst into tears.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled, "It's a bluff."

"How could Miss Lin be in this wilderness in the middle of the night?" Qing Qian's voice suddenly turned cold, "You want to lie to me."

Lin Qingran shook his head anxiously, "I didn't lie to you."

Footsteps were heard outside the hall again, and Lin Qingran's eyes rose with hope, staring closely behind him, hoping that the person coming could save her.

Mo Ci hurried in and was stunned by the jaw-dropping scene in front of him.

Lin Qingran saw the shock in his eyes, as if grasping a life-saving straw, she cried out to him for help, "Help me."

The disheveled hair, the tear-stained face, the clothes were loose due to the influence, and the ground was covered with money... Mo Ci quickly dismissed the speculation in his mind, it must not be what he thought.

"You asked the wrong person." Shen Tingzhu's warm words shattered her expectations.

Lin Qingran's head buzzed.

They are in a group.

No one will come to save her.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at Mo Ci. Seeing Lin Qingran's despairing gaze, Mo Ci stepped forward and whispered in his ear, then stepped aside after speaking.

Shen Tingzhu picked up a silver coin that had fallen on Lin Qingran's skirt. His hands were very cold. Lin Qingran could feel the coolness from his fingertips with just a shallow touch through his clothes.

"You said you were from the Lin family." He held the silver on his fingertips. His fingers were as long as bamboo. They looked so good that he didn't look like he could kill anyone. But the words that came out of his mouth made Lin Qingran tremble and fear, "The Lin family is A wealthy businessman from Jiangnan wants to get rid of me with these three melons and two dates?"

Mo Ci's eyes widened. Is this Miss Lin?

He subconsciously wanted to look over, but when he noticed the prince's subtle glance, he immediately stopped his movements and looked away.

Lin Qingran said eagerly: "As long as you let me go back, my father will give you whatever you want." As if he was afraid that he wouldn't believe it, his eyes were round and there were tears hanging at the end of his eyes. He was frightened again. Scared, it's time to fall down again.

Shen Tingzhu found it funny that she even naively discussed the terms with him. If she really ran into a bad guy, there would be no chance of her returning home intact.

Looking past her eyes that were red and swollen from crying, Shen Tingzhu straightened up and said to Mo Ci: "Have someone send a letter to the Lin Mansion and tell them that if you want her to be safe and sound, you can redeem her with money."

Mo Ci tried to figure out the meaning of the prince's words. Maybe he was asked to go to the Lin Mansion to report that the person had been picked up?

Lin Qingran breathed a sigh of relief, and her tense shoulders relaxed. The panic and luck in the rest of her life made her fingertips tremble and her eyelashes fluttered. He would not kill her for the time being. He would only wait for his father to send someone over. , she can be saved.

Lin Qingran felt a slight pain in her palms. She raised her hands. Her skin was delicate, and her palms were rubbed red by the gravel and rough grass. She didn't feel it at first, but now that she saw it, she just felt a stinging pain.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her calmly.

Lin Qingran held her hands carefully, flattened her mouth slightly, and swallowed her tears and fear together.

"Get up and follow me."

The voice was clear and cold.

Lin Qingran raised his head in fear, "Where are you going?"

Reading the impatience in his eyes, Lin Qingran's heart trembled and she didn't dare to ask again. If she offended him, killing her would be no more difficult than trampling an ant.

Lin Qingran mustered up the courage to stand up, but her legs under her skirt were so frightened that she couldn't use any strength at all. She gritted her teeth several times and failed to stand up.

He quietly raised his eyes and saw that the man was standing there without saying a word. The dying light dimly cast a shadow in front of his eyes.

Lin Qingran blinked away her tears. Now was not the time for her to be delicate. She ignored the pain in her palms and tried to stand up. Before her hands fell to the ground, her wrists were clasped by cold palms.

The cold chill instantly swam around his body like a poisonous snake, tightening its grip along with Lin Qingran's trembling heart.

Pulling her up from the ground, Shen Tingzhu let go of his hand and walked out.

Lin Qingran's eyes were filled with timidity, and the wrist he pinched seemed to be no longer hers. She quietly sniffed the tip of her red nose and put her hand on her heart to protect her.

Mo Ci walked up to her with a complicated expression. He was not sure what the prince was thinking for a moment, and it took him a long time to hold back his words, "Let's go quickly."

Lin Qingran froze, holding up her weak legs, and followed step by step.

The author has something to say:

Shen Tingzhu: I scared my wife to tears when we first met. I feel ashamed.

Red envelope drops

Pre-collection of the article "Confused by Power", please collect it ~

The court situation was in turmoil, and Prince Ning had an affair with the enemy. His members were confiscated and destroyed, leaving only an unknown Chu Yunyi in the entire Chu family.

When Chu Yunyi was about to fall into the abyss, it was Ji Jun who rescued her.

Chu Yunyi has been living in darkness since she was born, and has always been abandoned. For the first time, someone gently said to her: "You don't have to be afraid, I will always take care of you."

At that time, Chu Yunyi was thin and lean, with eyes red from crying, full of fear and anxiety, but he hid behind Ji Jun trustingly and said obediently: "I will not cause trouble to you, sir."

Ji Jun was the chief minister of the dynasty, with power in both the government and the public, and he was proud and noble. Beneath the gentle demeanor is a quiet edge.

I will save Chu Yunyi, firstly because of the entrustment of my old friend, and secondly because of my meager compassion, nothing more.

But he repeatedly made exceptions for Chu Yunyi, which was not a good sign, so he decided to send her away so that she would no longer mess with his heart.

Until one day, news of Chu Yunyi's marriage came from Jiangnan.

In front of everyone, Mr. Ji, who never showed off his scenery easily, crushed the tea cup in his hand.

On the eve of the wedding ceremony, Chu Yunyi put the good things he got from Tianxiang Tower into the wine and smiled brightly at Ji Yun: "Yunyi has a drink, sir. Thank you for taking care of me over the years."

I said I would always take care of her, so how could I not do that?

She watched Ji Jun's clear eyes gradually become chaotic.

He put on the wedding dress for her with his own hands and peeled it off one by one. His hoarse voice made her tremble, "I raised you with my own hands. Have you ever asked me when you are getting married?"

Chu Yunyi thought it was the medicine in the wine that was taking effect, but he didn't know that Ji Jun had thought about doing this countless times and would definitely do it.

#久久狠狠狠狠人的女人#

Highlight:

1. The age difference between the male and female protagonists is 14 years, and there is a growth line for the female protagonist.

2. The heroine lacks love and is paranoid, and the marriage was designed by the heroine

=== Chapter === 004

Walking outside, Lin Qingran was shocked to find that the temple had been surrounded by a dozen people, but she didn't notice it at all, which shows how skilled they are.

With a gesture from Mo Ci, several of them quickly disappeared into the darkness and disappeared, leaving only three people motionless.

Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat, how could the prey that fell into the wolf's mouth still survive? If she left with him, would he let her go?

She turned her head sharply and looked in the direction where the carriage was parked before. There was nothing in the dark forest. The carriage was gone. What about Qingfeng and Qiuzhi? Are you hiding?

"looking at what."

Shen Tingzhu turned around and saw her standing there in panic and helplessness, as if she had been abandoned, with uneasiness in her eyes.

Lin Qingran hid her emotions in a panic, pursed her pale lips, and then timidly opened her lips after a while, "I didn't see anything."

Even if Qingfeng is here, with his two moves, he is definitely no match for these people. He is just dying in vain. Even if he hides, they will definitely find a way to bring someone to save them.

Shen Tingzhu was still looking at her, his penetrating eyes seemed to be able to see through her thoughts. Lin Qingran clenched her palms and mustered up the courage to look at him.

Shen Tingzhu didn't want to expose her, but he suddenly wanted to see how those eyes became wet and soft.

"Still waiting for your guards to come rescue you?"

Shen Tingzhu narrowed his eyes slightly, with a thin smile on his lips.

Only then did Lin Qingran realize that he actually had peach blossom eyes and his smile seemed affectionate, but she trembled violently.

When Ru Yuan saw the mist in those watery eyes, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly and said, "Go up."

Mo Ci didn't know when he brought a carriage over.

Lin Qingran took a step back, and his cold gaze fell on her feet, as if measuring something.

She didn't dare to hesitate anymore, held up the hem of her skirt, hurriedly got into the carriage, shrunk herself into a small person and sat in the corner, and hid her feet under the hem of her skirt.

Mo Ci didn't dare to make any decisions, so he stepped forward and lowered his voice: "Are you sending Miss Lin to the ship?"

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes to look at the still shaking curtain, twirled his fingertips lightly, then raised his hand to wipe the blood under his eyes with his fingertips, and said casually: "We have to rush to Jiangdu at dawn, there is no delay, and there is no need to allocate people. It's safe, take it with you for now."

He stepped on the mazha and said calmly, "Take care of it here, find her guards."

Lin Qingran sat huddled in the carriage and vaguely heard Shen Tingzhu's last words, which meant that Qingfeng and Qiu Zhi were still safe!

Gao Xuan's heart finally dropped. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she saw the man's pale hand protruding from the curtain. Lin Qingran straightened her back as if facing a formidable enemy, staring at that hand with vigilance.

Shen Tingzhu came in through the curtain, glanced at her briefly, and sat aside.

As soon as he entered, Lin Qingran felt that the carriage had become cold, and the already cramped carriage became extremely depressing.

She moved her body carefully, trying to get as far away from him as possible, but her back was pressed against the car wall and she had no way to retreat.

Shen Tingzhu glanced over and saw that Lin Qingran's breathing became stagnant, her lips opened a small gap, and she exhaled weakly.

He couldn't breathe, and his little face turned red.

So scared.

Shen Tingzhu looked away, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

With the sound of rolling wheels, the carriage slowly moved forward. Lin Qingran's nose felt sore and her heart sank again and again. She didn't know where she would be taken. She regretted it. If she was willing If we had gone to Shangyuan early, what happened today would not have happened.

Shen Tingzhu did not open his eyes again, but Lin Qingran never dared to relax, holding herself in a defensive posture and looking at him cautiously.

After a long time, there was no movement from him. Could it be that he fell asleep? Lin Qingran lowered his eyes and then opened them wide again. Since he fell asleep, he might be able to take the opportunity to escape.

Lin Qingran looked around. The carriage was wide enough for her to get out. The carriage was not moving very fast at the moment, as long as she was careful enough.

She held her breath, pressed her violently beating heart with one hand, and slowly pushed Qia Xuan away little by little with the other hand trembling.

The "little brother" who was following him on horseback turned his head and looked at each other. Lin Qingran's scalp exploded. He suddenly took his hands back and sat down, tears welling up in fear, hurting his delicate and red eyes.

Shen Tingzhu, who was resting with his eyes closed, slightly curled his lips.

Lin Qingran didn't dare to mess around anymore, and the carriage became silent.

After a long silence, Shen Tingzhu suddenly heard a sound in his ears. He ignored it even if it was silent, but after a long time, the sound kept coming.

Shen Tingzhu lazily opened his eyelids and saw the Lin family girl bending her snow-white neck, her black hair hanging down her sunken waist. He could not see clearly, as if she was holding a handkerchief and wiping something carefully.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows in disinterest, "What are you doing."

Lin Qingran, who was concentrating on his movements, suddenly froze and sat up straight, as quickly as a child who made a mistake was caught.

Shen Tingzhu saw clearly that he was wiping the blood stains on the embroidered shoes.

Lin Qingran saw that he had seen it and did not answer. However, Shen Tingzhu looked at her patiently, as if he insisted on hearing the answer from her mouth.

"...The shoes are dirty." The soft voice could not hide the grievance. Even when he begged himself not to kill her, he didn't necessarily feel so aggrieved.

Lin Qingran moved her toes. No matter how hard she wiped the blood on it, she could not wipe it away. As soon as she saw it, her mind was filled with thoughts of the dead person. She looked at Shen Tingzhu a few more times. Partial timidity.

She hesitated for a long time, then stumbled and said: "Can you..." She stopped her voice, moved her lips a few times, and said no more.

Shen Tingzhu said with a half-smile but not a smile: "You can only speak half of the words, so you don't need to use the tongue."

Lin Qingran looked at him in disbelief, covering her mouth tightly, and her muffled and trembling voice came out through her palms: "I just want to change to a pair of clean shoes, it doesn't matter if it doesn't work."

Shen Tingzhu never expected that he would hear such a sentence and raised his eyebrows with interest. How on earth did the Lin family raise such a delicate but timid daughter.

"what's your name?"

When he came, his third aunt mentioned it to him, but he just listened and didn't write it down.

Lin Qingran pursed her lower lip and did not speak.

He only said that he couldn't say half a sentence, but he didn't say that he couldn't not answer.

"say."

Hearing his slightly cold voice, Lin Qingran lost her courage again and whispered her name.

"Qingruan?" Shen Tingzhu frowned, but he looked like her.

Lin Qingran wrinkled the tip of her nose and corrected softly, "It's dye... clothes that are not stained by dust." He spoke softer and softer until he shut his mouth tightly.

She explained what this was for, maybe this person didn't even know how to read.

Shen Tingzhu hummed lightly, closed his eyes and said nothing.

Lin Qingran lowered his eyes, as expected.

The night was dark, and except for the sound of carriages and horses, the forest was eerily quiet.

Lin Qingran didn't dare to close her eyes, and she didn't feel sleepy. She just sat there with her eyes open until dawn.

As the surroundings gradually became noisy and lively, Lin Qingran woke up from her tense panic. They were entering the city!

Pushing Qixuan, the dazzling sunlight shone on her pale and haggard face, and there were cars and horses coming and going on the road. Lin Qingran almost cried with joy.

"Be honest."

There was a slight sound of words coming from behind, implying a warning.

Lin Qingran's eyelashes trembled, and she turned around stiffly. The man was leaning against the car wall, looking at her with an unknown meaning. Perhaps he just woke up. There was a blur of water in those overly beautiful eyes.

The sunlight came in and fell on him, and the terrifying coldness faded a lot.

Lin Qingran wanted to shout for help, but she didn't dare to act rashly and just nodded obediently.

Shen Tingzhu believed that she was not a bad person. At first, she was impatient to explain, but there was no need. Later, she learned that she was the daughter of the Lin family. She should have revealed her identity at that time, and she should have called him cousin.

But seeing her frightened and pitiful look like a little rabbit, and her tear-stained eyes, she changed her words as soon as she spoke.

So make mistakes and make mistakes.

The carriage stopped outside an inn.

Lin Qingran couldn't help but be more cautious. In broad daylight, he dared to swagger through the market, which showed how arrogant he was.

Shen Tingzhu pretended not to see her eyes, which were turning red and turning slowly, and stood up to get out of the carriage.

Mo Ci stepped forward and stretched out his hand to help, Shen Tingzhu's eyebrows suddenly darkened, and there was an unusual coldness all over his body.

Mo Ci's heart trembled, and he silently stepped aside.

Lin Qingran followed behind. She was frightened and tired from not sleeping all night. She was already exhausted. As soon as she stepped on the mazha, she felt dizzy, her feet slipped, and her body fell softly.

Lin Qingran was horrified, and in a panic, she grabbed Mo Ci who was closest to her.

"Girl, be careful!" Mo Ci reacted very quickly, and with a little force of his strong iron arm, he lifted the person up.

Lin Qingran's thin fingertips tightly grasped his arm, and she stumbled to steady herself. A thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead, her lips were slightly open, and she gasped with lingering fear.

Shen Tingzhu, who had walked a few steps away, turned around when he heard the noise. His eyes crossed Lin Qingran's little hand that was still holding on Mo Ci's arm, and asked in a cold tone: "What are you doing again?"

Just when Mo Ci was about to open his mouth to explain, he was shocked by Shen Tingzhu's glance. He hurriedly shook off Lin Qingran's hand and walked away.

Lin Qingran also grew up being pampered by thousands of beauties, and had never suffered such grievances. Coupled with this fright, her six souls were still undecided, and her temper rose up without hesitation, "I didn't sleep all night, and I didn't He ate and didn't even drink any water."

As she spoke, her eyes became sore and her eyes became wet. She raised her head fiercely and met Shen Tingzhu's indifferent gaze.

By the time Lin Qingran realized who he was getting angry with, it was already too late to take back his words.

She fluttered her eyelashes and looked at the inn behind him. Her voice suddenly became soft and she said, "I'm hungry."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes were filled with surprise, "Why didn't you say you were hungry?"

Lin Qingran lowered her head and stared at the ground with moist eyes. If she had dared to say it, she wouldn't have waited until now.

Shen Tingzhu was silent for a moment, "Follow me."

Lin Qingran followed step by step, looking weak and weak until he sat down.

The waiter in the inn came forward to greet us: "What do you two guests want to bring?"

Shen Tingzhu said: "A bowl of beef noodles."

He looked at Lin Qingran, who was still stunned.

Lin Qingran was a little surprised. Did he let her choose what to eat?

Lin Qingran tentatively said: "I also want a bowl of beef noodles."

The waiter smiled and said, "Wait a moment, you two. You'll be here soon."

Seeing Shen Tingzhu pick up the kettle on the table and pour water, she quickly got herself a glass and quietly observed the surrounding situation while drinking water.

It was still early, and there were only a few tables in the inn. Sitting next to the door was an old man with a burden at his feet. He must have come to catch the morning market. Lin Qingran looked at his half-white hair and turned his gaze. Turned to the other side.

She thought she was acting calmly, but she had no idea that Shen Tingzhu had already seen her every move.

After giving instructions to his subordinates, Mo Ci walked into the inn, looked at the two people sitting opposite each other from a distance, and scratched his head with a strange expression.

The prince sipped the tea with an interesting look like he used to tease a cat. He placed the little-sized kitten at the foot of the high steps and watched it meow, unable to get up no matter what. From time to time, he would "kindly" extend his hand to help, but when he finally came up, he would take his hand back.

When the snow-white kitten turned black and his paws had no strength to lift it, he had enough fun, picked up the dirty kitten, and went to clean it himself.

It was a sunny day, and Mo Ci shivered because the prince's left nature was showing up again.

The author has something to say:

The male protagonist is a little owed in the early stage, but will be bullied later.

Thanks to the little angels who sent the nutrient solution: 2 bottles from Mojie, 1 bottle from Jisoo's sister, Wanyi, and Suiyinhejiutian, 10 bottles from Zhao Jiuli, lenmeiweier, and ting4930, and 30 bottles from ""

=== Chapter === 005

After Lin Qingran looked around, he lowered his eyes sadly. Two feather-like eyelashes covered his eyes listlessly.

There were just ordinary people in the inn, and it seemed like no one knew martial arts and could help her.

She took a sip of tea in frustration, and the clear tea flowed through her throat that had been dry all night, making her feel a little better.

After drinking the tea in the cup, she raised her eyes and realized that the man was looking at her. Lin Qingran's heart suddenly tightened. She straightened her back weakly and looked at him uneasily with her red eyes. , she wasn't sure if he had discovered her intentions.

After a while, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes, turned around and continued to drink tea. From the corner of his eye, he saw the little girl's shoulders relax, and she poured herself another cup of tea with trembling. The water line pulled out of the spout was also intermittent, not to mention that there was no water. How pitiful.

While Lin Qingran was pouring tea, she quietly went to see him. She happened to see a group of officials outside walking towards the inn. Her hands shook and the teapot she was holding fell on the table with a loud bang, splashing a few drops of water.

Lin Qingran couldn't hold back her excitement, her eyes became extremely bright, she was saved!

Shen Tingzhu also saw it. He slowly picked up the long sword at his hand, put it on the table, and tilted his head to smile at Lin Qingran.

It's obvious what it means.

Lin Qingran's breathing stagnated in shock, and she opened her eyes wide in fear. Her eyes couldn't help shaking, and even her heart was trembling. She even clenched her fingers several times but couldn't tighten them. She stared closely at the table. The sword was too scared to move.

The smile in Shen Tingzhu's eyes did not diminish. He pressed his knuckles lightly against the bottom of the teacup and silently placed the teacup in his hand on the table. He raised his eyes and looked at Mo Ci who was walking towards him and said, "Go over and have a look."

If Lin Qingran hadn't been so panicked, he would have discovered the natural noble aura beneath his subtle movements.

But all her attention was on that sword now, for fear that he would suddenly draw the sword.

Mo Ci cast a sympathetic look at Lin Qingran, who was full of anxiety, and walked out.

Lin Qingran hurriedly followed and looked over. When she saw the official officer stopping Mo Ci, her whole heart was lifted. She only hoped that the official officer would find out the identity of these bandits and arrest them all without letting any of them go.

Because they were too far away, Lin Qingran couldn't hear what they said. The officer looked around the inn. When he saw her, her wet eyes were full of urgent and silent pleas for help, but the officer could only He glanced at her and turned to leave.

Lin Qingran stood up almost instantly. The waiter who was approaching was startled by her and turned sideways with the tray, "Hey, sir, please be careful not to burn it."

Lin Qingran's thoughts were spinning rapidly in her mind. She raised her hand and pushed the man towards the man, turned around and ran away.

Shen Tingzhu narrowed his eyes slightly and moved like lightning. He firmly supported the boy who fell towards him and at the same time kicked out a bench from under the table and placed it in front of Lin Qingran, blocking her way.

"Miss Lin." Shen Tingzhu let go of the hand holding the clerk's arm, and his voice could not detect any emotion or anger, "The noodles are here, don't be in a hurry."

Lin Qingran looked at the bench in front of him in shock, the blood all over his body was solidified, and his back was dripping with cold sweat. He struck too fast! She didn't even have a chance to escape.

The clerk let out a long breath and lowered his face. He also saw something strange between the two of them, but both of them looked too good, and with Shen Tingzhu's good demeanor, he couldn't move on to kidnapping. Thinking about it, I just thought it was the girl's family who was having trouble.

The waiter bowed slightly towards Shen Tingzhu, "Thanks to the guest officer for helping me, otherwise this side would have been smashed." Then he smiled apologetically at Lin Qingran and said, "Young lady, you're not scared."

As a handyman, he naturally did not dare to blame the customers for pushing him.

Lin Qingran didn't hear what he said at all. Seeing the official officer walking further and further away, she was very anxious. If this opportunity was gone, she had a feeling that she would never be able to escape again!

Unable to control much, Lin Qingran opened her mouth to call for help.

"Miss Lin." Shen Tingzhu's slow voice was like an invisible hand, strangling Lin Qingran's thin neck, making her unable to speak.

He waved his hand for the man to go down, and when he spoke again, his words were a bit unpredictable, "I wonder if you have ever heard of a kind of poison. After taking it, no matter how beautiful your voice is, you will never be able to make a sound."

After he spoke, he shook his head slightly, as if he was regretting it.

Lin Qingran's eyes were filled with tears. She felt like she could no longer speak. She wanted to scream, but she didn't dare. She didn't doubt the meaning of his words at all. As long as she spoke out, he would mute her.

Lin Qingran could only watch the official officer walking further and further away. The tightly clenched hand at her side suddenly loosened, and she knew she had no chance.

Biting her lip in pain, Lin Qingran sat down stiffly, facing the cold gaze, and replied in a low voice: "Never heard of it..."

She repeatedly pursed her sore lips and begged timidly, "Don't let me eat."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and watched her fluttering her eyelashes like butterfly wings. This little voice sounded really nice, and the tenderness seemed to penetrate into her bones. And that little bit of trembling could arouse people's addiction.

"If you hurt me, don't even think about getting any money." Lin Qingran's voice was low, as if she was mumbling, and she didn't have any confidence in what she said.

Shen Tingzhu raised his lips and sneered, and Lin Qingran's heart tightened.

Looking away from the pitiful little girl, Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "As long as Miss Lin stops messing around, I naturally don't want to cause trouble."

He took a pair of bamboo chopsticks from the chopstick bucket, took the steaming noodles and started eating.

It wasn't until he stopped looking at her that Lin Qingran slowly relaxed and closed her eyes filled with fear.

When will her father and brother come to rescue her?

She was really scared.

Lin Qingran lowered her head, and Shen Tingzhu couldn't see if she was crying. Thinking of her eyes, which had been red and swollen all night and had not gone away, his tone softened a little, "It's not that I'm hungry, so I won't eat quickly. "

Lin Qingran quickly blinked the sourness from the corner of her eyes and held the bowl in front of her. She cheered up and kept comforting herself. Although she failed to escape this time, at least she was sure that in order to get the money, he would not Injure yourself easily.

Lin Qingran was really hungry. She took the chopsticks, picked up the noodles and brought them to her mouth. She frowned after taking a bite. The noodles smelled fragrant, but when they were eaten, they were bland and tasteless.

Lin Qingran picked at the noodles twice with chopsticks, but there was very little meat.

She has always been meticulous about eating, but this bowl of noodles was really not to her liking.

But now it was not her turn to be picky. Thinking of her situation, Lin Qingran sniffed, put a piece of beef in her mouth and chewed it in small bites, slightly flattening the corners of her lips.

Shen Tingzhu found it interesting to see her picky and aggrieved look, and a faint smile appeared on her thin lips, but she remained silent.

Lin Qingran noticed that he ate very politely, and even looked good-looking. He dropped his chopsticks silently, and drank soup gently with a spoon, making no sound from beginning to end.

She glanced at it, and then again after a while, and she felt more and more strange in her heart, how could a bandit who killed so many people still pay attention to the rules of eating.

Realizing that she was looking at her furtively, Shen Tingzhu picked up a large piece of meat and put it to his mouth in front of her, and took a rough bite, vaguely revealing his white teeth.

Lin Qingran's fingertips trembled, and she hurriedly lowered her head to eat the noodles. It was indeed an illusion, how could a bandit get involved with Sven.

There were gradually more people in the inn. Lin Qingran frowned when she saw the water chestnut pink osmanthus cake, crab dumplings and jade bean cake that the waiter brought to the table next to her. Then she looked at the bowl of noodles in front of her that was almost crumbly. , eating slowly.

Shen Tingzhu had already finished eating. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at her. Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat and she hurriedly started eating.

Shen Tingzhu saw her red eyes and she was putting noodles into her mouth one after another. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and call the waiter, "Just follow the table and serve the same portion."

Lin Qingran looked at him blankly. He was pointing at the table he was looking at just now.

Shen Tingzhu looked calm and ordinary, "Miss Lin is of great use to me, how could I neglect you."

Lin Qingran hesitated for a while, then believed his words in her heart.

He also wants to use her to blackmail his father, so he doesn't think he will bully her too much. If she makes any mistake, he will get nothing.

Thinking of this, Lin Qingran felt more confident, but she didn't know how much silver he wanted, and he must have a big appetite.

The waiter quickly served the food, interrupting her thoughts.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Eat."

Dishes were placed on the small table, but Lin Qingran hesitated to put down his chopsticks.

The aroma came in bursts, and there was a gurgling sound in the stomach without warning. Lin Qingran's bloodless little face suddenly turned red, and she pursed her lips in embarrassment. Fortunately, the inn was noisy, and no one noticed this subtle movement.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes moved slightly and he propped his head to look at her.

Lin Qingran hid the embarrassment between her brows and eyes, no longer thought about it, and picked up a small crab dumpling with her chopsticks.

The exquisite dumplings were brought to her mouth, and Shen Tingzhu looked over. She opened her pink lips lightly and carefully took a bite of the dumplings. Some of the soup stained her lips, and she rolled them away with the tip of her tongue.

The dumplings were filled with fresh and sweet crab meat, and the soup was delicious on the tongue. Lin Qingran couldn't help but roll her eyes after taking one bite.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled lightly. When he was eating noodles, his eyes were still full of grievances, as if he could cry at any time. Now he smiled with tears in his eyes. He was really a delicate little thing to the core.

But this squeamishness is not annoying.

Shen Tingzhu didn't move his chopsticks, nor did he urge her, he just watched her eat in a leisurely manner. He even began to wonder if the bowl of noodles he ate really tasted that bad.

The author has something to say:

Ranran (fierce: "You scare me with a sword and feed me poison!"

Persimmon (with an innocent face: "I'm afraid the sword will fall to the ground and the poison...did I say I would give it to you to eat?"

There will be another update tonight~

=== Chapter === 006

Don't resign and come back. He really doesn't want to get involved in this weird relationship, but he has something important to report.

"World…"

Shen Tingzhu retracted his gaze from Lin Qingran, glanced at him briefly, and Mo Ci hurriedly swallowed the last word.

This happened so suddenly that he didn't know how to address Shen Tingzhu for a moment. He couldn't call him "eldest son", and it must be wrong to call him "young master".

Looking at the frightened look on Miss Lin's face all the way, she definitely didn't regard them as good people, so Mo Ci bit the bullet and said, "Master, we should get over."

After he finished speaking, he felt that his legs were a little weak.

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "I understand."

Lin Qingran ate the water chestnut cake in her mouth without raising her eyes. She listened carefully to the conversation between the two. She didn't hear what she wanted to hear, so she lowered her eyelashes in disappointment.

"Have you eaten yet?" Shen Tingzhu asked her.

Lin Qingran said softly: "...Okay."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at the dishes on the table and stood up silently. Lin Qingran followed suit this time and didn't ask where she was going. However, she took every step slowly and gently, but no matter how much she delayed, This short journey must be completed.

Fortunately, the carriage didn't go too far this time and stopped in front of a house.

Shen Tingzhu had no intention of going down, and said to Lin Qingran, who was still on guard: "Get off the car and go in."

Lin Qingran clenched her hands on her knees twice. It was obviously daytime, but it was so quiet here that no one could hear a sound. What kind of place was this?

Shen Tingzhu saw her soft and delicate little hands sunk into the soft silk, and could barely see each of her small fingers, but they were all so tight that they turned white.

He lowered his eyes and seemed to think about it for a moment before saying, "You will stay here until the money is delivered."

Hearing what he said, Lin Qingran's nervous heart dropped a lot. She didn't want to stay with this seemingly harmless but actually ruthless bandit leader for a moment, so she hurriedly got off the carriage with her skirt in hand.

The carriage passed behind her, and the two guards who were left to guard Lin Qingran stepped forward to open the door and said, "Miss Lin, please come in."

Lin Qingran would not think that they were being polite just because they spoke politely. She quickly looked around and saw that this was probably the outskirts of the city. Apart from this lonely house, there was no place to hide and no one in sight.

No wonder the man wasn't worried that she would escape.

Lin Qingran took a deep breath and walked into the house.

The house is not big, with only a few rooms, and there is a layer of fallen leaves in the courtyard, making it look empty and desolate.

Lin Qingran frowned slightly, it seemed that this must be the hiding place of these bandits.

She was taken to a room.

"Girl, please rest here first."

The person next to him raised his hand expressionlessly in a gesture of invitation, his voice cold.

Lin Qingran looked at the knife on his waist and still didn't dare to relax. Immediately after entering the house, he closed the door and locked the door latch with trembling hands. Then he leaned against the back of the door, closing his eyes tightly and exhaling.

Liangjiang Governor's Mansion.

An inconspicuous carriage stopped next to the majestic and tall stone lion.

The officers and soldiers on guard drove forward with calm faces, "How brave are you? If you don't see where this place is, why don't you leave quickly!"

Mo Ci took out his belt card, and the two officers and soldiers looked at each other, immediately lost their previous posture, and looked at the carriage with hesitation on their faces.

He Xuan said coldly: "Don't go and communicate yet."

The officers and soldiers who went in to announce the news came out quickly, bowed and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Governor, please come in."

Shen Tingzhu stepped out of the carriage and said in a gentle and gentle voice, "Don't forget to bring the meeting gift for Governor Zhao."

Mo Ci pulled off an object wrapped in black cloth from the horse's back, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will not forget this."

Mo Ci followed Shen Tingzhu into the government office and smacked the words in his mouth. The prince's name was still spoken smoothly, but the master's shout made him feel that it was treasonous.

Zhao Xuan was sitting on the Grand Master's chair in the main hall, holding an official document in his hand and flipping through it.

Hearing the report of the visitor, Zhao Xuan stood up with a smile, walked forward and greeted, "Your Majesty has come all the way, why didn't you send someone to inform you in advance, so that I can take care of you."

"Please take a seat quickly." Zhao Xuan turned around and ordered: "Serve tea."

Shen Tingzhu laughed lightly, shook his head and sat down, "I am an idle person. Today I am thinking about the mist and rain in the south of the Yangtze River, so I came down to the south of the Yangtze River. Tomorrow, I am thinking about the mountains and rivers of Shu, and I may leave again."

Zhao Xuan smiled knowingly.

Shen Tingzhu said again: "I am passing through Jiangdu this time. I thought of Governor Zhao, so I came here to visit."

Zhao Xuan nodded, "I haven't returned to the capital for a long time, and it's true that I haven't seen the prince for a long time." He flipped the finger on his hand and asked about Mr. Shen's current situation.

"My father often talks about Mr. Zhao." Shen Tingzhu picked up the tea cup and blew the tea leaves on his face. "It is said that after Mr. Zhao took office, there was no one who drank happily."

Zhao Xuan laughed loudly after hearing this, but he had doubts in his heart. The Zhao family's friendship with the Changxing Marquis Mansion was only casual, and he was not so familiar with Lord Shen yet, so he would never say such things.

Shen Tingzhu drank the tea in his mouth, moistened his throat and said, "I almost forgot, I brought a gift to Mr. Zhao this time."

Zhao Xuan waved his hand and refused: "Your Majesty, you are too polite."

Shen Tingzhu just smiled, turned his face slightly and said, "Don't quit."

Mo Ci came forward with something in hand, "Master Zhao, please open it and take a look."

When the two of them came in, Zhao Xuan could smell the faint smell of rust in the air. Now that he was closer, the smell became stronger, mixed with an unusual stickiness... the smell of blood.

Zhao Xuan's eyes became sharp as he examined the black cloth package in Mo Ci's hand.

The things were placed on the table, and a circle of dark blood quickly appeared.

Zhao Xuanrong looked solemn and looked at Shen Tingzhu calmly, "Since it is the prince's kindness, then I will be disrespectful."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said nothing, raised his empty hand and motioned for him to open it.

Zhao Xuan thought that he had been an official for many years and had never seen any scenes. He would not be confused by a junior. He calmly untied the cloth bag, the black cloth fell, and the contents inside were revealed—

It was a person's head!

The pale dead man's face was tinged with gray, appearing alone in front of his eyes. Anyone would be shocked by this horrifying scene.

Zhao Xuan took a step back suddenly. He instantly recognized whose head it was, and a trace of panic appeared on his square and solemn face. After a quick calculation in his mind, he asked with a cold face, "Prince, what is this?" mean?"

Shen Tingzhu glanced at the things on the case, with confusion in his eyes, "Why doesn't Mr. Zhao recognize it?"

Zhao Xuan was shocked and spoke stiffly, "Your Majesty, you were joking. You suddenly brought something like this over and said you wanted to give it to me, and then asked me if I recognized it. I would like to ask you what you meant?"

Shen Tingzhu sat back on the chair and looked at Zhao Xuan. His casual indifference made Zhao Xuan unsure of what his purpose was and what he had mastered.

After a while, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "How come Mr. Zhao doesn't even recognize the people on the wanted notice he issued?"

How could Zhao Xuan not recognize him? But this person was not on the wanted list at all!

"I also learned that there are bandits wandering around here, but they have not been caught and brought to justice. I wanted to do Master Zhao a favor, so I asked the hidden stakes to investigate. Fortunately, they were found."

Shen Tingzhu's beautiful thin lips curved slightly, with a harmless smile, "Master Zhao should thank me properly this time."

Zhao Xuan stared at him without saying a word, his eyes dark and sharp.

Shen Tingzhu was unmoved, his posture remained leisurely, but he changed the topic and asked with a smile: "Speaking of which, Master Zhao should have known that I had arrived in Shangyuan, right?"

Zhao Xuan broke into a cold sweat, his heart was beating wildly, and the corners of his eyes were twitching fiercely.

He did know that Shen Tingzhu was here early in the morning, and he could not take it lightly when someone came from the capital, but it was him, a sick man who relied on soup and medicine every day.

Zhao Xuan didn't think he had the ability to attack him, but he was still worried that something would happen, so he used his name as a bandit to leave a way out for himself. However, he didn't expect that he had already been seen through, and he didn't take him seriously at all. The sick young man!

Zhao Xuan's eyes flashed with cruelty, and soon returned to normal. Since Shen Tingzhu didn't expose him, it meant that he had no conclusive evidence.

Zhao Xuan calmly squinted his eyes to identify the things on the table and followed his words: "Yes, this person is indeed a fugitive bandit."

"As long as you're not wrong." Shen Tingzhu said with a smile and a pun, "Don't look back. I did bad things with good intentions. If I make a joke, the emperor will inevitably blame me."

There was a bloody head on the table, but he was calm and relaxed, without any sign of tension, as if he was really here to give a gift.

Zhao Xuan was more and more frightened, but he also smiled and dealt with him.

Shen Tingzhu came out of the government office. It was already dusk. Zhao Xuan walked to the carriage. He looked up at the sky and invited again: "If you ask me, the prince should stay and have a meal together."

"Master Zhao, there is no need to trouble." Shen Tingzhu declined with a smile, "There will be many opportunities in the future." After that, he handed over and left.

As soon as Shen Tingzhu got on the carriage, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes to rest. The carriage went around the busy streets and headed towards the outskirts of the city.

Mo Ci walked to the carriage and said, "Your Majesty, we are here."

After a moment, Shen Tingzhu said "hmm", with a tired voice. The hand on his lap was clenched repeatedly, and the veins clearly emerged, as if he was suppressing something.

Mo Ci waited for a while before he got off the carriage. His eyelids were half-draped lazily, but something vaguely strange could still be seen in the slightly twisted eyebrows and the tight corners of his lips.

Mo Ci observed his expression and said with a worried tone, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"

Shen Tingzhu ignored it and walked inside, saying, "Let's make arrangements and set off tomorrow."

Mo Ci nodded, something flashed through his mind quickly, and he quickly caught up and said, "What about Miss Lin?"

Shen Tingzhu stopped to look at him. A moment of daze flashed in his tired black eyes. Remembering that there was Miss Lin in the house, he relaxed his frown, slightly raised his chin and said, "Let's go together." That's it."

Why did Mo Ci ask this? He followed Shen Tingzhu's steps, his face full of distress, "Then how should I call you, subordinate?"

Shen Tingzhu asked slowly, "What was your name before? Isn't it too late to ask now?"

Mo Ci hurriedly said: "I'm not acting according to your eyes." A chuckle escaped Shen Tingzhu's lips, "What are my eyes? I'm telling you not to cause trouble, not to make nonsense."

Mo Ci's mind tightened, the prince might be trying to put the responsibility on him.

He was the one who called the head of the family, and it was Miss Lin who admitted her mistake, and the crown prince was clean.

Mo Ci felt annoyed and regretful. No wonder, no wonder that earlier when His Majesty was still the prince, he had given such a comment as "The most dangerous person is Shen Zhi."

The author has something to say:

The male protagonist's name is Shen Zhi and his courtesy name is Tingzhu.

Red envelope drops~

Thanks to the little angels who sent the nutrient solution: Mojie, Liying., Jisoo's sister 1 bottle, quick-frozen pear cake, Zhao Jiuli 10 bottles, Guess Who I'm Duck 5 bottles, lenmeiweier 4 bottles, nice 2 bottles. Yeah~

=== Chapter === 007

The dilapidated temple, the corpses lying on the ground, blood... there was blood everywhere.

The man holding the sword in front of him bent his eyes with a smile but not a smile. The blood-stained moles under his eyes were bright red. He suddenly approached Lin Qingran and whispered like a whisper, "Do you think you can escape?"

Lin Qingran opened her eyes suddenly, gasping in fear, her heart heaving violently. She looked at the already dark room, choked with difficulty, her throat hurt, and she realized that she was dreaming just now.

The panic in her eyes had dissipated a little, but her current situation was not much better than in her dream. She was being locked up in this house by the bandit leader.

Lin Qingran rubbed her arms, which were numb and sore from the pillow. She was so tired that she fell asleep on the table.

"Knock-knock-knock-"

A knock on the door suddenly sounded in the darkness.

"Who!" Lin Qingran stood up immediately and stared at the door warily.

Mo Ci said outside the door: "The boss invites the girl out for dinner."

Lin Qingran clenched her hands so hard that it hurt. Is that person back?

There was no movement for a long time. Mo Ci frowned and was about to ask when the door of the room suddenly opened from the inside.

No matter how calm Lin Qingran pretended to be, the twinkle in her eyes could not deceive anyone. She stood behind the door, her figure thin and delicate, and fragile and teetering on the edge of collapse.

Mo Ci had complained about Miss Lin before and made them wait for many days, but now he felt a little sorry. He coughed lightly and said, "Please."

Lin Qingran saw a light on in the hall not far away, that person must be there.

She clenched her palms tightly. Although these people hijacked her, they all treated her politely. She just treated them as if they were out to make a deal and would rest here for two days.

After comforting himself, Lin Qingran straightened his back slightly.

As a result, when she walked to the corridor, her legs were still shaking uncontrollably.

Seeing that she hadn't moved for a long time, Mo Ci reminded her, "Miss Lin, the boss is inside."

Lin Qingran turned her head and glared at him quickly. Could she not know why she was speaking so loudly?

Sure enough, the next moment, a voice that sounded like a nightmare to Lin Qingran came out, "Miss Lin hasn't come in for a long time. Are you waiting for me to invite you?"

After finishing speaking, Shen Tingzhu saw the shadow shining on the ground tremble slightly.

Lin Qingran stood at the door and heard the sound of a chair being dragged across the ground, then bit her lip and walked in.

When she went in, she found that the man was still sitting on the chair. He had not gotten up at all. He only tilted his head and looked at her intriguingly.

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment, and then she realized what was going on when she saw him holding his hand on another chair.

Shen Tingzhu took a closer look at her expression. Her red eyes were full of confusion, and she froze motionless. He said calmly: "Sit down and eat."

There were four or five dishes on the small round table, and there were even pastries. He really didn't "sneak off" as he said. Lin Qingran bit her lip and chose a seat farthest away from him.

It is said to be the farthest, but in fact it is only one seat away, facing each other.

She was so close that Lin Qingran could clearly smell the faint, refreshing fragrance coming from him after bathing. Only then did she suddenly realize that he had changed his clothes. He was still in simple and elegant clothes, but without the frightening smell of blood. His anger, coupled with his already thin figure and that overly handsome, harmless face, can simply confuse the audience.

On the contrary, Lin Qingran described herself as haggard. More importantly, she had been wearing dirty clothes for a whole day and night, and the blood stains on her embroidered shoes were still there. Because she had sweated, her back was sticky and Lin Qingran was tight. Pursing her lips, she wondered when she had ever made herself so dirty.

She was too scared to take care of him before, but now this bandit leader is cleaner than her. She frowned her slender brows and felt restless. Even every strand of her hair felt uncomfortably tight, feeling indescribable embarrassment.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little girl who suddenly felt aggrieved inexplicably. He didn't seem to scare her.

"Why don't you eat?"

Lin Qingran's lips moved and she whispered: "Master."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows. Hearing these three words from her mouth really shocked him.

"Master, I want clean clothes." After Lin Qingran finished speaking, she pursed her lips. Her misty eyes were round and glistening, as if she was afraid that he would disagree.

Shen Tingzhu remembered that on the carriage last night, she also longed for him and wanted a pair of shoes.

"Miss Lin, I'm afraid you don't understand why you are here." Shen Tingzhu said teasingly.

"You said you wouldn't neglect me." Lin Qingran looked astonished as if you wanted to regret it.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows, and his peach blossom eyes seemed to be smiling. Lin Qingran lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze, "The money you spend to buy clothes is included in the ransom, and you won't lose money."

Shen Tingzhu, who had a soft voice, leaned forward and managed to speak clearly.

"Miss Lin is right."

Lin Qingran raised his head happily, "Then..."

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "Eat first, I'm hungry."

The light in the little girl's eyes suddenly went out, and her little head drooped, as if the eggplant had been hit by frost.

Lin Qingran held the bowl and counted the rice in her mouth. It was tasteless and tasteless. She even felt like she was going to stink.

Shen Tingzhu saw that her food was not very good, and she didn't know what she was paying attention to. Except for the blood stains on her shoes, she had wiped everything else clean with her handkerchief.

He deliberately teased her, "like a dirty wild cat."

Shen Tingzhu just rolled his tongue in his mouth and spoke easily, but forced Lin Qingran's tears to come out.

The rabbit was anxious and wanted to take a few bites. Lin Qingran raised her wet eyes and stared at his human-like face, wanting to pounce on it and bite it.

If it weren't for this bandit who killed a thousand people, she wouldn't be what she is now.

Shen Tingzhu didn't see that she wanted to bite anyone, but the way she looked at him with red circles and longing for him was really pitiful.

That's it, no more teasing.

He looked away and said to Mo Ci: "Go and prepare some clothes and shoes for Miss Lin."

When Lin Qingran saw Mo Ci walking out, she no longer wanted to eat. She felt that she had intimidated him, so she boldly said, "Master, you can eat by yourself. I'm going back."

He's still a little guy who knows how to push things further.

Shen Tingzhu snorted coldly, "Should I let you go?"

Lin Qingran even stepped out, but when his faint gaze swept her away, she quickly retracted.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She had been pampered and raised since she was a child. Even her father and brother in the family were never willing to speak to her in this tone.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Eat."

Lin Qingran picked up the bowl, her fingertips trembling again and again, but she didn't dare to push the bowl towards his face. She lowered her head, held the rice with the tips of her chopsticks, and put it into her mouth in small sips.

"Eat vegetables."

Lin Qingran clenched her chopsticks to calm down and picked up a piece of braised three delicacies.

Every time she wanted to put down the bowl, Shen Tingzhu would always speak at the right time, and Lin Qingran finished the bowl of rice under his command.

"And pastries."

Shen Tingzhu finished eating early in the morning, leaning his head lazily on his fingers to look at her, and spoke lazily.

Lin Qingran was about to cry but had no tears, and begged: "I really can't eat anymore."

Shen Tingzhu frowned and wondered, "How can I eat if I don't eat during the day?"

He was serious, not joking at all. Lin Qingran's face turned red, "I was hungry all night." She finished speaking hurriedly, and her voice became softer again, "I didn't eat much."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a while, then nodded.

Why did Lin Qingran look at him, as if he was very sorry?

Mo Ci worked quickly and came back soon, saying, "Miss Lin, the water is ready and the clothes are in your room."

Lin Qingran couldn't wait to get up, but she was afraid that the man would cut her legs with a knife, so she asked softly: "Can I leave?"

Seeing him nodding, Lin Qingran didn't waste a moment, held up the hem of her skirt and ran quickly, disappearing in a flash.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the skirt fluttering like clouds of smoke under the moon, raised his eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He didn't expect that Lin Qingran would leave and come back soon.

Still holding the clothes in his hand, his little face was full of disgust, and he looked bitter and aggrieved, "I don't wear linen clothes."

Mo Ci, who was on the side, looked troubled and explained: "Miss Lin, it's dark now, and I only found one shop that is still open."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows. Before, he thought that although she was delicate, she was not overly so, and she had the ability to make people feel pitiful. But now it was a bit annoying, "Why, Miss Lin is already in danger, yet she still..." So dignified?"

Lin Qingran bit her lips. The slight ridicule in his words made her a little embarrassed, "I can't wear linen clothes. I haven't worn them."

Shen Tingzhu said: "You heard it too. This is the only one. If you don't want to wear it, just bring it."

When Lin Qingran saw that he really reached out to take it, she was angry and annoyed. She hugged the clothes tightly in her arms and clasped them with her fingertips, reluctantly saying, "I'll wear them."

After returning to the room, Lin Qingran bolted the door, and then she dared to vent the anger that she had been holding back. "You bastard who has been stabbed a thousand times, please don't fall into my hands. You'll be happy to see me!"

The murmurings were so quiet that you couldn't hear them unless you got closer.

She squeezed the coarse cloth in her hand. Not only was it rough, but it was also an old-fashioned yellow. It was not as delicate as goose-yellow, but a dull brown-yellow color, and it was ugly and tight.

Lin Qingran was so frustrated that she wanted to cry. Even the wife in the house wore better clothes than this.

She walked to the tub. There were no flower petals or scented water, but fortunately it looked clean and the water temperature was comfortable.

Lin Qingran shook off the water drops on her hands, sniffed, and was about to untie the laces of her clothes. She remembered who was in the house and didn't dare to wash.

But her body was really uncomfortably tight, so she hesitated for a moment, ran to the table, gritted her teeth, and used all her strength to push the small round table behind the door to hold it against it, and then she felt relieved.

Rubbing her weak arms, Lin Qingran took off her clothes and stepped into the tub.

The warm water flowed over the small feet and climbed onto the white snow-like skin. Lin Qingran let out a long sigh of relief and immersed her whole body in the water. Steaming heat quickly rose on her cheeks.

Thick water vapor condensed on her eyelashes, shaking, causing her eyelids to droop, making her drowsy.

Naturally, she didn't dare to sleep, so she cheered up and quickly scrubbed herself out of the water.

Reluctantly, she put on the linen clothes. The rough fabric rubbed against her body and itched. Lin Qingran frowned, swallowed all her complaints and lay down on the bed. She pulled up the quilt to cover herself, and curled up. into a small group.

Lin Qingran had an extremely restless sleep. At first, she didn't dare to sleep, but when she felt sleepy in the second half of the night, her body started to itch again.

It wasn't until daybreak that I couldn't bear the fatigue, so I fell asleep.

When Mo Ci knocked on the door early in the morning, Lin Qingran was sitting on the edge of the bed with tears in his eyes. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing his two arms. There were little red rashes on his delicate skin, which was extremely itchy.

Lin Qingran wanted to scratch but didn't dare. It hurt when she scratched. She had to blow on herself gently, her eyes filled with tears.

Mo Ci was still knocking on the door outside, urging: "Miss Lin, breakfast is ready."

Lin Qingran had no intention of eating, and said angrily: "I won't go, I won't eat."

The voice was filled with resentment and a bit of gritted teeth.

Mo Cisansan took back his hand and went to reply to Shen Tingzhu.

"Miss Lin said she wouldn't come to dinner. She seemed to be still angry about last night's clothes."

Shen Tingzhu showed no expression, "Let her go, tell her and we'll leave later."

Mo Ci ran again.

Lin Qingran heard the knock on the door and stared at the door angrily. What on earth did that person want to do? He was so happy to care whether she ate or not.

Momo didn't want to say anything but said, "Miss Lin, the boss said we will set off in half an hour."

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment, starting? Where to go?

Mo Ci added: "Girl, get ready."

Lin Qingran stood up hurriedly, "Wait a minute."

She hurried to the door, but was blocked by the small round table and could not open the door. Lin Qingran stamped her feet and pulled the edge of the table to move it little by little.

Mo Ci saw Lin Qingran struggling with the table through the slightly cracked door. He opened his mouth in surprise, and then silently helped her.

Lin Qingran stared blankly at the table that suddenly moved. She felt that she was so stupid last night. Her table just blocked her.

Mo Ci said: "Miss Lin, you can come out now."

Lin Qingran stroked his fallen hair awkwardly, "You said departure, where are you going?"

Seeing his hesitation, Lin Qingran asked, "Aren't you waiting here for someone to bring you money?"

Mo Sang learned to be smart this time and must not leave the conversation open to the Crown Prince, "Miss Lin, you'd better go ask the head master."

Lin Qingran naturally did not dare to ask that person, and she could not leave. If she left Jiangnan, there was no guarantee that she would not be in danger when her father came. A thought flashed through his mind, that person had been taking him with him, could that be his plan?

After closing the door, Lin Qingran was anxious in the room.

The rash on her arm itched again, Lin Qingran stroked it twice anxiously, then suddenly paused and started to care.

When the hour was about to pass, Mo Ci came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, everything is ready and you can set off."

Shen Tingzhu walked into the courtyard and looked indifferently at the closed room on the left, "Go and ask my cousin to come out."

Mo Ci responded, and was stunned for a moment. He turned around and saw Shen Tingzhu with a calm expression on his face, confirming that he had heard correctly, the prince meant his cousin.

Mo Ci wanted to shout thank you, and hurriedly walked forward and knocked on the door.

For a moment, there was no response.

Twice, still no response.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and looked over. He walked outside the house in a few steps and pushed the door open. The door panel hit the small table behind and shook twice before stopping.

Shen Tingzhu knew what was going on as soon as he saw it. He walked around the table and walked in. The room was not big and he could see it all at a glance.

Lin Qingran lay unconscious on the bed, her eyes closed tightly, her eyebrows furrowed in pain, her hands scratching her body unconsciously, her hair messily scattered on the pillow, she turned her head slightly, exposing part of her neck. It wasn't the fair skin that Shen Tingzhu had seen before. It was filled with a strange red color starting from the roots of her ears, and it got even worse going deeper.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes darkened, "Go and ask the doctor."

The author has something to say:

The delicate dye must be taken good care of.

Red envelope drops~

Thanks to the little angels who sent the nutrient solution: 1 bottle of Mojie, Naizhuichen, and Joycejoy. Hello, I'll give you 20 bottles, and Ruirui 15 bottles.

Thanks to the little angel who sent the Overlord Ticket: Rarity.

=== Chapter === 008

Feeling the mattress beside her sagging, Lin Qingran suddenly froze in breathing.

The cold back of his hand slid down against her forehead, and cold sweat broke out on Lin Qingran's back. The man had already put his fingertips under her ears.

Perhaps because her eyes were closed, her other senses became particularly clear. Lin Qingran felt the bandit leader caressing the skin under her ears, followed by a shallow spray of hot air. He was very close!

Lin Qingran's scalp was numb and his brain was extremely dizzy. Bastard, gangster, what is he going to do!

Shen Tingzhu looked at her neck carefully. Because she was scratching so hard, her fragile skin was red. He couldn't tell what was wrong with her. It was just that the little girl's forehead was very hot and her eyebrows were frowning. It looked like very bad.

Shen Tingzhu picked up a piece of clothing and rubbed it. Last night she said she couldn't wear linen clothes. He held up her arm and carefully rolled up the sleeves. The small red rashes on her delicate skin looked shocking.

Annoyance flashed in Shen Tingzhu's eyes.

The cool breeze blew on her arms, causing goose bumps. Lin Qingran couldn't stand it anymore. Who knew if he would undress her next!

Lin Qingran opened her eyes weakly. She could bear it when she couldn't see. Now that he was sitting next to her, she almost jumped up and ran away. She clenched her palms tightly and said, "I feel a little uncomfortable. Can the master... You can't call a doctor for me."

Lin Qingran propped up his body and shrank inward little by little, "Silver...accounting."

Shen Tingzhu almost laughed out loud. If he bullied another patient, it would be a bit too much. He stood up and said, "I've already gone to invite you. Just lie down peacefully."

Lin Qingran looked at Liang Ding and muttered softly. She squeezed and unclenched her hands on her side. In vain, she rubbed her clothes hard on her body, causing a large rash.

But what if these rashes don't go away? Lin Qingran blinked and wetted his eyes.

The fever started quickly, and Lin Qingran's head became heavier and heavier. When the doctor came, she was already unconscious.

The doctor checked the red rash on Lin Qingran's arm, made further inquiries, and said, "If there is nothing wrong with eating, it is most likely that the rash is caused by wearing linen clothes."

It was strange to hear this. There were people who couldn't wear linen clothes. Even the doctors didn't dare to make a conclusion and said vaguely, "As for the high fever, it is also caused by the evil spirit invading the surface. After taking the medicine, I will be fine for a few days." It doesn't matter."

Lin Qingran was feeling dizzy from the fever. After hearing what the doctor said, she quickly said to Shen Tingzhu, "I told you not to wear it."

Lin Qingran's weak words were full of grievances that she was not even aware of.

Shen Tingzhu rubbed his knuckles and looked at her. The little girl's slightly dazed eyes were wide open, trying her best to show that she was not talking nonsense. With her burning red face, she looked serious and cute.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled and nodded, "I know." He turned to the doctor and said, "Prescribe the medicine."

The doctor put away the pulse-cutting pillow and was about to get up when Lin Qingran's mind suddenly cleared. She grabbed his hand and said hoarsely: "Doctor, will these rashes leave scars?"

She put a small piece of silk hidden under the quilt into the doctor's hand, her whole body shaking with nervousness.

"This..." the doctor said hesitantly, not sure what the situation was.

Lin Qingran held him tightly, looked into his eyes, and shook her head very slightly.

Shen Tingzhu was standing a few steps away and would notice at any time. Fortunately, he only frowned slightly when she grabbed the doctor's hand, so he probably didn't notice anything unusual.

The doctor took the things stiffly, coughed twice nervously, and said, "Don't worry, girl, I'll give you some ointment for external application. Once the rash subsides, it won't be visible and there won't be any scars."

"That's good." Lin Qingran lay back, panting, her heart pounding.

Shen Tingzhu took the doctor out, and watching the door being closed, Lin Qingran hugged herself tightly nervously, soft sobs escaped from her throat, feeling uncomfortable and lingering fear.

Mo Ci saw off the doctor who was trembling even as he walked. He felt more and more like they were vicious bandits. He shook his head and walked towards the main room.

In the room, Shen Tingzhu was sitting thoughtfully on an armchair, tapping the prescription on the small table with his fingertips. His other hand was cupped and rested on his forehead, revealing a corner of silk. .

Mo Ci didn't dare to disturb and stood aside quietly.

After a few breaths, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes, slightly confused, "You said..."

Mo Ci pricked up her ears, thinking he was going to confess something.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled to himself, his bright peach blossom eyes slightly curved, "Why are you so squeamish?"

Mo Ci almost stumbled to the ground, staring straight as if he'd seen a ghost, and thought to himself: You'd better say it.

Mo Ci said: "I'll go grab the medicine first."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "Go and buy some more clothes for Miss Lin. I want some fragrant silk and soft satin."

Mo Ci wanted to be cautious, but his eyelids jumped when he heard this, "...Miss Lin?"

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes, "Is there a problem?"

Mo Ci has never regretted so much. Why didn't he rush into the house and call his cousin twice just now?

"What's your expression?"

Mo Ci put away the grimace on his face and stood up straight.

Shen Tingzhu shook off the silk in his hand, on which were four characters drawn with brick powder.

Reporter

bandit

Shen Tingzhu said matter-of-factly: "She has already made a move, how can I not accept her move?"

Mo Ci: "I'd better go get some medicine."

The high fever made Lin Qingran fall asleep several times, and the unbearable itching on her body made her wake up tossing and turning. She couldn't open her eyes, and her eyelids were hot. Over and over again, her consciousness became more and more blurred.

After the medicine was boiled, Shen Tingzhu took it personally. Then he opened the door and heard a very soft cry mixed with tears. He frowned slightly and walked to the bed in a few steps.

Lin Qingran was lying on the bed, her sleeves were pulled up high, and the collar was pulled loose. She scratched herself unconsciously. When it hurt, she couldn't help but whimper in a childish voice, and wet tears spilled from the corners of her eyes.

After seeing the situation clearly, Shen Tingzhu lowered his gaze and said, "Stop arresting me."

Lin Qingran didn't listen to what he said. She scratched her arms randomly with her little hands. Her pink and jade-scented skin was easily scratched with red marks. Shen Tingzhu intercepted her wrist and scolded coldly: "Still grabbing? Hands are still scratching. I don't want it anymore."

The vicious tone made Lin Qingran shrink back in fear in his sleep.

After a moment of silence, Lin Qingran started to move uneasily again. Shen Tingzhu put down the medicine bowl. When he turned around, he saw that she was grabbing at it again. He clicked his tongue and patted her hand away.

Lin Qingran retracted her hand and covered her heart without opening her eyes. She flattened her mouth and started to cry, "It hurts... it hurts..."

Shen Tingzhu frowned when he saw that she was crying non-stop as if the gate had been opened. He was careful not to hit her too hard... but the little thing was unusually delicate.

"let me see."

Shen Tingzhu wanted to pull her hand out, but Lin Qingran held it tightly. Her eyelashes were wet with tears. She was crying and trembling, and she kept whispering, "It hurts, it hurts."

Shen Tingzhu had no choice but to coax with her delicate and pitiful look, "It doesn't hurt, let me see."

Lin Qingran seemed to have listened, and slowly let go of his hand to let him see.

There wasn't even a red mark on the back of her hand. Shen Tingzhu almost wondered if she was faking it. He raised his eyes and saw that Lin Qingran was still sobbing, and her red lips were pitifully deflated.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled almost inaudibly, and really rubbed the back of her hand for her, "Does it still hurt?"

The little girl gradually calmed down, and her well-behaved appearance made Shen Tingzhu smile with satisfaction, "Very good, much more lovable than Xuetuan."

After being beaten once and hurting, Lin Qingran didn't dare to catch him again and hummed softly,

"...It's so itchy."

The final tune is drawn out, quivering like a warbler.

Shen Tingzhu raised his lips with a half-smile, and cast his gaze on Lin Qingran's red eyelids. He said lightly, "Are you referring to me to serve you?"

Slender jade fingers held up Lin Qingran's arm. Shen Tingzhu lowered her eyelashes and patiently stroked her rash.

His hands were cold, and the pads of his fingers felt extremely comfortable against the hot and itchy skin. Lin Qingran's frowned brows relaxed, her nose moved weakly, and she hummed.

She is really a charming young lady. The girls from the Changxing Marquis Mansion are quite noble, but they are not like her.

Shen Tingzhu only found it more interesting when he saw it, "No one has ever asked me to serve like this."

He took the porcelain bottle, took off the cap, dipped his fingertips in ointment, and carefully applied it on the red rash on her arm. It originally looked like red plums blooming in the snow, but with the thick brown ointment, it became unsightly.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and clicked his tongue.

As the medicine took effect, the itch that tormented Lin Qingran subsided. She raised her heavy eyelids and vaguely saw a person sitting next to her. He had a thin figure, his eyelids were half-draped, and his eyelashes were covered in front of his eyes, focusing on them. It is as soft as water, and the tear stains under the eyes add a bit of sentimentality...

Tear mole... The confusion in Lin Qingran's eyes dissipated instantly, her black pupils shrank, and her dizzy head completely sobered up.

She subconsciously exclaimed, pulled her hand back and sat up, shrank her whole body to the side of the bed, and said worriedly: "You, what are you doing?" Her upper lip touched her lower lip, and she couldn't speak clearly.

Shen Tingzhu's palm suddenly became empty. He paused, flexed his long fingers, and quickly closed the porcelain bottle, then raised his eyes, "It's about time I woke up."

Lin Qingran looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand with fear. There was still the smell of medicine on his arm. Could he be applying medicine to himself?

Holding the quilt and tightening her body, Lin Qingran highly suspected that he had other motives. She did not believe that he would be so kind.

Shen Tingzhu ignored her resistance and said half-seriously, "If you don't wake up, I will throw you here."

Lin Qingran opened his mouth in disbelief, his little face full of regret, as if he wished he could pass out right now.

It was so easy to deceive him like this. Fortunately, I met him, otherwise I would still have a few taels of meat left. Shen Tingzhu said: "Drink the medicine when you wake up and follow me."

"I won't leave!" After Lin Qingran said this, she realized that her reaction was too intense.

But she finally sent the message. If everything goes well, the officers and soldiers will definitely come, so she must not follow him. She just needs to delay the time and wait for the officers and soldiers to come, and she will be saved.

Lin Qingran thought for a moment, then gasped with her lips slightly parted, and said breathlessly: "The doctor said that I need to rest and rest, and I can't run around." She secretly looked at Shen Tingzhu's expression, and then said: "And I have been around since I was a child. You are weak, and every time you get sick, you are much more serious than others. If something happens to you, you won't be able to get your money back."

She was already weak at the moment, so she didn't even need to pretend. Just saying these words had already cost her a lot of energy. She leaned softly on the bedrail, moved her shoulders slightly, and let her long hair stick to her hair. His jaw slipped, as weak as the smoke that was about to disperse.

Shen Tingzhu nodded indifferently, without comment.

Just when Lin Qingran was secretly relieved, he suddenly leaned over and approached her, looking straight into her eyes with an unpredictable smile, and said in a soft tone, "Miss Lin, are you playing tricks on me?" … By refusing to leave, are you deliberately trying to deceive and escape? Or is there some other trick?"

Lin Qingran was so frightened that she almost lost her wits. She regained her composure and raised her arms angrily, "The doctor has also come. Is it true? Didn't you see it? If you don't believe it, just leave me here." She wanted nothing more. .

Shen Tingzhu looked at the angry little girl, smiled lightly and said, "Don't worry, Miss Lin, I won't leave you behind." He straightened up and said, "Drink the medicine."

Lin Qingran looked at the medicine bowl on the small table resistingly, but did not move. Her white and tender fingers secretly grabbed the quilt, squeezing it tightly and then relaxing it.

Shen Tingzhu saw this and neither urged nor left. After a stalemate for a while, Lin Qingran reluctantly picked up the medicine bowl. The thick black medicine must be so bitter...

Lin Qingran closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked ready to go all out. However, her lips were pressed to the edge of the bowl, and she just took a small sip, then frowned and turned her head away.

Lin Qingran pressed her numb tongue between her lips and teeth, and said vaguely: "It's so painful."

She wanted to put the bowl down, but Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "The medicine is bitter, drink it."

Lin Qingran really wanted to kick this person out. She couldn't understand why he had to watch him even drink medicine.

She raised her eyes, wanting to glare at him quietly, but she didn't expect to meet those peach blossom eyes, so she quickly blinked and avoided them.

The cold snort in her ears made her tremble. Not wanting to consume any more, Lin Qingran pinched her nose and drank the medicine. This made her so miserable that she couldn't open her eyes, and her upper and lower eyelashes overlapped tightly. together.

Seeing how pitiful she was, Shen Tingzhu took out a small bottle from the lapel of his clothes, put a candy in his palm, twisted the candy with his long fingers, and pushed it in between Lin Qingran's lips with quick eyesight.

Lin Qingran was caught off guard and almost choked. He opened his eyes in a panic, and there was a fleeting coolness on his lips.

"Don't vomit." Shen Tingzhu said expressionlessly.

"You, what did you feed me?" Lin Qingran covered her mouth, wanting to vomit but not vomiting.

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head innocently and said casually, "Poison."

Lin Qingran looked at him in shock, her red face suddenly turned white, her breathing stagnated, and she swallowed dryly. She felt that her hands and feet were numb, and she might have been poisoned.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her carefully, the interest in his eyes getting stronger and stronger, and finally laughed out loud.

The sugar grains melted, and the sweetness spread in the mouth, lingering on the tongue. Lin Qingran was stunned, with a blank look in his eyes, and said: "It's sugar."

The author has something to say:

Cousin: "Thank you for meeting me, otherwise I would have been bullied badly."

Ranran: "I really know how to thank you!"

Xue Tuan: I am that wronged cat, meow!

There will be another update tonight~

=== Chapter === 009

When Shen Tingzhu saw her, she slowly sipped the candy in her mouth, her snowy cheeks moved, and then she looked at him in surprise.

Shen Tingzhu gently turned the vial in his hand and said nonchalantly, "I took it by mistake."

Lin Qingran clearly saw the intense amusement in his eyes, lowered his eyes bitterly, and kept cursing in his heart: The unstable bandits will be punished sooner or later!

Putting the bowl down, Lin Qingran looked extremely obedient again and said softly: "I've finished drinking."

There were sugar beads rolled on the tip of her tongue, and her words were soft and vague. Shen Tingzhu felt that her ears were also greasy for some reason.

Why didn't he leave? Lin Qingran's little hand grabbed the quilt and started to move again and again.

Mo Ci knocked on the door outside, "Master."

Lin Qingran's heart tightened and she turned her head eagerly.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at her indifferently, raised his hand to brush his robe, and stood up to open the door.

Lin Qingran saw that Mo Ci seemed to have brought something... She lowered her eyes in disappointment, and then comforted herself not to be impatient.

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Lin Qingran hurriedly hid her emotions.

Shen Tingzhu also pretended not to be aware of it. It would be pointless to reveal it too early.

He put the package in his hand next to Lin Qingran and patted it twice with his palm, "Miss Lin owes me a lot of money."

After Shen Tingzhu finished speaking, he left, leaving Lin Qingran and the package staring at each other.

Not knowing what was inside, Lin Qingran pursed her lips and hesitated for a while before opening the package. Her red lips opened slightly in surprise. It turned out to be fine Tianxiang silk, soft satin... enough for four clothes.

After looking through it, she couldn't help but find fault. The material was good, but the color and embroidery were a bit different.

Lin Qingran quickly stopped her thoughts and changed into clothes. The soft and smooth material stuck to her body. She felt that she was almost cured of her illness.

Not sure when the official mission would come, Lin Qingran didn't dare to sleep and decided to just wait.

But she didn't know that the doctor specially added a soothing medicine when prescribing. Gradually, Lin Qingran's eyelids became heavier and heavier, and her body uncontrollably slid down in a comfortable position.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already bright. Lin Qingran turned around in a daze and looked at the room filled with sunlight, her half-open pupils still a little confused.

After a long time, she woke up, opened her eyes wide, and sat up suddenly. Because she got up too fast, she felt dizzy.

Lin Qingran held her swaying body and breathed out a few breaths, feeling secretly anxious in her heart. It had already been a night, why did she fall asleep!

She looked towards the door. There was no sound at all outside. Where were the others?

Lin Qingran suddenly felt anxious. She squeezed her palms, got out of bed and stepped out with her embroidered shoes.

Gently opening the door, Lin Qingran's heart beat uncontrollably faster when she saw that no one was guarding it. Before she could even step out, a voice reached her ears from far away—

"Miss Lin is awake."

It was the man who always followed the bandit leader. Lin Qingran was shuddered, blinked and retracted his toes.

Mo Ci walked over in a few steps and found that her face was still haggard. Although Lin Qingran was said to be a relative of the third lady, he was also the master. He should have asked a few questions, but when he thought of his identity at the moment, he did Then he just said: "If you need anything, girl, just let me know."

His hesitation was so obvious that Lin Qingran also noticed that this man was like this when he was in the temple, which made her almost think that he was a good person.

Lin Qingran shook his head silently and closed the door neatly.

Shen Tingzhu sat quietly in the main room, with a chessboard in front of him, his eyes lazily lowered, and he dropped the black and white pieces one after another, playing chess with himself.

The guard walked in with a soup cup and said, "Your Majesty, it's time to drink the soup today."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes didn't move, but his eyebrows furrowed, "Just let it go."

Even though the lid was on, he could smell a smell in the air that made him want to vomit.

The guard put down the soup cup and retreated.

Shen Tingzhu lost interest in playing anymore, threw away the chess pieces in his hand, picked up the soup and walked to the window. He held his hands for a moment and was about to fall down. He narrowed his eyes and thought of something, turned around and walked out of the house.

On the other side, Lin Qingran was restlessly sitting on a stool in a daze. The officers and soldiers had not come... The whole city was looking for the bandits, and the government would definitely come. She clenched her fingers uneasily. Could it be the doctor? I was afraid of getting into trouble, so I didn't report it to the official at all.

Lin Qingran shook his head vigorously. Perhaps the government did not want to alert the enemy, but was still preparing a comprehensive plan. After all, there were extremely vicious people here.

Thinking this, she nodded slightly, it must be like this, she couldn't mess with it.

After comforting herself, Lin Qingran raised her fingertips and touched her forehead lightly. The fever had gone away. She lifted up her sleeves again and saw that the rash was still there. Her soft eyebrows frowned slightly, and her small face looked even more depressed. collapsed.

Lin Qingran picked up the medicine bottle and sat on the bed. She dipped some on her fingertips and sniffed it. The unpleasant smell made the tip of her nose wrinkle up. She lowered her watery eyes and applied the medicine to herself full of grievances. .

"Tuk-tuk."

Two soft and elongated knocks on the door suddenly sounded. Lin Qingran's fingertips trembled. The person outside the door made no sound, but she had a hunch that it must be the bandit leader.

Lin Qingran asked nervously: "Who."

There was no answer, no sign, and the door was just pushed open.

Lin Qingran was startled and hurriedly put down his sleeves.

Shen Tingzhu looked over. Although he was thin, he was tall and tall, easily blocking most of the light.

"I'm here to see if Miss Lin is feeling better." As he said this, someone had already walked in.

He sat down at the small table and placed the soup cup on the table with a natural movement.

Lin Qingran subconsciously wanted to nod, but luckily she reacted and quickly shook her head and said, "No." She thought about it and added, "It's still very uncomfortable."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes fell on the soup cup, "That's just right, come over and drink this."

Lin Qingran instinctively resisted the thing he sent, and asked in a low voice: "What is it?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her silently and did not answer. His strong attitude was already obvious.

—No matter what it is, she has to drink it.

Lin Qingran angrily clenched her small fists hidden under her sleeves and moved over cautiously.

Shen Tingzhu opened the lid. The soup was very clear, with two pieces of red-coral-like edges floating on the surface, and something almost translucent white in the middle. Lin Qingran couldn't recognize what it was, let alone drink it.

Shen Tingzhu pushed the porcelain cup in front of her.

Lin Qingran reluctantly pretended to be calm, took out a fingertip from under her sleeve, timidly pressed it against the edge of the soup cup, and under Shen Tingzhu's gaze, picked it up in one go.

Just when the lips were about to touch, she quietly loosened her fingers, one, then two.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly, "If you dare to smash it..." he said it just right.

Before he finished speaking, he left the rest to Lin Qingran, who was making small moves secretly. He wanted to see how courageous the little girl was.

Lin Qingran shook her hands hard, and had no time to think about how he found out what she wanted to do. He hurriedly held the soup cup that was just one step away from falling from her hands. The porcelain bottom of the cup was thin and burned her delicate palms. .

Lin Qingran frowned tightly, quivering her lips and gasping for air. She put the soup cup back on the table without spilling a drop, then hurriedly put her palms to her ears and let out a soft whimper from her throat, "It's so hot."

The ends of his eyes drooped pitifully, and the tears that suddenly appeared quickly wetted the eyelashes under his eyes, which were almost hanging, ready to fall.

Seeing that she could burn herself, Shen Tingzhu was amused and felt helpless for a while. He picked up the spoon and stirred the soup, "Miss Lin, you can rest assured. If I want to poison, there is no need to go to such trouble." "

Lin Qingran rubbed her palms carefully and looked at him doubtfully.

His calm and dismissive attitude made her teeth itch with annoyance, but she had to admit that it was indeed what he said.

"It's just some soup. If you go earlier, we can leave earlier." Shen Tingzhu put the spoon to her hand, "Okay, don't burn it anymore."

Lin Qingran hesitated and did not move, her lips tightly pursed, leaving only her lips slightly raised, full and translucent.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes moved slightly, and his gaze became more inquisitive.

"Does Miss Lin want me to feed you?" The little girl was aggrieved last night and complained to him about pain and itch.

Shen Tingzhu's tone was normal, but it shocked Lin Qingran. The scene of him applying medicine to her last night flashed through her mind.

Lin Qingran quickly grabbed the handle of the spoon and said with a trembling voice, "I'll drink it myself."

His little finger was attached to Shen Tingzhu's knuckles and was trembling. He let go with a calm expression and stroked the touched area with his fingertips.

Lin Qingran let out a breath, took the spoon, scooped up some soup, and sipped it tentatively. Strangely, it had no taste, and was as light and clear as white water.

She drank slowly on purpose, but Shen Tingzhu was obviously much more patient than she was, and Lin Qingran simply couldn't stand him.

She finished the soup resignedly, leaving the last two pieces of something she didn't know what they were. She really didn't dare to eat it, so she quickly covered the soup cup and pushed it far aside, for fear that the man would notice.

The dark eyes that turned anxiously were a bit more innocent and attractive than when Xuetuan was a child.

By the time Shen Tingzhu came out of Lin Qingran's room, it was already an hour later.

After taking a cup of soup, breakfast and a bowl of dark medicine, Lin Qingran couldn't straighten her waist and her stomach became bulging. She could only lie on the bed and rub her stomach to digest.

Her nose was slightly sour, that damn bandit was trying to torture her in different ways.

Biting the sugar grains in her mouth hard with her teeth, Lin Qingran cursed all the curse words in her heart.

The author has something to say:

Thanks to the little angels who sent nutrition: 20 bottles of Ah Pan, 10 bottles of Guess Who I am, Duck, No, 55955438, 2 bottles of Jisoo's sister, 5 bottles of Aikai Zai Xin Le Chang Zai

=== Chapter === 010

Lin Qingran lay there for a while, worried about Qingfeng and Qiuzhi again. She was not in danger for the time being, but she didn't know how they were doing now.

The night she left the ruined temple, she heard the bandit leader giving an order to find them... The more Lin Qingran thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She couldn't lie down and sat up.

She walked to the window, gently opened a crack, and looked into the courtyard.

Mo Ci came in from the outside and walked around the Xiao wall when he was keenly aware that someone was hiding in the dark and watching him.

Lin Qingran was still hesitating, but Mo Ci had turned around and looked in her direction.

Lin Qingran was shocked. She just opened the window a crack, so she could be discovered? Why are these bandits so vigilant?

Out of anger, she simply opened all the windows. Although she was still a little timid, compared to the bandit leader, other people didn't scare her so much. Moreover, this man showed sympathy for her several times. Maybe you can find out something from him.

Lin Qingran squeezed the palms of her hands to calm down and looked at him without hesitation.

Mo Ci looked slightly surprised as he stepped forward and said, "Miss Lin."

"I..." Lin Qingran quickly lowered his eyes, looking very helpless, "You said I could come to you if I have anything."

Mo Ci just nodded, making sure to keep himself quiet.

Lin Qingran couldn't think of a suitable excuse for a moment, and hesitantly covered his bulging belly and said with difficulty: "Can you bring me some food?"

Seeing how weak she was when she spoke, Mo Ci thought she had been hungry for a long time but didn't dare to say anything, so he hurriedly went to bring some food.

Lin Qingran looked at the pile of food in front of her and felt like crying without tears. She slowly picked up the chopsticks and put them down again. She raised her eyes and smiled gratefully at Mo Ci, "Thank you."

Mo Ci didn't dare to accept her thanks, so he said lukewarmly, "Girl, please take it easy, I'm going out first."

"Wait." Lin Qingran hurriedly called him.

Mo Ci had to stop and said, "Girl, what else can you do?"

"Can you tell me where this is?" They traveled all night after leaving the ruined temple, and now she didn't even know where she was.

Lin Qingran pinched her fingertips tightly, her brows and eyes full of uneasiness, "You don't have to worry about me running away, I'm just scared."

Mo Ci said in a stiff tone, "Jiangdu."

Lin Qingran lowered her eyelashes and thought, Jiangdu and Shangyuan were in two directions, and they had gone very far. She bit her lip, stared at Mo Ci and said, "You have captured me, can you let me go?" guard."

Mo Ci had never felt so guilty. They were not real bandits. The two servants had already gone back with the people who went to Lin Mansion to deliver the message.

But he didn't dare to make his own decisions and speak out about the matter. There was no guarantee that the prince would not deal with him.

Lin Qingranpu noticed something was wrong in his expression and said tentatively: "You didn't find them."

Mo Ci simply followed her guess and pretended to be annoyed at being told, "Girl, you'd better eat quickly and don't ask questions that shouldn't be asked."

Seeing him walking out angrily, Lin Qingran knew that she was right. Qingfeng and Qiuzhi were safe. She loosened her grip and she would be able to go back safely.

Mo Ci walked all the way to the court before stopping to take a deep breath and wipe the sweat from his forehead.

The two guards guarding the gate glanced at each other and gathered around, "Commander Mo..."

Both of them looked embarrassed and wanted him to give instructions.

Mo Ci lowered his voice and said, "Speak less and look less."

Sooner or later, Miss Lin would know the truth. Just thinking about it made him feel upset. He waved them away and said, "Watch your mouth."

It's already the third day.

Lin Qingran could comfort herself yesterday, but no official messenger came for three whole days, and she finally despaired.

Lin Qingran lowered her head feebly, contemplating her own resentment. A medicine bowl appeared in front of her with one hand, urging her silently.

She felt even more uncomfortable. She picked up the bowl and swallowed the concoction dejectedly. Her heart was as bitter as her mouth, so she moved faster than her mind and stretched out her hand towards the man opposite.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and glanced at the small white hands handed to him. He was surprised that the little girl had become more courageous, and she dared to ask him for it herself.

Lin Qingran was also stunned, frowning and secretly feeling annoyed. It was all because of this bandit that he would give her candy every time after taking medicine. She had become accustomed to it.

The curled fingertips trembled, and just as she was thinking about whether to retract her hand, a round sugar particle rolled into her palm and swayed back and forth.

Lin Qingran held the sugar in his mouth and raised his eyes. Shen Tingzhu had already put the sugar bowl into his clothes.

The slightest suspicion arose in her heart. It was weird for a bandit to carry a candy bottle with him. The key was that Lin Qingran had never seen him eat it himself.

Shen Tingzhu easily caught her gaze and said, "I think Miss Lin's illness has almost recovered. You can come with me."

Lin Qingran panicked and immediately forgot about the candy. Naturally, she couldn't leave.

In desperation, Lin Qingran didn't have time to think too much, so she stuck out her fingertips from under her sleeves and put them on her forehead again. Her body was leaning as if she had lost all strength. Following her movements, it didn't fit her so well. Her clothes fell a little down to her shoulders, outlining the delicate arc of her neck. The previous red rash had faded into a light pink mark.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his gaze and looked at the peach color quietly. If he had to describe it, it would be like the most delicate flower in a fine jade porcelain vase.

Lin Qingran gasped twice, pretending to be tired, and said softly: "I still feel uncomfortable, otherwise... the boss will ask the doctor to take a look at me."

As she spoke, she glanced at him secretly, her eyelashes fluttering.

It was also strange. In the past, when she had a high fever, she would have to deal with it repeatedly for several days before she was completely cured. But this time, she almost recovered on the second night, and even the rash had subsided, leaving only a mark.

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "That's fine."

He agreed so simply that Lin Qingran was stunned. Looking carefully, he saw a piece of silk in his hand.

Lin Qingran felt familiar.

The soft silk was wrapped around his fingers, whose joints were as white as jade handles. It was indescribably elegant and beautiful.

Shen Tingzhu slowly released his fingertips, and the silk silk hung lightly in his hand, with one end floating and the other held in his hand.

"It just so happens that the doctor left this thing in a hurry that day. I can give it back to him when he comes."

He had already begun to wonder how the little girl would pretend to be with him next.

Lin Qingran saw the square silk clearly, and the blood on her face that she had managed to cultivate instantly faded away. This was what she had put into the doctor's hand that day, how could it be in his hand!

Countless speculations flashed through her mind. She inhaled slowly, holding her breath. She must hold her breath.

But no matter how much she adjusted her breathing, her heart was still beating so fast that it was almost jumping out of her throat. Shen Tingzhu turned the silk in her hand, and her heart trembled with every beat.

"Miss Lin, do you recognize this thing?" Shen Tingzhu turned her head and looked over.

Lin Qingran was in a state of confusion, her mind went blank, and she shook her head stiffly.

"I don't recognize it." Shen Tingzhu's tone was light, making it difficult to discern the clues. He rubbed the half-faded handwriting on the silk, "There seems to be some writing on it."

Lin Qingran's eyelids twitched, "Really? Let me take a look." She almost threw half of her body over to reach for the silk in his hand.

The swaying hair brushed against Shen Tingzhu's nose, and the slight itching made him blink. He let go of his fingertips and let Lin Qingran take away the silk silk.

Lin Qingran pretended to be smoothing the wrinkles on the silk, while her fingertips were secretly working hard to smooth the already blurry handwriting even shallower. She restrained herself from trembling and tilted her head slightly to murmur in confusion. , "Is there any? No."

Shen Tingzhu smiled, his eyes were not on the silk, but on her small fingernails. The ten fingers were trimmed and smooth, with a pinkish white color. After a moment, he raised his eyes and said slowly: "I'm not blind yet."

Lin Qingran's hand, which was concentrating on "destroying corpses and eradicating traces," suddenly froze, and her fingertips grasped the silk, shrinking and unclenching timidly. She lowered her eyelashes, calmly and not to be confused.

Two of the four words on the silk had long been unrecognizable. If he knew what was written, how could he be so indifferent as now? He was afraid that he would have dealt with her long ago.

Lin Qingran calmed down, picked up the silk and examined it carefully, then pretended to be surprised and said, "There are indeed words on it."

She secretly looked at Shen Tingzhu, fearing that he would see her. Her eyes only briefly touched the tear mole and then she looked away. She swallowed and continued to pretend, "This seems to be a native character." She pointed her finger. Sliding down, he frowned, "This looks like...a mouth. I can't see clearly from the side. What could it be?"

After Lin Qingran finished speaking, he paused and asked tentatively, "Does the master know this?"

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly, and the little girl's guilty eyes were full of eager hope for luck. If he said he recognized her, he would probably scare her into tears again.

After thinking for a moment, he felt that the tears looked best when they were still falling, so it would be better to grant her wish this time.

"I don't recognize it."

Shen Tingzhu saw the little girl's thin and tense shoulders relax as his words fell.

Lin Qingran's heart that was hanging in her throat suddenly fell back to its original place, and she was secretly glad that she had guessed it right. He was indeed illiterate.

But she still didn't dare to take it lightly, her thoughts quickly turned a few times, she continued to smooth the silk, her fingertips touched the word bandit, and said thoughtfully: "Look, there is a missing stroke here, and there are three horizontal strokes inside... ...This character is pronounced "bei".

"One piece of soil, one piece of shellfish." Lin Qingran recited the two words back and forth several times, her eyes lit up, and she suddenly realized: "I know there is a medicinal material called Fritillaria, it must be it."

Listening to the little girl's serious nonsense, Shen Tingzhu smiled in his eyes and looked at her quietly, "Really?"

Seeing that he didn't believe it, Lin Qingran immediately said: "What else can a doctor be besides writing the names of medicines?" She generously pushed the silk silk forward and traced it with her fingers, "Yourself Look, isn't that how these three words are written?"

The little girl raised her head and said seriously: "I know."

This was to deceive him into not being able to read. Shen Tingzhu nodded calmly and smiled slightly at her, "What it is, I'll know when the doctor comes and I ask."

Appreciating the panic and fear gradually building up in Lin Qingran's shining black eyes, Shen Tingzhu said slowly: "Here comes someone."

"Don't!" Lin Qingran said anxiously, her eyelashes fluttering.

Shen Tingzhu turned his head to look at her, narrowed his eyes slightly and said nothing.

The more silent it is, the scarier it is.

Lin Qingran suddenly had a feeling that maybe he knew what the words on the silk were and knew that it was her who did it... She couldn't be sure now.

She breathed slowly, trying to calm herself down, but no matter how hard she tried, her words still trembled violently, "I suddenly felt that it wasn't so uncomfortable anymore."

"Don't you feel uncomfortable?" Shen Tingzhu said calmly, and gently wiped her forehead with his fingers.

The touch was fleeting, and Lin Qingran had no time to dodge. The slightly cool touch left on her skin made her panic, and her eyes trembled violently. How dare this person touch her again and again!

Shen Tingzhu's expression was ordinary. He lowered his eyes and looked at his fingertips, slowly wiping away a little moisture on them, "Why is it all sweat?"

"...Hot." The voice coming out of his throat was so helpless and pitiful.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips tightly after saying this, a bandit who doesn't know etiquette and doesn't understand Wuchang!

Shen Tingzhu looked at her eyes, which were a little red and filled with moisture. He thought for a moment, if Xuetuan should be meowing in his hand at this time, claws holding him tightly. sleeves.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his gaze and looked at her hands, and then said after a moment: "It seems like we can leave?"

Lin Qingran didn't dare to face him anymore, at least not now. Even though she was reluctant, she could only nod.

The author has something to say:

Persimmon: I'll be happy to take my wife home^_^

Ranran: It's a lie! It's a threat!

Author: A good deck of cards was beaten to pieces by you

=== Chapter === 011

The carriage has been driving for a while, and Lin Qingran has been sitting in the corner of the carriage, blinking weakly.

Fortunately, the bandit leader did not ride with her, but rode on horseback, giving her some time to breathe. She opened a little of the curtain, looked out through the gap, looked around, and desperately found that she didn't recognize where she was.

Lin Qingran lowered his eyes in frustration, then glared at Shen Tingzhu's back and gritted his teeth. Unexpectedly, the next moment, the man turned around and looked over as if he had realized something. She hurriedly put down the curtain and stood up. He sat upright with his back straight and waited for a while before there was any movement, then he patted his heart and exhaled.

Shen Tingzhu only saw a pair of small white hands quickly hiding under his nose, and the curtain shook.

He lowered his eyes thoughtfully and raised his hand to signal to stop.

"Master, are you feeling unwell?" Because Shen Tingzhu insisted on riding, Mo Ci was worried all the way. When he saw him stop, he immediately asked in a low voice,

Shen Tingzhu lowered his slightly raised lips for a moment. Because he was in a good mood, he ignored the discomfort for the time being, but it was brought up again.

Mo Ci had already gotten off the horse and wanted to help him dismount, "Your body is not suitable for running around, and riding a horse is even more exhausting."

Inside the carriage, Lin Qingran noticed that it had stopped, raised the curtain strangely, and looked out.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little face peeking out from behind the curtain, looking at him with timid eyes, filled with confusion.

Mo Ci continued to say, "And Mr. Wei said that Tianxiangzi is only effective for one month. Now..."

Shen Tingzhu interrupted him expressionlessly, "I have a sense of discretion. Take your hand back and keep your mouth shut."

Shen Tingzhu pulled the reins and said, "Continue on your way."

Mo Ci could clearly see that his expression had not been as good as before in the past few days. He wanted to persuade the prince to rest for a while, but he knew that what he said would be useless, and he was afraid of making him unhappy, so he could only swallow his words and follow on horseback.

After thinking about it, Mo Ci turned his head and looked at the carriage behind him.

Seeing the group of people moving forward again, Lin Qingran curled her lips - she didn't know what they were doing.

She sat quietly for a long time, until her waist became sore, then she shook her head. There was no way to escape anyway, and there was no point in thinking about it. Lin Qingran simply found a comfortable position, leaning forward with her bent fingers on the side of her forehead. On the small table.

Blinking slowly, his head followed the bumps of the carriage bit by bit.

"Brace yourself, the intersection of rivers ahead is within the scope of the Qianhu Guard Station."

Hearing what people outside said, Lin Qingran, who was drowsy, opened his eyes alertly.

"Once you get past here, you won't be far from..."

Lin Qingran frowned. She couldn't hear a few words clearly, but they must be where these bandits were going.

Moreover, in front of him was the Imperial Guard House of Thousand Households. Lin Qingran lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then raised the curtain and said, "Stop, stop."

Lin Qingran saw the man coming on a horse. He was already tall, but now he was sitting on a horse, condescending and with the light behind him, which gave him an unspeakable sense of oppression.

Lin Qingran shrank his neck pitifully and whispered: "I'm tired and want to take a rest."

"Tired?" Shen Tingzhu asked in a funny tone, not even letting her feet touch the ground before she dared to shout tired.

Lin Qingran didn't care about the sarcasm in his words, "I'm really tired. There's not even a cushion on your carriage, and it's so unstable that my bones are about to fall apart." If she became squeamish, she would You can pick out the bones in her body, but just by raising her eyebrows slightly and drooping her eyes, her delicate look can make people feel that she has been greatly wronged.

Lin Qingran raised his head and looked at Shen Tingzhu, and begged softly: "Just let me rest."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a moment before ordering her to rest where she was.

Lin Qingran tucked her hair that had fallen down to her temples behind her ears and stepped out of the carriage.

She didn't see the imperial guard station of Qianhu. All she saw was the uneven dirt road and the woods on both sides. It seemed that it was still some distance away from the official road.

There was a stream not far away, and Lin Qingran begged softly: "I want to go for a walk by the stream."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, and Lin Qingran walked around him.

She absentmindedly drank the water and washed her hands, secretly thinking about the possibility of escaping. But looking at the terrain around her and looking down at her legs, she felt that it was still too fanciful.

Frustrated, he splashed the water twice and was about to get up when he saw Mo Ci fetching water on the other side.

Lin Qingran's eyes moved and she quickly looked behind her. Seeing that the bandit leader had gone somewhere, she simply got up and walked towards him.

Mo Ci took some water and washed his face. When he saw Lin Qingran coming towards him, he quickly wiped away the water droplets on his face and stepped back a little, lest he could avoid him.

Lin Qingran not only had no consciousness that he should walk away, but instead picked up the water bag at his feet and said, "Let me help you."

The veins on Mo Ci's forehead popped out, and he refused in fear, "No need."

Lin Qingran had already rolled up his sleeves and squatted down to fetch water. He lowered his eyes and stared at the flowing stream and said softly: "I know you are different from them. You wanted to let me go when we were in the temple."

"I'm afraid Miss Lin has misunderstood." Mo Ci was already breaking out in cold sweat. He didn't want to know what Lin Qingran had in mind, but could there be someone else?

The more he dodges, the more confident Lin Qingran becomes. She doesn't care what he says, covers the water bag, stands up and smiles at him, "Thank you anyway, I don't know your name yet."

Mo Ci hesitated for a moment and said, "Mo Ci."

Lin Qingran repeated it in a low voice before handing him the water bag, "Here you go."

Mo Cicou nodded and reached for it. Unexpectedly, Lin Qingran held the other end tightly and wouldn't let go. He frowned and said as if facing a formidable enemy: "Miss Lin?"

On the other side, Shen Tingzhu opened the curtain and got off the carriage, looked at the two people standing by the stream, and saw the water bags they were holding together. He half-squinted his eyes and looked at them silently.

Lin Qingran raised her eyes and resisted blinking, so that the sour feelings would make her eye circles redder and redder, "When my father brings the money, will you really let me go?"

Mo Ci felt guilty again, and after struggling for a long time, he said awkwardly, "Don't worry, girl, you won't be in danger."

Lin Qingran nodded as if she was comforted, "I believe you." Her tearful eyes, her brows furrowed, and the smile on her lips showed her weakness perfectly.

Lin Qingran was undoubtedly a very beautiful girl who was carefully raised and pampered. She should have been standing on the highest branch, untainted by the dust, but she stood weakly in front of you, her beautiful eyes looking at you. There are really not many people who can resist her. live.

Mo Ci felt guilty, and he became more and more afraid to see her.

Lin Qingran was focused on getting some words out of him, and didn't pay attention to what was happening behind her. Shen Tingzhu had already walked over.

She lowered her eyes and said uneasily, "But I'm very scared now. I don't know where the boss is going to take me."

Mo Ci was still wondering how to comfort her, when he saw Shen Tingzhu walking slowly.

Shen Tingzhu stopped two feet away from Lin Qingran.

Although Mo Ci had been with the prince for many years, it was still enough for him to feel comfortable when that half-smiling gaze fell on him.

He immediately chose to put himself aside, and with an expressionless face, he said stiffly: "If Miss Lin wants to know anything, just ask the boss. Please let go."

Lin Qingran didn't expect him to turn away so quickly. She blinked without mistake, quickly held the water bag with both hands, and twitched the corners of her mouth, "I just want to reassure you, and I won't embarrass you."

Mo Ci didn't even want the water bag, decisively let go and took two steps back.

Lin Qingran was so angry that he couldn't get enough oil and salt. He gritted his teeth angrily, and then slowly exhaled. He couldn't act too hastily.

Lin Qingran smiled bitterly, returned the water bag to him, and walked away from him in confusion.

After they had gone away, Mo Ci walked to Shen Tingzhu and couldn't help but speak for Lin Qingran, "Your Majesty, my subordinates saw that Miss Lin was really frightened. She is from the third room after all. ."

"She wants to instigate you, don't let her fool you." Shen Tingzhu stated in a calm tone.

Mo Ci opened his eyes wide in surprise, "No way, I think Miss Lin is just too scared."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at him and sneered, "Aren't you already in the trap?"

The little girl is timid, but that doesn't stop her from always using tricks without knowing the limits of the rules.

And it wasn't like this when she was scared.

Mo Ci opened his mouth to argue but suddenly closed it and swallowed all the words.

It would have been impossible for him to be incited to rebel by anyone else, but Lin Qingran's identity was different, and it was indeed the Crown Prince who did this dishonestly. There was no guarantee that he would not tell the truth one day.

Shen Tingzhu finally reacted when she saw him, and was speechless for a moment.

Peach blossom eyes were half-cast, looking at the water bag in Mo Ci's hand, with the two little hands holding it just now.

Shen Tingzhu's eyebrows were furrowed, and he was like a snow ball. When he was young, he could only lie in his hands and pull his sleeves. Now that he is older, he would run away without a trace when he saw him, and he could reach anyone's feet. After a few rubs, I just didn't kiss him.

Shen Tingzhu asked softly: "Why did she come to you?"

Mo Ci chuckled and said, "It's probably because this subordinate is born with a good face."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at his strong-featured face and chuckled.

Mo Ci choked, not daring to be good any more, and said honestly: "Mostly because my subordinates are often walking around."

Shen Tingzhu did not comment and said casually: "How did she tell you?"

Mo Ci was speechless, and the crown prince didn't hear anything at all.

Shen Tingzhu listened to Mo Ci's narration, his eyes followed the little girl's movements as she walked into the forest, and her frown deepened, "She asked for your name?"

Mo Ci felt that there was nothing wrong with this, "I think Miss Lin will know sooner or later."

Shen Tingzhujing looked at Lin Qingran, who was circling around and unable to get rid of the guard, thinking deeply. After a while, he looked back and asked: "Is there a woman among the secret guards?"

Mo Ci said: "There are two women."

Shen Tingzhu raised his chin slightly and said, "Find someone smarter to take care of you."

Mo Ci responded and went to do it.

Shen Tingzhu didn't leave. He stood by the stream with his hands behind his hands, touching his knuckles every now and then, as if he said casually, "You haven't asked me my name yet."

The sudden ending note is particularly light.

The author has something to say:

Thanks to the little angels who sent the nutrient solution: 55955438, Guess Who I am, Ruirui, Ah Pan, 10 bottles, Jisoo's sister 4 bottles, and Beiming 5 bottles.

=== Chapter === 012

Lin Qingran tried to avoid the crowd and walked toward the forest, but the bandits followed her closely.

Sometimes they clearly weren't looking at her, but they would wait for her to quietly walk away for a while before looking back, but they still kept that distance from her. This happened several times.

Lin Qingran calmly stamped his feet in annoyance, should he run or not? She looked into the deep forest, thought about it, and finally loosened her clenched palms, turned around and walked back.

Don't turn around and run away, wasting your energy and making yourself miserable.

Lin Qingran lowered her head, stepped on the horse in frustration, bent down and opened the curtain, and was about to go in. When she looked up, she realized that the man was already on the carriage without knowing it, and she froze on the spot.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes fell outside through the car roof. Hearing the movement, he looked sideways at her.

Just by meeting his eyes, Lin Qingran became nervous, and her fingertips curled up timidly around the curtain.

"What are you doing in a daze?" Shen Tingzhu said calmly.

Naturally, because he was here, Lin Qingran dared to think or not, walked to the side opposite him, and before sitting down, she glanced in the direction Shen Tingzhu was looking.

Looking out from the Che Xuan, he could just see where he was just now. Lin Qingran's scalp suddenly exploded and he stiffly licked his lips. Fortunately, he did not choose to escape.

Shen Tingzhu saw her sit down carefully and did not notice the soft cushions.

The corners of his lips were pressed down almost invisible.

There was a bit of indescribable depression in the dark eyes half-covered by eyelashes.

He didn't speak, so Lin Qingran naturally didn't make himself unhappy, and just sat there in silence.

It wasn't until she heard Mo Ci's voice giving the order to set off outside the carriage that she couldn't help but remind her, "Master."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes effortlessly, not even moving his eyelids, and turned a deaf ear.

"It's time to leave." Lin Qingran didn't want to ride with him for the rest of the ride, and she didn't dare to kick him out. She rolled her tongue in her mouth and closed it honestly.

I just hope that he will get up and go out soon.

Shen Tingzhu could clearly understand her little thoughts without raising her eyes, and her eyebrows furrowed, but she still didn't speak.

After a series of silences and an increasingly unpredictable and solemn feeling, Lin Qingran began to think uneasily. When she called him in the past, even if she didn't make a sound, she would raise her eyes casually to indicate that she heard her.

Lin Qingran's hand on her side tightened her skirt. Shen Tingzhu finally moved his eyelids. The skirt held by his two thin white fingers swayed slightly, and his eyes also moved slightly.

The driver outside shouted, and the carriage moved forward again.

Lin Qingran couldn't help but ask: "I wonder where the master is going to take me."

Now that she knew what to ask him, Shen Tingzhu raised her eyes, leaned back, and said calmly: "Of course it is." He paused, and then said, "Follow me back to the village."

Lin Qingran looked at him in disbelief, hearing the sound of carriages passing by.

"You promise to let me go."

The little girl's voice was frightened and trembling.

Shen Tingzhu nodded and said unconcernedly, "Yes."

"That." Lin Qingran subconsciously stepped forward to grab him and question him. Only when her hand touched his sleeve did she suddenly react, let go hurriedly, and retreated to her seat.

The white and tender little hands moved away from the dark clothes, but Shen Tingzhu could see clearly, raised his eyes lightly, and took back the word "regret" that he originally wanted to say.

"Miss Lin, don't worry. As soon as the Lin family's money arrives, I will let you go at any time."

A pair of peach blossom eyes are slightly curved, as if the worry just now has disappeared.

Lin Qingran looked at him with lingering fear. It took a long time to calm down. She lowered her eyes to hold back her tears and scolded him a thousand times in her heart.

"But it's been so long, and if the Lin family still hasn't come, it doesn't mean they don't want you anymore."

Lin Qingran suddenly raised his eyes and said firmly: "No!"

Shen Tingzhu nodded, took the teapot from the small table in front of him and poured tea.

Lin Qingran thought he wanted to drink it, but she saw him pushing the tea cup in front of her.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Drink water."

When Snowball is tired, he can be active again after drinking water.

Lin Qingran held up the tea cup with his right hand, and held it with his left hand. He couldn't smash it. He must not smash it.

After saying it several times in her mind, she sniffed and lowered her head to take a sip of tea. She was not spineless, she was flexible and able to stretch.

Shen Tingzhu squinted her eyes and looked at it, her red lips pressed against the rim of the lamp, first slightly pursed, and then timidly tightened, her lips melting into a bright color.

He asked casually, "Is there anything else you want to know?" He looked into the little girl's wet eyes and said, "You can ask anything."

Lin Qingran held the cup in her hand, "Where is your... copycat village?"

In the future, she will definitely report him to the officials and eat him in a pot.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyelids without much interest, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly said, "Leave Jiangdu and go north, pass 410 villages and pass 600 miles to Baoying."

Lin Qingran opened her mouth in surprise, thinking she heard wrongly. She just wanted to know where the thief's den was, and whether he wanted to tell her the route.

Shen Tingzhu caught a glimpse of her eyes as dazed as a deer, and thought she didn't understand. He reached out to get water from her tea cup, and lightly traced the route on the small table with his fingertips, "Visiting three hundred and seventy-two villages. Go to the Huaihe River Ferry and take a boat across the river to Qinghe..."

The hands with slender and well-proportioned phalanges draw out a simple line with the beauty of painting, the eyelashes are softly covered, and the words are spoken softly and shallowly.

Lin Qingran frowned and couldn't tell what he felt like. If he hadn't known about it, others would probably never believe that he was a bandit.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his fingertips and tapped lightly, "We will arrive in Tongzhou after that."

Lin Qingran suddenly came back to her senses and debated the last two words he said. She looked at the water stain in confusion, "That's it to Shuntian Mansion."

Under the emperor's feet, this bandit is so rampant? Still intending to tease her.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly and turned his fingertips, "Just leave Jiaohe in the west and go up to Yuxi Mountain."

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head, his black eyes looking at her as if he could see everything, and his thin lips raised an unpredictable smile, "Remember?"

Lin Qingran was suddenly startled, pulled the hem of her skirt to cover it up and said, "How can I remember what you said?"

Shen Tingzhu smiled lightly and did not expose it.

Lin Qingran moved her body and sat with him separated by a small table.

She lowered her eyes and twirled her fingers. According to what the man said, they should go to Hailing County next.

The dark eyes turned slightly and gathered in one place again. Lin Qingran frowned. When did the carriage have soft cushions?

She stroked the soft cushion and looked at the person opposite. He was resting with his eyes closed.

Lin Qingran curled his lips, no wonder he laid out the mat because he was going to ride in a carriage.

She also leaned to one side, and just as she closed her eyes, she heard noisy and panicked sounds outside.

"Help me, help, help!" The woman's panicked and frightened voice penetrated her ears and penetrated into her mind.

The carriage had stopped, Lin Qingran suddenly opened her eyes, and her first reaction was to look at Shen Tingzhu.

Shen Tingzhu also opened his eyes, his eyes filled with a layer of tired mist. When he met Lin Qingran's questioning eyes, confusion flashed across his eyes.

"What's going on?" Shen Tingzhu asked loudly.

"Please, help me, please... please." The woman's frightened pleas for help drowned out Mo Ci's voice.

Lin Qingran glanced at the indifferent man opposite him, hesitated again and again, stood up and lifted up one side of the curtain to look outside.

Kneeling in front of the carriage was a little girl who looked young. Her pink clothes had faded, and she was carrying a half-torn package on her back. She asked Mo Ci and others for help in a panic.

When she saw Lin Qingran, as if seeing a life-saving straw, she moved her knees to face her, "Miss! Please help me, miss!"

Lin Qingran frowned. She couldn't save herself, so how could she save her? Besides, she had no choice but to ask for help from these bandits.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips tightly and shook her head to signal her to run quickly and not to fall into the hands of these people like her.

When the woman saw this, she immediately panicked and said, "Please, Miss, I would like to be a cow or a horse, I just ask Miss to take me in."

Mo Ci said: "Please let the master take charge."

Lin Qingran was startled and wanted to say something to drive her away, but Shen Tingzhu on the other side had already stood up and stepped out of the carriage.

Lin Qingran also followed closely.

Mo Ci coughed and asked Shen Tingzhu for instructions.

Shen Tingzhu looked at him for a moment, then cast his gaze at the woman on the ground.

The woman was still pleading over and over again, "Please help me, Miss Young Master."

Shen Tingzhu asked in a calm tone: "Do you want to save me?"

When no one answered, Lin Qingran realized that he was asking herself.

The expression in Shen Tingzhu's brows was so pale that she couldn't guess what he was thinking. Lin Qingran bit her lip and stared at the woman with solemn eyes. After a moment, she turned away indifferently and said, "You'd better leave quickly. ,I can not help you."

Shen Tingzhu nodded: "Then I will stay as a maid and serve the young lady."

Lin Qingran glared at him hard.

The woman was overjoyed and kept saying incoherently: "Thank you, thank you, sir, thank you, miss."

She got up from the ground and ran to the two of them. Shen Tingzhu frowned at her gray face and motioned for her to go to Lin Qingran.

She walked up to Lin Qingran and said, "The maid Yue Ying has met the young lady."

Lin Qingran didn't care much and pulled her onto the carriage. As soon as the curtain was lowered, she said sternly to Yueying: "You leave immediately."

Yueying knelt down in fear and begged: "Please don't drive me away, Miss."

Lin Qingran had a headache. He pulled the person to his side and lowered his voice and said, "These people are bandits. You can leave now."

After she said that, she let go of her hand and said sharply, "Don't leave yet!"

After hearing this, Yueying opened her mouth in astonishment, then closed her mouth and said with a sad face: "Young lady just doesn't want to save me, so there is no need to use such an excuse."

"What did I lie to you for?" Lin Qingran had never had such a headache before. He rubbed his forehead and said, "The one outside, whom you call Young Master, is the bandit leader! I was also captured. I can't leave, but You can leave."

Yueying lowered her head and wiped her tears, "Miss, please don't lie to me. How can the young master be a bandit if he is so well behaved?"

Lin Qingran stroked his forehead and patted his heart to calm himself down, "Why don't you believe it?"

"Miss." Yueying raised her eyes suspiciously, "Did you have a conflict with the young master?"

Lin Qingran was furious again, and it took a long time to calm down. She wished she could tear that man's deceiving face right away!

The author has something to say:

It's time to show off. My cousin is a chicken in primary school, and he doesn't know any of Pei lsp's tricks next door.

=== Chapter === 013

Lin Qingran asked Yueying to wipe her face with water. She had an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, and a childish look between her eyebrows. She looked very well-behaved and smart.

How could he still be deceived by that bandit?

"How old are you?" Lin Qingran was still weak when speaking.

Yueying smiled at her and said in a clear voice, "I am eighteen years old."

Lin Qingran was a little surprised. She looked so young and was actually one year older than herself.

Lin Qingran sighed secretly, she was already eighteen, how could she still be deceived.

She then asked Yueying who she was hiding from.

Yueying lowered her head after hearing this, and her originally smiling face was covered with fear, "This servant was originally a maid for the Zhang family in this town, but Master Zhang deceived me into having no relatives and forced me to work as a servant for him. concubine."

Yue Yingxiang thought of something extremely disgusting and cried: "He is already eighty."

She held Lin Qingran's hand and begged: "Please be kind, Miss, and don't drive me away."

Lin Qingran was furious when he heard that Mr. Zhang was already eighty years old, "What a perpetual bastard! He has no conscience!"

Lin Qingran clenched her fists angrily. At the age of eighty, she was only one step away from closing the coffin lid, and she still wanted to abuse the little girl!

Let Yueying go now, I'm afraid the end will be worse. Now that the matter has come to this, Lin Qingran can only say: "In this case, you can follow me for now."

When she leaves, see if you can take her with you.

Yueying cried with joy, "Thank you, Miss."

The carriage stopped until it reached Linlong Town, and it was already half dark.

The house I lived in this time was not too far away. It was deep in an alley not far from the downtown area, with the river at its back. It was an old house.

Shen Tingzhu had already entered first, and Yue Ying also helped Lin Qingran get out of the carriage.

Lin Qingran was still trying to look around, but he was already being pulled inside.

"What are you in a hurry for?" Lin Qingran lowered her voice and scolded.

Yueying lowered her head nervously and explained, "It's already autumn, and the night wind is too cold. I'm afraid that the young lady will catch a cold."

Lin Qingran calmed down helplessly, feeling that nothing he could say was superfluous.

Seeing that she didn't blame her, Yueying immediately smiled happily, sent her to the hall, and helped her get her luggage.

Positively, Lin Qingran had nothing to say at all.

Mo Ci didn't know where he went. For a moment, he and the bandit leader were the only ones left in the hall.

The two sat facing each other. It was rare that he didn't find fault with himself, so Lin Qingran quietly looked at him.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes, wondering if it was because the candlelight was too dark. His skin was already too fair, and now it was so pale that it was a bit scary.

The hand holding the armrest was extremely hard, as if it was pinching into the hard wood, which was suppressing it.

Lin Qingran was startled and asked uneasily: "Are you okay..."

Shen Tingzhu suddenly raised his eyes, looked straight at her and sneered, "What do you think is wrong with me?"

What he hates the most is words like this: It doesn't matter whether you are okay, whether you are okay or not.

Lin Qingran's dark eyes were filled with evil thoughts. Lin Qingran's head was buzzing. She quickly fluttered her eyelashes and finished the last half of the sentence with a trembling voice, "...can you stop being so scary?" ."

Shen Tingzhu stared at her and considered the emotion in her eyes. It was very good, no pity or pity.

His tight grip loosened a bit, and his fierce offensive also weakened.

Lin Qingran hurriedly lowered her reddish eyes and curled up her toes under her skirt. How could such a heartless bandit always be so unpredictable and scary?

"Master." Mo Ci came in from outside, holding a soup cup in his hand and looking nervous.

Shen Tingzhu stood up and walked out, holding on to the armrest, and Mo Ci followed closely.

He didn't show up again until after the meal. Lin Qingran felt so comfortable eating for the first time. Even the rice was more fragrant than usual. After finishing a small bowl, she took another bowl.

While Shen Tingzhu was waiting for a bowl of soup and medicine, Mo Ci stayed by the side and didn't let out a sigh of relief until he saw a little color return to his face.

"Your Majesty."

Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes and waved his hands, "If you still say those words, stop saying them."

He was tired of hearing it.

Mo Ci knelt down with a plop, "Even if the prince punishes me, my subordinates will say it." He was neither humble nor arrogant, showing a risk-taking attitude, "If the prince pours the Tai Sui soup again and refuses to drink it, or gives it to Miss Lin, then what will happen to him?" I have no choice but to tell Miss Lin the truth."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyelids and smiled with an unknown meaning, "You are so promising that you dare to threaten me."

Mo Ci straightened his back out of the cold air, "If the prince wants to punish his subordinates, they will never complain."

"Anyway, if you can't take good care of your son, my wife will not let you go, just like the Marquis."

Shen Tingzhu pursed her thin lips tightly, her eyes darkened, and after a long while she said: "Get out."

Mo resigned.

Shen Tingzhu's figure was half in the light and half hidden in the dark. He raised the corners of his lips and smiled dimly.

Lin Qingran was so full that she walked around the patio several times before she finally lost her appetite.

Yueying looked at the sky and said, "I will help you to rest."

Lin Qingran nodded. This house was narrow and deep, and the bedrooms were on the second floor. Going upstairs, Yueying said, "My slave, go get water."

Lin Qingran nodded and pushed the door open. She looked around the room and couldn't help but think that this bandit was so capable, why he had a place to live everywhere.

She sat down on the armchair in the hall to rest, plucked the carvings on the lampshade with her fingertips, and cursed silently: It must all be money from robbing families.

Lin Qingran covered her mouth sleepily and yawned. Suddenly she heard the sound of water drops in her ears. She opened her eyes and listened carefully.

Then there was the rustling of cloth rubbing out, and the sound of dragging steps.

Lin Qingran stood up immediately and looked towards the side room where the sound occurred.

She stood up holding her breath, walked step by step, curled her fingertips, pinched one side of the curtain, and slowly lifted it...

"Shua—"

Opposite me, Shen Tingzhu opened the curtain and looked at each other. There was a flash of surprise in his eyes, and he frowned tightly, "What are you doing here?"

"You, you..." Lin Qingran looked at the man in front of her in surprise and uncertainty. His black hair was half-combed, his face was red, and the tear stains under his eyes were particularly red. His middle coat was generously open. , dripping with a half-dry water.

Lin Qingran turned around suddenly and almost bit her tongue in anger, "Why are you here? What do you want to do!"

The strings in her mind tightened, and she ran towards the door in a panic.

Shen Tingzhu tied up his clothes slowly, "This is my house."

He suddenly stopped his hands, raised his eyes, and said in a strange tone, "What are you thinking about?"

Lin Qingran's hand was shaking when she opened the door, "It's what you're thinking!"

As soon as the door opened, he almost bumped into Yueying, who was carrying hot water.

Yueying hurriedly moved the water away, "Miss, be careful."

Yueying looked inside the house cautiously, "What happened."

"Why did you bring me here?" Lin Qingran pulled her away.

Yueying asked in confusion: "Don't the young master and the young lady sleep in the same room?"

It seemed that she had gone to the wrong house, and she had no time to blame Yue Ying for making her own decisions. Lin Qingran walked out without stopping, and Yue Ying hurriedly chased after her.

Mo Ci heard the noise and ran up, leaving Shen Tingzhu calmly pouring tea.

Mo Ci said: "I just saw Miss Lin running out in a hurry."

Shen Tingzhu took a sip of tea and said, "What's going on with that secret guard of yours?"

Mo Ci didn't know what happened yet, so she thought he was asking about what happened during the day, "You said you wanted to find someone smarter... but it was her own idea to stop the carriage."

There were not many women among the secret guards, and among them, Yue Ying was the most scheming, and his face was also deceptive, so he called people over and told the story. Yue Ying pretended to know, and then said he was going to prepare. .

She also startled him when she rushed out to stop the carriage.

Shen Tingzhu's expression remained as usual, and he only said, "I am indeed much smarter than you."

The little girl was just like that... more interesting and beautiful than ever.

The author has something to say:

Ranran: I'm eighteen and I'm still being cheated!

Cousin: Who are you talking about?

=== Chapter === 014

Lin Qingran returned to her room and took a long time to recover. The hot blush on her face had not subsided. She turned to look at Yueying slightly, "You almost hurt me."

Yueying stood aside with her head curled up, her face full of annoyance, "I thought you and the young master were... I know my mistake."

"I already told him that he was a bandit, and I was kidnapped by him!" Lin Qingran said over and over again and became very angry.

Yueying was so frightened that she shrank her neck, raised her eyes to look at Lin Qingran, then quickly lowered her eyes and nodded vigorously, "I understand, this slave."

Lin Qingran saw that she still didn't believe it. She stood up suddenly, glanced at the soft satin clothes on her body, raised her hand to brush her hair, and the Nanzhu hairpin was still there.

Suddenly he understood the reason for her disbelief. It was too late to take off the things now. Lin Qingran gathered her skirt and sat down. She said feebly: "Go get me some water."

The clean room was full of water vapor. Yueying took a water ladle and slowly poured water on Lin Qingran's shoulders. She exclaimed in surprise, "My lady's skin is so good. It's tenderer than water tofu."

Lin Qingran's innocent metaphor made Lin Qingran laugh. She touched her shoulders, remembering that she hadn't put on balm for a long time. She frowned slightly and felt that the skin under her palms suddenly became rough.

Lin Qingran remained depressed until the second day.

Yueying combed her hair early in the morning, and there was no rouge or gouache. Lin Qingran's mood became even worse.

"Young lady is amazing even without dressing up." Yueying said seriously.

Lin Qingran nodded, still not happy.

After freshening up, Mo Ci came to invite her to have breakfast.

Lin Qingran went downstairs and walked to the main hall. Shen Tingzhu was already there. As soon as she saw him, the scenes from last night could not help but appear in front of her eyes.

Although Lin Qingran hated this man very much, this was also the first time she saw a man's body.

She tried her best to abandon the messy images and sat down stiffly.

Yueying filled a bowl of soup for her, and the soup dripped down. Lin Qingran seemed to see the water falling from the chest of the person next to her. Now she just wished she had lost her memory.

"That's enough." Lin Qingran suddenly said.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her with questions in his eyes.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips and said, "It's too much for me to drink."

She only felt a little hot at the moment. Shen Tingzhu saw her blushing cheeks. Although he didn't know why she was blushing, there was still a smile in her eyes.

After breakfast, Lin Qingran immediately found an excuse to go upstairs, not wanting to stay any longer.

After squinting for a while at noon, Lin Qingran stood up and sat at the window, holding her chin and looking at the lake opposite in a daze. The bandit seemed to be in no hurry to go on his way.

She murmured to herself: "It would be nice if I could get out."

Yueying was waiting by the side and heard the words: "If you want to go out, young lady, my servant will accompany you for a walk on the street."

Lin Qingran laughed at her naivety and said, "It's good if you can get out."

Yueying asked puzzledly: "Why not."

Lin Qingran sighed quietly. Anyway, this silly girl wouldn't believe it no matter how much she said, so she didn't bother to talk anymore.

Yueying thought for a moment and said, "Are you afraid that the young master won't agree? Why don't you go and ask."

Lin Qingran shook his head in resistance and said quickly, "I won't go."

"Then I'll ask the lady for you."

When Lin Qingran turned around, Yueying had already walked out. She leaned her head and looked at the lake again, wishing herself good luck.

Not long after, she heard the sound of the door being opened behind her.

"Miss."

Lin Qingran didn't even look back, "I told you..."

Before she finished speaking, Yueying ran to her side excitedly, "Young Master agreed!"

Lin Qingran blinked, thinking she heard wrongly. She looked at the smiling Yueying and asked blankly, "Agree?"

Yueying nodded vigorously.

Lin Qingran still couldn't believe it, "How could you say that?"

Yueying blinked her round eyes and said, "I just said that the lady is depressed and wants to go out for a walk. Oh, I also said that the lady has run out of powder and wants to buy some powder."

As Yueying spoke, she took something out of her purse, took out two ingots of silver and said, "The young master gave me these as soon as he heard about it. He is so kind to the young lady."

Lin Qingran stared at the silver in her hand, picked her up and walked out without saying a word.

Yueying was pulled by her and stumbled all the way.

When she went downstairs, Lin Qingran realized that Mo Ci had been waiting there for a long time. She slowed down and her pupils narrowed slightly.

Mo Ci stepped forward and said, "The boss asked me to accompany the girl out."

Lin Qingran's racing heart gradually calmed down. It was good to at least be able to go out. She nodded calmly, "Let's go."

After leaving the house and standing on the busy long street, Lin Qingran felt her nose was sore and her clenched hands under her sleeves were trembling slightly.

The three of them walked leisurely, Yueying pointed to the shop next to them, "Miss, that seems to be a rouge shop."

Lin Qingran glanced at Mo Ci who was following closely behind him, rolled up his sleeves and said, "Go and have a look."

She led Yue Ying into the shop, while Mo Ci held his sword and swung it at the door, causing everyone passing by to look around.

The shopkeeper of the rouge shop was a woman, wearing a water-colored gauze dress with a graceful posture. She raised her slender eyes and looked Mo Ci up and down. She walked up to Lin Qingran and said with a smile: "You can choose whatever you want, girl. "

Lin Qingran smiled slightly and said to Yue Ying: "Go and help me choose."

Yueying carefully selected at the counter, while Lin Qingran chatted with the female shopkeeper.

"Do you sell pearl powder in the powder?" She picked up a box and looked at it casually.

"Of course." The shopkeeper recognized people's colors and took back the ordinary box of rouge in her hand, but Lin Qingran grabbed her hand.

The shopkeeper frowned in confusion. Lin Qingran held her tightly, keeping an eye on Mo Ci's direction. Taking advantage of his blink of an eye, he quickly said to the shopkeeper in a very soft voice: "Do you have a back door to get out of here?"

The shopkeeper had a keen mind and immediately looked at Mo Ci. She was secretly considering whether to cause trouble to herself.

In her long eyes, she smiled and wanted to pull away her hand. Lin Qingran took off the Nanzhu hairpin from her hair in desperation, put it into her hand, stared into her eyes and said, "I'll give you the best here." Take out the makeup and show it to me."

The shopkeeper glanced at the excellent pearls in his hand, put them into his sleeves, and smiled sweetly, "I'll get them right away. Girl, wait a moment."

She opened the curtain that connected the back room, twisted her waist and walked in. After a while, she came out with a box of makeup.

"Girl, look at this."

Lin Qingran took the box and pretended to look at it. Yueying was still picking out rouge for her. If she was left behind, these bandits would definitely not let her go.

After hesitating again and again, Lin Qingran said: "Stop choosing, come and take a look at this."

Yueying heard the sound and came over, took a closer look, "Sure enough, it is much more delicate than those who look at it."

Lin Qingran took off the jade bracelet from his wrist again, made eye contact with the shopkeeper, and the shopkeeper walked towards Mo Ci gracefully.

While she was blocking Mo Ci's sight, Lin Qingran pulled up Yueying and ducked behind the curtain.

Yueying was led away by her in a daze, "Miss."

Lin Qingran's heart was beating fast and she ordered in a low voice, "Shut up."

Behind the curtain was the patio. Lin Qingran looked around and saw that a small door was already open. She was so excited that she pulled Yueying and ran out as hard as she could.

Behind the small door is a small river, and there are three or two women washing clothes by the river.

Lin Qingran pulled Yueying and ran all the way. When they walked out of this section, there was a crowded market in front of them.

She walked faster and faster, faster, faster!

Suddenly, a figure flashed in front of them, blocking their way.

Lin Qingran took a step back suddenly.

Mo Ci glanced sharply at Yueying and said expressionlessly: "Isn't Miss Lin buying rouge?"

Lin Qingran turned around quickly and saw a man in black standing suddenly under the willow tree not far away.

Mo Ci pointed out from behind her: "I'm not the only one sent by the master to protect the girl."

Lin Qingran closed her eyes forcefully, turned around and said to Mo Ci: "The stuff here is too bad, so I'll look elsewhere."

She raised her eyes and said, "You are just talking to the shopkeeper and can't keep up. Who can blame you?"

Mo Ci didn't expect that she could beat her up, and he didn't dare to argue with her, so he could only say: "Where else are you going, girl?"

Lin Qingran walked forward without looking away, "Just follow."

Mo Ci really wanted to give up the job, but the prince was having fun and was tired of being servants like them.

Having already alerted the snake, Lin Qingran knew that she had no chance to escape today, but she was unwilling to go back like this, not to mention that she had to lose a hairpin and a bracelet.

The more she thought about it, the more she became confused. She turned around and asked Yueying, "How much money did that man give you?"

Yueying hurriedly took out two fifty taels of silver from her purse, "This slave has never seen so much money."

Lin Qingran sneered lightly, how could the bandit do such a loss-making business? He had already recorded it in his account.

She looked at the coarse clothes on Yueying's body and said, "I'll buy you two clothes too."

Lin Qingran took Yueying and Mo Ci from the street to the end of the alley and spent a hundred dollars.

Lin Qingran walked into a clothing store again, lifted the catkins lightly, and went out again after a few dozen taels.

Yueying turned her purse upside down and said in fear: "Miss, there is nothing left."

The smile on the shopkeeper's face froze, and Lin Qingran was also stunned, feeling a little embarrassed immediately.

She turned around and walked to Mo Ci, who was holding large and small bags. Her aura became much weaker, "Do you have any money on you? I can lend it to you."

Mo Ci's mind was filled with questions as to why he was picking up things here, and he didn't want to borrow them at all.

Lin Qingran had just broken up with him and stopped pretending. She threatened in a low voice: "If you don't give it, I will tell the boss that you can't walk around when you see a beauty. I almost can't find you."

Mo Ci's eyes widened, he couldn't find anyone!

He silently took out the banknotes from his arms.

Lin Qingran turned around and paid the money, without even returning the change, and stuffed it into Yueying's purse.

After walking to the shop, Lin Qingran felt that the breath she was holding was much smoother.

Mo Ci glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, the boss is already waiting."

Lin Qingran lowered her eyes. These people were so skilled. If she wanted to escape, she had to find another way.

Walking back along the long street, Lin Qing noticed a drug store, turned around and said to Mo Ci: "The rash I had before has not gone away yet, so I just happened to buy two more patches of medicine."

Mo Ci frowned, fearing that something would happen to her again.

Lin Qingran walked to the pharmacy and told the doctor about his illness.

The doctor said, "Please girl, please roll up your sleeves and let me see what kind of rash it is."

Lin Qingran pinched his sleeves and then paused. He turned to Mo Ci and said, "Do you want to see it?"

Yueying also said at the side: "That's right, be careful, Master will punish you."

Mo Ci suddenly became excited and gave Yueying a warning look. He turned his back and walked a few steps. He was afraid that he was not far enough and stood directly at the threshold.

Lin Qingran repeated her old trick, this time she exchanged the money for a small packet of medicine, quickly hid the medicine in her sleeve, and then walked out of the hospital with the concealing medicine.

Back at the house, Lin Qingran took Yueying upstairs directly.

Big and small bags of things were piled up on the small table. Yueying was packing her things. She remembered the small bag of medicine that Lin Qingran asked the doctor to get, and asked hesitantly: "Miss, why did you buy the Mongolian sweat medicine?"

"And you don't have..."

Lin Qingran's eyes narrowed. Yueying didn't believe these bandits at all. If he told them, he would be in big trouble.

She said coldly: "I have my own uses. If you dare to tell me... Mr. Zhang, I will send you back."

Yueying was horrified, shook her head anxiously, and said repeatedly: "This slave doesn't say anything. You must not send this slave back."

Lin Qingran then softened her eyes and said, "It's okay to be afraid."

She put the small packet of sweat medicine into her lapel, maybe it would come in handy at some point.

After buying a bunch of things and venting her emotions, Lin Qingran was no longer so nervous when facing Shen Tingzhu.

At the dinner table, Shen Tingzhu still finished a few bites by himself, then propped his head and watched her eat.

The little girl will curl up her lips when she eats something she likes. She especially likes to eat soft and glutinous things, just like her own.

She ate slowly, chewing carefully and swallowing slowly. Shen Tingzhu seemed to feel that each dish was delicious as it passed through her mouth.

He himself didn't even notice that the look in Lin Qingran's eyes had some unexplainable meaning at some point.

After she finished eating and put down her chopsticks, Shen Tingzhu asked, "Are you happy today?" She even ate an extra piece of pastry.

Lin Qingran always felt that his question was a bit unpredictable, so he twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "Thank you, Master, for your generosity."

"Well, the account has been recorded." Shen Tingzhu said slowly, his eyes ran through her hair, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Lin Qingran noticed his gaze and panicked in her heart. Even if he didn't notice it, Mo Ci would definitely tell him that it was better to walk away quickly.

Lin Qingran stood up and said, "I'm full and want to go upstairs first."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, and she walked quickly without looking back.

After watching her go upstairs, Shen Tingzhu called Mo Ci to ask questions.

Mo Ci didn't dare to hide it and tried his best to brush off Lin Qingran's attempt to escape.

He said and looked up, Shen Tingzhu's eyes were smiling, but fortunately there was no dark plot that he was worried about.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Go on."

Hearing Lin Qingran go to the medicine shop, Shen Tingzhu's eyebrows darkened a little, and the pain on his neck receded. Wasn't he still feeling well?

Mo Ci still felt a twinge of pain when he thought about his banknote, and said with a troubled face: "Master, will you reimburse me for my subordinates' money?"

Shen Tingzhu said in a calm tone, "I didn't mention keeping accounts."

Mo Ci was heartbroken, because he just refused to give it.

The author has something to say:

Buying, buying, buying always makes people feel better!

=== Chapter === 015

After bathing, Lin Qingran walked away from the moonlight and lazily leaned on the soft couch in front of the bed. He put his bent fingers on the side of his forehead and held the small pack of sweat medicine in his other hand.

She turned the medicine over and over, trying to think of a way to make the medicine go away.

Lin Qingran stared at the light under the lampshade in trance. The second knock on the door rang, and she suddenly came back to reality.

He quickly hid the medicine, straightened up and asked, "Who?"

Shen Tingzhu pressed her palm against the door, and remembered the situation when she accidentally entered her room last night. By chance, Lin Qingran was also taking a bath.

His breathing was slightly suffocated for a moment, then he put down his hand and said, "It's me."

Lin Qingran frowned and reluctantly put on her shoes to open the door.

Shen Tingzhu stood on the porch, the moon hanging in the night sky behind him.

Lin Qingran asked: "What's wrong with the boss?"

Shen Tingzhu saw the little girl lowering her eyes slightly. Her long, slightly damp hair was spread over her shoulders, with a few strands clinging to her delicate chin. The soft white gauze skirt made her icy muscles more beautiful.

The moonlight fell from the square-inch patio and enveloped her body, illuminating the dark patterns of branches embroidered with silver thread on the skirt. The clothes Mo Ci bought before were a little too big for her, but now this one fits her perfectly, and her waist is outlined. The branches are as thin as a weak willow.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes followed the rising curve.

"The rash on your body hasn't gone away yet?" The voice was soft and shallow.

Lin Qingran's heart tightened and she nodded slightly, "One more thing."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyebrows and said naturally, "Let me see."

Lin Qingran suddenly raised her head, her dark pupils looking particularly bright under the moonlight, and she couldn't stop trembling her eyelashes.

On the one hand, she was afraid that he knew about the Menghan medicine and was deliberately testing her. On the other hand, she was even more surprised by his request.

Shame and fear surged up at the same time, and Lin Qingran begged softly,

"...the boss."

A soft sound made Shen Tingzhu stunned. Seeing Lin Qingran's eyes gradually turning crimson, he who had always been calm felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and thought deeply. He used to apply medicine to the little girl just like giving a snow ball a smooth hair and bathing it. He didn't feel anything was wrong at all, but why... Confusion appeared in his eyebrows, and his thoughts were fruitless.

When Lin Qingran saw that he was silent, she bit her lip and lifted up her sleeves. She made up her mind and planned to deal with it by scratching her arm twice with her fingertips.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes flashed, "That's all."

Lin Qingran quickly put down her hands, her eyes still shaking.

Shen Tingzhu has a boring temperament and can remain silent for long periods of time. Moreover, every inch of the little girl's expression was interesting. He enjoyed watching it, and he didn't feel like he was wasting his time at all.

Lin Qingran couldn't bear it. Being so silent was like sharpening her heart with a dull knife. It would be better to have fun.

"If you have nothing else to do, Master." She said, already holding her hand on the door, ready to close it at any time.

"Something's wrong."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at her hand, and Lin Qingran immediately retracted her hand and hid it behind her back.

Shen Tingzhu smiled lightly, could he hide it?

He raised his right hand. Lin Qingran was confused when she saw him flip his wrist. Lying in his palm were her hairpin and bracelet!

Lin Qingran froze for a moment, looking at these two things blankly, her mind went blank, and her beautiful eyes were misted with fear.

She was confused. He must have known that he would not be able to escape today, but what did he mean by bringing these back?

Shen Tingzhu said: "I remember this is something Miss Lin loves, why would she be willing to give it to others?"

When he went to the rouge shop, the shopkeeper was wearing these two pieces of jewelry to show off his posture. Just thinking about it made him disgusted.

"I asked why it disappeared." Lin Qingran clapped her hands lightly, blinked away tears, and pretended to be surprised: "The shopkeeper of the rouge shop must have said it looked good, so I took it off to show her and forgot to take it back."

Lin Qingran felt that all her ability to adapt to changes had been forced out, so she just didn't admit it.

Before the water in her eyes dissipated, she dared to fool him seriously. Shen Tingzhuyi smiled inexplicably.

"Then why don't you take it back?"

Lin Qingran stared at his smile, swallowed, and reached for it with trembling fingertips. Her soft fingertips slid across Shen Tingzhu's palm, and a trace of itchiness was felt along the palm lines, through the skin and into the seam of the bones. .

The teasing that had reached his lips disappeared into thin air.

Shen Tingzhu clenched his hands into fists and rubbed them. There was still confusion in his half-squinted peach blossom eyes. He said nothing and turned to leave.

Lin Qingran was still standing by the door, watching him go around the corridor and push the door into another room.

His lips moved and tightened helplessly, and he couldn't believe that he just left.

He clearly knew that he was going to run away, but he just returned the hairpin and bracelet to her and left without even a warning?

Lin Qingran stared blankly at the closed door.

He also asked about her illness... Lin Qingran flapped her eyelashes twice, and something came into her mind.

That's right...allowing her to go out, giving her money, and those previous outrageous and offensive actions.

Her delicate eyebrows were furrowed as the bandit applied medicine to her, and his hand once touched her forehead.

Lin Qingran put her fingertips tremblingly against her forehead. An increasingly absurd thought emerged. She couldn't even blink. Could that person be...

Lin Qingran quickly put down his hand and stared straight at the door, hoping to find a hole.

wishful thinking!

Lin Qingran tossed and turned until midnight before falling asleep. Yueying came to help her get up early in the morning, and her brain was still groggy.

She sat sleepily in front of the dowry and let Yueying comb her hair.

"Miss, didn't you sleep well last night?" Yueying asked with concern, looking at her lifeless face in the mirror.

Lin Qingran rubbed the side of his forehead and cheered up. Thinking of his guess, he felt upset again.

She never thought that the bandit would have such thoughts. She looked up at her face in the mirror and she liked it very much.

Lin Qingran was annoyed again, why didn't he expect this?

Once she had a guess, the more she thought about it, the more she felt it was like this. No wonder, apart from verbal threats along the way, he never treated her badly in terms of food and clothing.

As her thoughts became clearer and clearer, Lin Qingran pressed the edge of the table hard.

Yueying didn't know why, and thought he had hurt her hair, "Please be gentle, slave."

Lin Qingran's mind was so confused that she didn't even hear what Yue Ying said.

She bit her lip and thought, if that was the case, then she might be able to escape using this.

But she wanted to confirm first.

From early morning until noon, Lin Qingran plucked up her courage several times, but at every critical moment, she shrank back.

At this moment, the bandit had a wicker chair set up on the patio, and he was lying there comfortably while the wind blew through the room.

Lin Qingran hid her body behind the pillars on the second floor and stuck out her head to look down. After many hesitations, she did not dare to step downstairs.

Shen Tingzhu pointed his finger at the armrest. The little girl stopped talking for a long time, and now she hid and peeked. He was really getting more and more curious about what she wanted to do.

Yueying came out of the room holding dirty clothes. Seeing Lin Qingran looking around, she also walked over.

Lin Qingran was focused on the person below, but the sudden approach of the moon shadow scared her so much that her body trembled.

He opened his lips slightly to adjust his breathing, and put his palms against his heart to soothe his throbbing heart.

Yueying asked strangely: "Miss, what are you looking at?"

Lin Qingran waved her hand anxiously to shut her up. She had never seen such a blind maid before.

Yueying hurriedly shut her mouth tightly, with an expression of knowing she was wrong.

"Miss Lin, just tell her what she wants, why hide it?"

Shen Tingzhu's lazy voice floated into her ears. Lin Qingran gritted her teeth and walked downstairs with her skirt in hand.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyelids and raised his hands to block the light above his head. This was the first time he looked at Lin Qingran from this angle.

Condescending, but still as soft as water.

"What's the matter?"

"I..." He saw Lin Qingran's pink lips slightly open.

"I want to go out for a walk again." The lips tightened again, and the beads were half-filled, "Is that okay?"

Shen Tingzhu adapted to the dazzling light, put down his hand, looked at Lin Qingran and said calmly: "Where do you want to go to lose some jewelry?"

His tone was slightly mocking.

Lin Qingran shrank his toes and quickly stood up straight again. At least he wasn't angry.

She tried hard to recall the situation when her sister-in-law and her eldest brother were getting along. First, she pulled her sleeves?

Lin Qingran quickly stopped her thoughts and asked her to grab the bandit's sleeves. She would not dare to do so anyway, and it was also because of urgency last time.

If the sister-in-law wants to ask her brother for something, she will say tenderly: "Husband, please obey me this time..."

Lin Qingran closed her eyes and decided to speak normally, "You can find it wherever you throw it."

Little did they know that her tenderness was engraved in her bones, and her normal speech was softer than when others pinched their throats.

Lin Qingran wrinkled the tip of her nose when she remembered that he wanted to scare her before going to bed last night.

"Ha." Shen Tingzhu smiled, she felt aggrieved.

"Yes, even if you lose yourself, I can get you back."

Hearing what he meant, Lin Qingran moved her lips and said in a very soft voice, "I won't run away."

Even though he was the one who was condescending, Lin Qingran still couldn't hold on any longer, "It's fine if the boss doesn't agree."

After saying this, the little girl pursed her lips tightly and looked at the ground, still unable to resist teasing.

"Go if you want." Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes again.

Lin Qingran's eyes lit up. He really agreed. She stood on tiptoe and excitedly waved to Yueying who was still upstairs.

After taking two steps, Lin Qingran turned around again.

Shen Tingzhu did not open his eyes, and his voice sounded slightly hoarse with a hint of tiredness, "What's wrong?"

Lin Qingran opened her soft palms towards him and said in a panic: "Silver."

Shen Tingzhu chuckled softly, "Go and ask Mo Cichen."

Lin Qingran was in a good mood after walking out of the house. Since that person was really interested in her, she could no longer be worried.

Lin Qingran walked down the long street with light steps.

Suddenly he paused, no, that person was ungrateful. If he tried to offend me, how could I be his opponent?

Lin Qingran's heart suddenly lifted again.

The Liyuan is the only theater in town.

In the private room on the second floor, Mo Ci looked at Lin Qingran's back. She was nodding her head as she enjoyed the play. In her hand was a pot of fine old narcissus. When she heard the beauty, she gave some as a reward. Not stingy.

This person is serious, and if he were a man, he would definitely be a fun-loving dude.

Lin Qingran turned her head and Mo Ci picked up the tea, not looking at her bright and beautiful face.

Lin Qingran came closer, with a smile on her lips, "Brother Mo."

Mo Ci's eyelids twitched, "I don't dare to take it." Yesterday, she threatened him. What did she want to do now?

"I just have a question. I want to ask you for advice." Lin Qingran did not threaten this time, but offered inducements. He took out a banknote from his sleeve and said with a smile: "I'll give you back what you got yesterday."

Mo Ci coughed lightly and said seriously: "Miss Lin, you don't have to be like this. If you can speak well, I will definitely speak. If you can't speak well, even money will be useless."

Lin Qingran raised her eyes, pushed the silver to her, covered her mouth with her hands, frowned, bit her lower lip hard, and asked sadly: "Is the boss greedy for women?"

"Pfft—cough—cough cough cough—"

Mo Ci spat out a mouthful of water and coughed until his face turned red.

Lin Qingran held up her skirt and stepped away quickly, for fear of harming herself.

Even Yueying, who was happily watching the show, turned around, protected Lin Qingran from him, and said disgustedly: "Hurry up and wipe it."

Mo Ci quickly finished cleaning up, looked at Lin Qingran with a strange expression, and then said righteously: "The master is not a womanizer, and his body is as clean as jade!"

The author has something to say:

Oops, my love started blooming in elementary school.

I haven't given out 50 red envelopes for a long time.

Thanks to the little angel who sent the nutrient solution: 5 bottles of Ah Pan, 1 bottle of Jisoo's sister, stream water, and Joycejoy, and 10 bottles of quick-frozen pear cake.

Thank you to the little angels who sent you the overlord tickets: it's Piao Jun and Shu Ai

=== Chapter === 016

Lin Qingran didn't notice Mo Ci's wary gaze, and unconsciously held her arm lightly, a little unbelieving that she was so clean as jade, why he still touched her hand.

But she finally calmed down a bit, and she turned around and continued watching the show, leaving Mo Ci staring.

Miss Lin must have had another idea, and she even hit the prince on the head desperately.

Shen Tingzhu was sitting in the hall, flipping through a book, and when he heard the sound of several people coming in, he unhurriedly picked up the book and was about to throw it into the light white porcelain vase on the table. He paused and put it away again. return.

Lin Qingran was afraid that she would hide in the house when he came back and not see what he was doing. He smiled and continued to turn the page of the book.

Hearing the footsteps stopping outside the house, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly and caught a glimpse of a strand of skirt. He couldn't help but feel a little surprised that she would take the initiative to come over.

Lin Qingran stood in the corridor and could just see Shen Tingzhu sitting there with his head propped up, flipping through the pages of the book.

She frowned, always feeling that something was wrong.

At this time, Shen Tingzhu leaned back lazily, and a sense of laxity came out of thin air.

Lin Qingran suddenly realized that this bandit was illiterate and how could he read.

Shen Tingzhu quickly turned over two more pages, threw the book away casually, raised his head and said, "Miss Lin is back."

Lin Qingran nodded lightly before walking in. She originally wanted to sit a little far away from Shen Tingzhu, but when she thought of her guesses, she lowered her eyes, and her eyes under her long eyelashes moved slightly, daring to do so. Arriving on the chair next to him.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows, feeling even more surprised.

He said nothing, wanting to see what the little girl was going to do.

Lin Qingran didn't dare to get too close, so she was already very nervous. She tentatively stretched out her index finger, clicked on the book on that side, slowly pulled it towards her, and asked softly: "The master is reading." what?"

Shen Tingzhu pressed her palm on the other end of the book, stared at the white fingers, and asked with a half-smile: "Is Miss Lin here to laugh at me for being illiterate and not worthy of reading?"

Lin Qingran's eyes widened, she shook her head repeatedly, and her fingers that were tapping on the book shrank pitifully, "I didn't..."

Shen Tingzhu's doubts about whether he was really illiterate were eliminated with just one sentence.

This person was illiterate but still read, and was so afraid of others' criticism. He must have a very strong self-esteem. She pursed her lips repeatedly, struggled a little, and said cautiously: "If you want to know how to read, Master, I can teach you."

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head slightly, looked at her with interest for a moment, and slowly said, "Okay."

Lin Qingran was secretly relieved and listened to him again: "It's just that Miss Lin is not afraid of me anymore?"

Lin Qingran blinked his dark eyes, and said with mixed truth and falsehood: "You are not that bad, at least you are... okay with me."

Acknowledge that he's treating you differently and let him let his guard down.

Shen Tingzhu did not deny it, "That's because Miss Lin can bring me benefits."

Lin Qingran lowered his eyes, whatever you say is fine.

She asked softly: "Do you have paper and pen?"

Shen Tingzhu glanced at her, stood up and said, "Wait."

Mo Ci quickly delivered the brand new Four Treasures of the Study, "Master, I have bought the things."

"Let it go."

Mo Ci put the things on the table and looked at Lin Qingran very uneasily, while Lin Qingran blinked at him without knowing why.

Shen Tingzhu spread out the roll of paper, raised his eyes and saw the two of them exchanging glances, pursed her thin lips slightly, and said in a low tone, "Miss Lin, please stop sitting there."

Lin Qingran said oh, and walked over obediently to place the pen and paper. Shen Tingzhu's lips softened, and he looked sideways at Mo Ci and said, "You go down first."

Lin Qingran arranged the brushes in order, pressed them with paperweight, rolled up his sleeves and polished the ink, and his eyebrows were drooped softly, adding a bit of gentleness that Shen Tingzhu had never seen before.

After taking the pen and rubbing it with a rub, Lin Qingran raised her head and wanted to ask him if he could read a word or two. Then he thought about it, so as not to hurt him again, he said, "Then let's start by writing big characters."

Shen Tingzhu had no objection, "I listen to you."

Lin Qingran didn't really want to teach him, so he quickly finished writing, "Try it."

Shen Tingzhu took the pen and stroked three strokes very roughly, "How about it."

Lin Qingran's little face wrinkled up when he saw him finish writing. Let's not talk about the handwriting for now, "That's not how you hold a pen."

Shen Tingzhu saw the interesting look on her face that was hesitant to speak, and couldn't help but want to tease him. He picked up the pen and asked seriously: "How should I get it?"

Lin Qingran took another pen and said, "Look, your wrist must be vertical and your little finger should be bent inward, close to the pen barrel."

"so?"

"no."

Lin Qingran demonstrated again, but when he saw that he was still wrong, he became a little anxious, "I asked you to hold a pen, not a sword. You should look at me."

He really is a fool, he can't even learn to hold a pen.

"Looking at it." Shen Tingzhu curled the corners of his lips and lowered his eyes to look at the little girl whose ears were red and already a little angry.

The smile in his eyes was so thick that it almost overflowed.

Lin Qingran saw that he couldn't get it right and couldn't understand what he said. She stamped her feet in annoyance, put down her pen and pried off his fingers, "This way, put it here."

"I've told you so many times to keep it vertical." He said and slapped his hand.

There was a crisp sound, and both of them were stunned.

Lin Qingran stared at her hand on the back of his hand, her pupils narrowed, what did she just do?

After blinking twice, she actually hit this vicious bandit... Lin Qingran felt that her hands were so stiff that she couldn't move.

The slight tingling wasn't painful, but the tenderness of the little girl's hand warmed his hands that had been cold all year round, giving him a very comfortable feeling.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and looked at the back of her eyes which were red with fear, "Miss Lin, is this an opportunity to take revenge on me?"

"Huh, nonsense!" Lin Qingran closed her eyes forcefully and retorted awkwardly. She tremblingly withdrew her hand little by little, folded it under her sleeve and rubbed it gently, but she couldn't get rid of the coolness.

It was too late to regret, so she boldly said: "I am your husband now. If you did something wrong... I can certainly fight you."

It looked fierce, but the final sound unconsciously brought out a thin whimper.

The soft words made the smile in Shen Tingzhu's eyes grow stronger, "Then please continue, sir."

Lin Qingran's slightly teasing words made Lin Qingran blush. Others didn't dare to say anything, but it was more than enough to teach him.

But what just happened had already made her nervous heart pounding, and she couldn't think of anything to teach her. She straightened her body and said, "I've said so much, please write it again for me to read."

Shen Tingzhu complied and wrote big characters on the paper. After he finished writing, he picked up the pen. It was so ugly that he couldn't bear to look at it.

Mo Ci clearly heard Lin Qingran beating Shen Tingzhu outside, and immediately couldn't stand. He stepped into the room and said, "Master."

Shen Tingzhu looked at him silently, "What's the matter?"

Mo Ci inexplicably felt that the prince's gaze was unkind, so he bit the bullet and said, "I came here to ask the master what he would like to eat tonight."

Meeting Shen Tingzhu's half-smiling gaze, Mo Ci added, "It's that fish. The kitchen can't decide how to cook it. The boss wants it steamed or braised."

Lin Qingran couldn't stay still for a long time. Hearing this, he immediately said: "I know how to make delicious food. I'll go and have a look."

She was about to run away as she said this, and Shen Tingzhu said unhurriedly, "Miss Lin doesn't want to teach anymore?"

Lin Qingran always felt that there was dissatisfaction in his seemingly calm tone.

She pursed her lips and returned to the table and wrote a few words, "Practice hard and write each word twenty times."

Lin Qingran didn't look into his eyes and pointed outside, "I'm going to see the fish."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, and Mo Ci also planned to go out.

"You stop."

Lin Qingran walked outside to catch her breath for a long time. When she raised her eyes, she realized that it had become dark before she knew it. It was really hard to stay with the bandit.

But she was so fierce just now, and he didn't get angry. It seemed that she really meant for him.

Lin Qingran stood for a while, wanting to go upstairs to rest. When she smelled the aroma of food coming from the kitchen, she was worried that the man would turn around and ask her questions, so she changed her way towards the kitchen.

When the cook saw Lin Qingran come in, he immediately said: "There is a lot of oil smoke here, please let the girl out."

Lin Qingran was choked by the oil smoke and squinted her eyes. She didn't want to stay for a moment longer. She looked around and scanned the dishes. If she put the sweat medicine into the dishes...

She stepped forward and said, "I'm here to help you see how the fish is doing."

Although the cook looked strange, he still brought up the fish that had been killed and said, "This is mandarin fish, best suited for steaming."

"How about steaming it? It smells weird." Lin Qingran rejected it directly.

"What should the girl say?"

"Of course." Lin Qingran rolled her eyes, "I'll do it myself."

The man said hurriedly: "This is absolutely impossible."

"What's wrong?" Lin Qingran wanted to take the fish from his hand, but she put it down halfway and tapped the porcelain basin aside, "Put it there."

Lin Qingran's fear of Shen Tingzhu was difficult to eliminate for a while, but not for others. She rolled up her sleeves and ordered: "When the others are ready, take them out first."

The man was still hesitating, but Lin Qingran had already picked up the spatula. She looked at it again and again.

Isn't it just putting it in the pot and turning it a few times? Although she has never cooked before, she probably still knows how to do it.

After sending the people around him away, Lin Qingran poured some oil into the pot and threw the fish in -

"Hiss—hot, hot, hot!" Lin Qingran threw the shovel and stepped back, biting the tip of her tongue and shouting "hot."

She tightly covered her hands that were splashed with oil and stared at the pot in fear.

In the hall, Shen Tingzhu listened to the person who had come to present her speech. Before she could speak, Mo Ci had already said, "Miss Lin is just being attentive for nothing. Don't have any other thoughts." He tried to speak as tactfully as possible.

Shen Tingzhu said bluntly: "What else can she have in mind? It's just poisoning the vegetables. Does she have the courage?"

Shen Tingzhu's tone seemed playful, but his eyes were slightly cold. If the little girl really dared to drug him, then the reason for teaching him how to read just now was also found. She just wanted to relax his vigilance.

The author has something to say:

Thank you to the little angel who sent the nutrient solution: 24 bottles of yellower, 5 bottles of no, 2 bottles of nice, and 1 bottle of 57102935.

=== Chapter === 017

Mo Ci pushed open the kitchen door and saw Lin Qingran hurriedly hiding something in her sleeves.

His face darkened, and he walked up to the pot to take a look. He was stunned for a moment and asked uncertainly: "Miss Lin... what are you doing?"

Lin Qingran immediately lost his temper, "Don't you know? Of course it's a fish."

Mo Ci couldn't help but nodded. Except for the shape, it could barely be seen that it was a fish. No matter the smell or color, it was far from a fish.

Lin Qingran scooped up the fish, nodded with satisfaction, and smiled so hard that his eyes curled up, "Take it out, you can eat it."

Mo Ci quickly said: "You must never let the boss eat this!"

Lin Qingran ignored him and went out with the food.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the plate of fish in front of him for a long time before he said with unknown meaning, "I never expected that Miss Lin can cook."

Lin Qingran's eyebrows were filled with pride, "Master, give it a try."

Shen Tingzhu fiddled with the chopsticks twice and took a piece of meat from the belly of the fish. Seeing that he was really about to put it into his mouth, Mo Ci took a step forward eagerly.

Lin Qingran stared at him closely, with a hint of eagerness in her eyes. As Shen Tingzhu stopped moving, she unconsciously clenched her fists and said in a careless tone, "What's wrong?"

Shen Ting Zhuduan looked at the fish on the tip of his chopsticks, and then his eyes fell on Lin Qingran, "Miss Lin has always avoided me, so why is she suddenly showing her affection?"

He smiled, and Lin Qingran looked at him for only a moment before lowering her eyes nervously.

Seeing her flustered look, Shen Tingzhu lost his amusement for the first time and quietly ordered Mo Ci to test for poison.

Mo Sang stepped forward silently. Although it was the prince who was wrong first and he sympathized with Miss Lin, at this time, he must put the prince's safety first.

He took a silver needle and pierced it into the belly of the fish. After a moment, he took out the needle.

Looking at the silver needle carefully, Mo Ci's eyes flashed with astonishment. Except for the soup that was stained on it, the silver needle did not change color, so it was non-toxic.

He turned to look at Shen Tingzhu, "Master."

Shen Tingzhu naturally saw it too. His brows furrowed and then relaxed, and the vague displeasure faded away.

Lin Qingran bit her lip and slowly raised her head, "This is my first time cooking. If the boss doesn't like it, I don't have to eat it. Why should I be so insulting?"

She spoke very softly, and her words were full of grievances.

In her heart, she was glad that she only had the idea of drugging her but did not implement it.

She's not stupid. There are so many people here. What's the use of knocking someone unconscious? She can't escape either.

Lin Qingran reached out and was about to take the plate away. Shen Tingzhu's eyebrows narrowed again, and he raised his hand to hold the other end of the plate, "What's wrong with your hand?"

She intentionally let her sleeves slide down slightly, just so that she could see the little red spots on her arms that were splashed by oil.

Lin Qingran did not answer, but said with tears in her eyes: "I told you, this is my first time cooking." She pursed her lips, "If you don't want to eat, give it to me."

The bitten lip turned white, and the red spots on the back of the hand were also slightly swollen. The pampered little girl was cooking for the first time. Shen Tingzhu's heart was touched. Instead of letting go, he picked up a piece of fish and put it on the table. In the mouth.

Mo Ci didn't have time to stop him, "Master, you can't eat this." Even though there was no medicine, it didn't look like it could be put into the mouth.

"How does it taste?" Lin Qingran stared at him with wide eyes.

Shen Tingzhu ate it calmly, "It's okay."

Lin Qingran smiled happily, "Then you eat them all."

After she finished speaking, she immediately lowered her eyes and stroked the back of her hand. Shen Tingzhu didn't notice the cunning twinkling in her eyes, but he still held the bowl and ate slowly.

Lin Qingran sat on the other side, biting the tip of her chopsticks to admire his expression. She tasted the fish before it came out of the pot, and it didn't taste very good, but he actually ate it with rice without changing his expression, as if Can't taste good or bad.

Lin Qingran wrinkled the tip of his nose a little disappointed, but quickly regained his composure, finally teasing him once.

After staying in Linlong Town for another day, the group set off. Yueying took her luggage and sat in the smaller carriage at the back. Shen Tingzhu was still riding with Lin Qingran. She didn't want to but couldn't.

The journey was not in a hurry. It was already ten days before we arrived in Qingzhou, and we rested for two days before we started on our way again.

Not long after leaving the city, the surroundings became quiet, with only the sound of carriages passing by. Lin Qingran lifted the curtain on the car cabin, and the wind blowing on her face was cool.

She lowered her eyes. It was already October. Why hasn't her father come yet? Can they still find her? She couldn't find a chance to escape. Mrs. Shen's birthday party was on the first and third day of October. She would go too. It didn't work out. The more Lin Qingran thought about it, her eyes became sore.

However, the man said that he had to pass through Tongzhou before leaving Jiaohe, which was already under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture. She could reach Daxing in one day at the latest. If she could manage to escape at that time, she could find a way to get to Changxing Houfu.

She comforted herself and turned sideways to look at the man who was resting with his eyes closed. She was not as scared to be with him now as before.

However, this man was also strange. He was always sleeping so much of the day. At first, she thought he was just pretending to sleep. After quietly observing him many times, she discovered that he was really sleeping.

Perhaps the little girl's gaze was too blatant, and even Shen Tingzhu woke up from his sleep.

He did not open his eyes directly, but waited for the pain in his eyes to dissipate before he slightly raised his eyelids.

Lin Qingran asked: "The boss is awake."

"Um."

The overly clear voice was as light as a burst of smoke. Lin Qingran just thought he was not awake, but Shen Tingzhu knew that it was because the effectiveness of Tianxiangzi was disappearing little by little, and the backlash after the effectiveness of the drug faded would make The person is weaker than before taking the medicine.

For example, now, he feels extremely tired even when talking.

After adjusting his breath a few times, Shen Tingzhu regained some energy and said to the bored little girl, "If it's boring, then teach me how to read."

Lin Qingran frowned slightly, not wanting to teach him at all. Even if he didn't reply, she would be so angry.

Shen Tingzhu could see her reluctance, but he didn't even have the strength to tease her. He frowned. If the little girl knew what kind of body he had in the future, she would laugh at him severely or look at him with pity. , just like everyone else.

Shen Tingzhu tightened the corners of his lips and spoke again, his tone already slightly cold, "Don't come here yet."

Lin Qingran scolded him several times in her heart before taking a book and sitting next to him.

She opened the pages of the book, pointed at the words on top and read them to him one by one, even her tone was filled with anger.

Shen Tingzhu listened with interest. When Lin Qingran read the word "bei", he interrupted loudly, "Wait a minute."

Lin Qingran tilted her head and looked at him in confusion.

Shen Tingzhu thought for a moment and said, "Didn't you say last time that you would be better if you spoke less than one horizontal stroke?"

Lin Qingran immediately remembered that time when she pointed at the words on the silk and lied to him that it was Bei Na.

The distance was so close that Shen Tingzhu could see the fine sweat on her forehead, and her eyelashes flicked back and forth like butterfly wings trembling.

Lin Qingran was only flustered for a moment, and then quickly calmed down, "I also pronounce that character, and I pronounce this one too." He said it confidently.

Shen Tingzhu hummed meaningfully, smiling and not bothering with her.

At this moment, a young man's voice suddenly came from outside the carriage—

"You are going to Shouguang County? Don't go, you won't be able to get through."

Mo Ci pulled his horse and looked at the old woman and man in front of him, "Why did you say this, little brother?"

The man supported the stooped old woman beside him and said: "There are mud and rocks rolling down the road between Bama Mountain and blocking the way. We just came back from there. If you go there, it will be in vain."

Lin Qingran heard the conversation outside and picked up the curtain to take a look.

The man who spoke suddenly saw such a fairy-like person appearing in front of him, and was stunned for a long time.

It wasn't until Shen Tingzhu gave him a cold look that he turned away awkwardly.

Shen Tingzhu reached out to Lin Qingran, lowered the curtain and said, "Sit tight."

Lin Qingran was so frightened by the sudden falling curtain that she shrank back and glared at him unconsciously before sitting down.

She heard the old woman next to the man say: "We'd better find a place to stay for one night." Then she coughed hard.

"Mom, drink some water." The man handed the water bag to the old woman and patted her back to comfort her. After the old woman got better, he said to Mo Ci: "I have to take my mother to find a place to stay first. , there seems to be a village nearby. Don't go any further, you'll have to come back soon."

Mo Ci nodded and smiled, "Thanks for reminding me, little brother."

After the people left, he ordered people to check in front.

The person who went there came back soon. After hearing what he said, Mo Sang walked to the side of the carriage and said, "Master, it is indeed as the man said just now. The road between Bama Mountain is blocked. If you want to go around, you have to cross the mountain. It will take one night." I'm just afraid I won't be able to reach Shouguang County."

Lin Qingran once had an experience in the wilderness at night, where he met these people, and he still has lingering fears when he thinks about it.

She asked in a low voice: "What should we do now?" After saying this, she felt that she was so pitiful that she even asked these bandits what to do.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Isn't there a village? Go and have a look."

The village was quite close, and we were there in two moments.

As soon as the carriage passed the archway at the entrance of the village, a villager came over. He was in his thirties and was an honest man. He came up and said, "You are also blocked and can't get through to our village."

Mo Sang dismounted and asked politely: "That's right. I dare you to ask if there is a place to stay here."

The villager nodded and said: "Our area is small and there is no inn, but I can take you to the village chief's house."

Mo Sang said: "Then it will be hard work."

The villager waved his hand: "A mother and son came just now, and I took them there."

Lin Qingran thought it must be the mother and son they met on the road.

Mo Sang signaled to start, but the villager said: "Our village is small and the road is narrow. I'm afraid the carriage and horses won't be able to get in."

He pointed to the empty house next to the field, "Just take the horse there and lock it up. Don't worry, no one will steal it."

Horses were not allowed to enter, so everyone had to get down.

The villagers led everyone forward. The village was indeed not big, with only about twenty households in total.

Lin Qingran avoided the mud puddle at her feet and followed behind with Yue Ying.

Mo Ci looked around, his brows gradually tightening. He walked to Shen Tingzhu and said in a voice that only two people could hear: "Your Majesty, something is wrong with this village."

"Yeah." Shen Tingzhu kept his eyes fixed, "There are more than 20 households, 70% are men and 30% are women. There is not a single child. Yellow dogs guard the house, and the dogs here don't bark when they see outsiders."

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "Let's see and then talk."

The author has something to say:

I have something to do tonight, so today's update will be postponed to the morning~

30 random red envelopes

=== Chapter === 018

Several people were taken to the village chief's house. Compared to other villagers' houses, they were indeed much larger. There were three bungalows in the front and a two-story building in the back.

The village chief learned about the situation from the villagers leading the way. He asked a few people to sit down and said, "Don't be impatient. It is estimated that the road will be open in a day or two."

After he finished speaking, he asked his wife to pour tea.

"Sir, have a sip of tea." The woman poured a bowl of tea quickly and handed it to Shen Tingzhu.

"Thank you." Shen Tingzhu took the tea, held it in his hand without drinking it, and turned to talk to the village chief.

The village chief's wife walked up to Lin Qingran again, looked at her and praised her: "The girl is really pretty. Come on, have a sip of tea."

The light from the slender eyes fell on Lin Qingran, which made her feel very uncomfortable, especially the woman's prominent cheekbones, which made her look shrewd even when she smiled.

Lin Qingran held the tea bowl and only smiled in surprise without saying anything.

After she passed by, Lin Qingran looked at the person beside her.

Shen Tingzhu asked the village chief: "I heard that there were two people who came to stay before us."

The village chief nodded, "There is a mother and son here, they are already resting in the back." He said, looking at Mo Ci and the other three who were wearing swords, with a slightly worried look on their faces, "These little brothers are... "

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "I'm just a bodyguard at home."

The village chief Songshen smiled and said, "I don't know how to call you, or where you are from." After he finished speaking, he immediately explained: "Our village is small and far away from the town, so when I see you all dressed up like this, I always ask a few questions, please. Don't be offended."

"It's okay." Shen Tingzhu said with a smile: "My surname is Lin. This is my sister. We are from Jiangning."

Lin Qingran's eyes widened when she saw that he was telling lies without blushing and her heart was not beating. Who became his sister! He also had the nerve to say his surname was Lin.

Shen Tingzhu also turned to look at her, "What's wrong? Are you tired?"

Lin Qingran was so angry that she clenched her teeth and her eyes widened as if they were about to poke two holes out of his body.

Not only was Shen Tingzhu not angry, she even looked back with a smile. However, she became so angry when he became her brother. She would have to call him cousin in the future.

The village chief stood up and said: "I will take you to your room to rest."

"Thank you." Shen Tingzhu stood up.

Lin Qingran walked up to him and asked softly: "Why did you say that just now!"

"Then what should I say?" Shen Tingzhu looked at her funny, leaned forward and said, "Tell them that I am a bandit and want to loot this place?"

Lin Qingran was frightened by what he said carelessly and turned her head in disbelief.

Shen Tingzhu was looking at her red earlobes with great interest. Unexpectedly, she turned around suddenly, and a wisp of black hair swept across his cheek, curling up with a soft and sweet breath, and his bright little face was very close at hand.

"You're kidding." Lin Qingran didn't notice his strangeness and spoke in an urgent tone.

The soft breath sprayed out from his breath brushed against Shen Tingzhu's chin, and his throat suddenly tightened.

He straightened up, his peach-blossom eyes flashed with confusion that he didn't realize he had, he nodded casually as an answer, and then walked forward.

The area on his face that had been swept by the hair was slightly hot. Shen Tingzhu lightly scraped it with his fingertips. The faint fragrance was still lingering around his nose. He put down his hand and frowned. Could it be that this was also brought by Tian Xiangzi? Affected, otherwise why would his heart beat so fast.

When I walked to the two-story building behind the house, the young man I met on the road was fetching water from the well.

Seeing everyone coming in, he smiled and said, "It seems you can't get through it either."

Shen Tingzhu ignored him, and Mo Ci cupped his hands and said, "We meet again."

The man smiled honestly, and when he saw Lin Qingran walking behind, his eyes lit up at first, and then he looked away nervously.

"Cough-cough-"

Hearing the coughing sound coming from the house, he hurriedly said: "I'm going to take care of my mother."

Lin Qingran remembered his mother. She didn't look too old, but she seemed to be in very bad health.

The village chief arranged several empty houses for everyone. "The houses are limited, so I can only live in one room for two of you."

It didn't matter that Lin Qingran and Yueying lived in the same room, so they entered the house with them.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by a lingering musty smell. Lin Qingran covered her nose with her hands and frowned in discomfort.

Yueying opened the window and let the air flow through.

Although Lin Qingran was held hostage by the bandit, he had never been neglected in terms of food and accommodation. Now looking at this simple house with dusty furniture, he was somewhat unable to adapt.

While Yueying was cleaning, she stood at the window and looked down. Behind a few rows of houses were large fields, which in the past were forests.

Lin Qingran grabbed the window edge tightly with her hands and looked around carefully. The houses here were not surrounded by separate courtyards. Every house was connected and there were many people. This was not the best time for her to escape.

The wooden thorns on the window sill pricked her palms. She let out a soft cry and immediately let go.

Yueying heard the sound and came over, "What's wrong, miss?"

Yueying was someone who couldn't hide things. Lin Qingran thought about it and decided not to tell her what she thought for the time being.

"I touched ashes on my hands, I'm going to wash them off."

Walking downstairs, Lin Qingran rarely saw Mo Ci. Only a man she couldn't name was guarding downstairs.

She walked to the well and washed her hands. When she looked up, she saw the village chief's wife coming from the path.

"Hey, girl, it's a coincidence, try the oranges I just picked." The village chief's wife held a bamboo basket in her arms, with several large and red oranges in it.

Lin Qingran still remembered the discomfort she had caused him just now, and refused with a smile, "No need."

The village chief's wife thought she was embarrassed, so she took one and put it into her hand, "Try it, it's very sweet."

The enthusiastic attitude made Lin Qingran a little embarrassed, "Thank you, madam."

"What's your name, madam?" The village chief's wife waved her hand with a smile, "Just call me Aunt Liu."

She looked at Lin Qingran again with great affection, "The girl from the south of the Yangtze River is very charming, good-looking and lovable."

Lin Qingran's cheeks trembled slightly at her straightforward words. He guessed that Aunt Liu had such a straightforward temperament and was used to speaking like this.

Aunt Liu leaned forward and said to the guard guarding the stairs: "Little brother, let's try one too."

The guard looked steadily and said, "No need."

Aunt Liu smiled and spoke to Lin Qingran again, "Where are you heading?"

"Aunt Liu." Lin Qingran called out briefly, with a thousand words hidden in her eyes.

Aunt Liu snorted, waiting for what she was going to say.

Lin Qingran bit her lip. Even if she asked for help, they might not believe her, and even if they did, they might not be a match for these bandits.

Seeing her in a daze, Aunt Liu smiled and asked, "Just say whatever you want, girl."

Lin Qingran pursed her lips and smiled, "I think the scenery here is pretty good, and I wanted to ask if Aunt Liu could take me for a walk if she is free."

Aunt Liu readily agreed, "Whenever I have time."

She took Lin Qingran's arm and was about to leave. The door of a room on the second floor was opened, and it was the young man from before.

The man scratched his head and smiled sheepishly at Aunt Liu, "Aunt Liu, can you give me one of your oranges so that I can moisten my mother's throat?"

Aunt Liu was stunned for a moment, let go of Lin Qingran's hand and said, "Sure."

She whispered to Lin Qingran, "I'll go up first."

It happened that Yueying also came down, Lin Qingran nodded and said: "Then I will go for a walk by myself."

She left with Yueying, and Aunt Liu went upstairs.

After walking a few steps, Lin Qingran couldn't help but turn around and said to the guard who was following closely behind: "I don't need you to follow."

The guard lowered his eyebrows and said without emotion: "I was acting under orders. Please forgive me, Miss Lin."

Lin Qingran moved her lips, "I'm thirsty, go get me a pot of water."

The guard said: "I must follow the girl at all times."

Lin Qingran was furious and glared at him with a helpless look. If he wanted to escape, he had to get rid of the people who were following him.

What should she do.

Yueying saw that her face was a little ugly, so she comforted her, "Miss, don't be angry. If he wants to follow, just let him follow."

Seeing that she was not in a hurry, Lin Qingran was even more helpless. She turned around and walked forward angrily.

After going around in a circle, Lin Qingran discovered that the forest led to the mountain. There might be some ferocious beasts in the mountain, so he couldn't go there... If he wanted to leave, he could only go to the archway where he came from.

Lin Qingran thought about it all the way and unknowingly walked back to the village chief's house.

Shen Tingzhu stood at the railing of the second-story building with his hands behind his hands, until he saw that slender figure appearing in his sight, and his brows that had been frozen for a long time relaxed.

His eyes were fixed on the absent-minded Lin Qingran, watching her walk up the stairs step by step, and she was almost there without noticing him.

It was Yueying who called Young Master, and Lin Qingran raised her head. Shen Tingzhu's face came into view, and she was stunned before saying: "Big..."

Shen Tingzhu cut her off and said, "Don't call her by the wrong name." In order to deceive others, he told the village chief that they were brother and sister, so he shouldn't call her Miss Lin.

Shen Tingzhu rubbed his fingertips and whispered, "Ranran."

The word "overly intimate" passed through his mouth, inexplicably evoking a hint of softness and tenderness that was constantly involved.

After finishing her words, Shen Tingzhu curled her lips. This sounded no better than "Miss Lin".

Lin Qingran didn't react. When she saw the faint smile on his lips, her heart trembled, her fingertips trembled slightly, and her face turned red. How could he call her that!

Whether it was because of anger or shame, Lian Yingshui's eyes turned red.

I also want her to call her brother and dream!

The little girl refused to speak, and Shen Tingzhu didn't force herself. Sooner or later she would have to scream.

He said calmly: "We will leave when the road is clear. Please don't wander around these days."

Lin Qingran nodded quickly and said in a muffled voice, "I'm going back to the house."

Towards evening, the village chief came and invited them to have a meal at the front.

"It's a coincidence that you are here." The village chief took the pot and was about to pour wine for Shen Tingzhu.

Shen Tingzhu raised his hand to stop him, "I won't drink anymore."

The voice was clear and shallow, but it contained an undeniable momentum.

The village chief put away the wine bottle and said with a smile: "I can't do it without drinking a little every day. I'm used to it."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "The village chief just said what a coincidence."

Aunt Liu brought the dishes over and said, "There is a happy event to be held in our village tomorrow. It's not a coincidence. Then we will go have a drink to feel happy."

Shen Tingzhu didn't comment, just smiled.

Aunt Liu smiled brightly at Lin Qingran and said, "Miss Lin will come when the time comes."

There must be a lot of people at a wedding, and she might be able to take the opportunity to escape. Lin Qingran raised her head and smiled sweetly and said crisply: "Okay."

Shen Tingzhu glanced over and Lin Qingran hurriedly lowered her eyes to eat.

Shen Tingzhu looked away and asked, "Why don't you see the mother and son today?"

Aunt Liu said: "The young man's mother is not in good health and cannot come down. He is also serving in the room." She bumped the village chief with her elbow as she said, "It's strange that he is filial."

Shen Tingzhu nodded and smiled.

After eating, several people went back to their houses.

Late at night, there was only one candle lit in the main room, and the weak candlelight seemed to be extinguished at any time.

"I have inspected both carriages. They are both good items. These sheep look fat enough."

The candlelight fell on the face of the speaker, who was the villager at the entrance of the archway during the day.

The village chief also changed his previous friendly attitude. His eyes were full of sinister fervor and his voice was low: "Then kill the sheep and get the meat."

Aunt Liu sat on the stool with her legs crossed and said quietly: "Those people's skills are quite impressive."

The village chief sneered, "If you drink a bowl of ecstasy soup, no matter how good your skills are, it won't be of any use."

Aunt Liu said, "Jiang Ning is here, and his surname is Lin." She narrowed her eyes and thought for a moment, "Hey, do you think it could be the Lin family of the wealthy businessman."

"Are they all the same..." The village chief raised his hand and made a gesture of cutting his throat.

The young man who sat aside and remained silent said, "I can't control what happens to you. Let's make an agreement first. Those two ladies belong to me."

Aunt Liu snorted, "Your deal is really a bargain. Selling those two women, especially the young lady, is a big deal."

The man said, "This is what we agreed a long time ago. When I bring people here, I don't want any money, just women." He raised his eyes and said, "Why, you want to go back on your word."

Aunt Liu was intrigued when she saw Lin Qingran. Such a beauty could definitely be sold at a good price. However, she didn't want to break the rules, and she was unwilling to do so, so she said: "At least that little maid can give it to me." Me."

The man was about to speak when the old woman next to him held down his hand. It was the seriously ill old woman. She didn't look sick at all at the moment and said with a strong voice: "I can give it to you, but our cooperation will not be enough." That's it."

She spoke mercilessly, Aunt Liu slammed the table and stood up, "You!"

"Okay." The village chief shouted in a deep voice, glanced sideways at Aunt Liu, and said, "Those two women belong to you."

Aunt Liu was so angry that she sat down and made a sound on the stool.

The old woman and the young man stood up and said, "We will proceed as planned tomorrow."

Several people left one after another, and the room became peaceful again.

Early the next morning, the noisy and noisy sounds in the village made Lin Qingran frown.

She covered her ears tightly to block the sound, her eyelids moved again and again, and finally opened her eyes. Her sleepy and red eyes were full of annoyance and grievances that she had not woken up from.

Yueying opened the door and came in, "Miss is awake."

Lin Qingran snorted softly and tried to push herself up. As soon as she moved, she couldn't help but whine in pain.

The wooden bed beneath her was only covered with a thin sheet, which made her whole body aching and even her body became stiff.

Yueying hurriedly helped her up and gently stroked her back, "Miss, the bed doesn't fit into your bed?"

Lin Qingran pouted slightly and nodded aggrievedly, "I can't even straighten my waist."

With half-open eyes and a sleepy little face, coupled with a soft and waxy complaint, anyone who sees her will feel pity for her.

Yueying rubbed her waist again, and Lin Qingran finally became more awake.

"Why is it so noisy outside?"

Yueying said: "This is not a happy event in the village, everyone is helping."

Lin Qingran was completely awake now, changed clothes, washed up and went downstairs.

After breakfast, Aunt Liu called Lin Qingran to see the newlyweds.

Lin Qingran nodded and was about to stand up when she heard Shen Tingzhu say: "Aunt Liu, go by yourself. My sister and I still have something to talk about."

Aunt Liu met his smiling eyes, and for some reason, she felt a chill in her heart. She smiled coquettishly, "Then I'll go by myself."

After Aunt Liu left for a while, Lin Qingran didn't see Shen Tingzhu talking about anything, and couldn't help but ask, "What are you going to say?"

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "Stay by my side today and don't run around."

Lin Qingran stared at the ground, how could she escape when he was next to him!

And he was just sitting there, so she had to accompany him all the time. Lin Qingran became anxious. The village chief said that the road would be open tomorrow, but when he got on the road, she would have no chance.

Lin Qingran hesitated for a moment and whispered, "I want to see the wedding."

"It's so noisy, what's there to see?" Shen Tingzhu felt a headache just listening to the sound.

Lin Qingran's cheeks swelled slightly, and she lowered her eyes to look at the toes of her shoes. After a while, she hesitated and pulled on his sleeve, very gently, and then let go, "Let's go and have a look."

She moved her lips and said, "The sound of suona and banging outside is very lively. I want to go and see it too."

The soft words were very useful in his ears. Shen Tingzhu moved his eyes, it didn't hurt to take a look.

He got up and walked forward. When he saw the little girl still staying there, he said helplessly: "Aren't you going?"

"Go!" Lin Qingran immediately stood up and followed him.

The daughter was married to a family named Wang.

People were crowding inside and outside the house. Lin Qingran took a look inside the house. The bride was wearing a red hijab and wedding dress sitting in the house, while the groom had a red flower tied on his chest as a wedding dress.

Lin Qingran wanted to squeeze forward, but Shen Tingzhu said slowly from behind: "Ranran turned a deaf ear to my words."

Hearing him call her that again, Lin Qingran trembled so much that her fingertips curled up.

Shen Tingzhu said again: "Come to me."

Lin Qingran could only reluctantly stand back beside him, lowering her eyes to hide the anxiety in her eyes. How could she escape if he kept looking at her like this.

The crowd took the bride to the groom's home in a noisy manner.

The banquet lasted from noon to night.

The groom came to Shen Tingzhu's table to propose a toast. His face was red and he smelled of alcohol. He said, "Young Master Lin is a guest from far away. It is an honor for me to come to my wedding. Come! I'll toast you a toast."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and refused: "I don't know how to drink."

The groom's expression changed after hearing this, "Young Master Lin, you are not showing your respect."

The two people behind him started cheering, "No, you can't drink on a big day."

"It's okay not to show appreciation."

Everyone was talking to each other, and it was obvious that Shen Tingzhu would not give up until he drank this wine.

Lin Qingran was afraid that these people would offend him, so she looked at him nervously.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and smiled, picked up the wine glass and said, "Then I congratulate you two on a happy marriage."

He raised his head and drank the wine, and those few people laughed again. One of them turned to the guards standing by and waved to them, raising the wine bottle and saying, "Those brothers, come and have a glass of wedding wine too."

Before Mo Ci could refuse, the man said first, "You can't refuse the wedding wine. This is the rule."

Several people had no choice but to sit down.

When Lin Qingran saw these people sitting on the table, the thought of running away came to her mind again.

She tugged on Shen Tingzhu's sleeves under the table, and the man turned his head and his eyes fell on Lin Qingran.

Because he drank two glasses of wine, his slightly squinted peach blossom eyes were stained with a watery color, his lips were red, and the tear moles under his eyes were also red.

"What's wrong?" Shen Tingzhu's voice was slow.

"Big..." Seeing Shen Tingzhu's slightly frowned eyebrows, Lin Qingran bit her lip and changed her words: "Brother, I'm sleepy. I want to go back to sleep first."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes dimmed and he stared at her tightly.

Lin Qingran's heartbeat was beating like a drum. She was afraid that he would notice the clues and did not dare to dodge at all.

It's better to let the little girl go back, so that she won't be afraid for a while.

Shen Tingzhu nodded and ordered a guard to accompany him back.

Lin Qingran had already stood up and left, but Shen Tingzhu seemed to still be able to smell her sweet and soft fragrance.

Lin Qingran called Yueying to walk into the room together. As long as she found a way to get rid of the people behind her, she could escape!

Her heart was beating fast and her palms were covered in cold sweat.

=== Chapter === 019

The night wind made Lin Qingran's mind particularly clear. Everyone was at the banquet, and there was only one escort. There was no better time than now.

She sat quietly in the room for a long time, made up her mind, and said to Yueying who was making the bed: "I just saw that man outside was drinking a lot. Go and take a look, don't be drunk already."

Yueying didn't doubt that he was there, so she spread out the quilt and got up to look.

Lin Qingran took advantage of her turning around and quickly took out the sweat medicine that she had been hiding on her body these days, opened the teapot and poured it in.

Yueying opened the door, and the guard stood straight at the door. She turned back and said with a smile: "It's okay, I'm not drunk."

Lin Qingran pretended to be drinking tea. Hearing this, he looked sideways, raised his eyebrows and said, "Let him in."

Yueying said to the guard: "The lady is calling you."

The guard walked into the house, "I wonder what the girl has ordered."

Lin Qingran frowned, raised his hand to cover his nose, and said in disgust: "She smells of alcohol."

The guard's face was slightly stunned. He only drank a small cup because it shouldn't have any taste.

Lin Qingran pushed the kettle in front of him towards him, "Drink more water quickly to dispel the alcohol smell and wake up."

The guard did not move, "I will stand outside the house and will not affect the girl."

Lin Qingran didn't force himself and took the teapot back. "It's okay if you don't want to drink. Let's find someone else to watch over it. Let Brother Mo do it. Don't worry if you get drunk and get drunk. I'm not worried about it." ."

If Commander Mo is invited because of this matter, he will definitely be punished, and the plan may be disrupted. The guard hesitated for a moment and said, "Please give me a cup of tea, girl."

Lin Qingran lowered his eyes, took the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and said to Yue Ying, "Give it to him."

She controlled her voice to be as calm as possible, her breathing was slightly disordered, her hands were clenched under her sleeves, and the palms of her palms were already painful from the nails.

Lin Qingran's heart was already in her throat as she stared at the guard drinking the water for a moment.

The guard put down the tea cup and said, "If there is nothing else, I will go out first."

The water mixed with the sweat medicine in the cup had been drank completely. Lin Qingran blinked twice stiffly, "...What do you think?"

The guard didn't understand what he meant, so Lin Qingran cleared her throat and said seriously: "Tea should have some effect on relieving the hangover."

The guard said: "Don't worry, girl." He suddenly paused as he spoke, and Lin Qingran also raised his eyes.

"I..." A wave of dizziness hit him, and he almost fell forward.

Lin Qingran's eyes became brighter and brighter. The guard shook his head hard and saw the look in her eyes clearly. He looked at the pot of tea and said, "Young lady!"

It was too late to react. His tall body jumped forward and fell to the ground.

Yueying was stunned for a moment, and then said every word in disbelief: "Miss, why did you give him the drug?"

Lin Qingran's whole body was shaking now. She even stopped breathing when she saw the guard falling in front of her as if dead.

He moved forward little by little in a panic, squatted down and felt his breath - he was not dead.

Lin Qingran swallowed hard, looked at Yueying with a confused look, and then ordered after a moment, "Pack your things, let's go!"

Seeing that she was serious, Yueying immediately put on a face that said she wanted to cry, "Miss, why are you still thinking about escaping?"

Lin Qingran had no time to pay attention to her, and hurriedly grabbed the clothes and luggage on the bed. She collected all the unused money that the bandit gave her before, which was enough for payment.

Lin Qingran's heart was beating fast. After packing her things, she said to the dumbfounded Yueying, "I'll only ask you once if you want to follow me."

If she refused to leave, Lin Qingran wouldn't force her. He had already tried his best, and it would be up to Yue Ying's choice next.

If she chooses to stay among these bandits, it will be her own life.

Yueying seemed too shocked to recover, but actually she was thinking of a way to delay, "Miss..."

Suddenly, a person appeared outside the door. He looked at the helpless guards on the ground, gasped in horror, raised his hand tremblingly and pointed at Lin Qingran and Yue Ying, "You, you... what is going on."

Lin Qingran was frightened by the sudden appearance of the person, and Yueying quickly turned around. It was the young man who did not go to eat because he had to take care of his mother.

Lin Qingran was afraid that their shouting would attract others, so he immediately said: "They are bandits! My maid and I were kidnapped."

"Bandit, bandit." The man collapsed on the ground with his soul shattered. Lin Qingran didn't care much, so she picked up Yueying and ran away.

The man suddenly realized, "Don't abandon me. I'll take my mother."

The moon shadow stared at him, changing from its usual innocence, a glint flashed in its eyes, and when the man looked over, it instantly turned into a very frightened look.

Lin Qingran pulled Yue Ying and ran as fast as she could in the dark field, until she reached the archway and stopped to gasp for air.

The carriage and horse were kept in an empty room next to it, but neither she nor Yueying knew how to drive a horse.

The mother and son ran closely behind, and Lin Qingran asked the man, "Can you drive a carriage?"

The man nodded: "Yes."

He pulled out a carriage and asked several people to get on the horses. Yueying walked at the back. Lin Qingran urged her and she hurriedly got up.

The man told the others to sit tight, turned around with a sinister smile on his face, whipped his whip and drove the carriage forward into the darkness.

The people at the banquet were still in high spirits. Shen Tingzhu slowly stroked the deep knife marks on the table, raised his eyes and asked the village chief, "What are these marks?"

The village chief narrowed his eyes, and his eyes were no longer as peaceful and approachable as before. They showed a fierce light under the red candlelight, "Oh, these...are all left behind by slaughtering sheep."

"Sheep?" Shen Tingzhu narrowed his eyes and thought, "But I remember that there are no sheep in the village."

The village chief laughed and secretly counted the time. "You are just sheep," he said.

Several people suddenly felt something was wrong. Mo Sang stood up first and asked, "What do you mean?"

However, as soon as he came up, he fell heavily to the ground. He shouted: "Run!" However, his consciousness became increasingly unclear, and the guards around him also fell one after another.

Shen Tingzhu's face changed slightly, and he had no time to move. His body shook violently, and he lay unconscious on the table and passed out.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha-"

Someone among the villagers burst into triumphant laughter, and then everyone laughed one after another. The groom tore off the red flower on his chest and said, "I thought it was so awesome to let me lay such a grand plan."

The village chief said: "Go and search these people for all their valuables."

Several men came forward together, and the one pretending to be the groom walked up to Shen Tingzhu with a sinister smile on his face, still cursing, "You pretty boy with thin skin and tender flesh, my grandpa will skin you when you turn around."

He stretched out his hand to turn the person over, but before his hand touched Shen Tingzhu's shoulder, he didn't even see clearly how the person in front of him made the move. He only heard a crisp sound of "Gah", and his hand was struck by a blow. Break it off.

"Ah-ah-ah-"

The screams resounded throughout the sky.

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. At the same time, Mo Sang and others jumped up, unsheathed their long swords, and heard the sharp sound of sword energy piercing the air. The sword blade penetrated directly into their vital points, and several people fell instantly. land.

The village chief's face suddenly changed. What's going on? They all drank poisonous wine.

Shen Tingzhu slowly sat up straight, still holding the man's shoulder blades with his hands, raised his eyebrows and asked casually: "Who did the village chief say is a sheep?"

The man who was restrained broke into a cold sweat and shouted: "Copy the guy!"

He raised his other hand and waved towards Shen Tingzhu.

Shen Tingzhu slapped the edge of the table with his palm, grabbed the flying chopsticks with his backhand, and caught his hand with skill. The man's expression suddenly changed, how could he not exert any strength.

Shen Tingzhu easily pressed his hand on the table, flipped his wrist, and inserted the chopsticks into the back of his hand.

The man shouted hoarsely, sweating all over his body.

The other bandits also noticed something was wrong. They didn't even have the strength to swing their swords and were easily disarmed.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at the horrified and ferocious faces of these people, "What you have is Ruanxiang Powder. I don't need to tell you what it does. I think you all know it."

After taking Ruoxiang Powder, you will become completely weak within three days, and you will have no choice but to become a human being.

The bandit pretending to be the village chief twitched his eyes hard and said in a cruel voice, "How did you get poisoned!"

Shen Tingzhu picked up the wine pot in front of him and shook it gently, "I poisoned you the same way you poisoned it. It's just that you poisoned it in this yin and yang pot, and I poisoned it in all the wine."

Shen Tingzhu paused for a moment, closed his eyes and adjusted his breath. Even though the opponent was hit by Ruanxiang Powder, it still consumed a lot of his energy.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and said, "Tie them all up."

There was quite a movement just now, and I wonder if the timid girl was frightened.

Shen Tingzhu said to Mo Ci: "Go and see Miss Lin."

Mo Ci quickly went to the small building. He saw the door of the house wide open downstairs. He had a bad feeling in his heart and ran upstairs quickly.

Only the unconscious guard was left in the room, and there was no trace of Lin Qingran and Yue Ying. Mo Ci's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

With the skills of the guards and Yueying, there is no way that mother and son are rivals. How could this happen?

Seeing the guard who was supposed to be guarding Lin Qingran coming with Mo Ci, both of whom had solemn expressions, Shen Tingzhu's heart sank and his eyebrows furrowed.

"What happened?" Shen Tingzhu's voice was as usual, but the two of them were sure that they clearly felt the sharp eyes falling on them.

The guard knelt on the ground, "This subordinate failed to take good care of me, please punish me."

A chill rose in Shen Tingzhu's eyes, "Where's the person?"

Mo Ci hurriedly said: "Miss Lin used the Mongolian sweat medicine to pour Li He down. My subordinates went down to take a look. There was one missing carriage. He must have run away with the carriage."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes grew colder by the minute, "Are those two bastards still there?"

Mo Ci didn't dare to hide it, "He's gone too, but Yueying is here, she can protect Miss Lin, and there are secret guards along the way, as long as the signal is sent."

Shen Tingzhu rubbed the tea cup in his hand back and forth, then threw it to the ground with a wave of his hand, smashing it into pieces.

Mo Ci suddenly fell silent.

Shen Tingzhu put his hands on his forehead and lowered his eyes in silence. The little girl really didn't want him to worry.

This time she fell into the hands of a real bandit, and she was afraid that she would be blinded by crying. What was she going to do, hold the man's hand, and beg him with tears in her eyes?

Shen Tingzhu thought without expression, if Lin Qingran dared to beg that bastard, or if that bastard dared to touch her, he would definitely make that bastard die an ugly death.

Mo Ci said: "This subordinate is chasing after you."

Shen Tingzhu stood up and said, "I'll go there myself."

"No, Your Majesty!" When he started to attack, he could see that the Crown Prince was just trying to hold on. If he chased him at this time, his body would definitely be unable to bear it.

Shen Tingzhu said: "You have the final say, or I have the final say."

The carriage drove for an unknown amount of time, and Lin Qingran's tense heart gradually relaxed, and she still couldn't believe that she had really escaped!

She clenched her palms in pain, and her eyes were filled with sore circles.

Yueying gently shook her hand, "Miss."

Lin Qingran's hands were cold, Yueying slowly rubbed them for her.

The old woman sitting opposite secretly looked at the two of them and asked kindly: "What happened to you?"

"I can't understand a sentence or two." Yueying blurted out her words without leaving any trace. Lin Qingran didn't want to mention that person and didn't speak.

Yueying asked: "I wonder where grandma and that little brother are going?"

The old woman sighed, "We were going to my sister's house in Shouan, but the road is blocked now, and if we encounter this problem, we can only go back."

Lin Qingran wanted to return to Jiangning, so he said, "Then let's wait until Qingzhou before we separate."

The old woman smiled slightly and lowered her head to hide what she was thinking. She still wanted to leave after it was in her hands. Naturally, she wanted to sell the two of them at a good price.

She looked at Lin Qingran with her eyes as if she were looking at an object. With such an appearance, it would be a pity not to go to Fuxiang Tower to serve a man.

She was making plans secretly, completely unaware of the coolness in Yueying's eyes.

After walking for a while, Yueying blushed, rubbed her legs and fidgeted.

Lin Qingran noticed something strange about her and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Yueying said shyly: "I want to relieve myself."

The old woman pursed her lips impatiently, "Girl, please bear with me a little longer."

"I can't bear it anymore." Yueying was so anxious that she almost cried, and looked at Lin Qingran anxiously, "Miss."

Lin Qingran patted the back of her hand comfortingly, "I'll go with you." She said loudly, "Stop the car."

The man pulled the horse, glanced at the old woman first, and then said, "What's wrong?"

Lin Qingran had no idea that the two were the real bandits, and did not explain, "Just watch the horse here and wait for me for a while."

The man's eyes flashed and he blocked the way calmly, "In the wilderness, where is the girl going?"

Yueying hesitated and choked out the words: "I want to relieve myself." It seemed that she really couldn't hold it in any longer.

The old woman said: "You two little girls are afraid of the dark. Let me go with you."

The man then gave way.

The three of them walked into the woods and came out soon.

When they got on the carriage, Yueying was very smart and helped the old woman go first.

Neither crying nor making a fuss, this was the first time she met someone who was so trouble-free. The old woman got into the carriage with satisfaction.

"Ouch." Yueying pretended to have sprained her leg and knelt down to rub it. She quickly slipped out a blade from her sleeve, raised her hand slightly, and inserted the blade into the collar.

She smiled slightly and got into the carriage.

"When Miss is tired, just lean against the slave and sleep for a while." Yueying said softly.

Lin Qingran shook her head, "I'm not sleepy." She couldn't feel at ease until she entered the city.

The carriage kept moving forward in the forest, and the sound of wind carrying the sound of horses' hooves and the wheels rolling surrounded Lin Qingran's ears.

Suddenly, there was a loud cracking sound, followed by horses hoofing up and neighing, and the car body shaking violently.

Yueying had been on guard for a long time and hugged Lin Qingran tightly to protect her from getting hurt.

The old woman was knocked straight down, and just hearing the sound made people feel pain.

Outside, seeing that the man could no longer control his horse, he jumped off the horse in one leap. Even so, he still rolled around twice before he was done.

After finally waiting for the carriage to stabilize, the old woman could be heard screaming in pain.

Lin Qingran's long hair was slightly messy, her eyes opened in fear, and her voice trembled, "What happened?"

Yueying shook her head tremblingly, looking at the old woman innocently with her round eyes, "Grandma, are you okay?"

Teach them a lesson and wait for the crown prince to come to save the beauty. Yueying felt that the scene she arranged was simply wonderful.

Sure enough, the old woman changed her previous kindness and scolded her with a bad temper: "You're useless, how can you drive a car?"

Even Lin Qingran was stunned by his angry look.

The man stepped forward and did a rough inspection, then opened the curtain and said, "It's the collar that's broken."

The old woman was still lying on the ground, "You haven't helped me up yet."

"Idiot," she cursed again.

Lin Qingran frowned, feeling more and more that something was wrong with her. The same goes for this man. Earlier, whenever the old woman coughed, he would become anxious, but now he was indifferent when he saw her fall.

The man helped the old woman up and said, "I'm going to see if it can be repaired."

The old woman also got out of the car.

Yueying hesitated and said: "Miss, she..."

Lin Qingran motioned her to be silent. She quietly opened a little of the curtain and saw the man finding a spare belt from under the carriage and preparing to put it on.

The old woman urged: "Hurry up, don't delay the delivery."

Lin Qingran frowned, not understanding what they wanted to deliver. She remembered that the two of them didn't bring any luggage with them when they escaped.

While changing the belt, the man said: "I really can't bear to give away the goods this time."

His eyes were exposed and he smiled very vulgarly. When Lin Qingran saw him raising his head and looking this way, she quickly put down the curtain, feeling increasingly uneasy.

The man was quick with his hands and feet and quickly repaired the carriage. He opened the curtain again and said, "You can continue on your way."

Lin Qingran bit her lip and looked like she was still trying to speak, which made the man's bones feel numb.

"What's wrong girl?"

Lin Qingran raised her eyes weakly, "I was frightened just now, and I feel uncomfortable. I want to rest for a while before leaving."

Her voice was very weak, and her long and curly eyelashes covered her eyes, making her look even more delicate.

The man was not willing to sell her out so quickly. Seeing her like this, he became more and more eager to have a taste of it.

Lin Qingran said considerately: "If you are in a hurry, it's okay to go first. We will say goodbye here."

"There's no rush." The man grinned, "Then take a rest before leaving."

The old woman glared at him hard.

Lin Qingran and Yueying were fast asleep with their eyes closed. When they heard the old woman getting up and getting out of the carriage, they both opened their eyes.

Yueying said fearfully: "Miss, I think something is wrong with these two people."

Lin Qingran's eyes were serious. She made a gesture of silence, opened the curtain and looked outside.

The two people were sitting by the fire not far away talking. Lin Qingran couldn't hear clearly what they were saying. After hesitating again and again, she held her breath and carefully stepped out of the carriage, with Yueying following closely behind.

The two of them walked around from behind the carriage and huddled behind a tree.

The old woman snorted coldly: "Don't think that I don't know what you are planning to do. It's worthless if it's been opened, so don't use your crooked brains."

The man rubbed his hands on the fire, looking anxious, "I have to try such a beautiful girl before selling her."

Lin Qingran would be stupid if he couldn't figure out who they were talking about.

She felt dizzy in her head and seemed to fall down.

The old woman kicked the man and said sternly: "You can't say anything."

The man was kicked in pain and said angrily: "If you don't move, don't move. That little maid can always take advantage of me."

The old woman rolled her eyes at him and said, "Come on."

The man chuckled, the firelight shone on his face, and his eyebrows were twisted and ugly.

This time it was Yueying's turn to fall down with her weak legs.

The old woman lowered her eyebrows with some concern at this time, "Maybe those people are really on the path."

The man curled his lips and said, "No way, I think that girl just wanted to sneak out with the maid and made up an excuse."

"Even if it's true, it's their bad luck. It's not the first time we've done this."

Lin Qingran's heart was filled with fear, her hands and feet were stiff and cold. They and the villagers were actually bandits who were colluding with each other.

Did she step into a bandit trap? All she met were evil people.

The man rubbed his hands and stood up, with a sinister smile on his face, "I'm going to see if those two girls are awake."

The old woman said slowly: "We're already awake." She looked towards the direction where the two were hiding, and the firelight flickered on her old face, "You're just eavesdropping there."

The two of them looked at it together. Lin Qingran felt as if he had been dropped into an ice cave, and a cold chill ran through his limbs.

=== Chapter === 020

"Miss..." Yueying stammered, calling her in a panic.

Lin Qingran's eyes were filled with fear. She held Yueying's hand tightly, her palms covered with cold sweat, "Run!"

The man jumped up and stood in front of them in a blink of an eye. Yueying looked stern and blocked Lin Qingran behind him, secretly worried that the prince could not arrive yet.

The man smiled ferociously and advanced step by step. Yueying slipped a short sword from his sleeve and held it in his hand.

She was gathering strength on her wrist and was about to make a move when the faint sound of horses stampeding in the distance reached her ears. Yueying's eyes moved, she put away the murderous aura in her eyes, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Help, don't come here, help," Help!"

Shen Tingzhu galloped on his horse, and the wind roared loudly in his ears. Mo Ci followed closely, seeing his face getting paler, and said worriedly: "Your Majesty."

"Shut up." As soon as he opened his mouth, there was an itch in his throat. Shen Tingzhu pressed the corners of her lips tightly and continued to crack the whip.

He didn't stop the galloping horse until he heard the woman's plaintive cry for help.

"Help—help—"

There was no time to distinguish whether it was Lin Qingran's voice. His hand holding the reins tightened suddenly, his eyes as cold as the abyss of a cold pool.

Lin Qingran retreated again and again. If she had known that she would be in such a situation when escaping, she wouldn't have gone to such trouble. At least the bandit wouldn't have treated her like this.

The man in front of her was as disgusting as a leprosy in the field, which made her almost sick.

Yueying looked sad and said tremblingly: "The young lady also said that the young master is a bandit, but these are the real bandits."

Thinking of what that person said to him several times today, asking her to stay by his side... Lin Qingran finally realized with hindsight that he should have noticed that there was something wrong with these people.

It was too late to regret, and there were only a few of them in the village, so they might have been captured.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, let's save the tears for a while!" The man rushed forward like a hungry wolf.

"Don't come over here!" Lin Qingran raised her tone, but it was just a bluff, her voice was trembling just like hers.

"please…"

"Whoosh—" The sharp blade flew out of the air, making a sharp sound in Lin Qingran's ears.

Before she could finish speaking, her pleading words died in her mouth.

Just as the man was about to capture the two men, a short silver arrow shot through the air and pierced his shoulder blade.

The man covered his wound and took two steps back. He gritted his teeth, looked fiercely in the direction of the arrow, and shouted: "Who!"

Seeing that something was wrong, the old woman strode over and tried to capture the two of them. Yueying protected Lin Qingran and nimbly stepped back a few steps.

Lin Qingran looked back in shock. The first thing he heard was the sound of horse hooves hitting the ground, and then a group of people appeared in the dark forest.

Seeing clearly the handsome and harmless face of the leader, Lin Qingran couldn't tell whether her heart dropped because she was glad to be saved, or because she was helpless because she couldn't escape.

The seriously injured man looked at everyone in shock and gritted his teeth and said: "You are still alive."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes felt dirty even when she looked at him, her eyes were always fixed on Lin Qingran, her eyes were red, her hair was slightly disheveled, and her frail body was trembling in the night wind.

Even though she knew that she would not be harmed due to the protection of the secret guards, the indescribable anger in her chest could not be restrained.

He won't let the daring bastard off easily.

Shen Tingzhu glanced over at that man, and his whole body felt chilled to the bone.

Shen Tingzhu got off his horse and said in a cool and cold tone, "Miss Lin is not here yet, she is waiting for me to invite you."

Lin Qingran didn't hesitate at all this time, holding up the hem of her skirt and ran towards him.

Although they are all bandits, at least this person will not be like that leper, and he will not engage in trafficking.

"Master." She held Shen Tingzhu's arm tightly and blinked twice before tears fell from her eyes. "You finally came to save me... They tied me up and forced me to go with them."

From the corner of her eye, Lin Qingran saw the guard who was following behind, whom she had used to conceal the sweat. She couldn't help but feel guilty. She sniffed and said without confidence, "I'm so scared."

The fear is real. I was afraid of those two people just now, but now I am afraid that they will settle accounts with me.

However, Shen Tingzhu's anger disappeared inexplicably the moment she ran towards him like a swallow in the forest and held his arm. What was left was a strange throbbing for him.

Hearing her open her mouth to tell lies, I wanted to pull my hand away rudely, but in the end I just snorted slightly.

Wisps of warmth burned his arms through the clothes. It was really comfortable. Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and looked at her red rabbit-like eyes. He was so scared, so just let her hold it.

The seriously injured man and the old woman stood together, staring at the people in front of them warily.

A smile appeared on the old woman's wrinkled face, "It's like the flood has washed away the Dragon King Temple this time, since it's all on the road."

"Noisy." Shen Tingzhu said quietly: "Take it down."

The expressions of the two men suddenly changed, and they were about to fight again. Mo Qi waved his hand, and several guards jumped up.

Shen Tingzhu held Lin Qingran's hand and walked to the horse's side.

Lin Qingran stared at her hand that was held by him, her eyelashes trembling hard, she pointed behind her and muttered: "The carriage is over there."

Shen Tingzhu's tone was obviously concerned, "They have sat there before."

Lin Qingran naturally knew who they were he was referring to.

"The clothes and luggage are still on top."

"I bought it." Shen Tingzhu looked sideways, "It's all on you."

Lin Qingran said "Oh" dullly.

"Get on the horse." Shen Tingzhu raised his chin.

Lin Qingran looked at him quietly, hesitantly stepped on the stirrups, put her hands on the horse's back, gritted her teeth and climbed up, but she couldn't get up even after several attempts.

Lin Qingran could ride a horse, but it was a docile horse that her brother specially selected for her from dozens of horses. It was a relatively short horse, not so tall, and kept moving around. She dropped her shoulders in frustration and lowered her eyes.

The clumsy and charming appearance made Shen Tingzhu smile, but before the smile could be fully raised, it was replaced by pain.

Shen Tingzhu calmed his breath and said, "Try again."

Lin Qingran took a breath and lifted her body up with all her strength. Suddenly her feet were in the air. She opened her eyes wide and ignored Shen Tingzhu who was holding her waist and holding the reins tightly for fear of falling.

"Step up." Shen Tingzhu said.

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly sat astride the horse. Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, he was pressed against his back, and the man also got on the horse!

Separated by a thin layer of fabric, their bodies were touching, and she was almost in his arms. Lin Qingran's body was shaking violently, her eyelashes were trembling desperately, and the man's low body temperature actually made her whole body feel hot.

presumptuous! rude! Damn it! She cursed hard in her mind, but when she opened her mouth, no words came out.

Shen Tingzhu's arms were wrapped around her from behind. He pulled the reins and pinched the horse's belly. Lin Qingran felt like she was flying out.

Several guards tied up the two men and took them away.

Mo Ci also got on his horse and ordered Yueying to follow him in a cold voice, "If you make things like this, go and get the punishment from the Crown Prince yourself."

Yueying had an innocent face, pretending to be pitiful and ignorant, "Why do you want to punish me, Your Majesty?"

"Tell me why." Mo Ci now remembered the prince's expression along the way, and felt a little scared.

Yueying shook her head and said: "I think the prince will not only not punish, but he may also reward you."

Mo Ci had no time to listen to her nonsense, so he stopped talking and drove his horse to catch up with Shen Tingzhu.

The horse ran fast and bumpy, and Lin Qingran was blown by the wind and narrowed her eyes. She wondered if this man was deliberately tormenting her.

She made up an excuse in her mind and whispered: "I asked your man to drink a cup of tea to sober up, but he fainted unexpectedly." Lin Qingran pursed her lips and said, "It must be that The evil thief and the old woman had drugged the tea beforehand."

Lin Qingran couldn't help but feel excited after saying this. She didn't know if he would believe it. She hadn't heard Shen Tingzhu's voice for a long time, so she couldn't help but turn her head to look.

"Don't turn around." There was an imperceptible tremor in Shen Tingzhu's voice.

His forehead was covered with cold sweat, and his hands were holding the reins tightly, and the bones of his knuckles were all white. After riding a horse for a long time, his knees began to hurt uncontrollably, as if he was picking out bones, and there was an itch in his chest. He suppressed it tightly to prevent him from coughing up.

His current face must be ferocious and terrifying, and the most straightforward thought in his mind was, Lin Qingran must not be allowed to see him like this.

Lin Qingran turned her head back obediently.

She was very confused. Too many things happened today. Although this person was unstable and moody, at least she was safe.

The two people just now made her see what it means to be extremely evil. If he hadn't appeared, would she have thought of that man smiling sinisterly and reaching out... Lin Qingran closed her eyes hard.

They headed all the way towards Bama Mountain. A section of the road that had been blocked before had been cleared, just enough for the horses to pass.

Several people stopped outside an inn in Shouan County.

Shen Tingzhu turned over and dismounted. He tried his best to stand firm, but he stumbled suddenly and was about to fall backwards.

Mo Ci had sharp eyesight and quick hands. He stepped forward to support him and exclaimed in a low voice: "Master!"

Shen Tingzhu's face turned pale, and the blood on his lips had not faded at all. He originally wanted to pick up Lin Qingran who was still on the horse, but it was obvious that he couldn't do it at this moment.

Yueying observed his words and helped Lin Qingran dismount from his horse.

Lin Qingran carefully rubbed her wind-stiffened cheeks and whispered to Yue Ying without looking towards him.

Shen Tingzhu pushed Mo Ci away and walked toward the inn with unsteady steps. His thin back was not as straight as before.

When Lin Qingran turned around and couldn't see him anymore, Yueying saw that her expression was not good, so she whispered: "Miss, let's go and rest quickly."

Shen Tingzhu's hand trembled when he pushed the door open. When he entered the room, he suddenly tilted his body and placed his palms firmly on the edge of the table, allowing himself to slowly sit on the chair.

I don't know when cold sweat started to form on my forehead.

"Cough, cough..." He pressed his fist to his mouth, and the coughs he couldn't suppress continued to come out.

He has always been lazy and careless, and there is a weakness that is never easily revealed in his eyebrows.

Mo Ci opened the door and walked in quickly, "Your Majesty, the soup is already simmering. Please take the pills first."

Mo Ci poured a pill from the porcelain bottle into the palm of his hand. Shen Tingzhu twisted the medicine. He looked at the medicine on his fingertips. The unwillingness in his eyes was so strong. He closed his eyes, surrendered and took the medicine, and leaned back in the chair. On the back, the voice was low and hoarse, "Just get out."

Mo Ci poured him another hot tea before quietly exiting.

The next day.

Lin Qingran got up early in the morning, opened the door and found that there was one more person guarding outside her house. He didn't need to think twice to know that he was preventing her from running away again.

Mo Ci came out of the next room and looked at her with an obviously unkind look. Although Lin Qingran felt guilty, she still refused to accept it. Wasn't she allowed to run away after being kidnapped?

Mo Ci knew in his heart that Lin Qingran could not be blamed for this matter, but he still couldn't control his anger.

He stepped forward and said coldly: "Miss Lin is up, let's go downstairs to have breakfast."

Lin Qingran ignored him and went downstairs. Seeing Mo Sang following behind, she said, "Don't worry, I won't run away."

Mo Ci didn't say anything. This girl Lin looked delicate and frail, and she didn't dare to breathe when she was frightened. In fact, she was tough in her bones, and she might be thinking about something.

Mo Ci had really wronged Lin Qingran this time. After what happened last night, she thought about it and felt that it was safest to be with them for the time being. Even if she escaped, she might not know what else she would encounter.

The waiter brought white porridge and side dishes, as well as some fried golden and crispy meat patties. Lin Qingran didn't have much appetite at first, but smelling the aroma made her feel hungry.

She picked up the chopsticks and felt that something was missing. She raised her eyes and asked Mo Ci, "Where is the boss?"

In the past, that person would always dine with her.

A trace of worry flashed across Mo Ci's eyes, and he quickly returned to his rigid tone, "If the boss has something to do, Miss Lin will take care of her first."

After hearing what he said, Lin Qingran stopped waiting and picked up the bowl to eat porridge.

After Lin Qingran returned to the house, Mo Ci took breakfast and walked towards the room where Shen Tingzhu lived.

The door was opened from inside, and Yueying stepped out.

Yueying said: "Don't take charge."

Mo Ci was still angry because Yueying didn't stop Lin Qingran and let her run away. He said coldly: "The Crown Prince ordered you to receive the punishment."

Yueying shook her head and Mo Ci frowned, "Then what did the prince say?"

"The prince said that the girl left her luggage on the carriage and asked me to accompany her to buy some more clothes." Yueying looked at Mo Ci's shocked face and thought she had heard wrongly, so she couldn't help but shake her head.

Mo Ci frowned depressedly and waved his hand to ask her to leave.

In the room, Shen Tingzhu was sitting in a chair with her coat draped over her coat. Her eyes were closed, her face was still haggard, and she did not deliberately hide her fragile look. She looked completely different from Lin Qingran in front of her.

Mo Ci stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, eat some."

Shen Tingzhu had no appetite and raised his empty hand to signal him to put it down.

The same was true for the prince in the past. He only ate for what he needed and often didn't eat much throughout the day.

On the contrary, he ate a little too much when he and Miss Lin were together. Mo Ci thought for a moment and said, "Why don't I go down and ask Miss Lin to come over and use some together."

After hearing this, Shen Tingzhu frowned and said, "You are not allowed to go."

The slightly hasty words brought out a few coughs, causing him to bend his back slightly.

Mo Ci hurriedly poured him a cup of tea. Shen Tingzhu took a sip and barely stopped coughing. He leaned back on the chair and breathed slightly unsteadily.

"If she saw me like this, she might be so proud."

Thinking that Lin Qingran would no longer be afraid of him, and would walk by his feet like Xue Tuan without raising her eyes, Shen Tingzhu couldn't relax her frown.

Mo Ci didn't understand what the prince was thinking. He thought carefully and said, "But Miss Lin will know sooner or later."

They should go to Beijing in about ten days, and the effect of Tianxiangzi is obviously almost over, and the weather is getting colder and colder. How can the prince's illness be hidden.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyelids and focused his gaze on something, "So I have to think of a way."

For a moment, a smile appeared on his overly pale face, "Didn't she always want to instigate you?"

=== Chapter === 021

It was already evening when Lin Qingran and Yue Ying returned to the inn from the street. Shen Tingzhu was still missing from dinner, but she was eager to see him.

Unexpectedly, on the second and third days, there was still no sign of anyone.

Occasionally she would hear a few coughs coming from the next room. She listened carefully and found out that it was that person's voice, and she couldn't help but feel strange.

When it was time for breakfast on the fourth day, Lin Qingran finally couldn't help but ask Mo Ci, "Did something happen to the boss?"

She told about hearing the cough.

Before Mo Ci could answer, a cold voice came from above his head, "Miss Lin, what do you want me to do? How can you take the opportunity to escape?"

Lin Qingran's hand shook, and the green beans caught on the tips of the chopsticks fell and rolled twice in the bowl.

She slowly turned around, and the man stood behind her at some point, looking at her with half-lowered eyes, half-smiling.

Lin Qingran felt scared every time he looked at her like this. She tightened her fingers, hesitating whether to quibble about her escape again.

Mo Ci noticed her embarrassment and came to the rescue: "Miss Lin just asked out of curiosity after not seeing the boss for a few days."

Shen Tingzhu raised her eyes and glanced at him. Mo Ci lowered his head knowing that he had made a mistake.

Shen Tingzhu placed her hand on Lin Qingran's bowl and tapped it, "After eating, we'll set off."

After getting on the carriage, Shen Tingzhu looked at the little girl who was still a little worried and said with a smile, "Absolutely not." He stopped talking and said, "I won't argue with you this time."

Lin Qingran breathed a sigh of relief at first, and then felt inexplicably panicked by his unclear words. Is it nothing?

She thought about it with no result, and the carriage had already left Shou'an County.

Shen Tingzhu rode in the same carriage with Lin Qingran on the first day, but then she asked Yue Ying to accompany her while she made another carriage.

Lin Qingran felt at ease. She didn't have to see him all the time, and she didn't have to be forced to teach him how to read.

After no longer thinking about escaping, Lin Qingran's journey was like traveling around the mountains and rivers. Everywhere she went, she took Yueying around. She even spent Shen Tingzhu's money very smoothly.

It wasn't until he was approaching the Huaihe River that Lin Qingran started to think about it again.

The carriage and horses stopped by a waterfall to rest. Lin Qingran sat on a stone and absentmindedly caught the splashing water with her hands. When she saw Mo Ci getting off Shen Tingzhu's carriage, she hurriedly ran up to call him, "Brother Mo ."

Mo Ci took a step back almost reflexively, "What's the matter with Miss Lin?"

Lin Qingran grasped the skirt at her side, "I want to ask if there is any news about the Lin family."

They walked so slowly all the way that they should have caught up. By the time they crossed the Huaihe River, they were really not far from the bandit's stronghold.

Mo Ci looked embarrassed and hesitated to speak, which made Lin Qingran feel more and more unsure. She frowned and asked, "What happened?"

Mo Ci walked past her silently, and after taking two steps, as if he couldn't bear it, he turned around and said, "Miss Lin, please don't wait any longer."

Lin Qingran was shocked, what do you mean don't wait? But no matter how much she pressed, Mo Ci just didn't speak.

On the other side, Shen Tingzhu had already given the order to leave.

In desperation, Lin Qingran could only get into the carriage first.

Yueying noticed something was wrong with her expression and asked with concern: "What's wrong with you, Miss?"

Lin Qingran frowned and shook her head. She refused to say anything, so she could only ask that person.

In the past few days, except for dinner in the evening, she had hardly seen him. Looking back carefully, she even spoke very few words.

The group of people arrived at Huai'an Mansion before nightfall.

The house she lived in this time was only half a day's walk from the Huai River Ferry. When Lin Qingran got off the carriage, the man had disappeared. Not even dinner, she didn't even have a chance to ask him.

Lin Qingran vaguely heard several guards talking about preparing a boat in the house. She finally couldn't sit still, got up and walked towards the house where Shen Tingzhu lived.

Standing in the corridor, Lin Qingran took a slow breath. This was the first time she came to him. She raised her hand to knock on the door when she heard the conversation between the two -

"Are you talking about selling people to Zuiyuntang or Qingyu Pavilion?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at the shadow that was finally reflected dimly on the door, smiled and raised his eyebrows, fearing that she wouldn't come.

Mo Ci hesitated to speak, "...the boss."

Zuiyuntang is located in the middle of the lake. The scenery is good, but it is a bit off. Qingyu Pavilion is close to Yuansongju where he lives.

The corners of Shen Tingzhu's lips curved, then he would live in Qingyu Pavilion.

Outside the house, the color on Lin Qingran's face faded instantly, and fear and panic poured out of her eyes. She heard it right, he actually had the idea of selling her out.

Mo Ci already wanted to kill her, but he had to follow the words, "Since the boss had planned this all along, why would he lie to Miss Lin."

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head, looked at the trembling shadow and smiled, "How interesting."

Lin Qingran felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured from head to toe. She was so cold that she couldn't move.

Yueying came from the corridor, Lin Qingran hurriedly raised his index finger towards her, making a silent gesture, his wide eyes full of fear.

The people inside were still talking, "Now the people of the Lin family thought she had boarded the ship long ago, while the people sent by the Changxing Marquis Mansion to pick her up thought it was Miss Lin's temporary decision not to go."

Shen Tingzhu said slowly: "By the time they found out that the person was missing, it was already too late."

Lin Qingran froze on the spot, her little face turned pale, and her fingertips hanging by her side kept trembling.

It turned out that he didn't send anyone to report the news to the Lin family at all. Unexpectedly, he also knew early on that the Hou Mansion had sent people to pick her up, and designed it to make them think that he had changed his mind and would not go.

He had been coaxing her all along, and he had never thought of letting her go!

He was basically the same as those two people. How could she be so naive? How could a bandit not be a sinister and vicious person? How could she let down her guard even though she had witnessed him murder with her own eyes.

"Originally, we didn't need to sell it. We took it back to the village and worked as a maid, but I didn't know she was so pampered." Shen Tingzhu said, her peach-blossom eyes slightly raised with a smile, "Not to mention that she made so much money for me, so I can't use it. She'll pay it back."

Mo Ci secretly considered the consequences of stepping forward to cover the prince's mouth, and after thinking about it, he decided to forget it.

After hearing what he said, Lin Qingran's eyes widened in disbelief. Her eyes were soaked with tears and full of regret. If she had known this, she would have given it up!

She actually thought that he was interested in her before. Lin Qingran pressed her trembling lips tightly, feeling indescribable embarrassment and resentment.

Shen Tingzhu was so frightened when he saw the shadow printed on the door shaking.

After a moment of silence, he said: "Chen He just said that he saw the Changxing Marquis Mansion's boat docked at the Huaihe River ferry. We will leave two days late."

Mo Ci said: "Yes."

Hearing him walking out, Lin Qingran woke up hastily, grabbed Yueying and retreated into the darkness in a panic.

After they walked away, the two of them supported each other and returned to the house.

Lin Qingran was so frightened that she sat on the stool in a daze, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Yueying couldn't bear the helpless look. She pursed her lower lip and asked, "Miss, what did they just say..."

Lin Qingran tried hard to calm down, but she was already in a state of chaos. She raised her eyes that were red with fear, her eyelashes trembling, "Do you believe it now?"

Yueying was stunned for a moment, then nodded immediately, "Miss, what should we do now?"

Lin Qingran took small breaths, her eyes slowly focused, "...escape."

The man just said that the Changxing Marquis Mansion's ship was parked at the ferry, and she could be saved as long as she escaped from here.

But as long as he went out, Mo Ci would follow him every step of the way. Lin Qingran frowned and anxiously put his knuckles between his teeth and bit his teeth, trying to figure out how to avoid him.

Mo Ci pushed the door open, and as soon as he stepped in with one foot, he felt something was wrong. He put his hand on the hilt of the sword, looked into the darkness, and asked in a cold voice: "Who is it?"

"Brother Mo."

The clear and clear trembling sound echoes around the ears, like a seductive night charm in the dark night.

Mo Ci was so frightened that he almost knelt down before her, and the foot that stepped through the threshold retracted numbly.

He cleared his throat forcefully and said, "Why is Miss Lin in my room?"

After much deliberation, Lin Qingran had no choice but to start with Mo Ci. She had no choice but to come to the house to block people.

She calmed down, clenched her palms and said, "I have a business to discuss with Brother Mo."

Mo Ci wiped the sweat from his forehead. The prince was really good at predicting events. Miss Lin really had to find him.

Lighting the candle, Mo Ci stood far away and said, "Miss Lin, please speak."

Lin Qingran imitated her brother Lin Zhao's calm demeanor when discussing business with others, pursed her lips and smiled, and perfectly captured her unique and pitiful weakness, "Brother Mo is about the same age as my brother, first of all The first time I saw you, I felt you could be trusted."

Mo Ci said nothing and just listened to what she said.

Seeing that he didn't deny it, Lin Qingran felt a little more confident, "To be honest, I saw the arrest warrant for you as early as the day I met you."

Mo Ci frowned, finally no longer indifferent.

Lin Qingran pressed her lips lightly and continued: "You also know my identity. Sooner or later, the officials will follow the trail and find you. At this time, neither you nor the boss can escape."

Mo Ci just didn't take the initiative to say that he wanted to let her go. In order not to arouse her suspicion, he could only continue to pretend. His tone was slightly condensed, "Given Miss Lin's current situation, these words are a bit ridiculous."

Lin Qingran's pursed lips tightened, and she said: "Not only the Lin family, but also the Changxing Marquis Mansion will not let you go." Lin Qingran paused slightly, and then said: "But as long as you are willing to let go, If you kill me, I can guarantee that no one will find you."

Mo Ci's expression turned cold, "You want me to betray the boss."

Lin Qingran did not answer directly, but said: "Brother Mo is probably not married yet. You don't want your wife and children to join you in this shameful deed and become wanted criminals in the future, right?"

Mo Sang knew that he was not the kind of person Lin Qingran said, but when he heard what she said, he felt moved. Mo Sang quickly stopped his incomprehensible thoughts.

Lin Qingran observed his expression and spoke softly and slowly, "I will also give you a large sum of money so that you, including your brothers, will no longer have to live this kind of life. With your skills, You can definitely make a name for yourself."

"I don't believe that if you keep hurting innocent people, you won't feel guilty in your heart."

"I know you all take orders from the boss, but I can see that you are different from him."

After Lin Qingran finished speaking, she looked at him closely. Her hands were already covered with sweat. If she couldn't convince Mo Ci, she would really be doomed.

She saw wavering and struggle on Mo Ci's face, but they quickly disappeared.

Mo Ci said: "Miss Lin, please come back."

Lin Qingran felt her teeth itching with hatred when she saw that he was in such a state of indifference. She put away the weakness in her expression. Now that things have come to a point, she has no choice but to give it all.

Lin Qingran frowned in confusion, "What did Brother Mo want to do when he brought me to your place in the middle of the night?"

Alarm bells blared in Mo Ci's head, "Miss Lin, don't talk nonsense!"

"I know the boss wants to sell me at a good price. If you act recklessly, you will ruin his business." Lin Qingran was panicked, but still had to pretend to be calm.

The veins on Mo Ci's forehead were jumping one by one. Lin Qingran was trying to force him to endure it, "The boss may not believe me, but I'm afraid I won't believe you again."

Mo Ci wanted to give up the idea on the spot. He said with a sullen face, "Let me think about it."

Lin Qingran stared at him firmly: "No, you have to answer me now." She didn't have time to wait, and she couldn't afford to wait.

After a long stalemate, Mo Ci closed his eyes heavily and said in a deep voice: "I promise you."

After the two finally agreed on the plan, Lin Qingran left. Mo Ci closed the door and sat on a stool. He felt a little tired, and was actually more tired than fighting with others.

Mo Ci shook her head in distress, and Miss Lin quickly ran away so that he could rest.

The next day, Lin Qingran asked Yue Ying to pack her things early. Mo Ci would find a way to deal with the other bandits. All she had to do was knock that person down.

Mo Ci gave her a pack of medicine, and as long as he killed that person, he would let her go.

But if she failed, Mo Ci could guarantee that she could escape unscathed, but she was not so lucky. Lin Qingran gently closed her eyes and exhaled, it was getting dark.

When it was time for dinner, Lin Qingran walked step by step towards the main room, where Shen Tingzhu was already there.

He looked at Lin Qingran with a leisurely expression, and his eyes met hers, "Why does Miss Lin seem to be not looking well?"

Lin Qingran's heart tightened, his eyes were too vicious, and she had never deceived him before.

Lin Qingran simply did not hide her worries and said timidly: "It's been so long, why hasn't my father come yet?"

His eyes were slightly red, and he looked at Shen Tingzhu with cautious inquiry.

Across the door, Shen Tingzhu was very familiar with those words to scare people, but when he saw her raising her misty eyes, she was inexplicably choked up.

"It's my turn to ask Miss Lin. I'm more anxious than you." Shen Tingzhu picked up the chopsticks and said, "Eat."

It's so pretentious that if she hadn't heard it, she would have waited until she was sold to find out.

Lin Qingran sat down next to him, picked up the bowl and ate, her curly eyelashes lightly covering her eyes as she quickly glanced at the soup on the table.

His meals were very simple, and he would often only eat one or two dishes on the table, but he would always eat a bowl of soup after each meal, so Lin Qingran poisoned the soup.

Lin Qingran ate slowly with her head lowered. She couldn't even taste the taste of the food when it came into her mouth. All her thoughts were focused on Shen Tingzhu.

Seeing him put down his chopsticks and go for the spoon, Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat, her breath caught in her throat, and the beating sound in her chest became faster and faster.

Shen Tingzhu picked up the spoon. The next moment, his hand loosened and the spoon fell back with a clang.

"Master...why don't you drink soup?" Lin Qingran heard her voice shaking, and she squeezed her palms hard to calm herself down.

Shen Tingzhu wrote lightly: "I'm full."

Lin Qingran quickly licked her dry lips with her tongue, "This old duck's bamboo shoot soup looks very fresh, don't you try it, Master?"

Shen Tingzhu was not in high spirits. After drinking this bowl of soup, he was afraid it would be some time before he could see the little girl again. He was so boring.

"Drink after a while." He leaned slightly and looked at Lin Qingran with his head propped up: "Miss Lin, eat more."

Lin Qingran was so anxious about his break that he immersed himself in finishing the meal. Unexpectedly, he swallowed too hastily and swallowed. She pressed her chest with her palms and swallowed several times with red eyes before she finally regained her breath.

Shen Tingzhu frowned: "What's wrong with Miss Lin?"

"...I ate too fast." The voice was soft and trembling.

Shen Tingzhu was helpless and funny. He really couldn't bear to let her go just like that.

Lin Qingran tried her best to calm down, raised her head and said, "The master will be cold if he doesn't drink the soup."

As long as Shen Tingzhu drinks the soup, the little girl will leave here and board the boat to the Hou Mansion as he wishes.

But he always wanted to tease her again.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Why don't I feel that it tastes good?"

"How could it be?" Lin Qingran became more and more anxious, so she simply filled a bowl and put it in front of him, "You will know after you taste it."

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head and looked at her, "Miss Lin keeps asking me to drink, why don't you drink it yourself?"

Lin Qingran looked into his thick eyes, her nervous fingertips were trembling. Could he know...

Lin Qingran forced herself to calm down, her face flushed, and she said shyly: "I drank two bowls in the kitchen before."

"I only let you drink it after it tastes good. If you don't drink it, forget it." Lin Qingran took the bowl back.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled, still anxious.

Drink, why not drink?

He raised his hand lightly, and suddenly, a body like a soft twig approached in front of him. Before he could step back, delicate jade-like fingers were already on his lips, and Shen Tingzhu's breath suddenly stopped.

"Why does the boss eat so much in his mouth?" Lin Qingran was already risking his life and rubbed his lips with her fingers, trying to push them along the gap between his lips.

Mo Ci said that as long as you taste a little bit of this medicine, you will be infected.

The soft and greasy fingers were pressed against Shen Tingzhu's lips. His hand that was suspended in mid-air seemed to be half limp and unable to exert any strength.

Confusion, panic...all kinds of emotions came one after another, and the glowing peach blossom eyes gradually turned red.

Shen Tingzhu slowly lowered her eyes and stared at the detergent powder on her fingers. She opened her lips slightly and rolled it into her mouth with her tongue.

Something exploded in her mind, and Lin Qingran froze. He actually took her fingertips into his mouth, and the wetness that slid over them was the poison on her hands that he rolled away with his tongue.

Lin Qingran raised her eyes helplessly, Shen Tingzhu also raised his eyes, and she saw her confused figure in his dark eyes.

Lin Qingran suddenly retracted his hand, clenching the wetness on his fingertips, and his eyes turned red.

"I...you..." Before she could stammer out her words, Shen Tingzhu slowly closed his eyes and passed out while lying on the table.

Lin Qingran was startled and hurriedly took two steps back. She stared at him for a moment. After a long time, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Qingran didn't dare to act rashly, so she weakly called out.

Mo Ci came in quickly and looked at the scene in front of him calmly.

"Brother Mo..." Lin Qingran looked at him in a daze, "Is he... dead?"

Mo Ci did not answer, only said: "I will handle it here, and I will take you out."

Lin Qingran nodded stiffly, "I'll call Yueying, and we'll leave right away."

She glanced at the silent Shen Tingzhu again and left quickly.

Back in the room, Lin Qingran asked worriedly: "Where are the others? Will they make things difficult for us?"

Mo Ci said: "Don't worry, Miss Lin, I have sent everyone away. No one will know what happened tonight."

Lin Qingran nodded nervously, walked to the table and drank a cup of tea before gradually calming down.

"Now we can be regarded as grasshoppers on a rope." Lin Qingran poured two cups of tea, drank one himself and handed the other to Mo Ci.

Mo Ci took the cup and drank it, "It's getting late, let's go."

Lin Qingran turned around and asked Yueying: "Are everything ready?"

Yueying picked up the baggage and said, "Everything is healed." The words were suddenly cut off. She stared straight at the figure slowly falling behind Lin Qingran and said in disbelief: "Miss, you drugged someone again." Already?"

"I don't believe him." Lin Qingran glanced at Mo Ci, who was unconscious, pulled Yueying up and ran out of the house without hesitation.

The two figures disappeared into the dark night, and the guard walked out of the darkness, "Your Majesty, Miss Lin has left."

Shen Tingzhu slowly sat upright, his eyes half-closed, and his fingertips ran over his lips. The trembling arose again and he regretted letting her go.

Shen Tingzhu asked: "Where is Mo Ci?"

The guard said: "Commander Mo was knocked down by Miss Lin with the sweat medicine. It should be leftover from the last time."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "There is no need to give him the antidote."

He just heard the little girl call Mo Ci Big Brother Mo.

Shen Tingzhu clicked his tongue and looked unhappy.

The faint morning light casts on the river, and when the wind blows, it creates sparkling ripples.

"You two girls, the dock is ahead." The coachman jumped down from the carriage and lifted the curtains for the people in the carriage.

Yueying came down first, paid the fare, then turned to help Lin Qingran, "Miss, be careful."

After not sleeping all night, and being mentally tense all the time, Lin Qingran felt a little dizzy for a while, and took a few breaths to calm down.

She raised her eyes and looked towards the ferry. There were many boats, large and small, parked there. She looked at the carriage all night long, hoping that the boat from Changxing Marquis Mansion had not left yet.

Lin Qingran said to Yueying: "Let's go take a look."

The two of them were walking towards the pier. Lin Qingran did not look at the boats nearby, but walked straight towards an exquisitely carved building.

Seeing the flag sail of Changxing Hou Mansion on the ship, Lin Qingran's eyes suddenly felt sour.

Yueying also saw it, and she said excitedly: "Miss, isn't that the ship of the Changxing Marquis Mansion!"

Lin Qingran choked hard for a few times before holding back tears and took a deep breath: "Let's go."

There were guards on and off the boat. Lin Qingran walked up to the guards and said, "I want to see you taking care of things."

He Xuan quickly got off the boat, "May I ask who the girl is?"

Lin Qingran smiled slightly and said, "You went to Jiangning to bring the niece of the third wife of the house to Beijing."

He Xuan hesitated and said: "Who is the girl?"

"I am Lin Qingran."

He Xuan didn't believe it, "The Lin family sent someone to say that Miss Lin was ill and would not accompany her to Beijing. Who are you who dare to pretend to be Miss Lin."

Lin Qingran's heart sank, it was indeed what the man said.

She clenched her heart. If she confessed that she was abducted by bandits, it would still take a whole month. She couldn't even think about what the consequences would be if word got out, and it might also involve her little aunt, Changxing Houfu, etc. Nobles from aristocratic families pay most attention to rules and appearance.

Lin Qingran's mind was filled with thoughts, and she bit her lip tightly, unable to speak.

Trying to calm down, Lin Qingran said: "My father and brother were worried about my health and did not allow me to go, but I had not seen my little aunt for a long time and thought about it so much that I left after my illness got better. But when I arrived at Shangyuan Your ship has already left, so I have no choice but to catch up."

He Xuandao: "That's it."

Lin Qingran was stunned. She was still worried about how she could prove it if he didn't believe it, but she didn't expect him to believe it so easily.

He Xuan also realized that he was too lax, but he had just received a message from the Crown Prince the day before, so it was good to act like this.

He smiled respectfully at Lin Qingran, "If the girl is pretending, when she arrives at the Hou Mansion, the third lady will reveal her secret at the first sight. I believe that the girl will not do such a stupid thing." He paused, "But I have a Ask, the girl took a maid with her on her way?"

Lin Qingran's eyes flashed, "Actually, I sneaked out." She frowned, pretending to be worried, "If my little aunt knew that you didn't pick me up, she would have let me travel alone for a month. , will definitely be very worried."

He Xuan frowned, and the cousin's seemingly soft words suddenly put the responsibility on them.

Lin Qingran looked at him, "Can you keep it a secret for me?"

The voice is like a gentle breeze blowing in the ears, graceful and soft, and the eyes are clear and lively, making people nod.

He Xuan didn't dare to look at her at that time, and nodded hurriedly twice, "Girl, please come on board."

Lin Qingran slept drowsily for half a day, dreaming overwhelmingly. The dream was filled with the cold voice of that person who seemed to be smiling but not smiling. He called her Ranran, and said: I said, even if you lose yourself, I won't do it. Can be found.

Lin Qingran suddenly opened her eyes, placing her palms on her heart and gasping for air. She was exhausted from her sleep. She opened the window and looked at the calm river, and then she finally confirmed that she had escaped.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The month he was trapped by that person now seemed like a bizarre dream in retrospect.

The fingertips were slightly moist with sweat. Lin Qingran looked down at her hands. She didn't know what the poison she gave him was and whether he was already dead.

She clenched her fingertips into her palms.

Yueying opened the hatch and came in, "Miss is awake."

Lin Qingran's thoughts were interrupted and she nodded slightly.

Yueying said: "He Guardsman said that in three days, we can reach Daxing."

"That's good." Lin Qingran said softly. The joy of surviving the disaster made her feel unreal.

After three days on the boat, Lin Qingran slowly recovered.

After getting off the boat, the carriages and horses were already arranged at the dock, and the group entered the city to the Changxing Marquis Mansion.

The third lady, Mrs. Lin, had been waiting outside the mansion for a long time. When she saw the carriage from a distance, she was overjoyed and said to the maid beside her: "It's coming, it's coming."

Zifu is Lin's maid, and she is smiling as she supports Lin, "It's almost been years since I've seen our young lady."

"No." Mrs. Lin's eyes turned slightly red as she said this. She married far away and came to the capital. Except for the first year when she returned to her parents' home, she hasn't seen any relatives in three or four years.

It was already slightly cool in the late autumn. Yueying took out her cloak and tried to put it on for Lin Qingran. "Fortunately, Miss sent someone to send things to the ship earlier. We have everything."

Lin Qingran waved his hand, "No need."

As soon as the carriage stopped, she couldn't wait to hold up the hem of her skirt and ran down. She stepped down the two steps with one step, her body tilted, and Mrs. Lin's face turned pale with fright, "Slow down, slow down." "

"Little aunt!" Lin Qingran plunged into Mrs. Lin's arms. The grievances and fears she felt along the way seemed to have found a place to vent. She sobbed, sobbing like a child, "Little aunt, I'm fine." Miss you."

Not long after giving birth to her, Lin Qingran's mother left early because she was unable to have a child. It can be said that Lin Qingran raised Lin Qingran single-handedly. At that time, Lin herself was only ten and a half years old.

Later, when Mrs. Lin got married, Lin Qingran cried until she had a fever, and it took half a month to feel better.

Mrs. Lin patted her shoulder lovingly, "You are such a young girl, why are you still crying?"

Lin Qingran also felt embarrassed. With so many people watching, she buried herself on Lin's shoulder and refused to look up.

Mrs. Lin took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. Seeing that her eyes were red from crying, she felt distressed again, "Okay, okay, let's go into the house with my sister-in-law."

Mrs. Lin had packed up her place early, "I originally wanted you to live in Lanyue Tower, which is close to my place, but it rained the night before and the ditches accumulated water. We have to wait for someone to repair it. The Qingyu Pavilion is not bad either."

Lin Qingran raised her eyes and glanced at the three characters on the moon gate. She felt that she had never heard of this name before, but that was all the names for the pavilion. She didn't think much about it and followed Lin in.

"My eyes were swollen from crying." Mrs. Lin was so distressed that she asked someone to fetch water and wash up for Lin Qingran.

"Little aunt, how are you doing here?" Lin Qingran held her hand and watched her all the way there. The Lin family has a great business, and the mansion is not much more generous than the Changxing Marquis Mansion. But as soon as you come in, you can clearly feel the difference, which is the weight of rules and centuries of accumulation.

Mrs. Lin curled her lips and smiled, "My little aunt is the third lady, what do you think?"

The old Marquis has five sons, and the third and eldest are direct siblings, so they naturally have a high status in the family. Although she is the daughter of a merchant, the Lin family plays an important role in Jiangning, and the master also loves her, so naturally no one despises her. She, at least on the surface, didn't dare.

Mrs. Lin stroked her worried face and said, "My sister-in-law is always thinking about you, and in the blink of an eye you are seventeen."

The two of them talked a lot more intimately, and Ms. Lin remembered and asked, "By the way, you haven't caused any trouble to the prince along the way, have you? You've been spoiled since you were a child, and it's your fault that your father and I doted on you." Ms. Lin said. He pinched the tip of her nose and said with a doting look, "I don't know if I'm sensible enough."

Lin Qingran frowned in confusion, "Prince?"

Mrs. Lin said: "Yes, I didn't want to send someone to pick you up. The prince also happened to want to visit Jiangnan, so he stopped by to pick you up for me."

Lin Qingran tried her best to think about all the people she had seen on the boat in the past three days. She was sure that she had not seen any prince, and had not heard He Xuan mention it. She shook her head uncertainly, "I have not seen the prince."

Mrs. Lin frowned, "Didn't you see me?"

The last thing Lin Qingran dared not do was lie in front of Mrs. Lin. She quickly lowered her eyes and nodded, then quietly raised her eyes, her guilt written all over her face.

Fortunately, Mrs. Lin had something on her mind and didn't notice her little movements. She just smiled and said: "You should rest first. I will take you to see the old lady and the other ladies in the house later. There are many sisters in the house. You can call them later." Face to face."

Lin Qingran nodded obediently and sent Mrs. Lin out. Without any intention of sleeping, she walked around the courtyard and called the two maids here by name.

"My name is Biying."

"My name is Xue He."

Lin Qingran smiled at the two of them, and each of them gave a piece of silver as a reward. "Go and put all my clothes in a good place. Arrange them according to their colors and patterns."

The two maids took the reward and went to clean it up with a smile on their face.

Not long after, Zifu came to Qingyu Pavilion to invite someone, and Lin Qingran asked Yueying to change herself into an elegant dress.

"Just bring a Nanzhu hairpin." Don't be too simple or too ostentatious when meeting your elders. Especially Mrs. Shen, a noble family wife, is the most picky.

She didn't care, but she couldn't embarrass her little aunt.

Yueying took a hairpin from the makeup box and put it away for her. Lin Qingran looked in the mirror and saw that it was the one that the bandit leader had found for her.

She bit her lip, pulled off the hairpin and threw it into the depths of the mirror box, saying bitterly: "Change it."

Yueying secretly tapped her tongue, took another one and put it on her.

Lin Qingran stood up and reminded: "Remember, don't say a word that you shouldn't say."

Yueying nodded immediately upon hearing this, "I know this."

Mrs. Shen lived in Yimingju, and when Lin Qingran followed Mrs. Lin there, there were already many people in the flower hall.

Everyone was talking and laughing, and when they saw the two people coming in, they all looked over.

Mrs. Shen Ting was sitting on the Arhat bed. Although her hair was full of hair, her face was radiant. On her chest was a string of green jade beads. She also held beads in her hands. She smiled and looked at Lin Qingran, "This is the third daughter-in-law in her natal home." My niece."

Lin smiled and said, "Exactly."

Lin Qingran bowed politely, "My daughter, Lin Qingran, has met the old lady."

Mrs. Shen saw that she behaved gracefully and elegantly, and that she looked like one of the best in a million, but she did not show off, so she almost nodded her head invisibly.

Lin smiled calmly, and then introduced her to the lady. Sitting on the right side of the old lady, the graceful and graceful woman was Qin, the wife of the eldest son, Marquis Shen.

On the way there, Lin Qingran heard from Mrs. Lin that Mrs. Qin had a son and a daughter. The daughter was the current queen, and the son was the heir apparent who came to pick her up according to Mrs. Lin.

Lin Qingran saluted Qin, "I've met the eldest lady."

Mrs. Qin nodded and smiled at her, "Your aunt talks about you the most in front of me. She is indeed cute and lovable."

Lin Qingran's cheeks were slightly red, and she had a decent smile on her lips.

On the left are the wives of the second bedroom and the fourth and fifth bedrooms.

Lin Qingran saw the ceremony one after another, and then sat obediently next to Lin and listened to their conversation. Although she was absent-minded, she always had a decent smile on her face.

It wasn't until Mrs. Lin asked about the prince that she pricked up her ears and listened.

Mrs. Lin said to Mrs. Qin: "By the way, sister-in-law, I just learned that the prince has not returned to Beijing yet. Do you know?"

"That's how I found out." Mrs. Qin mentioned this, and the smile on her face turned into a sad look, "The guard said that he had just arrived at Shangyuan, so he diverted to see Mr. Wei, this child."

Lin Qingran breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that they did not meet each other and almost exposed their secrets.

Mrs. Shen looked at Mrs. Qin reproachfully, "It's been a bumpy journey, so he shouldn't have been allowed to go."

"Mother is right." Ms. Qin lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Lin Qingran felt strange, wasn't it just that he was traveling far away, but one and two of them had this expression?

After leaving Yimingju, Lin Qingran couldn't help but ask Lin: "The prince is still young, so the eldest lady and the old lady are so worried. Why did you let a child come to pick me up?"

Mrs. Lin smiled and nodded her forehead, "What nonsense are you talking about? He is two years older than you, and you have to call him cousin when you see him."

Lin Qingran was even more puzzled, "Then why are everyone so worried?"

Mrs. Lin sighed and lowered her voice: "The prince has been in poor health since he was a child, so the old lady and sister-in-law are worried."

She looked at Lin Qingran with a slightly stern look, "Stop talking nonsense."

If you can't even say it, it means it's very serious. Lin Qingran nodded and agreed, "I understand."

Seeing that it was still early, she said to Mrs. Lin, "Little aunt, I want to take a walk in the garden."

Lin thought for a while and said, "Okay, I have something else to do, so I want Zifu to accompany you."

Separating from Mrs. Lin, Lin Qingran walked slowly along a large lotus pond and caught a glimpse of a snow-white thing stirring in the grass. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a snow-white cat with eyes of different colors.

Lin Qingran's eyes lit up and her voice softened, "Where did this cat come from?"

She took a few steps closer, and the cat didn't even hide. It lazily stretched its body and meowed at her.

Zifu stepped forward and said: "This is the cat raised by the prince, called Xuetuan. You call it and it will come over."

Lin Qingran had only been in the Hou Mansion for half a day, and he had heard about the prince a lot. He even raised a cat.

Lin Qingran stretched out her hand and called softly, "Xuetuan, come here Xuetuan."

Xue Tuan looked at her for a while, then walked over slowly, sweeping his tail across her skirt and walking around in a circle.

He raised his head and meowed at her again.

The author has something to say:

Two poor little guys met.

Snow Tuan: Meow (You were bullied by him too, right?

Ranran: Yeah, yeah, yeah

Red envelope in the comment area~

=== Chapter === 022

The girls from the other rooms in the Changxing Marquis Mansion knew that a cousin girl had come to the house, so they all came to meet Lin Qingran, or invited her to visit the garden and enjoy the flowers.

Lin Qingran was not a man of idle temper. After a few times, he became close to the two sisters Shen Shu and Shen Xi from the fourth room.

After noon that day, he made an appointment with the two of them to play chess at the waterside pavilion. Lin Qingran was holding the black piece, but after falling, Shen Shu's piece was still missing. When he raised his eyes, he found that she was in a daze.

Lin Qingran spread his hands in front of her and waved, "It's your turn."

Shen Shu regained his composure, hid the sadness in his eyes, and said with a smile, "Well, it's my turn."

Repeating what others had said, Lin Qingran had something on his mind when he saw her like this, so he couldn't ask directly. He said with a smile: "Aren't you worried because you are afraid of losing to me?"

Shen Xi, who was holding her chin and watching the two playing chess, said slowly: "The third sister is worried about seeing Mr. Chen at the autumn banquet in a few days."

Lin Qingran's ears perked up, and she simply put the chess pieces into the chess basket and listened to Shen Xi's words.

Shen Shu's beautiful face was covered with a layer of blush, and she said angrily: "Stop talking nonsense."

Lin Qingran smiled and looked at her ambiguously, "Who is this Mr. Chen?"

Shen Shu was still embarrassed and didn't know what to say, but Shen Xi had already spilled the beans.

Mr. Chen is the son of the Minister of Rites, and the two families just made a marriage arrangement for them a few days ago.

Shen Shu didn't even have time to stop her, and was so annoyed that he pinched her itchy flesh. Shen Xi laughed and hid behind Lin Qingran, "Cousin, help me."

Shen Shu and Lin Qingran were about the same age, but Shen Xi had not yet grown hair, so she called her her cousin.

Lin Qingran protected Shen Xi and pretended to scold her, "You too, you just met your fiancé, what's the fuss?"

Shen Xi poked her head and said, "It's just to meet my fiancé. Why is the third sister so embarrassed?"

Lin Qingran covered her mouth and smiled, "Yeah, I'm shy."

Shen Shu was made red-faced by the two singing and drinking, "If you keep talking nonsense like this, I'm leaving."

"No more, no more." Lin Qingran quickly stopped, tugged on her sleeves, and said sweetly, "Don't mention a word."

Her moist lips were slightly raised, and her eyes were blinking at Shen Shu.

The wind blew a few strands of hair, brushing against her smiling face, and twitching her eyelashes, adding a touch of endearing innocence.

When Shen Qi walked out of the bluestone path, what he saw was this scene. He saw so many beauties blooming in the capital, and was stunned for a moment. He asked the boy beside him in a low voice: "Which house is this?" girl?"

Dongping replied: "The eldest young master has been in the Hanlin Academy these days. I don't know yet. This is the niece of the third wife's natal family."

Shen Qi had some impression, having heard his mother mention it before.

"Young Master, would you like to go over and meet me?"

"No need." Shen Qi looked away from Lin Qingran, "The girls were having fun, but I went over and ruined their fun. I'll leave it for another time."

The master and servant walked along the path to the other end.

Shen Shu gave the two of them an angry look, and the three of them sat down again. She didn't hide it any more. She pursed her lips and said, "Master Chen and I only met once at the Shangyuan Lantern Festival two years ago. Even he How come no one knows."

Lin Qingran said: "Then you should take advantage of this autumn banquet to get to know him better."

Shen Shu thought the same thing, but she couldn't help but feel nervous. She turned to Lin Qingran and asked, "You and I are the same age. Have you ever gotten engaged?"

Lin Qingran held her chin and shook her head, "My father and brother have helped me a few times."

There were also businessmen and scholars in the family, but those merchants were mostly dandies, and scholars were too pedantic for her. She only knew how to read, and she couldn't even tell which was heavenly satin and which was soft satin.

Even the bandit knew it... Lin Qingran frowned, thinking hard about what the unlucky person was doing.

She finished slowly, "That's why I haven't found anyone yet."

Shen Shu envied her for being able to take charge of her own marriage.

Shen Xi interrupted with a smile: "How about cousin go to the autumn banquet with us, maybe we can catch our eye."

Lin Qingran only took her words as a joke, but she was still somewhat interested in the Autumn Banquet. It had been a while since she came to the Hou Mansion, but she had not been out yet.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Qingran nodded in agreement.

When having dinner with Mrs. Lin, Lin Qingran mentioned this matter. Mrs. Lin said well: "Your father always talked to me in his letters, saying that you can't pick this one, and you can't look down on that one. Originally, I want to tell you later. Go, go with Third Sister and Fifth Sister."

Lin Qingran frowned slightly and said hesitantly: "Little aunt, you asked me to come to Beijing, maybe you had the intention of choosing a husband for me."

Lin looked at her and nodded, "Since you can't choose in Jiangning, come here and choose."

Lin Qingran's face fell, and the corners of her mouth flattened, "Little aunt, you are so anxious to marry me off, but you don't love me anymore."

Mrs. Lin's eyes turned red as she spoke, and she scolded: "Nonsense, if I didn't love you, I would have chosen a match for you and gotten married."

Lin Qingran squeezed out a few more tears, but Lin was at a loss for words, "Okay, okay, I won't rush you, not even if you turn around and become an old girl."

Lin Qingran put away her tears and said with a smile: "The old girl also has the pain of her father, elder brother and little aunt."

Mrs. Lin glanced at her angrily, "Eat."

When Lin Qingran came out of Lin's place, the stars and the moon were already high.

She and Yueying walked towards the Qingyu Pavilion along the path with the stone pillar lamps lit.

The gentle wind blowing by my side was mixed with the almost inaudible fragrance of frost flowers, and there were a few sounds of cats meowing.

"It's a snowball."

Lin Qingran was not sure if there was only one cat in the house, but for some reason he felt that it was Xue Tuan. It only circled around her feet that day, then swept its tail and walked away leisurely.

She hadn't even had a chance to touch it yet.

Lin Qingran walked for a while looking for the sound, and at the base of the wall at a corner, she saw a snow ball playing with fireflies with her furry paws raised.

Lin Qingran held up her skirt and knelt down, "Xue Tuan, Miaomiao...come here."

Xue Tuan stopped and looked at her with his round eyes for a while, then said "meow", then jumped up and continued to fight at the fireflies. He grabbed the fireflies twice with his front paws and flew into the air, landing in the grass like a hair ball. He swayed twice.

Lin Qingran burst into laughter. She pointed at the small spots of light around her and stretched out her hand towards Xue Tuan, "It's much brighter here. Snow Tuan comes here."

The intermittent sounds of a person and a cat reached his ears. Shen Qi put down the brush in his hand and raised his eyes to look out of the half-open window lattice.

It seems that someone comes to this library during the day, and the maid will not make any noise when he is there. Who is it?

Lin Qingran's crouching legs were numb and she didn't see Xue Tuan coming over. Just as she was about to stand up with her skirt in hand and go over to touch her, Xue Tuan suddenly ran away far away.

Lin Qingran turned her eyes and saw that the snow ball that she couldn't scream out was lying at someone's feet, letting him touch her smooth and soft fur.

Lin Qingran's eyes widened, why didn't he come to her?

Shen Qi stood up and saw the envy in Lin Qingran's clear and bright eyes. He smiled slightly and showed her the twig in his hand with a feather tied to one end, "You can use this to get here. "

He passed the twigs in his hands forward, and the snowballs also rushed forward.

Lin Qingran was itching to see it. She took the twig and bent down, coaxing the snow ball to fall on her body. The two flesh pads grabbed the feathers and rolled around her feet.

Lin Qingran took the opportunity to touch it, raised his face with a smile and said, "It really works."

Shen Qi also curved his lips and smiled, and asked, "This must be Miss Lin."

Lin Qingran was not surprised that he knew his identity. He stood up and replied with a smile, "Young Master is polite."

Shen Qi was slightly surprised and said: "Do you know who I am?"

They probably haven't met officially yet.

Lin Qingran smiled mysteriously, and pointed to the regular clothes he had not yet changed out of, with the chest patch embroidered on it.

At the first glance, from his appearance and good demeanor, Lin Qingran knew that he must not be a member of the family, but must be some kind of husband.

Shen Xi told her that the third and fourth young masters were still studying in the Imperial College and would not come back until Mrs. Shen's birthday party. She had already met the two younger brothers, so only the eldest son and the prince were left. When I see the clothes on my body, I can confirm it immediately.

Shen Qi lowered his eyes and looked at the clothes on his body, then laughed dumbly, "My cousin is very smart."

Yue Yingying only knew his identity and said in fear: "I have seen the eldest son."

She half-closed her eyes, looking back and forth between the two of them without trace for a moment, with a rather solemn look on her face.

Shen Qi slightly raised his hand and said to Lin Qingran: "My cousin also likes cats?"

Lin Qingran has always loved being clean, but for the first time, she allowed Xue Tuan to scratch the hem of her skirt and leave marks on her skirt. She smiled and said, "I have never raised one, but I don't know why, but when I saw Xuetuan, I felt particularly attached to her."

Shen Qi also smiled, "Xue Tuan is very cute and lively and active. There are many flowers, birds and insects here. It often plays here. If my cousin can't find it, you can come here to have a look."

Yueying couldn't help but murmur to herself, this was clearly the prince's cat, why did the eldest prince make it look like he had raised it?

Lin Qingran nodded lightly, bent down and shook the twig in his hand, and said to Xue Tuan with a smile: "I will know how to play with you next time."

Yueying whispered to Lin Qingran: "Miss, it's getting late."

Lin Qingran straightened up and said to Shen Qi, "Then I'll take my leave first."

Shen Qi nodded.

Lin Qingran saw what was still in his hand and stepped forward to give it back to him.

Shen Qi joked: "Just think of it as a meeting gift for my cousin."

Lin Qingran looked at the fluttering branch in his hand and accepted it with peace of mind, "Then I will thank the eldest young master."

Xue Tuan hadn't had enough fun yet. He raised his paws and started to pounce on its feathers. Lin Qingran simply coaxed it back to his yard.

The late autumn weather was already bitingly cold.

Shen Tingzhu was sitting in the small square-inch courtyard, his thin body becoming more and more slender. There was a thick blanket on his legs. He half-squinted his eyes and looked at the old man who was applying medicine in the courtyard, and said casually: " Mr. Wei, it will take a few days before I can leave."

While applying the medicine, Mr. Wei hummed without looking back, "I always have to put off the prince's arrival when it's time to come. Now that he's here, you can just stay there with peace of mind."

Shen Tingzhu raised his hand and rubbed the center of his brow, feeling helpless, "Sir, I still have something important to attend to."

If he didn't go back, the little girl would probably forget him. He subconsciously touched the corners of his lips with his fingertips, and then twirled his hot fingertips.

Mr. Wei put down the medicine in his hand and turned around and said, "Your Majesty, tell me, what can be more important than your life."

Mr. Wei was over seventy years old. Apart from his curly hair that showed his age, he was still full of energy. He looked at Shen Tingzhu with a stern and questioning look in his eyes.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes indifferently, and even the smile on his lips was lazy.

When Mr. Wei saw him like this, he realized that it would be a waste of words. He sighed, walked to the stove where the medicine was boiling, poured out a bowl, and said, "Drink the medicine for another three days, and then leave if you want."

=== Chapter === 023

After October, the weather gets colder and colder every day. On the day of the Autumn Banquet, Lin Qingran deliberately got up early. Yueying opened the window, and the cool breeze that came in made her shiver, freezing her head that was still a little dazed after waking up.

Lin Qingran tightened the clothes around her shoulders, gasped and said hurriedly: "Close it, close it."

Yueying quickly closed the window again, turned around and said with a smile: "This is my first time back to the capital, and I still can't get used to it. This is my first time to have the earth dragon burned."

Lin Qingran nodded and asked Yueying to put it on for him.

A maid came in to deliver a message, and Xue Tuan also jumped in from the threshold, walked around to Lin Qingran's feet, patted the uppers of her shoes with her paws, raised her furry head and called out twice.

The maid said: "Girl, the third girl sent someone to tell you that she is waiting for you in the flower hall."

Lin Qingran nodded lightly: "I know." She bent down and picked up Xue Tuan, who was still meowing at her.

A smile appeared on his lips. After teasing it for a few days, it had learned to find it on its own.

Xue Tuan licked the back of her hand, stepped on her shoulder with one paw, and stretched the other to reach the white jade earring hanging on her earlobe.

Lin Qingran quickly pinched Xue Tuan's soft paws, "No." She found a glass bead from the makeup box and gave it to it, "Play with this."

Xue Tuan meowed again, jumped on the dressing table, lay down half of his body, raised his tail, and played with beads with his paws.

Lin Qingran smiled, let it play there, stood up, put on a cloak and left the Qingyu Pavilion.

Walking around the corridor to the front yard, I saw Shen Qi coming from the other end.

Shen Qi stopped. Although it was not the first time he had met her, his eyes still lit up and he was amazed when he saw her approaching from the long corridor half-lit by the sun.

He quickly narrowed his eyes, smiled at Lin Qingran and said, "Cousin."

"Eldest Young Master." Lin Qingran saw that he was wearing a simple crow-blue trousers and asked with a smile, "Eldest Young Master, don't you need to be on duty today?"

That night he taught himself how to amuse Xue Tuan, and his gentle demeanor made Lin Qingran willing to talk to him.

"Today is the holiday." Shen Qi looked at her exquisitely dressed face: "Are you going to the Autumn Banquet?"

Lin Qingran nodded, "The eldest son is going too."

Shen Qi smiled and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to go. My second brother's boat will arrive at the dock soon, and I have to pick him up."

He has always had little interest in such banquets and would never go.

Lin Qingran was stunned, "Is the Crown Prince back?"

"Exactly."

In the past few days since Lin Qingran came here, she had often heard people talking about this prince. The most common words they talked about were praises for him, and there was also a sense of sadness in their words, which made her a little curious. How to be alone.

Shen Qi saw the stunned look in her eyes. The people at the Autumn Banquet were all noble girls from aristocratic families. As for Lin Qingran's identity as a merchant girl, even if she dared not say it because of the Hou Mansion, she was afraid that she would look down upon her and speak carelessly. .

Worried that Lin Qingran wouldn't be able to handle it, Shen Qi thought for a moment and said, "It's still early, so I'll go take a look with you."

Lin Qingran was distracted from his thoughts, "You are not going to pick up the prince."

"There's enough time." Shen Qi had already turned around and walked towards the flower hall.

Lin Qingran didn't think much and stepped up to catch up. On the contrary, Yueying beside her could not let go of her eyebrows.

Lin Qingran, Shen Shu and Shen Xi rode in the same carriage, while Shen Qi rode in one alone.

Shen Xi was surprised that Shen Qi suddenly proposed to go to the Autumn Banquet, "My eldest brother doesn't like coming to these places the least. I think it's a waste of time."

Lin Qingran felt that he was capable of teasing a cat, so he was not a boring person. He tilted his head and looked at Shen Shu and said casually: "Maybe he wants to help Shen Shu check things."

When Shen Xi heard what she said, she felt it made sense and winked at Shen Shu with a smile.

Seeing that the two of them were getting involved with him again, Shen Shu was so embarrassed that he turned his head away and ignored them.

The three of them were talking and laughing all the way, and in a blink of an eye they were outside Bichun Garden.

Bichun Garden is located at the foot of Miaowang Mountain. It is a royal garden. There are forbidden troops guarding the garden outside. The three of them got off the carriage and followed Shen Qi into the garden.

The landscape in the garden is modeled after the gardens in the south of the Yangtze River. It is elegant and sophisticated, and the scenery changes with each step, as if you are in a painting.

Lin Qingran slowly walked towards the depths of the garden while admiring the scenery. There were already many people in the garden. Men and women were seated separately, separated by a stream that flowed down from the waterfall on the mountain.

When the princes and ladies at the table saw several people coming from the Changxing Hou Mansion, they all stood up and exchanged greetings.

Lord Shen is in charge of the five armies. The new emperor ascended the throne a year ago, and his daughter was canonized as queen. The Changxing Marquis Mansion is at its peak, and no one wants to climb up.

If the Chen family can get married to the Changxing Marquis Mansion like the Chen family did, then the entire family will inevitably rise with the tide.

Many men who had such thoughts were already secretly looking towards the women's seats, and their breathing froze when they saw the woman beside Shen Xi who looked like a fairy on the moon.

Gu Xian, the son of Zuodu Yushi, who had some friendship with Shen Qi, came forward and asked: "Lanting, who is that girl?"

Shen Qi looked up across the stream. Lin Qingran had a smile on her face and was talking calmly and generously to the woman who came to talk to her.

Lin Qingran has loved to follow her father and brother around since she was a child, and this is no exception when talking about business. She is the most skilled in dealing with different kinds of people.

As for those eyes that always fall on her, she has long been accustomed to them and can only ignore them.

When Shen Qi saw that there was no embarrassment on her smiling face, he felt relieved, turned to Gu Xian and said, "Miss Lin is my third aunt's niece."

Gu Xian squinted his eyes and thought, "I remembered it, but it was the Lin family of Jiangning Weaving."

Shen Qi didn't want to talk more and just nodded. He didn't stay for long. He only sat for a while, then got up and said goodbye to everyone and rushed to the dock.

When Shen Qi arrived at the dock, the ship happened to dock. He saw Shen Tingzhu getting off the ship alone. His usually peaceful face changed color. He frowned and strode forward to support him. "Why don't you say goodbye?"

Shen Tingzhu did not resist his support, but smiled and said, "I arranged for Mo Ci to go elsewhere. Why did the elder brother come in person?"

Shen Qi ordered someone to push a wheelchair, and Shen Tingzhu sighed helplessly, "Brother, I can walk by myself."

"I know you can walk. Normally I don't stop you from walking. Now that it's freezing cold, it's better to protect your legs." Shen Qi couldn't help but push him into the wheelchair, and then continued to answer: "I don't Come and come in person, you will leave happily."

Shen Tingzhu held her forehead, wondering whether to laugh or cry for a moment, "It's my grandmother's birthday soon, where else can I go."

Shen Qi nodded: "Now that you're back, don't go anywhere. You've been going back and forth for two months, and your mother and grandmother are talking about it every day."

Shen Tingzhu still lowered his head, the smile on his face faded, but quickly returned to normal for a moment, he raised his eyes and said softly: "I know."

After getting on the carriage, Shen Tingzhu asked, "Has Miss Lin already entered Beijing?"

Shen Qi said: "You arrived half a month earlier."

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips, "It's about the same as I estimated."

His index finger attached to the cup lightly scraped the rim, "She's quite used to it."

"Living in Qingyu Pavilion." Shen Qi also smiled slightly when talking about Lin Qingran, "I am very close to the third and fifth sisters, and your snow ball."

The too detailed answer made Shen Tingzhu raise her eyelids and look at him. When she saw the smile on Shen Qi's lips, she couldn't help but frown. He didn't know this yet, but everyone else knew it.

Shen Qi didn't notice anything strange about him and continued: "By the way, cousin third sister and fifth sister went to the autumn banquet together today."

"Autumn banquet?" Shen Tingzhu frowned a little more.

What was she going there for? Thinking of Lin Qingran's eye-catching little face and how many people would peep at her, she felt a lump in her heart.

Shen Tingzhu said "hmm" in a light voice.

Shen Qi shook his head and laughed, "It turned out to be the cousin you went to pick up, but in the end you haven't met yet."

Shen Tingzhu leaned back without any strength. Who said he had never met before? They had been together day and night for a month.

Shen Qi thought he was tired, "You are tired from the journey, please rest for a while."

In the middle of the banquet, the laughter at the women's table made the men across the river frequently look over.

It's like admiring flowers in spring and singing to the moon on summer nights. There's no reason not to look at the flowers or the moon. Besides, most of the people coming to the banquet are men and women who haven't yet been engaged. Although it's hard to get close, they're not that scrupulous.

It was boring to sit around, so someone suggested throwing a pot. The pot was placed on the women's bench. The men threw arrows across the stream, and the girls counted them.

Lin Qingran's face was blown cold by the wind, and she had no intention of moving forward. Besides, she had long been tired of having fun in Jiangning, so she sat aside with Shen Shu and watched them having fun.

Gu Xian was chosen first, and everyone focused their attention on him. For a while, not many people looked at Lin Qingran, except for one, who was still looking at her with a direct look.

Lin Qingran couldn't ignore it even if she wanted to. She raised her eyes and saw a man in a dark robe. He didn't go to the stream to throw a pot, but sat in front of a short table. When he saw Lin Qingran looking over, he didn't dodge, his eyes were dark. deep.

Lin Qingran raised her eyebrows, why was she so rude? She turned her face and asked Shen Shu softly, "Who is that person?"

Shen Shu turned around to look and shook his head, "I don't recognize him either." She pursed her lips and smiled, "Don't you think...you look pretty good. I'll ask my elder brother later."

Lin Qingran opened his mouth and yelled, defending: "No."

She was just a little strange. When she looked again, the man had already looked away.

Lin Qingran and Shen Shu played around for a while but forgot about it and didn't mention it again.

It was almost evening when we returned to Changxing Hou Mansion.

The three of them walked towards the backyard while chatting and laughing, and saw two people sitting on the waterside pavilion from a distance. Facing them was Shen Qi, and the man in white robe had his back to everyone, making his appearance invisible.

Shen Shu asked, "Is that second brother?"

Lin Qingran looked across the water and could only see the man's back. He was thin and had a hairpin tied up with a jade hairpin. His clothes were fluttering in the wind. There was only a back figure, which made him feel nervous when he looked at it from a distance. People feel as cold as snow.

Shen Qi saw the three people walking from the corridor, smiled at Shen Tingzhu and said, "They are the third and fifth sisters, and Miss Jiang Ninglai."

Shen Tingzhu put down the tea cup in his hand, slowly swallowed the tea in his mouth, and then turned around and looked back.

Lin Qingran saw the man turn around, with an excessively fair complexion, red lips, and peach blossom eyes that were affectionate even though he was not smiling... Her whole body stiffened suddenly, and her breathing suddenly stopped in her throat.

=== Chapter === 024

A gust of wind blew by, blowing the hair on the temples. Lin Qingran shivered hard and gasped in disbelief. How could he be here!

Shen Xi happily said to Shen Shu, "It's true that the second brother is back."

Lin Qingran didn't listen to a word, she grabbed Yueying with her hands covered in cold sweat.

"Miss." Yueying approached her and whispered in a low voice, feeling very anxious in her heart.

Lin Qingran's weak and trembling voice was filled with tears, "Am I dazzled..."

She closed her eyes, opened them again, and found to her despair that it was still the same face. Lin Qingran even wanted to run away.

He must have come for her, Lin Qingran's heart dropped.

Shen Xi said: "Let's go there."

Lin Qingran didn't even have time to shake her head, she had already grabbed her wrist and walked towards the waterside pavilion.

Lin Qingran stared at the man without blinking. They had exactly the same appearance, but they seemed to be two completely different people. The bandit wore simple clothes and had a careless smile on his lips, while the person in the waterside pavilion There is a sense of elegance and elegance that is not ordinary, and the smile curved at the corner of the lips is gentle and elegant.

Pretending, he must have disguised his identity and sneaked into the Hou Mansion!

Seeing him giving her a kind smile, Lin Qingran's scalp went numb. She kept telling herself, calm down, calm down, this is the Hou Mansion.

Lin Qingran took three steps and took one step back before being taken to the pavilion.

"Second brother, when did you arrive?" Shen Xi's originally cool voice became much more restrained when facing Shen Tingzhu.

Hearing Shen Xi call him second brother, Lin Qingran was dumbfounded. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his mind was in confusion. He was the prince. He was not a bandit, how could he be the prince of the Hou family!

The cool breeze blowing through the waterside pavilion sent chills down her spine.

Shen Tingzhu did not look at Lin Qingran, but curved his lips and smiled at Shen Xi: "We just arrived not long ago."

The closer he got, the more Lin Qingran realized that his gentle and elegant demeanor was not similar to that person at all, and even his gentle and clear voice was different from that person's coolness.

She suddenly raised her eyes to look at Shen Tingzhu's eyes. There was no tear stain at all! not him…

But except for the mole, there is almost no difference between the two.

There were a hundred thoughts intertwined in Lin Qingran's mind, and she was so confused that she couldn't think at all.

After Shen Tingzhu and Shen Xi finished talking, she looked at Lin Qingran. Their eyes met, which made her heartbeat stop for a moment, followed by rapid beating.

And the way he looked at her was so unfamiliar, not at all as sinister and frightening as Lin Qingran imagined.

Shen Tingzhu stared at her tight little face, his dark pupils full of vigilance like a little beast, a chuckle escaped from his throat: "This must be Jiang Ning's cousin."

Her eyes fell without trace. She wore a purple tunic cardigan, a soft gauze pleated skirt with iris branches, and pearls hanging around her waist. The little girl was carefully dressed.

When Shen Qi heard him calling Lin Qingran his cousin, he couldn't help but turn his eyes and look at him. He thought that the third and eldest brothers were biological siblings, so it was normal for them to call each other closer.

Seeing Lin Qingran's eyes flashing uneasily, he thought she was embarrassed, so he smiled and said: "It's true that I have been calling my cousin a stranger. Cousin Lin, this is your second cousin, Shen Zhi."

Lin Qingran couldn't make a sound from her throat. She knew that the prince of Changxing Hou was named Shen Zhi, and his courtesy name was Tingzhu, but she never expected him to have such a face.

She didn't say anything for a long time, and everyone felt a little strange.

Shen Tingzhu came to her rescue, "I was the one who offended my cousin." He nodded slightly and apologized to her.

This face is clearly that of the bandit, but without that little mole, it becomes completely different.

Lin Qingran knew that everyone was looking at her, so she encouraged herself to calm down, clenched her palms, and called softly, "...Second cousin."

The sweet voice brushed against the shell of his ears, and Shen Tingzhu rolled his eyes happily.

Lin Qingran didn't know how she returned to Qingyu Pavilion. As soon as she entered the house, she asked Yueying to close the door tightly, and asked incoherently: "Did you see it? I saw it right. The prince and that person... "

She wanted to say that Shen Tingzhu was the bandit, but it was different. Is he pretending, or were there really two people who were so similar in the world.

One was a noble prince, and the other was a vicious bandit. She could never think of these two completely different people together.

This time, even Yueying was not sure how to answer, he hesitated and said: "I think it looks like it, but it doesn't look like it."

Lin Qingran bit her lip tightly and frowned in silence.

There was a knock on the door, and Lin Qingran raised her eyes in panic like a frightened bird.

"Miss, I'm a slave." Zifu said outside the house.

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment, then picked up the target mirror on the table and touched the corners of his lips. When he looked the same, he asked Yueying to open the door.

Zifu walked in and said with a smile: "The old lady is happy that the prince is back. She asked everyone to go to the flower hall to have dinner. The lady asked the slaves to come and say something to the lady."

Lin Qingran put away his confused thoughts, nodded and said: "I understand, I'll be there in a moment."

Walking down the corridor, Lin Qingran looked at the dim light coming from the flower hall and hesitated before walking in.

Shen Tingzhu hadn't come yet, so she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, blessed the old lady and several ladies, and sat down with the ladies.

Mrs. Qin said to her maid: "Go and see why the prince hasn't come yet."

Mrs. Shen said: "There's no rush, just let him take his time."

Lin Qingran was sitting quietly. The sound of wheels rolling over blue bricks was heard outside the house, and she turned to look.

He Xuan pushed the wheelchair outside the flower hall before stopping. The maid stepped forward to help him.

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "No need."

He stood up slowly and walked into the house, his steps were slow but steady, and his simple clothes showed his frailty.

Lin Qingran only glanced at it and quickly lowered her eyes. Her little aunt told her that the prince had been in poor health since he was a child, and the bandit's skills were so bad.

Shen Tingzhu greeted the old lady, "Grandma."

"Sit down quickly." Mrs. Shen turned around and ordered the servants to serve the dishes.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little girl who was hanging her head and thinking secretly. However, she hadn't seen her for more than ten days. Why did he feel like a long time had passed? It was so long that he felt that no matter how much he looked at her, it was not enough.

Aware of the faint gaze falling on her, Lin Qingran looked up and met Shen Tingzhu's warm and smiling eyes.

Every time the bandit smiled at her, he either meant to scare her or laughed in a playful way. She became more and more unsure whether there really were such similar people, but they were too similar.

Lin Qingran straightened her stiff body slightly, pretending to be calm and went to pick up the chopsticks, but she missed the first time.

The corners of Shen Tingzhu's lips were slightly raised, and the smile between his eyebrows was also shallow.

Lin Qingran was so embarrassed that her cheeks were hot, she lowered her eyes and quickly took the chopsticks, eating quietly, not daring to look at him again.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly. Even if he didn't look at him, he was still thinking about him.

After dinner, Lin Qingran did not dare to stay for a moment longer. After leaving the flower hall, she went to the Qingyu Pavilion and walked around the garden before slowing down.

Her mind was filled with the figures of Shen Tingzhu and the bandit. Her thoughts were so chaotic that she didn't even hear the sound of the wheelchair behind her until Shen Tingzhu called out to her.

"cousin."

A clear and gentle voice sounded behind her. Lin Qingran shuddered and turned around. She stared at Shen Tingzhu a few steps away, panicked, at a loss...all kinds of emotions came one after another.

Shen Tingzhu smiled apologetically, "But did you scare your cousin?"

Lin Qingran's slightly trembling hands clenched and unclenched, and whispered: "Second cousin."

The similar face already made her panic, and she just wanted to stay away. Lin Qingran was about to say goodbye, but Shen Tingzhu had already spoken first -

"I have to say sorry to my cousin. I originally promised my third aunt to pick you up, but I had to go ahead because of something unexpected." Shen Tingzhu smiled, "Please don't blame my cousin."

What a coincidence, they are both in Shangyuan, and they are two people who are so similar. Lin Qingran raised her eyes when she was about to move, and saw the thick blanket on his lap, and asked tentatively: "I wonder when my second cousin will be separated from Shangyuan?"

Shen Tingzhu pondered for a moment and said, "It should be September 27th."

Lin Qingran looked closely at Shen Tingzhu's white eyes. She met the bandit on the first day of the new year...

Shen Tingzhu was stunned by her look. He raised his hand and wiped his face gently, and asked with a smile: "Why does my cousin look at me like this? But what is on my face?"

Lin Qingran suddenly came to his senses, looked away, shook his head, took a deep breath and said, "It's getting late. If my cousin has nothing else to do, I'll leave first."

Regardless of whether it was true or not, she would stay far away.

Shen Tingzhu wanted to hear her call her cousin a few more times. He was soft and obedient.

He nodded and smiled: "Okay."

Lin Qingran bowed slightly, turned around and left, but as she walked, the buzzing sound behind her followed her.

Lin Qingran couldn't help but turn around and frowned, "Second cousin, what else do you want to say?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her unclearly, and after a while he seemed to think of something, and said with a smile: "My cousin misunderstood, I live in Yuansongju, and I am with you."

Lin Qingran's cheeks turned crimson. Yuansong Residence was indeed not far from the Qingyu Pavilion where she lived. They all walked here.

She closed her eyes in annoyance, wishing she could just disappear.

Shen Tingzhu raised her eyes to admire Lin Qingran's rosy and beautiful face. When she looked over, she calmly put away the interest in her eyes and regained her gentle look.

He thoughtfully said to Lin Qingran: "I remembered that my mother had something to do with me, so I won't go back yet."

"He Xuan." He ordered quietly.

Lin Qingran became uncomfortable. He Xuan had already turned around with his wheelchair. The two of them walked into the dark night, and the sound of the chattering became softer and softer.

Lin Qingran became more and more convinced that he was really not the bandit. After all, if he was the bandit, he would have tried another way to scare her.

Lin Qingran shook her head and quickly returned to Qingyu Pavilion without thinking too much.

Shen Tingzhu didn't lie to her this time. It was indeed Mrs. Qin who was looking for him.

Mrs. Qin sat on the Arhat bed, peeling a tangerine in her hand and looked up at him, frowning, "What kind of dirt are you getting now?"

Shen Tingzhu raised his hand and wiped it carelessly, and the tiny mole was revealed. He looked at the white spot on his hand and smiled softly. He raised his eyes and asked Mrs. Qin, "I wonder why mother called me here."

Qin plucked the oranges and said seriously: "You can tell mother now what you are doing in Jiangning."

Shen Tingzhu took the orange from Qin and said with a smile, "I told my grandmother about it before."

Mrs. Qin snorted: "Don't think I don't know. You were just perfunctory with your grandmother. I want to hear the truth."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows, peeled off a piece of orange and was about to put it into his mouth, when Mrs. Qin said, "Wait a minute."

She stretched out her hand and pinched off a white thread on it, "Eat it."

Shen Tingzhu lost interest in eating. He put the oranges on the table and said, "My son really went to Mr. Wei's place."

Seeing that he was still refusing to tell the truth, Ms. Qin couldn't help but get angry, "Why did you go to Mr. Wei so much to go to Mr. Wei's place, and why did you use it as an excuse to pick up your cousin?"

"Don't think that I don't know what you did," Mrs. Qin couldn't help but become anxious. "Do you have to ask me to tell your father so that you can listen?"

The smile on Shen Tingzhu's face disappeared, "But sister told you."

"Don't worry about who said it." Mrs. Qin turned sideways, her eyes already red, "How could the emperor let you go to such a dangerous matter?"

She pursed her lips, and then said after a moment: "You are just ruining your own body, what if something happens to you?"

Mrs. Qin choked up, "Normally you don't care. You take Mr. Wei's medicine and avoid it. Don't you even care about your mother, your father and your grandmother anymore!" She became more and more excited as she spoke. , "From today on, don't even think about leaving Beijing again."

Shen Tingzhu's hand on his side clenched tightly, but was unable to let go. He leaned back and said expressionlessly, "That's why my mother wants me to be a useless person, as long as I live."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and looked at the oranges in front of him, "A useless person who has to peel every orange and bring it to him."

Qin turned her head in shock and slapped her palm on the small table beside her, "Do you know what you are talking about!"

The servants in the room were all so shocked that they did not dare to breathe, and stared down at their feet.

Shen Tingzhu exhaled calmly, "I know, I know my mother is doing it for my own good, but I don't want to go anywhere and everyone looks at me with pity. That look seems to tell me clearly that I am A useless person."

He lowered his eyelids, and a pair of clear and bright eyes flashed in his mind. Only a little girl can't do that. When she was annoyed, she wanted to bite him, and when she was scared, she looked at him pitifully. She pretended to be well-behaved, but secretly she was planning to give him something. Drugged.

Mrs. Qin felt a dull pain in her heart when she heard what he said in a calm tone, as if she was staying out of the situation. She swayed and looked at him with pain in her eyes, "Mr. Wei said that as long as you take your medicine well, there will be no problem."

There was no problem in what they said, that is, he would always be like this. Shen Tingzhu stood up and said, "Don't worry, mother, I will take the medicine well."

He laughed at himself, he had been a useless person for so long anyway.

=== Chapter === 025

Late at night, Lin Qingran was lying on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. The faces of the two of them kept overlapping in her mind, and she even had a ridiculous guess that she had heard a twins play in the theater.

Lin Qingran quickly shook her head, stopped her random thoughts, pulled up the quilt to cover her eyes, and closed her eyes tightly. She didn't want to know any high-level secrets.

Early in the morning, Xuetuan followed the maid's footsteps into Lin Qingran's house, walked to her feet and rubbed them gently as usual.

Lin Qingran drooped her tired eyelids, bent down to pick it up, buried her face on Xue Tuan, and sighed sadly.

The fluffy long hair on Xue Tuan's body was dented by the pressure, and he stretched out his paws and meowed.

Lin Qingran let go of it with a smile, and Xue Tuan turned around and jumped onto the dressing table.

Lin Qingran smoothed its long hair, and Yueying came in and said, "Miss, the maid in the prince's courtyard asked to see her, saying she was looking for a cat."

Lin Qingran's half-lidded eyelashes flashed, and she was still panicked when she remembered that face. She nodded her snow-pink nose and pretended to be angry: "Your master is back, why are you still running towards me?"

She picked up the cat and walked outside the house. Yu Ying was already waiting in the courtyard.

Seeing Lin Qingran come out, Fu Fu Shen said, "Xue Tuan likes to run around. The prince is always looking for it, causing trouble for the girl."

Lin Qingran shook his head and said: "Since the Crown Prince is looking for you, take Xuetuan back quickly."

"Huh." Yu Ying hugged Xue Tuan, but Xue Tuan, who had been quiet and well-behaved in Lin Qingran's arms, suddenly jumped away.

He quickly ran back to the corridor and ran directly into the house.

Seeing the snow ball disappearing in a flash, Lin Qingran couldn't help laughing and asked Yue Ying to take the cat out.

But as soon as it gets into Yuying's hands, it will immediately jump out again and hide in Lin Qingran's house.

This happened several times in a row. Yu Ying looked confused: "Girl...this."

Lin Qingran choked, as if she had kidnapped someone else's cat.

She said sternly to Xue Tuan in her arms: "Xue Tuan, be good, the prince is looking for you."

Xue Tuan meowed, and placed two soft paws on Lin Qingran's chest. The tips of her nails were firmly hooked on her clothes, refusing to leave.

Lin Qingran was extremely embarrassed, and Yu Ying also had a troubled look on her face, "I wonder if the girl can help this slave to send the snow ball back."

Lin Qingran couldn't hold the snowballs off her body, she was angry and funny at the same time, but this was someone else's cat and she had to return it, so she could only nod her head in desperation.

Walking on the way to Yuansongju, Lin Qingran felt uneasy again. She couldn't help but wrinkle the tip of her nose at the snow ball in her arms, and whispered in a low voice: "I want you to be naughty."

Yuansongju is very big. When you walk into the moon gate, you will see a large bamboo forest. After walking through the cobblestone path, you will find the atrium.

Shen Tingzhu was sitting in the hexagonal pavilion in the courtyard, with a chess table beside him and a stove burning beside him. There was a shelf on top of it, making tea. The rising mist filled him with a leisurely mood.

Seeing the face that looked exactly like that of the bandit, Lin Qingran couldn't help but want to run away, and moved her steps little by little, not wanting to get closer.

Yu Ying said: "Your Majesty, my cousin is here."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes when he heard the commotion. He didn't ask her why she came here. He just smiled and said, "My cousin is here."

And Xue Tuan, who was in Lin Qingran's arms, suddenly screamed softly.

Lin Qingran whispered: "Second cousin." She looked at Xue Tuan in her arms and explained: "Xue Tuan has become familiar with me in the past few days and refuses to come back for a while."

After saying that, he pursed his lips, put the snowball on the ground, patted its head, and said, "Go over there quickly."

Unexpectedly, the snow ball kept circling around her, but could not pass, and even its screams became faster than usual.

Shen Tingzhu said: "It seems that he likes his cousin very much."

The look of the two little things together is also very interesting.

Lin Qingran lowered her voice in shock and said: "Xue Tuan, stop making trouble."

"It's not convenient for me to walk." Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "Cousin, can you help me carry the snow ball over?"

Lin Qingran took a breath, picked up the snow ball and walked over. Before she entered the pavilion, she smelled a faint medicinal smell.

When she stood in front of Shen Tingzhu, she couldn't help but become nervous and handed the snowball over from a distance.

"Meow - meow -" Xue Tuan stretched out his paws and called.

He tried hard to break free of Lin Qingran's hand, and immediately disappeared.

"Snow ball!" Lin Qingran shouted anxiously.

Shen Tingzhu looked at his empty hand, his brows filled with a bit of depression, he quickly calmed down and said with a smile: "It's okay, Xue Tuan is used to being naughty."

Lin Qingran was speechless for a moment. She had said it would be okay if she didn't bring it. She opened her mouth and said, "In that case, I will go back first."

Shen Tingzhu said, "I think my cousin came over before she had breakfast. Let's sit down and have something together."

Lin Qingran had no time to shake her head. Not to mention that it was against the rules, she couldn't eat well even with this face in front of her.

"No need." After she finished speaking, she realized that her tone was too eager, squeezed her palms hard and said, "I still have to go to my aunt, and it will be too late."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her anxiously twinkling eyes, and he originally thought it was interesting, but Xuetuan ignored him and ran away without a trace. Now that the little girl was in a hurry to leave, he suddenly lost his interest in teasing her.

The smile on Shen Tingzhu's lips did not diminish, "But I heard my mother say that today I am going to the palace with my third aunt, so I should have left long ago."

Lin Qingran didn't know about this at all, and blinked guiltily, "I made a mistake. I want to go to Shen Xi's place, so I won't disturb my cousin."

After she finished speaking, she hurriedly bowed, turned around and left.

"Cousin." Shen Tingzhu said coolly from behind her, "I also remembered wrongly. Mother is going to bring the third sister and the fifth sister into the palace."

The familiar casual tone made Lin Qingran sway slightly, and she almost turned around inch by inch.

The original gentle face disappeared without a trace, and Shen Tingzhu lazily raised her eyes. This look was so familiar to Lin Qingran that she was too frightened to move and could only turn her flickering eyes to look at him.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to know what she was thinking, and raised his hand to slowly wipe her eyes, "Why is Ranran so easy to deceive?"

Putting down her hand, a tiny mole appeared on her fair skin. Lin Qingran froze and opened her mouth in confusion, "...it's you."

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head and lowered his voice: "Can you come over and sit now?"

Lin Qingran was confused. She looked at him like this for a long time, moved her steps, turned around and ran away.

Shen Tingzhu was so fast that he couldn't stop her. Looking at the slim figure disappearing on the cobblestone path, he shook his head and laughed.

Still running away? It's all in his house, where can he escape?

After running out of Yuansong Residence and seeing the maid walking around in the house, Lin Qingran's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed. She was crazy to sit there!

She gasped violently. Shen Tingzhu was the bandit. He had been playing tricks on her from the beginning. He was a bandit and a sell-out. Looking back now, he took her all the way to the capital and specifically revealed that the ship of the Changxing Marquis Mansion was there. At the dock, He Xuan brought her back without any suspicion.

Lin Qingran knocked on his head, and what Shen Tingzhu said quickly flashed through his mind: whether to sell it to Zuiyuntang or Qingyu Pavilion.

Isn't it Qingyu Pavilion where she lives? Lin Qingran pressed her heart hard to prevent herself from passing out from anger.

Returning to Qingyu Pavilion, she stared at the three words on the moon gate, how could she just remember it!

Walking into the yard angrily, Biying saw that her expression was wrong, so she stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong with the girl?"

"I'm fine." Lin Qingran took a long time to calm down. She took two steps and suddenly stopped and asked, "Is there a place called Zuiyuntang in the house?"

Biying said: "The small courtyard above the center of the lake is Zuiyuntang."

There really is! Lin Qingran was so angry that his teeth itched.

She forced a smile and said, "Then have you ever heard of Mo Ci?"

Although Biying didn't understand why Lin Qingran suddenly asked about Mo Ci, she still said truthfully: "Both Mo Guard and He Guard are following the Crown Prince."

Lin Qingran's mind was buzzing, thinking that that bastard would unite with his guards to bully her like this!

No wonder Mo Ci always hesitated to speak when facing her, it was just because of his guilty conscience! Pretending to be instigated by her and giving her poison, Lin Qingran clenched her fingers and her eyes were red. That bastard also... sucked her hand!

Lin Qingran still couldn't calm down until dinner time. Seeing that she looked wrong, Mrs. Lin asked with concern: "What's wrong? Why is it so uncomfortable?"

Lin Qingran opened her mouth, full of grievances suddenly welling up in her heart. She wished she could tell all the evil things Shen Tingzhu had done, but she had said she had never met him before.

Lin Qingran lowered her eyes and shook her head gently, saying wistfully: "I'm fine, I just have no appetite." She explained in a low voice: "I want to eat Jiangning's rice wine."

Mrs. Lin shook her head helplessly: "It's been like this since I was a child. The less I have, the more I want."

Lin Qingran was slightly stunned. She thought for a while and asked tentatively: "Little aunt, what's going on with the prince's legs?"

During the month she spent with him, she didn't notice at all that he looked like he was seriously ill, maybe he was just faking it, and that gentle young man's appearance was also fake!

Mrs. Lin frowned slightly, "Why do you always ask this?"

Lin Qingran said obediently: "I see the prince acting like this, he is really pitiful."

Mrs. Lin sighed: "Actually, I don't know too much. I only know that the prince has been seriously ill since he was a child. He has been taking medicine all year round. His leg was also injured at that time. As for the cause, I don't know."

Lin Qingran lowered her eyebrows and recalled that she had never seen him take medicine.

Mrs. Lin saw her frowning and worried, and a suspicion arose in her mind. She dismissed the servant, lowered her voice and said sternly: "You must not have that kind of thoughts towards the Crown Prince."

Lin Qingran blinked in confusion, "What are you thinking?"

Mrs. Lin said: "Although the prince is born with a unique appearance, but with his body, I absolutely do not agree with your marriage."

Lin Qingran realized what Lin was talking about and said without thinking: "Little aunt, where are you thinking about? How could I like the prince?"

She is crazy to like someone who bullies her!

Mrs. Lin felt relieved when she saw that she wasn't lying.

=== Chapter === 026

Lin Qingran stayed at Lin's place until dark before leaving. She lowered her eyes and walked forward absentmindedly following the shadow.

Walking to the intersection of Qingyu Pavilion and Yuansongju, Lin Qingran couldn't help but look towards the deep end. The bamboo forest blocked a large area of light, and only the ridge of the first floor could be vaguely seen.

Lin Qingran felt cold in her heart. She wondered what kind of person Shen Tingzhu was. She had seen him kill people with her own eyes and how evil he was, but everyone said that he was a gentle and gentle man.

The more Lin Qingran thought about it, the more confused she became. She bit her lip and walked to the other end. She could see the brightly lit Sapphire Pavilion in the distance and walked across the stone bridge to reach it.

However, when Lin Qingran walked onto the stone bridge, she couldn't take a step down.

Biying beside her knelt down and greeted the people under the bridge: "I have seen the crown prince."

"Cousin." Shen Tingzhu was in the corner pavilion by the bridge, raising his eyes to look at her along the moonlight.

If there was a second way, Lin Qingran would definitely turn around without saying a word, but if she wanted to return to Qingyu Pavilion, she had to go through here. Although she knew that he was not a real bandit and had only been trying to scare herself before, she still felt in her heart. It was clear that he was by no means harmless as he appeared now. Lin Qingran couldn't help but be afraid whenever she saw him, and even her anger was suppressed.

She shrunk her steps and muttered: "Second...cousin."

Shen Tingzhu smiled softly on his lips and said pointedly: "My cat is missing, so I have to come out and look for it."

Lin Qingran naturally didn't believe that he came to see Xuetuan. Judging from his posture, he was clearly waiting for her to come. Her eyes fell on his legs involuntarily. If she ran away, he couldn't get up and chase her. That would cause everyone to come. Everyone will know that he is faking it.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her dark eyes and whispered to Biying, "Look for Yuying in front, go over and help."

"yes."

Lin Qingran came to his senses hastily and said it was too late to say no.

As soon as Biying left, they were alone in an eerie silence. Shen Tingzhu had enough patience, but Lin Qingran felt that every moment was torture, and she also knew that she had never wasted him. when.

Lin Qingran clenched her palms and walked down without squinting. As she was about to pass the pavilion, her steps became faster and faster.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her swaying skirt and said softly: "If my cousin goes forward..."

He raised his voice slightly, then cut it off suddenly, leaving the rest to Lin Qingran's own discretion.

Lin Qingran was annoyed and resentful, and said without hesitation: "Whatever you want, don't forget, I know what you have done!"

Shen Tingzhu sighed and looked innocently in front of Lin Qingran, "I just want to say that if my cousin goes any further, she will trip."

Lin Qingran took a closer look and saw that there was indeed a fallen branch not far away. If you didn't look carefully, you wouldn't have noticed it.

Lin Qingran was so embarrassed and angry that she bit her lip and remained silent.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and frowned, "But my cousin reminded me that you still know my secret, what should I do?"

The light voice sounded terrifying under the cold moonlight. Lin Qingran was shocked. It was obviously late autumn, but cold sweat broke out on her back.

Calm down, she exhaled quietly, Shen Tingzhu was just scaring her, otherwise he would kill her and silence her in the temple. Due to her identity, he did not dare to touch her.

He must have blocked her here because he was afraid that people would know about his murder. In this way, she would have the conditions to negotiate with him.

Lin Qingran straightened her delicate body and pretended to be calm, but she couldn't hide her timidity when she spoke, "I can keep it a secret for you. I don't care what you do to me on the road."

She was obviously scared but worked hard and had the courage to do so. Shen Tingzhu couldn't help but laugh out loud with her pitiful appearance, "My cousin said what I did to you means that I provided you with delicious food and drink, a lot of them." What about giving you money and rescuing you from bandits?"

Seeing his teasing eyes, Lin Qingran's eyes turned red in anger, "You lied to me first." She was so worried every day that she couldn't even sleep well.

Shen Tingzhu said, "Why do I remember that my cousin named me a bandit, but I didn't say anything."

"You clearly could have explained it but you didn't." Staring at him with wet eyes, Lin Qingran was so angry at his arrogant words that she forgot to be afraid.

However, Shen Tingzhu's tone was understatement, and he lowered his eyes slowly, "In the wilderness, a woman appeared and said that she is from the Lin family. Naturally, I have to verify it before I can believe you, so why do I need to explain."

"What happens after that?" Lin Qingran burst into tears as she became anxious. She wished she could pounce on him and bite him. How could he bully her like this?

"Will you believe it if I tell you later?" Shen Tingzhu raised her eyelids and saw the two drops of beads hanging precariously under her eyes. Her heart tightened suddenly, and strands of reluctance began to wrap around her.

He pursed his lips slightly, and then asked what Lin Qingran had not finished before: "You keep it a secret for me, what do you want?"

Lin Qingran blinked away the sourness in his eyes and said seriously: "Although Yuansongju and Qingyu Pavilion are close to each other, they do not necessarily have to meet."

It would be best for her not to even see him.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows, naturally it was not good.

When Lin Qingran saw that he didn't speak, she just thought he agreed, bowed slightly and left.

"Wait a minute."

Lin Qingran turned around helplessly, "Cousin, what else can I do?"

There was no resistance hidden in his eyes, which made Shen Tingzhu's heart slightly blocked. He said quietly: "Xue Tuan is really gone. It often goes to your place. I'll go and have a look with you."

Lin Qingran thought for a moment that this was indeed a possibility, and then said, "If you are here, I will have someone send it to you."

"No." Shen Tingzhu refused directly: "I'm not worried. If you find it soon, I won't have to trouble my cousin."

Lin Qingran suspected that he did it on purpose. His teeth were itching for a while and he couldn't do anything about it. He reluctantly said in a waxy voice: "Let's go."

Shen Tingzhu stopped her again, "You just left."

He gestured to Lin Qingran to look at the wheelchair under him, with a soft smile on his lips, looking gentle and polite, "My servant is not here, so I have to ask my cousin to push it for me."

Pretentious bastard!

Lin Qingran stared at Shen Tingzhu's back with angry red eyes, pushing the wheelchair towards Qingyu Pavilion.

The cool breeze kept blowing from the other end of the path, and Shen Tingzhu couldn't control the itching in his throat. He coughed in a low voice, and the hands on his knees trembled and clenched.

Lin Qingran glanced at the Qingyu Pavilion in front of him and muttered in his heart: He pretends to look the same.

There was a slightly lower stone step not far away. If he pushed it forward, he would definitely not be able to fit it.

Lin Qingran was thinking secretly, and the palms of her hands pushing the wheelchair were covered in cold sweat, but if she angered him, he might not know how to tease her.

In a blink of an eye, the wheelchair had been pushed down the stone steps, but Lin Qingran staggered without noticing her feet. She felt severe pain in her ankle, and she fell sideways uncontrollably in pain.

Shen Tingzhu reacted very quickly, grabbed her wrist and pulled her up. Lin Qingran's feet were so painful that she couldn't stand still. Seeing that she was about to fall on Shen Tingzhu, she closed her eyes tightly in shock.

Shen Tingzhu's delicate body suddenly crashed into his arms. Shen Tingzhu loosened his hand to support her sagging waist, and pressed the other hand on the side of the wheelchair to barely stabilize herself, preventing both of them from falling embarrassingly.

The limp body in his arms couldn't stop trembling, and the waist under his hands was as soft as a pool of water. All the words he wanted to scold disappeared in his mouth.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and saw the vine branches embroidered on the purple cardigan. Where were the butterflies flying around the branches?

She turned her head away nervously, the itch in her throat was getting stronger, and the hoarse coughing sound woke up Lin Qingran, who had her eyes closed tightly.

She hurriedly tried to get up, but as soon as she exerted force, she felt severe pain in her ankle. In addition, her waist was pressed and she couldn't exert any strength. She gasped and fell back, with two hands that had no place to place and pressed on Shen Ting's body. On the belly of bamboo.

Shen Tingzhu's Adam's apple rolled hard, "Get up."

Lin Qingran's voice was thin and crying, "Then let go." Lying on him like this, she might as well have fallen to the ground.

Shen Tingzhu felt as if his palms were being burned, he quickly let go and clenched his hands into fists.

Lin Qingran stood up unsteadily, her ankles hurting whenever she moved.

Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes lightly, feeling the tremor in his heart. It was not because of the disease, but it was more difficult to resist than the disease. After adjusting his breath a few times, it gradually stabilized, and the little girl's shallow sobs reached his ears.

Shen Tingzhu opened his eyes, "Are you scared?"

Lin Qingran sniffed and refused to move a step because of the pain. She hummed softly, "My foot is twisted."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the feet hidden under her skirt, raised his eyes and pointed at the stone pier behind her, "Sit down."

Fortunately, he didn't let her continue to push, otherwise she would really bite him to death.

Lin Qingran limped to the stone and sat down. She bent down to rub her ankle. She squeezed out tears when she felt the excruciating pain. She retracted her hands and sat there helplessly.

Shen Tingzhu took a deep breath, stood up, walked over, and slowly squatted down in front of her.

Lin Qingran was startled. Before he could speak, he said, "Let me see."

His ankles were held, and he took off his embroidered shoes and placed them on his knees. Under his feet were his pure white robes.

"No need!" Lin Qingran reacted extremely and wanted to retract her foot, but her ankle was tied and it hurt whenever she moved.

"Don't move." Shen Tingzhu frowned and scolded.

He took off her silk stockings with his long fingers and scraped her skin with his fingertips, making Lin Qingran tremble helplessly.

Shen Tingzhu saw that her snow-white ankle was swollen and turned blue.

When Lin Qingran saw her foot held in his palm, tears fell down and she said, "I don't want you to see it."

He is a man, how can he look at her feet.

The cold palm pressed against her swollen ankle. Lin Qingran bit her lip in pain, but couldn't help but let out a groan of pain.

Shen Tingzhu narrowed her eyes and said, "Be patient." The little girl was very delicate, and he was reluctant to cause her pain, "If you don't rub the bruise away, you won't be able to walk tomorrow."

Lin Qingran's tears fell even more fiercely. Tiny sobs circled Shen Tingzhu's ears. Her round toes tightened and she clutched his robe.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes darkened, and he massaged her gently, but he still couldn't stop the little girl's crying.

There is really no part of her body that is not charming.

=== Chapter === 027

Lin Qingran bit her lip, a sound of pain escaped from her throat. With tearful eyes, she looked at the man who was kneeling in front of her. He lowered his eyes and looked attentive.

The embarrassment and embarrassing shame made her ears feel hot.

Lin Qingran turned her head away, trying hard to ignore the palms attached to her skin, but the more she didn't look at them, the clearer the cool touch became. Occasionally, her fingertips scraped the arch of her feet, and Lin Qingran couldn't bear the itch. Trembling.

She choked out a short cry helplessly from her throat, clutched her skirt tightly, and said pitifully: "Are you okay?"

Shen Tingzhu's fingers under her ankles tightened slightly. The tight feeling of being restrained made Lin Qingran panic. The pain in her ankles had eased a lot. She couldn't help but kick his knees, " Let me go quickly."

Under the dark eyes half-covered by long eyelashes, something was quickly hidden, and Shen Tingzhu said slowly: "Okay."

After putting on her shoes and socks, Shen Tingzhu put her feet down.

As soon as she relaxed, Lin Qing hurriedly retracted her feet under her skirt and pressed them tightly against the stone wall.

Shen Tingzhu stood up with a smile. The pain in his knees made the smile on his face fade, and the corners of his lips tightened to hold back.

He glanced at the little girl who was lowering her head and adjusting her skirt. It's better that she didn't notice.

"Get up and see if you can leave."

Lin Qingran clenched her palms and stood up, trying to take two steps. It hurt slightly, but it was bearable.

Shen Tingzhu heard her say in a voice as thin as a mosquito: "Yes."

Her eyes were always lowered, not daring to look at him.

"Then go back."

Lin Qingran raised her eyes in surprise: "You're not looking for Xue Tuan anymore?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her red eyes, fearing that she would really cry if she looked again, he said lightly: "If you see it, send me there."

Lin Qingran wished for this, nodded and walked around him, enduring the pain and quickly returned to Qingyu Pavilion.

Yueying was making the bed in the room. When she saw Lin Qingran coming in in a hurry, her face looked uncomfortable. She put down the things in her hands and stepped forward to ask, "What's wrong, Miss?"

Lin Qingran turned around. She had a lot of things to say that no one could say, but when she saw Yueying's face, something flashed in her mind, and her slightly opened mouth closed again.

Yueying was pointed out to her by that person. A woman suddenly appeared asking for help halfway. He left her behind without even checking. The more Lin Qingran thought about it, the more strange she felt.

Yueying felt vaguely uneasy under her scrutinizing gaze. She touched her face and asked puzzledly: "Miss...why are you looking at this slave like this?"

Lin Qingran lowered his shoulders, let out a long breath, patted his heart with his palms, and said with lingering fear: "Just now, Shen Tingzhu stopped me on the road."

Yueying asked nervously: "Why did the prince stop the young lady?"

Lin Qingran stared at her: "Tingzhu is the diminutive of Prince. I heard about it from my aunt. How did you know?"

"Slave, this slave is called Sister Bihe." A flash of panic flashed in Yueying's eyes and disappeared quickly, but was still caught by Lin Qingran.

Her heart felt cold, and she never thought of leaving Yueying behind several times when she ran away. As a result, she knew the truth from the beginning.

Lin Qingran said expressionlessly: "Go get some water, I want to take a bath."

Yueying was in a state of confusion. She looked at Lin Qingran and hesitated to speak. After a long while, she said "yes" in a low voice and then left.

Knowing that Shen Tingzhu deliberately bullied and lied to her, Lin Qingran was only angry no matter how hard she gritted her teeth, but now she was really heartbroken.

Full of grievances that no one could express, she breathed in the sore tip of her nose. It would be great if Qiu Zhi was here... Lin Qingran's mist-filled eyes gradually focused. She still didn't know how Qingfeng and Qiu Zhi were doing now. .

In the Yangxin Hall, the emperor who was sitting behind the dragon table put down his tea cup, looked at Shen Tingzhu who was sitting below and said with a smile: "Seeing that you are fine, I feel relieved."

Shen Tingzhu raised his head and smiled: "It is my fault to make the emperor worry."

The emperor stared at him for a long time, then clicked his tongue boredly, "Don't show me such a smiley face."

Hearing this, Shen Tingzhu smiled more sincerely, "The emperor still remembers how he promised me."

The emperor's Qingjun face was stained with embarrassment, and he cleared his throat and said: "Your sister is crying to me, what can I do? Furthermore, although I agree with you to go to Jiangning to do business, fundamentally speaking, I still I agree with Madam Hou and your sister."

The emperor looked at Shen Tingzhu and said with a smile: "It won't happen next time, but you can hear me."

Shen Tingzhu was so angry that he burst into laughter, "I obey the order, so I will resign first."

"Where are you going?" The vermilion door of Yangxin Palace was pushed open, and a gentle and reprimanding voice came.

The eunuch followed Shen Zhen and said in fear: "The Queen, please see me."

The emperor was not angry at all when Shen Zhen barged in without being informed, and waved the eunuch away.

Shen Zhen knelt down and saluted the emperor, "I, my concubine, are here to see you, Your Majesty."

The emperor stopped Shen Zhen's movements softly, "I have told you so many times that Zhen'er does not need to salute when she sees me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Zhen straightened up, her tone neither happy nor indifferent.

The slight sense of alienation made Shen Tingzhu frown, but the emperor didn't care. He turned to Shen Tingzhu and said, "Since the queen is here, Shen Zhi, don't leave in a hurry."

"Sister." Shen Tingzhu called softly, finally causing waves in Shen Zhen's eyes. She looked at him with a pair of gentle eyes, filled with deep worry except for scolding.

The emperor ordered someone to show Shen Zhen his seat. Shen Zhen said: "I am afraid that I will disturb the emperor's handling of government affairs. Please allow me to return to the palace to talk with Shen Zhi."

The smile on the emperor's face faded, a hint of loneliness slipped through his eyes, and he quickly said: "Zhen'er is still thoughtful."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at the two of them, said nothing, bowed and followed Shen Zhen to leave the Yangxin Hall.

He did not go to Shen Zhen's palace, but said softly: "Sister, I know what you are going to say."

Shen Zhen looked at her younger brother, who was a compatriot from the same mother, with a sad look on her beautiful and gentle face, "It's best if you really know."

She turned her head away after saying this and hid the sadness in her eyes. They were biological siblings. She knew her brother's temperament best, and she also knew that he had ambitions since he was a child, not like he is now.

Shen Tingzhu sighed and pressed Shen Zhen's shoulder, "Sister, I won't do this nonsense."

Shen Zhen nodded, "It's good that you know." She is his sister, she feels sorry for him and understands his reluctance, but precisely because she is his sister, she hopes he is safe.

Shen Tingzhu said again: "It has been so many years, why do I always vent my anger on the emperor? Even if it happens again, I will still do it."

Shen Zhen smiled: "Sister, I know."

Shen Tingzhu said no more words, said goodbye to Shen Zhen, and left the palace.

Since that night, Lin Qingran has not seen Shen Tingzhu again for two days. Even Xue Tuan has not come to her courtyard for two days, and she doesn't know if she has gone back.

Lin Qingran leaned on the couch and flipped through her storybook absentmindedly. She was still worried about the current situation of Qingfeng and Qiuzhi, but if she wanted to know, she could only ask Shen Tingzhu. When she thought of that person, Lin Qingran became discouraged. He covered his face with the book.

The cold pages of the book were pressed against her face. Lin Qingran somehow thought of the cool feeling of his palm on her ankle. She hurriedly took the book down and exhaled with her eyes open in a daze.

Remembering the "Dudu" knock on the door, Biying said outside: "Girl, I want to see the jade couplet in the Prince's courtyard."

Lin Qingran frowned tightly. What was that man going to do? She bit her lip and said, "Come in."

"I have seen my cousin." Yu Ying bowed to Lin Qingran and said sheepishly: "The snow ball in the prince's courtyard has disappeared again. I have come to see if the girl is here."

Lin Qingran was speechless for a moment. What was going on? She had to do this when the cat was gone?

"I haven't seen it." Lin Qingran said, "You can look for it yourself in the courtyard."

Yu Ying said yes and went out. Lin Qingran leaned back on the couch angrily.

After a while, Biying came in to add carbon, and Lin Qingran asked, "Did you find the snow ball?"

"I haven't found it yet." Biying couldn't help but smile and said: "The girl doesn't know something. Xuetuan's temperamental relatives are not close to the prince for some reason, but the prince likes him, so Yuying is busy on weekdays. The most common thing is to look for snow balls everywhere, but every time I find them, they are gone in the blink of an eye."

Lin Qingran didn't find it strange at all. That person was so bad, and it was only normal that Xuetuan didn't like him.

After Biying went out, Lin Qingran thought about where Xue Tuan might go. After thinking about it, he felt that it was most likely outside his cousin's library.

She sat up. Yu Ying couldn't catch Xuetuan, so she could take Xuetuan there and ask about Qingfeng and Qiuzhi.

But thinking about facing Shen Tingzhu, Lin Qingran hesitated again. After a long time, she finally gathered her strength, put on her cloak and left the Qingyu Pavilion.

The bookstore is clean, and the light and mellow aroma of agarwood floats out from the window, accompanied by the gentle and slow sound of falling. The snow ball that cannot be found in the jade couplets is squatting on the window edge, slowly licking the snow on his paws. hair.

Shen Qi placed a piece, raised his eyes to look at Shen Tingzhu, who was absentmindedly playing with the chess piece, and joked: "Are you here to play chess with me, or are you here to see the cat."

Shen Tingzhu frowned and asked, "What's so good about your place that it loves it so much?"

Hearing Shen Tingzhu's voice, Xue Tuan's soft ears twitched and he jumped down from the window sill lightly.

Shen Tingzhu pursed her thin lips tightly, and her black and white peach blossom eyes showed a bit of gloominess.

Shen Qi couldn't help but burst out laughing. Shen Tingzhu threw the chess piece in his hand, stood up and said, "I'm a little tired. Let's lie down here for a while."

Seeing that he walked around the jade screen in a familiar way, Shen Qi slowly collected the pieces on the chessboard.

Lin Qingran walked around the corner to the back of the bookstore and called softly: "Xuetuan, Xuetuan-meow-meow-"

The sweet voice floated into the room from the window and fell into Shen Qi's ears, and into the ears of Shen Tingzhu who was dozing. He slowly opened his slightly tired eyes.

"You are really here!" Hearing Lin Qingran's excited voice, Shen Tingzhu's lips also raised.

Lin Qingran took the twig in his hand and shook it towards the snow ball lying on the stone basking in the sun.

Xue Tuan raised his head, his eyes were drawn back and forth by the feathers on the twigs, and he jumped to Lin Qingran's feet in a few seconds.

Lin Qingran picked up Xue Tuan and was about to walk out when she turned around and looked at Shen Qi who was standing at the window and looking at him with a smile.

Lin Qingran was startled for a moment, then she curved her lips and smiled at him, "Big cousin."

Shen Qi nodded and replied: "Cousin."

Behind the jade screen, Shen Tingzhu gently pressed down the raised corners of her lips and touched her knuckles repeatedly. Why was it that when she called him, she wasn't so sweet and soft.

=== Chapter === 028

Shen Qi saw the twig in Lin Qingran's hand, his eyes softened and he smiled, "It seems that the thing I gave to my cousin is very useful."

Lin Qingran also smiled, "It's really easy to use. I'll be here as soon as I use this snowball."

As if she understood what Lin Qingran was talking about, Xuetuan raised her head and meowed, and even licked her chin, which made Lin Qingran laugh and hide away, "Don't make trouble, Xuetuan."

The eyes were crooked in confusion, and the bright white face was tinged with red, and the color was hard to hide.

Shen Qi smiled and watched her playing with Xue Tuan. He raised his hand and touched Xue Tuan's furry head. He remembered that his second brother was still resting and was worried about disturbing him, so he said, "Wait for me."

The footsteps faded away, and the bookstore became quiet again. Shen Tingzhu sat up from the slump, supporting his half-slanted body with his arms, without even raising his eyes, as if all his emotions were hidden, but if you take a closer look, You can see the worry looming in his eyes.

Shen Qi chatted with Lin Qingran for a few words, then returned to the library. Seeing Shen Tingzhu sitting at the chess table again, he asked in surprise: "Aren't you going to sleep?"

Shen Tingzhu kept arranging the chess game with his hands, raised his head and glanced at him, "I haven't finished playing just now, so I can't sleep."

Shen Qi stepped forward and saw that Shen Tingzhu had laid out the previous endgame exactly. He put down his robe, sat down, and said with a smile, "Then continue."

Shen Tingzhu nodded.

A cup of tea can make the difference between winning and losing.

The black piece held by Shen Qi was surrounded and he couldn't even breathe. He praised: "My second brother's chess skills have improved again."

Shen Tingzhu just said: "Come again."

At first, Shen Qi was just doing it to relieve his boredom and didn't care about winning or losing. But after being killed in four rounds in a row, he still showed no detours and fierce moves. He inevitably became eager to win and lost. He stared at him and said, "One more round." . "

The evil fire in Shen Tingzhu's heart had almost dissipated. He tossed the chess pieces and said lazily: "I'm a little tired. Let's try another day."

Just when Shen Qi was aroused and was feeling itchy, he was put down by Shen Tingzhu like this, and he couldn't feel the taste all over his body. Worrying about his health, I could only smile and say, "Okay, let's do it next time."

Shen Tingzhu nodded slowly, leaving Shen Qi sitting at the chess table holding the chess pieces repeatedly, then stood up and left the bookstore.

Lin Qingran originally wanted to go to Yuansongju with Xue Tuan in her arms, but as she was just walking on the road, she started to feel frightened.

If it wasn't necessary, she really didn't want to see him at all.

Shen Xi went to Qingyu Pavilion to look for Lin Qingran but was unable to find him. As he was walking back, he looked up and saw Lin Qingran hesitating on the crossroads.

Shen Xi looked happy and said, "Cousin."

She called Lin Qingran, walked forward quickly, and said with a smile: "I just came out of your courtyard, and I was worried that I couldn't find you. I saw you before I came out."

When someone came up to him, Lin Qingran turned around and asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"

Shen Xi was stroking Xue Tuan's head and said unhappily, "You didn't hear a word of what I just said."

Lin Qingran's cheeks clenched slightly. She really didn't hear him. She was hesitant in her heart. All she could think about was whether to go to Shen Tingzhu or not.

Of course, Shen Xi didn't really care about her. She pouted and said, "A new batch of materials has arrived in Yuzhi Zhai. Third sister and I agreed to go and have a look tomorrow. I came here to ask you to join us. I didn't expect you to be here."

Shen Xi pondered her expression, looked around again, and asked strangely: "I saw you standing here in a daze from a distance, what are you thinking about?"

Lin Qingran's eyes flickered and she smiled covertly, "I heard that my second cousin's maid was looking for Xue Tuan, and I happened to see her in the garden, so I was thinking about sending her to Yuansong Residence."

Yuansongju was not far ahead, and Shen Xi simply said: "Then just send it off. I'll go with you."

Before Lin Qingran could make a decision, Shen Xi had already taken her arm and headed towards Yuansongju.

The closer Lin Qingran got, the more he wanted to retreat, "Or else..."

Before she even said the word forget it, Shen Xi looked back and said with a smile, "We're here."

Walking on the path in the bamboo forest, Lin Qingran thought about the last time she escaped from here. If Shen Xi hadn't held her arm, she would have run away again.

When the maid here said that Shen Tingzhu was not here, Lin Qingran breathed a sigh of relief, "Since the second cousin is not here, let's leave first."

Shen Xi glanced at the sky and made a calculation in her mind, "It's still early anyway, let's just wait here."

After saying that, Shen Xi couldn't help but pull Lin Qingran to sit in the Qiaojiao Pavilion.

Lin Qingran touched the snow ball nestled on her legs absentmindedly, feeling restless in her heart.

I don't know how long it took, but gentle footsteps came from the path, accompanied by Wen Qian's voice, "Why are the third sister and cousin here?"

Lin Qingran's fingertips touching Xuetuan shrank, and she raised her eyes to look in the direction where Shen Tingzhu came from. She didn't know if it was an illusion. Although there was a slight smile on his face, his eyes fell on her. But there is an inexplicable depth to it.

Shen Tingzhu saw the twig tied with feathers that she placed on the stool next to her, and the displeasure that had barely disappeared in the bookstore rose again.

The bookstore was remote, but she was able to go around the back of the house to find the snow ball. It was obviously not her first time there. The twigs that teased the cat were given by her eldest brother. She knew him very well.

Shen Xi pointed to the snowball in Lin Qingran's arms, "My cousin heard that the snowball disappeared again. She happened to see the little thing running around, so she brought it to my second brother."

Just now, the irritability in Shen Tingzhu's heart rose without warning, and now it subsided without any reason.

It turned out that the little girl found the snow dumpling to deliver it to him. Her eyes relaxed slightly, and she smiled softly at Lin Qingran: "In that case, I have to thank my cousin."

While talking, Shen Tingzhu had already walked into the pavilion.

Lin Qingran was used to his unpredictable temperament, but she was not used to being as gentle and polite as he was now. She forced a smile and said, "Second cousin, you're welcome."

She came here because of Qingfeng and Qiu Zhi, but Shen Xi was not easy to ask questions about.

Shen Tingzhupin smacked her lips at the tone of her voice when she called him, and lowered her eyes in dissatisfaction.

Shen Xi didn't notice anything was wrong between the two of them, and said to Shen Tingzhu mischievously: "We helped the second brother find the snow dumplings. The second brother must thank us properly."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and looked at her, "Didn't my cousin find it, and you have the nerve to take credit?"

Shen Xi blushed with embarrassment and said angrily: "Second brother!"

Shen Tingzhu smiled indulgently: "What do you want?"

Shen Xi didn't mince words, and said with a squinting smile: "I heard that the second brother's red silk stone rock is polished to produce a thick and even color."

After hearing this, Shen Tingzhu ordered his servants to go to the study to get it.

Shen Xi said happily: "Thank you, second brother."

Lin Qingran saw that he was so easy to talk to, so she asked him about Qiuzhi and the others, thinking that he could also tell her.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at Lin Qingran, and saw that the snowy cheeks under her eyes were slightly rosy due to the wind, and ordered someone to boil water, "I'll cook the newly arrived Jiuquhongmei for you to try."

Shen Xi's eyes lit up and she said to Lin Qingran: "Second brother only uses the dew on the petals collected before Xi Zhao to make tea. The tea brewed has a fragrant aroma and a clear soup color that cannot be drunk anywhere else."

"Then I'm in for a treat." Lin Qingran smiled cooperatively, but in her heart she just scolded him for showing off. She often drank herbal tea when she was with her.

Shen Tingzhu found it interesting when he saw the little girl's inconsistent expression. He lowered his eyes to hide his smile, and used a fire hook to flick the coals in the furnace to make the fire burn brighter.

Shen Tingzhu rolled up his sleeve with his left hand and held a lamp with his right hand. His flowing movements were like a beautiful painting.

Although Lin Qingran was dismissive in her heart, her eyes still followed his movements involuntarily.

At this time, a maidservant came over in a hurry. It was Chuntao from Shen Xi's yard. She bowed to several people and then said to Shen Xi: "Miss, Madam has something important to do. I asked this servant to invite you over."

Shen Xi frowned and said, "I'll go there right away."

When Lin Qingran saw that she was leaving, she also stood up.

Shen Tingzhu didn't raise his eyelids and said slowly, "It seems that my tea was wasted."

Shen Xi wrinkled her face in embarrassment. Her mother was impatient and would be scolded if she was late. She held down Lin Qingran who was about to get up and said, "My cousin is still here. Second brother's tea is not a waste."

Lin Qingran opened his eyes wide: "...me."

Shen Tingzhu pushed the tea cup in front of her and said with a smile, "I can only ask my cousin to give it a try."

He said it politely, but Lin Qingran couldn't even refuse in front of Shen Xi and the maid, and could only watch Shen Xi walk away.

He timidly held the tea cup with his fingertips, pressed it to his lips and took a sip. The tea soup was clear and sweet in the mouth, and the fragrance lingered on his lips and teeth.

However, Lin Qingran was not in the mood to sip tea at this time. When she raised her eyes, she found that all the servants in the court had retreated at some point, leaving only her and Shen Tingzhu.

Lin Qingran sat down and became nervous immediately.

Shen Tingzhu poured tea by herself and spoke slowly: "Didn't my cousin say that it would be best not to see her? Why did she find her by herself?"

His calm tone was filled with questions and a bit of expectation that he was unaware of.

Lin Qingran licked his lips awkwardly and used the snowball in his arms as an excuse, "I told you last time that I would find it and bring it to you."

Lin Qingran looked at him quietly, with a smile in her slightly curved peach blossom eyes. She thought he was in a good mood at the moment, so she thought carefully and said, "I'll find a snow dumpling for you, can you..."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and looked at the little girl who was hesitant to speak, "How is it?"

Lin Qingran said vigorously: "Didn't you ask Mo Ci to find my guards that time at the ruined temple? How are they doing now?"

Shen Tingzhu once again looked at the snowball in her arms and the twigs at her hand, and her voice became calmer, "You have something to ask for, so you brought the snowball."

After being exposed at once, his tone was still so rude. Lin Qingran was so embarrassed that she couldn't help but retort in a low voice, "Don't you think you should give me an explanation? Master."

Although the last three words are light, they are quite gritty.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a moment before nodding. Yes, she dared to threaten him.

He said calmly: "Give me that and I will tell you."

Lin Qingran lowered her eyes following his gaze and picked up the twig, "What do you mean?"

She handed over the suspicious thing, and Shen Tingzhu reached out to take it and put it aside casually, "You are not allowed to accept brother's things in the future."

Lin Qingran nodded subconsciously, then was startled, "Why should I listen to you?"

Whose things does she accept and what does it have to do with him.

Shen Tingzhu wrote lightly: "I don't like it."

Yes, he just doesn't like it. He doesn't like her calling her cousin Shen Qi sweetly, and he doesn't like her accepting his things. He can give her whatever she wants.

Lin Qingran was shocked by his natural words. What did he mean that he didn't like it? What on earth was he going to do.

Lin Qingran had seen his wanton domineering behavior and didn't want to deal with him. She just wanted to find out the matter quickly and leave.

She avoided the question and said, "I've given you the things too. Can my cousin tell me?"

For the first time, Shen Tingzhu showed no embarrassment and replied: "They are fine."

Lin Qingran immediately asked: "Then where are they now?"

"Cousin..." Shen Tingzhu paused, thinking that her eldest brother also called her cousin, so she changed her words, "Ranran, this is your second question."

He raised his lips and smiled, and said with a bewitching voice: "Promise me, and I will tell you again."

The two words "soft" rolled out of her lips and tongue, like whispers in the ears of someone close to her. Shen Tingzhu had also called her Ranran before, but it was not like this.

Lin Qingran hurriedly avoided his eyes, annoyed that he didn't know what to do, but if he knew what to do, he wouldn't have taken off her shoes and socks to rub her feet.

Lin Qingran shrank her feet timidly.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the blush that spread to her ears, and suddenly lost consciousness. Something seemed to stir in her heart, and she narrowed her eyes slightly, wondering if the redness would fade a little further, wouldn't it look better.

Shen Tingzhu's voice became hoarse, "Can Ranran agree?"

The white jade earrings pulled at the red soft flesh and hooked Shen Ting's eyes as deep as ink.

Lin Qingran was afraid that if she didn't agree, he would keep calling her. If someone listened, she would be in big trouble.

"I promise, don't scream like that."

The anxious and hasty voice made Shen Tingzhu regain his composure. After a moment of silence, he picked up the slightly cold tea on the table and drank it in one gulp.

He managed to ease the burning feeling in his heart before he spoke, "They have already returned to Lin Mansion."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes, "Also, I don't agree."

Ranran is the only one he can call.

=== Chapter === 029

Shen Tingzhu looked at Lin Qingran who stood up and left angrily. His wide sleeves were blown up by the wind, and he stepped especially hard.

Angry?

Shen Tingzhu smiled silently, parted his lips and said, "Cat."

Lin Qingran turned a deaf ear. She didn't want to listen to this domineering and unreasonable person at all.

Shen Tingzhu was behind her and sighed softly, "Ranran took my cat away. Do you want me to go to Qingyu Pavilion again?"

After saying that, he felt a little regretful and shouldn't have been reminded.

Lin Qingran's steps suddenly stopped. She lowered her eyes and looked at the snow ball still in her arms. She gritted her porcelain white teeth and turned around helplessly.

Shen Tingzhu still looked clean and gentle, "It's not convenient for me to move around."

He wanted Lin Qingran to go there by himself.

Lin Qingran moved her feet depressedly and returned to the pavilion.

Xuetuan's long tail hung down, and his furry head rested on Lin Qingran's arm. He was sleeping soundly, not realizing at all who he was about to be delivered to.

Even a relative like Xuetuan didn't like him. You can imagine how bad this person was. Lin Qingran couldn't help but shrink her hands, and she couldn't bear to send Xuetuan back.

When Shen Tingzhu saw the sleeping Xue Tuan being hugged back again, his eyes followed him, "What's wrong?"

Lin Qingran hesitated and said, "Don't bully it."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyelids, his eyes innocent and confused, "When have I ever bullied it?"

When Xuetuan was a child, he loved to play, and he would always accompany her. When she got tired from playing, she would sleep in his hands with her belly stretched out, and when she made herself dirty, he would always wash it clean. Pure.

Who would have thought that he would actually develop a white-eyed wolf.

Lin Qingran didn't believe him when he said he wasn't bullying, but Xuetuan was his cat and there was no reason for her to take him away. Moreover, if she did, he would have even more reason to tease him.

After weighing the situation, Lin Qingran decided to send the snow group over.

Shen Tingzhu didn't get up, so Lin Qingran had no choice but to walk over, bend down, and slowly put the snowball on his lap bit by bit, reminding him in a low voice, "Be gentle."

Shen Tingzhu also forgot how long it had been since he hugged Xue Tuan. He tightened his lips and took it carefully, "Okay."

Suddenly he changed his nest, Xue Tuan flicked his tail and moved his body, "Meow—"

Lin Qingran dared to get closer, touched its round belly soothingly, and whispered softly: "Xue Tuan, good boy, go to sleep."

The fragrant warmth eliminated the distance, and a few strands of the hanging hair stuck to Shen Tingzhu's robe. The little girl almost put herself in his arms.

Seeing Shen Tingzhu standing still, Lin Qingran urged in a low voice: "You touch it."

Don't look back. Xuetuan wakes up and runs away, relying on her again.

Shen Tingzhu stared at her beautiful side face, which was so close at hand. She could no longer focus her eyes on Xuetuan, and lightly opened her thin lips: "Okay."

The hot air swept from her throat brushed against Lin Qingran's ears. She raised her eyes and met Shen Tingzhu's deep eyes. The two of them were so close without even realizing it!

The key was that she kept getting closer. Her mind exploded and she quickly let go and took two steps back.

She blushed, stumbled and slurred: "Give it back, I'll leave first."

Lin Qingran ran away almost in a panic, leaving only the faint fragrance of her body in the pavilion, intertwined with the fragrance of tea.

Shen Tingzhu slowly stroked the snow ball that was sleeping on his lap, his eyes always looking in the direction where Lin Qingran left.

Lin Qingran couldn't sleep well all night again. Even when she accompanied Shen Xi and Shen Shu out the next day, she looked helpless.

Shen Shu was thoughtful, looked at her expression, and asked, "You didn't sleep well last night. You look listless."

Lin Qingran nodded wilfully, "I'm a little tired."

As soon as she fell asleep last night, she began to have some ridiculous dreams. She dreamed that she was playing with snowballs, but then she sat in Shen Tingzhu's arms. She screamed in shock, but the sound coming from her throat was thin. A cat meowed, and then she saw herself turning into a snow ball in Shen Tingzhu's eyes. But Shen Tingzhu was still touching her, calling Ranran.

She was so frightened that she immediately woke up from her dream, and then she never dared to sleep again, and she stayed up until dawn in a daze.

Shen Shu said softly: "Then don't let the servants come and tell me. It will be the same after you take a nap."

Lin Qingran was naturally embarrassed to make the two of them wait for him, and said with a smile: "I'm not afraid that I'll be late, because all the good materials have been chosen."

Shen Xi interjected: "My cousin doesn't know something. Every time Yu Zhi Zhai returns new materials, he will keep them for us to choose first."

Lin Qingran thought about it. This was a common way for merchants to retain big customers.

Unexpectedly, when they went to Dao Yuzhi Zhai, the shopkeeper smiled apologetically and said: "The newly arrived pieces of cloud brocade and flower silk were all bought by the people sent by the prince yesterday, and they were given sizes to make ready-made clothes."

The shopkeeper said sarcastically: "I thought the third and fifth girls knew about it."

Shen Xi and Shen Shu looked at each other with shock on their faces.

Although Shen Shu was also curious, he didn't ask any more questions. Shen Xi couldn't bear it and said, "Who are those clothes for?"

The shopkeeper said: "I don't know about that."

Shen Xi thought for a moment and said, "Show me the size."

Shen Shu saw the shopkeeper's dilemma and said to Shen Xi, "This is not good."

"What's wrong?" Shen Xi raised her chin, "Go quickly."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a while. Anyway, it was just a size and he couldn't tell who it was.

"Girl, wait a moment." The shopkeeper quickly brought the record book.

Lin Qingran also took a look and saw the number on the booklet. She was stunned at first. Gradually, her dark eyes widened and she stared at the words on the booklet in disbelief, as if she didn't recognize it. Why did the person above remember it? Her stature is one of a kind.

Lin Qingran looked at Shen Xi, who was still thinking about it, and suddenly felt a little light-headed. She hurriedly sat down on the chair, feeling at a loss in her heart.

After leaving Yuzhi Pavilion, the three of them did not go back directly to the house, but went to Fushun Restaurant.

Lin Qingran sipped the steamed cheese with sugar in the bowl, hearing the whispering sounds of the two sisters Shen Xi.

Shen Xi had the biggest reaction, "Third Sister, who do you think Second Brother is making these clothes for?"

Shen Shu stared and shook his head, "I don't know either."

Shen Xi hooked up the handkerchief in her hand, her face full of excitement, "Second brother must have taken a fancy to any girl, she is so intimate as to give her clothes, and she also knows her size."

Shen Xi covered her mouth and smiled ambiguously. Lin Qingran's hand holding the porcelain spoon trembled slightly, and it made a crisp sound when she hit the mouth of the bowl. She raised her eyes nervously, but fortunately neither of them noticed her.

Lin Qingran gritted her teeth secretly, could that person really make clothes for her? She quickly denied it in her mind, it must not be, it must not be, it must be just a coincidence, it must be that she and the woman are similar in stature.

Shen Shu frowned after hearing Shen Xi's words, "Don't make any wild guesses, maybe he is making clothes for auntie."

Shen Xi disagreed: "This is not the height of an aunt, she is much thinner than me." She turned to look at Lin Qingran, "I guess she is about the same as my cousin."

Seeing the two people looking at him, Lin Qingran tightened his grip on his scalp, bulging his belly vigorously, and said in a weak voice, "I'm not that thin either."

Fortunately, Shen Xi didn't think about Lin Qingran. She added, "It's such a delicate color, it must be worn by my daughter."

"Maybe in a while, we will have a sister-in-law."

Seeing that she was getting more outrageous, Shen Shu quickly scolded: "Stop talking nonsense."

Shen Xi stuck out her tongue angrily and bumped Lin Qingran's shoulder, "Cousin, what do you think?"

Lin Qingran smiled reluctantly, "My second cousin and I are not familiar with each other, how could I know."

She pondered for a long time and said to the two people: "Let's not make random guesses. If people listen, we will be in trouble if something goes wrong."

Shen Xi nodded.

Lin Qingran's heart was in a state of turmoil, and even the sweet cheese didn't taste good in her mouth.

After leaving the restaurant, the three of them went to the study for a walk. By the time they returned to the house, it was almost evening.

After bypassing the Weeping Flower Gate, Lin Qingran walked towards the Qingyu Pavilion alone. From a distance, she saw Yueying already waiting on the path.

Lin Qingran lowered the corners of her lips. Before, she always carried Yueying with her wherever she went. Ever since she learned that she was also Shen Tingzhu's, she had not allowed her to serve her personally.

Yueying ran forward in a small step and said, "Young lady is back. Your servants have left the food warm in the kitchen, so you can eat it now."

Lin Qingran said indifferently: "I will go and tell the Crown Prince someday to ask you to go back to him."

Yueying's face turned pale and she followed Lin Qingran silently.

After dinner, Mrs. Qin went to Yuansongju to see her son.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "Why is mother coming here now?"

Mrs. Qin adjusted the blanket on his knees and said, "It will be your grandmother's birthday in a few days."

Shen Tingzhu nodded: "My son remembered it."

Mrs. Qin smiled softly: "Of course mother knows that you remember it. Mother wants to say that by then girls from all the families will also come to celebrate your birthday. You are not too young anymore."

Shen Tingzhu understood Qin's meaning and his expression calmed down, "Mom, don't worry about it."

"How can you not worry about this?" Ms. Qin said sternly: "I have discussed with your grandmother, and we should choose a caring wife for you."

Shen Tingzhu said in a calm voice with no emotion, "With a body like mine, whoever I marry will be a drag on her."

"Nonsense!" Ms. Qin couldn't bear to hear her son say such depressing words, so she sternly scolded, "You are the prince of the Hou family. Whoever you marry will be the prince's wife. How can you be a burden to your future mistress."

Shen Tingzhu didn't think so, but he didn't refute it. He felt tired after talking too much.

"The legitimate daughter of Lord Censor Wang of Zuodu. My mother thought she was nice. She is gentle and quiet. From what your sister said, she should also like you." Ms. Qin looked at Shen Tingzhu and said, "Have you seen this before?" several times."

Shen Tingzhu couldn't even remember who she was talking about or what his face looked like, so he just said calmly: "My son doesn't like it."

Mrs. Qin said softly: "What do you like? Mother can consult with your sister."

Shen Tingzhu raised her eyes and said helplessly, "Mother, I'm tired."

Mrs. Qin knew that he was making an excuse, but her eyes still showed concern, "It's getting late. You should have a good rest. We'll talk about it on your grandmother's birthday. You should also take a good look."

Shen Tingzhu did not comment: "I will take you out."

Qin didn't allow him to send it away, "You have a good rest."

The door opened and closed, letting in a bit of cool breeze. Shen Tingzhu coughed twice and lowered his eyes, twirling his fingertips to think about what he would like.

A pair of wet eyes appeared in my mind, they would show their claws fiercely at him, and they were pitiful and needed his protection and care, just like the snowballs when they were young.

If there was going to be someone by his side in the future, he hoped it would be Lin Qingran. Shen Tingzhu froze suddenly, startled by his own thoughts, but everything seemed to become clear.

However, his eyes swept across his knees, and the light that had just appeared dimmed.

Yu Ying saw Qin off and returned to the house, "Your Majesty, I still need to invite my cousin over."

Shen Tingzhu was silent for a long time before saying, "No need."

For several days, Lin Qingran was busy accompanying Mrs. Lin in the Buddhist hall to copy scriptures for Mrs. Shen's blessings, and had no time to think about Shen Tingzhu.

After a while, after finally copying the last volume, Lin Qingran could take some time to walk around in the garden.

She was walking by the lake holding the hand stove, and saw from a distance the two people sitting in the waterside pavilion, it was Shen Qi and Shen Tingzhu.

She wanted to walk away quietly, but the two of them looked at each other at the same time. Lin Qingran was frozen in place, neither leaving nor leaving.

After thinking for a while, she nodded and smiled at Shen Qi as a greeting. As for Shen Tingzhu, she glanced at it quickly and didn't dare to look at it.

Shen Tingzhu said nothing, taking in all the back and forth between the two of them.

When Lin Qingran turned around and no one smiled at him, Shen Tingzhu's heart sank slightly and finally couldn't help but command: "Go and invite my cousin over."

=== Chapter === 030

Lin Qingran followed the maid who came to invite him and slowly walked to the waterside pavilion. His eldest cousin was also there, so he couldn't do anything.

Lin Qingran reluctantly calmed down and smiled Yingying at Shen Qi, "Big cousin."

Shen Qi smiled back, "Cousin."

Lin Qingran quietly looked at Shen Tingzhu with her peripheral vision, and when she met his smiling eyes, Lin Qingran's fingertips trembled slightly, she pursed her lips and said to him, "Second cousin."

Shen Tingzhu knew before that the little girl's call to him as second cousin was far less pleasant than when she called her eldest brother, but now when he compared the two together, he really felt uncomfortable.

Shen Tingzhu remained silent.

There was no response, and Lin Qingran was extremely embarrassed for a moment.

When Shen Qi saw Shen Tingzhu inviting someone over, but didn't say anything, he frowned slightly in disapproval as the girl's house was so cramped.

He raised his hand to invite Lin Qingran to take a seat, with his usual gentle and polite manner, "It's cold outside and there's a stove burning here. Cousin, why don't you sit down and warm yourself up."

There are two empty stools next to the carved round table, one leaning against Shen Qi and the other leaning against Shen Tingzhu.

Lin Qingran chose where to sit without even thinking about it. Shen Tingzhu saw her thoughts and glanced at her, his thin lips slightly curved, and an unpredictable smile condensed on his lips.

When Lin Qingran saw his smile, her step towards Shen Qi suddenly froze. After nearly a month of getting along, Lin Qingran knew very well that every time he smiled like this, he was definitely trying to rub himself.

Shen Qi did not catch the flash of emotion on Shen Tingzhu's face.

He patted the stool beside him, regained his gentle and elegant look, and smiled at Lin Qingran: "It's close to the charcoal fire here, so it's warm."

Shen Qi had no doubt that he was there. When he saw Lin Qingran's pale face, which was blown red by the wind, he also said: "Cousin, please sit closer to the fire."

Lin Qingran felt even more depressed when she heard her eldest cousin say the same thing. She thought of a reason and just when she was about to speak, she saw Shen Tingzhu smiling and parting her lips silently.

A little bit of white teeth could be seen vaguely, and his tongue was slightly curled. Lin Qingran carefully discerned what he was reciting, and followed Qian Qian in his mind,...Ran...Ran.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips tightly. Shen Tingzhu knew that she understood and was not in a hurry, waiting for her to sit down.

Lin Qingran was flustered, afraid that he would really call her that in front of other people, so she had no choice but to move over step by step and sit down next to Shen Tingzhu.

As soon as she sat down, the warmth from the incense burner swept up the faint fragrance of tea on Chen Tingzhu's body, wrapping her up together, making her unable to escape.

What made Lin Qingran even more desperate was that she actually felt quite comfortable under the warm temperature.

Lin Qingran simply stretched out his palms and moved closer to the furnace. Shen Tingzhu couldn't do anything to him anyway, that is, to scare her.

She wrinkled the tip of her nose, annoyed at herself for being so careless.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes to look at her. Just a moment ago, his eyes were filled with mist and mist, and he was panicking. In a moment, he warmed his hands with contentment, but the tip of his wrinkled nose looked angry.

He laughed silently and reminded: "Don't get so close, be careful of getting burned."

Lin Qingran hummed reluctantly through her nose.

On the other side, Shen Qi took a clean tea cup, poured some tea and handed it to her, "Cousin, take a sip of tea to warm yourself up."

Lin Qingran raised his eyes and smiled: "Thank you, cousin."

Shen Tingzhu frowned and said in a voice colder than the sky, "This tea is already cold." He took the tea cup handed by Shen Qi and poured all the tea in the pot into the sea of tea.

This time Shen Qi finally sensed something was wrong. He took back his hand and looked at Shen Tingzhu calmly.

Shen Tingzhu didn't look at him, but said to Lin Qingran, "I cooked it for you."

Lin Qingran bit her lip tightly and looked at the man calmly making tea next to her in shame.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and said, "Don't worry."

Lin Qingran moved her lips weakly, she was not in a hurry.

The eldest cousin looked at her with a look that made Lin Qingran feel on pins and needles. Shen Tingzhu was still pouring tea unhurriedly. The heat from the stove made her heart anxious. She clenched her hands and smiled. : "I suddenly remembered that my aunt is still waiting for me, and I have to leave now."

It was this familiar excuse again, Shen Tingzhu didn't even raise his eyelids, "The tea is not ready yet."

Lin Qingran bit her lip and glared at him.

She was worried that Shen Qi would notice something strange, but she also subconsciously felt that he might be able to help her.

She cast a helpless look at him with trembling eyes, her slender eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyes flickered with confusion.

Shen Qi was not sure what was the reason for Shen Tingzhu's sudden strange behavior, but Lin Qingran's expression at this moment showed her difficulty in resisting.

Shen Qi smiled and said, "Since my cousin still has something to do, we won't delay." He said to Shen Tingzhu, "Second brother said."

The corners of Shen Tingzhu's lips sank slightly. He raised his eyelids and saw Lin Qingran smiling gratefully at Shen Qi. His eyes slightly curved and his lips curled up.

Lin Qingran felt emboldened when her eldest cousin spoke, and she dared not look sideways, pretending not to see Shen Tingzhu's gaze falling on her.

Shen listened to the bamboo clatter and put down the teapot, and said in a calm voice, "Forget it then."

He is also a little white-eyed wolf like Xue Tuan.

Lin Qingran breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and said goodbye to the two of them gracefully, and walked out of the waterside pavilion calmly. She didn't run away quickly until she turned the corner and made sure that Shen Tingzhu couldn't see her.

The little girl's figure disappeared from his sight, and Shen Tingzhu looked away silently.

Shen Qi looked at his expression and thought: "Cousin Lin is generous and gentle. She doesn't have the arrogance of a noble daughter from aristocratic families. Instead, she is innocent and cute. What does my second brother think?"

Shen Tingzhu thought it was funny, she was not coquettish.

But he didn't want to talk about Lin Qingran with Shen Qi. He only said: "I shouldn't have said this to my eldest brother, but my eldest brother also knows my body. In the future, the prosperity of the Hou Mansion will depend on my eldest brother. Of course, marrying a wife will also relation."

Although Shen Qi could not avoid showing off his appearance, he could still be considered calm. However, Shen Tingzhu's almost straightforward and sharp words still made his face slightly hot.

But he calmed down quickly. He really felt that his cousin was soft, charming, and lovable. He unconsciously felt closer to her, but he never thought about it.

The second brother, on the other hand, has always had a calm temperament. Although he has a gentle attitude towards everyone on the surface, in reality he is aloof to something, and such sharpness... at least is the first time in front of him.

Shen Qi did not comment on his words: "Although the Lin family are merchants, they are a wealthy family in Jiangning, and they are still incomparable with other merchants."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes narrowed slightly, but his face didn't show any signs of it.

After Shen Qi finished speaking, he stood up first, "I have to go to the library, so I won't accompany my second brother."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows lightly and said, "Brother, please."

As the person walked away, his eyes became colder.

The closer to Mrs. Shen's birthday party, everyone in the house became busy, except Shen Tingzhu.

Lin Qingran looked up at Yu Ying who walked into the room in annoyance, and said with a smile on her face, "Xue Tuan is gone again?"

Xue Tuan was untouchable and had to be lost once a day, so that person would ask her to find him every day. She came to her because of Xuetuan's love, and she would have to be responsible for it for the rest of her life.

Yu Ying also saw Lin Qingran's anger and said softly and cautiously: "I have no choice but to do it. If I can't find Xuetuan, the prince will definitely punish me."

Lin Qingran gritted her teeth unbearably and scolded Shen Tingzhu from head to toe in her heart. Finally, she stood up and walked out with a sigh of relief.

Walking down the small stone bridge, Lin Qingran called for snow balls and pushed aside the haystacks to look for them.

Shen Qi returned home from duty and was walking on the veranda when he vaguely heard Lin Qingran's soft and soft voice.

He walked towards the direction where the sound came from, and after searching for a while, he saw Lin Qingran leaning towards the rockery with his feet on his feet.

He smiled and walked over. Yu Ying was the first to see him, bowed and saluted, "Young Master."

Lin Qingran turned around when he heard the sound and saw that it was Shen Qi. He immediately lowered his eyes and complained: "My cousin is back."

Shen Qi saw that she looked wrong and frowned: "I heard your voice from so far away, and the snow ball disappeared again?"

Lin Qingran did not express his grievances, but just nodded, "I helped my second cousin find snow balls several times before, so my second cousin asked me to help him look for them again."

Shen Qi looked at her frowning in distress, thinking that this was not a once or twice happened. He suddenly thought that every time the second brother wanted to watch snow balls at his place, he would use it as an excuse to play chess.

So what is his excuse this time.

Shen Qi said to Yu Ying: "Go to Wentang Courtyard to find Dongping. He knows where to find Xuetuan."

Finally, someone came to her rescue, so she didn't have to see that person. Lin Qingran's eyes were filled with secret joy that she couldn't hide. She could only lower her eyes to cover it up for fear of leaking her emotions.

Yu Ying's face looked troubled, and Shen Qi's voice deepened a little, "If the prince waits for a long time, he will definitely be blamed, so why don't you go quickly."

Yu Ying secretly worried that if she went back like this, the prince would really be blamed.

In Yuansong Residence, Shen Tingzhu looked expressionlessly at Dongping, who was holding a snowball in front of him. He raised his fingertips and pointed them at the edge of the table. In his hand were the clothes sent by Yuzhizhai.

He waved Dong Ping away and looked sideways at the clothes at hand. Originally, he just wanted to give these to the little girl, who liked fashionable clothes the most.

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips and smiled lightly, but since she didn't come, he had no choice but to go over.

=== Chapter === 031

The setting sun fell on the lake in the garden, and Lin Qingran followed Shen Qi while walking slowly along the lake.

Although he escaped this time, Lin Qingran was murmuring in his heart. That person was not easy to get rid of, and he wondered if he would use other methods to torment him.

Shen Qi is good at explaining things. He turned to look at Lin Qingran, who was drooping his head, and said with a smile, "It seems that Xuetuan has caused a lot of trouble for my cousin."

Lin Qingran shook her head, "Xue Tuan is very well-behaved." She lowered her eyes and asked tentatively, "It's just that I don't understand why it always runs away when it sees its second cousin."

She did not directly ask Shen Tingzhu if he bullied Xuetuan.

Shen Qi rarely didn't know how to answer Lin Qingran's question. He looked at the lake and said, "My second brother rarely likes anything. He likes snow balls, but he doesn't know how to play with them."

Lin Qingran felt that her eldest cousin must have been deceived by Shen Tingzhu. She liked him like this. If he didn't like him, he might have been bullied.

Shen Qi also found it incredible that in ordinary things, whether dealing with people or dealing with things, the second brother could do it at his fingertips, making it impossible for anyone to make any mistakes, but he made a mess with a cat.

But now, this situation is clearly showing signs of spilling over.

Shen Qi looked at Lin Qingran again, thought for a moment, and said, "If Xue Tuan runs around again, have someone go to Wentang Courtyard to look for Dong Ping, and he will look for him."

Lin Qingran didn't feel like saying anything more, so he nodded and said, "Then I'll thank my cousin first."

Shen Qi looked at the charming smile on her lips and was absent-minded for a moment. He said, "I also have something to ask my cousin for help."

Lin Qingran naturally agreed: "Cousin, please tell me."

Shen Qi smiled and said: "It's my grandma's birthday in a few days. I have prepared several gifts, but I am not sure which one to choose, so I want to ask my cousin to help me take a look."

When the eldest cousin smiles, it is pure gentleness that makes people feel like a spring breeze, unlike that man, who always has some evil hidden in his smile.

Lin Qingran agreed immediately, "My cousin has found the right person. I am good at picking things."

Shen Qi said: "The things are in the library."

Lin Qingran followed him to the bookstore.

By the time she left the book pavilion, it was already half dark when she returned to the Qingyu Pavilion. There were no servants in the courtyard, only Yueying was waiting anxiously.

Seeing Lin Qingran approaching, Yueying relaxed, stepped forward and said, "Young lady is back."

Lin Qingran was still angry with her, so he hummed indifferently and stepped forward while walking away from her.

Yueying kept up the pace and stopped talking: "Miss, inside the house..."

She wanted to remind Lin Qingran that the Crown Prince was in the house, but since she was the Crown Prince's son, she would definitely be punished for making arbitrary decisions.

Lin Qingran looked at the dark room without lights, turned around and asked, "What?"

Yueying struggled for a moment but still didn't say anything. She just lowered her head and said, "I'll go arrange the dishes."

Lin Qingran frowned and walked up the stone steps toward the main room. When she opened the door, she smelled the faint fragrance of tea and the subtle bitter medicinal smell lingering in the air.

A very familiar smell, it's...

Before Lin Qingran could react, where had he smelled this smell, a voice of incomprehensible joy and anger sounded in the darkness—

"Ranran asked me to wait."

Lin Qingran thought he was delusional. A figure could be vaguely seen in the room. It was Shen Tingzhu! How dare he stay in her room so openly? He's not afraid of being discovered!

Lin Qingran's back was stiff, and it took him a while to regain his composure. He whispered with a trembling voice: "Second...cousin."

Shen Tingzhu lit the oil lamp on the table with a fire stick, and that handsome face suddenly appeared in Lin Qingran's sight.

Her cool eyes wandered over Lin Qingran's body, making her body become weaker every inch, and she smiled reluctantly, "Why is your second cousin here?"

"If I can't wait for Ranran, I have no choice but to come here by myself." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Lin Qingran's heart trembled and she closed her eyes. Sure enough, it was because she didn't send the snowball that he came to her room like this.

Shen Tingzhu looked at Lin Qingran who was still frozen at the door, and still said lightly, "If you don't come in, you'll have to wait until the maid comes back."

He wasn't afraid of anyone knowing at all, but he was still sure that she wouldn't dare.

Lin Qingran bit her lip in silence, she really didn't dare.

He stepped into the threshold, closed the door with his backhand, stood at the door with shrinking steps, and asked in a low voice and angrily: "What on earth are you going to do?"

Shen Tingzhu did not answer her question. He thought that the little girl had returned to Qingyun Pavilion if she did not go to him. Who would have thought that she would follow her elder brother.

Xue Tuan liked to cling to others, and he could laugh it off. At most, he felt a little uncomfortable, but now he was a little girl, and he found that he couldn't bear it at all.

Waiting here for an hour has never been more difficult.

Shen Tingzhu asked quietly: "Where did Ranran and eldest brother go and what did they do? Don't lie to me, I can see it."

Lin Qingran had the feeling that he had gotten into trouble when he was a child. Every time at that time, his father would speak to him sternly like this.

But why should he care about himself? Lin Qingran dared to be angry but did not dare to say anything, but she did not want him to control her like this, so she whispered softly: "I didn't intend to lie to you, but why should I tell you."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her unexpectedly, and when Lin Qingran met his gaze, half of the energy she had finally mustered up was gone.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a while, then nodded and said, "Ranran knows my secret, and if you refuse to tell it, then I have to wonder if you leaked it."

Lin Qingran frowned, "I just went to help my eldest cousin choose a gift for Mrs. Shen."

"Just choose a gift now?" Shen Tingzhu frowned.

Lin Qingran was annoyed, "The Qingyu Pavilion is so far away from the Book Pavilion, why doesn't it take so long?"

Shen Tingzhu answered: "I know it's far away, so I won't go there next time."

Lin Qingran said nothing and held her cold hands. Because she was looking for snow balls, she didn't bring a hand stove with her when she went out. Her feet and hands were cold along the way.

When she returned to the room, there was still such a evil star waiting, and Lin Qingran felt like crying without tears.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a while, then stood up and walked to her. Lin Qingran was startled and hurriedly retreated to the door panel, with his back against the door and his cheek suddenly pressed against a thin hand. There was a fire burning in the room. It was rare this time. Shen Tingzhu's hands were warmer than hers.

The gentle and warm touch made Lin Qingran panic. She trembled her eyelashes and almost begged: "I, can't I promise?"

Shen Tingzhu realized what the promise in her mouth meant, and the words that had been lingering in his mind just now disappeared completely, and he smiled happily, "This is what Ranran said herself."

His eyes fell to Lin Qingran's increasingly red cheeks, "Is it cold?"

Lin Qingran shook her head like a rattle and took the opportunity to avoid his hand.

Shen Tingzhu put his palm next to Lin Qingran's clenched hand. Lin Qingran stared at his palm with a pair of black eyes. She even began to wonder whether Shen Tingzhu was hitting her to scare her to death. A once and for all idea.

Seeing that she was motionless, Shen Tingzhu held her hand and said, "My hands are so cold too."

"...Let go." Lin Qingran said helplessly and tremblingly.

"Is it warm?" He lowered his eyes and stared at Lin Qingran, more like talking to himself, with an inexplicable sourness, "I can warm your hands."

Lin Qingran looked at him in shock, her fingers wrapped in his palm timidly, her mind was in confusion, her pursed lips were slightly open, and she was breathing short and weakly.

When she didn't know his identity at first, she could still say that he didn't know etiquette and the five permanent principles. But now, how could he not know whether men and women should be intimate or not, yet he still covered her hands without hesitation, and even rubbed her feet before? !

Before the warmth in his palms faded away, Shen Tingzhu let her go. Lin Qingran's eyes were red and she squeezed her hands tightly behind her back. There was uneasiness in her eyes. What on earth was he going to do? He had to bully her like this. ?

When Shen Tingzhu opened the door, Lin Qingran thought he was finally leaving, but she didn't expect that he just ordered Yue Ying to serve the meal.

The other maids in the courtyard were sent to unknown places, and Lin Qingran suddenly felt like she was back on their way to Beijing. When they were together day and night, she couldn't escape no matter what.

Lin Qingran sat at the other end of the small table, feeling frustrated. She stared at Yueying who was setting the dishes with red eyes, and said to Shen Tingzhu: "Take your people away."

Shen Tingzhu was eating with a bowl in hand. After swallowing the rice in his mouth, he said calmly: "This is the maid Ranran brought. What's going on if I leave."

Lin Qingran saw that he was obviously playing rogue, but there was nothing he could do about him, so he could only put the rice in his mouth.

Contrary to Lin Qingran, Shen Tingzhu enjoyed this meal particularly well. It seemed that he could only have an appetite when eating with the little girl.

After dinner, seeing that Shen Tingzhu had no intention of leaving, Lin Qingran finally couldn't help but whispered: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about the matter."

Shen Tingzhu didn't say anything, but looked at the things on the table beside him, "Go and see if you like it."

Only then did Lin Qingran notice the trays placed there, which were piled high and covered with cloth, making it impossible to tell what they were.

She didn't want to know what Shen Tingzhu brought for her, so she walked over slowly and took off the cloth.

"Yunjin made a winter coat for you. The soft smoke is thin and suitable for underwear." Shen heard Zhuqing's light voice coming from behind. Lin Qingran felt that his hands and feet were numb. The fabrics he bought were actually real. It is to make clothes for her.

Lin Qingran was so panicked that he couldn't even think about it. How did he know his size?

It must be Yueying. Lin Qingran ignored her anger and asked hesitantly: "Why did you give me these?"

Shen Tingzhu said: "You don't like new clothes the most. These are top quality in terms of materials and patterns."

Lin Qingran's mind was getting more and more confused. The speculations that she had made a long time ago and were later denied by her started to rise again.

Is Shen Tingzhu really interested in her?

He rubbed her feet, covered her hands, and these clothes...

She quickly rejected this idea. If he was really interested in her, why would he scare her again and again?

I'm afraid he just thinks of himself as a snowball, a kitten or puppy that can be teased.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Put it on and let me take a look."

Lin Qingran was startled again by his words, her upper lip tremblingly touched her lower lip, "I don't want these."

"What?" Shen Tingzhu heard it, but insisted on asking again.

"I don't want..." Lin Qingran clutched a few pieces of clothing on her face. If Shen Xi and Shen Shu knew, how would she explain it.

The pair of peach blossom eyes looking at her narrowed slightly, and the smile in her eyes also faded little by little. Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat, and she changed her words: "I don't want to wear it for you, so what does this mean?"

Shen Tingzhu was puzzled, "Tell me what's wrong?"

"I...I..." Lin Qingran hesitated, and the burning redness spread from the roots of her ears to her slender neck.

The shy look made Shen Tingzhu's heart tighten, and he said casually: "I haven't seen anything about you."

His eyes passed over her red neck. He also looked at her neck. He also looked at her two arms. He also applied medicine to her. His eyes passed over her feet hidden under her skirt. He also looked at a pair of small jade feet. , Shen Tingzhu was placed on the table with her fingertips tightly, and she also touched it.

To say that he hadn't seen anything before... He moved his gaze upwards. Lin Qingran lowered his eyes following her gaze. His fingertips trembled hard. The clothes in his hands fell to the ground, and a small piece of soft smoke floated out. .

A very thin touch of tang color trailed to the ground, and the two of them were stunned at the same time.

Lin Qingran stared at Na Jian Xiaoyi closely, her ears almost bleeding from shame, and her eye circles were wet and red.

Shen Tingzhu realized what it was, and the veins on the back of his hand throbbed, "That's all, I'll wear it on my grandma's birthday party." His voice was relatively steady, but it shook as it fell.

Shen Tingzhu stood up suddenly, turned away, looked elsewhere, and said stiffly, "You should rest early, I'll leave first."

Lin Qingran's eyes were red, shame and helplessness made her at a loss, and tiny sobs escaped from her teeth.

Shen Tingzhu's hand on the door froze, and he hurriedly stepped out, almost walking away.

=== Chapter === 032

"Girl, please bring water in." Biying came back at some point, standing outside the door and speaking with a slightly raised voice.

The voice woke up the stunned Lin Qingran.

She hurriedly bent down and grabbed the clothes on the ground. Her fingertips were entangled in the tie of the small clothes. They felt numb and hot, which made her burst into tears again.

Lin Qingran hurriedly threw all the clothes into the depths of the closet, closed the painted red door, covered her hot cheeks to calm down, and then let people in.

There was a small pot on the stove on the table, which was bubbling. Lin stirred it a few times with a spoon and said warmly: "It's best to drink this longan stewed donkey hide gelatin in cold weather. My sister-in-law will serve it for you."

Lin was ladling the soup and saw Lin Qingran twirling her fingertips unconsciously, looking absent-minded, and asked aloud: "What are you thinking about?"

Lin Qingran came to her senses hastily, pursed her lips and shook her head.

Mrs. Lin knew Lin Qingran best. Ever since she was a child, whenever she had ever seen her so depressed, it was clear that something was wrong.

Mrs. Lin put down the bowl in her hand and asked in a serious voice, "What happened?"

What would Lin Qingran say, saying that Shen Tingzhu bullied him? Not to mention that she couldn't say it, even if she did, no one would believe it, and it might even create a rift between the eldest and third bedrooms.

After repeated hesitation, Lin Qingran did not dare to tell the matter, so she made a random excuse, "Little aunt, I miss my father and brother."

The voice was like light smoke, soft and coquettish, "I will go back to Jiangning before the old lady's birthday party is over."

If you can't offend him, you can always stay away.

Mrs. Lin was not happy when she heard this, "I keep saying that I miss my sister-in-law, how long have I been here before I leave?"

"No."

Mrs. Lin took the bowl and continued to fill the soup. She turned around and saw Lin Qingran who was squinting her mouth. She couldn't help but laugh and coaxed her like a daughter, "In a little while, we can go to Yuxi Mountain to take a bath. This is Jiang Ning doesn't have it."

Lin Qingran's droopy eyes moved, and she mumbled in a naive voice, "It's quite interesting to take a bath in the bath."

After saying that, she suddenly paused, tilted her head and said, "Did my little aunt just say Yuxi Mountain?"

Mrs. Lin nodded: "There are dozens of natural springs, large and small, on Yuxi Mountain. They used to be the palaces of successive emperors, and were later given to the Hou Mansion by the late emperor."

Lin Qingran didn't hear what Mrs. Lin said behind her, she just clenched her handkerchief tightly, saying that Yuxi Mountain was his cottage, he was also trying to scare her!

She still believed these nonsense, and Lin Qingran was very upset. Don't let her get into her hands.

Lin Qingran thought of countless ways to bully him, and finally felt better.

Afraid of being blocked by Shen Tingzhu, Lin Qingran made an excuse and asked Zi Fu next to Lin to send him back to Qingyu Pavilion. Zi Fu was her aunt's maid, and Shen Tingzhu could only stretch her arms as long as she could. , we can't let Zi Fu obey his orders.

On the way back to Qingyu Pavilion, Lin Qingran saw two young men in turbans walking through the corridor from a distance.

She turned her head and asked Zi Fu, "Who is that?"

Zi Fu replied: "It's the third young master and the fourth young master. They should have rushed back to celebrate the old lady's birthday."

Lin Qingran then remembered that there were two young masters studying in the Imperial College. She nodded and walked forward.

As soon as Shen Yan and Shen Yao returned home, they went to see Mrs. Shen first. Shen Tingzhu and Shen Qi happened to be there too. They first greeted Mrs. Shen and then turned around and said: "Eldest brother, second brother."

Shen Qi smiled and nodded.

Shen listened to Zhu's warm voice and said, "Grandma has been waiting for you two for a long time."

Shen Yan smiled a little ashamedly, "It's really because the teacher's schedule is tight, but this time my fourth brother and I are taking a few extra days off so we can spend more time with my grandmother."

Shen Yao also nodded in agreement.

Mrs. Shen was very happy to see her two grandchildren back. She made arrangements for the maids to serve some of their favorite snacks, "The Imperial College coursework is heavy, and it is not as good as at home. You must not be able to eat well."

Shen Yao gulped down the snacks and said, "Of course things outside are not as good as at home."

Mrs. Shen laughed and said, "Eat more."

Shen Tingzhu sat for a while and then said to Mrs. Shen: "Since the third and fourth brothers are back, let them talk to you."

Mrs. Shen saw that he was leaving and said dissatisfiedly: "Grandma hasn't finished talking to you yet, why are you leaving?"

Shen Tingzhu's peach blossom eyes were slightly curved, "If grandma keeps doing this, my eldest brother will blame you for being partial."

When Shen Qi heard what he said, he felt something bad in his heart.

Mrs. Shen glanced sideways at Shen Tingzhu and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? There is no one among you that my grandmother can worry about."

Shen Tingzhu smiled lazily, "But there is an order of growth and age, and when it comes to marrying a wife, it's the eldest brother who takes precedence over me, so there's no reason why I should be first." He turned to look at Shen Yan, "What do you think, third brother? "

Shen Yan was always used to listening to what his second brother said, and what he said was also good, so he nodded and said, "I think what the second brother said is reasonable."

Shen Tingzhu looked at Mrs. Shen with a smile, "Brother, please watch. Grandma must not be partial."

Mrs. Shen was stopped by him. She was worried about Shen Tingzhu's marriage just because of his health. He needed someone to take care of him.

But when Shen Tingzhu said this, she couldn't help but say, "I naturally take your eldest brother's affairs to heart."

Seeing Mrs. Shen focusing on him, Shen Qi felt helpless and sighed silently in his heart.

The few of them sat for a while, until it was time for Mrs. Shen to take a nap, and then they stood up and left.

Shen Yan and Shen Tingzhu were walking on one side, and he asked with concern: "How is your second brother doing lately?"

Shen Tingzhu nodded: "Not bad." He didn't want to talk more and changed the topic: "It's rare that my elder brother is also in the house these days. If I were you, I would definitely catch him for advice."

Shen Yan and Shen Yao naturally thought the same thing, but they were too embarrassed to speak. After hearing what Shen Tingzhu said, they immediately raised their hands to Shen Qi and said with a smile: "Brother."

Shen Qi raised his eyebrows. The second brother had clearly arranged for him. If he continued, he might even have a hand in which wife he wanted to marry.

Shen Qi smiled with a headache: "You just come to the bookstore to find me."

In a blink of an eye, the day of Mrs. Shen's birthday party came. People in each room went to Yimingju early in the morning to pay their respects to Mrs. Shen and congratulate her on her birthday.

Lin Qingran also followed Mr. Lin and the third master. Mrs. Shen was wearing a vermilion-colored gown with the word "Fu", a red gold head and face, and green emeralds hanging on her chest. She was sitting on the Arhat bed with a smile, and her eyes were dyed thickly. Happy.

After saying hello, everyone went to the flower hall in the front yard, which was bustling with people. Lin Qingran stood with a few younger girls, staring stiffly at the vase in the corner that was as tall as one person, just thinking that He couldn't see the gaze falling on him.

Shen Tingzhu looked at Lin Qingran from head to toe. The little girl was not wearing the clothes she gave him, and she was still standing so far away.

His gaze was too direct, and Lin Qingran was afraid that others would notice something strange, so she looked around quietly. Fortunately, everyone was talking and laughing together, and no one noticed her.

People came in one after another to congratulate them on their birthdays and send gifts. Even the emperor ordered his servants to send congratulatory gifts. No other family had received such an honor except the Changxing Marquis Mansion.

Lin Qingran saw the man who had been looking at him at the autumn banquet again, walking from the court from a distance.

The steward said: "Your Excellency is here."

Shen Shu walked up to her at some point and said in a small voice, "I forgot to tell you. I asked my eldest brother later. This is Dali Temple Cheng, Xie Huai, Mr. Xie."

Xie Huai... Lin Qingran pondered for a long time. He felt that the name was familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it before.

Her eyes followed Xie Huai all the way to the center of the flower hall,

Xie Huai ordered the people around him to send congratulatory gifts, raised his hands to Mrs. Shen and said, "I wish Mrs. Shen to be as blessed as the East China Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountains."

Mrs. Shen smiled and said: "Thank you, Sir, you are so polite." She said to Shen Qi: "Hurry and please take the seat, Sir Xie."

Shen Qi stepped forward and made a gesture of invitation, "Thank you, sir."

Xie Huai walked past Lin Qingran and his eyes passed over her.

Lin Qingran followed him closely, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity. It wasn't until he was far away that Lin Qingran looked back, biting her lip and thinking.

She was thinking so seriously that she didn't notice Shen Tingzhu's eyes darkening again and again.

The banquet was held from day to night. Everyone was chatting lively and changing glasses. Several masters and young masters from the Hou Mansion were at the banquet to receive them. Even Shen Tingzhu drank two glasses less.

Lin Qingran was sitting in the women's seat. The seat was obviously full of people, but as soon as she raised her eyes, she could see him, bright and eye-catching, with a gentle smile on his face, chatting and laughing with the people next to him.

Lin Qingran cursed the hypocrisy secretly, then looked away and ate quietly.

After dinner, she left the table early. On the other side, Xie Huai saw her leaving from a distance and stood up to leave.

=== Chapter === 033

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes to look at the two empty seats one after another, and put the wine cup in his hand on the table expressionlessly.

If he remembered correctly, in his early years, Xie Huai's father was transferred to Jiangning as the capital transfer envoy.

The night was cool, Lin Qingran gathered the cloak around her shoulders, and walked through the hanging flower gate into the garden.

The maids and servants in the house were all busy at the banquet, and the garden was quiet. Lin Qingran walked slowly along the light from the stone lantern, still thinking about the man named Xie Huai, twice He paid attention to her whenever they met, and it was obvious that the familiar feeling in her heart did not come out of thin air...

Shen Tingzhu followed Lin Qingran for a while, but the little girl didn't notice at all. He pressed his thin lips lightly.

He actually didn't know what was so terrible about making her so lost in thought.

The brim of his hat, which was wrapped with rabbit fur, was suddenly hooked off. Lin Qingran initially thought it was hooked by the branches protruding from both sides of the path.

She raised her hand and touched it back. What she touched was a cold and thin hand. Another gust of cold wind passed by her ears. Lin Qingran was so frightened that her heart skipped a beat. She turned around quickly and saw Shen Ting. Zhu didn't know when he stood behind him.

After seeing who it was, she gasped heavily, covering her heart and complaining tremblingly, "Why don't you make a sound when you walk."

Shen Tingzhu took back her hand and said in a calm tone, "I didn't say anything, or Ranran was too focused, so she didn't hear it."

Qing Ling's gaze focused on Lin Qingran, making her inexplicably uneasy. She felt that Shen Tingzhu was a little strange.

Lin Qingran frowned slightly and whispered, "I'm going back first."

After saying that, before Shen Tingzhu nodded, she turned around and left. After the last time, she was really afraid of being alone with him.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows and raised his hand to hook the brim of her hat again. Lin Qingran walked fast and hastily. After being hooked like this, she fell backwards.

Her back hit Shen Tingzhu's chest, and the aroma of tea mixed with the faint smell of alcohol instantly enveloped her. Lin Qingran hurriedly tried to jump away, but her waist was hugged from behind. She was so shocked that her whole body stiffened.

Shen Tingzhu was hit hard and his breathing became tight. When he reacted, the little girl in front of him was already trapped in his arms. His long fingers were slightly curled up, and the thin waist under his palm was shaking even more. For awesomeness.

With the burning alcohol in his mind, Shen Tingzhu rolled his Adam's apple and scolded, "How could you be so careless?"

The hot breath just swept through Lin Qingran's temples and brushed her eyelashes.

She couldn't stop trembling, her voice was stained with tears, and she said sadly: "You, it was you who pulled me."

Is it? Shen Tingzhu had no time to argue with her. He needed to spend a lot of energy to control his thoughts.

"...let me go." Lin Qingran was at a loss for words, and her broken voice was full of confusion. If someone passed by now, it would be hard to explain!

The more you fear something, the more it will come to you.

The voices of the two maids came from afar, "Let's deliver the things to the old lady as soon as possible. If we are late, we will be blamed."

The sound was getting closer and closer, and Lin Qingran's scalp was about to explode. She begged tremblingly: "Let me go, cousin... please."

There was an unspeakable darkness in Shen Tingzhu's half-lidded eyes, and he asked in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Does Ranran recognize Xie Huai?"

Lin Qingran's mind was filled with confusion and she shook her head quickly, "I don't recognize it."

Shen Tingzhu knew that she was not lying, so he smiled and asked, "Why don't you wear the clothes I gave you?"

Lin Qingran was hugged by him from behind and couldn't see his expression at all. The more this happened, the more uneasy she became. She explained incoherently, "Shen Xi, Shen Xi and the others know that you bought those clothes."

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

Shen Tingzhu rubbed her waist soothingly. This move almost made Lin Qingran fall to the ground, but Shen Tingzhu's arms were always firmly around her.

"Don't worry Ranran, I bought the materials as soon as they arrived. They haven't seen them before and they don't recognize them."

Lin Qingran knew that he would not give up. The two maids were getting closer and closer, and they could be seen as long as they turned the corner.

She cried with extreme grievance: "Isn't it enough for me to wear..."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the corner not far away and said softly: "Okay."

He hugged Lin Qingran and ducked lightly, hiding his body behind the rockery.

Listening to the maid's footsteps passing in front of her, Lin Qingran almost collapsed in Shen Tingzhu's arms.

The garden quickly returned to silence, except for the two people's breathing trembling together.

Shen Tingzhu's arm was still around her waist. Afraid of what he might do again, Lin Qingran closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and scratched the back of his hand regardless.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled, "Learned it from Xuetuan?"

Lin Qingran blushed at his teasing and laughing voice, and tried to pry his hand off. Unexpectedly, it was really broken. Without caring about it, Lin Qingran stumbled away.

Shen Tingzhu didn't have the strength to catch her anymore, so he leaned against the rockery wall with a little strength. Until the figure disappeared from his sight, he gently closed his eyes, with a light red under his eyelashes.

The cool breeze blew away the alcohol, and he slowly held his hot palms. The redness in his eyes became even stronger, and as he gently raised his chin, it fell all the way to the depths of the crumpled clothes.

Lin Qingran almost ran all the way back to Qingyu Pavilion. When she returned to the house, she closed the door hard and pressed her back tightly against the door, panting. Her legs were so weak that she could hardly stand, and the side of her waist that had been kneaded The place felt hot.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips tightly, her eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings. She couldn't figure out what Shen Tingzhu wanted to do.

Lin Qingran did not leave the Qingyu Pavilion for a whole day, but one day later, Mrs. Lin came to see her, and she found out that Shen Tingzhu was ill.

"Why are you sick?" Lin Qingran raised her eyes in surprise.

Mrs. Lin said: "It was the night of my birthday party. I drank some wine and caught a cold."

Lin Qingran nodded indifferently. Her first reaction was that Shen Tingzhu must be faking it.

Mrs. Lin added: "You can go over and visit later."

Lin Qingran immediately shook his head, "Since the prince is unwell, I think it's best not to disturb him."

"You are really not sensible at all." Mrs. Lin shook her head and said, "If you go over, you have followed the rules. The prince will not see you if he is not feeling well. You just put your things down."

She pushed the box at hand to Lin Qingran: "I've prepared everything for you."

Lin Qingran couldn't even shed tears. She also knew that this was related to the relationship between the third room and the first room, and she really should go.

Lin Qingran delayed it from noon to almost evening before he had no choice but to walk to Yuansongju with his things.

Along the way, Lin Qingran thought about turning around and giving up. Wouldn't it be like sending her to her doorstep? If he was like last time...

Lin Qingran paused, turned around without hesitation, and walked in the other direction.

"I heard that my second cousin was sick, and I wanted to visit him, but I was afraid that rushing over would disturb his rest." Lin Qingran stood in front of Shen Qi and whispered the words he had planned in advance.

She squeezed the wooden box in her hand with some embarrassment. It would be best if her eldest cousin was willing to go on her behalf. Even if it was not possible, it would be better for him to accompany her than to go alone.

Shen Qi just returned to his house. He had not yet changed out of his official uniform. He thought for a while and said, "Just in time, I also want to see my second brother, so let's go together."

Lin Qingran looked happy and said, "Thank you, cousin." A grateful smile appeared on his lips.

Shen Qi smiled slightly at Lin Qingran, "Let's go then."

This time he didn't look much at her smile.

Walking with Shen Qi, Lin Qingran felt much more at ease than before.

He Xuan was standing outside Qingyun Pavilion. When he saw the two of them, he said respectfully: "I have met the eldest young master, my cousin."

Shen Qi nodded and led Lin Qingran into the garden. It turned out that the smell of Ruoyouruowu's medicine was much stronger, and he could smell it even when walking in the bamboo forest.

Walking through the bamboo forest was the atrium. Lin Qingran saw Shen Tingzhu in the pavilion at the foot of the bridge again. To be precise, he was squatting there. He had a big cloak on his shoulders, his bloodless white hands stretched forward, and he whispered softly. Said: "Xue Tuan, come over here."

Xue Tuan was lying next to the stove a few steps away, wagging his tail lazily, unmoved.

Lin Qingran saw Shen Tingzhu lower his eyes and put his hands back on his knees. His half-downcast eyes and pursed lips made him look a little pitiful and disliked.

Lin Qingran felt that he must be dazzled, otherwise how could he see that he was pitiful.

Shen Qi frowned and said seriously: "Second brother is not in good health and why doesn't he come into the house? How do the servants serve him?"

Shen Tingzhu didn't move, "Why are you here, brother?"

When Xue Tuan saw the two of them, he meowed first, stretched out his paws, and then jumped over Shen Tingzhu and ran towards them.

Shen Tingzhu suppressed the sadness in his eyes, held on to the table beside him and was about to stand up. When he raised his eyes, he saw Lin Qingran standing behind Shen Qi. He frowned, took back his hand, and stood up.

"My cousin is here too." Qing narrowed her peach blossom eyes and looked at the snowballs surrounding the two of them, and then looked at Lin Qingran. The pitiful look in her eyes was gone, and she was cold and cold.

Lin Qingran picked up the snowball that was circling around her feet and said with lowered eyes, "I heard that my second cousin was unwell, so I came here to visit."

Before Shen Tingzhu could reply, Shen Qi had already stepped forward and said worriedly: "Let's talk inside first."

Lin Qingran wanted to put down her things and leave, but now she could only follow in.

Shen Qi told Yu Ying to get the stove while he took a blanket and covered Shen Tingzhu with it.

Shen Tingzhu held his hand and said with a smile: "Brother, I can do it myself."

Lin Qingran watched silently, hugging Xue Tuan.

I don't know why he is so pretentious, to deceive everyone, so that no one will suspect him again if he does those evil things.

Shen Tingzhu suddenly looked towards her. Lin Qingran wanted to look away but it was too late. She could only say with a stiff smile: "Second cousin is sick, so you must have a good rest."

But there was no hint of sincerity in the words.

Shen Tingzhu laughed instead. He looked at the wooden box in Lin Qingran's hand and said, "What did my cousin bring me?"

Lin Qingran was still holding the snow ball and couldn't get rid of it. She wanted to put it down first, but the claws of the snow ball were firmly hooked on her clothes. Lin Qingran could only keep holding it and bring it closer to her arms. Hold something in one hand.

Seeing that she was too busy, Shen Qi raised his hand to help.

Shen Tingzhu took the lead and said, "I still need to trouble my brother to help me see if the medicine is ready."

Shen Qi noticed Shen Tingzhu's calm gaze on his hand. He paused for a moment, and the look in his eyes gradually became clear. He smiled and said, "Then I'll go take a look."

When Lin Qingran saw that he was leaving, she reached out anxiously to grab his sleeves.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at her lightly, and Lin Qingran immediately retracted her hand, hugged Xue Tuan tightly, and whispered, "You can't always be like this."

=== Chapter === 034

Xue Tuan nestled in Lin Qingran's arms and also called to Shen Tingzhu: "Meow—"

Both little ones looked soft and delicate, especially Lin Qingran, whose soft eyelashes were lowered, and her pursed lips were bright and colorful. There were no clues on Shen Tingzhu's face, but his eyes were focused on her. One hand can hold it on the waist.

The palms of his hands became hot again, and Shen Tingzhu asked in a voice with no emotion, "How am I doing?"

Lin Qingran looked at him with eyes full of grievance and resentment. She pursed her lips repeatedly, not wanting to answer. Didn't he know what he had done? Why should he ask her?

The affection in Shen Tingzhu's heart far outweighed the teasing. He asked in a soft voice, "If you didn't bring me something, what was it?"

Lin Qingran hesitantly stepped forward, placed the wooden box in his hand on the edge of the table, and timidly pushed it over with his fingertips.

Just a small movement made Shen Tingzhu unable to move his eyes away.

Lin Qingran didn't know what her aunt had prepared. She brought it without even looking at it, so she whispered, "Cousin, take a look for yourself."

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips in a funny way, thinking that she was annoying him.

He opened the finely carved wooden box, and inside was a three-liang ginseng of excellent quality.

Lin Qingran also took a look and secretly thought that her little aunt was really willing to give it up. The triple ginseng is known as fairy grass, and this plant looked to be a hundred years old if not a thousand years old. She gave him such a rare good thing.

Lin Qingran was unhappy but did not dare to show it. She pretended to curl up her lips and said, "My cousin is weak. I think this ginseng will be of great benefit to you."

If someone else had said this, Shen Tingzhu would have been impatient to hear it, but Lin Qingran was different from others. She said one thing, but there was another in her eyes that couldn't hide anything. set.

Shen Tingzhu liked to see her like this and would not feel pity or pity for him like everyone else.

Shen Qi hasn't come back yet, and Lin Qingran can't stand it any longer, "I won't disturb my second cousin's rest."

Shen Tingzhu didn't think she and Shen Qi were meeting each other anymore, nodded and said, "I'll ask Yu Ying to take you back."

Lin Qingran was surprised and unaccustomed to the fact that he was suddenly so talkative.

She bent down and put the snowball on the ground. Realizing that it was about to be left behind, the snowball kept picking up Lin Qingran's sleeves and crawled towards her in confusion.

Lin Qingran softened her heart immediately. She raised her eyes and glanced at Shen Tingzhu, who was leaning on his head and looking lazily at her not far away. She hugged Xue Tuan away with determination and whispered: "We can only protect each other." one."

Xue Tuan looked at her with a pair of bright, round eyes, "Meow—"

Lin Qingran could only touch it comfortingly, "He raised you...I didn't."

Shen Tingzhu only heard her whispering softly to the snow ball, but could not hear clearly what she said.

Both the person and the cat are very affectionate.

Shen Qi personally brought the medicine over. Lin Qingran's figure was no longer in the room. Only Xue Tuan was lying on the elevated shelf far away from Shen Tingzhu. She wagged her tail listlessly when she saw him coming in.

Shen Qi put the medicine in his hand and asked, "Why don't you see Cousin Lin?"

Shen Tingzhu wrote lightly: "I put down my things and went back."

Shen Qi nodded, "Drink the medicine while it's hot."

Shen Qi knew that he had always been slack in treating diseases. He was better in the first two years, but later the results became weaker and weaker, and he developed self-loathing.

Shen Qi lifted up his robe and planned to wait for him to drink the medicine before leaving.

Unexpectedly, Shen Tingzhu took the medicine and drank it all without frowning.

Putting down the bowl, he raised his eyes and saw Shen Qi looking at him in surprise. Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "Brother, what is this expression?"

Shen Qi also laughed and said bluntly: "It's been a long time since I've seen you take medicine so happily."

There was a touch of tenderness in Shen Tingzhu's eyes, "Brother, I want to get better."

In the past, he thought that the worst was the worst, but now he wanted to get better, even if there was a faint hope.

Shen Qi looked at him seriously and said, "It must be possible."

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips, stood up and walked towards the cat stand. Before he could get close to the snow ball, it scurried down. However, Shen Tingzhu had anticipated it, moved slightly, and scooped up the snow ball into his arms.

Shen Tingzhu stabilized his swaying body, coughed a few times, and then smiled: "Where are you running away from?"

Xue Tuan struggled and meowed, but finally lost his strength, so he put down his tail and lay on Shen Tingzhu's arm.

Shen Qi looked on and shook his head, and pointedly said: "You want Xue Tuan to like you, it's not like this."

When Xue Tuan heard Shen Qi's voice, he turned his head and meowed at him.

Shen Tingzhu straightened Xuetuan's head without saying a word, and said nonchalantly: "Brother doesn't know something, he is just a little heartless."

Shen Qi wanted to say something else, but when he heard Shen Tingzhu coughing continuously, he put his words on hold and just let him have a good rest before leaving.

In the past few days while Shen Tingzhu was recuperating, Lin Qingran felt quite at ease. Except for occasionally going to Lin's house, she spent most of her time in her own courtyard. When the weather got cold, she didn't want to go anywhere.

Just after noon that day, Shen Xi came to her courtyard.

Lin Qingran covered her mouth and yawned, and asked in a deep voice: "Why is my cousin here at this time?"

The room was so hot that Lin Qingran was only wearing a light satin dress. Since he had just gotten up from the soft couch, his clothes were a little messy. His eyes were hazy, and he was charming and unknowingly coquettish. Shen Xi couldn't help but blush slightly when she saw it.

"I just came from my grandmother's place. My grandmother said that I would take the female family members with me to Yuxi Mountain the day after tomorrow." Shen Xi raised her chin proudly as she spoke, "I will tell you as soon as I know."

Lin Qingran's eyes were still wet with moisture, and he looked at Shen Xi brightly, "Seriously?"

Last time she heard her little aunt talk about it, she was already looking forward to it.

Shen Xi nodded, "I said I'm going to stay a few more days this time, so I can come back before the Chinese New Year."

Jiangning didn't have as many rules as Beijing, and Lin Qingran had more time to go out and have fun, but this was his first time in a hot spring.

As soon as Shen Xi left, she asked the maid to get ready.

After breakfast the next day, Mrs. Shen took her family members and prepared to set off.

Carriages were lined up in front of the house. Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Lin sat in one with Mrs. Shen. Shen Xi came and pulled Lin Qingran to sit with her.

Just as she was about to get on the carriage, Lin Qingran saw Mo Ci standing outside the carriage in front of her. Lin Qingran had not seen him since she came to the Hou Mansion. When she saw him this time, her teeth itched with hatred.

Mo Ci seemed calm, looking straight ahead, but in fact his back was unconsciously stiff.

Lin Qingran thought of something and turned back to look at Yueying holding the box behind her, "The prince is gone too?"

Yueying was stunned, and before she could answer, Shen Xi had already turned around and said, "Don't you know, cousin, the late emperor gave the Yuxi Mountain Palace to the Hou Mansion because the hot springs on the mountain are beneficial to the recovery of the second brother's body, so the second brother will naturally went."

Lin Qingran thought she could avoid him for a few days. She sat in the carriage with a gloomy expression, her original good mood gone.

The carriage went all the way out of the city and walked for half a day. It was not until sunset and it was almost dark that they arrived at Yuxi Mountain.

Still at the bottom of the mountain, Lin Qingran looked up and could already see the vague mist halfway up the mountain.

The mountain road that couldn't be climbed had to be walked down. Yueying helped Lin Qingran tighten her cloak tightly. She let out a breath and said, "Don't let it snow."

Mo Ci came with his guards, and he handed over to several people: "The prince said that it was dark and the road was difficult, so he asked the girls to go up the mountain in soft sedans."

Shen Xi got on the soft sedan first.

Mo Ci walked up to Lin Qingran and said bravely: "Miss Lin, please come this way."

Lin Qingran glared at him. The road on the mountain was dark and steep. Some people were so relaxed that she would not be so stubborn at this time.

When we reached Zhuangzi on the mountainside, the servants had already prepared dinner. After the meal, it was already dark. Mrs. Shen asked everyone to go back to the hospital to rest.

Lin Qingran, Shen Xi, and Shen Shu followed the servant who led the way and walked deeper into the villa.

The villa used to be an emperor's palace, and the pavilions and pavilions were all magnificent and brightly lit even at night.

The long corridor was winding and winding, and after walking for a long time we arrived at Zhaoyue Pavilion. The three of them lived in the same courtyard, and they also had a companion.

After a day's journey, Lin Qingran also felt tired and took a rest early.

The next day.

After breakfast, Shen Xi and Shen Shu invited Lin Qingran to the soup pool in the back mountain.

A few people walked along the mountain road to the back mountain. Looking at the open sky, the welcoming pine growing halfway up the mountain stood among the cracks in the rocks. Being in the beautiful scenery of the mountain, Lin Qingran forgot about the cold.

There are dozens of large and small hot springs in the back mountain, enough for the female family members of the house to take a dip in one pool.

Shen Xi chose a slightly larger fragrance pool. Before the three of them took off their clothes, the maid hurriedly came to report, "The Emperor and the Queen are here. The old lady asked all the girls to go to the front hall to see the saint."

Shen Xi's clothes were halfway back, and she couldn't help but look regretful. Shen Shu was the first to say: "Let's get there quickly."

Lin Qingran nodded and adjusted her clothes. The emperor came unexpectedly, and she felt nervous.

Several people went to the front hall. Before the Holy Driver went up the mountain, Mrs. Shen looked at everyone and said, "Everyone is here?"

Qin said in a low voice: "They are already here."

Mrs. Shen nodded and took the family members to pick him up outside the villa.

Lin Qingran saw Shen Tingzhu looking towards her, she lowered her eyes and avoided it, walking behind with her sisters.

The bright yellow dragon chariot was carried all the way outside the villa. The attendants stood aside and the imperial guards stood in two rows with a magnificent momentum.

Lin Qingran knelt down along with everyone.

"Long live my emperor, may my queen live a thousand lives."

The curtain was opened, and the emperor came down from the dragon chariot, with Queen Shen Zhen behind him.

The emperor walked up to Mrs. Shen, raised his hand and said, "Sit down, Madam, please get up."

Lin Qingran did not dare to look directly at Long Yan, but out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of a young and handsome face. The Queen and Shen Tingzhu had similar loving eyes, but they were more gentle and gentle.

After spending half a day with everyone in the main hall, Lin Qingran could lie down comfortably after returning to Zhaoyue Pavilion.

She rubbed her legs, which were aching from standing, but still felt comfortable in Jiangning.

The dinner was served by the old lady, Mrs. Qin and Shen Tingzhu accompanying the emperor and the empress, while the rest of the female family members were served in their respective courtyards.

At night, Lin Qingran planned to take a rest early, but Shen Xi came and knocked on the door.

She smiled at Lin Qingran, "Cousin, are you going to take a bath?"

Lin Qingran looked at the sky and saw that it was already very late. He hesitated and asked, "Now?"

Lin Qingran was thinking about not taking a bath during the day, but it was really too late at the moment.

While she was still hesitating, Shen Xi had already pulled her hand, so Lin Qingran had no choice but to push her away and follow her.

Shen Xi followed the same pattern and called Shen Shu.

The three of them took only one maid with them and walked toward the back mountain with their lanterns.

The spring is surrounded by jagged stacks of stones, but there is no cover on the top, so the stars and moon can fall directly into the pool.

Shen Xi ordered her maid to fetch sweet wine and fruit plates.

Shen Xi and Shen Shu walked out of the pool first. The hazy water vapor was lingering. Shen Xi waved to Lin Qingran, "Cousin, come down quickly."

This was the first time Lin Qingran took a bath with someone. She felt shy and took off her outer shirt. She tentatively drank some water with her toes and heated it up.

The cool breeze made her shiver, and Lin Qingran quickly walked down the stone steps.

A steady stream of hot water enveloped her body, the chill was instantly dissipated, and a flush of warmth appeared on her face.

Lin Qingran felt her whole body relax after being immersed in the water. She exhaled happily and leaned back.

Shen Xi sat next to her, holding two wine glasses in her hands, "Cousin, try it. The brew will make it hot. Drinking something cold is the most comfortable."

Lin Qingran took the wine cup and took a sip. The cool and slightly sweet wine felt comfortable when it entered her throat. She drank it greedily,

Shen Xi twisted around and walked around Shen Shu, smiling and saying, "I'll help Third Sister wipe her body."

Shen Shu hurriedly pushed her, "You don't need to."

Shen Xi refused, and the two of them threw themselves together laughing and noisily.

Lin Qingran was drinking by himself with a glass in his hand, looking lazy.

Yulanju.

Shen Tingzhu pinched the center of his eyebrows and looked helplessly at the person in front of him, "I am really a little tired. Is your Majesty enough?"

The emperor lowered his eyes and looked at the messy chess game in front of him, and after a long time he said: "Tingzhu, it will be the time for Lu Yuanchong to return to Beijing in another season."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows, "So what."

The emperor shook his head and smiled, "That's all, you can rest."

The emperor stood up and said, "No need to send it away."

Shen Tingzhu slowly put away the chess piece and said: "Master Shen works for the emperor and has not married yet. The emperor is considerate and it is appropriate to grant a marriage."

The emperor walked out of the house without stopping.

Shen Tingzhu sat for a while longer, then stood up with a flick of his clothes, and ordered: "Order people to prepare clothes."

The three of them shared a pot of wine, and it didn't take long for them to reach the bottom.

Shen Xi raised her voice and called her maid. No one came for a long time. She was dissatisfied and said, "Where have everyone gone?"

Shen Shu said: "That's enough, I've got these to drink."

Shen Xi pouted, unhappy.

Lin Qingran was a little warm after soaking in the soup pool, and she drank a lot of wine, which made her head feel dizzy and uncomfortable. She stood up with a blush on her face and said slowly: "I'll go look for it, you guys wait."

Putting on her coat, Lin Qingran walked out carrying the wine bottle, and walked around twice before finding the main room. There was wine on the table, so she picked up the bottle and walked back.

After walking around the long corridor, there was a fork in front of him, one facing left and the other facing right. Lin Qingran was drunk by the wind, and looked in both directions in a daze, then turned and walked to the right.

The further she walked, the more Lin Qingran felt that something was wrong. She felt as if she had wandered out of the place where she was just now. She tapped her drowsy head with the palm of her hand. She saw a light on not far away and rising water vapor.

"Found it." Lin Qingran raised her lips with a smile, pushed open a small door, and walked forward along the winding stone path.

The heat on her body became thinner and thinner as the cool breeze blew. Lin Qingran tightened her body and walked faster. The road was obviously quite wide before, but why was it so narrow.

She squeezed through the narrow gap between the stones, her robe was taken off her body, and mist filled her eyes. Here we are!

Her drunken eyes lit up, and she vaguely saw someone in the pool. She thought it was Shen Xi and the others, and stepped her cold feet into the water. Lin Qingran breathed out a sigh of relief and said inarticulately: "You don't know , how long have I been looking for it."

On the other side, Shen Tingzhu put down his arms covering his eyes and stared intently.

=== Chapter === 035

Shen Tingzhu thought that he had seen it wrong. Otherwise, how could such a bewitching and beautiful scene appear in front of him.

Lin Qingran's soaked clothes clung to her body, and the lace hanging down her back snaked down along her waistline. The water droplets trickled down, sliding over her delicate and white skin, and fell into the mist-filled pool water. , if you have to say what it looks like, it must be the charming and seductive fairy in the valley.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes were dark and shameless, and his Adam's apple rolled up and down with difficulty.

The warm pool water soaked Lin Qingran's body, and a faint red color emerged from under his snow-white skin. His moist lips opened a slit to take a small breath, and a little water droplet splashed on the tip of his straight nose, which was full of cuteness and curled. The raised eyelashes were also wet with water vapor, falling and trembling, making the already hazy sight even hazier.

Lin Qingran was afraid that the wine bottle in her hand would get wet, so she raised one arm slightly and used the other hand to push the water towards "Shen Xi". She said softly and vaguely: "You guys have been waiting for a long time. ."

Shen Tingzhu stared at the water drops slowly falling from her arm... The falling moonlight illuminated everything in front of him very clearly. He could even see the embroidery on the clothes. The pink ones were stamens or stamens. ...The hands resting on the edge of the wall were clenched, the joints on the backs of the hands were unusually clear, and the meridians were unusually clear, and the heavy breathing was extremely disordered.

His fiery eyes were fixed on her, and Shen Tingzhu felt that he should remind her not to come over again. He moved his lips and tongue lightly, but he just swallowed hard.

Lin Qingran circled around him like a nimble fish. Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes. Such a close distance was enough for him to distinguish which was the stamen and which was the embroidery.

He tensed his jaw hard, and sweat was already forming on his forehead.

Lin Qingran swung the wine bottle in front of her eyes, raised the corners of her lips, "Here comes the wine..."

As the wine bottle blocking his vision was moved away, Lin Qingran's laughing voice was cut off in his mouth.

She stared blankly at the person in front of her, as if she didn't recognize him. For a long time, her brain exploded with a buzzing sound. With a shake of her hand, the wine bottle fell directly into the pool, and the mellow smell of wine instantly dispersed.

Lin Qingran blinked away the mist in front of her eyes, but no matter how many times she tried, Shen Tingzhu's face was still in front of her eyes. Her chaotic mind couldn't figure out why this evil star was here, and she couldn't help but shed tears. It surged up and hung precariously in front of his eyes. As expected, he refused to let go of himself.

The weak sobbing voice restored some clarity to Shen Tingzhu's heavy eyes.

Lin Qingran stepped back at a loss, thinking only of escaping. The moment her wrist was clasped, hot tears poured down her cheeks. She uttered words incoherently: "Let, let go..."

She freed up one hand to pry off Shen Tingzhu's hand, and without any surprise, it was restrained.

Completely sober from the drunkenness, Lin Qingran didn't even dare to lower her head to see what was happening in front of her. She felt like a fish on a sticky board and cried incoherently: "Why are you here? Are you crazy?" Got it!"

Shen Tingzhu covered up the darkness in his eyes, but his voice was still hoarse, "Ranran, look where you are. How much wine have you drunk?"

Even the words he spoke were filled with the aroma of wine. Shen Tingzhu never drank too much, and his body didn't allow it. But at this moment, he wanted to have a taste. His eyes moved away from the little girl's eyes that were swollen from crying, and fell on her half-opened lips. On the lips.

Lin Qingran didn't listen to what he said at all, and her crying became louder and louder, "Let go... please."

She was pleading, still looking like her clothes were almost gone. Shen Tingzhu gritted his teeth and tied her hands behind her back, and then covered her mouth, "If Ranran makes any louder words, we will call someone here." Come on." The close distance caused the two bodies to almost touch.

Shen Tingzhu was breathing unsteadily: "This soup pool is in the courtyard where I live. I am the only one who uses it. How did Ranran get in?"

Shen Tingzhu's words made her despair. She gritted her teeth and looked around. The hot spring here was bigger than the spring she had soaked in before. Men's clothes were hung on the wooden rafters beside them, and they were covered with cloth. His tearful eyes found the narrow place where he had just squeezed in.

Lin Qingran finally realized that she had gone the wrong way. She closed her eyes and twitched her hands hard, and muffled sobs escaped from his palms. "I don't know why I went the wrong way...I'm leaving now."

The thin shoulders couldn't help shaking under the moonlight, and the tears on the snowy cheeks flowed through Chen Tingzhu's fingers. He slowly let go, closed his eyes and leaned back, his chest rising and falling.

Lin Qingran wrapped her arms tightly around herself and climbed up the stone steps while sobbing.

Shen Tingzhu still had his eyes closed, and his voice became calmer, "You put on your clothes..."

"Tingzhu, I have thought about your proposal and feel that it is not unfeasible." The emperor's voice followed his footsteps towards the soup pool.

Shen Tingzhu's words suddenly stopped and she opened her eyes suddenly. Lin Qingran was about to step up the stone steps when she was so frightened that she fell back into the pool. Shen Tingzhu hugged her to prevent her from falling into the water. inside.

Lin Qingran's frightened voice was stuck in her throat. She covered her mouth tightly with trembling hands. She didn't care whether Shen Tingzhu's arms were pressed against her skin. She turned around and looked at him hastily, with a small face. He turned pale, why would the emperor come here at this time!

There is no place to hide around, and the emperor will definitely find it as soon as he comes in!

Shen Tingzhu stared hard and said, "Please, Your Majesty, please go to the main room and wait for me for a while. I will come right away."

The emperor's gentle laughter came, "It doesn't matter, you can drink it, and I can sit aside and talk to you."

The footsteps were getting closer and closer. Lin Qingran was so anxious that she was stunned. Without thinking, she threw herself into Shen Tingzhu's arms, blocking the beauty in front of her.

The softness of the close contact made Shen Tingzhu tremble all over. He reached out and pulled off the robe on the wooden rafter. Before he could wrap the person up, the small hands on his shoulders were loosened. Lin Qingran took a deep breath and pulled himself The whole thing sank underwater.

Shen Tingzhu paused, then raised his arms lightly and spread his robe to float on the water, just blocking the underwater scene.

The next moment, the emperor appeared from one end of the corridor.

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "I'm almost done playing. It's freezing cold. Why don't Your Majesty go to the chess room first and wait for me to come and talk to you slowly."

"No more playing chess." The emperor waved his hands in disinterest, looked sideways at the chamberlain behind him and said, "Go get me some clothes."

The waiter responded and said with a smile: "I will make this soup with you."

Lin Qingran was so anxious under the water that she almost went crazy. The suffocation feeling of being unable to breathe made her feel dizzy. If the emperor really went into the water... Lin Qingran didn't even dare to think about it. In a panic, , she pinched Shen Tingzhu's waist heavily.

Shen Tingzhu hissed and frowned, grabbing the hand that was moving around underwater.

The emperor heard his gasps and looked at the undulating water. A woman's coat was thrown on the ground beside him. There was a strong smell of alcohol in the air. He raised his narrow eyes and looked at Shen Tingzhu. go.

Shen Tingzhu refused to dodge, "Why don't you, Your Majesty, go out and wait for your ministers first."

The emperor understood, nodded and said: "Take your time, I will leave first."

The emperor turned around, took two steps, paused, turned around and said, "By the way, drink less wine."

Shen Tingzhupi smiled but said, "I won't give it away."

When Lin Qingran felt that he was about to suffocate and couldn't hold on any longer, he finally heard Shen Tingzhu's voice, "Come out."

"Wow—"

Water droplets splashed everywhere, and Lin Qingran stood up suddenly from the water. The dripping water made it impossible for her to open her eyes. She could only close her eyes tightly and gasp for air. Her cheeks turned crimson and her body was shaky.

The fear in Lin Qingran's heart had not dissipated. Her head was dizzy and she fell forward uncontrollably. Shen Tingzhu held her waist, and her heart trembled from the impact. He closed his eyes to steady his mind and used He gently patted her with his palms to smoothen her air, and pushed her hair away from her cheeks with his fingertips, "Breathe in slowly, it's okay."

Lin Qingran rested her chin on Shen Tingzhu's shoulder, feeling breathless. It took a long time to half-open her eyes with difficulty, but she didn't even have the strength to raise her hands. She sniffed and tears kept falling, "I want to go back."

Shen Tingzhu suppressed the anxiety surging in his heart like a wild beast, and said patiently: "How can you get out like this?"

"I want to go back." Lin Qingran only repeated this sentence, and her broken crying voice rose again. She pressed her body against his body and struggled hard, with only a layer of soft gauze separating her.

It was the first time that Shen Tingzhu felt helpless and at a loss as to what to do, "Okay, I'll ask someone to call Yue Ying over."

"Can you stand up?" He wasn't sure if he could carry her to the house.

Lin Qingran sobbed and shook her head. If she could get up, she wouldn't lie on top of him. I don't know if it was because she had been holding her breath for too long, but her limbs were numb.

After adjusting his breath for a few moments, Shen Tingzhu took off the clothes from the rafter and put them on the two of them, then stood up from the water with Lin Qingran in his arms.

The sudden leap into the air made Lin Qingran exclaim in a low voice, struggling helplessly, "Where are you taking me?"

"Don't move." Shen Tingzhu's voice was deep.

Lin Qingran shrank her shoulders in shock. Shen Tingzhu looked at her and said, "You can't soak anymore. I'll take you to the house."

Lin Qingran cowered in Shen Tingzhu's arms in disbelief. Walking through the corridor, she saw Mo Ci guarding the other end from a distance. Lin Qingran was shocked and anxious, "There is someone."

Shen Tingzhu pushed her head back into his arms, "It's okay."

Lin Qingran pressed against his wet chest, her heart beating heavily in her ears. She couldn't tell whether it was hers or his.

She heard Shen Tingzhu say: "Don't look back, go and send Yueying over."

Mo Ci clearly heard the breathing of two people, mixed with soft cries. It was obviously a woman's voice. From the moon shadow, it could only be the cousin. His scalp couldn't help but feel numb. How could the cousin be here? here.

Mo Ci didn't dare to make random guesses, he lowered his eyes and said yes, and left quickly.

=== Chapter === 036

Lin Qingran gradually pulled the clothes on her shoulders to cover her face. The overwhelming shame and helplessness made her unable to think. She never expected that things would turn out like this. She was almost naked and was held in Shen Tingzhu's arms. At this moment, she could only rely on him.

Lin Qingran trembled and closed her eyes tightly, lowering her head as if to escape.

His cheek brushed against Shen Tingzhu's chest, which was still soaked in wet clothes. Shen Tingzhu paused for a moment, breathing heavily. The little girl's breath was gently tickling her chest.

The violent thumping in his heart made him almost unable to stand, and his finally clear consciousness was faintly threatening to collapse. The night wind was obviously so cold, but his eyes were burning, and he tightly held Lin Qingran's legs with his hands. Bending her waist, Shen Tingzhu gritted his teeth and quickened his pace, walking towards the house.

The fire in the house was mild. Lin Qingran, who had tucked himself under Shen Tingzhu's long robe, opened his eyes little by little, but still did not dare to take off his clothes, as if this would make him feel less ashamed.

"Put me down." An angry murmur came from his arms.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and smiled softly at the corner of his lips. The road from Tangchi was not short, and his lips were already a little white.

Shen Tingzhu couldn't let go even if he didn't want to. He carried the person into the inner room and carefully placed him on the bed.

As soon as his body touched the quilt, Lin Qingran tightened his tight clothes and shrank himself to the inside of the bed. He also curled up his exposed straight and slender calves and hid them under the clothes.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little thing huddled up and couldn't help laughing, "Isn't it too late to hide it now?"

This time, it was true as he said. There was something he hadn't seen before. The body shrouded in mist was so beautiful.

Now she was lying on her bed. If he took off her clothes... Shen Tingzhu's eyes were as dark as a bottomless whirlpool.

There was no sound for a long time, and Shen Tingzhu didn't go out. Lin Qingran felt strong uneasiness and fear in her heart. She looked like this on his bed. If he wanted to do something random... there was nothing he wouldn't dare to do.

Lin Qingran's head was dizzy and she almost cried again. She took a deep breath, no, she just heard him asking Mo Qian to pass on Yueying.

"Didn't you let Yueying come? Get out quickly." Lin Qingran hid under his clothes, her thin voice full of helplessness.

Shen Tingzhu woke up with a start. He lowered his eyes and found that his hand had reached out at some point. He was only half an inch away from hooking on the little girl's protective clothing.

Withdrawing his hand suddenly, Shen Tingzhu put his fist under his mouth and coughed twice. He endured the itch in his throat and said, "Yueying will be here soon."

After saying that, he turned around, opened the curtain, and left unsteadily.

As the curtain fell, the only sound left in the room was Lin Qingran's own breathing. She pricked up her ears and listened for a while, then carefully pulled the clothes, timidly stretched out her head, and pulled the clothes up to her eyes, which were wet. Looking around the room with her eyes, and confirming that Shen Tingzhu was no longer there, Lin Qingran let out a heavy breath, and her tense body completely went limp.

Thinking of everything that had just happened, Lin Qingran pressed her forehead heavily against the bed, feeling regretful and wishing she could faint.

Across the curtain, Shen Tingzhu was sitting on a back chair. His soaked silk pants had not yet been changed, clinging to his legs. The coat draped over his shoulders was also half damp, but he did not feel cold at all. On the contrary, , the scattered heat made him extremely anxious, his waist and abdomen were tense, his eyes were red, and his half-squinted eyes were cloudy and watery.

It wasn't until he finished drinking the already cold tea in the pot that the unusual redness on his face faded. Shen Tingzhu leaned back for a while, then stood up and walked slowly to the clean room to change out of his wet clothes.

Lin Qingran wrapped herself in her clothes, hugged her knees and sat huddled on the corner of the bed, anxiously waiting for Yueying to come over.

The curtain was half lifted, and the tall figure was cast down. Lin Ran straightened his waist quickly, bit his lips and stared at the hand holding the curtain.

Shen Tingzhu said: "I'm coming in."

The thin layer of clothes on her body could no longer keep her safe. Lin Qingran hurriedly pulled up the quilt and wrapped herself up, leaving only her head.

Shen Tingzhu stood silently behind the curtain for a while before walking in.

He changed into a bamboo green straight jacket, with his belt untied, showing his laziness and tiredness. He held a set of clothes in his hand, "The clothes you are wearing are already wet, change into another one."

Lin Qingran took a look, and she knew the clothes must belong to Shen Tingzhu just by looking at the color. She asked in a low voice, "Isn't Yueying here yet?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at Lin Qingran who was wrapped in his quilt with a face full of resistance, paused and said, "If you don't want to change, you can just wrap it up like this."

Lin Qingran pursed her lips in silence. She was wearing Shen Tingzhu's clothes, and the quilt she was wrapped in was also the one he had slept on. Her whole body was already covered with his scent, so she really didn't want to wear his clothes again. .

She stretched out her arms from behind her back, and Shen Tingzhu handed the clothes to her hand.

Lin Qingran took the clothes and saw that he was still standing in front of him. He squeezed the fabric in his hand and said with a blush, "Please ask my second cousin to go out first."

Shen Tingzhu said nothing, turned around and walked out silently.

Lin Qingran looked at the clothes in her hands and frowned tightly. She hesitated for a while before taking off the quilt. When her skin touched the air, she shivered. She quickly took off her wet clothes and handed Shen Tingzhu to her. Put on the outer clothes one by one.

Standing barefoot on the ground, her large robe was dragged all the way to the ground, and her sleeves were also longer, as if she had slipped through an adult's clothes. Lin Qingran felt that she must be extremely funny like this.

Shen Tingzhu came in through the curtain and saw her raising her arms with a sad look on her face, and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Even though he was wearing clothes, Lin Qingran still felt as if his eyes could penetrate the thin clothes and see all of her, and she couldn't help but tighten her shoulders.

Lin Qingran didn't dare to look into his eyes. She lowered her eyelashes and squeezed her hands several times until her palms hurt. Then she whispered, "My second cousin doesn't want anyone to know what happened today, so why don't you ask me?" My cousin has forgotten..."

The appearance of being anxious to clear up the relationship made Shen Tingzhu's good mood go away. He asked quietly: "How does Ranran know? I don't want anyone to know."

Lin Qingran raised her eyes in confusion. If anyone knew what happened today, she would have no choice but to marry him in order to preserve her reputation. He must be scaring herself.

With red eyes like a frightened bunny, Shen Tingzhu recalled the scene when he saw her for the first time, but he no longer had the indifference he had at that time. He pondered for a moment and said, "Ranran has caused me so much trouble. I forgot a word." Just let it pass?"

Lin Qingran speculated on the meaning of his words and bit her lip unconvinced. She was the one who was looked down upon, and she was the one who almost suffocated while hiding in the water. If he had any trouble, at best he would just hug her all the way.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to be able to read what she was thinking, and said calmly: "You were originally with Shen Xi and the others. After disappearing for so long, has Ranran thought about how to explain it? The emperor has just discovered that there is someone underwater. , among the female relatives on the mountain, apart from the maids, you are the only one who is not considered a member of the Hou Mansion."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her little face where the color was gradually fading, and wrote lightly: "As long as the emperor wants to know, you think you can hide it."

He took a few steps forward, and Lin Qingran even forgot to move away. Shen Tingzhu continued, "Do you still think Ranran hasn't caused any trouble for me?"

Lin Qingran felt frightened after hearing what he said. She grabbed his sleeves in a panic and said incoherently: "Second cousin...just think that I owe you a favor."

Lin Qingran wanted to say that she also had leverage against him, but she did not dare to provoke him at this time.

Shen Tingzhu couldn't help but want to laugh. She really felt that they could still put their relationship aside. Even if they could, it would depend on whether he was willing.

Shen Tingzhu's thin lips parted slightly, "Favours must be repaid."

Lin Qingran nodded quickly. As long as he was willing to cover up this matter for her, it would be easy.

The little girl opened her eyes wide and didn't even ask how she wanted to pay it back, so she didn't want to cry again.

Shen Tingzhu walked to the side and took out a clean white towel, "Sit down."

Lin Qingran didn't know what he was going to do, but she didn't dare to disobey. She lifted up her long clothes, sat on the stool, raised her head and asked tentatively: "You agree?"

Shen Tingzhu walked behind her, tucked her wet hair behind her ears, and wiped it dry little by little with a towel.

Her hair was pulled, and she shivered uncontrollably due to the tingling itching. Her mind was in a state of confusion, and she whispered in a flattering tone, "...Second cousin."

Shen Tingzhu entangled his fingers in her hair, creating an indistinguishable ambiguity. His Adam's apple moved slightly, "I promise, just sit still."

Lin Qingran felt relieved. She endured the discomfort and let him twist her hair. She lowered her head and clasped her fingertips, making a small calculation in her mind. As long as this matter was over, she would say goodbye to her little aunt. When I return to Jiangning, I don't care what favors he has.

The room was quiet. After an unknown amount of time, Yueying's voice sounded outside, "Yueying asks to see the crown prince."

Lin Qingran moved on her toes, fidgeting and said, "Yueying is here."

Shen Tingzhu put down his kerchief and lifted the curtain and went out. Lin Qingran couldn't hear what they said clearly, but when he came in again, he had a pair of embroidered shoes in his hand.

Shen Tingzhu cast his gaze on the hem of her clothes hanging to the floor. Lin Qingran quickly took the shoes from his hand and muttered, "I'll do it myself."

Shen Tingzhu was indeed a little tired. He endured the pain in his knees and slowly sat aside, looking at her quietly.

Lin Qingran bent down and quickly put on his shoes.

Shen Tingzhu said: "If Shen Xi comes to ask, Ranran will just say that she felt tired and went back to the house to rest, so there is no need to worry about it."

Lin Qingran nodded and said softly: "Thank you, second cousin."

Yueying waited outside and saw Lin Qingran coming out. She put on the fox fur cloak for her and whispered: "Girl, let's go."

After walking out of Yulan Residence, the cool breeze from the mountains made Lin Qingran's mind feel trance-like, and she felt that what just happened was all a dream.

But when he lowered his head, he was still wearing Shen Tingzhu's clothes, and his nose was filled with his scent, a faint scent of tea and medicine.

Lin Qingran clenched her sleeves tightly, shook her head vigorously, and walked forward in a daze.

Shen Tingzhu sat for a long time before getting up and walking to the bed. On the soft couch in front of the bed were the wet clothes that Lin Qingran had changed. He leaned over to pick up the clothes, and a small piece of fabric fell from it.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and realized what it was. He narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly bent down. He picked up the soft thin belt with his long fingers and brought the thing to his eyes. The aroma of wine mixed with the smell of the little girl. The sweet scent rushes into the nose together.

The purple soft gauze was kneaded and wrinkled in his hands, and his fingertips very slowly stroked the embroidery on it, which inexplicably revealed a heart-stopping and sticky feeling.

Shen Tingzhu's half-cast eyes were filled with an inky color that was too thick to dissolve.

It's still dark.

Shen Tingzhu suddenly woke up, his overlapping eyelashes slowly parted, his chaotic eyes were filled with red, and there was moisture at the end of his eyes, and his face had a romantic look that he had never seen before.

The thin lips opened slightly and moved slowly. The swallowing movements were rough and even embarrassing. The hands on the sides slowly tightened.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the dark tent ceiling. He unexpectedly dreamed that he untied the laces of the small clothes, and the only cover fell in front of his eyes. There was a broken sound in his ears, with a weak cry of "Second Biao". elder brother".

Shen Tingzhu put his arms on his eyes and exhaled heavily, unable to think anymore.

Suddenly, he felt something was wrong, frowned, sat up and lifted the quilt, the air suddenly became thick.

Shen Tingzhu pressed the corners of his lips tightly, his eyes getting redder and redder. He sat in the darkness for a long time and ordered in a rough voice: "Prepare water."

=== Chapter === 037

It's cold in winter, and even in the mountains and forests, it's hard to hear the chirping of birds. It's quiet and ethereal, until the sun shines through the clouds, and the sky is fully lit.

The palace maid led Mrs. Qin into Yuhua Pavilion and said, "Your Majesty, Madam is here."

The Qin family blessed Shen Zhen with the words, "Your Majesty."

Shen Zhen stepped forward to help Mrs. Qin up and said softly: "The Emperor is not here, and there are no outsiders. There is no need for mother to pay these false courtesy to me."

Mrs. Qin looked at her daughter with a relieved smile. Shen Zhen pulled her to the table and ordered the palace maid to serve the meal. There were only two people left in the hall. Shen Zhen's face showed a bit of the sweetness of her daughter, "I have been waiting for a long time." I no longer have breakfast with my mother."

Mrs. Qin nodded and held her hand lovingly, "It was all before you entered the palace."

Shen Zhen smiled, the sadness in her eyes flashed, and she nodded and smiled.

Qin asked again: "Why doesn't the emperor have dinner with you?"

"The Emperor and Eunuch Xu went to the study. I think they have something to deal with."

Qin said: "In this case, you should personally deliver meals to the emperor and show some care."

Shen Zhen didn't want to mention the emperor too much. It happened that the palace maid had brought breakfast, so she changed the subject and said, "Let's use it first."

She knows her daughter Mo Ruomu, and Mrs. Qin knows that although her daughter appears gentle and gentle, she is actually stubborn. She also knows that it is useless to talk more, so she can only say: "Mother sees how the emperor treats you, and some things will be resolved in the past." That's all, whether it's your brother's business or something else."

When Mrs. Qin finished the order, Shen Zhen nodded with a smile, "My daughter knows." She personally filled a bowl of soup for Mrs. Qin and asked casually: "Did mother send someone to my brother's room?"

Mrs. Qin didn't understand why she suddenly asked this question. She shook her head and said, "Why do you ask that?"

Shen Zhen lowered her eyebrows and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Nothing, just asking casually. By the way, has mother mentioned Mr. Wang's daughter to my brother?"

Whenever Mrs. Qin talks about Shen Tingzhu, she sighs, "Why didn't I mention it? Sometimes you two siblings are really similar in temperament."

Shen Zhen immediately understood the meaning of Qin's words. She was silent for a moment and said, "I'll go see him later."

After breakfast, Mrs. Qin left without sitting for more. Shen Zhen sat absently on the Arhat bed and read a book. The emperor only mentioned it casually last night, but she couldn't calm down anymore. She knew her brother's temperament, and this matter If someone else told her, she wouldn't believe it.

Shen Zhen closed the book in her hand. The emperor mentioned something like that, clearly waiting for her to go and ask. She held the book tightly in her hands. After a long while, she called the palace maid, raised her eyes and asked: "Your Majesty, can you have breakfast?" Already? "

The palace maid said: "Return to your Majesty, I haven't done it yet."

"Prepare meals and follow me to see the emperor." Shen Zhen put on her cloak and walked towards the study.

In the study, the emperor was sitting behind the case reviewing memorials. When he saw Shen Zhen coming over, he frowned and said, "Why are you here in such a cold weather?"

Shen Zhen put on a sweet smile and said, "I learned that the emperor has not eaten yet, so I specially brought it to you."

She took the tray from the palace maid and placed it in front of the emperor. The emperor took her hand and rubbed it in his palm, "It's so cold."

Shen Zhen curled her fingertips and whispered, "Your Majesty, please eat quickly."

The emperor let go of her and began to eat slowly. Shen Zhen waited until he finished eating before asking: "You said last night, brother, he..."

Seeing that she finally told her the reason for coming here, the emperor smiled and leaned back, "Zhen'er is standing so far away, can you hear clearly what I am saying?"

How could Shen Zhen not understand the meaning of his words and not be shy? She walked behind the case and sat on his lap. The emperor held her waist, hugged her from behind and warmed her hands.

Shen Zhen lowered her eyes and said, "Can the Emperor say something?"

The emperor said: "I only know that there are people under the water. As for the others, I really don't know."

Shen Zhen was a little annoyed. This was different from what she said at the beginning. The emperor looked at her side face, smiled and leaned closer, "Well, there is a woman's coat on the ground."

Shen Zhen turned her head, "But my servant's clothes?"

The emperor said: "No servant is qualified to wear the finest Yun brocade."

Shen Zhen frowned even more when she heard this. It would be fine if she was just a maid, but she was obviously not. Who are the other noble ladies who come to the mountain?

After coming out of the study, Shen Zhen went to Yulan Residence. Mo Ci, who was guarding outside the house, came up to say hello, "In this humble position, I see the Queen."

Shen Zhen said: "Go and tell the Crown Prince that I am here and wait for him in the flower hall."

Mo Ci said respectfully: "The prince has not risen yet, please wait a moment, the queen. I will go and pass the news right now."

Shen Zhen frowned slightly, "It's almost noon, why haven't you gotten up yet?"

Mo Ci replied: "Your Majesty only said that he is tired and his life is low, so he should not be disturbed."

Shen Zhen's expression suddenly changed, "Since I'm not feeling well, I don't know how to ask the accompanying imperial physician to see me."

Mo excused himself and said, "I have neglected my duty, please forgive me."

Shen Zhen ordered the chamberlain beside her: "Go and ask the imperial doctor to come over quickly."

The waiter responded: "Slave, I'll go right away."

The door of the room was opened. Shen Tingzhu frowned and looked at the noisy group of people, and said helplessly: "Sister, I just want to sleep for a while."

Shen Zhen stepped forward and looked at him carefully from head to toe with a frown. She saw that his lips were slightly whiter and his face was haggard than yesterday. He couldn't say anything, so he said softly: "Why don't you just come out without putting on some clothes? Come in quickly."

Shen Tingzhu shook his head almost invisibly and followed Shen Zhen into the house.

Shen Zhen had a worried look on her face, "You must have neither eaten nor taken any medicine when you slept until this moment?"

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "I'll eat it soon."

Shen Zhen refused and watched him finish his meal with her own eyes, and ordered Mo Qi to bring the medicine.

Shen Zhen took the medicine bowl and blew the medicine until it was no longer hot, then handed it to Shen Tingzhu, "You can drink it."

Shen Tingzhu still had a smile on his face, but it was so light that it was almost invisible. He took the medicine bowl and drank it in one gulp.

Shen Zhen poured him a cup of tea and said, "Rinse your mouth."

Shen Tingzhu smiled casually, "Sister, I forgot, I can't taste bitterness."

After the words fell, both of them fell into silence. Shen Zhen felt a pain in her heart and quickly wiped her eyes without turning her head.

"Sister." Shen Tingzhu paused and changed the subject, "Sister, it's rare for me to leave the palace. Have you taken a good dip in the soup here?"

Speaking of bathing, Shen Zhen remembered the reason why she came here. On this trip to Yuxi Mountain, apart from the female family members of the Hou family, there was only the cousin from the Lin family in the third room. Shen Tingzhu went south this time to pick him up, although he He claimed to the outside world that he went to Mr. Wei's place, but only he knew the actual situation. The more Shen Zhen thought about it, the more likely it was.

It's just that the fact like Tangchi is ridiculous. The Lin family is a businessman after all. If it were other brothers in the family getting married, she would have to think carefully about it. But as long as Shen Tingzhu likes it, Shen Zhen will definitely go along with it. meaning.

But she made it clear that it was inappropriate to ask her brother about what was going on in his room. She thought for a moment and said, "I mentioned your marriage to my mother this morning, so I wanted to ask you if you have the girl in mind."

Shen Tingzhu asked, "Since I have asked my mother, I should know the answer. Why do I ask again?"

Normally, Shen Zhen would have been put off by him, but this time it was different. The emperor had seen it, so how could there be any falsehood? She simply asked: "It is supposed that soaking in this hot spring is good for your health. Why is it so bad?" Oh no?"

The meaningful words made Shen Tingzhu raise his eyes, and he said casually: "I was greedy and drank too much wine last night, and a wild cat came from nowhere, fell into the water, and tossed about. It's so exhausting."

"Wild cat?" Shen Zhen looked at him suspiciously.

Shen Tingzhu's face didn't change, as if he remembered something funny, he raised his lips and said, "I accidentally got into the water and almost made her scratch her with her claws."

The little girl pinched him really hard, but when he thought about it, he forgot the pain, leaving only a numbness.

"Your Majesty has also seen it." Shen Tingzhu shook his head and laughed, "I can't say unless I hid someone in the pool."

Shen Tingzhu already had a confusing face, so she gave up Shen Zhen's idea with just a few words. After all, she didn't believe that Shen Tingzhu would do anything outrageous.

But the emperor also said that he saw the woman's clothes... Thinking of the man's repeated changes of words, he was probably making nonsense just to comfort himself.

Fortunately, no joke was made. Shen Zhen said: "Go back and ask the guards to search for wild animals on the mountain. Why did they come in again?"

Shen Tingzhu pursed her lips and smiled without saying a word.

The chamberlain knocked on the door and asked for an audience, "The Queen, the Crown Prince, Doctor Liu is here."

Shen Zhen asked the waiter: "I pointed out that you should be more agile with your hands and feet. Why have you been there for so long?"

The chamberlain said: "I don't know something, but the third lady's niece is sick, so she invited Dr. Liu, so I went to Zhanyue Pavilion to find someone."

Shen Tingzhu paused slightly while sipping his tea. Are you sick?

Shen Zhen raised her eyebrows. The person in the third room was not the girl from the Lin family. She asked one more question, "What disease do you have?"

Doctor Liu said: "Back to my wife, Miss Lin got a high fever because she caught wind and cold while taking a bath last night."

Shen Tingzhu frowned, the question was already on his lips. When he caught a glimpse of Shen Zhen looking towards him, he calmly put away his emotions.

Shen Zhen couldn't see any clues in his face, so she could only give up, thinking to herself that it would be too much of a coincidence.

After leaving Yulan Pavilion, she ordered her chamberlain to investigate, and found out that Lin Qingran went to the soup with Shen Xi and Shen Shu, so she gave up her guess.

During the day, Lin Qingran could barely keep her spirits up, but at night, the high fever started again. She was so dizzy from the fever that she felt cold no matter how hard she huddled in the quilt, and her eyes were so hot that she couldn't even open them. I couldn't open my eyes and my forehead was so hot that I could only hug the quilt tightly and cry unconsciously.

Mrs. Lin sat by the bed and stroked her forehead worriedly, "Why is she so fine? She has such a severe fever."

She turned sideways and told Yueying, "Go get some cold water."

Wet the handkerchief, wring it half dry, and put it on Lin Qingran's forehead. The coolness made her feel a little better, and she stopped crying tremblingly.

Yueying looked at the sky and said, "Madam, please go back and rest first. There are slaves here to serve you."

Mrs. Lin twisted the handkerchief for her again, then stood up and said: "There is another medicine to drink on the second watch, so don't forget it."

Yueying nodded, "Please don't worry, I will send my wife out."

It didn't take long for the scarf on Lin Qingran's forehead to freeze again. She frowned tightly and whimpered softly. The hair on her forehead was wet, and strands stuck to her face, messy and messy. Fragile.

Following the creak of the door being pushed open, slow footsteps came from the door and stopped beside Lin Qingran's bed. Shen Tingzhu's slender figure fell down and half covered her body.

"Hot, hot...cold." Lin Qingran hummed indiscriminately, tears overflowing from the end of her eyes wet her eyes, and her lips were dry and red.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes were serious, he took off the scarf on her forehead and put his hand on it, "It's permed like this."

The cold comfort on his forehead made Lin Qingran rub against him regardless, letting out a long hum.

=== Chapter === 038

"Well…"

Lin Qingran's frown relaxed a little, and she rubbed his palm back and forth. Her burning crimson face contrasted sharply with Shen Tingzhu's white hands.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her intently, curled his fingers slightly, and gently brushed away the wet hair stuck to her face, slowly moved it behind her ears, and scraped her soft ears with his fingertips. Even her earlobes were very hot. Last night It was like a nimble fish that bumped into him and kept him restless all night. But one day, the fish was out of water.

Shen Tingzhu's heart was tightened. To him, illness was a daily routine that had been with him for more than ten years. No matter how severe the torture was, it was nothing more than ordinary, let alone a fever, but he could not see Lin Qingran like this.

Different from teasing and watching indifferently when they first met, he really couldn't let her go.

Dissatisfied with his hand leaving, Lin Qingran fumbled around randomly, grabbed it, and put it against her snowy cheeks. The intimate movement made Shen Tingzhu stiffen, and an almost invisible blush flashed across her face.

"Don't push me away now." There was an inexplicable joy in his negligent tone.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, his left hand held by Lin Qingran, his free hand tucked her into bed, and he just watched her quietly.

After a long time, there was a knock on the door.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Come in."

Yueying opened the door and opened the curtain and came in. When she saw the scene beside the bed, she blushed and lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, it's time to wake up the young lady and take medicine."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at the thick black concoction and frowned slightly, "Leave it alone, please step back."

After the medicine had cooled down a bit, Shen Tingzhu said, "Drink the medicine."

"Ranran, wake up."

Lin Qingran only hummed and shook her head without even opening her eyes.

Shen Tingzhu pinched her earlobe, but she unexpectedly almost cried with her lips flattened. Her muffled and sad voice was extremely aggrieved, "Little aunt... I don't want to drink."

Since he had been here for so long, the little girl didn't even know who he was, so Shen Tingzhu said ruthlessly: "No."

When he didn't get a response, he simply half-hugged her and hugged her from behind.

Just sitting up, Lin Qingran had an unbearable headache. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. She buried her head and shrank back. She wanted to lie down and go back to bed, but instead she fell into Shen Tingzhu's arms.

Shen Tingzhu knew that she was unconscious because of the fever, but her fingertips still trembled when she was teased, especially after what happened last night.

After a few words, Shen Tingzhu held her chin and straightened her upright, saying in a hoarse voice: "Don't make any more trouble."

Lin Qingran shrank back and opened his eyes with difficulty, looking at him with tears in his eyes. He couldn't tell whether it was reality or a dream, and vented his anger angrily, "Bandit! Bad guy, bad guy."

Crying without any strength sounded more like soft coquettishness.

Shen Tingzhu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He gently wiped away her tears and said fiercely: "You know I'm a bad person but you still don't take the medicine."

He hugged Lin Qingran's slender and weak body, held up the medicine bowl and put it against her lips. Lin Qingran's lips trembled from crying. She took a small sip and pushed his hand out, "Little aunt." ,bitter."

She was so burned that she thought the Shen Tingzhu she saw just now was a dream, and the person holding her was still Mrs. Lin.

Shen Tingzhu moved the bowl away from the distance and scolded in a low voice, "I won't be polite if you spill a drop."

Sure enough, the person in her arms shrank again. When Shen Tingzhu put the bowl towards her again, she closed her eyes and drank it without daring to spill a drop. The tears she shed almost equaled the amount of medicine she drank.

Pushing the sugar granules into her lips, Lin Qingran pursed her face with a bitter look, and slowly relaxed her frown.

Shen Tingzhu asked with a smile: "Is it sweet?"

He snorted a cry from his nose and did not answer.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes fell on her lips that were smacking back and forth. They were still moist and full of medicinal juice. He put his fingertips on them and rubbed them. The area he pressed turned white and gradually turned red. It was unusually soft. , is the same thing true for the uvula curled with sugar particles...

He exerted slight pressure on his fingertips and probed into the gap between his lips.

Lin Qingran turned his head over in discomfort. The confusion in Shen Tingzhu's eyes instantly dissipated. He closed his eyes forcefully and let go of her almost hastily.

Lin Qingran didn't notice it at all. As soon as he touched the bed, he retracted himself into the quilt, revealing half of his face filled with tears.

The candlelight in the lampshade gradually faded, and after a bowl of medicine was taken down, Lin Qingran's menacing fever finally began to subside.

As the heat dissipated, she began to sweat, and the sweat stuck to her body. It was very uncomfortable. She pulled off the quilt and pulled out her arms.

Shen Tingzhu, who was sitting quietly, raised his eyes when he woke up, touched her forehead with the back of his hand, and said to himself: "The fever is gone."

Looking at her sweat-soaked clothes that were tangled and stuck to her body, Shen Tingzhu frowned and said, "You have to change your wet clothes."

Lin Qingran's eyelids were still heavy, but fortunately her hazy consciousness gradually came back. She vaguely heard the man's voice in her ears, saying that he wanted to change her clothes!

Then, her clothes were untied, and she opened her eyelids in a hurry.

The candlelight came into view. After Lin Qingran became dizzy, she immediately touched her clothes. The middle coat had been untied. She was horrified and looked at the person in front of her in a daze.

Yueying saw the person wake up and said happily: "The lady is finally awake."

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment, and finally saw the person in front of him clearly. It took him a while to recover, and he was unable to ask: "What are you doing?"

Yueying helped her up and put a pillow behind her back, "I saw that the young lady's clothes were soaked with sweat, so I wanted to change them for you."

Lin Qingran folded her clothes, her head was still dizzy, so why did she hear Shen Tingzhu's voice? Not only that, she seemed to have seen him...

Yueying changed her clothes, and Lin Qingran let her fiddle with her hands and feet weakly. He caught a glimpse of the bowl of medicine placed aside, and fragments of it reappeared in his mind. Shen Tingzhu pinched her chin and forced her to drink the medicine. It was very painful. But soon her mouth turned sweet again, and Lin Qingran frowned in confusion. She clearly remembered that her little aunt was accompanying her.

Thinking it was a dream, Lin Qingran pursed her lips and tongue unconsciously, and actually tasted the slightest hint of sweetness left.

More scenes were remembered. After Shen Tingzhu frightened her, he held her and fed her medicine, put sugar in her mouth... and put a cold hand on her forehead.

Not a dream.

Lin Qingran looked at Yueying, who was cleaning up at the side, and said anxiously: "Let me ask you, has the Crown Prince been here before?"

Yueying's eyes dodge, hesitating and not daring to speak.

Lin Qingran already knew the answer when she saw this. Yueying quietly observed her expression and deliberately revealed it to her, "The prince was worried about the young lady, so he rushed over to visit. He waited until the young lady took the medicine and her fever subsided before leaving. "

"It was already midnight when we left, and the prince barely slept a wink all night."

Lin Qingran glanced at the dark and silent night outside the window, lowered her eyes and bit her lips, becoming more and more afraid to think about what he wanted to do.

The next day, Mrs. Lin came to see Lin Qingran early.

Seeing that her fever had subsided, he finally let go of her worries and said, "You should have a good rest these two days and don't run around anymore."

Lin Qingran's face was still pale and haggard. She leaned on the sofa and nodded obediently, "I understand."

Mrs. Lin tucked her into the quilt, "The bones are so weak, the third sister and the fifth sister are all fine, but you can cure typhoid fever just by taking a bath."

Thinking of what happened that night, facing each other naked like that, Lin Qingran felt that her whole body was burning again. She was so ashamed that she couldn't raise her head and whispered: "I will never take a bath again."

Now, how could she stay in the Hou Mansion? After thinking about it, Lin Qingran once again proposed to return to Jiangning.

Mrs. Lin was reluctant to let her go, but also thought that it was the first time she was so far away from home, so she would definitely miss her home. Now that she was ill, she was afraid that she would miss home even more, so she could only agree: "It will be New Year's Day in more than ten days. After that, On the 15th of the Lantern Festival, my sister-in-law will arrange for someone to take you back."

There was less than a month left before the Lantern Festival. Lin Qingran nodded solemnly. The panic and confusion in her heart subsided only when she thought about not having to see that person again.

After Lin left, Shen Xi and Shen Shu also came to visit.

Shen Xi's face was filled with annoyance and self-blame, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't gone to the bathhouse at night, my cousin wouldn't have gotten sick."

Lin Qingran couldn't bear to hear the word "go to the bath" now, but she still pretended to be fine and said: "What does it have to do with you? I caught a cold myself."

Shen Xi was still regretting that she should not suggest drinking. Shen Shu saw that Lin Qingran looked wrong. He thought she was tired, pulled Shen Xi and said softly: "Okay, let's let Qingran have a good rest."

Shen Xi told Yue Ying to take good care of her before leaving with Shen Shu.

After everyone left, the room finally became quiet. Lin Qingran lay down tiredly. The inappropriate scene appeared again. She closed her eyes in frustration and ordered herself not to think about it.

Yueying avoided everyone's sight and went to Yulan Residence.

Shen Tingzhu sat on the Luohan bed and read a book. He asked without raising his head, "How are you doing? Do you have any more fever?"

Yue Ying said: "Back to the crown prince, the young lady's fever has gone away. It doesn't matter how many days she will be raised."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "Ask the imperial doctor to take a look."

"Yes, I have something else to report."

Shen Tingzhu turned over a page of the book and said, "Say."

Yueying hesitated for a moment and said: "The third lady has promised to send the young lady back to Jiangning after the Lantern Festival."

"Pa." Shen Tingzhu closed the book and raised his eyelids, his deep black eyes showing no emotion.

When it was time to take the medicine, Yueying came to help Lin Qingran drink the medicine. Looking at the dark concoction, Lin Qingran shook his head resistingly, "I feel much better, there is no need to drink it."

Yueying took out a sugar bowl from her sleeve, and Lin Qingran recognized it. This was the sugar bowl that Shen Tingzhu carried with him.

The prince's words were still ringing in his ears, "Tell her, she doesn't have to go anywhere unless I promise. Also, if she doesn't take the medicine well, then I don't mind going a few more times."

Yueying felt that if she really said these words, the young lady would probably have to pack her things and go back to Jiangning overnight.

After thinking hard for a long time, Yueying considered it and said: "The prince said that even if you are afraid of suffering, you have to take medicine. Your health is very important. If you really can't drink, just take a piece of this candy. It will taste sweet."

Lin Qingran couldn't believe that Shen Tingzhu could say this. That person had always been domineering and bad.

Yueying said at the right time: "Miss, have you forgotten? The third lady will have to come later."

Afraid of being scolded by her little aunt, Lin Qingran had no choice but to pick up the medicine bowl, take a deep breath and drink the medicine while holding her breath.

Putting down the bowl, Lin Qingran narrowed her eyes in pain and wrinkled her face. She originally didn't want to eat Shen Tingzhu's candy, but even after drinking two cups of tea, she still couldn't get rid of the bitterness in her mouth. Without further hesitation, he quickly took the sugar bowl, picked up a sugar grain, put it into his mouth, and sipped it between his lips and tongue.

Lin Qingran had to lie in bed for four or five days before she was fully recovered. Shen Xi was afraid that she would feel bored after lying in bed for these days, so as soon as he learned that she had recovered, he came to invite her out.

Lin Qingran was the first to say: "Let's make a deal first, I won't go to the bath."

Shen Xi took the hand stove from Yueying, put it into her hand and said with a smile: "If you don't want to take a bath, the scenery on the mountain is nice. Let's go out for a walk."

Lin Qingran was indeed bored and bored staying in the room. After thinking about it for a while, he followed.

The two of them walked along the bluestone road towards the Cloud Observation Platform on the mountainside. As they walked, fine snow started to drift and hung on the branches. When it subsided, another snowflake fell again, stacked and crystal clear, like a fairyland, very special. beauty.

Yueying stepped forward and put on the wide hat of Lin Qingran's cloak, "It's snowing and cold, and the lady is in good health. Let's go back."

The edges of the rabbit fur covered her sight. Lin Qingran lifted up Jiangnan Shaoxue. She couldn't bear to see the scenery in front of her. She shook her head and said, "I'm not cold."

She stretched out her hand to catch the snowflakes, and the clear snowflakes fell on her fingertips. Lin Qingran's eyes were bent into crescent moons with joy, and some blew on her eyelashes, which she playfully blinked away.

In the cloud viewing platform, Shen Zhen was accompanying Shen Tingzhu to enjoy tea and view the scenery. When she saw the snow falling, she was worried about Shen Tingzhu's health, "It's been a while since I came out. It's time to go back."

When she didn't hear an answer, she turned her head and saw Shen Tingzhu staring at something. She looked past and found the person Shen Tingzhu had put in his eyes.

Shen Tingzhu looked away and said in a normal tone, "They look like Third Sister and Cousin Lin."

Shen Zhen also saw Shen Xi beside her. She was not sure who Shen Tingzhu was looking at just now, so she was distracted.

She keenly felt that something was wrong, but she also knew that she would not be able to find out anything from Shen Tingzhu. He could still deal with you if he wanted to, but if he didn't want to, he wouldn't tell you a single truth.

However, not everyone has his own abilities.

Shen Zhen ordered the maid next to her, "Go and invite Third Sister and Miss Lin."

=== Chapter === 039

The palace maid walked up to the two of them: "Third Miss, Miss Lin, please come over."

Lin Qingran raised her head and looked in the direction of the Cloud Observation Deck. Shen Tingzhu's thin but upright figure came into view. Her hand trembled, and a snowflake fell on her fingertips.

Unprepared, those images appeared in her mind. In the past, she was afraid of Shen Tingzhu, but her heartbeat was not as fast as it is now. She could not calm down for a moment, as if she had no cover as long as she was looked at by him. .

She repeatedly clenched her palms, and by the time she reached the Cloud Observation Platform, her hands were already covered in sweat. She lowered her eyes and followed Shen Xi and bowed in a low voice, "Qingran has met the Queen." She pursed her lips and said to Shen Tingzhu: " Second cousin."

Shen Tingzhu lowered her eyebrows and didn't even dare to look at him. Shen Tingzhu smiled as usual and said, "I heard that my cousin has caught the cold. Is she feeling well?"

Lin Qingran's heart tightened. He didn't know everything, so why ask.

She was so angry that she didn't want to pay attention to it, but the queen was right next to her. She could only nod slightly and said, "It's all done. Thank you, second cousin, for caring."

Shen Zhen smiled peacefully and asked the two of them to sit down. She looked over Lin Qingran calmly, but her appearance was really outstanding. She was not like the subtle and revealing look of a noble lady in the capital. There was a natural coquettishness between her eyebrows and eyes. I think I was pampered at home when I was growing up.

Shen Zhen asked the palace maid to serve tea. Lin Qingran politely thanked her and took a sip of the tea. When she put it down, she put her little finger on the bottom of the cup without making any sound. Shen Zhen smiled slightly. Although she was a merchant girl, she behaved herself. are all good.

"Why is it that I have caught the wind and cold, but my servants are not taking good care of me?" Shen Zhen asked seemingly unintentionally.

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips, Ajie was trying to talk something out of the little girl.

Lin Qingran saw him laughing from the corner of her eye, straightened her back uncomfortably, and replied: "It's my fault, it has nothing to do with the servants, it's me who caught a cold."

Shen Xi blamed herself: "It was because I dragged my cousin to the hot spring bath at night and drank some wine, so my cousin caught cold."

Shen Zhen shook her head helplessly and scolded: "You are the only one who likes to fool around."

Lin Qingran explained: "My dear, don't blame Third Sister. I was caught in the wind on the way back to Zhanyue Pavilion."

Her thoughts drifted to that night as the words came out of her mouth. Lin Qingran tried her best not to let her thoughts wander, but memories still crowded into her mind.

Especially when Shen Tingzhu sat beside him so openly.

She squeezed her palms tightly, not daring to show any abnormality, but her ears had already turned red.

Shen Zhen noticed this subtle change and said deliberately: "What a coincidence, your second brother also had trouble bathing in the bath a few nights ago, and he felt uncomfortable the next day." She smiled at Lin Qingran, "It seems to be you That night when I got cold."

Shen Tingzhu sighed silently. If the little girl revealed her secret, she would not be able to blame him.

Lin Qingran quickly glanced at Shen Tingzhu, her eyes flashed with shame and confusion.

It was this glance that made Shen Zhen's thoughts that had been given up rise again. She looked into Lin Qingran's eyes and said, "You think it was a coincidence or not."

This seemingly ordinary sentence made Lin Qingran tense up.

What happened that night has passed. Even if some people have doubts, there is no basis and nothing can be proved, but even if she comforts herself like this, she is still flustered.

Shen Tingzhu saw her uneasiness in his eyes and couldn't help but frown.

He was not someone who couldn't hide his emotions, but this time Shen Zhen easily saw that something was wrong. She looked back and forth between the two of them, and now her guess was not even ten, but nine.

It seemed that there were no wild cats that night, and what the emperor said was true.

However, this girl Lin did not take this opportunity to make plans to enter the Marquis's mansion as she thought. Instead, she was... very scared.

"Sister." Shen Tingzhu said in a helpless tone, "You must make me look embarrassed in front of my two sisters."

Shen Tingzhu's rescue made Lin Qingran breathe a sigh of relief.

The topic just got sidetracked.

Shen Zhen smiled at Lin Qingran and said, "I see that you are in love with each other. After the Chinese New Year, I must have you come to the palace to accompany me for a few days."

Lin Qingran remembered that she would be leaving soon. She was originally worried that Shen Tingzhu would embarrass her, but the queen happened to be there, so she took this time to explain. She said with a troubled face, "I'm afraid that Qingran will let down the good intentions of the empress."

Sensing Shen Tingzhu's gaze, Lin Qingran said vigorously: "I have discussed it with my aunt and will go back to Jiangning after the Lantern Festival."

Shen Tingzhu's dull eyes suddenly darkened. Yueying didn't tell her that he wouldn't agree. Looking at Lin Qingran's trembling eyelashes, she became more courageous.

Shen Xi had the biggest reaction, "Why is my cousin going back so soon?"

Shen Zhen secretly paid attention to Shen Tingzhu's expression. She didn't know when her brother began to show his true emotions gradually. It seemed that in order to reassure everyone, he pretended to be calm and calm. But at this moment His eyes were sharp, something she hadn't seen in a long time.

Lin Qingran turned sideways to avoid Shen Tingzhu's gaze and spoke to Shen Xi, "I have been out for a long time. If I don't go back, my father and brother will miss me."

Shen Zhen suppressed her suspicions and looked at Lin Qingran again. The look in her eyes was much more complicated.

Compared to Shen Tingzhu, Lin Qingran was simply easy to recognize. It wasn't that he was trying to welcome him or not, but that he really wanted to leave.

"This is a pity." Shen Zhen continued: "Fortunately, there is still some time before the Lantern Festival."

Lin Qingran nodded. Shen Tingzhu's gaze on her was so compelling that she couldn't ignore it, so she had to think carefully and said: "I remembered that I still have a pair of medicines that I haven't used yet, so I won't disturb my wife and second cousin. Sister, enjoy the scenery."

Shen Tingzhu remained silent, but Shen Zhen smiled lightly and allowed her to leave.

Watching people walking down the stone steps, Shen Tingzhu's good mood was completely exhausted. He said expressionlessly: "I'm a little tired too, sister, third sister, sit down slowly."

Lin Qingran led Yueying back along the way they came. Her heart was in a mess. She vaguely heard the sound of a wheelchair pressing against the ground behind her. Lin Qingran's breath was stagnant. Why was he still chasing after her?

Lin Qingran walked faster and faster.

"Ranran left in such a hurry, was it because he felt guilty?" A clear and cold voice slowly hit his ears.

Lin Qingran wanted to rush over and cover his mouth. He dared to call her like this outside. If someone heard her...

She stamped her feet and turned around, meeting his eyes for the first time after that night, and meeting his smiling eyes. The shame in Lin Qingran's heart immediately overshadowed other emotions.

She lowered her eyes almost as if she was running away, but felt that she was too weak. She gritted her teeth and mustered up the courage to look at him, "What do you mean by this, cousin?" She had nothing to feel guilty about.

Shen Tingzhu sneered: "Ranran forgot..."

When Lin Qingran saw him calling her by her nickname again, she finally couldn't help but run forward. She almost covered his mouth with her raised hand, then put it down bitterly and looked around, "Don't yell like that."

Shen Tingzhu was interrupted by the little girl who suddenly ran up to him. He lowered his eyes and stared at the hand she put down, feeling a little regretful.

Lin Qingran hid her hands behind her back to prevent him from looking at her, biting her lips hesitantly, "Second cousin, please tell me what you have to say."

Shen Tingzhu nodded nonchalantly and waved away Mo Ci and Yue Ying, "Then let me tell you straight, does my cousin still remember the favor she owed me? Are you leaving now? Do you want to show off?"

Lin Qingran was choked with questions and was speechless. After a while, his upper lip touched his lower lip and he choked out two words, "...No."

The timid look with biting lips made Shen Tingzhu soften her heart, but seeing the perfunctory look in her eyes, the displeasure started to burn again, "If it's not the case, then how will Cousin Lin repay it?"

Lin Qingran almost wanted to give him some silver, but he was not a real bandit. Besides, the Changxing Marquis Mansion had a rich industry, so there was no need for such silver.

She thought about it over and over, and it was over anyway, so what if she relied on him... She just wanted to rely on him.

Although Lin Qingran thought so in her heart, she still said in a sweet voice: "If second cousin needs my help in any way, just ask."

Shen Tingzhu smiled. Could the little girl think that he couldn't see the cunning in her eyes?

"That's fine." Shen Tingzhu nodded slowly, "I'm not afraid that my cousin will let me down. After all, my cousin still has something with me."

"What is it?" Lin Qingran didn't remember that she had given him anything, but the light smile on his lips, which was clearly confident, made her feel very uneasy.

Lin Qingran looked confused and pitiful. Shen Tingzhu almost couldn't bear to scare her anymore, but the little girl didn't take him seriously. He said in a faint tone, "My cousin, I don't remember what I left behind that night." ?"

That night... Lin Qingran frowned and thought. She went there carrying the wine bottle. When she entered the soup pool, her coat was caught and she didn't get it back!

"My clothes." Lin Qingran murmured.

Shen Tingzhu saw that she only thought about her clothes and looked away, "There's more."

Lin Qingran followed him and lowered her gaze. A sudden thought occurred in her mind. She tightly gathered her cloak, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes widened.

It's her little coat.

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips, knowing that she had already remembered.

"Give it back!" Lin Qingran's eyes were red with embarrassment, and she reached out her little hand from under her cloak and stretched her palm out in front of him.

Shen Tingzhu looked strange for a moment, "Cousin, do you think I will take it with me?"

Lin Qingran's face burned hot, and she hurriedly retracted her hand. She heard Shen Tingzhu say slowly: "Besides, if I return my cousin, and you deny it and return to Jiangning, who will I find to reason with?"

Lin Qingran's mind was filled with images of him holding her own clothes. She was so embarrassed that beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, "I won't rely on you."

The moist black pupils were wide open, trying hard to make Shen Tingzhu believe what he said.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Okay."

Lin Qingran was overjoyed and heard him say: "When my cousin returns the favor to me, I will give you the things."

Lin Qingran's smile froze on her face, her eyes drooped, and she looked extremely aggrieved as if she wanted to cry.

Returning to Zhanyue Pavilion half-heartedly, Lin Qingran buried her head in the quilt, humming like a kitten, feeling extremely annoyed and ashamed.

Putting the things in Shen Tingzhu's place was like hiding explosives. Now it was no longer a matter of her keeping her promise. What could she do if he regretted not returning it to her.

She raised her head and had to take it back!

But how to get it was another problem, so she fell into the quilt again.

Yueying pushed the door open and came in. Looking at Lin Qingran who was burying herself in humiliation, she couldn't bear to say: "Miss, are you okay?"

Yueying is Shen Tingzhu's lover. Lin Qingran wanted to vent her anger on her, but she didn't even have the strength to get angry now. She raised her head and asked, "Do you think I'm okay?"

Yueying stepped forward, "Slave, please say something you shouldn't say."

Lin Qingran hummed feebly, signaling for her to say.

The Crown Prince had an order not to mention a single word regarding matters concerning his body. Yueying did not dare to disobey, so she only thought carefully and said, "The Crown Prince is not like what the young lady thinks."

Lin Qingran sneered, "Then what do you think he is like."

Yueying said hesitantly: "Your Majesty actually cares about you very much. When I asked this servant to come, I was afraid that you would have no one to serve you."

Lin Qingran was upset and didn't want to hear what she said at all. If she wanted to get her things back, she had no choice but to go to Yulanju, but wasn't this equivalent to sending herself to the doorstep.

Lin Qingran bit her lips until she made teeth marks but could not think of a good idea. She caught a glimpse of the sugar bowl placed on the corner of the table. She lowered her eyebrows and thought for a long time, and said to Yueying: "When will the prince come to Yulan?" Ju, I'll return the sugar bowl to him."

Yueying thought she was still angry and wanted to draw a clear line with the prince, "The prince mostly stays in the house and rarely moves around."

How can that be done? Lin Qingran said angrily: "What if I'm not here? I'll have to run away."

Yueying really didn't know Shen Tingzhu's movements. Lin Qingran waved her hands irritably, "You can go out."

When it was time for dinner, Lin Qingran decided to try his luck. Maybe Shen Tingzhu would accompany the Queen or the Qin family for dinner.

With this thought in mind, she took the sugar bowl and left the house.

Mo Cishou was outside Yulan Residence. When he saw Lin Qingran coming over, he said in surprise: "My cousin."

Lin Qingran became angry when she saw him, and deliberately raised her lips and said, "The boss is here."

Mo Ci also knew that Lin Qingran would not give him a good look. Hearing what she said, he became even more sarcastic, "Go back to my lady, the prince is not in the house. I wonder what the purpose of your coming here is?"

Not here? Lin Qingran was overjoyed, but did not show it on his face. He took out the sugar bowl he had brought beforehand and said on his face: "I'm here to return the prince's things."

She turned around and walked into the courtyard, with Mo Ci following closely behind. Lin Qingran found the main room and walked straight over. When Mo Ci saw her rushing towards the prince's bedroom, he stopped her confused and said, "Please, please, girl." Follow me to the side hall and wait."

Lin Qingran raised her eyes, "Do you think I've never entered this house?"

Of course Mo Ci knew that, Prince Ye personally carried the person back to the room.

While he was stunned, Lin Qingran walked forward again. Mo Ci didn't dare to touch her and quickly stopped.

Lin Qingran took the opportunity to go in. Seeing that Mo Ci was still following him, he deliberately asked, "Do you want to wait in the house with me?"

Mo Ci hurriedly retreated outside. Because of Lin Qingran, he was sent to the Soldiers and Horses Department to clean the stables for a month. He was finally released back. He never dared to get involved with her again.

Lin Qingran closed the door and turned around to rummage around the room. He soon found his own clothes at the bottom of the closet and put them together with Shen Tingzhu's clothes.

Lin Qingran was overjoyed, and hurriedly took out the things, put them in her arms and was about to leave. She stopped and carefully turned through them for fear of missing something. As a result, she turned her clothes inside out and couldn't find her little one. Clothes.

Lin Qingran opened the clothes in the closet to look for them, and whispered anxiously, "Why aren't they there?"

She turned around anxiously, wondering where Shen Tingzhu had put the things.

Lin Qingran shook his clothes piece by piece, and a piece of fine silk wrapped in Shen Tingzhu's clothes fell off. Lin Qingran picked it up and took a closer look, and couldn't help but be startled. Wasn't this the "bandit report to the official" that she wrote originally? He actually kept that piece of cloth until now.

Random thoughts arose in Lin Qingran's mind, as well as those unclear words Yueying said. She squeezed the fine silk and shook her head. Now was not the time to think about these things, she had to find the things quickly.

Mo Ci listened to the sound of the house being turned around, and the veins on his forehead were pulsing. After weighing the pros and cons, he felt that it would be better to wait for the prince to come back and handle it himself.

Lin Qingran rummaged through several cabinets in the room, but there was still no trace of Xiaoyi, and he stamped his feet in annoyance.

Shen Tingzhu stood quietly at the curtain, looking at the mess all over the place and he was not angry, but Lin Qingran's furious look made him unable to help but say, "Has Ranran found what you want?"

Lin Qingran shuddered and saw that he was back. Perhaps she was too angry that she no longer felt scared. She turned around and stared at him with red eyes, "Give me back the things."

Seeing that she didn't even try to cover up, Shen Tingzhu laughed softly, "Is Ranran obviously going to cheat?" He lowered his eyes, lowered the corners of his lips and asked, "What are you holding in your hand?"

Lin Qingran saw that something was wrong with his expression. She lowered her head and saw that it was a short piece of cloth. But when she shook it open, she was stunned. She quickly threw it to the ground. Her trembling eyes had nowhere to put it. How could she pick it up? It must be Shen Tingzhu's obscene pants.

Lin Qingran rubbed his palms vigorously, but his fingertips were still numb from the heat.

Shen Tingzhu bent down and calmly picked up the underwear that was thrown at his feet. Lin Qingran took a peek and saw that he folded it slowly and put it on the high table at hand.

After seeing what he had done, Lin Qingran was so embarrassed that she wished she could find a hole in the ground to dig into.

Seeing her shy expression from her cheeks to her ears, Shen Tingzhu's heart skipped a beat and he stared at her silently, admiring her quietly.

Lin Qingran couldn't resist his gaze, and the suspicion in her heart grew at an extremely fast rate.

Her mind was in a mess and she didn't want to stay any longer, so she said indiscriminately: "Give me back the things, or I will reveal your secret!"

She regretted it after saying that, she shouldn't have angered him. The strange thing is that Shen Tingzhu was not angry, but said: "I will give it to you if you can find it."

Lin Qingran looked at him suspiciously, but she rummaged through everything. If she had found it earlier, it was obvious that he had hidden it on purpose.

Thinking of the conversation in the morning, Lin Qingran said: "I'm afraid you're hiding."

After saying that, she bit her lip tightly. If he really carried her clothes close to her body... she stared at the ground in confusion, unwilling to think about it again.

"You can also come and look for me."

Lin Qingran suddenly raised his head, and Shen Tingzhu was leaning lazily on the door frame. The sky was already dark, and his figure was half-trapped in the darkness.

Lin Qingran couldn't see the look in his eyes clearly, but she knew that he was waiting for her to pass.

=== Chapter === 040

Lin Qingran was standing by the window. With the bright light coming from the corridor, Shen Tingzhu could barely see her expression at the moment. Her lips were slightly opened because of disbelief, and her eyes were wide open, astonished. looked at him.

Shen Tingzhu was also shocked by what he said. He wanted her to come closer to him. Apart from that, only he knew what else he wanted to do.

He was silent for a long time and then lowered his eyes and said, "It's not on me."

Lin Qingran couldn't tell the truth from his words, but his sudden retort made her sure that the thing was really on him.

When did he take the initiative to avoid looking at me?

That is a woman's most private thing. It is very clear what a man means by carrying a woman's thing like this.

There must be something on his mind.

Lin Qingran was so shocked that her breathing stagnated. She had indeed speculated before that Shen Tingzhu might be interested in her, but she gave it up long after he bullied her like that. Or maybe he just missed her body, but if that was the case, why didn't he touch her that day.

Her mind was so messed up. No matter what the reason was, Lin Qingran couldn't resist it. She subconsciously chose to escape and didn't want to think about it at all.

At this moment, she just wanted to get the thing back, and there were two thoughts intertwined in her mind, whether to look for it or not.

It was only a few breaths, but it was unusually long for Lin Qingran. Her tightly clenched hands suddenly loosened, she made up her mind, took the things and left.

Afraid of being shaken again, Lin Qingran almost trotted up to Shen Tingzhu, hurriedly put her hands on his blouse, and dug her fingertips into the lapels.

Shen Tingzhu's breathing tightened, and he quickly grasped the random little hands on his body. The softness of his palms showed through the fabric of his chest.

"You." Shen Shen only uttered one word, and he pressed his lips tightly.

Lin Qingran lowered her head so low that it was almost buried in her chest, and said in a loud voice, "You will return it to me if you find it."

She pulled her hand away hard and wanted to probe inside, but her fingertips were pressed under his palm and she couldn't move.

"You want to cheat." Lin Qingran finally raised her head and saw his dark eyes clearly.

Her heart was trembling with force, and all her courage was gone. She staggered back, and Shen Tingzhu let go of her hand.

Lin Qingran simply didn't know what to do, and said angrily, "Then how do you want me to repay the favor?"

Shen Tingzhu adjusted her breathing. He felt that he should stay away from her now, "I will tell you when I think of it."

"I'll tell you today." She felt uneasy if it took any longer.

Shen Tingzhu was forced to be unable to handle it for the first time and blurted out, "You won't leave if I want you to."

Lin Qingran was stunned. Shen Tingzhu couldn't ignore the crumbling panic in her eyes. He closed his eyes and changed his words, "Xue Tuan... I like you and I will kiss you. If you can find a way to make her not see you again, I will run away." , even if you return the favor."

Lin Qingran felt as if he had been lifted into the air, and his legs were still a little weak when he fell down, "Seriously?"

Lin Qingran felt that she could accept the request, which was not too embarrassing.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her black and white eyes and smiled, "Do you want me to write it down in black and white for you?"

Lin Qingran nodded heavily, "Yes."

In the study, Lin Qingran was studying ink, and Shen Tingzhu took out a purple brush and asked her sideways, "How to write?"

Lin Qingran looked at his hand holding the pen and felt angry when she remembered that he had pretended to be illiterate and wanted to teach him how to read.

One of them was dictating and the other was writing.

Lin Qingran picked up the written note and blew it dry, folded it carefully and put it away, then whispered: "Then I'm leaving."

After taking two steps, she turned back and put the sugar bowl in her sleeve on the table, "Give this back to my cousin."

Shen Tingzhu nodded.

After staying in Yuxi Mountain for another day, Mrs. Shen ordered her to return home. The Chinese New Year would be in a few days.

Everyone in the house was busy preparing for the New Year, hanging new lights, cutting window grilles and pasting Spring Festival couplets. Only Lin Qingran was thinking about how to make Xue Tuan fall in love with Shen Tingzhu.

She was extremely anxious, but Shen Tingzhu didn't care at all. She went to Yuansongju twice in a row and wanted Xuetuan to follow him everywhere first, but he pushed her away because he had no time.

Lin Qingran didn't see what he had to do, and he was clearly dragging her along on purpose.

We can't let him drag him through.

On this day, Lin Qingran had breakfast and went to Yuansongju.

Mo Ci invited Lin Qingran to the side hall, "The prince has not risen yet, please wait a moment."

Lin Qingran hugged the snow ball and said with a smile: "I have all day today, so I'm just waiting here."

Let's see how he pushes it this time.

Shen Tingzhu laughed silently as he listened to Mo Ci's words. He really didn't mean to drag the little girl, but the colder the weather, the more tired he felt.

After washing and changing clothes, he asked Mo Ci to bring the medicine, "Is there any news from Mr. Wei?"

Mo Ci shook his head and then said: "Mr. Wei said that although these medicines cannot remove the remaining poison on your body, as long as you take it every day, you can control the spread of the remaining poison."

Shen Tingzhu's complexion paled a bit, and the residual poison in his body was almost exhausted. No matter how much nourishing soup he poured in, it felt like he had fallen into a bottomless pit.

He lowered his eyes. The little girl was so easy to deceive, maybe he could pretend for the rest of his life.

Lin Qingran waited for Shen Tingzhu to start talking to Snow Tuan, "I know you don't like him, we are just making fun of him."

Seeing people walking in the court from a distance, Lin Qingran quickly stopped her voice, hugged the snow ball and slowly touched the back of its neck, just to comfort herself.

When he walked in, Lin Qingran asked, "Second cousin, you don't have to be busy today, right?"

Shen Tingzhu nodded and said slowly, "But I haven't eaten yet."

Lin Qingran wanted to curse, but Xue Tuan in her arms happened to call out to Shen Tingzhu. Lin Qingran took it as a scolding and said softly: "Then second cousin eats first."

Shen Tingzhu found it interesting every time he saw her pretending to be well-behaved, "Please use some with me."

Lin Qingran frowned, "I've eaten."

Shen Tingzhu could not refuse and said, "Then have a bowl of milk." He called Mo Ji to serve the meal.

Lin Qing had to get up and sit at the table.

After he finally finished his breakfast, Lin Qingran finally allowed him to develop a relationship with Xuetuan.

She first tried to put the snow ball on the ground and guide it towards Shen Tingzhu, but every time the snow ball went in the opposite direction neatly, even coaxing it with dried fish didn't work.

Lin Qingran straightened up and almost wanted to ask Shen Tingzhu how he bullied it to make it resist like this.

She turned around and saw Shen Tingzhu waiting silently, his eyes calm, as if he was not surprised at all by this situation.

"It doesn't seem possible." Shen Tingzhu said calmly.

Naturally, Lin Qingran couldn't just let it go, "Let's go outside and play with it for a while."

Shen Tingzhu nodded and followed her out.

As soon as they arrived outside, the snowballs happily circled around Lin Qingran's feet.

"That twig with feathers I gave you last time." Lin Qingran was talking about the twig that Shen Qi gave her and Shen Tingzhu took away.

Shen Tingzhu frowned, "I tried it, but it doesn't work."

Lin Qingran looked at him seriously. Did he really not know that it didn't work because the target was him?

"Come and get it, let me try it."

Shen Tingzhu said: "Throw it away."

Lin Qingran was speechless, but she was not surprised at all. Fortunately, the thing was made of feathers tied to thin cork branches, so it was easy to make.

She took the newly tied twigs and carried the snow ball far away from Shen Tingzhu to play with it.

The snow ball turned its head back and forth following the swinging feathers in her hand, and from time to time it straightened up and pounced on it with its paws. Lin Qingran led it around the yard, approaching Shen Tingzhu little by little without leaving any trace.

Lin Qingran was wearing a tea-white coat and skirt, leaning forward, her soft hair hanging down, against the light, her white cheeks so delicate that they seemed to be able to transmit light, and the snowballs were also all white, surrounding her feet.

Shen Tingzhu watched quietly. Both little things must be his. This thought was so strong that his heart vibrated.

Forest

Qing Ran led Xue Tuan, who was having a lot of fun, towards Qiaojiao Pavilion. Just as he was about to go up the steps, Xue Tuan stopped moving. He tilted his head and looked at Shen Tingzhu. No matter how Lin Qing Ran teased it, it just wouldn't move. past.

Lin Qingran had no choice but to come down again. After going back and forth several times, she was so tired that she couldn't even straighten up. Only then did Xue Tuan relax her vigilance and jump up the steps.

Lin Qingran was overjoyed, turned to Shen Tingzhu and said, "Don't move."

Shen Tingzhu held the hand on his knee that wanted to touch Xue Tuan and nodded seriously.

When Lin Qingran finally led Xue Tuan to Shen Tingzhu's feet, there was already a layer of sweat on her forehead, and she raised her head in excitement.

Shen Tingzhu was looking down at the snowballs at his feet, his eyes lit up with a smile, and the hands on his knees clenched and unclenched, looking a little cautious, like he was at a loss when he got something he loved but didn't know what to do with it.

Lin Qingran felt that he really liked Xue Tuan, but how could he do it like this?

Shen Tingzhu saw Xue Tuan brushing against the hem of his clothes with its tail, so he bent down to touch it. Xue Tuan, who was having a good time, suddenly jumped up and disappeared into the grass.

Lin Qingran was startled and couldn't help but wonder: "Why is my cousin so anxious?"

"It doesn't work." Shen Tingzhu said.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Lin Qingran felt that there was some inexplicable grievance in his low tone.

Shen Tingzhu's hand was still in the air. A thin red line appeared on the back of his white hand, and then blood beads rolled out. Lin Qingran said in shock: "The snow ball scratched you."

Shen Tingzhu took out his handkerchief and wiped away the blood drops, "It doesn't matter."

His expression was indifferent, but Lin Qingran always felt that he seemed very disappointed. She cursed in her heart and said, "Cousin, don't worry."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at her and said, "Just don't be in a hurry Ranran."

He has nothing to be anxious about.

Lin Qingran choked. If Xuetuan refused to get close to him, he would not give her anything, nor would he just let her go back to Jiangning.

Her pretty little face visibly slumped, and Lin Qingran said wistfully, "I'll come back tomorrow."

Shen Tingzhu was afraid that the little girl would have to wait for him when he arrived, and he felt angry again, so he got up before the twilight hour on the second day and asked someone to prepare breakfast and wait for her to come.

But who would have expected that no one would be seen even after the dishes were put out? Ming Yuying went to the Qingyu Pavilion to ask, only to find out that Shen Xi had invited her to go shopping on the street to buy new year's goods.

Yu Ying looked at the cold dishes on the table and said, "I will order the kitchen to prepare it again."

Shen Tingzhu lost his appetite, "No need."

The horse-drawn carriage could not enter outside Dongchang Street. People were coming and going on the street, and it was crowded with people buying new year's goods.

Lin Qingran said to Shen Xi, "Let's come down and go."

There were shouts and shouts everywhere along the way, and it was very lively. The two people got out of the car wearing curtain hats and walked slowly along the long street.

In Jiangning and the north and south of the capital, there were many rare things that Lin Qingran had never seen in Jiangning, and there were even caravans from the north.

Lin Qingran was always neat when it came to shopping, and soon the servant behind him had his hands full of things. Even Shen Xi smacked his lips when he saw it.

When Shen Xi saw that she was holding a scimitar inlaid with red agate, she finally couldn't help but ask, "Why did you buy this?"

Lin Qingran held up the heavy scimitar and said, "Take it back and give it to my brother. He can use it when he is on the trade route."

Shen Xi hesitated to speak but nodded.

Lin Qingran handed the scimitar to the servant behind him. He didn't want the veil to be caught by the handle, so he hooked the curtain hat to the ground.

Lin Qingran frowned and bent down to pick it up, but was held by a hand with sharp joints first.

Lin Qingran looked up and was slightly startled to see that it was Xie Huai who had a close relationship with him before.

Xie Huai handed the thing to her. The way he looked at her always made Lin Qingran feel uncomfortable. She said softly "Thank you" and reached out to take it.

Lin Qingran wanted to pretend that she didn't recognize him, and indeed they didn't recognize him either, but Xie Huai held the other end of the curtain hat and didn't let go.

She was annoyed when she heard Xie Huai speak—

"You don't recognize me?"

Lin Qingran didn't understand the meaning of his words at this time, so she suddenly said: "I'm sorry for my blindness, but it turns out to be Mr. Xie."

Xie Huai raised his eyebrows and looked at her, as if he was considering how to speak. After a moment, he said: "Lin Qingruan, do you really not recognize me?"

=== Chapter === 041

He was called Lin Qingruan because Lin Qingran couldn't pronounce his own name at a young age, so he always called Ran Ruan.

She fixedly looked at the person in front of her, looked carefully at his features, and finally found the face of a young man with delicate features in the back of her mind.

Lin Qingran was so unbelievable that he even forgot to blink, and his red lips opened slightly.

She remembered that she was only five or six years old at that time. At first, it seemed that her father took her to visit the newly transferred official. She was playing in the garden alone and saw a good-looking brother studying, so she went to pester him to play. Later, Because the two families were close together, she often went to play with her brother.

Lin Qingran hesitated and said, "You are... Ah Qi."

She didn't even know his name. She only heard his servants call him Seventh Young Master, and she called him Brother Ah Qi.

But now she doesn't dare to call her brother anymore.

Xie Huai smiled with his expressionless face, "It seems I still remember."

Of course Lin Qingran remembered that the family moved away less than two years later, and she even cried a lot. She didn't expect that they would see each other again after such a long time. Now that she thinks about it, it should be Xie Huai's father. He was transferred back to Beijing.

Shen Xi listened with a surprised look on his face and asked Lin Qingran in a low voice: "Do you recognize him?"

He couldn't explain it clearly in a few sentences, so Lin Qingran just hummed.

Xie Huai nodded to Shen Xi: "Miss Shen San."

Shen Xi suppressed her curiosity and replied, "I have met Mr. Xie."

People were coming and going on the long street, which was not suitable for reminiscing about the past. Xie Huai looked at the teahouse on the side and said, "Why don't you go sit down and have a cup of tea."

Lin Qingran was actually a stranger when he saw Xie Huai now, but he was still a childhood playmate, so it was okay to just sit and reminisce.

The three of them went up to the second floor of the tea house. The waiter Xie Huaiming arranged a semi-open private room. People outside could not easily see it, but it would not make people feel too private and inappropriate.

Xie Huai politely invited the two of them to sit down. Lin Qingran could still see some of his youthful appearance from his clear and elegant brows, but now he was more restrained and deep as an official.

Feeling the emotion of meeting an old friend, Lin Qingran said, "You wouldn't have recognized me at the Autumn Banquet, right?"

Thinking back to those two strange stares from him, I finally found the answer.

Xie Huai was usually stern, but today he smiled many times. Especially when he saw Lin Qingran's slightly surprised eyes, he couldn't help but curl his lips, "So be it."

The first time he saw Lin Qingran that day, he felt familiar. He recognized it almost instantly. This was the Lin family's youngest daughter who was born with a pretty face and was not afraid of life at all. She always liked to run behind him. .

Lin Qingran nodded to herself, "I'm still wondering why you always look at me."

Xie Huai looked at the trembling beaded flower hairpin in her hair, and his thoughts wandered. He was ten years old at that time, and Lin Qingran was thin and small, only reaching his waist and a little higher.

The little girl who was still holding her bun, hugging his legs, and innocently saying that she wanted to marry him when she grew up, has become a graceful figure.

Naturally, he would not take children's childish words seriously. In fact, Xie Huai only occasionally thought of Lin Qingran and such a sweet little sister when he first left Jiangning.

But now that he said those words again, Xie Huai felt his heart soften and said, "I left in a hurry and didn't say goodbye to you."

Seeing that he was explaining along with her, Lin Qingran smiled and said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter." Her eyes were curved into crescents, as clear and bright as when she was young.

Xie Huai glanced at Shen Xi who was standing aside. There were some things he couldn't say at this moment. After exchanging pleasantries, he excused himself as he had something else to do and said to Lin Qingran, "Let's talk about it another day."

Lin Qingran agreed with a smile, and several people left the teahouse one after another.

It was getting late, so Lin Qingran and Shen Xi stopped shopping and got on the carriage to go home.

Along the way, Shen Xi kept asking about Xie Huai. Lin Qingran tilted her head and thought for a while, "At that time, my brother often had to take care of business with my father and could not accompany me, so I would go and play with Xie Huai when I was bored."

As a child, she just liked to play and make noise, and the two families were close to each other, so she would go there often. She remembered that Xie Huai was always studying in the yard at that time. When he saw her passing by, he would let her read and stay with her for a while, and then read for a while.

Shen Xi nodded and suddenly leaned closer to whisper a novel: "Then you can be considered childhood sweethearts."

Lin Qingran wanted to nod, but when she caught a glimpse of Shen Xi's evil smile, she said angrily, "Don't talk nonsense."

Shen Xi sat up straight with a smile, but still couldn't help but look at Lin Qingran.

The two of them chatted and laughed and returned to the house. They walked into the hanging flower door and met Shen Tingzhu who was heading to the front yard.

He sat in a wheelchair and smiled at the two of them: "Third sister and cousin are back."

When she finished speaking, she met Lin Qingran's eyes. The words "back" were spoken softly and shallowly, as if they were spoken to her alone.

Lin Qingran had an inexplicable feeling that he was complaining about his late return.

She silently called her cousin, while Shen Xi talked to him happily, "Where are you going, second brother?"

Shen Tingzhu replied: "I have nothing to do, just walk around." He looked at the large and small bags of things in the servant's hands, guessing that the little girl had probably bought them, and said with a smile: "It seems that I have gained a lot today."

Shen Xi nodded: "They are all interesting things. My cousin also bought things for everyone." Lin Qingran wanted to stop her too late, so Shen Xi said to Shen Tingzhu like she was pouring beans, "There are gifts for everyone." The eldest brother bought the stone inkstone and rouge for the third sister, the fourth brother and the fifth brother are also the four treasures of the study."

Shen Tingzhu smiled as usual, "Does it belong to me?"

Shen Xi thought about it and realized that she had missed her second brother.

Everyone has it, but he doesn't. Shen Tingzhu felt that his heart sank.

He still had a smile on his face: "It seems that my cousin has forgotten me."

Lin Qingran was made uncomfortable by Shen Tingzhu's dark and unpredictable gaze. She had either forgotten or deliberately refused to buy it for him.

Clearly feeling that his gaze was becoming more and more dangerous, Lin Qingran said quickly: "Who said you forgot."

She reluctantly chose a paperweight she liked from the servant, stepped forward and handed it to Shen Tingzhu, "This is for my second cousin."

Although he knew that the little girl was perfunctory with him, Shen Tingzhu's restless heart was still soothed by her, and she raised her hand to take the brocade box.

As Lin Qingran approached, Shen Tingzhu smelled the faint aroma of incense in the air, "Where does the scent of Thuja come from?"

This is an incense that only men use, because the smell is too cold and few people use it. Most of them are agarwood or jade sandalwood.

Lin Qingran twitched her nose. It was the scent of Xie Huai's body. For some reason, she subconsciously felt that Shen Tingzhu should not know about it. She also pretended to think about it and said vaguely: "There are many people on the street, so he must have been careless. Came here by accident."

Shen Tingzhu didn't think deeply, he just nodded and regarded the matter as a matter of course.

Lin Qingran went to Mrs. Lin's place and told her about Xie Huai. She complained and said, "Why didn't my little aunt tell me earlier?"

Fortunately, she remembered to recognize him today, otherwise it wouldn't be embarrassing.

Mrs. Lin found this reunion between the two to be clever, "Don't talk about you, I almost forgot that you played with Qilang Xie when you were young."

"It's fate that he can recognize you." Mrs. Lin remembered that her master had praised Xie Huai to her a few days ago, saying that he was a young and promising young man who was appreciated by the emperor. Now that the post of Shaoqing in Dali Temple is vacant, most likely That's him.

It's just that the Xie family is different from the aristocratic families near Beijing. The family tradition is the most upright and rigorous. I'm afraid they will be harsh when choosing housewives. Lin Qingran had a temper that couldn't stand being controlled the most. Thinking of this, Mrs. Lin gave up her thoughts.

In a blink of an eye, it was the 28th day of the new year. The emperor held a banquet in the palace, and all the civil and military officials and his wife came to the palace to attend the banquet.

At the banquet, the palace maids filed in with dishes and fine wines. Shen Tingzhu lifted the wine bottle in front of him and poured himself a glass. His thin lips pressed against the cup, and his eyes darkened. It was water.

Needless to say, he knew it must be what Sister A meant. Shen Tingzhu raised his chin, flipped the cup back casually, got up and walked outside the hall.

When Shen Zhen, who was sitting next to the emperor, saw him leaving, she couldn't help but frown, with a look of worry on her face.

Shen Tingzhu stood in front of the white jade railing, with the cool breeze blowing on his body. He looked quietly into the thick night and slowly twirled his fingers.

"Why doesn't the prince enter the palace?"

Hearing the sound, Shen Tingzhu turned around and said with a smile, "Master Xie is not here too."

Xie Huai didn't like to deal with the flattery, so he came out to get some air. He stood side by side with Shen Tingzhu. Although Shen Tingzhu was thin, he was slightly taller than Xie Huai.

Xie Huai asked: "How is your prince's health lately?"

Shen Tingzhu secretly counted how many people asked him this question today, and twitched the corners of his lips: "It's okay."

As he finished speaking, he smelled the faint fragrance of thuja.

Shen Tingzhu looked sideways, his dark eyes implying scrutiny. This was the smell on Lin Qingran's body that day.

The strange thing about his grandmother's birthday party is that Xie Huai also went to Jiangning. Once there are too many coincidences, they are no longer coincidences.

Xie Huai looked back keenly, but couldn't see anything.

Shen Tingzhu smiled lightly, "I haven't congratulated you yet, Mr. Xie, for being promoted to the rank of Young Minister of Dali Temple."

Xie Huai also smiled and replied: "Your Majesty, you are welcome. I will visit you at your residence another day."

Xie Huai hated the idea of forming cliques and cliques the most. Instead, he was willing to make friends with gentlemen like Shen Tingzhu who were not tainted by officialdom.

"We're waiting." Shen Tingzhu looked at the turret in the distance again.

During the Chinese New Year, guests came to the Hou Mansion to visit and give gifts almost every day. Shen Tingzhu had to receive them, and Lin Qingran never had the chance to take Xuetuan to Yuansongju.

On the third day of junior high school, Mo Ci came to invite her over.

"My cousin is free." Lin Qingran didn't notice the complaint in her tone when she spoke.

She would have never dared to do it before.

Shen Tingzhu watched her playing with Xue Tuan on the side, and explained unhurriedly, "It was because Mr. Xie came to sit down today that we were delayed."

When Lin Qingran heard him say thank you, Sir, she raised her eyes slightly, wondering if the Sir Xie he was talking about was Xie Huai.

Today, Xie Huai sent someone to deliver a letter to him, inviting her to go to the lake.

Shen Tingzhu leaned lazily to one side and propped his head on his fingers, "That's Mr. Xie Huai Xie."

"As we chatted today, I learned that Xie Huai had been to Jiangning before. Does Ranran know him?"

Lin Qingran shook his head. She was not good at lying. Shen Tingzhu could tell this every time. At his grandmother's birthday party last time, he also asked her if she recognized Xie Huai. At that time, she told the truth.

There were not many times when the little girl would try to play tricks on him. Most of the time, he found it interesting and was willing to cooperate. But at this moment, his eyes turned cold again and again.

Lin Qingran concentrated on teasing the snow ball, and finally led it to Shen Tingzhu's feet. She handed him the twig in her hand, "Cousin, try it."

Shen Tingzhu didn't move, "I'm a little tired."

After finally getting results, he got tired of talking. Lin Qingran naturally refused. She grabbed his sleeve and said, "Try it. Look, it's not hiding anymore."

The little girl's voice was soft and soft, as if she was coquettish, but Shen Tingzhu knew that she wanted to return the favor early so that she could get her things back.

Feeling more depressed, he pulled out his sleeves and said, "No."

After saying that, he simply closed his eyes.

Lin Qingran saw that he clearly did it on purpose, and couldn't help but said angrily: "You just don't want to give me the thing."

"You're right." Shen Tingzhu suddenly opened his eyes, "I don't want to give you anything, and I don't want you to leave."

Lin Qingran was tightly grasped by his eyes as deep as a sinking pool, and her heart beat hard.

=== Chapter === 042

Shen Tingzhu's usual coldness and nonchalance were gone, and his eyes became more and more wanton when he looked at her. The overwhelming sense of oppression and invasion was like a net, slowly tightening inch by inch, leaving Lin Qingran with nowhere to escape. .

Lin Qingran forgot to question and almost immediately wanted to avoid looking away, but her jaw was clasped by cold fingers. Shen Tingzhu forced her to look at him. Xie Huai's appearance made him feel the crisis. He could still Hidden desire surged uncontrollably. He knew it was not the time yet, but he spoke uncontrollably, "Do you know why I don't want to let you go?"

The strong burning and deep meaning in Shen Tingzhu's eyes made Lin Qingran completely panic. He was more dangerous than usual like this, like a ferocious beast that had been dormant for a long time and finally showed its fangs. Before, it was just him. Just teasing the prey.

Lin Qingran trembled miserably, "You just think I'm easy to bully and easy to tease...so you left me here to torture you."

Shen Tingzhu frowned, he was not bad to her, he even wanted to put all the good things in front of her and bully her... He had scared her at first, but along the way he was so mean to her, and after all the hard work, That was absolutely impossible. On the contrary, she was the one who made me uneasy several times.

Taking advantage of his daze, Lin Qingran broke free from his grasp, not daring to stay for a moment, and fled in a panic.

Stumbling out of Yuansong Residence, Lin Qingran's mind was filled with the way Shen Tingzhu looked at her, whether possessive or infatuated... Shen Tingzhu was really attracted to her.

She deliberately pretended not to understand what he meant, otherwise she would have been torn apart just now.

Lin Qingran was restless and just walked forward with her head covered, not even noticing the person coming towards her.

Seeing that Lin Qingran was about to bump into him, Shen Qi quickly reached out to hold her arm and reminded: "Cousin."

Lin Qingran raised her eyes hastily, her eyes blank. Shen Qi saw something was wrong with her and asked with concern: "Cousin, what's wrong with you?"

Shen Qi's usual gentleness and calmness gave people a sense of trustworthiness. Lin Qingran gradually calmed down and tried not to act strange. She smiled and said, "I just walked a little hastily."

Seeing that she didn't want to say more, Shen Qi didn't ask further, "As long as it's okay."

Lin Qingran tucked her messy sideburns behind her ears, and still asked absentmindedly: "Where are you going, cousin?"

Shen Qi smiled and said: "Go sit in the second brother's courtyard."

Shen Qi carefully noticed that when Lin Qingran heard him mention his second brother, there was a clear look of panic in Lin Qingran's eyes. He looked behind Lin Qingran and saw that she should be coming out from the direction of Yuansongju.

Is the second brother making things difficult for her again?

"By the way, I received a gift from my cousin that day, and I have something to give you. Why don't you come with me to the bookstore?"

Lin Qingran's mind was in turmoil now and she just wanted to go back to the house quickly. She looked embarrassed, "But my aunt is still waiting for me."

Shen Qi said: "It will be the same another day."

Lin Qingran said goodbye to him and left in a hurry.

Shen Qi looked at her back thoughtfully.

Yuansongju.

Shen Tingzhu thought over and over again with deep eyes, still not understanding why Lin Qingran thought he was trying to torment her.

The tea at hand was replenished again and again. He lifted the teapot again and saw that Shen Qi had not left yet. He said calmly: "Brother, why haven't you spoken for so long since you've been here?"

Shen Qiyi pointed out: "I think you seem to have something on your mind."

Shen Tingzhu did not hide it, but laughed, "Brother, do you want to preach to me again?"

In the early years, he had been negative and depressed for a long time, and Shen Qi just sat there patiently waiting for him to speak.

Shen Tingzhu tapped the armrest of the armchair and moved her gaze to the snow ball lying on the window edge. "Then tell me, brother, why doesn't it like me?"

Shen Qi also looked over, "Of course it's because you bullied it into fear."

Shen Tingzhu frowned, why did he use this word again, "I am a delicious and good provider, and I have never even treated you badly. How can I be bullied?"

Shen Qi laughed out loud, "You really forgot that you put the snow ball on the driftwood and let it float in the water."

Shen Tingzhu naturally did not forget it, "I looked at it and nothing happened. Besides, I picked it up as soon as it barked."

Shen Qi continued to count, "There are still such high steps. It had a hard time climbing up, and you put it back down again without letting it take a breath. Isn't this called bullying?"

In fact, he has never understood why Shen Tingzhu likes to have trouble with a kitten, and now he has trouble with a little girl.

Shen Tingzhu pursed her thin lips, and a hint of fragility flashed through her half-opened peach blossom eyes, "I just want to hear it bark at me."

Everyone pitied him and treated him as a useless person. Only Xuetuan would cry softly to him, needing his protection. The little girl would also stretch out her hand and let him save her pitifully.

Shen Qi pondered for a moment and suddenly understood the reason. He stopped talking and remained silent for a long time.

The moonlight had already hung on the branches, and the Qingyu Pavilion was quiet and silent.

Lin Qingran didn't know how many times she opened her eyes and turned over in the darkness. She kept thinking about Shen Tingzhu's words today in her mind. She didn't want to believe that he really liked her and was just trying to bully her in another way. , that must be the case.

As for what method to use... Lin Qingran didn't know it after these few times. She bit her lips in embarrassment, wishing that she wasn't biting his neck.

But her little coat was still in his hand... Thinking of the dark look in his eyes when he looked at her, Lin Qingran became more and more uneasy. She couldn't resist and pulled the quilt to cover her face. If he really refused to let her go, Lin Qingran became more and more uneasy. ,What should she do.

It wasn't until dawn that Lin Qingran managed to fall asleep. She was still groggy when she got up.

Shen Tingzhu asked Mo to quit as an applicant early in the morning.

Lin Qingran didn't even see her and hid in Lin's courtyard as soon as they left. She didn't believe that Shen Tingzhu could still find him here.

After lunch, seeing that Lin Qingran was still tired and had no intention of leaving, Mrs. Lin asked, "Didn't you say yesterday that Xie Huai invited you to go to the lake?"

Lin Qingran was stunned. Yes, why had she forgotten? She blamed Shen Tingzhu for making her uneasy.

After complaining in her heart, Lin Qingran took the time to leave the house. She deliberately did not let Yueying know about this, and only chose a little maid from the Lin family to accompany her.

Mo Ci came back from Qingyu Pavilion after hitting a wall for the second time.

"Creak-" The door was pushed open.

Shen Tingzhu, who was sitting on the Luohan bed and reading a book, then said, "Are you here?"

His eyes remained still, as if he was looking at it seriously, but the hand holding the book tightened a little as he spoke.

Mo Ci didn't see what happened yesterday, and didn't know what happened between the prince and his cousin. He only knew that the prince had been keeping a cold face since his cousin left yesterday.

But when he went to invite someone this morning, the prince was a little more confused and didn't know what to do, and he almost frightened him out.

Mo Ci, who didn't invite anyone here, could only bite the bullet and said: "My cousin is not in Qingyu Pavilion. She went to the third lady's place."

Shen Tingzhu frowned and started to avoid him again.

Without instructions, Mo Ci didn't dare to retreat and just stood aside.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the pages of the book in his hand without turning them for a long time, wondering if the little girl was like Xuetuan, frightened by him, so she always had to hide.

Shen Tingzhu is not a person who likes to delay things. If this is the case, he will no longer be like this.

"Last time, Third Aunt sent me a lot of medicinal materials, but I haven't thanked her yet." Closing the book, Shen Tingzhu raised her eyes and said to Mo Ci, "Go to the warehouse to get a white jade bone china Kirin double-headed incense burner."

Mo Ci immediately responded and went to do it.

However, when Shen Tingzhu stepped out of Lin's courtyard, his handsome face suddenly fell.

"Go check it out."

Lin Qingran got off the carriage and saw the cruise ship docked at the river bank. Although it was still winter, the dazzling rays of light shimmering on the lake were particularly beautiful. There were still trees on the shore. The lingering white snow hanging on the river surface makes people feel mesmerized.

In the long pavilion by the ferry, Xie Huai stood with his hands behind his hands, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.

Lin Qingran walked towards him quickly, and Xie Huai also walked out of the pavilion.

Lin Qingran looked at the person in front of him and reported, "I'm late."

Xie Huai saw that she was out of breath and still as cute and cute as when she was a child. He couldn't help but chuckle: "It's not too late, I just arrived."

He raised his hand to signal Lin Qingran to get on the boat, while he walked behind.

The cabin is exquisitely and elegantly decorated, with stoves placed all around, and you won't feel cold even if you open the windows.

Lin Qingran drank the hot tea, and the breath coming out of her mouth was like smoke. She looked at the river, "This is my first time to visit the lake in winter."

Xie Huai looked at her bright eyebrows and said, "Didn't you always ask me what the snow in the capital is like? You can see the snow on the top of the mountain in the distance."

Lin Qingran was a pain in the ass when she was little. If he didn't answer well, she could hang on to you for a long time and chirp in your ear. It was also strange, because he always liked peace and quiet, but he was not disgusted with her noisiness.

Lin Qingran tilted his head slightly and thought, "I don't even remember what I said."

Xie Huai's eyes flashed and he asked with a smile: "Then what do you remember?"

When he asked, Lin Qingran had to think back. Her eyes were slightly dizzy and she said in a lingering voice, "Well... I remember that the chef in your house makes the most delicious milk and water chestnut cake. Lotus Pond The koi inside are also big."

Xie Huai lowered her eyebrows and smiled. It seemed that she had already forgotten those words.

He joked: "Everything you remember has nothing to do with me. No wonder you can't recognize me."

Lin Qingran's face felt slightly hot. She was still so young at that time, not to mention that Xie Huai had changed so much. It was normal for her not to recognize him.

Snowflakes were floating on the river, not far from the boat, followed by a slightly smaller boat.

Shen Tingzhu stood on the bow of the boat and looked quietly at the two people sitting by the window on the boat. The little girl had a smile on her lips and her face was red. She seemed very happy.

It's so glaring.

Mo Ci naturally saw what was going on on the boat. He secretly took a look at Shen Tingzhu's expression, but saw that instead of being angry, the prince raised his lips and smiled.

Mo Ci lowered his head in fear, trying his best not to raise his hand to wipe the sweat.

"Crash into it."

Mo Ci's eyes widened, thinking that he heard wrongly, he hesitated and said: "Your Majesty..."

Shen Tingzhu's voice was colder than the falling snow, "I said, hit it."

Looking at the snow falling one after another, Lin Qingran said happily: "It's snowing!"

Xie Huai turned his head and saw her stretching out her hand to catch the snow, and by some mistake, she also reached out her hand.

"boom-"

The sudden violent sound broke the tranquility of this moment.

As the boat swayed, Lin Qingran lost her balance and clung to the window edge in fear. Xie Huaixu held her shoulders to prevent her from falling.

Fortunately, he soon regained his composure. Xie Huai let go of his hand, looked at her and asked, "Does it matter?"

Lin Qingran slowly shook his head, blinking away the timidity in his eyes, gently stroking his beating heart with his palm, and asked with lingering fear: "What happened?"

The two of them followed the guards to the bow of the ship. Lin Qingran froze immediately after seeing the people on the other ship clearly.

Shen Tingzhu stood in the vast falling snow, the cloak on his body was also covered with snow, and the ribbons binding his hair were flying in the wind. Looking into his smiling eyes, Lin Qingran's heart beat violently again after a long time. Trembling, why did he come here...

The boatman standing next to Mo Ci saw the people coming out and immediately said tremblingly: "I originally wanted to turn to the shore, but the snow was too heavy and I lost my sight for a moment..." He knelt down as he spoke, "Also... Please, Your Majesty, thank you for your forgiveness."

Xie Huai obviously did not expect to collide with Shen Tingzhu's boat, but he was only stunned for a moment, and soon returned to normal, "I hope everyone is fine."

Shen Tingzhu smiled slightly, watching Lin Qingran move her feet behind Xie Huai little by little, and finally said, "Fortunately, it was a false alarm, but I didn't expect to bump into Mr. Xie and...my cousin."

=== Chapter === 043

The boatman rubbed his hands nervously and said exactly what Mo Ci said step by step, "I just checked and found that the bilge plate on the bow of the ship was slightly loose due to the impact. I'm afraid it's not safe."

Shen Tingzhu's smile remained the same, "It doesn't matter, it's not like we're on the river, there's no wind and waves."

He finished speaking grandly, and then waited patiently for Xie Huai to speak.

"In my opinion, the prince might as well ride with us." Xie Huai never thought that it was Shen Tingzhu who ordered the ship to hit him.

When Lin Qingran heard Xie Huai invite him to board the boat, his expression suddenly changed. He wanted to stop it but couldn't find any reason, so he could only watch Shen Tingzhu get on the boat.

Shen Tingzhu walked straight to Lin Qingran, "Why don't you bring a hand stove when you go out? Isn't it cold?"

Lin Qingran wanted to retreat again. Shen Tingzhu's eyes turned slightly cold. She just pretended that she couldn't see him and pretended to be calm: "I'm not cold, but I'm my cousin. Come inside and it will be warm."

By giving way, she naturally retreated to Xie Huai's place.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a moment, then smiled and said, "If my cousin retreats, she will bump into Mr. Xie." His tone was helpless and doting, "Come here."

The intimate words made Xie Huai look sideways, but then he thought about it. Since the two are cousins, it is normal for them to be familiar with each other.

Lin Qingran would not go there. Shen Tingzhu was smiling now, but the way he looked at her just now was as if he wanted to eat her alive.

Lin Qingran pretended to rub her arms and exhale, "It's really cold. Come in quickly."

After she finished speaking, she left the two of them and approached the cabin first.

Pretending, Shen Tingzhu almost laughed out loud.

Hide, he will see where she can hide.

Xie Huai looked at Lin Qingran's slim figure, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes. He smiled and looked away, and found that Shen Tingzhu was looking at him. There seemed to be a flash of coldness in his clear eyebrows. He smiled slightly. I was stunned for a moment, but when I looked closely, I found nothing.

Xie Huaixu raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, please."

Shen Tingzhu lifted her lips indifferently and said, "Please."

The three of them sat down, and Shen Tingzhu naturally sat on the side next to Lin Qingran. He carried Shuoshuo's chill on his body, and just being close to him made Lin Qingran tremble.

She held on to the stool under her body and wanted to quietly move a little further away. A big cold hand covered the back of her hand, and gently kneaded it as a warning.

Lin Qingran almost stiffened and turned his head little by little. Shen Tingzhu was talking to Xie Huai and took the time to look back at her, "What's wrong?"

Xie Huai also looked over.

Two people looked at her with two pairs of eyes. Lin Qingran smiled with difficulty, "It's okay." She twitched her hand hard, but Shen Tingzhu held it tighter and tighter, with a calm smile on her face. Only Lin Qingran I saw the vague unpredictability in his eyes.

She was panicking and kept an eye on Xie Huai with her peripheral vision. If he stood up or leaned over slightly, she would find Shen Tingzhu holding her hand under the table.

Unable to break away and not daring to act strange, Lin Qingran could only cover their hands with the stacked skirts.

Xie Huai ordered people to serve tea, and Shen Tingzhu said leisurely: "Yesterday, Mr. Xie said that he had been to Jiangning. I should have thought that Mr. Xie might be familiar with Qingran's cousin."

Not only that, but he also lied to him.

He couldn't help but apply force when he held Lin Qingran's hand, but remembering that she was delicate and tender at the very best, he relaxed his force and instead played and kneaded it slowly.

Shen Tingzhuyuan just wanted to hold her back to prevent her from hiding, but now he couldn't let go. The softness under his palm reminded him of how soft and soft her body was when it was wet with water.

Lin Qingran looked unmistakably at the slightly moving hem of her skirt. Her little finger was hooked, making her feel numb. She curled her fingertips tightly, but they were quickly pulled away.

Shen Tingzhu still looked calm and relaxed, but Lin Qingran's heart jumped into her throat. How could he be so presumptuous in front of Xie Huai!

Shen Tingzhu tilted her head slightly, "Why didn't my cousin tell me?"

Lin Qingran raised her little face blankly, her eyes confused and cramped. She focused all her attention on her hands and didn't hear what the two said at all.

Xie Huai understood that his daughter's family was naturally shy in this regard, so he said, "I was the first to recognize Lin Qingran."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and didn't call her girl, but called her by her first name. They really had known each other for a long time.

The look he was looking at Lin Qingran became more and more unpredictable, but the movements of his hands were on the contrary more gentle, and they were ambiguous in invisible places.

Lin Qingran tried his best to calm down and nodded.

"I remember that it was ten years ago that your father was transferred to Jiangning."

Xie Huai said: "It's been ten years."

Shen Tingzhu felt depressed again. Lin Qingran was only that old at that time, and she was her childhood sweetheart.

He said calmly, "Ten years, it's normal not to recognize him."

Xie Huai vaguely sensed the sharpness in Shen Tingzhu's words, but he also controlled the degree very well. Lin Qingran was considered a member of the Marquis, and although Shen Tingzhu was his cousin, it was normal for him to ask a few questions.

The servants brought pastries, melons and fruits. Xie Huai said to Lin Qingran: "The milk and water chestnut powder cake you are thinking about, try it and it still doesn't taste the same."

Shen Tingzhu frowned, it was just a plate of milk, water chestnut and powder cake, and the little girl didn't like it much on weekdays.

Lin Qingran was surprised: "Could it be that he's still the cook?"

Xie Huai didn't show off, "Exactly."

Lin Qingran couldn't help but be moved. She had just thought of it before mentioning it casually. Unexpectedly, Xie Huai remembered it and prepared it in advance.

Xie Huai said to Shen Tingzhu: "Your Majesty, you should try it too."

Shen Tingzhu elegantly picked up a piece and put it into his mouth. He had not been able to taste it for many years, but he felt it was extremely unpalatable. He smiled and said, "It's really good."

Lin Qingran moved her hands, and then she remembered that her right hand was still held by Shen Tingzhu. How could she eat like this? She struggled again, but still couldn't, and couldn't help but worry.

Xie Huai had already looked over and asked doubtfully: "Why don't you eat?"

Lin Qingran simply didn't know what to do. If she used her left hand, it would definitely look strange. But the man hadn't bothered enough, so Lin Qingran pinched his palm in annoyance.

Shen Tingzhu smiled instead of being angry, "Do you want me to get it for you?" He shook his head helplessly as he said this, took a piece of milk and water chestnut cake, put it on the plate in front of Lin Qingran, and let go of his hand at the same time.

Lin Qingran could finally raise his hand, and was used to Shen Tingzhu serving him food, so he picked up the fragrant cake and ate it without thinking too much.

Xie Huai's eyes finally changed when he looked at Shen Tingzhu. This was beyond the ordinary intimacy between cousins.

Lin Qingran swallowed the fragrant cake in his mouth and praised: "It melts in the mouth, the sweetness is just right, fragrant but not greasy, it is really better than the ones elsewhere."

Xie Huai remained calm and said with an easy-going smile: "I will have some sent to my house another day."

Lin Qingran said: "Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"

Xie Huai teased: "You were not so outgoing when you were a child."

Shen Tingzhu's face darkened. He didn't even know what Lin Qingran looked like when he was a child.

Lin Qingran no longer shied away, "Then I'll thank you first."

Shen Tingzhu lost his patience and sat down again. Lin Qingran said, "It's getting late, we should go back." He said to Xie Huai, "Please Sir Xie, let the boatman dock."

Xie Huai did not hesitate and ordered the ships to dock.

Lin Qingran was secretly glad that she was bringing a maid from her aunt's courtyard, and Shen Tingzhu would not insist on riding in the same car with her.

Saying goodbye to Xie Huai, she took the lead in getting on the carriage and ordered her to return home.

Xie Huai watched the carriage go away and said to Shen Tingzhu: "Your Majesty, please."

Shen Tingzhu smiled: "I don't need to thank you for sending me the carriage."

He turned around and boarded another carriage. The driver waved his whip and moved forward in response.

The carriages stopped outside the Changxing Marquis Mansion one after another. Lin Qingran saw Shen Tingzhu coming out of the carriage from behind, and deliberately loudly said to the maid beside her: "My little aunt is waiting in a hurry. Let's go faster."

Shen Tingzhu looked at Lin Qingran who was escaping in front of him with a sneer, and quietly ordered: "From now on, whenever anyone comes from the Xie Mansion, they will report to Yuansong Residence first."

Don't say yes.

Shen Tingzhu asked: "Has the wedding date between Third Sister and the Chen family been decided?"

Mo Ci didn't understand why the prince suddenly asked about the third girl's marriage, and replied: "I haven't come back to the prince yet."

Shen Tingzhu looked forward and said nothing.

Lin Qingran went to Mrs. Lin's place whenever she opened her eyes, and did not return to Qingyu Pavilion until nightfall. She also specially asked Mrs. Lin for a maid to serve in Qingyu Pavilion, and thus avoided Shen Tingzhu for two days.

On the third day, Lin Qingran went to the water pavilion in the garden to play chess with Shen Xi and Shen Shu.

Shen Shu's cheeks were slightly red, "I asked you to come out because I have something to tell you."

Lin Qingran was distracted. After hearing what she said, she raised her eyes and asked, "What's the matter?"

Shen Shu lowered his eyes and his cheeks became redder. Lin Qingran had a guess in her heart and urged: "Speak quickly."

Shen Shu pursed his lips and said softly: "Mom just told me that the marriage has been decided."

Two thick smiles appeared in Lin Qingran's eyes: "I really guessed it correctly."

Shen Xi was the happiest. The corner of her mouth raised, but then fell down again, "If the third sister gets married, there will be no one to keep me company."

She pouted and said, "I might as well get married."

Lin Qingran laughed at her for being shameless, "You haven't even had haircut yet, what are you thinking about?"

Shen Xi shyly put her hand to her face, "Just pretend you didn't hear me, I was speechless!"

Shen Shu also laughed in amusement: "The wedding ceremony is scheduled for the eighth day of February, which is the beginning of spring."

Lin Qingran calculated and found that there were only less than two months left.

Shen Shu said: "I want you to drink my wedding wine before leaving."

Shen Xi nodded quickly, "Yes, cousin can't leave."

Lin Qingran naturally wanted to attend Shen Shu's wedding banquet. After all, the next time we see each other... there might not be a next time, but when she thought of Shen Tingzhu, she hesitated again.

Seeing that she was hesitant to agree, Shen Xi was the first to become unhappy, "What are you still hesitating about, cousin?"

Lin Qingran pursed her lips and said, "Let me think about it again."

Shen Xi turned around with Lao Gao pouting. Shen Shu pulled her and was about to speak when he saw Shen Qi and Shen Tingzhu walking along the winding corridor on the river.

"Eldest brother, second brother."

Lin Qingran froze suddenly and turned around. She just happened to run into Shen Tingzhu when she came out.

Shen Qi took the lead and said: "Third sister, fifth sister, and cousin Lin are all here."

"First cousin, second cousin." After Lin Qingran finished speaking, she stopped talking and tried to minimize her presence.

But for some reason, Shen Tingzhu was clearly not looking at her, but she always felt like she was enveloped in his sight.

Shen Tingzhu said softly to Shen Shu, "I haven't congratulated my third sister yet."

Shen Shu pursed his lips with a quiet and shy smile: "Second brother knows."

Shen Tingzhu said: "I just found out."

Lin Qingran couldn't sit still and said after a while: "I have to go to my aunt, so I won't accompany you."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little girl who was about to run away again, and couldn't help but chuckle. It was the same excuse every time, and he didn't think of anything new.

A short laugh came from behind, followed by the sound of Shen Tingzhu saying goodbye to a few people—

"Father is waiting for me to come over. Sit down slowly."

Why did he leave as soon as she left? He must have come to find her again. Lin Qingran was anxious but calmed down. She stood there and waited for Shen Tingzhu to come over.

This time it was Shen Tingzhu's turn to be surprised. He walked over slowly. Lin Qingran smiled at him and said, "Cousin, please go ahead. I remembered that my aunt was in no hurry, so I left her alone."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows and said in a low voice that only two people could hear: "Do you really want to hide?"

He really didn't want to scare her, but the little girl almost disappeared from him.

Lin Qingran was naturally afraid of the dangerous words. She pursed her lips together timidly. She glanced at Shen Qi walking towards them out of the corner of her eye. She had an idea and said, "Cousin, what did you say last time?" If you have anything for me, I'm free now, so you can take it."

Shen Qi met her pleading eyes and nodded reluctantly: "Cousin, come with me."

Lin Qingran straightened her back and followed Shen Qi away.

Shen Tingzhu looked behind her for a long time. He knew very well what Xie Huai was thinking about her. The eldest brother also preferred her. It was not good for a little girl to attract people's attention.

After confirming that Shen Tingzhu had not caught up, Lin Qingran relaxed her tense body.

Shen Qi noticed that she looked behind her from time to time, "Why does my cousin think so much and be afraid of my second brother?"

The sudden sentence frightened Lin Qingran into thinking that Shen Qi had seen something. When he turned his head, Shen Qi also looked at him with a kind smile in his eyes.

Lin Qingran concealed a smile: "How could it be? I'm just not very familiar with my second cousin, so I'm a little nervous."

Seeing that she didn't want to say anything, Shen Qi didn't force it, "Cousin, don't worry. If you get to know him, you will find that the second brother is actually very easy to get along with."

Lin Qingran didn't comment, just nodded and smiled. She felt that she knew him well enough.

After leaving Shen Qi's library, Lin Qingran returned to Qingyu Pavilion.

At night, after bathing, Lin Qingran retreated from the room, holding a handkerchief sadly, and sat on the soft couch beside the bed to wipe her long hair.

It was really difficult for her to decide whether to stay and enjoy Shen Shu's wedding wine. Two months was neither long nor short.

Frustrated, the movements of wiping her hair became more intense, "Hiss—" Lin Qingran gasped in pain, and became even more annoyed when she looked at the few hair strands that had been pulled off the towel.

Just as he was about to call someone in to serve him, he heard a "squeak" sound and the door was pushed open.

Lin Qingran was just a maid, "Come here and twist my hair."

She sat sideways, with her back facing the curtain.

The curtain was lifted, and the person seemed to pause under the curtain for a moment before continuing to walk closer, stopping behind Lin Qingran with gentle steps.

Lin Qingran passed the handkerchief back and combed her hair with her delicate hands. From time to time, water droplets dripped on the thin pajamas, revealing circles of water halo.

His thin, white hands took the towel and slowly wiped it for her, doing it with the utmost gentleness.

The hair was tangled one by one, and the roots were numb. Lin Qingran couldn't help but feel sleepy, but she felt something was wrong.

It was so quiet. Why had the maid not spoken since she came in? Lin Qingran raised her hazy sleepy eyes and was about to speak. After she smelled herself, the bitter smell of medicinal herbs slowly reached her nose.

The tiredness in her eyes faded away, and besides the smell of medicine there was also the fragrance of tea. Lin Qingran was about to turn around in shock, when a clear and faint voice came from above her head at the right time—

"Don't move, be careful about pulling your hair."

It's Shen Tingzhu, how did he get in!

It was obviously not cold, but Lin Qingran still shrank, "Second cousin... why are you here."

Her soft and boneless body suddenly tensed up. Shen Tingzhu was arranging her hair slowly. A strand of hair was stuck on Lin Qingran's delicate and white neck. Shen Tingzhu was looking down, so he could see the winding hair. Wherever he was, his throat and shoulders were slightly choked, and he looked away and said, "My cousin always likes to avoid me, so I have to come to you."

The cold knuckles pressed against her neck and lifted a strand of hair. Lin Qingran lowered her eyes and saw the damp hair being pulled out from the loose pajamas.

She couldn't help but tremble again, and said at a loss: "...I didn't hide."

Shen Tingzhu stared at her gradually reddened ears, which looked particularly charming on her snow-white skin.

The hooked Shen Tingzhu leaned closer as if in a daze, and saw her extremely delicate skin trembled with a layer of small bumps. Only then did her dark pupils regain some clarity, but she was still very close, whispering like a whisper. Word.

"lie."

=== Chapter === 044

The hot breath swept over her ears and neck. Lin Qingran couldn't resist it anymore, so she hid forward, huddled on the bedside, and looked at the person behind her cautiously.

The satin-like black hair fell from her palms. Shen Tingzhu took the kerchief and sat where Lin Qingran was sitting. "My hair is not dry yet, come here."

Lin Qingran hugged his shoulders and stood in a stalemate with him. They had been together for so long. It was impossible for her not to understand Shen Tingzhu's temper. After a while, she moved over little by little and said, "I really didn't hide from you."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, dissatisfied with her indolence, so he simply stretched out his hand to pinch Lin Qingran's wrist, brought her into his arms, and then wiped her hair.

The world was spinning, Lin Qingran couldn't help but let out a soft breath, and finally managed to stabilize her body, her eyelashes fluttering, she thought it was still the same as before, but how could he hold her...

The intimacy was so shuddering that her back was pressed against his chest. For a moment, Lin Qingran didn't even have the strength to struggle, so she could only hold on to his hanging sleeves.

"That's not what I'm talking about." Shen Tingzhu's soft and watery figure sank into his arms. Shen Tingzhu's breath was slightly confused, and the hand that was wiping her hair also flexed and clasped several times.

The unspeakable ambiguity that had made her at a loss a moment ago suddenly dissipated a lot. Lin Qingran finally calmed down, realized what he was talking about, and asked in confusion: "What is that?"

Even without seeing Shen Tingzhu's face, Lin Qingran could feel his suddenly cold aura, "My cousin clearly recognizes Xie Huai, but why did she tell me that she doesn't recognize him?"

Lin Qingran had always been most afraid of him calling her Ranran without knowing the importance of it, but now that he didn't call her like that, it made her even more timid.

The little hands clenched on his sleeves tightened, and his voice was as soft as a mosquito, "This is my own business." I couldn't let him manipulate me like this.

"Yes." Shen Tingzhu put his arm around her, wiped her wet hair on the other side, and said softly: "You are not allowed to see him in the future." He knew very well what Xie Huai'an was thinking.

Lin Qingran retorted angrily, "Xie Huai and I are friends, why do you care?"

Shen Tingzhu sneered slightly, but felt sour in his heart, "We haven't seen each other for more than ten years, what kind of friends are we?"

"I'm your cousin. Since my cousin is meeting her foreign man, I should take care of it." The tone was casual, but there was no room for comment.

Lin Qingran was held in his arms. When she heard him say such high-sounding words, she felt an indescribable sense of shame that made her heart tremble. So what did it matter how he held her?

If she agreed, he would only become more unscrupulous. He could not continue like this. Lin Qingran barely controlled himself and did not let himself appear too weak. "Second cousin, I think we should have a talk."

The serious look made Shen Tingzhu laugh: "You tell me."

Lin Qingran tried to push his hand away, but Shen Tingzhu did not embarrass her this time and got out of his arms smoothly. The two sat on a soft couch, facing each other.

Lin Qingran gathered her thoughts and said calmly: "The Marquis and the Third Master are direct brothers, and the second cousin definitely doesn't want to cause discord between the two families." As she spoke, she looked at Shen Tingzhu's expression. There was no clue on Junyi's face. She pursed her lips hesitantly and said, "Furthermore, the Marquis of Changxing is a relative of the emperor, and the empress is also the biological sister of the second cousin. What the second cousin does represents If you go to the Marquis' Mansion, it's also a matter of concern for the Queen."

Lin Qingran seemed to be speaking calmly, but her heart was beating wildly and uncontrollably. She ignored Shen Tingzhu's half-smiling eyebrows and said in one breath: "I will return to Jiangning soon, and I just hope that I can live in harmony with my cousin. "

Lin Qingran looked at Shen Tingzhu with bright eyes. If he hadn't seen her fingertips that were clenched so tightly that they turned white, Shen Tingzhu would have almost thought that she was really that bold.

Looking at the crescent moon on her fingernail, Shen Tingzhu asked with a smile, "Are you done?"

Lin Qingran rolled her eyes and thought for a while, then nodded solemnly.

Shen Tingzhu put aside the kerchief in his hand slowly, "First of all, my cousin is worried about the rift between the two of us. If we get closer, we don't have to worry about this."

Lin Qingran was stunned for a long time before she understood what he meant. They kissed her... Could it be that he wanted to marry her?

"Second." Shen Tingzhu stared at her tightened pupils and said, "Cousin, just tell the truth. I've done it and I'm not afraid of people knowing."

"Third..." Shen Tingzhu smiled with a pair of peach blossom eyes, "I have already said it in the first point." If you marry someone back, you won't be afraid of being remembered.

He originally wanted to wait a little longer, and when the spring flowers bloom, he would feel better, but now he is a little anxious.

Lin Qingran froze, unable to regain consciousness for a long time, and his mind was too messed up to think. He thought it was not enough to bully her like this, and he wanted to marry her back to bully her.

He shook his head like a rattle and said, "I will not kiss you. My father will not agree to it."

Rejecting without thinking was like pouring water on Shen Tingzhu's head. He wanted to tell the little girl that if he wanted to marry her, it was really not something that she or the Lin family could refuse. Just looking at her panicked and helpless eyes, I didn't have the heart to say anything.

Lin Qingran was at a loss for words, "Moreover, I saw you kill someone. Even if you are the crown prince of Changxing, you do not ignore the law." The more she spoke, the more confused she became, and she suddenly remembered that Xie Huai was in charge of Dali Temple. , said without hesitation: "Second cousin also knows that I am familiar with Xie Huai. If Dali Temple wants to investigate the case, aren't you afraid?"

Shen Tingzhu frowned again and again. It was true that the less he wanted to hear something, the more she wanted to mention it.

"Cousin, are you going to report me?"

The smile in Shen Tingzhu's eyes did not diminish, but Lin Qingran couldn't stop staring at him and winced, "You, if you do that to me again, I will tell Xie Huai."

Shen Tingzhu sneered, feeling that the man named Xie was regarded as a life-saving straw, and he always spoke of Xie Huai.

"This is really troublesome." Shen Tingzhu said quietly.

Seeing that he seemed worried, Lin Qingran thought that her words had shocked him, so she slowly calmed down and made a condition to him: "I don't have to say anything."

Shen Tingzhu said at this moment, "Cousin, do you know how to make someone keep a secret?"

Lin Qingran felt vaguely that something was wrong, and Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "If you can't control your mouth, you'll become mute."

Lin Qingran covered her mouth with her hands almost instantly, her eyes filled with frightened mist. Shen Tingzhu must have been scaring her.

Shen Tingzhu was really angry. He lowered his gaze and lingered on her fingers as tender as green onion. "I almost forgot, my cousin is a good handwriting. If I can't talk about it anymore, I still have hands, so I'll use them as well." Broken."

When Lin Qingran heard him calmly saying that he wanted to mute her and break her hand, tears immediately flowed down her face. Her voice was filled with tears, "I, I won't tell."

She panicked and wanted to put her hands behind her back, but Shen Tingzhu moved too quickly and easily grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of her.

Lin Qingran threw herself into his arms like a swallow, half of her body lying on his lap, with her other hand on his waist and abdomen, she tried her best to raise her head and looked into Shen Tingzhu's dark eyes. .

Lin Qingran was so scared that her wrist would be broken if he exerted force.

Shen Tingzhu couldn't bear to see her cry, "Are you still mentioning him?"

Lin Qingran shook his head repeatedly, "I will definitely not tell...Second cousin, you believe me."

The face of Fu Rong, who was very close at hand, was covered with tears, and her delicate skin was burned red. Shen Tingzhu wiped away her tears, but he couldn't wipe them away. "Okay, don't cry anymore. I won't poison you, either." I won't break your hand."

He originally wanted to scare her again, but crying made his heart ache.

"But Ranran has to stay with me."

Lin Qingran cried harder than before. She didn't want to be with such a volatile and moody person.

The tear-stained eyelashes could not bear the weight and trembled with force. Because they looked up, the tears flowed down the end of the eyes like temples, wetted the hair, and then slid to the auricles, falling under the red earlobes, trembling, The desire has not yet fallen, as if wearing a clear earring.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes were attracted and became darker. Finally, when the tears were about to fall, he leaned over and took them into his mouth.

Lin Qingran felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her mind went blank. Her earlobe was held in the moist and warm mouth and played with repeatedly, causing waves of tremors. When had she ever experienced such stimulation? She couldn't exert any strength and could only Helpless cries.

"I'll stay, stay...Second cousin...don't bully me like this."

The thick cry of tears reached his ears. Shen Tingzhu woke up suddenly and quickly let go of her. He saw Lin Qingran being rubbed until her earlobes were red. His mind was extremely complicated. He was so uncontrollable that the tip of his tongue was still there. There was still a softness that made people want to swallow it, and a thin red appeared under his eyes, making the tear mole more and more eye-catching.

Lin Qingran was still trembling and crying, but Shen Tingzhu's gloomy eyes finally regained their clarity. He was not very good at coaxing people, so he could only pat her back and said harshly: "I won't bully you anymore, I promise. "

The despair of having nowhere to escape made Lin Qingran not hide at all. She cried on his shoulder. She opened her dry lips and sobbed, "Then get out now."

Listening to her broken and hoarse voice, Shen Tingzhu scolded: "Don't cry." He thought for a while and said, "I'll leave as soon as you go to sleep."

Lin Qingran pursed her lips tightly and did not dare to cry. Her tears fell even harder, soaking the clothes on Shen Tingzhu's shoulders.

Shen Tingzhu didn't know what to do, he could only continue to pat her trembling back, "I just wanted to scare you, but you can't talk to Xie Huai anymore, otherwise..."

Lin Qingran did not dare to go against him anymore. She looked at Shen Tingzhu's neck with tears in her eyes, wanting only to get closer and bite him to death.

For a long time, her body became stiff after being hugged, and finally she couldn't help but whispered: "I want to drink water."

Shen Tingzhu stood up and walked to the table, poured tea and then came back. Lin Qingran sipped the rim of the cold cup and drank a full cup of tea to feel better. She was about to say that she was going to sleep, but Shen Tingzhu He hugged her back and stroked her back with his hands.

Lin Qingran's eyes were widened and swollen from crying in his arms. She felt like a ball of snow being forcibly held and touched. How could anyone be like this!

If he hadn't just said that he wanted to marry her, she would never have believed that Shen Tingzhu was really interested in her.

Her eyes were sore and swollen, and her head was dizzy from crying. Lin Qingran closed her eyes, and the slow and gentle caressing on her back gradually relaxed her tense nerves.

Carrying the sleeping Lin Qingran to the bed, Shen Tingzhu stretched her stiff body, leaned over and tucked her in before leaving.

It was already late at night, and when she walked to the path that intersected with Yuansongju, Shen Tingzhu saw Shen Qi standing on the path holding a snow ball.

He stepped forward and said, "Brother, why are you here?"

Shen Qi looked at the direction he came from and said with a smile: "I went to your courtyard to find if you were not there. I thought I might be able to wait for you here."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes slightly, knowing that the elder brother would say this, that's how much he knew. He smiled and asked, "I wonder what the elder brother wants from me?"

Shen Qi said: "It's cold outside, let's talk while walking."

"I heard from my servant that Xuetuan has become closer to you recently." Xuetuan, who was in Shen Qi's arms, raised his head and meowed when he heard him calling his son.

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips, "We can't even talk about being close, at least you won't run away when you see me." Thanks to the little girl, but if she doesn't come these days, Xue Tuan won't take the initiative to approach.

Shen Qi seemed very interested, "How did you do it?"

Shen Tingzhu said: "It's nothing more than teasing with things and letting go of your guard little by little."

"It seems that the second brother knows." Shen Qiyi pointed out something that made Shen Tingzhu frown.

Shen Qi asked again: "What will you do if you really want to hug the snow ball but it doesn't want to?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little thing napping in his arms and said without thinking, "I'll be honest if I hold it."

Shen Qi was dumbfounded by his matter-of-fact tone, "That's because it can't hide. If you don't pinch the back of its neck, see if it can hide."

Shen Tingzhu frowned: "What exactly do you want to say?"

Shen Qi simply opened the skylight and said frankly to him, "It's not like this to like a person, even a cat, let alone a human being."

He touched Xue Tuan's head and said, "If you use force, it won't be able to resist, but as long as you loosen your grip, it will run away without hesitation."

Shen Tingzhu's face darkened, he could never let go.

There was a sudden heaviness in his arms. It was Shen Qi who put the snow ball over. Shen Tingzhu was afraid that he would grab it randomly, so he held it by the back of the neck.

Shen Qi's voice came faintly, "Do you think it is happy when it is forced to be held by you?"

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes silently, Xue Tuan kept meowing in his arms, just like when Lin Qingran cried non-stop in his arms.

He let go in a daze, and Xue Tuan quickly jumped away.

Shen Qi knelt down and stretched out his hand to slowly call Xuetuan over, "If given a choice, Xuetuan will definitely come to my place or go to someone else's."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the snow ball gently rubbing against Shen Qi's palm. He pressed the corners of his lips tightly and imagined in his mind what if Lin Qingran was like this...his heart suddenly tightened.

He asked in a dry tone: "What do you think the elder brother should do?"

Shen Qi straightened up and said with a smile: "Don't you know, let him lower his guard and hide away if we don't see him again."

Let your guard down...he just scared the little girl and made her cry.

"Brother, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Shen Qi was so angry that he didn't know how to answer the question.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Mo Ci was ordered to deliver something to Qingyu Pavilion.

Yueying took the brocade box with an embarrassed look on her face, "I'm afraid the lady will have to throw it out."

Mo Ci's face didn't look much prettier than hers. Before he came out, the prince was looking at the snow ball in the courtyard and playing with it with all kinds of things it liked.

He thought about it, which probably meant: practice on one side and practice on the other side?

Mo Ci said, "You can give them away first."

Yueying walked into the room. Lin Qingran had already stood up and was sitting in front of the makeup curtain, pinching her earlobes in trance, looking extremely embarrassed.

"Miss, you're up."

Yueying suddenly made a sound, startling Lin Qingran who was lost in thought. She put down her hand, saw what was in Yueying's hand, and asked, "What did you bring?"

Yueying put the brocade box in front of Lin Qingran just now, "The prince sent it to him, saying it was an apology."

Lin Qingran had already opened the box, and on one side was a pair of red coral bracelets inlaid with gold wire. Corals are born in the deep sea, are extremely difficult to salvage and are easily damaged. To make such a pair of bracelets, they must be both good in appearance and size. The huge coral is worth thousands of dollars.

Lin Qingran closed the box with a slap, her face was full of embarrassment, and her earlobes were badly burned by Simo's kiss. He had bullied her like that, turned around and gave her a gift, and really treated her like a kitten or puppy.

Or maybe, this was simply sent by him to remind him not to forget what he promised last night.

"Give it back to me."

Yueying had already guessed that this was the case. Just as he was about to take the things away, Lin Qingran said again: "Forget it."

She stuffed the box into the box together with the clothes that Shen Tingzhu had given her before, so as to prevent him from looking back for excuses to tease her.

After Lin Qingran washed and changed her clothes, she went to Mrs. Lin's place.

Mrs. Lin asked if she knew about Shen Shu's marriage in February.

Lin Qingran nodded: "Shen Shu told me." Her mind was filled with Shen Tingzhu's threats to her last night, and she had to say: "I was just about to tell my little aunt that I might as well wait until after the wedding banquet before leaving. "

Mrs. Lin naturally hoped that she would stay some time, and said with a smile: "Okay, I will send a letter to your father."

Lin Qingran forced a smile, but her heart sank a little more.

Yuansongju.

Mo Ci looked at Shen Tingzhu who was taking the trouble to throw the ball of thread and lure the snow ball to him, and couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, does this really work?"

Shen Tingzhu was too lazy to pay attention to him, and didn't even raise his eyelids.

Mo Ci looked tired and panicked, "There's no movement at all. It's not like you ran away as soon as you stretched out your hand."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyelids and stared coldly. Mo Ci was stared at and immediately fell silent.

Shen Tingzhu just let go, and the snow ball jumped on the ball and played with all his heart.

He was inevitably depressed, so he sat aside and asked, "My cousin went to Boya Yuan again?"

Boya Courtyard is the courtyard where Lin lives.

Mo Ci said: "I left early in the morning."

Shen Tingzhu glanced out the window and said, "Go and tell her that you don't have to run in both directions in the future. I just won't go."

It was already after dinner when Lin Qingran left Mrs. Lin's place. She felt her heart tremble when she looked at the three words "Qingyu Pavilion" from a distance. As she walked in, she thought about how to lock the door before going to bed.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Yueying greeted her, "Miss is back."

Lin Qingran nodded weakly, "Prepare some water, I want to take a bath."

Yueying summoned the other girls and accompanied Lin Qingran into the house. She secretly observed Lin Qingran's expression and said tentatively: "Miss, guard Mo was here just now."

Seeing Lin Qingran's eyebrows frowning, Yueying immediately continued: "He is here to convey a message for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince said that he will not come to Qingyu Pavilion again in the future, so that you don't have to go to the third lady's place anymore. It's freezing cold." Caught a cold."

Lin Qingran froze slightly, her sleepy eyes widened a bit. She had already thought about what Shen Tingzhu would say to threaten her openly or covertly.

But he actually said he wouldn't come again... Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Yueying, "Did you hear wrongly?"

Yueying shook her head repeatedly, "How dare you hear me wrong, this slave?" She took an exquisite food box from the side, "This is what Mo Ci sent to you."

Lin Qingran stared at the food box for a long time, biting her lip and letting Yueying open it.

When the lid was opened, there was actually a plate of snow-white and soft milk, water chestnut and powder cake.

"Mo Ci said that the prince asked the best pastry chef in the capital to make this."

Lin Qingran's brows were furrowed even tighter than before. Looking at the pastries, his eyes trembled uneasily, wondering what on earth he was going to do.

,.

=== Chapter === 045

In the next few days, Shen Tingzhu turned out to be true as Yue Ying said, and never came to Qingyu Pavilion again. Even when they met in the garden occasionally, he just nodded and said to his cousin and left.

Lin Qingran almost thought that he really wanted to understand and was willing to let her go - if he didn't ask Mo Ci to deliver things every day.

Lin Qingran looked sadly at a whole box of things that had been piled up, from gorgeous clothes to exquisite jewelry. There were a few playthings in the corner, as well as crumpled books... The day and night we spent together on the way here, Shen Tingzhu knew her preferences very well and gave her everything she liked.

Could he be trying to please himself?

But looking at this now, she couldn't feel happy at all. Mo Ci came two or three times a day, no matter how hidden it was, there was no guarantee that no one would find it.

She frowned. Could it be that Shen Tingzhu had this idea to let people find out that they were secretly communicating with each other? It would be impossible for her not to marry him by then.

This must be the case. Lin Qingran closed the lid hard, and a bang made her palms feel numb and painful.

Yueying on the side saw her rubbing her hands in pain and asked hurriedly: "Miss, are you hurt?"

Lin Qingran spread her palms. Her skin was the most delicate, and soon a thin layer of red appeared on it. She shook her head in thought, feeling very upset.

Yuansongju has always been warmer than other places. There is a ground dragon burning in the house, and two more stoves must be placed.

Xue Tuan was warm and comfortable, and he spread his belly and took a nap on the carpet-covered floor. Shen Tingzhu sat far away on the Arhat bed, nonchalantly playing with the snacks at hand, which were Xue Tuan's favorites and dried. Meat strips and dried fish will break as soon as you break them.

The clicking sound caused Xue Tuan, who was sleeping soundly, to open his round eyes, turn over, and say "Meow—" to Shen Tingzhu.

Shen Tingzhu lifted her lips and smiled, stood up and placed the dried fish slightly closer to the snow ball, then sat back on the Arhat's bed and looked away.

When he looked again, the snow ball had already rolled up and walked slowly towards him. After finishing a piece, he raised his head and looked at him.

This time, Shen Tingzhu placed the dried fish at an arm's length away from him. The snow ball did not move at first, and then walked over after a while. Shen Tingzhu was very satisfied with the result, but he didn't know when the little girl would come towards him. .

He hadn't seen her for several days, and Shen Tingzhu was slightly absent-minded.

The next day, when Mo Ci was walking to Qingyu Pavilion again, Lin Qingran finally couldn't sit still anymore and stopped him with great aura.

Mo Ci felt guilty when he saw her, and said respectfully, "I've met my cousin before."

Lin Qingran looked at the beautifully carved wooden box in his hand and said coldly: "There is no need to send these things in the future. You can just throw them away or do whatever you want."

If I send it to her again, she will lose her Jizo.

Mo Ci said: "This subordinate is sending something to the girl on the order of the prince, and I ask the girl to forgive me."

Lin Qingran gritted his teeth and said in a roundabout way: "If you don't tell, I won't tell, the prince won't know."

Naturally, Mo Ci didn't dare to do as she asked, fearing that Lin Qingran would set a trap for herself again. Then she would just push him and spread a few random rumors. Seemingly colluding with Miss Lin, the prince would have to tease him. He never wanted to wash the stables again.

"My subordinates dare not disobey the prince's order. Please forgive me, cousin."

After tossing and turning over and over to get her to forgive, Lin Qingran almost laughed out of anger, squinting his eyes and threatening sinisterly: "Don't you forget how you recruited me in the first place? No one dares to blame me, but you..."

Mo Ci said in a straight line: "My subordinate has offended the girl and is willing to be punished, but I must not disobey the prince's order."

Lin Qingran sighed and said sarcastically: "You are really sincere."

Mo Ci was speechless and handed over the things in his hands with both hands.

Lin Qingran stood still and Yueying had no choice but to accept it first. When Mo Ci saw the things being delivered, he immediately left.

Yueying saw that Lin Qingran looked unhappy and tentatively said, "If you don't like it, miss, why don't you try to explain it to the prince directly?"

In her opinion, the prince's current behavior was already giving in, which had never happened before.

Lin Qingran gritted her teeth tightly without making a sound. How could he listen? That man was already used to being domineering.

Is it possible that she has to hold on to him like this forever? Lin Qingran couldn't get angry, so she grabbed the thing in Yueying's hand and walked towards Yuansongju.

Lin Qingran went to Yuansongju aggressively. Mo Ci had a bad secret and could not stop her, so he had to let Yu Ying pass the message first.

Shen Tingzhu was playing with the snowball in the yard, and now it dared to eat the food in his hand. Shen Tingzhu wanted to reach out and touch it, but when she noticed that it shrank its head, she put her hand down again.

Yu Ying hurriedly ran into the courtyard and said, "Your Majesty, my cousin wants to see you." She turned to look at the person walking quickly on the stone path and said, "We are already here."

Shen Tingzhu was stunned for a moment when he heard the words. Joy gradually rose in his eyes. He smiled and curled his lips. He lowered his eyes to look at the snowball eating in his palm and said softly, "It seems to be really working."

Lin Qingran was stunned when he saw the scene in the pavilion from a distance, but only a few days later, Xue Tuan actually dared to approach him.

In a blink of an eye, the snowballs had already rushed to her feet. Shen Tingzhu also stood up with his knees propped up. His peach blossom eyes were exceptionally bright, and the smile in his eyes was thick, "Ranran."

Lin Qingran dared to come here because she was so angry that her brain was hot. But as soon as she looked into Shen Tingzhu's eyes, the courage she had finally mustered up quickly faded away. She was afraid of looking at him a few more times. He would lose control and turn around and run away.

Shen Tingzhu saw that something was wrong with her expression, and the joy in her heart gradually faded.

Lin Qingran bit her lip tightly. She had already done this, so there was no point in escaping. She ignored Xue Tuan and walked quickly to the pavilion. She thought she was very fierce and put the things in her hands on the table and asked. Said: "What exactly is my cousin going to do?"

The final note trembled so much that she felt hopeless, and her eyes turned red uncontrollably. She didn't know whether it was because of grievance or fear. Fortunately, Lin Qingran couldn't see it and could only glare at Shen Tingzhu.

When Shen Tingzhu saw her taking back what she had given her, her heart sank even more and her brows furrowed.

Lin Qingran's eyes were red, and his cheeks were flushed from the wind blowing along the way. He looked very pitiful. Shen Tingzhu pursed his lips and asked, "Don't you like it?"

Little girls obviously like such exquisite and gorgeous things.

Lin Qingran shook her head vigorously, "I don't like it, why do you keep giving these, what are you going to do?" She said, her voice became hoarse, full of grievances.

The joy he felt when he heard her coming had completely subsided. Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows and said stiffly, "I'm trying to please you."

Lin Qingran's pupils narrowed, and her lips were slightly parted due to too much surprise. She guessed it was the same thing, but when Shen Tingzhu said this, she was still stunned.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and looked at Xue Tuan, with a hint of confusion in his eyes, and then said: "If you don't like it, I won't give it away."

He raised his eyes and looked at Lin Qingran seriously, "Then what do you like and what should I do if you like it?"

Lin Qingran was stunned for a long time. She found it incredible that such words could come out of Shen Tingzhong's mouth.

"Then let me go." Lin Qingran blurted out.

Seeing Shen Tingzhu lowering the corners of his lips, Lin Qingran shrank subconsciously and whispered, "You asked yourself."

The little girl really didn't like him at all. Shen Tingzhu never thought about this problem before, because no matter what, it couldn't change that she could only be with him, and it was the same now.

But at this moment, his thin eyelashes were drooping, and his expression was as lonely as ever.

Lin Qingran had never seen such an emotion in him, as if he had been abandoned.

After a long silence, Shen Tingzhu said again: "Once Third Sister's wedding ceremony is over, I will no longer decide whether you stay or go. If you leave now, she will be sad."

Looking up at the little girl who couldn't believe it, Shen Tingzhu curled his lips and said, "I won't lie to you."

Just let her go back early to get married.

Lin Qingran naturally didn't know what he was planning, so she moved her lips repeatedly, "If you regret it."

Shen Tingzhu said very seriously, "Then Ranran will never like me."

Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat when she was caught by his gaze. She wouldn't like him in the first place!

"I won't force you to see you, I won't scare you, and I won't give you anything." Shen Tingzhu counted them one by one, tilted his head and asked her, "Is there anything else?"

Lin Qingran wanted to pull his face to see if there was another person under his skin.

In fact, even if Shen Tingzhu had a completely different set of thoughts in his heart, even if he wanted to pull the person into his arms right now, there was nothing he could do on the surface.

Lin Qingran shook his head in shock, his thoughts were in a mess, it was clear that he was not like this that night.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and picked up the kettle on the stove, "It must be cold after walking all the way. Ranran has a cup of hot tea to warm up."

Lin Qingran didn't understand him more and more, and whispered, "I want to go back."

After not seeing her for a few days, Shen Tingzhu really didn't want her to leave. He put down the kettle in his hand and said, "I'll ask the maid to see her off."

"Second cousin, don't bother." Lin Qingran said quickly and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, she couldn't help but look back. Shen Tingzhu was standing there, looking down at the things she had put down. Her robes outlined her slim figure, which gave her a more lonely look.

Lin Qingran turned away, and her graceful figure disappeared on the path.

Shen Tingzhu opened the wooden box and found a hairpin inlaid with rare southern pearls. When he saw it for the first time, he thought it would look great if a little girl wore it.

He looked at the snow ball beside him and said thoughtfully, "It's much harder to coax than you."

=== Chapter === 046

When the eunuch came to deliver the Queen's instructions, Lin Qingran was lazily lying on the soft couch by the window and taking a nap. The gilt mother-of-pearl incense burner was burning with elegant four-season orchids, and the room was leisurely.

Yueying hurried in and reported: "Miss, the eldest lady has sent someone to invite you to the flower hall in the front yard."

Lin Qingran opened his hazy eyes with water mist, and his expression showed the confusion of someone who had not yet woken up. He did not hear clearly what Yue Ying said.

Yueying brought some clothes for her to change and said again, "Madam, please go to the front yard."

Only then did Lin Qingran hear clearly, and the confusion in her eyes disappeared, "What did the eldest lady ask me to do?"

Yueying untied her coat and said, "I don't even know."

Lin Qingran frowned and raised her arms, asking Yueying to change her clothes. It had been almost two months since she came to the Hou Mansion, and she had only seen the eldest lady a handful of times. Why did she suddenly think of seeing her.

Suddenly, her eyes opened slightly, not least because the eldest lady knew about her and Shen Tingzhu!

This thought was so frightening that her heart almost stopped. She knew that Shen Tingzhu was not that easy to talk to. If he didn't force her, he was just toying with her again. When she let down her guard, he would tie her to the net again. middle.

Could it be that he took such a big detour just to tell her that no matter how hard she resisted, it was useless?

Lin Qingran only felt cold in her limbs. Yueying said, "Miss, people are waiting outside. Let's leave quickly."

Unable to escape... Lin Qingran walked out in despair.

She was in a daze all the way, so she simply insisted that it was Shen Tingzhu who was telling the story, but her little coat was still in his hand.

Lin Qingran went to the front yard distractedly, and the maid who was guarding outside the flower hall said: "Girl, please come in."

Lin Qingran clenched her palms. If Shen Tingzhu was really determined to marry her, she would make his back house restless every day, and no one would be able to get over it.

Lin Qingran took a deep breath and looked ready to fight.

After stepping across the threshold, I heard a high-pitched voice say, "This must be Miss Lin."

Qin smiled and said, "Exactly."

Lin Qingran raised his eyes and saw a eunuch looking at him with a smile.

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment and looked around the hall. Apart from Qin, Shen Shu and Shen Xi were also there, but Shen Tingzhu, who made her itch with hatred, was not there.

She greeted Mrs. Qin, "Qingran has met Madam." She looked at the ground with half-lidded eyes, not knowing what was going on for a moment.

The eunuch spoke at this time, "The Queen is thinking about her sisters in the palace, and has sent a message to the three girls to come to the palace tomorrow to accompany them."

Shen Xi and Shen Shu said, "I sincerely respect your Majesty's decree."

Lin Qingran knelt down in a daze. It was not about her and Shen Tingzhu. She had even thought about marrying him just now, how she should fight.

A sense of shame surged into Lin Qingran's heart, and she dared to close her eyes tightly to get rid of the messy thoughts in her mind.

The eunuch said: "I will leave first."

Qin ordered someone to send him out, looked at Lin Qingran calmly, and then said to the three of them: "You will enter the palace together tomorrow."

Back in the backyard, Lin Qingran went to Lin's place. She was going to the palace tomorrow, so she was inevitably nervous.

Mrs. Lin was also very surprised after hearing this, "Why did the Queen think of letting you enter the palace?"

Lin Qingran thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps because I met her once at Yuxi Mountain last time, the empress felt she was destined to be with me."

It could only be for this reason, and she was not the only one to enter the palace, there were also Shen Xi and Shen Shu.

Lin didn't think so. Recently, the courtiers had repeatedly urged the emperor to choose a talent show, and she had heard about it. Qingran was born beautiful. If the queen wanted to find a good person to enter the palace, Qingran would undoubtedly be a good choice. Lin's eyes narrowed, hoping not.

Mrs. Lin has never been to the palace, so she can only tell her, "Be careful with your words and actions when you enter the palace. Answer the questions you ask. Also, you will be leaving the capital soon, so don't forget to say goodbye to the queen."

Afraid that Lin Qingran would have random thoughts, she didn't tell her guess.

Lin Qingran nodded obediently: "I understand."

Lin Qingran was walking in the garden, and the red plum blossoms along the path had already formed small buds. Looking past the beauty in front of her, she saw a person sitting in a pavilion not far away.

It was Shen Tingzhu. Lin Qingran wanted to pretend not to see her and walked forward without looking away, but out of the corner of her eye she saw that he had already stood up and walked towards her.

"Cousin, stay."

Lin Qingran had to stop, "Second cousin."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a moment and said, "I heard that your Majesty told you to enter the palace."

Lin Qingran nodded, thinking of his misunderstanding and speculation just now, he felt annoyed again.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her faintly red ears and asked, "Are you nervous about entering the palace?"

Lin Qingran said truthfully: "A little bit."

The Queen and Shen Tingzhu were siblings, so he must know best to pay attention. Lin Qingran moved her lips to ask him, but finally held back.

Shen Tingzhu said as if he knew what she was thinking, "Mother Wu used to serve the Queen and also stayed in the palace for a period of time. Why don't I let her come and tell you the rules and etiquette in the palace?" ."

Lin Qingran frowned slightly, hesitating whether to accept his favor.

Shen Tingzhu said: "If you don't like it, forget it. Sister is easy to get along with, so you don't need to be nervous."

Lin Qingran's eyes moved slightly. He was actually no longer as strong as before, and he would not tolerate anyone saying no as long as he opened his mouth.

When she looked up, her eyes were gentle and without the overwhelming darkness. Lin Qingran finally let down her guard a little.

After hesitating again and again, Lin Qingran whispered: "Then send someone to Qingyu Pavilion."

The sunlight shone on the side of her face, and you could see the fine hair. Shen Tingzhu said, "Okay."

Promised so lightly.

Lin Qingran pinched her fingertips and said, "Then I'm leaving."

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Shen Tingzhu's eyes, but it was completely covered up by his smile, "It's not difficult to ask for a thank you."

Lin Qingran was really not used to Shen Tingzhu like this, so he said in a low voice: "Thank you, second cousin." Then he left quickly.

Behind her, Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes unhappily, but after tasting her thank you in his mouth, he lifted his lips and smiled again.

Lin Qingran couldn't help but feel awe at the majesty of the palace with its red walls and gold tiles.

The chamberlain led the three of them to the Queen's Palace.

On the other side, Shen Tingzhu was driving in the imperial garden. The emperor walked in front of him with his hands behind his back. He turned slightly and said to the people behind him: "In the past, if I wanted to see you, I would have to look for you. Today you have come by yourself."

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "The emperor has betrayed his ministers."

The emperor looked at him with a pair of narrow phoenix eyes, "Just tell me that you are here because of the daughter of the Lin family. I will not laugh at you." The emperor said he did not smile, but there was no shortage of sarcasm, "I am afraid that your sister will deceive you." She can't."

Shen Tingzhu just said: "The Emperor is too worried."

The emperor raised his eyebrows, "I also thought that if you admit it, I will grant you a marriage."

Shen Tingzhu Xu had agreed before Ruofang did it. Now he felt that what his elder brother said was very reasonable. If he forced her to marry her, he would probably cry every day.

"If the emperor has such leisure, he might as well think about the draft. As far as I know, my sister also agrees."

The emperor's face instantly darkened, and all the servants around him were frightened. After a moment, the emperor smiled and said, "You are the only one who dares to speak to me like this."

In the eyes of the emperor, he and Shen Tingzhu were monarchs and ministers, and they were close friends since childhood. Moreover, if Shen Tingzhu had not been there, he would have been tortured now.

The two of them walked along the lotus pond in the imperial garden.

The frustration in the emperor's heart was getting faster and faster. Shen Tingzhu was left far behind. He raised his eyebrows and said, "The emperor doesn't wait for you either."

The emperor said: "If I really stop and wait for you, I'm afraid you will be unhappy."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said nothing. The only person who understood him best was the emperor.

"Have you ever regretted pretending to be me?"

The emperor's voice came from afar, and Shen Tingzhu paused slightly.

Countless poisons were used on him, and his knees were broken and reattached, broken again, and reattached... In the first few years, he couldn't even get out of bed, and his internal organs were in pain. Even now, every step he takes His knees also hurt, but they were numb, and he never tasted the pain again.

Shen Tingzhu said slowly: "No."

Whether it was for the emperor, his subjects, or for his friends, he never regretted it.

Lin Qingran sat in the Queen's Palace for half a day. She was a little nervous at first, but then she got better. It was just gossip.

It wasn't until it got dark that the three of them stood up to say goodbye.

After walking across the Jinshui Bridge, many officials who were off duty walked out of the Wenhua Hall.

Lin Qingran and the three of them walked to one side to avoid it, and noticed that someone was looking at her. Lin Qingran raised her eyes blankly, and she saw Xie Huai standing tall and long among the ministers. She saw it at a glance.

Xie Huai smiled at her from a distance, turned sideways and said something to the official next to him, then strode towards her.

Shen Xi on the side held Shen Shu's hand, smiled and bit her ear, and before Lin Qingran could react, she pulled Shen Shu away again.

It was already too late for Lin Qingran to stop the two of them.

What's a good walk?

She smiled at the person who had already walked up to her and said, "Thank you Huai."

Xie Huai looked at Lin Qingran with a slightly scrutinizing gaze. After visiting the lake that day, he had sent pastries twice, but they were sent back. Now it seems that she is probably unaware...

Xie Huai smiled and said, "Why are you here?"

Lin Qingran explained: "It was the Queen who sent the message."

Xie Huai nodded, glanced at the two girls from the Shen family who were waiting not far away, and said, "It's a pity that I have something to do today, otherwise I would invite you to a restaurant for dinner."

Lin Qingran smiled and said, "It will be the same next time."

Xie Huai smiled and said nothing. Shen Zhi was on guard. He was not sure when the next time would be. He said, "The Lantern Festival will be held in a few days. Will you come out?"

Lin Qingran nodded, "Of course I want to go."

"It's still the same as when I was little, I like to go wherever the excitement is."

Lin Qingran's face heated up slightly when he said it, and then she heard Xie Huai say, "Then I'll wait for you at the light bridge in the market."

Lin Qingran was stunned. Was he going to the lantern festival with her?

Xie Huai saw her hesitation and said, "I know the best place to watch lanterns."

Naturally, Lin Qingran would not miss the place he mentioned, and readily agreed: "Then we'll see you on the Lantern Festival."

Xie Huai smiled and nodded, and said with some reluctance: "I'm leaving first."

As soon as Xie Huai left, Shen Xi came over with a smirk on his face, "What did my cousin say to Mr. Xie?"

"Just a few small talk." Lin Qingran felt uncomfortable because of her smile, and said angrily: "Why are you looking at me like this."

"A few chats..." Shen Xi trailed off in disbelief, "Then why do I still hear about the Lantern Festival?"

Lin Qingran didn't hide anything, "We just made an appointment to go see the lanterns together." She thought of something and said quickly, "You must not tell anyone."

She always felt that if Shen Tingzhu knew about it, there would be trouble.

"It's a secret, and I'm giving you cover." After Shen Xi finished speaking, she covered her mouth with her hand and winked at her strangely.

By the time the carriage returned to the house, it was already dark.

As soon as Mrs. Lin learned that the person had returned, she called her to inquire.

Lin Qingran answered truthfully. When she heard that the queen asked her if she was married, Lin's eyebrows tightened.

When Mr. Shen came back, she asked about the draft.

His wife never asked about the affairs of the previous dynasty. Occasionally he would say a few words and she would just listen to it. Mr. Shen felt strange and did not ask any more questions. He said calmly: "The emperor has ignored all opinions and has been keeping this matter in mind. It may not be possible."

Mrs. Lin breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.

In a blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival is here, and several people are having dinner together, which is very lively.

After dinner, Shen Xi made a fuss about going to see the lantern festival. Usually at night, the girls in the house were never allowed to go out. The Lantern Festival only happened once a year. Mrs. Shen smiled and said, "Everyone is going." go."

Shen Xi turned her head and winked at Lin Qingran, "Third sister, cousin, let's go quickly."

Sixth sister, who was still wearing two buns and was staggering when walking, was held by her grandma and said excitedly, "Fifth sister, look at the lamp."

Of course, Shen Xi couldn't take her there, "You go find the second brother to play." In the past, the second brother would not go to the lantern festival with them.

Shen Tingzhu also waved to Sixth Sister, "Come over to Second Brother."

After a few people left the flower hall, another half moment passed before Shen Tingzhu also stood up and left.

The lantern festival was so lively that the carriage could no longer move even before it reached the main street.

The three of them had no choice but to get off the carriage and walk. The night market in Beijing was much more lively than that in Jiangning. The lights were as bright as daytime, and the shops on the street were all open. The originally spacious road had to be passed by rubbing shoulders.

Shen Xi pointed her in the direction of the light bridge. When Lin Qingran passed by, Xie Huai was already waiting there. Lin Qingran stuck out her tongue in embarrassment and walked forward quickly.

"You arrive first every time." She said with a slight breath.

Xie Huai was just afraid that she wouldn't come, "You called me brother so many times before, so I should wait for you."

Lin Qingran nodded at him seriously, "What you said is true."

The two looked at each other and smiled, Xie Huai said: "Let's go."

There was a painting boat parked in the river, and there were many girls putting up lanterns on both sides. Lin Qingran walked around to take a look, and Xie Huai followed behind to separate the crowd for her.

Both of them looked very outstanding, and it was inevitable that people would look at them frequently and regretfully look away when they saw that they were together.

A stall selling masks attracted Lin Qingran's attention. Each mask was drawn one by one by the stall owner. She stopped and picked two, holding one in front of her eyes and handing the other to Xie Huai.

Xie Huai didn't play with these things even when he was a child. He took it and said, "You want me to wear it?"

Lin Qingran put down her hands, her pretty face showing innocence, "Yes, one for each person."

Although Xie Huai felt it was difficult, it was not impossible. Just as he was about to put it on, a man in Cheng Ziyi walked over quickly, glanced at Lin Qingran, and whispered in Xie Huai's ear.

After hearing this, Xie Huai gradually frowned and looked at Lin Qingran apologetically, "I'm afraid I can't accompany you anymore."

Lin Qingran guessed that he must have something important to do, "It doesn't matter, go and get busy."

Xie Huai said: "I'll have someone take you back."

Lin Qingran just arrived and wanted to go shopping again, "No, I have to go find Shen Xi and the others later."

Xie Huai nodded, "That's fine." He looked regretful, "It seems like we can't say a few words every time we meet."

Lin Qingran shook his head and said that he would have a chance next time.

Xie Huai put the mask back on the stall and left quickly.

When the people walked away, Lin Qingran remembered that she had forgotten to ask him where the place to look at the lights was, so she had to look for it herself.

It must have been ten years ago that Shen Tingzhu came back from the lantern festival. The crowding and commotion around him made him frown impatiently. He already had a cold demeanor, but now his face was sullen, making him even more unapproachable.

Even so, he still couldn't stop some girls from looking at him from time to time, and even the bolder ones made excuses to fall and bump into him. Shen Tingzhu sidestepped to avoid it, and the girl staggered and almost threw herself to the ground in embarrassment.

Shen Tingzhu turned a blind eye and saw a stall selling masks nearby. He threw a piece of broken silver and picked one up at random and put it on.

Walking onto the stone bridge, she finally saw the little girl holding a lantern by the river. Shen Tingzhu smiled slightly, but soon frowned again.

When a man talked to her, she didn't even know how to avoid him. She even turned around and laughed with him.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to see the flower he was caring for surrounded by a bunch of rotten flies.

Lin Qingran put the lantern into the water and watched it drift away. Then he stood up and was patted on the shoulder.

She turned around in shock. She was wearing a similar azure t-shirt and the mask she had chosen before. Lin Qingran's first reaction was that Xie Huai had returned from doing something.

She laughed angrily and said, "You don't want to scare me."

Shen Tingzhu's expression behind the mask was slightly stunned. Seeing that she not only recognized him, but also smiled so sweetly at him, all the worries in his heart disappeared. Instead, he felt a little more shaken and trembled with ripples of greenness. .

His face became slightly warm, and he remained silent and nodded.

=== Chapter === 047

Lin Qingran was about to ask him if he had done something well, but his eyes were attracted by the lights flowing behind him like a long dragon.

"The light truck is coming." Lin Qingran stepped on her toes excitedly, "Let's go over and take a look."

The bright light spots were imprinted in her pupils, shining like stars. Shen Tingzhu looked at her and lost his mind. He was like a young boy, confused, flustered, and nervous.

He was not a man of words, but he seemed to be unable to speak at the moment and just nodded.

Even outside, Lin Qingran was not as polite and quiet as she was in the Marquis. She walked forward excitedly, her skirt fluttering lightly and nimbly like a flying butterfly. Shen Tingzhu could hardly catch up with her.

Originally, he had felt a little strenuous along the way, but at this moment, the joy surging in his heart swept away all the pain and fatigue, and he always kept her figure in his eyes, chasing her steps.

"Look." Lin Qingran stepped forward and pointed at the light truck, her eyes filled with joy, "It's so beautiful."

Shen Tingzhu stared at her charming smile for a long time before letting out a hum.

Beautiful indeed.

When the car lights passed by, many people on the street also dispersed.

The two of them walked slowly along the market. Lin Qingran saw a child biting a candied haws, one bite at a time, and his cheeks were also moistened. She looked at it twice, with a rather envious look in his eyes.

Shen Tingzhu's most direct favor to Lin Qingran was to buy it if he liked it. He walked towards the hawker not far away who was carrying a candied haws target.

Lin Qingran followed and asked, "Where are you going?"

Shen Tingzhu had already finished her purchase and turned around, handing the candied haws in her hand to her.

Lin Qingran's face was slightly red. How could Xie Huai tell that she wanted to eat... She was a little embarrassed and refused to accept it, but kept staring at the red fruit, "This is for children."

She pursed her lips, then reached out to take it, "But I bought it, so I'll try it."

"Ha." Shen Tingzhu looked at her shining eyes and couldn't help laughing.

Lin Qingran was so embarrassed that he didn't recognize that this short laugh was different from Xie Huai's voice.

Her cheeks puffed up slightly and she said angrily: "Don't laugh."

Shen Tingzhu Yiyan was silent, but the smile in his eyes was so thick that it couldn't be turned away, and there was an indulgence that made people's hearts tremble.

Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head away awkwardly, squeezing the small wooden stick on the candied haws with her fingers, "Let's go to the front and have a look."

Shen Tingzhu slowly rubbed his knuckles.

Does this mean that the little girl at least no longer resists him?

Silently curling his lips, he walked forward and walked side by side with her.

Lin Qingran found that as long as she looked somewhere, Xie Huai would buy it for her without saying anything. Although they were small gadgets, she would be embarrassed if they happened too many times, "I'll give you the money later." "

Shen Tingzhu found it funny. She had never been soft-hearted when spending his money, but now she was thinking of paying him back.

Just as she was about to speak, two dudes on horseback rushed towards her from a distance. Pedestrians on the road hurriedly avoided. Lin Qingran was hit on the shoulder and staggered forward with a soft cry. In front of her was Xie Huai. Even if she hit her She would be fine if she slept with him, but there were differences between men and women. In the midst of the fire and lightning, she chose to grab the flagpole stuck on the side.

Unexpectedly, her waist tightened, and she fell steadily into Xie Huai's arms. His deep voice sounded above her head, "Be careful."

The tip of her nose bumped against his chest, and under the smell of soap and clean clothes, there was a faint medicinal fragrance. Lin Qingran thought of Shen Tingzhu at this moment. Even Xie Huai's voice sounded like Shen Tingzhu.

She quickly closed her eyes and thought about what the evil star was doing.

The noisy sound of horse hooves behind him gradually faded away, and the frightened men and women complained repeatedly. Lin Qingran took a few breaths before calming down. She realized that she was still being held in Xie Huai's arms, and she hurriedly wanted to push away, but his big His palm pressed against the back of her waist.

Lin Qingran's face turned red, "It's okay now, let me go."

Shen Tingzhu's hand on her slender waist was slightly bent. He could bear it without touching her, but at the moment, he was really reluctant to let go.

The unspeakable intimacy made Lin Qingran feel uncomfortable and wanted to avoid it. She said at a loss: "Xie Huai, let me go."

She felt Xie Huai's arm holding her tighten suddenly, and a voice of suppressed anger came from above her head—

"Who does Ranran think I am?"

Lin Qingran stiffened and raised her eyes suddenly. The tense jaw under the mask was unusually sharp. Only Shen Tingzhu would call her that.

She felt that she couldn't think anymore. She was clearly Xie Huai, so how could she have changed?

Only then did she remember that there were dark patterns embroidered on the lapels of Xie Huai's robe, but the person in front of her did not. The scent of medicine she just smelled was not an illusion...

Lin Qingran felt that her legs were weak. Without the hands on her waist to support her, she might have fallen to the ground.

Shen Tingzhu took off his mask and threw it aside. When his peach blossom eyes were not smiling, they were cold and cold.

This was what Lin Qingran was familiar with, forcing and dangerous. Not the way he acts these days.

Just when Lin Qingran thought he was going to get angry, Shen Tingzhu let go of her and turned her head away, half-obscuring her sight with her lowered eyelids. Her thin figure looked particularly lonely under the hazy moonlight.

He stared at the mask on the ground, "You recognized me as Xie Huai. You didn't smile at me." After speaking, he pursed his lips tightly, and his lips were whiter than usual.

His face was full of anger a moment ago, but now he looked disappointed, like a child who had lost something precious. He was angry at first, and then full of grievances and uneasiness.

If he had frightened and threatened her as usual, Lin Qingran would have done the same at best, but this was the first time she faced Shen Tingzhu like this, and she was unable to speak for a while.

He was still holding the candied haws he bought for himself in his hand. Other things had fallen to the floor. Lin Qingran squeezed the stick repeatedly and said, "...Second cousin."

She looked at the mask on the ground and passed the responsibility, "You are wearing a mask yourself, how can I recognize it?"

When Shen Tingzhu saw her lifting the mask, her anger surged in her heart again. They had also played together wearing masks like this before.

"Are you following me?" Lin Qingran suddenly felt something was wrong. It happened that he was wearing the mask he had chosen for Xie Huai.

Shen Tingzhu heard the vigilance in her words and turned to look at her, "Ranran thinks, if I knew that you were going to the lantern festival with the man next to you, how could I bear it and still pretend to be him?"

Shen Tingzhu sneered, and Lin Qingran could not refute his straightforward words without concealing his emotions.

"You have mistaken me." Shen Tingzhu repeated with great concern.

Lin Qingran was stared at by his dark eyes and felt inexplicably guilty.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Then what I promised before..."

Lin Qingran said anxiously: "You can't regret it if you want to."

"I won't regret it, but I will add one more thing."

As Shen Tingzhu spoke, he bent down to pick up the things that fell on the ground, but did not touch the mask, as if out of anger.

It seemed that she had mistakenly admitted the wrong person. Lin Qingran pursed her lips and said, "Let me hear what you say."

Shen Tingzhu grabbed her, without the cover of the mask, the emotion in his eyes became more intense, "I won't force you, let's take it slow, but Ranran can't please anyone other than me, and she can only be with me. Together, marry me."

Lin Qingran almost jumped up when he heard this, "You are not forcing yourself."

She squeezed the stick of the candied haws tightly, and felt a sharp pain in her fingertips. She frowned, gasped briefly and rubbed her fingertips, but the more she rubbed, the more painful it became, like needle pricks.

Shen Tingzhu took her hand and said, "Let me take a look."

Lin Qingran was still angry, so she pulled her hands away and said, "I don't want you to look at it."

"Don't move." Shen Tingzhu said, "Maybe it's stuck in a wooden thorn."

Lin Qingran immediately said after hearing this: "I don't want to pick." When she was a child, she was pricked by a wooden thorn in her hand. Her grandma picked it out for her with needle and thread. Her grandma was old and her eyesight was not good, so she used the needlepoint to make her bleed. It was poked out.

Shen Tingzhu saw the fear in her eyes and said softly: "Be good, let me take a look and I won't hurt you."

He took Lin Qingran to sit in a tea shop on the street and examined her carefully by the light of an oil lamp.

The light softened his brows, and Lin Qingran didn't seem so afraid of him anymore, so she kicked his shoes under the table.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes, "Does it hurt?"

Lin Qingran shook his head. His movements were very gentle and did not hurt at all.

"I don't agree to what you just said."

Shen Tingzhu had many ways to make her agree, but he had seen the little girl smile so beautifully, and he was afraid that if he really did it, he would never see her again in the future, "Ranran doesn't want to marry me, then who do you want to marry? "

Lin Qingran had never thought about whom to marry, but he couldn't let him have the final say.

"Xie Huai?" Shen Tingzhu's lips tightened, "The Xie family adheres to the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. Mr. Xie is not pedantic, but he attaches great importance to rules and is even more strict with his children. There are more than a hundred ancestral precepts alone. , and with the Xie family's financial resources, I'm afraid they can't even afford Ranran."

Lin Qingran was only familiar with Xie Huai because they were old acquaintances. Hearing what Shen Tingzhu said, he quickly shook his head.

Shen Tingzhu laughed, said nothing, and turned to ask Erxiao to find needle and thread.

Lin Qingran quickly withdrew her hand, and Shen Tingzhu held her wrist firmly, "If you don't get it out, it will hurt you."

Before the tip of the needle pricked her hand, Lin Qingran tensed up as if facing a powerful enemy. Shen Tingzhu looked at the candied haws in her other hand, "Why did you only eat one, and you didn't like it?"

Lin Qingran also lowered her head to look at the fruits. Because she was not in front of Xie Huai, she was not so shy. She muttered: "I saw that child eating it just now. It seemed crispy and sweet, but I didn't know it was so sour."

As she was talking, her fingertips suddenly felt stinging. When she quickly looked again, Shen Tingzhu had already put down the needle, rubbed her fingers and asked, "Does it still hurt?"

Lin Qingran said blankly: "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Maybe she was used to him applying medicine and rubbing her wounds, but Lin Qingran didn't take her hand back immediately. She lightly kicked his feet again, and couldn't help but ask: "Do you really like me?"

Shen Tingzhu didn't think she would ask this question. He pinched her fingertips and blushed from the roots of her ears. Lin Qingran saw it clearly and felt even more ashamed than her own blushing. Withdraw.

Shen Tingzhu clenched her empty palm, wanting to see her every day, always thinking of breaking his promise to her, wanting to forcefully marry her... but he wanted to see her smile at him even more, so he suppressed all his thoughts patiently.

It's more than just a joy.

Lin Qingran nodded lightly when she saw him.

There were no qualifying words, just a nod, like a young boy who had just met someone for the first time. Lin Qingran was even more at a loss than he was, and didn't know why he was asking this... Just do as he likes. Anyway, she will return to Jiangning in more than a month.

=== Chapter === 048

The juniors in the flower hall had almost dispersed. Mrs. Shen also returned to the house first. Mrs. Lin was about to leave. Mrs. Qin stood up at this moment and walked up to her. Take a walk."

Mrs. Lin responded with a smile, "It just so happens that I can't sleep either."

The two of them walked slowly along the path, talking every now and then.

Mrs. Qin mentioned Lin Qingran from time to time, "I really like this child Qingran. She is good-looking and has a good temperament. She gets along well with the sisters in the house. Even Zhen'er said she is good."

Mrs. Lin's eyes moved, and she smiled and said: "Sister-in-law, I don't know. My niece was pampered by her family, but she is still sensible and knows to be restrained outside. She is lawless at home. The Queen praised her like this, I don't know how long she will be proud of hearing this."

Qin has been observing for a while, and he must be pampered. As for lawlessness, Qin is exaggerating.

Mrs. Qin smiled and said a few words, and said, "I remember, Qingran hasn't been engaged yet." Although her daughter told her a few words, after all, she also asked her son, so she just made insinuations, "Have you ever thought about staying in Beijing?" I've decided on a class for her, and with you as my aunt, she won't be alone."

Mrs. Lin's heart skipped a beat, shook her head and sighed: "I really want her to stay with me, but I've only been here for a short time, and I've already thought about going back several times, and since my eldest brother has such a daughter, he will definitely be reluctant to let her marry far away. "

Mrs. Qin nodded, did not continue, but changed the topic.

Lin was restless all night, and early the next morning she asked Zifu to go to Qingyu Pavilion to find Lin Qingran.

At first, the queen asked Lin Qingran to enter the palace. She thought it was about the talent show. But Qin mentioned it like this last night. It was obvious that she didn't want her to enter the palace. The queen and sister-in-law could worry about it at the same time. She really couldn't think of anyone else. .

If the prince was not in this situation, she thought that Qingran would never be able to get into Qin's eyes. Qin would come to tell her that, obviously she already had a plan.

However, this is not decided by one family.

Mrs. Lin was silent for a moment, and decided to wait until Lin Ranqing came and asked her questions.

Lin Qingran was forcefully woken up from the bed by the maid. She was still sleeping and leaned against the couch warmly when she arrived at Lin's place.

Mrs. Lin patted her hip and said, "What does it look like? Sit up."

Lin Qingran wrinkled the tip of her nose unhappily and said coquettishly, "Little aunt, just let me sleep a little longer."

Mrs. Lin shook her head, sat next to her, and said with squinting eyes: "Let me ask you, are you familiar with the Crown Prince?"

She was now afraid that Lin Qingran was confused and had feelings for the prince without telling her. The prince's appearance and conduct were particularly outstanding, and Lin Qingran was also a rare and special person. The more she thought about it, the more likely it was that she thought it was possible.

When Lin Qingran heard Mrs. Lin's question, her drowsiness immediately dissipated, her dark pupils rolled, and she said firmly: "I'm not familiar with it, I haven't even seen it a few times." She felt guilty as she said that, last night They were still together, and her voice suddenly softened, "Why do you ask me this?"

Fortunately, Lin Qingran was already very sleepy, and his voice was hazy and careless, and Mrs. Lin didn't notice anything strange.

She was thoughtful, that is, the Crown Prince fell in love with Lin Qingran... As long as she didn't have any intention for the Crown Prince, otherwise she was really afraid that she wouldn't be able to persuade him based on Lin Qingran's stubborn temper.

Lin's Songshen smiled and said: "It's okay if you're not familiar with me. I'm afraid that you have a hot temper and the prince is weak, so you might turn around and rush into me."

Lin Qingran wrinkled the tip of her nose almost invisible, his body was still weak...and she would never bump into him, it was obviously him who came to her door every time.

"Your Majesty needs to rest due to his illness. Even if you encounter him, you should avoid it." Seeing that Lin Qingran was still distracted, Mrs. Lin tapped her face with her fingertips, "Can you hear me?"

Lin Qingran brushed his itchy cheek and said solemnly: "Don't worry, little aunt, I will definitely remember it."

Even if Lin didn't say anything, she would always avoid him.

Mrs. Lin was completely relieved and pulled up the thin blanket to cover her, "If you feel tired, just sleep a little longer."

Lin Qingran didn't take this to heart and rested at Lin's place before leaving.

Walking slowly on the path, Shen Xi walked towards her, "My cousin is here."

Lin Qingran held arms with her and asked with a smile, "What do you want from me?"

"There's a new play in Baixi Tower. I'm going to see my cousin with me."

Both of them are fun-loving. Shen Xi likes to come to Lin Qingran whenever she has some fun. The third sister will sometimes read her a few words, but her cousin will definitely agree.

As expected, Lin Qingran became interested, and the two of them walked to the front yard. Only then did Lin Qingran remember to ask, "Why don't you see Shen Shu?"

Shen Xi's eyebrows dropped slightly, "Third sister's wedding is only a little over a month away. She has to stay at home to get married and cannot move around at will."

Lin Qingran felt relieved and nodded slightly. She had to prepare gifts in advance.

I was thinking about what to give, and before I knew it, I was almost walking to the front yard.

"Second brother." Shen Xi's joyful voice sounded in his ears.

Lin Qingran paused, then raised his eyes, and sure enough, he saw Shen Tingzhu looking at them with a smile under the Chuihua Gate.

Why is he here... The two of them didn't go shopping last night and returned home early.

Lin Qingran was still a little uncomfortable seeing him at this moment. He seemed to be fine.

Shen Xi pulled her forward and said to Shen Tingzhu: "Second brother, you have been waiting for a long time. Let's go."

When Lin Qingran heard what Shen Xi said, she stopped caring about her words. She pulled her hand and asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you tell me that my second cousin was going too."

The smile in Shen Tingzhu's eyes faded, and the little girl didn't know how to speak softer, so he heard every word.

Shen Xi looked back at her and blinked, "It was my second brother who was going to the theater and I bumped into him, so I asked him to take us there."

So that was it. Lin Qingran pursed her lips and remained silent. Her aunt had warned her just now, but she couldn't say it now and was too deliberate. After all, Shen Xi was still there.

How could Shen Tingzhu not see her reluctance, "I suddenly felt a little tired, so I left without you."

Lin Qingran looked at him in shock. She didn't know if it was an illusion. She saw the smile on Shen Tingzhu's lips was so shallow that she could hardly see it, and even her eyes dimmed.

Shen Xi heard that he refused to go and said quickly: "The carriage is waiting outside. If the second brother is tired, just ask Mo Qian to get the wheelchair."

Shen Tingzhu did not answer directly, but turned his gaze to Lin Qingran. Before she could speak, he lowered his eyelashes and said softly, "That's all, I'll go there next time."

The look in his eyes made Lin Qingran feel as if she had bullied him and driven him away.

Although she wished it was like this, Lin Qingran couldn't stand it the most when someone showed such a pitiful look to her, especially when such a person who had always been strong and powerful suddenly became so aggrieved.

This change caught her off guard, and it was the same last night.

Shen Xiyang said: "Second brother, let's go together." If there was no second brother in the way, I'm afraid her mother would know about it and she would inevitably talk about him.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and shook his head, "You go quickly. If you are late, you will not be able to catch up with the singing."

As he turned around, the loneliness in his eyes also showed.

Lin Qingran blurted out, "Second cousin, let's go too..."

She regretted it after saying that and closed her eyes in annoyance. He left as soon as he wanted to leave. What did she say?

Shen Tingzhu didn't expect Lin Qingran to speak. He raised his eyes in surprise, and immediately his eyes shone brightly. Just because of her words, the loneliness disappeared.

"Since both sisters said so, let's go."

Lin Qingran looked away. The two people around him were very happy, but she was the only one who was depressed.

Baihua Theater is the largest theater in the capital with the largest number of actors, and the people who come to listen to the opera are all rich and noble.

The waiter in the building led a few people into the dining room and brought some refreshments. Shen Tingzhu naturally pushed a few of Lin Qingran's favorite cakes in front of her, and Lin Qingran picked them up and put them in her mouth out of habit.

Shen Xi saw it from the side and asked curiously: "How does the second brother know what my cousin likes to eat?"

Lin Qingran had just put a piece of rose pastry into her mouth. Shen Xi's words were so frightening that she choked on a piece of pastry in her throat. She didn't dare to cough or swallow. She blinked in panic and didn't know what to do.

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "Of course I saw it during the meal." He pushed another plate of walnut sticks in front of Shen Xi, "This is what you like to eat."

Shen Xi is simple-minded and has no doubts about him, "Second brother is still observant."

Seeing that she believed it, Lin Qingran relaxed her eyebrows and struggled to swallow the pastry that was stuck in her throat. She was so choked that tears almost came out.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and reached out to caress her back. Lin Qingran hurriedly tried to hide, but Shen Tingzhu reassured her with his eyes. Shen Xi, who was sitting on the other side, had turned around and concentrated on watching the show.

Lin Qingran didn't move at this moment. She was really choked and uncomfortable. Shen Tingzhu patted her back and felt much better.

She poured a cup of tea and wanted to drink it. Shen Tingzhu came closer and whispered, "It will be even more uncomfortable if you drink it now."

Lin Qingran had no choice but to put down the tea cup and pay close attention to Shen Xi, for fear that she would suddenly look back.

After she regained her breath, she moved her shoulders and whispered: "...Okay."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her for a while, confirming that she was really well, then took his hand back and turned his head to watch the show.

Lin Qingran looked at his profile, her heart still agitated, and it took her a while to calm down.

When the three of them returned to the house, it was already time to light the lamp.

Shen Tingzhu walked into Yuansong Residence, and Yu Ying stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Madam is waiting for you in the east bay."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and said, "I know."

Opening the door, Shen Tingzhu walked into the house and said with a smile, "Why is mother here?"

Mrs. Qin came up and untied his cloak, and asked worriedly: "Why do you go out to watch the theater in such a cold weather? If you want to listen, just ask the theater troupe to come to the house to sing."

Shen Tingzhu said: "Mr. Wei also said that walking around is beneficial."

"Come and sit." Mrs. Qin wanted to ask straight to the point, but remembering her son's temperament, she said in a roundabout way: "I heard that you went with the fifth sister and your third aunt's niece."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said nothing. His mother must have heard something from her sister and came to see what he was saying. Since he already had a plan in mind, he did not hide it, "Mom, just come and talk to me. Don't do it." It scares people."

After saying that, he smiled to himself. He had finally managed to coax the little girl into not being so afraid of him. :

=== Chapter === 049

Mrs. Qin didn't understand it at first, but she realized it when she saw the gentle look in Shen Tingzhu's eyes.

Mrs. Qin couldn't hide the joy on her face, not because Shen Tingzhu was willing to get married, but because he finally had someone who could make him no longer depressed and negative.

"Prince—"

Mo Ci hurriedly came from the pavilion. He was a highly skilled martial artist who could walk for ten miles without changing his expression, but at this moment he couldn't stop breathing.

Shen Tingzhu frowned, "What happened?"

Mo Ci panted and said, "There is a letter from Mr. Wei."

Mrs. Qin straightened her expression at the side, "Have a look."

Shen Tingzhu read the content of the letter, folded the paper, and said after a moment: "Mr. Wei said in the letter that although he could not find the poisonous jade herb that can cure hundreds of poisons, he found the old age and glory that can cure my body. 70% recovery."

Shen Tingzhu squeezed the hand of the letter, and the hope that had been burnt to ashes burst out into sparks and surged.

Seventy percent is enough.

Ms. Qin clutched her handkerchief tightly. After hearing this, her whole body relaxed, and her tears immediately rolled down her face. "Seriously?" She clutched her heart tightly and said repeatedly, "That's great, that's great."

Shen Tingzhu curled his lips, yes, that's great.

Lin Qingran was busy choosing wedding gifts for Shen Shu. He wanted to give her a set of jewelry, but he searched several jewelry stores and couldn't find anything satisfactory.

On the other hand, any of the ones Shen Tingzhu gave her before were extremely beautiful and exquisite. You couldn't even find similar ones in jewelry shops.

After much hesitation, she decided to ask Shen Tingzhu where he bought it.

As soon as she walked into Yuansong Residence, she smelled the smell of medicine in the air that was much stronger than before. She wrinkled the tip of her nose and didn't know why he pretended to be frail and sick.

Mo Ci walked out of the house and was surprised when he saw Lin Qingran in the courtyard. He stepped forward and said, "Why is my cousin here?"

Lin Qingran said: "I'm here to see the crown prince."

Mo Ci looked back and said, "Please ask my cousin to wait in the second room."

Lin Qingran nodded and went to the west room. It didn't take long for Shen Tingzhu to come over. There was a look of tiredness under his smiling brows. Lin Qingran couldn't help but look at it twice. It was strange that she heard him whisper softly. Said: "It's rare for Ranran to come over."

With a slight smile in his gentle and slow tone, Lin Qingran pursed her lips and said, "I want to ask you which store you bought the jewelry for me. I want to buy a few pieces for Shen Shu to make." Congratulations."

Shen Tingzhu did not answer directly, but tasted the meaning of her words, "So Ranran likes the things I gave her, so why don't you wear them?"

Lin Qingran wanted to say that he knew what he was asking, but when she saw his extremely serious and puzzled eyes, she opened her mouth and said, "Forget it if you don't tell me."

The confusion in Shen Tingzhu's eyes became even stronger, why was he still angry?

He said in a good voice, "That's all I said."

Lin Qingran stopped walking. Shen Tingzhu's repeated indulgence made her more and more indulgent. She raised her eyes and said, "Say quickly."

Shen Tingzhu held her hand and said, "Sit down and talk."

Lin Qingran was already familiar with the cold touch. She followed him to sit at the table and urged him again.

Shen Tingzhu said: "I painted most of the jewelry I gave you and asked the Sizhen Bureau to do it. Naturally, Ranran couldn't find similar ones."

Lin Qingran was stunned. She didn't expect that these jewelry were painted by Shen Tingzhu himself. Wouldn't they be unique? Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly regained her composure.

Lin Qingran thought that if she could also give Shen Shu a unique set of hair and face, she would definitely like it.

She turned to look at Shen Tingzhu, and then spoke in a soft voice, "Second cousin, can you draw another one?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her, "To Third Sister?"

Lin Qingran nodded, and the earrings on his ears swayed.

Shen Tingzhu didn't say yes or no, "Then this is what I can give as a gift?"

The tip of Lin Qingran's nose wrinkled up, "No, it's my second cousin who helped me."

Shen Tingzhu wanted to tease her, but Lin Qingran obediently grabbed his sleeve and shook it. This worked for her every time.

Shen Tingzhu glanced past her delicate fingers and ordered Mo Ci to get the painting for painting.

Mo Ci quickly brought the things. He was worried that Shen Tingzhu had just taken the medicine and his body couldn't bear it, so he hesitated and said, "Your Majesty."

Shen Tingzhu raised his hand to signal him to retreat.

Although he didn't put as much thought into it as he did when he was painting for Lin Qingran, the whole set of heads and faces was so complicated that he already felt powerless to raise his hand just halfway through the painting.

Before taking Na Sui Ku Rong, the residual poison in the body needs to be activated first, and then the medicine must be taken for a month to have any effect. Now there is a faint pain in his lungs.

Lin Qingran pointed at the painting and said, "Wouldn't it look better to use red southern beads here?"

She hadn't seen Shen Tingzhu write for a long time. She raised her eyes and was startled by his pale face. She asked tentatively: "Second cousin...what's wrong with you?"

Shen Tingzhu clenched his teeth and endured, "Nothing, just a little tired, Ranran will go back first." His breath gradually became unstable, he paused, and then said: "I will order someone to make it when the painting is finished."

Lin Qingran saw that his forehead was sweating, and her doubts deepened.

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows and looked at her, "Don't want to leave?"

The joking words made Lin Qingran slightly annoyed. She glared at him angrily and turned away. When she reached the door, she turned back and said worriedly: "It's only a few days since Shen Shu got married. Second cousin, don't delay."

Shen Tingzhu couldn't help but want to laugh when he asked for help so confidently, but he didn't even have the strength to do so, so he just hummed.

Lin Qingran left, and Mr. Wei pushed the door open and came in.

Shen Tingzhu sat back on the armchair, her eyes closed tightly, her lips pursed until they were dry and cracked, and her hands clasped on the armrests were covered with veins.

Mr. Wei looked serious and stepped forward to take his pulse. His eyes relaxed for a moment and said, "The poison in the prince's body is already activating. In ten days, he can start taking Sui Kurong."

Shen Tingzhu was speechless.

Mr. Wei slowly took the silver needle and gave him acupuncture to relieve the pain, "I thought the prince could continue to hold on."

Shen Tingzhu finally spoke, "Don't worry, Mr. Wei, I have a sense of discretion."

Less than three days before Shen Shu's wedding, Shen Tingzhu finally brought the things to Lin Qingran. After not seeing him for more than half a month, his complexion was still pale, but it was much better than that day.

Shen Tingzhu motioned for her to open the box, "See if it suits your liking."

Lin Qingran took out the jewelry piece by piece as she was told, and couldn't find any flaws. She thanked Shen Tingzhu willingly, "Thank you, second cousin."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her crooked eyebrows and found it extremely helpful. His efforts to please her were not in vain.

"When will Ranran leave to return to Jiangning?" He only needs to serve more than twenty days of Sui Kurong before he can chase her. The little girl is playful and loves to hang around on the road, so he should be able to catch up.

Lin Qingran was arranging the jewelry, without raising her head, and muttered: "I haven't decided yet. I'll ask my aunt later."

"Slave, please see the third lady—" Yueying's voice, which was deliberately raised, came in.

Lin Qingran's heart skipped a beat. Why did her little aunt come at this time? If she saw Shen Tingzhu in her room, she would not be able to explain it clearly.

She panicked and looked at Shen Tingzhu aside, who also frowned.

Mrs. Lin saw Yueying guarding the courtyard and asked, "Why don't you wait in the house?"

Yueying was also panicked in her heart. A man and a woman were alone in the same room with the door closed. It was not something that anyone could know. She hurriedly said: "Go back to Madam, the lady hasn't gotten up for her lunch break yet. I'll go and invite you now. Madam." Let's go sit in the main room for a while first."

Mrs. Lin nodded and walked towards the main room. Yueying just breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her stop again and her back suddenly froze.

Ms. Lin smiled and said, "She likes to stay in bed, so I'd better call her out."

Yueying had no choice but to watch Lin pass by. I think the prince could handle it.

Mrs. Lin opened the door and walked towards the inner room. Lin Qingran put down the curtain just in time for her to come in, her heart pounding.

Mrs. Lin was quite surprised and said: "I thought you were still asleep."

Lin Qingran made sure that she couldn't see anything strange on the bed through Shaman, then rubbed her eyes and turned around, saying vaguely: "I got up when I heard Yueying say that my little aunt is here."

Ms. Lin said with relief, "It's still pretty cool."

Seeing Mrs. Lin walking forward, Lin Qingran's eyes tightened, and he hurriedly took her arm and brought her to the table to sit down, "Why is little aunt here at this time?"

Mrs. Lin smiled and said, "It's your father's letter."

In the past, Lin Qingran would have jumped for joy at this time, but now she was focused on the bed behind her. There was nowhere to hide, so she could only hide Shen Tingzhu on her bed.

"What did dad say in the letter?" Lin Qingran asked anxiously.

Mrs. Lin saw her dazed look and thought she was still awake. "The letter said that your brother went to Qingzhou for business a few days ago and stopped by to pick you up."

Lin Qingran finally came back to her senses after hearing what Lin said, and said overjoyed: "Brother is coming? When will he arrive?"

The childish look of the questions made Lin couldn't help laughing, "Based on the day the letter was sent, I guess it will be here in seven or eight days."

Seven or eight days? It means that in seven or eight days, the little girl will leave.

Shen Tingzhu put down the hand covering his eyes. The overwhelming fragrance in the quilt made him unable to think. Taking a deep breath became more and more counterproductive. The repeated steaming heat made his breath heavy.

Immediately afterwards came the disorderly beating pain of the heart. Shen Tingzhu stared at her pulse and adjusted her breath. Mr. Wei had told her that during the next month of taking Sui Kurong, she must not let the blood attack her heart, otherwise she would be in vain.

Shen Tingzhu gradually calmed down her breathing and chuckled silently. It seemed that random thoughts would not do.

Lin Qingran looked through the hazy gauze slowly and saw Shen Tingzhu reaching out and waving away a corner of the quilt with sharp eyes. She was so frightened that her heart almost jumped out of her throat.

Mrs. Lin saw that she looked wrong and asked, "What's wrong?" She turned around and looked back.

Lin Qingran almost rushed forward and hugged Mrs. Lin's arm, Liushenwuzhu said: "I want to eat the sweet cheese made by Zifu."

Mrs. Lin was so struck by her that she even forgot what she wanted to ask. She sighed and said, "If you want to eat, just let Zifu do it later."

Lin Qingran pulled Mrs. Lin out and said coquettishly, "Let's go now."

Mrs. Lin doted on her the most, raised her hand and nodded her head, shook her head and said with a smile: "Okay, let's go now."

Lin Qingran said sweetly: "My little aunt is the best to me."

Mrs. Lin followed her out, muttering: "I regret spoiling you like this. With your squeamish temper, no one will spoil you when you get married."

As Lin Qingran's shy voice gradually faded away, the two of them had already walked out.

When Lin Qingran came back, there was no trace of Shen Tingzhu in the house.

She stroked her heart and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, her little aunt didn't notice.

At night, Lin Qingran lay in the quilt after bathing. She liked to cover the quilt under her nose, but she pulled the quilt down just now and her eyes widened.

Everything wrapped around her body was actually the scent of Shen Tingzhu's body. Wisps of it could not be dispersed or waved away.

=== Chapter === 050

The eighth day of February is a good time.

The spring snow that had been falling for several days also stopped on this day. The rosy clouds parted and shone into the boudoir. Inside and outside the house, the faces of the maids and the maids were all filled with joy, and several people were waiting on Shen Shu to dress and make up.

Lin Qingran and Shen Xi came over before dawn. Lin Qingran took the glutinous rice balls from Yueying's hand, cooled them and fed them to Shen Xi's mouth, "I'll cover my head in a while, but I won't be able to eat for the whole day." , take advantage of this moment to fill your stomach."

Shen Shu ate a few obediently and then waved her hand and said enough. She was so flustered at the moment that she really had no appetite.

Shen Xi said from the side: "You can't eat after you take off the hijab, how can you still be hungry when you get married?"

The innocent words made Xi Po laugh and bend over, "With the hijab removed, there is no time to eat."

Shen Xi didn't understand why, and both Lin Qingran and Shen Shu blushed. Although Lin Qingran had only just gotten haircuts, she had a brother and sister-in-law at home, so she naturally knew something about it.

When Shen Xi saw them like this, she kept asking them questions. Lin Qingran scooped up a glutinous rice ball and stuffed it into her mouth, "You can't stop your mouth even if you eat it."

Shen Xi stared at the two of them with her glutinous rice balls in her mouth, and said incoherently: "Just hide it from me."

Lin Qingran deliberately teased her, "I just kept it secret from you, little girl."

"cousin!"

The laughter of her daughter's family came from inside the house. Shen Qi and Shen Tingzhu smiled at each other and stepped across the threshold.

"I've met the crown prince, the eldest son." Hearing the servant's voice, the two people who were playing around stopped in a hurry.

Shen Xi ran forward and complained, "The eldest brother, the second brother, the third sister and my cousin teamed up to bully me."

"Why did you bully you?" Shen Tingzhu asked Shen Xi, while his eyes fell on Lin Qingran with interest.

Lin Qingran glared back at him, but felt guilty.

Shen Xi blurted out: "It was Xi Po who said..."

When Lin Qingran saw that she was about to speak, he hurriedly ran forward and covered her mouth. He quickly glanced at the two people in front of him who didn't know what they were talking about, gritted his teeth and came to Shen Xi to explain to her in a low voice.

Shen Tingzhu joked: "I even bit my ears."

Lin Qingran blushed as she spoke. Shen Xi was young and it was normal not to know this. Now she understood after hearing what Lin Qingran said. Her cheeks suddenly turned red. She looked around in confusion and stumbled: "I'm going to see if the wedding team is here."

Seeing Shen Xi running away in a panic, Shen Qi and Shen Tingzhu knew in their hearts that it was probably boudoir talk at their daughter's house.

Shen Qi cleared his throat, pretended not to know, and stepped forward to talk to Shen Shu. As his elder brother, he had to carry Shen Shu to the sedan chair today.

Only one gaze fell on Lin Qingran. Shen Tingzhu stared at her shy eyebrows. Behind her was a room full of red, which made her extremely charming.

Shen Tingzhu rarely thought about the future before, but now he couldn't help but think about what it would be like when he married her.

Lin Qingran clearly felt that the gaze locked on her was getting hotter and hotter, making her unable to resist and even unable to look back.

She was a little annoyed, why did this man always like to make her panic, she tilted her head and said in a low voice: "I'll go take a look too."

Shen Tingzhu kept looking at her until the figure disappeared, then he looked away lovingly.

There were already many congratulatory guests in the front yard. Lin Qingran searched around but couldn't find Shen Xi, so she had to give up.

As I was walking back, I was stopped by a familiar voice—

"Lin Qingran."

She turned around, and sure enough it was Xie Huai.

People were coming and going in the front yard, but Xie Huai was polite and did not approach. Instead, he stood a few steps away. He apologized for leaving first that day, "I wanted to take you for a nice walk, but it's all my fault."

"How can I blame you? You also have official duties." Lin Qingran couldn't help but think of the scenes of the lantern festival again, and Xie Huai noticed even his momentary daze.

As an official in Dali Temple, observing people and distinguishing their colors came easily to him. Xie Huaiyan asked with a smile: "Is there anything interesting after I leave? It's a pity that I haven't seen it."

There's nothing interesting about it. It's true that it made her uneasy. Lin Qingran shook her head and smiled: "It's just that."

Seeing that she was unwilling to say anything, Xie Huai did not ask further questions, but said, "I just met the third lady. I heard from her that you are leaving Beijing soon?"

Lin Qingran then remembered that she had forgotten to say goodbye to him. She nodded and said, "Brother will come to pick me up in a few days."

Xie Huai frowned and thought, I am afraid we will never see each other again, "Why don't I take you for an outing tomorrow?"

"Outing?" Lin Qingran looked at him in surprise, "It's only February."

Xie Huai said with a smile: "It's a little early, but I don't seem to have time. Let's just consider it as compensation for not taking you to see the lanterns during the Lantern Festival."

His grandfather wanted to transfer him to another place for training, either in Jiangning or somewhere else. He had not made up his mind before, but now he seems to have the answer.

But before that, he needed to confirm one thing.

The next day.

Lin Qingran rushed to the place where she met Xie Huai as promised.

Xie Huai helped Lin Qingran get out of the carriage with his hand, "Why don't you let me pick you up?"

Naturally, she was afraid that Shen Tingzhu would find out again. Lin Qingran felt that she shouldn't be so guilty. He had no control over who she saw, but she subconsciously chose to hide it.

She pretended to explain calmly, "It's just a short journey."

Xie Huai saw her eyes twinkling and thought she was afraid that Mr. Lin would know about it, so he asked with a smile: "Can you ride a horse?"

"Okay." Lin Qingran saw the two horses behind him and said, "But the riding is not good."

Xie Huai did not hide the regret in his eyes, "I thought you didn't know how, then I can teach you."

While Lin Qingran was in a daze, he had already turned around to lead the horse.

The right kind of laughter won't offend anyone, but still shows your true feelings.

Suddenly, Xie Huai paused and quickly turned around to look somewhere.

Yueying, who had been following him all the way, immediately dodged into the darkness.

She held her breath and stared, this Xie Huai was so sharp.

She originally wanted to give Lin Qingran a hand stove, but when she caught up, she realized that the young lady was not looking for the fifth girl at all, but secretly left the house. She followed all the way, but found out that the young lady was here to see Xie Xie. Huai's.

It would be terrible if the prince knew about it, so she could only follow and the two of them must not do anything extraordinary.

Xie Huai's figure flashed past, and he had already recognized it as the maid he had seen in the Marquis Mansion. He dared to follow his master under whose order it was.

An answer emerged in my mind.

Xie Huai calmly helped Lin Qingran get on the horse, "When we go to Moyan Mountain, we won't be able to see the sunrise, but we still have time to go to the top of the mountain to see the sunset."

He glanced towards where Yueying was hiding, and since he was willing to follow, he followed with two feet.

The two of them rode horses slowly up the mountain. The spring wild flowers were blooming all the way, the sounds of birds were lingering in the forest, and the ethereal sound of falling waterfalls could be vaguely heard in their ears. Everything they saw was beautiful.

"Qing Ran." Xie Huai suddenly called her, getting closer than before.

Lin Qingran looked back and smiled, "What's wrong?"

The petals blown by the wind swayed and fell on her hair, and the unintentional embellishment was just right. Xie Huai smiled and said, "Do you still remember what you promised me when you were a child?"

It was indeed ungentlemanly to say this, but he wanted to know what she was thinking.

Lin Qingran frowned slightly. She really couldn't remember what she promised Xie Huai, and looked at him with confusion.

Xie Huai rode closer and said, "Think again." He smiled and went to pick up the petals from her hair.

At this moment, a small piece of gravel came from the sky and hit the back of his hand with great force, causing his hand to turn sideways. Xie Huai looked at the red mark on the back of his hand and looked sideways at Yueying's hiding place. He said coldly: "Come out."

Lin Qingran didn't know what was going on, who should he ask to come out?

Yueying gritted her teeth and walked out as soon as she could. She wouldn't just watch him pry the crown prince's corner.

As soon as she took a step, an arrow shot out of the air. The arrow reflected the sharp cold light and shot in the direction of Xie Huai.

Xie Huai's eyes turned sharp and he turned sideways. Lin Qingran heard a dull sound in his ears and looked in shock. A cold arrow had been inserted into the tree trunk beside him, and the feathers at the tail of the arrow were still trembling.

The blood on her face faded, and Yueying immediately jumped out and stood in front of Lin Qingran. Xie Huai's face was so gloomy that he could drip ink, and he broke off a branch to use as a weapon.

The next moment, five masked assassins in black sprang out from the tall and dense treetops.

Xie Huai looked over the crowd with his sharp eyes, "Who sent you here?"

The leader of the men in black attacked the three of them without saying a word, and the others also drew their swords and jumped forward.

"Miss, let's go first!" These assassins were obviously coming for Xie Huai. Yueying had no intention of getting involved and wanted to take Lin Qingran to leave first, but was blocked by a man in black. She could only let Lin Qingran go first.

Take out the Ming Dy from your sleeve and point it towards the air. The secret guards will come after seeing it.

Seeing the signal sent out by Yueying, the assassin struck harder. The branches in Xie Huai's hands obviously couldn't stop the swords, so he said in a deep voice: "Quickly leave."

Lin Qingran's face turned pale, he tightened the reins and rode the horse's belly, "Drive—"

She ran very fast and drove her horse hard. The wind blew across her cheek and hurt like a knife.

"Whoosh—"

The sound of arrows piercing the air came quickly from behind.

Mo Ci snuffed out the fragrance of the medicine, and Mr. Wei withdrew his hand that was feeling Shen Tingzhu's pulse. "Your Majesty's health is getting better day by day. If you take the medicine on time, there will be no major problems." He paused and said, "It's just this leg. The injury is not due to poison, it is inevitable that it will happen."

The pain in his leg was nothing to Shen Tingzhu. He said calmly: "Thank you, Mr. Wei."

"Thank you." Mr. Wei waved his hand and stood up, "I am happy to see that the prince is no longer sluggish."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and smiled, and with a bang, the door was pushed open.

Mo Ci saw Yue Ying rushing in and scolded: "What happened?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Yueying plopped down and knelt on the ground.

She was serving Lin Qingran, and Shen Tingzhu's expression immediately darkened.

"explain."

Yueying took a deep breath, not daring to say a single word, and told the story of Lin Qingran and Xie Huai's meeting for an outing and the assassination.

"The horse the young lady was riding was stabbed, and the person... the person fell off the cliff. He was probably not at a high place. The secret guards were already looking for him, and my subordinates came to report it."

"What did you say!" Mo Ci was shocked. If something as big as his cousin's fall off a cliff had any shortcomings... He looked at Shen Tingzhu fearfully.

Shen Tingzhu's expression was cold and chilling, but his clenched hands showed his panic at the moment, "But there are others who know."

Yueying shook her head, "I dare not say anything."

He really didn't know how to be good. Waiting for him to find him, waiting for him to be found... Shen closed his eyes, got up and walked out.

Mo Ci stepped forward and stopped her, "Your Majesty, this is the critical time to take medicine. You must not take any risks. My subordinates will definitely find the girl back."

Shen Tingzhu said expressionlessly, "Get out of here."

Mo Ci refused to give in, and Shen Tingzhu didn't say much to him. He ordered Yueying: "Take it."

Mo Ci was shocked and said, "My eldest son, you can't do that."

Yueying hesitated for a moment, then took the order and attacked like Mo Ci.

Mr. Wei wanted to step forward, but Shen Tingzhu said indifferently: "Mr. Wei is not curious about why I am no longer depressed. This is the reason."

Shen Tingzhu ordered: "No matter who asks, don't reveal even a single word."

It was already half dark, and Shen Tingzhu stood on the cliff where Lin Qingran fell, his robes rustling in the wind.

The secret guard went down and searched, but there was no trace, not even a piece of clothing left.

Mo Ci didn't dare to look at Shen Tingzhu's face when he reported back, but it was good news that he couldn't find him.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the falling waterfall in front of him and said, "Find it for me even if you turn over the mountain."

Mo Ci did not dare to hesitate and led the guards to search again.

Lin Qingran, if there is something wrong with you... He clenched his hands under his sleeves. After the anger, he became uncontrollably frightened. Shen Tingzhu didn't dare to think about it anymore and went down to the bottom of the cliff himself.

He held the torch and looked around. If he fell into the pool under the waterfall, he would definitely rush out with the water, but why couldn't he find anyone.

When he walked to the edge of the pool, he saw a vague undercurrent surging under the water. Shen Tingzhu's eyes narrowed, thinking that there might be a secret passage below.

He put down the torch, lifted up his clothes and stepped into the pool. The spring was cold and the biting stream water reached his legs. It was like countless knives cutting into the flesh. Shen Tingzhu's lips turned pale, and his clenched hands were trembling, but At this moment, he was thinking about how a body like Lin Qingran could survive, so he sank to the bottom of the pool without hesitation.

Lin Qingran huddled up in the dark narrow passage. The moment she fell down the cliff, she thought she was dead. Her body fell into the water. The pain was so painful that she fainted instantly. When she woke up, she found that she was swept under the waterfall by the undercurrent. In a very deep stone recess.

She wanted to swim out, but she didn't have enough strength. She shouted for help, but her voice couldn't penetrate the deep pool at all. Lin Qingran hugged her cold body tightly, her eyes were sour and red, maybe she was going to die here.

Could it be that Xie Huai and Yue Ying have fallen into the hands of those assassins? No one knows she is here, and no one will come to save her.

Shen Tingzhu, Lin Qingran didn't know why he thought of Shen Tingzhu at this time. He would find him every time, maybe he would come to find him.

Lin Qingran hugged her knees tightly and said to herself: "You are not the most powerful, you will definitely come to save me..."

I don't know how long it took, but she became colder and colder, shaking her head vigorously to wake herself up.

"Wow-"

The water curtain in front of him was broken open, and a soaked man rushed in. He was hunched over and breathing heavily.

Lin Qingran looked at the person in front of her in shock and stood up slowly. She couldn't see his face clearly in the darkness, but she had a hunch that he was Shen Tingzhu.

Lin Qingran said hoarsely: "Shen Tingzhu, is that you?"

The man stood in the darkness for a long time without saying a word, seemingly trying his best to keep himself from falling.

He stumbled and walked towards Lin Qingran while holding on to the wall.

Lin Qingran retreated to the stone wall in panic. The man was already in front of her. His cold hands grabbed her chin, and his soaked lips pressed hard against hers, so hard that her teeth scratched the softness of her lips.

The rough touch was quickly released, and she heard Shen Tingzhu's gnashing of teeth in her ears.

"How dare you come out to see him behind my back again?"

=== Chapter === 051

There was a sharp pain on her lips, and there was a trace of blood, as if something exploded in her brain. Lin Qingran couldn't recover for a long time. The fear and panic swirling in her heart, and the embarrassment and panic that surged up in an instant. Replaced by unspeakable shame.

How dare he, how dare he kiss her! Still running like this, as if out of control.

Shen Tingzhu was very close to her, close enough for her to clearly see the complex expression of joy and anger in his eyes, as well as his embarrassment at the moment.

Water droplets slid down his pale, bloodless chin. Lin Qingran had never seen Shen Tingzhu like this before. He was so weak that he seemed to fall down at any time. Was he doing this just to find her...

"I won't let you answer this time."

Shen Tingzhu stared at her, his rough and hoarse voice filled with fear that could not be concealed. If he still couldn't find her under the waterfall, he would be helpless. Fortunately, she was there.

Lin Qingran never expected that such an accident would happen. If the arrow missed a little further, she would be dead now.

Lin Qingran nodded with lingering fear. She really didn't dare to come out alone again.

The back of her neck was pressed tightly by a force, and then she crashed into Shen Tingzhu's arms. She could clearly hear the chaotic heartbeat coming from his chest. Lin Qingran's hand fell by her side and she lifted it up helplessly. lay down.

Shen Tingzhu gently rubbed the top of her hair with his chin and said slowly: "Be good."

Lin Qingran's heart was beating uncontrollably, and Shen Tingzhu's cold body made her tremble. She struggled away and said, "Let me go."

Shen Tingzhu let her go according to the words. After the energy in his heart to find her dissipated, he felt a strong dizziness. He fell forward hard, holding on to the stone wall with his hands, and the sharp cuts scratched the palms of his hands. , so he didn't fall.

"What's wrong with you?" Lin Qingran hurriedly supported him.

Shen Tingzhu gasped and waved his hands, "It's okay, just let me sit for a while and we'll go out."

He sat down against the stone wall, feeling a sharp pain in his heart. This feeling was not good.

Both of them were wet. Lin Qingran was very cold, especially when there was a person who looked like ice next to her. She hunched her shoulders and wanted to lean aside, but she thought that Shen Tingzhu was acting like this to save herself. , it would seem a little heartless for her to hide anymore.

Lin Qingran sniffed and held back.

Shen Tingzhu could rush to save herself so quickly, and she just said that she was not allowed to see Xie Huai, which means that Xie Huai and Yue Ying should be fine.

She felt a little sad for a moment, why was she so unlucky that she fell off the cliff.

"Is Yueying Kung Fu good?" Lin Qingran asked.

After a while, she heard Shen Tingzhu speak slowly and slowly, "The skills of the secret guards are not bad."

That time when she ran away on the road, Yueying pretended to be more scared than she was. Lin Qingran angrily asked Shen Tingzhu if he had arranged it.

Shen Tingzhu said frankly: "No, it was her own idea."

Lin Qingran looked at him for a while before humming and nodding, believing it.

She felt her head was a little heavy and the stone wall was too hard, so she hesitated and leaned on Shen Tingzhu's shoulder.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes in surprise, his eyes filled with pain were stunned for a long time, and he smiled faintly.

Lin Qingran felt increasingly dizzy, closing her eyes and humming uncomfortably.

Shen Tingzhu saw a strange red color rising on Lin Qingran's cheeks, frowned and said, "Ranran."

Lin Qingran asked slowly: "When will someone come to rescue us?"

She is so cold.

The people above may not be able to discover the strangeness at the bottom of the pool so quickly. Shen Tingzhu said: "We have to go up by ourselves."

Lin Qingran struggled to hold up his eyelids, "If you can't swim up, I tried."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyebrows and thought, with his current physical strength, it is indeed not easy to break through the resistance of the undercurrent, but if he stays any longer, neither he nor Lin Qingran can survive. By then, it will be even more troublesome to go up.

Shen Tingzhu held up her face, and the cold chill made Lin Qingran shiver.

He took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, poured two pills into the palm of his hand, fed one into Lin Qingran's mouth, and took the other himself.

After swallowing the pill with difficulty, Lin Qingran asked in a hoarse voice, "What is this?"

"Medicine to dispel cold." Shen Tingzhu stared at her, "I'll take you up."

Lin Qingran saw that his expression was even worse than before, but when he said this, Lin Qingran felt that he could do it.

She nodded, "Yeah."

Shen Tingzhu took her into the water.

The cold water with strong impact resistance wrapped around the whole body. Shen Tingzhu tasted the pain that was like Ling Chi. Qi and blood surged, and the smell of blood surged into his throat. The severe pain for a moment made him almost faint, and his body fell vertically. , and Lin Qingran, who held hands tightly with him, fell faster.

Shen Tingzhu woke up suddenly, tried his best to pull her up, and swam ashore together.

"Cough-cough-"

He coughed heartbreakingly, and blood foam spilled from his lips. He raised his hand several times before finally wiping it away.

Lin Qingran, who fell next to him, also coughed up a large mouthful of water. The burning sensation in her throat made her almost unable to make a sound. After a long time, she said calmly: "...Shen Tingzhu."

Shen Tingzhu seemed to be back to the time when the poison first appeared, the pain was terrible.

But the whisper in his ear was like medicine that could relieve his pain.

He opened his eyes, "I'm here."

He propped himself up, and then helped up Lin Qingran, who had lost all strength.

Lin Qingran could no longer exert any strength, and she fell softly into his arms.

Shen Tingzhu looked around, and the guards seemed to have gone elsewhere to search.

He patted Lin Qingran's cheek, "Don't sleep."

If she fell asleep, he wouldn't be able to hold on anymore.

Lin Qingran raised her head vigorously, but her head was too heavy and she couldn't hold it back down. She pressed her forehead against Shen Tingzhu's chest, her breath trembling, "...Okay."

There was no wind in the cave, and a gust of cold wind blew on the soaked two people on the shore, biting the bones. Shen Tingzhu gritted his teeth and stood up, unable to hold her, so he could only carry her on his back.

Lin Qingran lay on his back, her arms tightening around him involuntarily.

Every step Shen Tingzhu took was like stepping on the tip of a knife.

"Talk to me." His voice was very soft, and he could only breathe after he finished speaking.

Lin Qingran felt so tired. He asked her to speak, but she hummed in a crying voice, "What did you say?"

Without looking back, Shen Tingzhu could imagine her unwilling and angry look at this moment. He couldn't help but want to laugh, but he didn't even have the strength to curl his lips.

"Say whatever you want." Just let him hear her voice.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips tightly, but she still felt as disgusted as ever.

"Why on earth do you always bully me?" Lin Qingran asked about his previous grievances.

Shen Tingzhu also fell into memories, "Maybe Ranran looks better when she cries."

Lin Qingran stared in disbelief. Is this the reason why he scared her all the way? !

His voice became softer and softer in his ears, as if he was talking to himself, "I couldn't bear to see you cry later, but it seems I still did something wrong."

The cold-repelling medicine he had taken before began to take effect, and warmth came from inside. Lin Qingran finally gained some strength.

She stared at the back of his head. The jade crown that bound his hair had long since disappeared. "Do you regret bullying me? It's too late."

Shen Tingzhu frowned, "What should we do?"

Lin Qingran hummed weakly from her nose.

Shen Tingzhu wanted to ask, but the strong smell of blood filled his throat again. He knew his own body best.

Mr. Wei also warned him of the consequences, and Shen Tingzhu's heart sank.

Seeing that he was silent, Lin Qingran swayed on her toes and said, "Huh."

Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes heavily, "Remember, don't let anyone know what happened today."

"You have never met Xie Huai, nor have you met me. Whatever happens has nothing to do with you, do you hear me?"

Lin Qingran felt something was wrong with him, "Why?"

"It's not that you don't want to have anything to do with me."

Lin Qingran immediately said: "Of course."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes in confusion, "That's good."

His steps were getting slower and slower. Lin Qingran's body had warmed up a lot, but he was getting colder and colder.

Lin Qingran raised her eyebrows and asked, "Are you okay? I'll come down and walk by myself. I'm much better."

"Don't move." He couldn't bear to let go of this softness.

In the distance, two people holding torches rushed over—

"Your Majesty!"

"Miss!"

It was Mo Ci and Yue Ying who looked anxious. They were both shocked when they saw the mess.

Shen Tingzhu put Lin Qingran down and said to Yue Ying, "Take the cousin back home."

Yueying hurriedly stepped forward and hugged Lin Qingran, "Miss, please lean on this slave."

Lin Qingran wanted to go back and see how Shen Tingzhu was doing.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at Yueying, who immediately understood, hugged Lin Qingran's soaked body tightly, and took her away.

Mo Ci saw Shen Tingzhu soaked all over and his face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot and there were blood stains on the corners of his lips, he said in horror: "Your Majesty!" He shouted loudly to the guards behind him: "Come here, bring the carriage quickly! "

Mo Ci's loud voice reached Lin Qingran's ears. She couldn't help but feel flustered and wanted to turn back, but Yueying kept leading her forward forcefully.

Shen Tingzhu looked at Lin Qingran's back and said slowly, "About Lin Qingran, no matter who asks, not a single word should be revealed."

At this time, the prince was still thinking about Lin Qingran. Mo Ci's eyes were red. If Lin Qingran hadn't met Xie Huai privately, how could such a thing have happened.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at him, calm but sharp, "If there is any violation, you don't have to follow me anymore."

Mo Ci gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."

"And Xie Huai, tell him to keep his mouth shut too."

After giving all the instructions, Shen Tingzhu finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell heavily to the ground, unconscious.

"Prince—"

=== Chapter === 052

The green jade pavilion was burning with candlelight. Lin Qingran was sitting cross-legged on the bed. The wet clothes on her body had already been changed, and her black hair was dried and draped over her shoulders. Except for the worry on her face, she had regained her energy. .

It seemed that the medicine Shen Tingzhu gave her had an effect, otherwise she would have been unable to get out of bed for more than ten days after what happened today.

Yueying brought the ginger soup, took a spoonful of it and put it to her mouth, "Miss, drink the ginger soup while it's hot."

"I'll do it myself." Lin Qingran took the bowl and sipped it.

The ginger soup was boiled very thickly, and it was very hot in the throat after one sip. It was rare that Lin Qingran did not act coquettishly this time, and slowly drank the ginger soup one mouthful at a time, while asking about the Moon Shadow assassin.

Yueying said angrily: "The assassin came for Xie Huai. The young lady suffered an unreasonable disaster this time."

Those assassins were ruthless and came here to take people's lives. Lin Qingran was still frightened when she thought about it, "Were you two injured?"

Yue Ying shook his head. Xie Huai was hit by a sword, but he deserved it. Yue Ying did not intend to tell Lin Qingran.

Lin Qingran nodded, took another sip of ginger soup, rolled the ginger juice on his lips with the tip of his tongue, and asked hesitantly after a moment: "How is the prince...?"

His expression looked very strange just now, and he stumbled every step when he was carrying him, especially if he was injured.

There was a lump in Yueying's throat, and she quickly lowered her eyes and said, "Miss, don't worry, the prince is fine."

"Of course I'm not worried." Lin Qingran drank the ginger soup again, this time in a hurry, and she almost choked.

Yueying helped her lie down, "Miss is frightened, please rest quickly."

Lin Qingran was indeed very tired. She pulled up the quilt to cover her eyes, closed her eyes obediently and fell asleep quickly.

When the lights were turned off, everything was quiet in the Qingyu Pavilion, but inside the Yuansong Residence the lights were brightly lit, and everyone was attentive.

In the hall, Mr. Shen was sitting upright, with a cold and angry face that made people dare not look directly at him. Mrs. Qin could no longer care about her manners as a lady-in-waiting. She lowered her eyes and couldn't help wiping away tears. When she heard the news from her servants, , she almost fainted.

Mo Ci knelt on the ground, unable to speak a word for a long time because of his self-blame and regret.

It was very quiet inside, the prince was still sleeping, and Mr. Wei was performing acupuncture and treatment on him.

Qin's heart ached, "Why is he so unaware of the importance? At this time, when he goes hunting with Xie Huai, he doesn't think about the consequences. Now... now..." Qin was so choked that she could no longer continue and turned her head. Lived in tears.

The heavy curtain was opened, and Mrs. Qin reluctantly stood up. Lord Shen's face was still stern, but the hand on the armrest was already clenched. He asked in a deep voice: "Mr. Wei, how is it?"

Mr. Wei is already old, and his face has turned pale after a long period of mental exertion, and his forehead is covered with sweat. The medicine boy handed over the handkerchief, and Mr. Wei waved his hand and said, "I dare not hide it from the Marquis and Madam. The prince has been poisoned for many years. The internal organs are already damaged and have been suppressed by medicine for many years. For Sui Ku Rong to be effective, all the residual poison must be released. Now that the poison has not been eliminated, the prince has been invaded by the cold pond at this time, and has repeatedly Mobilize internal energy..."

Mr. Wei's lips trembled, "The Marquis is unable to redeem me."

Mrs. Qin's vision went dark, and her voice suddenly rose, "Mr. Wei, what do you mean? You have superb medical skills..."

Marquis Shen's eyes were scarlet, he held Qin's hand and shouted: "Calm down."

How could Mrs. Qin be calm? Her son was still lying there. After more than ten years, she finally saw hope, but failed.

Mr. Wei said: "The poison has penetrated deep into the heart. Although I tried to use needles to seal the poison, it is only temporary. The only way now is to find the Lingyu Grass as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may take three years or... one year." ."

The last time Lingyucao appeared was a hundred years ago, and even Mr. Wei had only seen it in the medical skills passed down by his master. If he could find it, there would be no news about it for so many years.

Lord Shen was shocked and accidentally knocked over the tea cup. Mrs. Qin couldn't bear the bad news and fainted.

"lady!"

There was a mess outside, Shen Tingzhu lay quietly on the bed and listened, there was still one year left...

If he had heard this earlier, he would have felt relieved, but now...it was really short. It seemed that none of what he had thought about these days could be realized.

The next day.

Lin Qingran clearly felt that the atmosphere in the house had become depressed. The expressions of the maids and servants were tense, and the laughter of the past was gone.

When she went to Bowen Courtyard, even Mrs. Lin frowned.

Lin Qingran asked: "What happened to my little aunt?"

Lin's face looked worried, "You still don't know that the Crown Prince was traveling with Mr. Xie yesterday and encountered an assassin. He was seriously injured."

Lin Qingran's heart tightened. Shen Tingzhu had really concealed everything about her going out with Xie Huai. Her injuries were serious... Didn't Yue Ying say she was fine? Moreover, he himself had taken the cold-repelling medicine, and she was fine, so how could he become seriously ill?

Could it be that he fell ill because he swam ashore with her and carried her all the way?

Lin Qingran thought about it and felt that this must be the reason.

Mrs. Lin sighed and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Your brother sent someone to deliver the message in advance. He will arrive the day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow, so soon..."

Mrs. Lin shook her head helplessly, "Don't you always want to go back, but now it's too soon?"

Lin Qingran's cheeks were slightly warm, she hugged Mrs. Lin's arm and said angrily, "I can't bear to leave my little aunt."

Mrs. Lin couldn't bear to leave her, but now that she knew what Dafang was thinking, she wished that Lin Qingran would go back early. She touched Lin Qingran's head and said, "Your brother has to rush to another place. I'll pick you up and leave." Well, you can pack your things in the next two days, don't delay."

Lin Qingran bit her lip thoughtfully, then nodded and said, "I understand."

After walking out of Bowen Courtyard, Lin Qingran wanted to say something to Shen Xi, but while walking in the garden, she saw her maid leading two doctors from the palace towards Yuansongju.

She absent-mindedly grabbed the flower branches in her hand and looked in the direction of Yuansongju. It was really so serious, why did she even ask for an imperial doctor?

Lin Qingran shook his head. He always liked to make a fuss, and the same happened last time when he had typhoid fever. His little aunt even asked her to send ginseng.

Thinking of this, Lin Qingran didn't think about it anymore and turned around to go to Shen Xi's Courtyard. By the time she left, it was already evening.

Lin Qingran rubbed her sore eyes, and Shen Xi hugged her and cried a lot, which made her unable to help but feel a little sad.

After leaving this time, I think she will not come to the capital again, and she will not see everyone again.

When she reached the intersection between Qingyu Pavilion and Yuansongju, Lin Qingran stopped. From so far away, she seemed to be able to smell the faint smell of medicine.

Lin Qingran clasped her fingertips and wondered whether he got sick because he was trying to save herself. She should go and see...

After taking two steps, she stopped, then walked forward again.

What's there to be coy about? It's perfectly normal to ask about your condition.

Mo Ci was standing outside the hospital. When he saw Lin Qingran coming over, his face immediately turned cold. Lin Qingran glared at him, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Mo Ci moved her cheeks, she was the one who caused the Crown Prince to be like this. If the Crown Prince hadn't given an explanation, he would have pressed her in front of the Crown Prince.

"I wonder what's wrong with Miss Cousin?" Mo Ci asked coldly.

Lin Qingran didn't want to talk nonsense to him, "I came to see the Crown Prince."

Mo Ci saw off the guests without looking sideways, "Your Majesty, I told you that I won't see the guests. Miss, please come back."

Lin Qingran thought he heard wrongly. Usually he was not thinking of ways to get her to come, "Mo Guard, why don't you go and pass the message."

Mo Ci said: "There is no need to communicate, please come back, girl."

Lin Qingran looked at the path behind him. If she didn't see her, she would be gone. Who cares? He wouldn't regret it when she left one day.

Lin Qingran turned around and stepped heavily on her feet.

Mrs. Qin prayed for Shen Tingzhu in the Buddhist hall all day and night, and when it was time to take medicine, she rushed to Yuansongju.

Shen Tingzhu swallowed the medicine Qin gave her to her mouth, her face was still pale and her smile was shallow, "Mom, go back and rest early, don't be exhausted."

Mrs. Qin had just cried, but she couldn't help crying when she heard this, and said sadly: "You can say this, but why don't you listen to what mother said?"

Shen Tingzhu's voice was a little hoarse, "It's because the son is unfilial and has tired his mother for many years."

Qin's nose was sore, and she exhaled for a long time to calm her breathing, "The emperor has sent troops to find the jade grass. You will definitely get better."

Shen Tingzhu knew very well that the chance of finding it was very slim. He still smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

"One more thing, mother wants you to get married as soon as possible. This happy event may help your illness get better."

Shen Tingzhu frowned tightly after hearing this, "Mom would never believe these nonsense."

Ms. Qin was desperate. For the sake of her child, she was willing to try any method. "As long as it can make you better, mother will believe in anything."

Shen Tingzhu shook his head, "I don't agree."

Qin said: "Aren't you treating the Lin family daughter..."

"Mother." Shen Tingzhu interrupted her, "Mother doesn't have to think about this."

Because of his mood swings, he kept coughing, and his thin back was slightly bent. Qin was frightened and hurriedly helped him, "Okay, mother won't mention it."

Shen Tingzhu finally stopped coughing, and his eyes were already red and moist, "My son wants to sleep."

Mrs. Qin helped him lie down, walked to the door and turned around worriedly, seeing that Shen Tingzhu had closed his eyes, covered his mouth to hold back the sobs, bowed his head and left in tears.

Lin Qingran always thought that Shen Tingzhu would definitely come to find her, but until the next day, when she packed her luggage, she did not see him.

Could it be that he really had to let him go, or was the injury serious as his aunt said?

Lin Qingran held her head and thought about it, but couldn't think of a reason. She simply went to Yuansongju again, but was blocked by Mo Ci.

Lin Qingran felt more and more something was wrong, "What happened to the Crown Prince?"

But no matter how she asked, Mo Ci wouldn't say anything and wouldn't let her in.

Lin Qingran was very angry and helpless.

Yueying said softly: "Miss, we'd better leave."

Lin Qingran left without looking back. If it weren't for the fact that he was injured trying to save her, she wouldn't have come here.

Lin Qingran left happily, but when she returned to Qingyu Pavilion, she felt angry again. She couldn't explain why she was angry, and she couldn't understand what was going on with Shen Tingzhu.

But she is not someone who likes trouble. If she can't figure it out, she won't think about it. When she leaves tomorrow, she won't have to worry about that person anymore.

Thinking of this, Lin Qingran quickly forgot about him.

The next day, Lin Qingran woke up early on purpose, and her servants moved boxes of her luggage out of the house and onto the carriage first.

Lin Qingran saw that Yueying was also carrying a baggage and it was not hers. She widened her eyes and asked, "Are you still going back to Jiangning with me?"

She knew that Shen Tingzhu would not let her go so easily. What was the point of keeping someone by her side? However, Yueying's words shocked her, "This slave is no longer a secret guard. From now on, I will only take orders from the young lady." ."

Lin Qingran was stunned for a long time before he said uncertainly, "You mean, the Crown Prince gave you to me?"

Moon Shadow nodded.

Lin Qingran asked: "What else did he say?"

Yueying said truthfully: "Go back to Miss, no more."

What's going on? Lin Qingran lowered his eyes, his thoughts confused.

Zifu came in from outside the courtyard and said with a smile: "Miss, you are ready. The eldest young master has arrived and is waiting in the flower hall."

Lin Qingran couldn't think anymore, stood up and said happily: "Brother is here."

Zifu said: "Madam has already passed by and asked the slave to come and invite you."

"I'll go right away." Lin Qingran took one last look at the Qingyu Pavilion where she had lived for a season, and then followed Zifu to the front yard.

As soon as she walked into the courtyard, she saw Lin Zhao waiting in the flower hall with his hands behind his back.

After not seeing her brother for several months, Lin Qingran felt a sore nose and ran up the stone steps holding up her skirt, "Brother!"

Lin Zhao turned around and saw Lin Qingran running over regardless of the rules. He frowned and shook his head helplessly.

Although he is a businessman, Lin Zhao does not have the sleek sophistication of a businessman. Dressed in a navy blue gown, he looks more like a gentle scholar.

Lin Qingran didn't stop until she ran up to him. She raised her face and gasped, "Brother is finally here."

As soon as the words came out, she became speechless and tightened her mouth, with tears hanging in her eyes. She didn't know how wronged she had been.

Lin Zhao swallowed the words he wanted to scold her for being frivolous. Looking at her red eyes, he was afraid that it was the first time he had been away from home for so long. He comforted her: "Okay, brother is here to take you back."

Lin Qingran nodded vigorously.

Lin Zhao asked again: "Have you said goodbye to everyone in the house?"

"Of course." Lin Qingran muttered unhappily, "Brother really thinks I don't understand the rules."

Lin Zhao laughed noncommittally, and the two of them had lunch with Lin and prepared to set off.

Ms. Lin held their hands tightly and said reluctantly, "Auntie will go back to see you when she has time."

Everyone knew that this was just an excuse. The capital and Jiangning were far apart, and they didn't know when they would see each other again.

Lin Qingran kept sobbing and crying, unable to say anything.

Lin Zhao was a man. Although he did not show his emotions like the two of them, he felt sad in his heart. He warned: "Auntie, don't worry about us. You should take good care of yourself. If anything happens, just write home."

Lin's throat was choked with sobs, and she nodded with a smile, "It will be dark if we don't leave."

The carriage guards were all waiting outside the mansion. Qingfeng, who was waiting beside the carriage, saw someone coming out and immediately stepped forward and said with a smile, "Young lady, I've seen you."

Lin Qingran looked him over from head to toe. Qingfeng was horrified by her look. She touched the back of his neck and said, "Miss, if you have anything to say, please tell me."

Lin Qingran hummed with a half-smile, "Are you okay?"

If he hadn't led the horse and disappeared, what would have happened next would have happened, and she would have been rubbed off by Shen Tingzhu.

Qingfeng felt something was wrong and said obediently: "It's not thanks to you, Miss."

Lin Qingran sneered, and the breeze trembled, "Miss, please get on the carriage quickly."

Lin Qingran frowned and looked in the direction of the wall, "Wait a minute."

Qingfeng didn't know why and looked around, "Who are you waiting for?"

Lin Qingran glared at him, and Qingfeng immediately stood up straight without squinting.

Lin Qingran's eyes lit up when he saw someone walking out from behind the screen wall from a distance. When he realized it was Shen Xi, he was slightly stunned.

Shen Xi came to see her off. She pulled Lin Qingran aside and spoke. Her voice was slightly hoarse and her eyes were red, "Don't forget me."

Lin Qingran pinched her face and said, "Don't worry."

Shen Xi said disappointedly, "The third sister got married, the eldest brother, the third brother and the fourth brother are often away from home, the second brother's health is getting worse, the sixth sister is still so young, there is no one who can talk to me in the future. "

Shen Xi was talking nonchalantly, but Lin Qingran only heard the part about Shen Tingzhu, thinking of his pale face that day and the heavy bump on her lips... Lin Qingran sipped. Lip, what happened to him.

Lin Zhao walked to her side and said, "It's time to get on the carriage."

Lin Qingran repeatedly squeezed her palms, stepped on the horse and then got off the horse. Her clear black eyes looked like Lin Zhao's, "I remembered that there is something I haven't taken. Brother, please wait for me."

Before Lin Zhao could reply, Lin Qingran had already picked up her skirt and ran into the house.

She just took a look to see what was wrong with Shen Tingzhu.

=== Chapter === 053

Lin Qingran ran very fast, her hair on her temples being blown up by the wind, and behind her was her little aunt's helpless voice.

"This kid is still so frizzy."

Yueying saw that the situation was not good and immediately said: "I will accompany the young lady."

She quickly caught up and said, "I don't know if there is anything else you haven't picked up, young lady. I just need to go get it."

Lin Qingran ignored her, stopped for a moment at the intersection leading to Qingyu Pavilion and Yuansongju, and then ran to the right without hesitation.

Mo Ci thought that Lin Qingran should have left at this time. When he saw the figure rushing towards him from the path, he was stunned for a moment, and then he immediately moved towards the door to block it.

Lin Qingran stood a few steps away, gasping for air. Mo Ci blocked the way like a wall. She gritted her teeth and asked Yueying sideways, "You said you will only take orders from me from now on?"

Yueying looked back and forth at the tense confrontation between the two, nodded and said, "Yes."

Lin Qingran smiled brightly at Mo Ci's curved lips, then her expression turned cold, and she scolded: "Well, get him for me!"

Mo Ci was shocked and said: "I dare to ask my cousin what you are going to do. Do you still want to force your way in?"

Before he finished speaking, Yueying attacked him without saying a word. He grabbed her arm with his flexed fingers and said, "Please forgive me, Guard Mo."

Mo Ci was unprepared for a moment and was almost restrained by her. Although he avoided it, there was still a loophole. Lin Qingran saw the right moment and ran into the courtyard with a duck.

She just pushed through.

Mo Ci looked back at Lin Qingran, who had already run away, and said angrily to Yueying, "Don't stop yet."

Yueying also let go of her hand neatly. Mo Ci wanted to catch up, but she blocked him sideways.

After being blocked by her several times, Mo said mercilessly: "Do you want to get a whipping?"

Yueying looked particularly innocent and said: "Why did Guard Mo forget that I am no longer under your control?"

Mo Ci choked and couldn't get up or down, but Yueying straightened her expression, "I think the prince also wants to see the young lady."

Walking through the bamboo forest, the strong medicinal smell made Lin Qingran feel that the air he breathed into his nose was full of bitterness.

The sun shone dappledly into the corridor. Shen Tingzhu lay on the wicker chair covered with thick blankets with her eyes closed, silently, as if she was asleep.

At first, when he heard the footsteps, Shen Tingzhu thought he was a servant, but the thin, short breathing made him feel something was wrong. He opened his eyes, and against the light, he couldn't see the person coming, but he knew that something was wrong. who is it.

His heart tightened, and the hands on his legs also tightened. After a long time, he managed to force himself to speak as usual, "Shouldn't you have left already."

He clearly knew that he was leaving today, but...

Lin Qingran was not thinking about what she was feeling. She pursed her lips and remained silent. She couldn't think of what she wanted him to do.

She simply walked forward and stood in front of Shen Tingzhu, blocking the sunlight that hit him. Without the warm illumination, Lin Qingran found that his face was still as frighteningly pale as that night.

Forgetting to question him, she opened her mouth and said, "You're sick." She didn't say the next word. He looked like he was serious.

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "I was scratched by a stone under the pond. It's just a flesh injury."

He said it too lightly and casually. Lin Qingran nodded, no doubt that he would have to recover from his injury for a while.

For a moment both of them were silent.

Shen Tingzhu suddenly asked: "Will you pity me?"

Lin Qingran frowned and looked at him as if he were a ghost, "I pity you, who will pity me?" She wrinkled the tip of her nose and muttered in a low voice, "I'm being bullied by you then."

Shen Tingzhu laughed softly, lowered his eyelashes, and the loneliness flashed across his eyes.

"Why did you let Mo Ci block me from coming in?" Lin Qingran felt emboldened when she saw him looking sick and easy to bully. She added, "I've been here twice."

Lin Qingran's complaining tone contained a grievance that she didn't even notice.

Shen Tingzhu suddenly felt that the dull pain in his heart was not so bad. At least it could keep him awake at all times and prevent him from getting confused.

He raised his eyes and said coldly, "Is there anything you want to tell me when you come here?"

Lin Qingran was immediately stunned by the question. He moved his lips repeatedly, clenched his fingertips, and said quite uncomfortably: "You were injured because you were trying to save me. I just came to visit, which is a bit unjustifiable."

"Thank you." Shen Tingzhu said indifferently: "After seeing it, let's go."

The cold tone made Lin Qingran frown tightly. She came here specially, and that was all he said.

Lin Qingran said angrily: "We have known each other for so long, shouldn't you give me a gift? Once I leave, I won't come back."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his gaze to look at his legs, closed his eyes, and then said: "Since we won't see each other again, what else is there to give me as a gift?"

He half-raised his eyelids, looking careless and indifferent, as if he was a different person.

Lin Qingran was angry and at a loss. She said incoherently: "But you said those words before, and you were still in the cave..."

Lin Qingran couldn't say those two words, so she bit her lip tightly and stared at him.

Shen Tingzhu's Adam's apple rolled heavily. She finally cared a little about what he said, and her clenched hands ached.

He raised his lips and smiled, and said lazily: "Because it's funny, I scared you in the beginning because it was funny."

Lin Qingran felt as if she didn't recognize him anymore. He was cruel, cold, and cynical. She was so angry that her eyes were sore and swollen.

But the panic and joy he felt when he found him that day were not fake at all. Lin Qingran asked: "Why did you give Yueying to me."

Shen Tingzhu pressed the corners of her lips impatiently, "She has been with you for so long. She will be criticized if she stays with me any longer. If you don't want her, just deal with her."

Lin Qingran clenched her fists tightly and then noticed that Shen Tingzhu had not called her Ranran since she came in. It was true that she had been deceived by him again.

Lin Qingran reached out to him bitterly, "Then give me back my things."

Her little clothes are still with him, and in this case, they should be returned to her.

Shen Tingzhu frowned, "Throw it away early in the morning."

"asshole!"

Lin Qingran finally couldn't bear it anymore, kicked him in the calf with red eyes, and ran away after kicking him.

Shen Tingzhu remained indifferent, only a pair of black eyes tightly grasping her figure until she was about to disappear from his sight. He stood up in a hurry, but the severe pain from his knees made him fall back heavily.

Shen Tingzhu clenched his hands tightly, his eyes full of despair.

Snowball jumped out of the grass at some point, walked around his feet, raised his head, "Meow—"

After a moment, Shen Tingzhu slowly let go of his hand, lay back weakly on the wicker chair, and smiled to himself, "You are the only one who stays with me."

Yueying didn't know what happened between the two of them. Lin Qingran came out angrily with red eyes, and walked out without paying attention to anyone. She followed closely behind, and when she was about to pass the screen wall, she reminded in a low voice, "Miss, The third lady and the eldest young master are still outside."

Lin Qingran wiped away the wet tears from his eyes, "Asshole, bastard!"

How could he bully her like this over and over again.

Lin Zhao and Mrs. Lin knew something was wrong when they saw her like this. Lin Zhao frowned and asked, "What happened?" His sharp eyes fell on Yueying.

Yueying hesitated and didn't know how to answer. Lin Qingran sniffed, still choking and said: "I can't find the thing."

Lin Zhao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "What a great thing, if you don't see it, it will disappear. I will buy it for you as much as you want."

Lin Qingran nodded heavily, "Brother is right, it's something amazing."

After scolding Shen Tingzhu a thousand times in her heart, Lin Qingran got on the carriage without looking back. However, as the wheels rolled forward, she seemed to feel a void in her heart.

On the first day, Lin Qingran was more resentful than disappointed, angry at the bastard things Shen Tingzhu had done. On the second day, he became restless again. On the third day, he regained his energy and followed Lin Zhao happily.

Because Lin Zhao had other places to go, he didn't take the boat. Instead, they took a carriage and traveled overland.

It was already dark when the group arrived in Peixian County. They went to the best inn in the town. Qingfeng went up to check out a room, but was told by the innkeeper that the rooms were full.

Qingfeng walked to the lobby and said, "Master, I'm afraid we have to find another hotel."

Lin Qingran was very tired after a day's journey, and she even complained angrily to Qingfeng, "I blame you for not knowing how to go faster."

Qingfeng looked aggrieved. Why did the young lady seem to be targeting him, picking on him all the way?

The shopkeeper looked at the group of people, walked over and said, "I dare to ask, but Mr. Lin and Miss Lin are under the command of Mr. Lin."

Lin Zhao said: "Exactly."

The shopkeeper chuckled and said, "That's it. Someone has already booked room, board and lodging for you two in advance."

When Lin Zhao heard this, he asked, "What's that person's name?"

The shopkeeper said: "The person who came here did not leave his name."

This is strange, Lin Zhao thought deeply.

Lin Qingran asked: "Could he be someone who wants to make friends with my brother?" In the past few days, they had met many members and people from the Chamber of Commerce.

Lin Zhao thought for a moment and said, "If this is the case, it would be better to leave the name."

Lin Qingran held her chin and said, "Maybe he wants to wait for us to accept this love first."

She was so tired that she didn't care who arranged it.

Seeing her laziness and lack of energy, Lin Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Then let's stay here first."

Lin Qingran ordered Qingfeng and Yueying to carry their things and go upstairs.

The house was very large, with a study, a clean room, and everything else. Lin Qingran looked around and said to Qingfeng, "I want to take a shower."

Qingfeng said: "I'll go and get some water right away."

Lin Qingran nodded, deliberately teasing him, "Don't forget, the bathtub needs to be made of huanghuali wood and copper hoops, and put some flower dew and fresh rose petals."

Qingfeng felt his head was buzzing. No roses were blooming at this time. He walked to the door and turned around, saying with a sad face: "Miss, can I ask where I offended you?"

Yueying, who was making the bed next to her, burst out laughing.

Lin Qingran held her chin and shook her head slowly, "No, go quickly."

Qingfeng almost collapsed and bargained: "Is it possible to change it to other flowers? You want roses now. I can't find them even if I dig the ground."

Seeing how desperate he was, Lin Qingran nodded in disgust, "Okay."

Qingfeng took a long breath, wiped his sweat, and walked to the clean room to see if he could place a new bathtub, but he was happy when he went in and saw it.

"Miss, come and see."

Lin Qingran was too lazy to move, "That's all you say."

Qingfeng was overjoyed and said: "Isn't this bathtub just the huanghuali and copper hoops you want? It also has scented dew petals. You can choose the fresh ones yourself. Not to mention, the person who arranged it is quite good at it. "

Lin Qingran was stunned. She walked over and saw that everything was ready. She didn't think much about it. She pouted at Qingfeng and said, "You're getting an advantage."

After staying in Peixian County for two days, the person who booked the room never showed up, and the group continued on their way.

Unexpectedly, before they even crossed the threshold of the inn this time, the waiter came out and said, "You two must be Mr. Lin and Miss Lin."

Lin Zhao and Lin Qingran looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

Lin Zhao said: "Exactly."

Sure enough, after hearing this, the waiter said: "Someone has booked food and accommodation for you two. Please come in."

Lin Zhao became interested, "Did that person leave his name?"

The waiter touched his head and said with a smile: "Oh, this is really unprecedented."

"Do you know what it looks like?" Lin Qingran asked.

The waiter thought for a moment and said, "It looks like he's dressed like a servant, but he spends a lot of money."

It seems that a servant has also been sent.

The two of them sat down, and the waiter quickly brought the food. Lin Zhao took a pair of chopsticks from the chopstick holder, pondered and smiled: "It's really interesting."

Lin Qingran nodded, "You haven't shown up yet, who could it be?" She picked up a piece of hibiscus meatball and put it in her mouth, nodded and praised, "The dishes are pretty good, they are all my favorites."

She looked at the food on the table and was slightly stunned. If she was her brother's friend, how could he know what she liked to eat.

Lin Qingran shook his head, it was probably a coincidence.

For the next several days, wherever they went, someone would arrange food and lodging for them in advance, and all the food arrangements coincided with Lin Qingran's preferences.

She also went to Lin Zhao's room to see how it was decorated in an ordinary inn. She also asked the store clerk, which proved that someone told them to decorate it like this.

Lin Qingran secretly hid her doubts and did not tell Lin Zhao. She could not think of another person who knew her preferences clearly and had the ability to arrange all this.

In front of him was the milk, water chestnut and powder cake presented by the waiter. Lin Qingran bit her lip, kicked her toes a little irritably, and called Yueying to ask, "Do you know who arranged this?"

Yueying also had a guess in her mind, but she really didn't know. She hesitated and said, "It seems like the crown prince, but I can't be sure."

Shen Tingzhu.

Lin Qingran felt as if something hit her heart.

But why did he do this? He clearly said something so outrageous that day, and what does he mean now.

Lin Qingran stood up angrily. She didn't know what she was angry about, but she was very angry.

"Go and change everything."

She wouldn't accept his favor.

"You two, please." The waiter invited people into the inn.

Lin Qingran finally couldn't help but ask: "Brother, aren't you curious about who it is?"

"Of course there is curiosity." Lin Zhao said calmly: "But since the other party doesn't want to show up, why should we force it? We will know when the time comes."

Lin Qingran felt heartbroken and uncomfortable. If that human spirit kept hiding like this, how could they ever meet again? She clasped her hands and said, "Maybe he doesn't have good intentions. It's better to find him and ask him." What does he mean?"

Ever since Shen Tingzhu rescued her, she has always been weird.

Lin Zhao disapproved and said: "The other party treats each other with courtesy. It is really inappropriate for us to do this."

Maybe that person really wanted to ask for something, but without knowing the reason, he still had to wait for the other person to come to the door on his own so that he could act carefully.

Those who cannot bear it first will become passive.

Lin Qingran asked, "Brother—"

Lin Zhao couldn't stand being rubbed by her and shook his head helplessly, "If you really want to know, just rush to the next stop in advance and you will naturally see who it is."

Lin Qingran's eyes lit up, "Then let's go."

"You forgot that I still have to go to the prefect's appointment." Seeing how anxious she was, Lin Zhao patted her shoulder, "It's still a long time on the road, so why are you in a hurry."

How could Lin Qingran not be in a hurry? She wanted to run to that man now and ask him what he wanted to do.

"Why don't I take Yueying and Qingfeng over first." Lin Qingran clutched Lin Zhao's sleeves, "Brother, come to me when you are well."

Lin Zhao naturally disagreed, but Lin Qingran had no choice but to send two more people to follow her.

When they arrived at the next town, Lin Qingran asked Qingfeng to drive the carriage directly to the best inn.

The waiter came out to greet me, "Guest officer, please come in."

Qingfeng stepped forward and asked: "Let me ask you, has someone come and booked a guest room for you to receive two guests named Lin?"

The waiter looked at her hesitantly, "How many are there?"

Lin Qingran's heart sank. It seemed that she had already been here. Could it be that it was still a step too late? She said anxiously: "My surname is Lin. Please tell me if I have it."

The waiter nodded and said, "A person came here just now and booked two upper rooms and several ordinary guest rooms."

Lin Qingran hurriedly asked: "Where are the others?"

The guy pointed outside and looked around, "I just walked away for a while." He pursed his lips and said, "That's it."

Lin Qingran stepped on her toes and saw the back of a man. She said eagerly to Yueying: "Hurry up and chase him!"

=== Chapter === 054

Yueying jumped up lightly and caught up with the man in a moment, following behind silently.

Qingfeng stared at her from behind, "This girl is so skilled."

Lin Qingran thought he was noisy, "Why don't you hurry up and follow him."

The two chased him all the way, hurrying and slowly before finally catching up with Yueying outside a teahouse.

Lin Qingran was panting, with thin beads of sweat on his forehead, and misty warmth on his eyelashes, "Where's the person?"

Yueying pointed upstairs, "Go to the private room on the second floor."

Lin Qingran raised her head and forgot to look at the half-open window upstairs, and the energy in her heart retreated a bit for some reason.

Qingfeng didn't know the reason, but seeing that she was tired and chasing after her for a long time, but no movement was seen, he asked: "Miss, why don't we go up?"

Lin Qingran straightened her back, curled her hair behind her ears with her fingers, and said a bit angrily, "Go, why don't you go."

If he dared to say something irritating again, she would kick him again.

Walking outside the private room, Lin Qingran raised her hand to knock on the door. After thinking about it, she pushed the door open.

The two door panels shook, and the person sitting in the room drinking tea was obviously startled. As his wide sleeves fell, he raised his eyes and looked at Lin Qingran, his eyebrows slightly curved, "Qingran."

Lin Qingran's hand that was still in the air stiffly lowered it, "Xie Huai... it's you." She couldn't tell whether she felt disappointed or sad.

Yueying followed behind and frowned, how could...

Seeing Lin Qingran's eyes dimming slightly as he refused to hide them, Xie Huai chuckled softly, "Who do you think you are otherwise?"

Lin Qingran quickly shook her head and explained: "I was just a little surprised. I thought it was my brother's friend who arranged it all the way." Seeing Xie Huai pouring a cup of tea for herself, she walked up and sat down, and suddenly a gust of air suddenly drifted into her nose. There is a seemingly non-existent medicinal smell, but no trace can be found after a careful sniff.

Lin Qingran bit her lip in annoyance, wondering what she was thinking about.

Xie Huai took her look into his eyes and understood that he had fallen a step behind, but he had more time to make up for it.

"I'm sorry. You almost suffered a disaster that day. Fortunately, you were fine, otherwise I would have to bear the blame." Xie Huai said apologetically: "When I woke up and wanted to see you, I learned that you had left. It's too late to say goodbye to you."

Lin Qingran caught the word "wake up" he said. It had been three days since the assassination to when she left. How could he just wake up?

Only then did Lin Qingran notice the look of haggardness between his brows, "Are you injured?"

"Seeing you fall off the cliff, I lost my position for a moment and gave the other party an opportunity."

Lin Qingran immediately remembered what happened under the pond. She stopped her thoughts and asked, "Is it important?"

Xie Huai shook his head, "Fortunately, his heart was not hurt and he is already well."

Yueying silently cursed beside him, saying that his injuries were nothing compared to those of the Crown Prince, so he had to show them.

Lin Qingran nodded calmly, "But why are you here, and you have food and lodging along the way." For some reason, she always wanted to hear some other answers.

"Actually, what I wanted to tell you that day was that I would be transferred to Jiangning. It would have taken some time, but because of what happened, I moved it forward based on various considerations." Xie Huai put his knuckles on the tip of his nose, " As for arranging these, it is also because I want to make up for the assassination."

Lin Qingran nodded, then turned his gaze to the screen behind him and murmured: "So that's it."

Xie Huai saw that she only cared about the last half of the sentence, and even though she had a gentle temper, she couldn't help but become a bit cold at this moment.

He smiled and said, "It's just that I can't make arrangements for the rest. I want to get to Jiangning before the end of the month, so I have to go ahead of you."

Lin Qingran said nonchalantly: "What's the big deal?" After just a moment of distraction, she returned to her smiling look.

After chatting and laughing with Xie Huai, he saw that it was getting late before he stood up and said goodbye, "Then we will wait until Jiang Ning to see you again."

Xie Huai agreed with a smile, "See you in Jiangning."

Lin Qingran stepped out of the threshold, and the sound of a short cough from behind made her stop suddenly.

Looking back quickly, it was Xie Huai Zhengxu who was holding his fist in front of his mouth and coughing.

Meeting Lin Qingran's focused gaze, he asked, "What's wrong?"

Lin Qingran slowly shook his head and walked out.

The door to the private room was closed again, and Mo Ci pushed the wheelchair out from behind the screen.

Shen Tingzhu was sitting in a wheelchair. His already thin figure was even thinner than before. He looked down through the window and caught the slim figure at a glance.

Xie Huai saw this and frowned, "Since the prince is complaining, he shouldn't run around. Since he doesn't want to see each other, he shouldn't do this...it will only increase worries."

Shen Tingzhu didn't pay attention to his words, "Master Xie has cut off the road behind for me, so there is nothing to worry about."

Xie Huai snorted, "I'm afraid the prince has forgotten that Qingran and I have been friends since childhood. Do you think there is anything to worry about?"

Hearing the name he called Lin Qingran, Shen Tingzhu's eyes finally started to stir, but he was helpless. With a body like his, he was not even worthy of having her.

After a long time, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes with a rogue smile and said, "Since Mr. Xie has made his own decision and left me with nothing to do next, I can only follow you."

Lin Qingran met Lin Zhao on the second day. When he learned that Xie Huai was the person who arranged for them all the way, he was also surprised and said with a smile: "I didn't expect it to be him."

Lin Qingran swallowed the cake in her mouth and said vaguely: "I didn't expect it either."

Even as old acquaintances, it is hard not to think too much about such careful arrangements. As both men, Lin Zhao could somewhat guess Xie Huai's thoughts. He turned his attention to Lin Qingran, who was eating seriously. Suddenly I remembered an interesting incident from my childhood and said it casually.

"Cough-cough, cough, cough, cough."

Lin Qingran's face turned red due to coughing. Yueying hurriedly poured water for her. After drinking the water, Lin Qingran regained her composure and asked in disbelief: "Did I really say that?"

She wants to marry Xie Huai when she grows up... How could she say such a thing?

Lin Zhao looked at the shocked look on her face and laughed so hard that he leaned back and said, "One time it was already dark and you still refused to go back home. I went to hug you, so you hugged Xie Huai's legs. , said while crying."

Although they haven't seen each other for more than ten years, he still knows the Xie family well. It would make sense for Xie Huai to be his brother-in-law.

Lin Qingran almost put her hand on his mouth, her face turned red with embarrassment, "Stop talking."

How could she face Xie Huai? Her brother remembered it, and Xie Huai must also remember it.

Lin Qing's head buzzed, and she suddenly remembered that when Xie Huai said she had promised him something during the outing that day, could this be what he meant... Then he...

His mind was in a mess. Lin Qingran was not a person who liked to trouble himself. Since he didn't say it clearly, he just pretended that he didn't know and didn't make random guesses.

Lin Zhao went on a business trip, and it was almost April when he returned to Jiangning.

As soon as the carriage entered the city gate, Lin Qingran couldn't wait to lift the curtains. The warm wind blew over her face, and even the fatigue from the journey disappeared a lot.

Turning around the alley, you will find the Lin Mansion. There are many people waiting outside the painted red gate. Lin Qingran pokes her head and says in a playful voice: "Dad, sister-in-law, Qiu Zhi."

Mr. Lin wears a brocade robe and a jade belt, and his figure looks slightly blessed, but his handsome facial features can still be seen from the past. Since his wife passed away, he has never remarried, and he has focused solely on his family business and children.

Seeing the uncontrollable joy on her baby daughter's face, she sighed one after another, "The hair is frizzy, the hair is frizzy." Why is it that she is still like this after being educated in the capital for so long.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Lin Qingran ran down on the horse. She looked at Mr. Lin up and down, and said with a straight face: "Dad, you don't listen to the doctor's advice. You are greedy and eat too much meat."

Mr. Lin's smile froze and he scolded her, "You're still teaching me a lesson. Come into the house."

Lin Qingran pouted, turned around, walked to Chu Yin, took her hand, stared at her bulging belly like a little ball, looked left and right, and said happily: "Sister-in-law is pregnant!"

Chu Yin's face turned red when she saw him. He glanced at her husband with a smile and said softly, "Okay, let's go in quickly. Grandma is still waiting for you."

The family entered the house lively.

The cheerful chatter and laughter were carried by the wind to the wall next door.

Shen Tingzhu ordered someone to set up a deck chair and sit in the garden to bask in the sun. Across the courtyard wall was the Lin Mansion. He didn't open his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly, "It's Ranran who's back."

Mo Ci saw Shen Tingzhu smiling for the first time in so many days, and he felt a lump in his throat, "Your Majesty, since my cousin has returned home safely, it's time for us to go to Mr. Wei's place."

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "There's no rush."

He wanted to spend more time with her, or in other words, he wanted her to spend more time with him.

There was a lot of fun at the dinner table, everyone was chatting and laughing, and Yan Yan had endless things to talk about.

The elderly Mrs. Lin was also full of energy. She stroked Lin Qingran's cheek, "I don't think this capital can support people. It's not as good as those from the south of the Yangtze River. It's not as good as it is."

Lin Qingran pouted and nodded.

Mr. Lin asked, "Have you found a man you like during these days when you go to the capital?"

Everyone in the room looked at Lin Qingran, making her feel ashamed and ashamed, "Dad, you are so eager to marry me off."

I remind you at home, and I don't forget to remind you when I come back from a trip.

Mr. Lin smoothed his hair before growing his beard, "Otherwise, why would your father let you go to the capital? It's because you can't choose between the left and the right in Jiangning."

Lin Qingran twisted her waist and got close to Mrs. Lin, snorted at him, did not answer, but said: "Dad, why are you growing a beard properly? It makes you look older."

Mr. Lin paused his hand and said, "Nonsense." He coughed, "Dad has met a few more young talents. Look at each other later."

Mr. Lin has been worrying about Lin Qingran's marriage since she was young, fearing that she would not be able to choose the right one.

Lin Qingran shook her head in protest, thinking of getting along with other men, no matter who they were, she couldn't get the slightest interest out of them.

"Is it possible that you still want to stay at home and ruin your father's family business? Go and ruin it in another family." This was just a joke. Even if he got married, he would make sure that his daughter would have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of her life.

"No." Lin Qingran talked back to him childishly.

Lin Zhao and Chu Yin looked on and laughed. Lin Zhao cleared his throat and said, "Don't worry, dad. I'm afraid Chenglong Kuaishou is already chasing me."

Lin Qingran kicked him under the table, "Brother!"

Mr. Lin raised his hand and said, "Don't talk."

Lin Zhao said: "Do you know the newly appointed prefect Xie Huai?"

Mr. Lin immediately understood what Lin Zhao meant, but he didn't react much. He just nodded and said, "Thank you, Master Xie's seventh young master. He came to visit you on the first day he came to Jiangning." He pointed behind him and said, "Stay here. In the original house, but it seems that he has been on a tour of the county these past few days and has not returned yet."

Mr. Lin stroked his beard and put his hand down, "Then let's keep watching." He looked at Lin Qingran again, "You can go and meet the young talents that Dad mentioned just now."

Lin Qingran glared at his father and brother and stamped his feet in annoyance, "I'm going back to the house."

Wuyue Pavilion, where Lin Qingran lived, was at the east end, separated by a wall from the Xie family's house, and close to the courtyard where Shen Tingzhu lived.

It had been several days. Shen Tingzhu could occasionally hear the slightly raised voices of servants coming from the other end, but never heard Lin Qingran's voice.

Also, she always spoke so softly and softly, how could she get through it.

"Snapped."

Something floated down at his feet. Before he could open his eyes, Shen Tingzhu heard the sound that he had not heard for a long time and made him think about it day and night—

"Look at you, you didn't hold on tightly and let it fly by."

Lin Qingran was standing at the other end of the courtyard wall, standing on tiptoes and raising her head, eager to look over the wall, but the wall was too high and she was not tall enough, so she couldn't see anything.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the paper kite at his feet, bent down to pick it up, and could still faintly hear the little girl's voice in his ears.

"What should I do now?"

The last note is hooked, so aggrieved.

Shen Tingzhu squeezed Zhiyuan's fingers a little tighter.

,

=== Chapter === 055

Qiuzhi said: "My slave, please go to Xie's Mansion to get it."

Lin Qingran shook her head quickly, and the beaded hairpin in her hair also swung. She bumped Yueying with her elbow, "You are good at it. Go and get it and come back."

After saying that, she said no first, "It's better to forget it."

Shen Tingzhu's eyebrows arched up as he listened, and he whispered to Mo Ci: "Push me over."

Mo Ci pushed the wheelchair to the wall and said, "Let me get down."

Shen Tingzhu said: "Help me up."

Mo Ci wanted to dissuade him, but knew it would be useless, so he could only help him up. Shen Tingzhu stood very unsteadily, but his back was still as straight as a pine tree.

Lin Qingran took another long look, frowned, and decided to go back and get another prick. Turning around, a small shadow flew down from above his head. Lin Qingran subconsciously shrank his shoulders. The flying object was like It passed before her eyes and fell to the ground.

Qiu Zhi looked back happily, "How could you fly back by yourself?"

Yueying's eyes flashed quickly and he answered: "The servants on the other end probably saw it and knew it flew over from us, so they returned it."

Lin Qingran turned around and looked at the other side of the wall. She could only see a patch of sky. She bent down on her knees and picked up the paper kite on the ground. She frowned and sniffed closer. She seemed to be smelling the medicinal smell again, but she could no longer taste it. out of the suffering.

Lin Qingran squeezed Zhiyuan's hand tightly. She was a little angry for no reason. She kept thinking of what that person was doing.

No longer thinking about flying the kite, he turned to Qiuzhi and asked: "Did Dad say that he arranged for Zhang Juren to come and see him?"

Qiu Zhi said: "That's right. It's arranged in the study room on West Street. Do you want to meet me, Miss?"

As the people walked further and further away, faint sounds floated into their ears—

"go."

Shen Tingzhu's face showed no emotion, but his pursed lips were extremely white.

Lin Qingran went to the study room with Chu Yin. The boy named Zhang Huai was born upright and polite, but Lin Qingran thought he looked like a nerd and didn't understand the style at all.

"I told him that spring is a beautiful time, but he actually told me that in the cold spring, it's better to put on more clothes and go out less." Lin Qingran was still talking about it until dinner.

Chu Yin burst out laughing after hearing this, stroking his stomach and said, "It's not as exaggerated as you said. Besides, this doesn't mean that he is an honest man and will be easy to handle in the future."

Lin Qingran still shook his head. He was not satisfied anyway.

Mr. Lin didn't like her either, "I think it's good. Zhang Huai is a progressive and hard-working person. His family background is a bit low, so it's okay to marry him."

Although Lin Qingran was willing, she didn't even bother to eat, and said eagerly: "Dad."

Mr. Lin looked at his daughter and said, "Okay, okay." Because he had shaved his beard, his chin was smooth. He raised his hand and wiped it. He put his hand down and said, "The Xia family is also well-known in Yangzhou Prefecture. It just so happens that Xia The Third Young Master recently came to Jiangning with his father, and a banquet has been arranged for tomorrow, so you can come with me."

Lin Qingran realized that her father was waiting for her here, her face fell, and she reluctantly agreed.

In the evening of the next day, Lin Qingran dressed up and left the house with Mr. Lin, and the carriage headed towards Yinghu Lake.

The Xia family's father and son arranged a gorgeous boat. The four corners of the boat were lit with lanterns, the gauze curtains were swaying lightly, and the pipa girl sitting on the bow was playing a simple tune, which was elegant.

After boarding the boat, the Xia family's father and son came out to greet him. Mr. Xia and Mr. Lin exchanged greetings and introduced: "This is my third son, Xia Shuming. Brother Lin has never met him before."

Mr. Lin smiled and said: "Why haven't you seen it before? I have drunk the Full Moon Wine before."

Mr. Xia laughed, "Indeed, I forgot."

Xia Shuming saluted politely, "I've met Uncle Lin and Miss Lin."

As early as when the two of them boarded the ship, he had looked at Lin Qingran from top to bottom with his eyes. He had seen many women, and at a glance he could see the beauty under her clothes, which now fell on her skirt. His eyes wanted to see through the thin shirt.

When he raised his eyes, he had collected his thoughts, looked fair and upright, and looked like a gentleman.

Lin Qingran noticed that he also had peach blossom eyes and was smiling at her. She nodded her chin and said, "My daughter has met Uncle Xia and Third Young Master Xia."

Mr. Lin and the two were talking about business. Lin Qingran listened impatiently and looked at the lake boredly. Xia Shuming talked to her from time to time. He was not dull like a scholar or cynical like a child of an aristocratic family. It was rare that Lin Qingran was willing to talk more. Two sentences, but also lacking in interest.

Before saying goodbye, Xia Shuming said: "I rarely come to Jiangning. I heard that the scenery of the 60-fold and 12-circuit corridor is amazing. I wonder if I have a chance to ask Miss Lin to take me down there to see it."

Lin Qingran frowned lightly, thinking that he would not be staying in Jiangning for long, so he excused himself, "I'm not free these days."

Xia Shuming looked at her slender waist and felt itchy in his heart, but he was not in a hurry. He was naturally willing to spend time on such a beautiful woman, not to mention that he came here to marry her, "It doesn't matter, let's wait until the girl is free. "

Once April is over, after a few rains, the weather gets warmer especially quickly.

Shen Tingzhu was sitting in the study, flipping through the letters sent by the secret guard, his brows furrowing more and more as he read them.

The son named Zhang was not from an ordinary family, but he was dull and tactless. His career in the future was bound to be unsatisfactory. How could he allow Lin Qingran to live a stable and down-to-earth life.

As for Xia San, who pretends to be a dignified and upright gentleman, in fact, he secretly kept an extra room outside long ago. Such a person is worthy of being like his Ranran.

Next, there are people who practice martial arts all year round. If they use force, how can the little girl's delicate body withstand it?

Turning the page further, Shen Tingzhu could pick out the thorns no matter whether they were good or bad.

He closed the letter and sullenly dismissed all the people above him.

After that day, Xia Shuming came to invite Lin Qingran two more times. By the third time, Lin Qingran couldn't refuse.

Looking at his father who was sighing next to him, Lin Qingran had no choice but to let Qiu Zhi reply.

Qiu Zhi responded and walked out. Lin Zhao strode over from the courtyard and waved his hand, "No need to go."

Lin Qingran blinked her eyelashes twice in confusion, and Lin Zhao said with a straight face: "I just learned that Xia San had an extra wife outside, and even had a child secretly."

Before Lin Qingran could say anything, Mr. Lin slapped his hand on the table first, "How could such a thing happen? A bastard, someone who doesn't know how to behave dares to ask to marry my daughter."

Lin Zhao said: "As for Zhang Huai, regardless of his family background, his character is pretty decent. He has a brother-in-law who is addicted to gambling. He often calls his wife back to her parents' house to get money. If she gets involved, I'm afraid there will be trouble."

Lin Zhao then counted two more, and there were more or less mistakes in them. He frowned, "Dad, when you see each other again, at least you have found out the details."

Mr. Lin's face turned blue and white. He really ignored these private matters.

Lin Qingran listened to it as a joke and looked at the two of them gently, "So, I don't have to see these messy people anymore." She raised her voice and said very happily, "Then I'll go back to the house."

Dusk is deepening.

Shen Tingzhu has become more and more quiet recently. He often doesn't speak for a whole day. When he hears Mo Ci's footsteps, he turns the pages of the book under the dim sky without moving his eyebrows, "But it has all reached Lin Zhao's ears."

Mo Ci replied: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, everything has been taken care of." He hesitated for a moment, and then mentioned again: "Mr. Wei has written again. If Your Majesty doesn't come back..."

"Go ahead and leave tomorrow." Shen Tingzhu interrupted, his voice broken by the blowing wind, "Xie Huai should be back from inspection."

Next, he won't be needed.

Shen Tingzhu came quietly, and she didn't even know she left Lin Qingran. She only felt the faint scent of medicine floating in the air, but one day, it suddenly disappeared.

When Xie Huai took office, he was often so busy that he stayed at the Yamen for half a month. He only met Lin Qingran twice and only exchanged a few words with him.

At the end of May, the weather was obviously getting hot. Lin Qingran was wearing a light gauze dress, fanning herself and sitting in the waterside pavilion. She had a chilled lychee in her mouth, squinting her eyes comfortably and falling asleep.

Qiuzhi hurried over and said, "Miss."

Lin Qingran opened his eyes lazily, "What's the matter? I'm in a hurry."

Qiuzhi said: "The young master from Changxing Marquis Mansion has come to the house. I want you to go quickly."

Lin Qingran bit into Bingya's lychee, and the sweet juice filled her mouth. She ate it bit by bit, "Which young master?"

She spoke slowly, but her fingers held the fan tightly.

Qiuzhi tilted her head and thought about it, "I didn't even hear you clearly."

Lin Qingran stood up all of a sudden, her mind was racing with thoughts. She lowered her head and straightened the hem of her skirt to cover up her confusion at the moment. She brushed her gauze skirt several times before she finally calmed down and said, "Let's go."

Walking to the flower hall in the front yard, her father and brother were already there. Lin Qingran recognized the person sitting opposite her brother, and the waves in her heart fell again.

Something fell silent.

She stepped across the threshold, and Shen Qi, who was wearing a moon-white t-shirt, looked back at her and said with a smile: "Cousin, long time no see."

Lin Qingran was still happy to see Shen Qi again, "Why did my cousin come to Jiangning?"

Shen Qi didn't elaborate, just said: "I have official business, so I stopped by to visit and see you." He was as gentle as ever, making people feel like spring breeze.

Lin Qingran raised his eyes and said warmly, "Why don't you live in the house these days, and I can take you around?"

Shen Qi smiled and said: "I will set off back to Beijing tomorrow."

"So fast?" Lin Qingran frowned.

Shen Qi nodded.

Lin Zhao arranged for the servants to serve the food, "Let's talk while eating."

After dinner, Lin Qingran took Shen Qi to the guest room and took him for a walk in the garden.

Lin Qingran asked her about the situation of Lin and Shen Xi, and Shen Qi replied: "They are both very good. Fifth sister often misses you."

Lin Qingran felt a little sad for a moment, "...then."

She opened her mouth and closed it again, but still stopped asking.

Shen Qi looked at her sideways, "I came here because I have something to tell you."

Lin Qingran was slightly stunned. What a big event, her eldest cousin came all the way to tell her.

Shen Qi pressed his knuckles in front of his lips, thinking about how to speak, "Firstly, I want to apologize for the offense my second brother caused you on the way to Beijing. Secondly, I hope you can go see him. "

He asked many times but couldn't get Shen Tingzhu to speak, so he still forced him to question Mo Ci, and then he learned about the dispute between the two.

Even for those ridiculous and excessive things Shen Tingzhu did, it was difficult for him to ask Lin Qingran to see him, but that was his brother, and he couldn't ignore it.

The secret that Lin Qingran had hidden for so long was suddenly revealed. She pinched the hem of her skirt at a loss and said, "First cousin, we all know..."

Shen Qi nodded, "Don't be angry if I say that. I can actually understand why the second brother did what he did, but I don't mean that he is right."

Lin Qingran was confused.

Shen Qi continued: "He hid his illness, covered up his physical condition, pretended to be fine in front of you, did those bad things...etc., all in the hope that you would treat him as a normal person and not pity or sympathize with him. , pity him... just like he did to the snowball."

Lin Qingran couldn't understand what he was saying, what his condition was, what pity he was talking about, wasn't that what he was pretending to do.

Her mind was in turmoil, she raised her head helplessly, and smiled unnaturally, "Cousin... what are you talking about?"

Shen Qi looked at her as if he was weighing the situation. After a long while, he finally said: "My second brother only has less than a year left."

=== Chapter === 056

Lin Qingran froze for a few breaths, and then the breath that was choked in her throat came out weakly.

Less than a year, what less than a year, please make it clear.

Lin Qingran moved her lips, but found that she couldn't pronounce a single sound. How could she not understand the meaning of her cousin's words.

But, that was Shen Tingzhu.

She wanted Shen Qi not to joke, but she knew that Shen Qi didn't know how to measure things. The only person who made such jokes was Shen Tingzhuhui. Yes, he was making up something to bluff people again.

"I, I've seen him kick people away with just one kick, and he also held a sword." Lin Qingran was in a mess, stumbling over words and unable to speak clearly. All she could think of was Shen Tingzhu's pale face when she left. The bloodless face.

Qiu Zhi had never seen Lin Qingran like this before, and she didn't know the reason, so she called softly: "Miss."

Lin Qingran suddenly pursed her lips and looked straight at Shen Qi.

Shen Qi sighed slightly, "Let's sit down and talk."

In the waterside pavilion, the two sat opposite each other for a long time. The wind blowing on them was warm, but Lin Qingran didn't feel hot at all.

Shen Qi's words slowly drifted into his ears intermittently—

"My second brother was only nine years old when the accident happened."

"When we were rescued, everyone was in despair."

…

"He acted like he reassured everyone, but in fact he secretly poured out the medicine. I knew that he hated living like this, that he was negative and self-loathing... until you came to the house, he told me personally that he wanted to stand up."

Shen Qi's eyes were filled with darkness, "If he hadn't traveled with Xie Huai and met an assassin, he would have really recovered."

Lin Qingran didn't know how much of the next words she heard, and her mind was buzzing. She squeezed her palms tightly and didn't feel her nails digging into her flesh at all. When she suddenly relaxed, the slight pain came.

She stared at the lake with her eyes, unbearably sore, not because of the pain, but because she knew that Shen Tingzhu was not traveling with Xie Huai... he was trying to save her.

He clearly knew the consequences, but regardless of his life, he appeared in front of her with his body bent and staggering.

He carried her step by step, using an injured leg that had been repeatedly tortured, broken and reattached. But now he could no longer stand up, and he was even about to die.

She fluttered her eyelashes lightly, and her vision was instantly blurred by the mist of tears. He had bullied her for so long, and such a wicked person was about to die... A wicked person shouldn't live for a thousand years, so how could he die?

"I'm not saying this to ask you to forgive him. In fact, I don't want to bother you." Shen Qi frowned and said, "But now he has returned to his previous appearance, refusing to take medicine, and even refusing to let Mr. Wei treat him. "

"If he is properly treated, he can wait longer for us to find the Lingyu Grass. But if it continues like this, he may not be able to handle it for even half a year, let alone a year."

"Then." Lin Qingran stood up anxiously, "Then just drink it for him! Anyway, he can't resist now. If he doesn't take medicine and doesn't treat his illness properly, does he think he won't die quickly enough?"

The rude remarks made Shen Qi stunned. He stared at Lin Qingran's wet eyes and said, "It's useless. He no longer has the belief to live at this moment, so I came to you as a last resort. I hope you can convince him." . "

Lin Qingran was annoyed that he bullied her. Thinking about it now, she still wanted to bite his throat off, but... she had to keep him alive before she could bite him.

"I, I'm going to tell my dad right now before I pack my things." Lin Qingran said as she got up and ran outside the waterside pavilion, "Wait for me."

Lin Qingran spoke vaguely, but Mr. Lin only listened to half of it and waved his hand, "Okay, no need to say more, I don't agree."

"Dad!" Lin Qingran stamped her feet, "When have you been so unreasonable?"

"You also said that the prince's life will not be long." Mr. Lin said and asked the servant to close the door, and then continued: "If it works if you go, that's it. If it doesn't work, you know whether the Hou Mansion will be angry. "

"But."

Without waiting for Lin Qingran to defend himself, Master Lin said again, "Do you know that the Crown Prince is interested in you?"

Lin Qingran didn't expect him to say this suddenly. Her face turned red and she hesitated: "No, I don't know."

Mr. Lin nodded at her with his hand and sighed: "You said you are such a young girl, why are you still not enlightened?" Seeing that he had gone too far, Mr. Lin turned around and said: "Your little aunt has already written to you, saying Dafang is interested in getting married to us, but she finally pushed her away, and yet you foolishly sent her up. If they don't let her go, who will father ask for his daughter from?"

Only then did Lin Qingran find out about this matter. Shen Tingzhu really wanted to marry him.

He suddenly disappeared. She went to find him on the day he left, and even said that deliberately, all because he knew that he was about to die, and Lin Qingran was heartbroken.

"He was just a sick boy, and now he's almost dead." Mr. Lin said to himself, getting angry, "How dare he come to the door to ask you to come over, who knows what An is thinking."

Lin Qingran saw that he couldn't make sense, so he said anxiously: "You say he is a sick man, so what can you think about it?"

"Isn't it rare for wealthy people to have such a happy event?"

"Your Majesty, he won't." If that were the case, Shen Tingzhu would not let her leave in the first place.

"How dare you talk back." Mr. Lin was easily not angry with his daughter, but now he couldn't hold back his anger. "He dared to bully you like that. There's nothing he can't do."

Lin Qingran was stunned, how could her father know this? She turned around and looked at Qiu Zhi.

Qiu Zhi hurriedly lowered her head. She felt something was wrong after listening to half of it, so she came over and told the master on the pretext of serving tea.

Mr. Lin said calmly: "In short, dad will not agree to your going."

He waved his hand and said, "Send Miss back to the house."

Lin Qingran had no choice but to follow her servants back to Wuyue Pavilion. As she walked in the courtyard, she flung the shawl on her arm and slapped it on Qiu Zhi. She said angrily: "I want you to file a complaint." ."

"Miss." Qiu Zhi arranged her clothes, "I think your master is absolutely right. It's too late for us to avoid you, so why are you so foolish as to go?"

Lin Qingran didn't know how to refute, so she turned around and walked into the house, "What do you know?"

Qiuzhi followed and asked, "Miss, don't you fall in love with that sick prince."

She had never seen a young lady rushing to meet a man.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Lin Qingran's eyes widened. How could she like him? Just because he saved her and he was about to die. She would naturally help if she could.

"Oh, you don't understand either." Lin Qingran shook her robe irritably, "Go and find Yue Ying."

After learning that Shen Qi came to the house, Yueying guessed that Lin Qingran already knew the truth, so she didn't hide it when she asked. This should not be considered as her disobedience to the prince's order.

"So you all know?"

Yueying nodded, "It's just that the young lady doesn't know. The prince doesn't want you to know."

Lin Qingran had never been so angry. If his eldest cousin hadn't come here, would he have lied to himself for the rest of his life?

The anger in her heart had nowhere to go. Lin Qingran took the tea cup and knocked it on the table, "You are my maid now. How dare you hide it from me for so long? Who are you taking orders from?"

Yueying said: "Except for not revealing anything about the prince, all servants will obey the young lady."

Then just listen to him, he is really good at planning.

She saw Yueying's evasive gaze and said sternly: "What else are you hiding from me?"

Yueying really doesn't want to hide it anymore. The young lady should know what the prince has done for her. "Since the young lady left the capital, the prince has been protecting her all the way. The food and accommodation were also arranged by the prince. Until the prince left a month ago, he has been living there." In Xie Mansion."

No wonder, she always smelled the faint scent of medicine, it was not an illusion.

Using those excessive words to annoy her and following her secretly, Lin Qingran suddenly felt that no matter what Shen Tingzhu did, she wouldn't be surprised anymore.

Now she just wants to wait to see him and settle these accounts with him.

But her father ordered people to guard Wuyue Pavilion. When she finally managed to get out the next day, she learned that Shen Qi had left.

During the meal, Lin Qingran absentmindedly picked up a grain of rice with the tip of her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. She felt that the food did not taste good and was difficult to swallow.

She couldn't help but think of her eldest cousin who said that Shen Tingzhu couldn't taste anything he ate, so how did he swallow all the food? No wonder he always liked to watch her eat.

Lin Qingran finally understood why he always carried the candy bowl with him but never ate it. Was it because he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to taste the sweetness, but he always asked her if it was sweet?

She felt a little sour in her heart, put down her chopsticks, and went to find Mr. Lin again.

In the study, Mr. Lin was discussing something with Lin Zhao. With his father and brother looking at him, Lin Qingran didn't even need to speak, even if they would definitely disagree, he simply changed his explanation.

She moved to her father and brother's side and pretended to say: "Dad, after much thought, I can't let him bully me in vain. While he is sick now, I should bully him and come back."

Mr. Lin hissed and said mercilessly: "You are my daughter. I can tell what your plans are as soon as you turn your eyes."

No matter how Lin Qingran pestered and persuaded her, it didn't work. Afterwards, she simply lost her temper and began to cry half-truthfully.

Mr. Lin sighed and felt helpless, "What do you think you are going to do?"

Lin Zhao looked at her thoughtfully and had a guess in his mind, "I have tried to find the medicine to cure the disease, so you don't have to worry about it anymore. As for the rest, if he can get better, we will talk about it."

Even her brother said this, that he really wouldn't let her go, so Lin Qingran just turned around and left.

She took Yueying out of the mansion and went to Xie's mansion instead of going anywhere else.

When Xie Huai learned that Lin Qingran was coming, he put down the official document in his hand and hurried out to meet him.

This was the first time that Lin Qingran took the initiative to look for him. While he was happy, he couldn't help but speed up his steps. He walked outside the flower hall before brushing his robe and entering.

"Light dye."

Hearing the voice, Lin Qingran raised his head and said, "Thank you Huai."

Seeing her squeezing her hands awkwardly, Xie Huai felt soft in his heart, ordered someone to serve some snacks, and asked with a smile: "Why are you here so suddenly? I've been too busy these days, otherwise I would have gone to find you."

"Me." Lin Qingran lowered her eyes. She wanted to say a few polite words, but she didn't know what to say, so she asked directly: "Your Majesty, did you ever live here."

The smile on Xie Huai's face faded, and he looked at her hands still held together, "I lived there for a while."

"Were we at the teahouse, was he there?" Lin Qingran asked softly, but in an urgent tone.

Xie Huai's joy faded away. She came to question him. He said concisely: "Yes."

Lin Qingran didn't know what to do because she already knew something. She pursed her lips and asked, "Can I see the yard where he lives?"

Xie Huai quickly stood up, still maintaining his grace, "Follow me."

Lin Qingran followed him around the garden to a courtyard. No one lived in it, and the servants didn't clean it much. The ground was covered with fallen leaves, and it was cold and cold.

There was a deck chair in the courtyard. Did Shen Tingzhu sit here every day? She looked at the tall courtyard wall. Behind it was her Wuyue Pavilion, where the kite also floated that time.

She never knew.

"Can you help me go to the capital?" She was really at a loss and could only seek help from Xie Huai.

The strength under Xie Huai's gentle appearance finally came out, "Qing Ran, I'm not that generous."

Lin Qingran was stunned. She had vaguely guessed Xie Huai's thoughts, but he never said it, so she pretended not to know.

Xie Huai smiled, "You begged me. I think Uncle Lin didn't agree, but I can't agree either." He and Lin Qingran said in detail, "I think you should also know about Shen Zhi's situation. Uncle Lin I understand and agree with your concerns, so I can't agree to it. Another aspect is my selfishness."

He stared at Lin Qingran, "How could I let you go to him?"

He was already one step too late, so he couldn't retreat anymore.

Lin Qingran almost escaped from Xie Huai and fled back to the Lin Mansion.

As the days passed, she really couldn't think of any way to leave. At night, she walked aimlessly in the courtyard, holding branches and leaves in her hands.

Suddenly, a black shadow rushed in front of her. Lin Qingran was frightened and took half a step back. The moon shadow on the side quickly jumped forward. With the moonlight, she could see clearly that it was Mo Ci's face. She was shocked and said: "Mo Guard?"

Mo Ci was dressed in night clothes and stared behind Yueying with sharp eyes, "I never thought that Miss Lin could be so ruthless."

The prince almost lost his life for her. He thought that the eldest young master was here. Lin Qingran knew the situation and would at least come to see the prince, but there was no one waiting for him.

Yueying saw his expression was different and affirmed: "You came here privately."

"Stay back." Mo Ci said sternly: "If you dare, please ask Miss Lin to come with me."

He said please, but he had no intention of doing so. Today, he would tie up Lin Qingran even if he wanted to.

"Since Guard Mo is not following the Crown Prince's orders, I forgive Yueying and cannot let you take the young lady away."

The two were facing each other tit for tat. Lin Qingran, who had been silent until now, opened her mouth weakly. She was a little afraid of Mo Ci at this moment. She poked her head from behind Yue Ying and said, "You want to kidnap me and go see Shen Tingzhu." ?"

Mo Ci didn't say anything, and Lin Qingran said, "Then wait for me to go back to the house and get some clothes. I will also leave a letter to dad, otherwise he will die in a hurry."

Mo Ci frowned, what the hell is she doing?

As Lin Qingran walked back, she kept looking back, "Don't leave, wait for me."

Mo Ci was completely dumbfounded. Shouldn't Lin Qingran be reluctant?

Lin Qingran said to Yueying worriedly: "You are not allowed to stop him."

After leaving Jiangning, Shen Tingzhu lived in Mr. Wei's thatched cottage. He really didn't want to face the depressed and depressing atmosphere in his house all day long, as well as his mother's increasingly haggard face.

It's better to live here and relax.

He pushed his wheelchair and sat behind the desk, then took a pen and dipped it in paint to paint.

He was so focused that he didn't notice the person coming in.

It wasn't until I put down my pen and wanted to rest that I saw the emperor sitting aside for no apparent reason.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and wrote lightly: "My five senses are getting worse and worse."

The emperor's casual attitude made his face darken, "I thought you didn't know your physical condition. Mr. Wei said you were unwilling to cooperate."

Shen Tingzhu was noncommittal.

The emperor said: "I'm still hiding it from your sister. If you continue to do this, do you want me to order you to take medicine?"

"Your Majesty, why don't you order me to recover?"

After saying this, everyone fell silent.

The emperor raised his narrow eyes and glanced at the picture scroll on his case, "If you really like her so much, I will decree a marriage."

"No need, I don't like it." Shen Tingzhu closed the scroll. He didn't believe this statement himself, and he didn't expect the emperor to believe it. "The thatched cottage is crude. Your Majesty, please come back."

I traveled day and night. It took me a month to get to Beijing, but this time I arrived in less than ten days.

After getting off the carriage, Lin Qingran felt like her whole body was falling apart. She had always been spoiled and had never suffered such a crime, but she still swallowed it all.

Wancao lived in a deep mountain valley. When he saw the shabby thatched cottages in front of him, Lin Qingran finally couldn't lift the corners of his mouth that dropped.

"Right here?"

When she turned around, she couldn't find Mo Ci and Yueying. Did they abandon her and run away? !

After calming down, he stepped forward and pressed his palm on the gate of the fence. His heart was beating for no reason and his fingertips were curled.

We're all here, why should we back down now? Lin Qingran said quietly,

"Creak!" A sound made the birds on the branches fly up in shock, but the people in the courtyard seemed to be unaware of it.

His simple and loose robe clearly outlined his figure, his shoulder blades were clearly visible, and he was already thin and straight.

On a hot day, his legs were covered with blankets, and snowballs were lying on his legs, and his pale hands were touching them one after another.

The clouds were calm and the wind was slow, and everything seemed to disappear at any moment.

Lin Qingran's eyes were extremely sour, and she hurriedly wiped away the mist that had accumulated.

Xue Tuan, who was lying lazily, saw it and meowed to get up. Shen Tingzhu lifted the back of its neck and said, "Okay, why are you moving?"

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and then lowered them. Then the next moment, his hand caressing Xue Tuan's body suddenly stopped.

=== Chapter === 057

Shen Tingzhu did not raise his eyes, but stared at the pretty skirt with his peripheral vision.

Xue Tuan jumped off his lap, stretched her body, ran to Lin Qingran's feet, put her paws on her embroidered shoes, raised her head and screamed.

"Remember me." Lin Qingran bent down and picked up Xue Tuan. He raised his eyes slightly and quietly looked at the listening bamboo surface. He lowered his eyes and half-covered eyelashes, showing no emotion at all.

Why are you neither surprised nor surprised? It's like you didn't see her?

Lin Qingran lifted the snow ball in his arms and pursed his dry lips. He felt that standing still was not an option, so he cleared his throat and wanted to say hello.

As soon as she opened her lips, Shen Tingzhu spoke before her.

"Someone is coming."

The voice was short, even embarrassed.

There was no movement. Shen Tingzhu clenched his fists and said again: "Here comes someone!"

The door of the room on the west side was opened, and Sanqi, the medicine boy with a scarf on his head, ran out. Suddenly, he saw Lin Qingran appearing out of thin air in the mountain yard. Sanqi thought he was seeing a fairy, and rubbed Rubbing his eyes, the fairy smiled at him.

Fortunately, he still remembered to reply to Shen Tingzhu's words. He only blushed slightly, smiled at Lin Qingran, and ran to Shen Tingzhu's side, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Push me in."

The cool and impetuous tone made Sanqi slightly shudder. Ever since the prince came to Wancao Residence, he had always been indifferent and indifferent to anything. This was the first time he saw the prince being emotional.

He did not dare to delay, pushed the wheelchair, and pushed Shen Tingzhu into the house where he lived on the east side.

Lin Qingran watched blankly as Shen Tingzhu entered the house. The door was closed, leaving her standing alone in the yard for a long time before she realized what she was doing and chased after her.

Although Sanqi didn't know who she was, looking at the situation, he couldn't tell that something was wrong, so he quickly stepped aside.

Lin Qingran looked at the closed door in front of her eyes, what was going on? She was not sure for a moment whether Shen Tingzhu didn't see her or was avoiding her on purpose.

Because she was holding Xue Tuan, Lin Qingran could only free up one hand to knock on the door. She tentatively said: "Second cousin."

There was no response in the room, so she knocked again, "Second cousin, it's me."

Shen Tingzhu's jaw tightened, his thick black eyes rolled back, his gaze tightly grasping the figure reflected on the door. He naturally knew it was her, but why she was here, who dared to tell her.

He wanted to see her day and night, but he didn't dare to see her, and he knew he couldn't see her, but she appeared in front of him like this.

Lin Qingran had been on the road for several days, and her head was already tired and groggy. Seeing that he still didn't open the door or make a sound, she couldn't help but become annoyed, and scolded: "Shen Tingzhu, what will happen to you if you hide from me?" thing?"

He would rather follow her secretly and live in Xie's mansion secretly than come to see her openly.

Lin Qingran knocked the bones on her knuckles so hard that she simply kicked her with her toes twice, "Shen Zhi."

Seeing that the situation was getting worse, Sanqi turned around and went to find Mr. Wei.

Wei Xian was busy in the pharmacy at the back. When he saw Sanqi running over in a hurry, he frowned and asked, "What happened?"

"Outside." Sanqi gasped, "Outside, there is a girl seeking revenge on the prince."

"Seeking revenge?" Mr. Wei put down the herbs in his hand and looked solemn. Who dares to come here to seek revenge, "Where is the prince?"

Sanqi said: "Hide in the house."

Mr. Wei hurriedly walked out, but when he heard this, he stopped and looked sideways in surprise, "Hiding?"

Sanqi nodded, "The girl first called the prince's second cousin and then called the prince by his first and last name. She was kicking the door at the moment." That attitude definitely meant that the feud was serious.

Mr. Wei walked back into the house and continued to play with herbs. Sanqi asked in confusion: "Master?"

Mr. Wei waved his hand, "Let her kick it away."

Sanqi tilted her head and touched the back of her head, and asked worriedly, "Just let her go?"

Mr. Wei, "Let her go."

Lin Qingran was really discouraged. No matter what she said, soft words or threats, if he didn't open the door, he wouldn't open the door.

"You should say something." Lin Qingran leaned against the door listlessly, "If you don't say anything, I won't know if I just saw the wrong person and went to the wrong house."

Shen Tingzhu's lips were calm. He knew that he looked ugly now, so he clenched his embroidered hands tightly and said, "Go back."

He finally spoke, but he made Lin Qingran very angry. She had been running all the way, and he just told her to go back without asking if she was tired.

Lin Qingran was not afraid of him now, so he immediately replied: "In other words."

There was no sound on the other end again. Lin Qingran gritted her porcelain-white teeth. She didn't believe that he could keep hiding.

"girl."

Lin Qingran turned around and saw the little medicine boy from before.

Sanqi said: "Master invites the girl to have lunch."

Lin Qingran was indeed hungry. She patted the door with her palm and said, "Second cousin, it's time to eat."

Sanqi stopped him and said, "Girl, the prince's meals are all delivered to the room."

"That's it." There were quite a few rules. Lin Qingran glanced at the closed door again. Since she was already here, it was not too late, so she went to eat with Sanqi.

Sanqi led Lin Qingran into the room. Mr. Wei was already sitting at the table. He smiled kindly, "I guess this is Miss Lin?"

The old man in front of him with a Taoist spirit must be the Mr. Wei that Mo Ci mentioned. Lin Qingran changed from his coquettish manner and bowed politely, "Qingran has met Mr. Wei."

Mr. Wei raised his hand and motioned for her to sit down, "Has the girl met the Crown Prince?"

Mentioning this, Lin Qingran nodded and shook his head in frustration, "Second cousin, he won't open the door."

Lin Qingran remembered what she had just seen in the courtyard. She had only been away for a season, and Shen Tingzhu was so weak. She asked with heartache: "Second cousin's current situation is not good. I heard He won't even take his medication."

"It's really not good." Mr. Wei stroked his beard and sighed sadly, "As long as a person loses the will to live, I can't do anything even if I have a thousand means."

Although she already knew this, Lin Qingran's face turned pale after hearing what Mr. Wei said with her own ears. She could not superimpose Shen Tingzhu in her memory onto the frail figure she had just seen.

In her mind, Shen Tingzhu was so powerful, there seemed to be nothing he couldn't do, but now he couldn't even walk.

"But fortunately, the prince is not indifferent to the girl." Mr. Wei put pressure on her, "Whether the prince can get better now depends on the girl."

"I may not be able to..." Remembering that he refused to open the door just now, Lin Qingran lost confidence, but she quickly changed her words: "I will."

Mr. Wei nodded his chin and said, "It's not in vain that the prince risked his life to save the girl."

Lin Qingran was surprised and said: "You all know?"

"I wanted to stop the prince that day, but I couldn't."

Lin Qingran's heart was severely touched again, as if a huge rock had been smashed into it, and the surge could not calm down.

Sanqi came over with the food and said with a troubled face: "Master, the prince still keeps the door closed."

Lin Qingran stood up and said, "I'll go."

Inside the house, Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes and fell asleep. There was also a knock on the door, but he could easily tell that it was Lin Qingran who came this time.

Opening his eyes, his dim peach blossom eyes were full of being overwhelmed and helpless towards the people outside the room.

Lin Qingran put her ear against the door to listen for the sound and said, "Second cousin, it's time to eat."

The sweet and soft voice is as coaxing as kidnapping a child.

Even if he couldn't see her, Shen Tingzhu could imagine that she must have a pair of black and bright round eyes at this moment, her lips were slightly parted, maybe with a smile.

Shen Tingzhu's hand on the armrest of the wheelchair was clenched and loosened, clenched and loosened, over and over again.

Everyone must know that she will appear here, so does she feel guilty or sympathetic at the moment?

He doesn't need it, he would rather not see her.

Lin Qingran listened for a while without making any sound, and then said: "Well, this ham and fresh bamboo shoot soup smells so delicious. The belly-wrapped squab has been skimmed with oil. It is crispy and not greasy. It must be delicious."

Lin Qingran frowned in annoyance as she spoke. She was so stupid that she forgot that Shen Tingzhu couldn't taste it.

Lin Qingran's voice became softer, "You don't even have a servant here. If you don't open the door, I can only stand here all the time. My hands are getting sore." Looking back now, Shen Tingzhu seems to have never given up. Tiring her, she simply continued to complain, "Do you know how I got here? I kept traveling day and night. I didn't have a good night's sleep for ten days, and all I ate was dry food."

While Xu Xu was talking, two closed doors were opened from the inside. Lin Qingran's eyes lit up in surprise, but when their eyes met, the light in her eyes froze again.

Shen Tingzhu was sitting in a wheelchair. In the past, Lin Qingran had to look up at him, but now she had to lower her eyes. Lin Qingran looked at him carefully. His face was still pale, his eyes were slightly sunken, and his thin jawline was sharp. It is no longer as chaotic as it was just now.

Shen Tingzhu raised the corners of his lips and smiled softly, and said lukewarmly: "Thank you for coming to visit, cousin. It's just that this place is simple and not suitable for entertaining my cousin." While speaking, he took the tray in her hand and said, "Since you've seen it, let's go. stop."

Before Lin Qingran could say a word, he wanted to let her go again. She was so angry that she almost laughed and said bluntly: "Why did I find that my cousin was so duplicitous before?"

Shen Tingzhu frowned.

Lin Qingran bent down and looked at him, asking word by word: "If you want me to leave, why did you follow me secretly in the first place?"

The sudden approach made Shen Tingzhu's heart skip a beat. He tried his best to ignore the faint fragrance that kept coming to the tip of his nose. He clenched the hand holding the tray and said indifferently: "Cousin is talking about me going to Jiangning? Are you afraid? Misunderstanding, not for you."

"You don't admit it." Lin Qingran tapped her foot under her skirt, and her fingertips almost reached his nose.

There was a small crescent moon on the round and tender fingernails. Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and said calmly: "What do you want me to admit?"

Lin Qingran gritted her teeth in dissatisfaction. She couldn't tell lies with her eyes open, but she couldn't catch him on the spot, and she couldn't force him to admit it.

Shen Tingzhu asked again: "Who asked you to come? Big brother or Mo Ci?" The guards guarding here will not let people in easily unless it is Mo Ci's order, and Yueying has disappeared, who did it? Yes, it's clear at a glance.

Lin Qingran didn't expect him to guess it so easily. Seeing her flickering eyes, Shen Tingzhu became even more sure, "What did they tell you?"

Even though he was seriously ill, his eyes were still sharp. Lin Qingran was speechless for a moment, and Shen Tingzhu said: "Did I tell you that I am doing this for you?"

"Don't worry, my illness has nothing to do with you. It only happens because I can't find an antidote. You don't have to feel guilty." He said in a slightly mocking tone, "I came all the way here. I thought I had already told you that day. It's very clear."

Lin Qingran listened to him at first, but later she simply went in and out of one ear. Why was she fussing over a patient? She was angry that she looked small, and that he turned around and became even weaker.

Lin Qingran couldn't help but nodded and said: "Okay, whatever you say is what you said, hurry up and eat."

Shen Tingzhu, who was obviously perfunctory, almost knitted his brows into knots.

"I'll order someone to take you back."

"That won't work." Lin Qingran turned sideways to squeeze into the back room.

Shen Tingzhu held the door frame, pressed the corners of his lips, and squeezed out words through his teeth, "Can't you see that I don't want to see you? I don't need your sympathy."

Lin Qingran stood up straight and looked at him. He was exactly like his elder cousin, stubborn and strong.

Lin Qingran blinked and pretended to be confused: "Who said I pity you?"

"You've bullied me for so long, and now you're too sick to resist..." Lin Qingran raised her eyes, her eyes gently flowing, and she put the tip of her tongue under her teeth and touched it gently, "I might as well talk to you directly. said."

Lin Qingran bent over and approached him again, smiling like a cunning little fox, "They all thought I was here to take care of you. Now you are in my hands, and I have to bully you back."

=== Chapter === 058

His dark eyes were fixed on her, and if they looked at each other for a moment longer, Lin Qingran was not sure whether he would see through her thoughts, some of which she herself was still ignorant of and had never thought deeply about.

She straightened her back and said, "I want to go in."

The delicate mandible was raised slightly, looking at him like a proud peacock.

Shen Tingzhu didn't care what she wanted to do, he just knew that he couldn't let her stay here. He closed the door indifferently without saying a word.

Lin Qingran was holding on to the door frame with quick eyesight. Although Shen Tingzhu was weak, her hands were stronger than hers. But now she was pressing against the door with both hands, gritting her teeth and trying hard, but he couldn't help it at all. Can't push.

Lin Qingran glared at him fiercely, trying to pry his hand off, but her palm was pressed against the back of his hand, and the two of them froze.

Lin Qingran trembled her fingertips. Although it was already summer, his hand was still as cold as a piece of ice. She subconsciously shook it.

Shen Tingzhu tightened her hand on the door frame and squeezed out the words through her teeth, "Lin Qingran, let go."

Lin Qingran came back to her senses and looked at his slightly red eyes. She felt that the way she looked now seemed a bit like bullying him. No wonder Shen Tingzhu loved teasing her in the past. Who said it wasn't interesting?

She raised the corners of her mouth and smiled sweetly: "No."

Then he lowered his head and continued to pry his fingers.

Shen Tingzhu's breathing was heavy. His fingers were held in Lin Qingran's palm one by one. The warm and soft touch spread from the fingertips, burning his reason.

Shen Tingzhu withdrew his hand, backed away from the wheelchair, and turned his back to her.

Lin Qingran quickly stepped into the room and looked around. The decoration was very simple. The red plum on the table had long since withered and only a dead branch was left. It was as lifeless as his person.

She was secretly annoyed, living in a house like this, sitting alone in a daze all day without talking, how could she get better?

Lin Qingran carried the tray on Shen Ting's bamboo legs, placed it on the table, and then said to him, "Come over and eat."

Shen Tingzhu seemed to have ignored her soft orders, not even raising his eyelids.

Lin Qingran nodded, walked over and pushed the wheelchair to the table.

"You!" The veins on the back of Shen Tingzhu's hands popped out, and he couldn't even do anything to a small thing.

"What are you doing?" Lin Qingran snorted softly, "I'm not afraid of you now, so don't scare me."

Shen Tingzhu remained silent. Not only was the little thing not afraid of him, he wanted to climb on top of him and dominate him.

Shen Tingzhu said coldly: "You refuse to leave, are you waiting for me to order someone to throw you out?"

Lin Qingran sat opposite him, her waist sank slightly, her body leaned lazily, her chin was resting on her palm and she said slowly: "I told you, you have fallen into my hands, and your guards will not come. "

"I can throw you out as well." The bones in the little girl's waist were soft and she couldn't move when pressed.

Lin Qingran looked at him seriously, "Are you willing?"

Shen Tingzhu froze suddenly, looking at her with an almost embarrassed look in his eyes.

If he didn't know that he couldn't let go, if he didn't know that as long as he got close to her, he would force her to stay with him at any time, why would he not even dare to see her.

His look made Lin Qingran's heart feel hot. She pretended to be calm and placed the bowls and chopsticks in front of him, "Eat quickly."

Shen Tingzhu didn't want to argue with her anymore, swallowed the rice in the bowl, put the bowl aside, "Can you go out now?"

Lin Qingran raised her eyebrows, "The food hasn't been eaten yet." She took the chopsticks and put a lot of vegetables into his bowl, and urged: "Eat quickly."

"I'm stuffed."

Lin Qingran didn't care whether he was full or not, "I said I was full, but that's how you want me to eat?" She felt a little happy that she had succeeded, "If you don't eat, I will keep watching you. "

Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes and exhaled.

Helplessly, he picked up the bowl and continued eating.

Lin Qingran saw that he had almost eaten, and then said: "Okay, you have to rest for a while, you will have to take medicine later."

Shen Tingzhu turned his face sideways and remained silent.

There were no maids or servants in Wancao Juli, so Lin Qingran had no choice but to pack her things and go out.

But when she brought the medicine and passed, the door was closed again. This time, no matter how she knocked on the door and coaxed her, Shen Tingzhu remained unmoved.

Shen Tingzhu was lying on the bed, looking quietly at the thin tent on the roof. Lin Qingran's soft words and threats were lingering in his ears, all of which were challenging his sanity.

The little girl's excuse was so lame that she came here day and night just to bully him?

For what purpose, he didn't want to think deeply about it, and he didn't dare to think about it.

Close your eyes and block out everything.

Lin Qingran was tired from knocking on the door, staring at the door panel feeling aggrieved and annoyed. He would never open the door if he could.

Sanqi, who was quietly watching the situation, stepped forward and said, "The house has been tidied up. The girl has been running around all day, so she should go and rest for a while." Seeing the prince's attitude, he made it clear that he would not open the door.

Lin Qingran could only nod. She couldn't sleep when she got back to the house. All she could think about was Shen Tingzhu. He was always tolerant and patient, so he might really be able to wear it out for a long time.

Lin Qingran shook his head irritably, closed his eyes and took a nap.

It was getting dark, and Sanqi came to invite Lin Qingran to have dinner. She walked into the courtyard and saw that the door of the room where Shen Tingzhu lived was still closed, and the lights were not even lit, and it was pitch black.

The silence made her feel panicked. She ate absentmindedly and went to knock on the door, but it still didn't open.

She became anxious. Even if she didn't take the medicine, she should still eat, otherwise she wouldn't starve.

Sanqi said, "The prince sometimes doesn't eat for a whole day and only eats a few mouthfuls." He touched his head and said, "I just ate so much, so I shouldn't be hungry."

"That's the same thing." He was clearly ruining his body.

Lin Qingran was angry and had no choice, so she threw down her sleeves and went back to the house, thinking to herself that she might as well uninstall the door tomorrow.

After sulking alone for a while, Lin Qingran planned to take a bath and rest first. After looking around the room, she realized that there was not even a bathtub.

She went to see Sanqi.

No woman has ever stayed overnight in Wancao Juli. Sanqi pointed to a thatched hut and said, "Girl, you can go inside and take a shower. I'll fetch water."

Looking at the simple thatched hut, the resistance on Lin Qingran's face was self-evident, "Don't you have a bathtub?"

Sanqi said distressedly: "There really aren't any. They only exist in the prince's house." He knew that a rich lady like Lin Qingran must be dignified and had never suffered. He thought about it and said, "Why don't you make do with it first? I'll do it tomorrow." Go to town and buy a bathtub and come back."

Lin Qingran was thoughtful, waved his hands for a while and said, "No need."

Sanqi thought she said she didn't need to buy it, but she didn't expect that she went straight to the prince's house.

Lin Qingran leaned over and knocked on the door, "Shen Tingzhu, are you sleeping?"

Shen Tingzhu opened his eyes in the darkness, how could he possibly sleep.

He looked at the door. He was really unwilling to open the door. Why didn't he realize that she was still a pester before?

"I want to take a bath, but there is no bathtub in the room." An aggrieved voice came in, "Sanqi said that I can only take a shower in that hut. It leaks air and light... Can I take a shower in your house?"

Lin Qingran's cheeks felt a little hot as he spoke, but then he thought about it, they had already soaked in the bath naked and facing each other, so what could they do if they just used the ground to take a bath.

Sanqi was dumbfounded from behind. There was a difference between men and women, but Miss Lin was a little too bold.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes darkened. She wanted to come to his room to take a bath? Does she know what she is talking about?

Lin Qingran listened closely to the sound, and then said: "I haven't had a good bath this whole trip, and my body is sweating and feels uncomfortable."

The delicate voice of Didi made a thousand twists and turns, "If you don't open the door, I will have to go to the hut to wash it. I don't know if there are any insects or ants. The door doesn't look strong, and I don't know if it can be closed tightly." She didn't believe it and listened. Bamboo can still remain indifferent.

Sanqi's face was already red. Isn't this a blatant flirtation? A person like the prince, who is as pure-minded as he is and who doesn't even care about life and death, will definitely not accept this trick.

There was still no response in the room, so Lin Qingran said cruelly: "Forget it, Sanqi, please guard the door for me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Qingran heard the sound of the wheelchair rolling across the ground in the house. His eyes lit up and he said to Sanqi happily: "Go get water." Then he lowered his voice and said: "Bring the medicine too."

Sanqi said "oh oh" blankly twice, but he didn't expect the prince to actually open the door.

Shen Tingzhu opened the door, and her figure was trapped in the darkness, "Move the bathtub into your room."

Move the tub away, and then he plans to never open the door? Lin Qingran couldn't let him take this opportunity and raised her chin towards Sanqi, "Look at Sanqi's body, can one person lift it up?"

Sanqi looked at Lin Qingran's eyes and said quickly: "It's true that I can't lift it. I, I'll go get some water."

Shen Tingzhu had no choice but to let her into the house.

"You don't even want to light a lamp, don't you mind the darkness?"

As soon as Lin Qingran stepped into the room, the dullness in his room seemed to be taken away, and her soft and lively voice could be heard in his ears.

Lin Qingran found the fire folds and lit the lamps one by one. He nodded with satisfaction and said to Shen Tingzhu, "Isn't this much better?"

The candlelight shone on his face, and Shen Tingzhu turned his face sideways in discomfort. He did not look at Lin Qingran, but took a book to read.

The handsome but pale face was half-hidden and half-revealed in the warm light, and still could not feel any warmth. The whole person was immersed in loneliness, and even the breathing was so slow that it seemed inaudible.

If he couldn't find the medicine, he would really die. Lin Qingran's heart tugged hard and she was so stuffy that she couldn't breathe.

Sanqi prepared the water and brought the medicine, then turned and left.

Shen Tingzhu closed the book, glanced at the bowl of medicine, and said calmly: "I'm going out."

Lin Qingran hurriedly ran to him and stopped him. Who knew where he was going, "You, you are not allowed to watch the door for me?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her with a strange expression, "Do you want me to stay?"

A trace of embarrassment quickly flashed across Lin Qingran's face, and she nodded bravely.

Shen Tingzhu measured her for a moment, then turned to look at the side of the tub. Lin Qingran looked over and her face turned red.

Because the house was not big and there was no separate clean room, she asked him to stay, which meant that she wanted to wash under his nose.

Lin Qingran blinked blankly, her lips moved helplessly, and she stopped talking.

Shen Tingzhu chuckled lightly, at the same time withdrew his gaze and continued to push the wheelchair out.

Lin Qingran quickly put her hand on his shoulder, "Don't leave."

This scene and words make people think of some kind of invitation out of thin air.

Facing Shen Tingzhu's darkening eyes, Lin Qingran knew that it was impossible for him to do anything to her now, but she was still so ashamed that her fingertips were burning. She retracted her hand and pointed at the bowl of medicine on the table: "If you want to leave, drink the medicine first."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes turned cold due to negligence. He simply pushed the wheelchair to the center of the room again. He looked calm and calm, clearly not planning to leave.

"If you don't wash up, just go back."

Shen Tingzhu was sure that she would not really let him stay, and was waiting for her to ask him to go out.

It's not like Lin Qingran left for a while, and it's not like he stayed.

She clenched her palms tightly. Shen Tingzhu was like this. Could it be that she was still being controlled by him? A small fire of fighting spirit arose in her heart.

Lin Qingran comforted himself. He had been in even more ridiculous situations than this, so there was nothing to be afraid of, not to mention that he couldn't move his legs and feet now.

Lin Qingran calmed down, looked around, pushed the wooden raft in front of the tub, and spread Shen Tingzhu's robe hanging above it as a cover.

As Shen Tingzhu watched her finish everything, her breathing became tight.

Lin Qingran walked behind the wooden bed, took a deep breath, and pulled the ties on her clothes.

First there was the double-breasted coat, then the hundred-fold skirt... one by one, they were hung on the wooden rafters. Shen Tingzhu looked at them without saying a word, and did not move away until the dark-colored coat was thrown on top. sight.

He now finally believed that Lin Qingran was really here to bully and torture him.

The splashing sound of her sinking into the water could be clearly heard in his ears. It was sparse and clear, making him unable to calm down.

Lin Qingran wasn't lying. She really hadn't had a good bath for several days. She felt comfortable all over as she sank into the water. The embarrassment she felt just now was gone. Shen Tingzhu couldn't see anything anyway.

She took the soap on the side and slowly worked it into foam to wipe herself.

Although Shen Tingzhu couldn't see it, he could hear clearly. What she was doing at the moment was sketched in his mind one by one.

He took the book to read again, but for a long time, no page was turned.

Lin Qingran's temperament means that if you take one step back, she can take ten steps forward.

She felt that she had won this time, and there was a smile on her eyes and brows.

After washing and getting up, Lin Qingran realized that she had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. The clothes hanging by Shen Tingzhu were clean. She thought about it and said, "Second cousin, I didn't bring any clothes, can I wear yours?" "

Shen Tingzhu closed the book and pinched his eyebrows, "It's up to you."

Putting on the loose robe and tying it with a knot, Lin Qingran took out the handkerchief to twist her hair. She rolled her eyes, put down her hand, and walked out from behind the rafter with her hair wet.

Shen Tingzhu glanced at her, frowned and said, "Why don't you dry your hair?"

Lin Qingran said coquettishly: "No one will help me hang, so just hang it like this. It's not cold, so I shouldn't get typhoid fever."

Shen Tingzhu couldn't tell what her intentions were. She knew his thoughts clearly and manipulated them skillfully, but she just couldn't avoid falling into her trap.

He picked up the medicine bowl on the table and drank it all in one gulp. He said somewhat helplessly: "Okay, it's getting late. Stop making trouble?"

The indulgence hidden in those three words made Lin Qingran's heart tremble. She put the handkerchief in Shen Tingzhu's hand, "Then wipe it for me."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and looked at the handkerchief in his hand, "You know how to touch your nose and face." He couldn't tell whether he was happy or angry.

Lin Qingran said matter-of-factly: "I told you I was here to bully you."

She found a small mazaar from the corner, placed it in front of him and sat down.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her petite back with such pity that his heart melted into a ball. He had already let her go, so why did she still bother to provoke him.

He knew that he should scold her and leave at this moment, but he couldn't resist but picked up a strand of her hair and wiped it slowly.

Lin Qingran hadn't had a good rest these days. The gentle movements and the light medicinal fragrance that enveloped her made her drowsy, and her head slowly rested on his lap little by little.

Lin Qingran immediately remembered the injury on his leg, but her eldest cousin had told her that Shen Tingzhu was most concerned about other people treating him differently.

She gently rubbed her head, avoided her knees and found a comfortable position on his lap. Feeling Shen Tingzhu's stiffness, she tilted her head back to look at her, "It's not like you can't even lean on him."

When she raised her head, she was almost pressed against his legs and hips. Shen Tingzhu stopped wiping her hair with his hand and said indifferently: "Can I drive you away?"

"Turn around and don't move." He scolded lightly.

Lin Qingran turned back obediently, closed her eyes and let him serve her calmly.

The sleepiness gradually deepened, and the sniffing became smoother and gentler.

Shen Tingzhu was still flexing his fingers to smooth her semi-dry long hair, as if he would never get tired or get bored.

His gaze was fixed on her almost greedily. Only when she fell asleep did Shen Tingzhu dare to let his repressed emotions show freely.

He was a dying man, how could he dare to have extravagant demands from her.

His long fingers slowly caressed her cheek, so gently that he was afraid of disturbing her. After struggling, he finally leaned down and placed a very shallow kiss on the side of her face. There was no evil thought at all, only an attachment that was so strong that it could not be melted away.

Lin Qingran did fall asleep, but not deeply. He woke up the moment Shen Tingzhu approached.

Then her cheek was touched lightly, as if a feather was sweeping over her, bringing with it a chill and shiver.

Lin Qingran held her breath, her heartbeat suddenly became chaotic. She quietly clenched the hand on her leg tightly, even her hair was trembling.

=== Chapter === 059

Should she open her eyes now and expose his duplicity on the spot, or pretend to be asleep and know nothing...

Lin Qingran's mind was in turmoil and her heart was trembling, so she couldn't make a decision.

Still struggling, his cheek was suddenly tapped twice, and above his head came Shen Tingzhu's calm voice, "Wake up, are you really using my legs as pillows?"

Where is the care and caution shown just now?

If she hadn't been awake, she wouldn't have known about him secretly kissing her. Lin Qingran opened her eyes and tilted her head back to glare at him. Did he want to admit it again?

Also, when he kissed himself under the waterfall before, he could talk about it in an understatement and with a funny sentence. There was nothing else that he didn't dare to deny.

Lin Qingran was stunned and annoyed.

Shen Tingzhu thought she had been woken up and was not happy about it.

He put his palm on her forehead, pushed back her head that had repeatedly crossed the line, and said coldly, "You can't stand the pain here, go back as soon as possible."

Lin Qingran pulled down his hand and turned it away, as if to protest, and moved closer than before. Her whole body was lying on his lap, her chin raised, her eyes were black and white, and shining, " You clearly don't want me to leave."

Shen Tingzhu frowned, "You are too pretentious."

Lin Qingran was so angry that she vomited several times before she calmed down. All the hot breath hit Shen Tingzhu.

Shen Tingzhu stared at her slightly parted lips, which were rosy and close at hand. The veins on his forehead were pulsing, and his voice was rough, "Get up."

Lin Qingran didn't realize it yet and had already grabbed one of his hands. She simply grabbed his other hand and said in a small way, "I can't afford it. What can you do to me? If you don't tell the truth, Let's just spend it like this."

Lin Qingran made up his mind to make him tell the truth no matter what tonight, but in just a moment, this thought disappeared.

She felt something bounce twice and touch her cheek. Shen Tingzhu tightened his lips and his face turned ugly.

Lin Qingran lowered her eyes in confusion. Although she was a young girl who had not left the court, she was somewhat aware of what was going on. Her misty black eyes were full of confusion, and her cheeks, especially the ones that were touched, were filled with confusion. A piece of skin was so hot that it seemed to be burning.

Lin Qingran stepped back violently, but Shen Tingzhu held her wrist instead, leaned forward and leaned closer. The weak candlelight was blocked, and Lin Qingran couldn't see his expression clearly.

"What do you think I can do to you? I'm not in good health, but I'm also a man. If you dare to provoke me again and again, I won't be polite."

His gaze slowly dropped and wandered, with an evil aura that Lin Qingran had never seen before.

Lin Qingran was numb from his fingertips to the altar.

Shen Tingzhu grabbed her twinkling eyes. After a while, he sneered, let go of his hand and straightened up, saying, "Are you scared? Then leave quickly."

The last words made Lin Qingran wake up, and he wanted to drive him away again.

"Who said I was scared?" Lin Qingran had tried hard to calm down, but her words were still as soft as a breath.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and looked at her.

Lin Qingran stood up straight with his limp body, gritted his teeth, put his palms on the armrests of the wheelchair, and leaned towards Shen Tingzhu, their eyes facing each other, and their breathing intertwined. Play calm.

Lin Qingran looked at his legs to make sure he couldn't stand up, then she mustered up the courage to do something she wanted to do more than once -

He bit the side of Shen Tingzhu's neck.

Shen Tingzhu's whole body was shocked, and his pupils suddenly narrowed. The little girl showed no mercy at all, her sharp teeth pulled at his skin and bit and grinded it, like a little beast that was extremely annoyed.

The soft breath came out from the tip of his nose, brushing against the beating veins on his neck.

Shen Tingzhu didn't feel any pain, and even thought that she could bite harder.

Lin Qingran was afraid that he would run away, so she pressed her lips tightly against his neck and threatened him vaguely, "I am the only one who can be rude to you now."

Lin Qingran's teeth were itching, so she bit down again before slowly letting go and moving away a little. She blinked slowly and looked at the circle of teeth marks left on Shen Tingzhu's neck, which was still wet. Jin saliva.

She felt a little guilty, and she actually bit him on impulse.

Licking her lips uneasily, she looked at Shen Tingzhu's expression. Only seeing the corners of his pursed lips, Lin Qingran didn't dare to move her eyes upwards, and said harshly, "You remember." ."

Then he ran away spinelessly.

After returning to her room and closing the door tightly, Lin Qingran gasped for air. She heard Shen Tingzhu's violent coughing and knocked her head in annoyance. It was all over. Wouldn't she make his illness worse? Come on...

Lin Qingran had an uneasy sleep, and she felt a little groggy when she woke up the next day.

Shen Tingzhu didn't sleep all night. Even when Mr. Wei came to check his pulse early in the morning, he could only lie weakly on the recliner and doze off, with blue eyes.

Hearing the tiptoeing footsteps outside the house, Shen Tingzhudan asked, "Didn't Mr. Wei say that I need to rest? Now, I'm afraid that making such a noise would be counterproductive."

Lin Qingran wrinkled the tip of her nose, "noisy" were you talking about her?

Mr. Wei glanced at Lin Qingran who was standing outside the house, looking in with his head, and said with a smile: "Relaxation is good, but appropriate stimulation can also have a complementary effect." He withdrew his hand for diagnosing the pulse. "The prince's pulse is much stronger than before. This is a good sign."

Shen Tingzhu pursed her lips and said nothing, while Lin Qingran, who was worried outside the room, breathed a sigh of relief.

A strong pulse means that you are not angry with him, but does that mean that he actually likes her...

It must be like this, sooner or later she will pry open his mouth and make him tell the truth.

Thinking of last night, Lin Qingran covered her cheeks, which felt so hot.

After Mr. Wei left, Lin Qingran went in with breakfast.

As soon as she entered the room, she stared at Shen Tingzhu's neck. The tooth marks had faded away, leaving a light bruise. Shen Tingzhu's skin color was extremely white, so it was especially obvious.

Lin Qingran smacked her tongue secretly, why did she bite so hard.

"Does it hurt?" She was afraid of pain, so she frowned after asking.

When Shen Tingzhu heard these two words coming out of her mouth, his brows tightened and he said in a deep voice, "It doesn't hurt."

If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt. What's wrong with it?

Lin Qingran set out the bowls and chopsticks, sat down and asked him to eat together.

I don't know whether Shen Tingzhu accepted his fate or was impatient to fight with her. He picked up the bowl and started eating without saying a word.

Even the medicine sent by Sanqi, he simply took it without frowning. Lin Qingran only smelled the medicine and felt bitter in his mouth. He couldn't taste it at all?

She couldn't taste the good or the bad, the sweet, sour, bitter or salty. She couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to be herself.

Shen Tingzhu put down the medicine bowl, raised his eyes and looked at Lin Qingran, and said, "As you can see, I know how to eat and take medicine, so you don't have to waste time staying here."

Lin Qingran thought it would be better if he didn't speak. She didn't like to hear a word he said, but seeing how pitiful he was, she wouldn't care about him this time.

Lin Qingran nodded and stood up.

Shen Tingzhu looked away indifferently, the hands under his sleeves already clenched so hard that his bones ached.

Although Lin Qingran didn't really want to leave, she was still extremely angry when she saw that he didn't offer to stay and didn't even say goodbye. She raised her sleeves high and walked away.

Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes tightly. Unless he was in a desperate situation, he would not let her go. But now, all he wanted was not to become a fetter for her.

The medicine at noon was delivered by Panax notoginseng. Lin Qingran didn't show up, so he must have left.

Shen Tingzhu didn't ask and drank the medicine silently. There was no taste in his mouth, but he seemed to taste a strong bitterness in his heart.

He took out a small jar with caramel from his sleeve, took one, put it to his lips, and put it back.

That's all, at least he can recall some sweetness from his memory. If he puts it in his mouth, there will be nothing.

Lin Qingran naturally did not leave, but went to the pharmacy to find Mr. Wei and asked Shen Tingzhu carefully about his illness.

"Your Majesty, it's really impossible to restore your sense of taste? Have you tried any other methods besides acupuncture and medicine?" Lin Qingran asked for the third time, "For example, using extremely bitter food to stimulate it?"

Mr. Wei became impatient when she asked him. He put down the herbal medicine in his hand and said, "You can indeed do this, but the prince has been taking the medicine for more than ten years. Do you think it is not bitter enough?"

Lin Qingran's face dropped in frustration, and she sighed, feeling a dull pain in her heart.

Mr. Wei laughed at her for not being able to distinguish the importance, "The top priority now is to find the Ling Jade Grass to save the prince's life. Living is nothing more important than anything else."

Lin Qingran naturally knew that living was important, but how to live was not more important. She changed her thoughts and asked: "Then if I give him something very unpleasant to eat, will it be useful?"

"It can be used as a stimulus, but it's useless." Mr. Wei shook his head.

Lin Qingran was not discouraged at all, "At least give it a try."

As for the unpalatable food, Lin Qingran already had an idea.

It gets dark late in the summer.

When Lin Qingran carried the food to Shen Tingzhu's house, there was still some afterglow from the sky, half falling inside the house, but it failed to shine on Shen Tingzhu. He closed his eyes and lay on the wicker chair, sinking in the darkness. .

Lin Qingran said softly: "Get up and eat."

Shen Tingzhu suddenly opened his eyes and stared at her, "Why are you still here?"

Lin Qingran was really angry this time. She put down the things in her hands, walked to him and bent down. She wanted to scold him, but when she saw the forbearance and pain in his eyes, she softened her heart.

Instead, he poked the mark on his neck with his fingertips, raised his eyebrows, and deliberately made a fierce look, "Let me say it for the last time, I will not leave. If you say such things again...be careful I bite you again." ."

The numb feeling that penetrated his bones was transmitted to his internal organs again with the touch of her fingertips.

"you dare."

Shen Tingzhu's voice was tense, and he was really angry.

Does she know that he can let go once or twice... the third time may not be possible.

After several confrontations, Lin Qingran knew that he was just being cruel to her and asked, "What am I afraid of?"

Once, the second time she bit her with ease, but this time she didn't use force and only scraped his neck with the tips of her teeth as a warning.

Aware of Shen Tingzhu's slightly chaotic breathing, Lin Qingran became playful and deliberately and narrowly rubbed him repeatedly, and finally the tips of her teeth stopped on his Adam's apple.

Shen Tingzhu tilted his head back almost as if he was sinking, and his jaw tensed. The ecstasy of regaining her was intertwined with his inner struggle. He couldn't push her away or hold her.

Lin Qingran just wanted to bite him at first, but somehow it changed her mind. She trembled her eyelashes and quietly looked up at him. He was really good-looking, especially now, with those peach blossom eyes closed, only a few tears. The mole fell on his red skin, forbearing and ostentatious.

Lin Qingran couldn't tell what the ripples in his heart were for, and he didn't care. He only remembered that he had read a lot of story books, and he said in a daze, "Second cousin, do you like me biting you like this?"

She likes to call "Second Cousin" and "Shen Tingzhu" alternately, depending on her heart.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to have been struck by lightning. He pursed his lips until they were dry and turned white before opening his eyes. He was panicked and furious, "If you don't get up, I will throw you out."

Lin Qingran was used to his duplicity. The more he behaved like this, the more lawless he became. Her tone was soft and charming, and she said in a charming way: "If you admit it, I will bite you again."

=== Chapter === 060

Shen Tingzhu breathed heavily and shouted angrily in a low voice, "Lin Qingran!"

Lin Qingran felt the stiffness of his body and moved closer with more evil intentions, "I'm here."

I don't know if it was an illusion, but the bitter medicinal aroma on Chen Tingzhu's body inexplicably became better and stronger.

Lin Qingran actually wanted to lean in again, bite and rub it, but her face was so hot that the heat hit her brain and made her dizzy, and her watery eyes became extremely confused.

Lin Qingran murmured, "Second cousin, just admit it."

"You like me like this, and you still like me." The trembling voice disrupted the breathing of both of them at the same time.

Shen Tingzhu's clenched hands almost broke the armrests of the lounge chair!

No matter how much he likes her, what if he admits it? He can indeed be greedy for this momentary pleasure, but what about her after he dies? What should she do?

Shen Tingzhu clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, then opened them again in an instant, his eyes became cold and indifferent, his thin lips moved lightly, but before he uttered a word, Lin Qingran's soft palms were already pressing on him. His lips and eyebrows frowned unhappily, "Except for admitting, you are not allowed to say a single word."

Shen Tingzhu pulled her hand down. Lin Qingran was momentarily unsteady and almost fell into his arms, but he separated her with his arms, which could be described as indifferent.

Shen Tingzhu still looked at her, "Have you had enough trouble?"

"No." The charm dissipated, and Lin Qingran stood up angrily. She had never seen anyone more arrogant than him.

Shen Tingzhu ignored her anger and said indifferently: "It's time for the food to get cold, let's eat."

Looking at the food on the table that she had worked so hard to cook, Lin Qingran stamped her feet even more angrily, "You can eat it yourself."

She turned around, the hem of her skirt brushed against Shen Tingzhu's clothes, and walked out without looking back.

Shen Tingzhu subconsciously wanted to grab her, but he didn't dare to stretch out his hand, and just slowly put it down.

He was silent for a long time before sitting down at the table.

Shen Tingzhu frowned as he looked at the two dishes with vague names in front of him. Cooking pays attention to color, aroma, and flavor. Although he couldn't taste the taste, he could still distinguish the first two. Obviously, none of these dishes occupied the same place. , the cook in Wancaoju would never be able to make something like this, let alone bring it to him, unless...

Shen Tingzhu remembered seeing Lin Qingran's cooking skills before.

His grip on the chopsticks suddenly tightened. She had been missing for a day. Did she go to the kitchen?

After finishing the meal quietly, the sky had darkened, but Lin Qingran was still nowhere to be seen.

Shen Tingzhu came to Sanqi and asked, "Where is Miss Lin?"

Sanqi said: "Miss Lin took the snow ball outside for a walk."

Why are you still wandering around so late? He looked through the window into the courtyard and saw that no one had come for a long time. Shen Tingzhu was worried and asked Sanqi to push him out to look for him.

When the two of them arrived in the courtyard, they met Lin Qingran walking towards them, holding a snow ball in his arms.

Lin Qingran had been playing with Xuetuan for a long time and had already lost his temper. When she saw him, she asked, "Where are you going, second cousin?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her up and down, "Just take a walk." Then he said to Sanqi, "I'm tired, let's go back."

As soon as he saw her, he said he was tired. He was obviously avoiding her. Lin Qingran wrinkled her nose at his back. She first brought Xue Tuan back to the room and set up a sleeping nest for it before going out to find Shen Tingzhu.

Lin Qingran stood under the eaves and knocked on the door. This time the door opened quickly.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the pile of clothes she held in her arms and was stunned for a moment, "What are you going to do again?"

Lin Qingran explained: "I thought I would have to come to your place to bathe anyway, so I just brought some clothes."

Shen Tingzhu frowned. He actually forgot to order someone to prepare another bathtub.

While he was dazed, Lin Qingran had already squeezed in from his side.

Shen Tingzhu had no choice but to let her go, took the book and sat by the window to read.

Lin Qingran looked around and walked to the closet, "Did I put my clothes here?"

Shen Tingzhu didn't even raise his head and hummed lightly.

Lin Qingran opened the cabinet, put Shen Tingzhu's clothes to one side, moved it to a free space, and put her own clothes in. From the corner of her eye, she saw a touch of purple soft gauze sandwiched between Shen Tingzhu's white clothes. In the clothes, it looks particularly eye-catching.

what is that? Lin Qingran thought about pulling it out, and a small piece of material unfolded in his hand.

After seeing clearly what it was, Lin Qingran was stunned for a long time, then suddenly turned around and looked at Shen Tingzhu who was sitting by the window, clutching the piece of soft gauze tightly in her hand, with half-embarrassment in her eyes.

Shen Tingzhu was flipping through the book in his hand. There was no movement behind him for a long time. He realized something was wrong. He turned around and saw Lin Qingran walking towards him step by step.

There was a smile in her eyes, and the ends of her eyes were slightly raised, which was different from the previous beauty and beauty, with a hint of coquettishness and seductiveness.

Shen Tingzhu looked at her deeply until she walked up to him and asked, "What's wrong?"

"...Second cousin." Lin Qingran did not bend down this time and looked at him condescendingly, "Why don't you always tell the truth?"

Shen Tingzhu frowned.

Lin Qingran thought for a while and said firmly: "Second cousin clearly likes me, why is it so difficult to admit it."

Shen Tingzhu looked back at her, "It seems that my words were too polite. Do you insist on listening to my unpleasant words?"

Lin Qingran saw that he was still so arrogant, so she simply bent down, leaned close to his ear, and said boldly: "Second cousin, do you want to say unpleasant things to me, or do you want to do unpleasant things to me?"

When Shen Tingzhu heard the words, his breathing was suffocated.

Lin Qingran raised the hand hidden under his sleeve, and the soft gauze wiped Shen Tingzhu's eyes, "You hid my little clothes, but lied to me that you threw them away, how can you deny it?"

Her throat suddenly choked. He had lied to her all the way without saying a word of truth, and he wanted to lie to her for the rest of his life.

Shen Tingzhu stood stiff and didn't move, his clearly revealed thoughts were completely peeled away. On the contrary, he had been suppressed for a long time and finally felt free.

"You kissed me secretly last night... I wasn't asleep." Lin Qingran breathed on his neck, watching the subtle beating of his blue meridians, she became more and more impatient for him to admit it.

Lin Qingran repeated his old trick, biting gently with the tips of his teeth, "...Admit it quickly."

With the soft gauze covering her eyes, and Lin Qingran's seductive whispers in her ears, Shen Tingzhu's thoughts became confused, and she pressed Lin Qingran's waist with an almost cruel force, pushing her closer to his arms.

"Yes, I admit it, are you satisfied?"

The sudden strong shackles made Lin Qingran tremble, her chin was clasped by cold fingers, and she was forced to raise her head, her eyes were confused and confused.

Shen Tingzhu stared at her for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said, "But I am the one who is going to die, do you understand?"

Lin Qingran couldn't help but lie on him. This was the first time she heard him tell the truth that she was going to die. The throbbing at the top of her heart was covered with tiny pains.

She suddenly understood why he had been avoiding him and never dared to admit it. She said in a dry voice: "Health first, as long as we find the medicine."

"Can't find it?" Shen Tingzhu interrupted her and said without leaving any room: "It's been ten years, do you think you can still find it?"

"What will you do then?"

What can she do? She is not the one who will die if she is seriously ill, Lin Qingran thought.

"If I can't find it, I will go back to Jiangning." Lin Qingran's mind was confused and she choked and said incoherently, "I don't like you. Do you know how many people have proposed marriage to me? If you really die, I will Let's go back to Jiangning."

How could Shen Tingzhu not know? He still remembers the list of those people clearly.

Lin Qingran no longer knew how to think, so he could only think of what to say and say, "As long as you live, I will stay and bully you. If you die, I will soon forget you."

Shen Tingzhu listened to her heartless words. Instead of being angry, Shen Tingzhu chuckled and leaned back in relief, "It's okay if you don't like it. It's enough that I like you."

He pressed her head close to his arms and said almost infatuatedly, "Let you bully me."

Lin Qingran looked at one place blankly, trying his best to ignore the confusion and emptiness in his heart, and nodded numbly, "Well, you live longer."

"good."

Mr. Wei came to give Shen Tingzhu acupuncture. He opened the door and saw the two people hugging each other. He looked away and coughed twice.

Shen Tingzhu reacted first and helped the person in his arms. Lin Qingran never expected that Mr. Wei would suddenly come over. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't raise her head and stared at the ground nervously. Even the tips of her ears were red.

Her little clothes! Lin Qingran remembered that it seemed to have fallen from her hand just now. She quickly looked for it and saw Shen Tingzhu adjusting his sleeves slowly. It seemed that he had put it away.

Shen Tingzhu looked as usual and said, "Why are you here, sir?"

Mr. Wei also acted as if he hadn't seen anything and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't used acupuncture for a long time. From today on, I can't stop taking acupuncture baths."

Before Miss Lin came, the prince not only refused to take medicine, but even lived every day as if he was waiting to die. Unexpectedly, the little girl's condition improved greatly after only two days of arrival.

Shen Tingzhu frowned. He was impatient to do these useless things. It was meaningless to him to stay alive. It was just that Mr. Wei specially chose a time when the little girl was there. It seemed that he had no choice but to be unwilling.

And he also agreed to live longer.

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "Mr. Thank you."

Mr. Wei: "Your Majesty, please lie down."

Mr. Wei opened the needle pack and saw the shining silver needles, which made Lin Qingran's scalp tingle.

She asked in panic with flashing eyes: "Are these going to get stuck on my body?"

Shen Tingzhu didn't want Lin Qingran to see his fragile look. He smiled but said in a tough tone, "Ranran should go and rest first."

Hearing him call her Ranran again, Lin Qingran's already red ears burned a little more.

She actually wanted to stay, but seeing the persistence in Shen Tingzhu's eyes, she had no choice but to nod and walk out.

A moment later, Shen Tingzhu was lying on the bed, with needles inserted into various acupuncture points on his body. The force was so severe that his forehead was covered with sweat.

Mr. Wei was holding a stick of moxa to burn it, "Your Majesty, you can endure half a stick of incense."

Shen Tingzhu pursed her pale lips and tapped her chin.

He suddenly opened his lips and said, "Please sir, please try your best to let me live as long as possible."

After acupuncture, there was a medicinal bath. Shen Tingzhu did not allow anyone to help him. He supported the tub with his arms, moved his injured leg little by little and sat in. By the time he sank into the water, he was exhausted.

And as soon as he entered the water, his body was immersed in the soup, and it felt like being bitten by thousands of insects. More sweat broke out on his forehead, and his whole body was shaking from the pain. He closed his eyes and leaned on the edge of the barrel to regulate his breathing.

Lin Qingran had been sitting at the window looking out. When he saw Mr. Wei leaving, he quickly chased after him and asked, "Mr. Wei, how is it?"

Mr. Wei stopped and said, "Your Majesty is taking a medicinal bath. The pain during this period is unbearable for ordinary people. Please don't disturb me."

Lin Qingran looked worriedly at the lighted room. Someone shouldn't be watching. After thinking about it, she stepped forward and quietly opened the door.

The room was filled with water vapor, and she immediately saw Chen Tingzhu sitting in the bathtub. There were traces of moxa burnt on her pale skin. She didn't know if the drops on her body were sweat or water drops, and she frowned. It seems very painful.

Shen Tingzhu was so tired that he didn't even notice Lin Qingran walking behind him. It wasn't until his shoulder was touched by her fingertips as delicate as jade that he trembled violently and opened his eyes.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and stared at the catkins on his shoulders, and his voice was still weak, "Why are you in?"

Lin Qingran stroked the clearly ridged spine on his back with his other hand, his eyes sore.

Fortunately, Shen Tingzhu couldn't see her. She held back her tears and said in a loud voice: "I came in when I wanted to."

A numbness in the bones came in waves. Shen Tingzhu's back stiffened slightly, and he leaned back weakly for a moment. The pain caused by the medicinal bath was not so clear. His eyebrows were stretched and wrinkled, and there was a faint tinge under his eyes. His blood was red and his Adam's apple rolled slightly, "But I'm taking a shower."

"Can't you?"

Shen Tingzhu sighed indulgently, "Okay."

Lin Qingran poked her head from behind to see his expression. Seeing that he was not in as much pain as before, her fingertips slid down tentatively, "Will this be better?"

A heavy breath blew out from the tip of his nose, and the red blood under his eyes became even thicker, "... Ranran."

He tightened his lips and refused to speak, so Lin Qingran could only tell the difference by himself.

She bit his neck gently, then raised her eyes to look at him. Shen Tingzhu tilted her head back, her Adam's apple was obvious, and a few loose strands of hair were wet with sweat, sticking to her pale face, broken and glistening.

After making sure that it was not pain, Lin Qingran put her lips to her again.

When he got closer to Lin Qingran, he discovered that even his neck had traces of acupuncture.

He didn't have to suffer these things, and he almost got better.

Lin Qingran's heart ached so much that she blew gently and rubbed her lips as if coaxing a child.

=== Chapter === 061

Lin Qingran didn't know whether she wanted to comfort him or whether she was addicted to kissing and biting him. She hugged him tightly from behind, and her intoxication left little marks on his white neck.

Listening to the heavy breathing in her ears, her own spiritual platform gradually lost its clarity and became more and more confused. Veins appeared on Shen Tingzhu's arm that was holding on the edge of the tub, and sweat dripped down.

The half-squinted peach blossom eyes were red and the pupils were blurry. He said dumbly, "... Ranran, that's enough."

Lin Qingran buried her head deeper with some unfinished thoughts.

Shen Tingzhu gritted his teeth and refused to let this go on, "The water has gotten cold, it's time to get up."

Lin Qingran's chaotic mind finally became clearer. She trembled and retracted the tip of her tongue from Shen Tingzhu's Adam's apple, bit it between her teeth, and stared at his neck covered with red teeth marks with watery eyes.

Looking at his masterpiece, Lin Qingran blinked in disbelief, his face turned red, and his heart was pounding.

The moisture in Shen Tingzhu's eyes was thicker than hers, and he couldn't tell whether it was pain or joy between his frowning eyebrows, as if he had been bullied and was weak and pitiful.

Something seemed to explode in Lin Qingran's mind. She was like those libertines who flirted with women, and made Shen Tingzhu so frivolous? !

Or when he couldn't move...

Lin Qingran retracted his arms and stood up straight. His eyes were rolling around and he didn't know where to put them. He hesitated and said: "I, let me help you up?"

Shen Tingzhu also knew that he must be in a miserable state now. He never expected that one day he would be tortured like this by the little girl.

"I will do it myself."

"Oh." Lin Qingran nodded muffledly, but couldn't help but look at him, her fingertips curling up with itchiness.

She quickly stopped her thoughts. Shen Tingzhu was already pitiful enough and she could no longer bully him.

Mr. Wei came to check Shen Tingzhu's pulse early in the morning, and when he saw the messy marks on his neck, he told him expressionlessly, "Your Majesty's body is weak now. You need to control everything and don't indulge."

Lin Qingran, who was drinking tea at the side, almost choked on a mouthful of water. Like a child who had made a mistake, he lowered his head guiltily and pretended to be quail.

She couldn't help but think that what Mr. Wei said was wrong. She was clearly helping Shen Tingzhu relieve his pain.

When Shen Tingzhu saw her, she almost buried her head in her chest, and even the tips of her ears turned red timidly. His eyes softened, she was the one who was messing around, and she was the one who was shy.

Shen Tingzhu nodded to Mr. Wei and said calmly: "Sir, don't worry, I have a sense of discretion."

After sending Mr. Wei away, Lin Qingran raised her head and saw Shen Tingzhu leaning on the pillow with his head propped up and smiling at herself. She glared in shame, "Why are you laughing?"

Shen Tingzhu shook his head gently and said softly: "I'm not smiling."

He picked up the book at hand and read it. Lin Qingran clearly saw that the corner of his mouth was still raised. She rushed over in anger. Shen Tingzhu took advantage of the situation and held her waist, letting her press him on the couch.

"You're obviously smiling." She showed off her porcelain white teeth to scare him, "Say, why are you smiling?"

Shen Tingzhu looked into her eyes, and tucked her hanging hair behind her ears, "I feel happy when I see Ranran. She naturally shows off her beauty all the time, so there is no need for a reason."

Lin Qingran felt sweet in her heart, looking at his thin lips that moved lightly, and then remembering the painful kiss at the bottom of the pool. She flapped her eyelashes, her thoughts were cleared, and she slowly approached based on instinct.

At the moment when their breathing was intertwined, Shen Tingzhu turned his head away, and Lin Qingran only pressed against his chin.

Lin Qingran frowned at him unhappily, with the word "explain" written all over his face.

Shen Tingzhu stroked her hair soothingly, suppressing the pain in his heart, and said warmly: "Ranran will get married in the future."

Lin Qingran was annoyed that he said this, "Of course I know, you don't need to say anything."

Shen Tingzhu was silent for a long time before he opened his lips, "That's it." He spoke slowly, but his tone was tough and unreasonable, "Ranran can do anything to me, but I can't do anything to you, remember. Already?"

He couldn't give back, couldn't leave any mark on her.

Lin Qingran was heartbroken and kissed and bit his neck like she was venting her anger.

Shen Tingzhu slowly stroked her hair and quietly let her do whatever she wanted.

It's cool in the mountains and you don't feel hot even on summer nights.

Lin Qingran pushed Shen Tingzhu into the courtyard, brought a small stool and sat in front of him, letting him wipe her hair naturally.

She lay on Shen Tingzhu's legs, looking up at the stars in the sky, counting them aimlessly. She got confused as she counted. She turned her head and asked Shen Tingzhu, "How many can I count?" Already?"

Shen Tingzhu smiled, "Forty-seven."

"Oh." Lin Qingran turned her head and continued counting. She got tired of counting and yawned. She turned around and hugged Shen Tingzhu's waist, burying her face in his belly, "We'll count again tomorrow."

Shen Tingzhu shook his head fondly and smiled, "Yeah."

Lin Qingran's unclear voice came, "You have to stay with me until I count all the stars in the sky."

Shen Tingzhu's hand wiping her hair paused. He could not agree.

"Say it." Lin Qingran tightened her hold on him and twisted her body childishly, asking him to agree.

"Ranran." Shen Tingzhu's voice was hoarse, and his helplessness and decadence made it difficult for him to utter another word.

After a long silence, Lin Qingran bit her lip and it hurt. He was just as negative as before and never thought that he would get better.

Lin Qingran suddenly let go and hooked his neck, and wanted to put her lips to his willfully. Shen Tingzhu couldn't dodge, so he could only pinch the back of her neck.

Lin Qingran was embarrassed and angry, so she slapped him with her hand, "You treat me like a snowball!"

"Are you doing this nonsense?" Shen Tingzhu was unmoved.

Lin Qingran pursed her lips stubbornly, her eyes were red, and she stubbornly refused to speak.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes darkened. After a long time, he let go and said, "It's getting late, let's go and have a rest."

Lin Qingran stood up in a hurry, stepping very hard. Looking at her leaving figure, Shen Tingzhu just lowered his eyes and called Sanqi to push him back to the house.

After failing once, Lin Qingran was not discouraged. After that night, she often clung to Shen Tingzhu, looking for opportunities to reach for his lips, but he cleverly avoided them every time, and then pressed her down. When he reached his arms, he sighed helplessly, "Be good, bite here."

It was as if she was the bad guy like a wolf and a tiger, and Shen Tingzhu was the little white rabbit.

Lin Qingran couldn't explain why, but she just wanted to kiss him, maybe because her subconscious didn't want to accept what Shen Tingzhu said.

The night outside the window is melting, and the water vapor is lingering in the house.

After the medicinal bath, both of them were exhausted and coaxed the little girl to go back to the house to sleep. Then Shen Tingzhu said out the window: "Come out."

Mo Ci jumped out from the darkness and said, "This subordinate has met the Crown Prince."

Shen Tingzhu sat on a wicker chair with his clothes draped around his neck. His slightly open collar was full of deep and shallow marks. He raised his eyes and asked coldly: "I thought you wouldn't show up."

Mo Ci sternly said, "This subordinate is good at making opinions. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Shen Tingzhu said: "Thirty sticks."

Mo Ci said: "Yes."

Shen Tingzhu remained silent, waiting for his next words.

Mo Ci did not dare to hide anything, so he told everything about secretly bringing Lin Qingran out, "My subordinates saw Lin Zhao and his party at the town market. They should be here tomorrow, but they must be stopped."

Only then did Shen Tingzhu realize that Lin Qingran had sneaked out without telling everyone. Also, the Lin family loved her, so how could they agree to her coming here.

Shen Tingzhu looked at the flickering candlelight without saying a word. After a long time, he slowly closed his eyes and said, "No need."

These days have been a luxury for him, and it's time to let her go back.

Early in the morning, the sunlight shone in through the transparent window and shone on Lin Qingran's eyelids. She murmured softly and pulled the quilt over her eyes to cover her eyes. When she came out of Shen Tingzhu's room last night, she tossed and turned and couldn't calm down, waiting for sleep. It was already late at night, and it was a good time to sleep.

Feeling that the quilt on her body was being pulled, Lin Qingran hugged the quilt impatiently and turned around.

Seeing this, Qiuzhi hurriedly called her again, "Miss, wake up quickly."

Lin Qingran was excited, pulled down the quilt, and turned to look at Qiu Zhi beside the bed. Her tired and hazy eyes regained their clarity. She sat up and said in surprise: "You are here like this."

Could it be... Lin Qingran thought, "But my brother is here?"

Qiu Zhi met her questioning eyes, nodded and whispered: "Miss, you better get up quickly, the young master is really angry this time."

Lin Qingran's eyesight went dark, her brother came to arrest her so soon!

"Where is my brother now?" Lin Qingran asked in an unsteady voice.

Qiuzhi looked outside and said, "The young master is talking to the prince."

Her brother would definitely not say anything nice, so Lin Qingran hurriedly stood up and asked Qiu Zhi to change her clothes.

After changing her clothes, she hurried out of the house. She only saw Shen Tingzhu's room with the door open. Lin Zhao was standing in the room with a sullen face. The tea on the table was obviously untouched, but Shen Tingzhu's face was expressionless. With no expression on his face, he just nodded silently.

"Brother!" Lin Qingran called loudly and ran into the house.

The two of them looked at her at the same time. Lin Zhao had a serious look on his face and looked at her from head to toe. Lin Qingran shrank her neck and felt frightened. Her brother had never looked at her so harshly.

Shen Tingzhu pushed the wheelchair, "You two brothers and sisters talk."

When he passed by Lin Qingran, he paused and then left. Behind him was Lin Zhao's angry voice, "Pack your things and follow me back."

Shen Tingzhu's hands holding the wheelchair tightened, and her pursed lips turned white and cracked, forcing herself not to look back.

"Brother." Lin Qingran clenched her hands tightly and hesitated, refusing to move.

Lin Zhao was even more furious when he saw her like this. A girl who had not left the court was so lawless that she came here to live with a man. She was really spoiled and dared to do anything. He shouted: "Why are you still standing there?"

Lin Qingran shook his head, "I won't leave."

"Lin Qingran!"

Lin Qingran's body trembled, and her voice suddenly sounded like crying, "Brother, I won't leave."

With her gone, Shen Tingzhu couldn't live any longer. Lin Qingran shook her head vigorously.

Without saying a word, Lin Zhao clamped her wrists and walked out.

"Brother!" Lin Qingran was so anxious that she held the door frame tightly with one hand and moved back.

Lin Zhao was afraid of hurting her and did not dare to use force. The two were in a stalemate for a while.

Lin Qingran tried to persuade him to let her stay, "Brother, the prince did this to save me. He didn't have to die, how could I leave at this time."

Lin Zhao gritted his teeth, "He wants medicine. I will try to find it. What use can you do here?"

Lin Qingran said: "He can still hold on when I'm here, but he really can't hold on when I'm gone."

Her eyes were sore and painful, and the tears she had been holding back for a long time finally burst down and blurred her vision.

"He bullied me, but...but..." Lin Qingran choked and couldn't say a word.

Lin Zhao's heart sank again and again, "Did you stay because he saved you, or did you fall in love with him?"

If it was really because of the latter, and with Lin Qingran's stubborn temperament, Shen Tingzhu would be lucky enough to survive. If not...

like? Lin Qingran didn't know, but she cried so much that she couldn't help herself, "Anyway, I won't leave."

"Even if my brother takes me away, I will still escape."

Lin Qingran's departure from home this time has made the whole family anxious. Seeing that she still dared to say such words, Lin Zhao was furious and raised his palms, "Who gave you the courage!"

Lin Qingran shrank her shoulders, tears falling on her eyelids kept rolling down, and Lin Zhao couldn't bear to slap her hard enough.

Lin Qingran choked and said, "Brother, as long as he gets better, I will go back... If he doesn't get better, I will go back after he dies."

"Please, brother." Lin Qingran said sadly.

Lin Qingran had never asked him for something like this since she was a child. She had been pampered since she was a child, and she actually lived in this thatched cottage without saying a word.

Lin Zhao looked at her sadly and slowly let go of his hand.

"The last time Lingyucao appeared in our territory was a hundred years ago, and it has disappeared long ago. But in my early years, when I led a caravan to cross the Qiang month, I heard a local old man mention it. I have seen a sacred grass on the Goddess Mountain that is completely transparent, and its flowers and leaves will drip water when it blooms. It is similar to the Lingyu Grass mentioned by Mr. Wei."

"Brother is saying..." Lin Qingran's eyes widened and she clenched his sleeves tightly.

"It's still a matter of debate, and the Goddess Mountain is a fairy mountain believed by the Qiang Yue people, so not just anyone can go up there."

Shen Tingzhuku was sitting in Mr. Wei's pharmacy, his face was ashen, his eyes were looking at one place dully, motionless.

Lin Qingran should have gone back with Lin Zhao, just leave.

A bowl filled with dark medicinal juice appeared in front of him at some point. Shen Tingzhu looked down at it stiffly. He promised Lin Qingran that he would take the medicine well, so he picked up the medicine bowl and drank it in one breath.

Lin Qingran looked at his reckless actions from behind, feeling angry and amused, "Is it bitter?"

"Can't taste it..." Shen Tingzhu frowned, turned around suddenly, looked at her blankly, remained silent for a long time before asking dryly: "Why didn't you go back?"

Lin Qingran raised his eyes slightly and said, "Come to say goodbye to you."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes in despair, "Okay."

"What's good!" Lin Qingran was almost furious with him. She held his face with both hands, rushed forward, and pressed her lips to him regardless.

Shen Tingzhu was shaken all over, and Lin Qingran's hands slid down to his shoulders, and they could feel each other's trembling.

Shen Tingzhu heard the sound of his own sanity shattering and peeling off. He gritted his teeth and pulled Lin Qingran's hand.

Realizing what he was going to do, Lin Qingran anxiously put her hands around his back, slid her fingertips along his spine from top to bottom, and applied some force near his waist.

She could clearly feel that Shen Tingzhu's body had become weak, and her clenched teeth had slackened. Lin Qingran instinctively explored her tongue, and the softness she touched made her consciousness blur.

Quickly retreating, she gasped through the gap between her lips. Shen Tingzhu also gasped and stared at her fiercely.

Lin Qingran knew what he had done and was not afraid of his anger. "We've already kissed him, I won't leave."

Before she finished speaking, her wrist was suddenly held. Lin Qingran was still stunned. Her body was suddenly pulled down, and her lips were blocked again. The attack was so fierce that Lin Qingran's body went limp and she couldn't help but fall.

Her lower back was supported, and her chin was pinched by slender, cold fingers, forcing her to raise her head. Shen Tingzhu forcefully pried her lips and tongue apart, and all the bitterness in her mouth was sent in, and then melted away.

Deprived of air, before Lin Qingran's helpless sobs escaped the gap between her lips, Shen Tingzhu rolled her lips and tongue into her, and kissed her harder.

Qiu Zhi was stamping her feet in embarrassment outside. The young master asked her to stay because he wanted the young lady not to make any mistakes. Why did they kiss her so hard as soon as they came up?

=== Chapter === 062

The wet sounds coming from the entangled lips and teeth made Lin Qingran's mind go blank, and her heart was trembling with thousands of waves. Every inch of her skin was trembling, and the hands on Shen Tingzhu's chest kept tightening.

This is who he should be, powerful and fierce. Lin Qingran wanted to turn around and hook his neck, but she couldn't use any strength and could only bear it.

Shen Tingzhu took her wrist and helped her, then held her legs and asked her to sit on him with her knees apart.

Lin Qingran was startled, fearing that his legs would be hurt. She struggled to get up, but the back of her head was pressed tightly. The tongue that invaded her mouth pressed deeper, like punishment, but more of a constant attachment.

Shen Tingzhu pressed her lips for the last time, then slowly pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers, and said in a hoarse voice, "Are you satisfied?"

His pale lips were rubbed unusually red and moist, and his red eyes were filled with sadness and despair after his wantonness.

Lin Qingran gasped hard and gradually calmed down, "Not satisfied."

She moved closer and hooked his lips with the tip of her tongue, finally taking over the dominant position. She couldn't help but become more and more bold.

She held the soft flesh of his lower lip with the tip of her teeth and rubbed it while whispering, "You have kissed me. If you don't want me to marry someone else, you must get better."

She was like a seductive fairy, causing Shen Tingzhu's city defenses to break through the embankments again and again, causing them to be completely defeated.

Qiuzhi's urgent voice came from outside, "Miss, miss! The young master is here!"

Lin Qingran, who was as charming as a demon a moment ago, immediately became panicked and confused as if she had been pinched seven inches. She almost got off Shen Tingzhu with her hands and feet, and wiped the saliva from her lips with her hands, not forgetting. Shen Tingzhu also wiped it.

Looking at the little girl who was hurriedly adjusting the hem of her skirt and couldn't help but look out, Shen Tingzhu was silent and finally laughed lightly.

Being glared at by Lin Qingran, Shen Tingzhu stopped smiling, picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup and drank it, calmly and calmly.

Lin Qingran was unconvinced, why did he act like nothing was wrong.

Lin Zhao came here with Mr. Wei. As soon as he entered the room, he noticed something was wrong in the atmosphere. His sharp and searching eyes swept across their faces. Although Shen Tingzhu didn't show any clues, Lin Qingran's face showed a guilty conscience. They couldn't hide it, and looking at the red and swollen lips of both of them, it was obvious what was going on.

Lin Zhao suppressed his anger and said to Lin Qingran: "You go out first, we have something to discuss."

Lin Qingran looked at Shen Tingzhu worriedly, and Shen Tingzhu gave her a reassuring smile before she walked out.

As an elder brother, Lin Zhao naturally had to give a warning in such a situation, but there were more important things at the moment, so he told what he knew, "I have just discussed with Mr. Wei that the exotic flower on the Goddess Mountain is very interesting." It may be the Lingyu Grass we are looking for, and the top priority is to rush to Qiang Yue."

Mr. Wei said: "I have already ordered someone to deliver the message to the palace."

Lin Zhao nodded, "I have made a few old friends in Qiang Yue, and I will go with them." He looked at Shen Tingzhu and said, "What the Crown Prince has to do now is to persist until we find the medicine."

Shen Tingzhu listened quietly, a faint hope ignited in his eyes, and the hope became stronger and stronger. Even the slightest possibility was enough to make him ecstatic. His hands on the armrests trembled slightly, how dare he not Hold on.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes were bright: "The third prince of Qiang Yue used a false identity to sneak into the middle of the Yangtze River in an attempt to collude with Zhao Xuan, the governor of Liangjiang. I was killed by my own hands. I'm afraid it won't be easy for them to hand over their things. I'm leaving now." You have to be prepared with both hands."

What Shen Tingzhu said was exactly the misunderstanding when he and Lin Qingran first met.

His eyes were heavy, and no matter what, he had to get the thing.

When the three of them came out after their discussion, it was already dusk, and Lin Zhao was immediately preparing to go to Beijing to face the saint. Before leaving, he repeatedly asked Lin Qingran, but despite this, he still sighed and left uneasy.

After seeing off Lin Zhao, Lin Qingran felt a sense of loss. She watched the carriage leave sadly, and turned around to find Shen Tingzhu for comfort.

Seeing this, Qiuzhi hurriedly stopped the person, "Miss, it's getting dark. Why don't you go visit the Crown Prince tomorrow."

"How can it be done?" Lin Qingran walked forward on her own.

Qiu Zhi said anxiously: "The young master has told me that you will never act recklessly, like what you just did." She blushed as she spoke and stretched out her hand to stop her, "In short, you can't go."

Lin Qingran's ears hurt from her talking, and her heart felt inexplicably hot. She looked at the sky and said, "Okay, I won't go to the head office."

She did go back to the house, and when she sat down, she raised her chin and said, "I'm a little hungry. Go to the kitchen and find me something to eat."

Qiu Zhi looked at her suspiciously, and Lin Qingran urged: "Go quickly."

Qiu Zhi then walked towards the kitchen, but when she came back with the food, Lin Qingran was nowhere to be seen in the room.

Seeing that the door of the room where the prince lived was closed, Qiu Zhi didn't dare to go up and ask directly. In case he wasn't there... She could only go around Wancaoju to search, but couldn't find anyone, so she bit the bullet. Knocked on Shen Tingzhu's door.

Qiu Zhi lightly knocked on the door and said respectfully, "Your Majesty."

"What's the matter?" Shen Tingzhu put down the book in his hand and said quietly.

Qiuzhi asked cautiously: "May I ask the prince if he has seen my young lady?"

Shen Tingzhu lowered his head and looked at Lin Qingran, who was pillowing on his lap, smiling narrowly with her eyes bent, her eyes as gentle as water.

He traced her smiling brows with his fingertips and asked softly: "How about going back?"

Lin Qingran shook his head, turned around and hugged his waist, "Don't say I'm here."

Like every girl who is experiencing love for the first time, Lin Qingran, although ignorant, instinctively wants to stick to him all the time.

Shen Tingzhu shook his head helplessly. He was so obedient and secretive in occupying the daughter of others. I was afraid that in the future, the Lin family would be even more unwilling to marry the little girl to him.

"Be obedient." He wanted to call Qiu Zhi to come in, but before he could say the words, his body was lowered, and his thin lips were blocked by Lin Qingran's head raised.

Her soft tongue penetrated his mouth while giving a vague command, "Say I'm not here."

Shen Tingzhu froze his fingertips and sighed, then said in a mute voice: "She is not here."

Qiuzhi could clearly hear the intermittent chanting in the room. She blushed with embarrassment, clenched her fingers and lowered her head to guard outside.

Lin Qingran's kiss was jerky, which could be said to be inappropriate, and she was out of breath after just a few kisses, but Shen Tingzhu was particularly obsessed with her youthful coquettishness.

Lin Qingran stared at his lips with hazy eyes, and said eagerly: "Open your mouth."

Shen Tingzhu's lips parted like words.

"Stretch out some." The soft and broken tone was anxious and confused.

Shen Tingzhu was so drunk that he put his palms on her back to comfort her, asking for everything.

Lin Zhao took officers and soldiers disguised as a caravan to Qiang Yue. If everything goes well, he could return in one season.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the secret guard sent a letter.

Lin Zhao and his party have arrived at Qiang Yue. The third prince of Qiang Yue died at the hands of Shen Tingzhu. It is not easy to get them to hand over the Ling Jade Grass. They can only try to steal it secretly. Lin Zhao has contacted old friends in the area. Try to enter the Fairy Mountain first.

Lin Qingran rested his hand on the edge of the tub, rested his cheek on his arm, dipped his other hand in water, and slid his fingertips across Shen Tingzhu's chest, "When you get better, will you bully me again?"

She was a little worried.

"No." Shen Tingzhu caught her erratic hand, breathing unsteadily, "It's just that from tomorrow on, Ranran is not allowed to come in when I am taking a medicinal bath."

The little girl who knows how to eat marrow and taste can easily grasp his secrets, and she gets more and more pushy. At first, he could bear it, but now it is really difficult.

Lin Qingran refused and splashed water with her hands, "You still said that I can do anything to you, but now I am not allowed to do this or that?"

Shen Tingzhu couldn't argue, "...Ranran, I am a man."

Before Lin Qingran understood what he meant, her hand under the water had already seen it first.

She subconsciously tightened her fingertips. Shen Tingzhu groaned and leaned back. His frown caused an indescribable blush to appear on his handsome face.

Lin Qingran remembered that this was the thing touching her cheek...

"Ranran, let go."

Lin Qingran's rough voice was low and seductive, and Lin Qingran's hand that she wanted to let go of was held tighter instead.

She leaned over unconsciously. Every time Shen Tingzhu showed such an expression, she seemed to be bewitched, and she wanted to tease him more and more, "You obviously like him."

Who said that only men can be addicted to good colors? She also loved to see him strip off his cool appearance just for herself.

She hugged his neck tightly and kissed him carefully, "You are not allowed to tell lies to me."

Shen Tingzhu was sweating profusely, and beads of sweat were dripping down his chin. He was forced to endure it no longer. He narrowed his beautiful eyes, covered her catkins with one hand, and his hoarse voice shook Lin Qingran's heart at the same time, "This way I will be better." like."

…

The stars and the moon hang high.

Lin Qingran was lying on the bed, listening to the chirping of cicadas and birds outside the house. Her whole body felt like it was being set on fire. She couldn't fall asleep. She stretched her palms out in front of her eyes, as if she could still smell the rich musk scent on them.

After realizing what she had done, Lin Qingran almost fled back to the house. How could she see him tomorrow?

With a sob of annoyance, Lin Qingran rolled up the quilt tightly and wrapped herself tightly.

Early the next morning, Lin Qingran stood up with two lumps of black and blue under her eyes.

Qiu Zhi came in to help her get up, and asked, "Miss, didn't you sleep well last night?"

Seeing Lin Qingran's cheeks suddenly flushed, Qiu Zhi looked puzzled.

Lin Qingran nodded randomly. Not only did she not sleep well, she almost stayed up all night.

Sanqi brought the medicine over, "Girl, the prince's medicine is ready."

Lin Qingran said quickly: "Send it to you." She was too embarrassed to see him.

Sanqi said in surprise: "Girl, won't you come over?"

Even Qiu Zhiye found it strange.

Lin Qingran explained dryly, "I want to go for a walk in the mountains." She said to Qiuzhi: "You haven't been out for a walk in the past few days, right? There is a lotus in the back mountain, I don't know if it has bloomed yet. We Go check it out."

After she finished speaking, she took Qiuzhi, who was still dazed, and ran out.

When she walked past Shen Ting's house and saw him looking at her through the window, Lin Qingran wanted to bury her head in the ground. She pulled Qiu Zhi and whispered, "Come on, hurry up."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the little girl who was running away, slightly stunned, and then smiled.

He was actually a little tired, so he didn't want her to make trouble with him.

After breakfast, Sanqi entered the room and said, "Your Majesty, there are guests arriving outside."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and saw Xie Huai standing in the courtyard. He gently raised his chin and said, "Please come in."

The two sat across from each other, Xie Huai said with a smile: "Long time no see, Your Majesty, I hope you are well."

Shen Tingzhu also smiled and said, "Thank you, sir, for remembering me."

Xie Huai ordered his entourage to hand over the prepared supplements, "A little thought."

Shen Tingzhu was impatient to make excuses with him, but also understood that he was not here for her, so he just smiled and said: "There is no need for the courtesy. I am tired, so I will sit down without thanking you."

Xie Huai still smiled and got straight to the point, "I'm not here just to be the heir, what about Qing Ran?"

Shen Tingzhu's expression calmed down, "Who is Mr. Xie calling?"

Lightly dyed? Is it his turn to be called like that?

Xie Huai said: "I thought that the prince was not a person who broke his word." His tone was calm, "Qingran was kind-hearted and felt that he owed the prince his life, so he wanted to repay it, but the prince really had the heart to use this to restrain him. With her?"

Shen Tingzhu was unmoved. How could he not know the little girl's temperament? His eyes flashed with impatience and he said calmly: "It's not anyone else's turn to worry about our affairs."

He poured two cups of tea and pushed one cup in front of Xie Huai, "The weather is hot. Sir Xie, drink some herbal tea to relieve the heat."

As he spoke, Shen Tingzhu unbuttoned a button of his round-neck robe as if he felt warm.

When Xie Huai saw the traces on his neck, his expression changed instantly, "The prince really doesn't think he will drag down Qingran."

Shen Tingzhu also darkened his face. Just when the two were at war, a clear voice sounded outside the house, "Xie Huai, why are you here?"

The two of them restrained their anger at the same time. Xie Huai smiled at her and said, "Qing Ran."

Thinking of the marks on Shen Tingzhu's body, he felt a sting in his heart, "I have something to say to you, let's take a step to talk."

Shen Tingzhu interrupted him, "Is there anything I can't say here."

Xie Huai smiled and said: "This matter is only related to me and Qingran. I'm afraid it's not convenient for the prince to hear it."

No matter how dull Lin Qingran was, she could still tell that there was something wrong between them. She saw Shen Tingzhu's slightly pursed lips and smiled apologetically at Xie Huai, "It doesn't matter, you can just say it here."

Seeing her like this, Xie Huai felt uncontrollably angry in his heart, "Do you have to say what you promised me here?"

There was a buzz in Lin Qingran's head. She smiled at Shen Tingzhugan, who was looking at her with a frown, and said, "Xie Huai and I will come in after a few words."

Shen Tingzhu did not speak, but the corners of his lips were already tightened.

Walking into the courtyard, Lin Qingran asked in a low voice, "What are you talking about?"

Xie Huaining looked into her eyes and said, "Didn't you say it yourself? Why do you want to marry me? It's such nonsense."

Xie Huai's words were spoken in a serious tone, and each word reached Shen Tingzhu's ears. He suddenly raised his head, with unbelievable shock in his eyes.

Lin Qingran never expected that Xie Huai would suddenly mention this thing that happened eight hundred years ago. She looked into the room and quickly pulled Xie Huai further away.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes followed the two of them closely, and with a crisp sound, he crushed the tea cup in his hand. The porcelain shards pierced his palm, leaving blood along his fingers.

After walking out of the yard, Lin Qingran said anxiously: "What I said was all a joke when I was a child."

Xie Huai felt bitter in his heart, "Isn't the promise we made when we were children serious? Your father, brother and my father both saw it at that time, so it was considered a baby kiss."

Lin Qingran looked at him as if facing a formidable enemy, "You are not here to force me to fulfill my promise, are you?"

Forced? Xie Huaizi looked at her carefully. He was unwilling to give up. He was the one who first met Lin Qingran and had been with her for many years. However, he had seen every look on her face, but he could not find any trace of friendship for him. There is only fear.

Xie Huai clenched his palms and finally realized that he had come to the wrong place. He suddenly smiled and said, "You have a good idea."

Lin Qingran couldn't tell what he was thinking for a moment and remained silent.

Xie Huai said: "I'm worried that you are forced to stay here, and I want to take you away, so I have to find an excuse." His voice was very soft, "It seems that this is not necessary."

Lin Qingran breathed a sigh of relief. She was lazy and afraid of trouble, and she didn't want to pursue the hesitation in Xie Huai's eyes.

Xie Huai said: "It's just that the prince's physical condition is really not a good match for you."

Lin Qingran shook his head gently and smiled seriously at him, "I know everything."

Xie Huai looked at her for a long time, with pain in his voice, "That's good, then I won't stay."

Lin Qingran wanted to let him have a meal before leaving, but Xie Huai took the lead and said, "Goodbye."

Lin Qingran saw him off before turning around and walking into the courtyard.

From a distance, through the open door, she saw Shen Tingzhu sitting in the house with his head hanging, his hands on his knees, lost in thought.

Lin Qingran clutched her fingertips, feeling a little guilty.

She walked in slowly, only to find that Shen Tingzhu's hand was bleeding. She hurriedly ran over, held up his hand, and asked nervously: "What's wrong with your hand? Why don't you bandage it even though it's bleeding?" ."

Shen Tingzhu pulled out her hand silently, her white lips trembling slightly, "Is this what Ranran planned to do? He played with me, coaxed me, and then turned around and wanted to marry someone else."

He used to think that he would definitely die, so he never dared to think about the future, and even hoped that she could find a good match, but now, he couldn't accept it at all.

Lin Qingran knew that he had misunderstood. While squeezing his sleeves and wiping the blood on his hands, he explained: "It's not what you think."

"So what he said is true." After Shen Tingzhu said that, he withdrew his hand, turned his head and said nothing.

Seeing that he didn't listen to her, Lin Qingran was anxious and annoyed. She didn't care about his hands, hugged his neck tightly and kissed him, "No, that's because he was naive and told jokes when he was young. He didn't count them long ago. ."

Shen Tingzhu accepted her kiss and said, "Then those days when Ranran plays with me will no longer count in the future."

=== Chapter === 063

play?

The second time he heard Shen Tingzhu say these two words, when she was biting his lip, Lin Qingran couldn't calm down anymore and hurriedly stepped away, with clear and innocent eyes, "...I'm not."

She admitted that she had flirted with her... but those two words were too shameful.

"Isn't it just a joke? Or, isn't it just not counting?"

Lin Qingran said: "None of them."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her wide-open eyes. The little girl's thoughts were pure and could be seen through at a glance. He nodded, pulled up the collar and asked, "Then what is this?"

There were red and white mixed with white on the white collarbone, and there were teeth marks. Shen Tingzhu looked at the end of her eyes that were gradually turning red, and there was an unpredictable meaning in her voice, "Tear my clothes during the day, and force me to do it at night..." …"

He leaned close to Lin Qingran's ear and spoke in a low voice, "Self-duty." His lowered peach blossom eyes looked at her bleeding earlobes, "Aren't these the same?"

An interest that had not appeared for a long time flashed in his eyes, and when Lin Qingran hurriedly raised her eyes to look at him, the dim and lost loneliness returned.

"I..." Lin Qingran stumbled and almost bit the tip of her tongue, staring at those marks and unable to utter a single word of defense.

Shen Tingzhu's voice had no ups and downs, "My body has been touched by Ranran. If you dislike it in the future..."

The calmer he looked, the more Lin Qingran blushed. With nowhere to escape, he could only bury his head in Shen Tingzhu's arms and said with a sullen expression, "I don't hate him."

Shen Tingzhu's voice was slightly raised, "Don't you give up?"

Lin Qingran nodded heavily and was coaxed to speak, "...I like it."

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes and smiled, "Yeah."

When bandaging Shen Tingzhu's wound, Lin Qingran always felt that something was wrong, but couldn't explain it.

Shen Tingzhu saw her looking at him from time to time, "Ranran, are you greedy again?" He leaned back, his half-squinted eyes were full of affection, and he looked like he was letting everyone take what he wanted.

Lin Qingran rushed over, "You are a sinister person, are you trying to trick me?"

"What's the trick?" Shen Tingzhu looked calm, he was just coaxing her to say he liked her.

Lin Qingran looked at him for a while and felt that she could not be his opponent in any aspect, but he still allowed herself to bully him like this, and her heart was filled with sweetness.

She pecked him on the lips, carefully got off him, and continued to bandage him.

It was hot weather in July and August, and Shen Tingzhu no longer felt as cold as before. With Mr. Wei's treatment and the stubborn idea of living in his heart, his body gradually improved a lot, but This is only temporary. Once summer is over, winter will be hard to endure. The key lies in Lingyu Grass.

At noon, Lin Qingran sat facing him to eat and asked as usual: "How is it?"

Shen Tingzhu didn't know that Lin Qingran was trying to stimulate his taste. He just thought that she was obsessed with cooking. He took a look at the dishes and couldn't bear to frustrate the expectant little girl, and praised: "Not bad."

Lin Qingran pouted, but it still had no effect.

After dinner, Sanqi brought the medicine. Watching Shen Tingzhu take the medicine every day, Lin Qingran felt the pain was very severe, so he drank the medicine and ate the candy from his sugar bowl.

Shen Tingzhu put down the medicine bowl and saw her sipping the sugar granules, moving her mouth like a bunny, and asked with a smile: "Is it sweet?"

Lin Qingran handed one to his lips. Shen Tingzhu shook his head, and Lin Qingran felt slightly depressed.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said: "If Ranran tastes it, it means I have tasted it."

Lin Qingran didn't think so. She hoped that he could taste all the flavors. She sipped the sugar grains in her mouth that had not yet completely melted, put her lips to his, and put her soft tongue into his mouth, then withdrew after a moment. Open, "How?"

Shen Tingzhu used the tip of his tongue to lick away a trace of sugar or saliva stains on his lips. He lifted Lin Qingran's chin and covered it with his lips again, teasing her mouth deeper. Although he couldn't taste the honey that melted inside, he felt that it was sweeter than anything he had ever tasted in his memory.

At this moment, two carriages stopped outside Wancaoju. Qin and Lin got off the carriage one after another. Qiuzhi only recognized Lin and listened to Sanqi's address to Qin before following her to say hello, "I see you, slave." I have met Madam Hou and the Third Madam."

Mrs. Lin didn't know that Lin Qingran was here until Lin Zhao came to Beijing. She couldn't sleep well for several nights because of worry. This time Ms. Qin came over, she wanted to come with her to see it.

She looked at the thatched cottage in front of her and asked, "Where are the prince and the young lady?"

Qiu Zhi reacted very quickly, but she couldn't let anyone see the two of them crooked together, "I'll report it right now."

She hurried into the house, looked at the scene inside, blushed, lowered her head and stammered: "Your Majesty, Miss."

Shen Tingzhu let go of Lin Qingran's chin, wiped the corners of her lips, and asked, "Why are you so anxious?"

Qiuzhi said: "Mrs. Hou and the Third Madam are here, they are outside."

Lin Qingran's hazy eyes gathered her soul, and she said in surprise: "Little aunt is here."

She looked behind Qiu Zhi and saw Mrs. Lin with a serious look on her face. She immediately stood up and stood upright, like a naughty child meeting her husband.

Shen Tingzhu frowned and said comfortingly: "Don't be afraid."

Lin Qingran didn't want to be afraid, but she really couldn't control it.

Shen Tingzhu sat next to Lin Qingran, slightly blocking her in front of her, and said to the two people who came in: "Mother, third aunt."

Lin Qingran then said, "Qingran has met the eldest lady." As she spoke, she raised her eyes and timidly looked at Mrs. Lin, and whispered, "Little aunt."

Mrs. Lin was naturally angry that she didn't know the importance of the situation and acted willfully, but when she saw the person, she couldn't bear to blame her. When she looked at the two of them, she just scolded them in a low voice, "You kid," and choked up her voice.

Seeing her like this, Lin Qingran was at a loss and stepped forward to hold her hand. Lin touched her cheek without saying a word.

Mrs. Qin initially fell in love with Lin Qingran because Shen Tingzhu liked her. After learning that she was a girl who traveled thousands of miles to take care of her son and made her son better, she was even more grateful from the bottom of her heart.

She smiled gently at Lin Qingran, "Good boy, sit down quickly."

Mrs. Qin affectionately pulled Lin Qingran to sit down next to her, and asked her with concern how she was living here, as if she was her daughter-in-law in her heart.

Shen Tingzhu noticed Lin Qingran's restraint, changed the topic and asked, "Why is mother here at this time?"

Mrs. Qin then got down to business. She maintained the demeanor and calmness that a clan wife should have, but her voice couldn't help but tremble slightly, "Yesterday, I worked hard to deliver the message to the capital. I have found the Lingyu Grass, and we are on our way back."

I really found it... Lin Qingran held her hand tightly and found that she couldn't utter a word.

She looked at Ms. Lin seekingly, tears falling down her face, "...little aunt."

Mrs. Lin also looked pleased, "I found it."

It was finally a good result. She had selfish motives. If the prince gets better, Lin Qingran will not be harmed.

Shen Tingzhu was unusually calm and remained silent for a long time. Then he slowly opened his eyebrows and said to the tearful little girl, "Don't cry."

The soft words made Lin Qingran's tears fall even more fiercely. She never dared to show the slightest bit of depression. All her fears and anxieties were hidden in her heart. She looked forward to it every day. Now the good news finally came. Shen Tingzhu didn't need to. Die...he'll get better.

Shen Tingzhu felt hurt because of her crying, so she asked Lin Qingran to go talk to Mrs. Lin.

After they left, he said to Mrs. Qin, "I find it a little strange that this trip went so smoothly."

Mrs. Qin wiped the tears that overflowed from the corners of her eyes, "It means God is merciful to find it." She murmured hoarsely, "Mom was so afraid that you would..."

She couldn't go on and choked with sobs. Qin was only in her thirties, but her temples were already streaked with gray hair. She was haggard and had to be stoic.

Shen Tingzhu looked at Mrs. Qin, feeling extremely guilty, "Mother."

Qin adjusted his breath and smiled, "Don't worry, in order to prevent unexpected changes, the emperor has already ordered another group of secret guards to go and respond. According to the letter, they will arrive in three days."

Shen Tingzhu nodded, he must have been worrying too much.

The Qin family and the Lin family settled in Wancao.

It was rare for Lin Qingran not to go to Shen Tingzhu and accompany Mrs. Lin to have dinner in the house. After only two bites, Mrs. Lin put down her chopsticks and covered her mouth feeling nauseated.

Zi Fu hurriedly poured tea for her, and Mrs. Lin felt better after drinking it.

Seeing this, Lin Qingran asked nervously: "Auntie, is she feeling unwell? I'll ask Mr. Wei to come over."

Mrs. Lin hurriedly stopped her, lowering her eyes and gently stroking her abdomen with her hands, her eyes gentle.

Lin Qingran's eyes widened little by little, and she said happily: "Little aunt...could it be that she is pregnant?"

Mrs. Lin nodded. She had been married for four years but was still not pregnant. This had always been a concern for her. Fortunately, the master was considerate to her and the old lady did not complain. Fortunately, she was finally pregnant now.

Lin Qingran was also extremely happy, as if everything was getting better.

At night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. When everyone was asleep, she quietly went to Shen Ting's bamboo house.

Shen Tingzhu had already fallen asleep, but was still asleep. He noticed someone approaching sneakily. He curled up the corners of his lips without moving. Lin Qingran lay on the bedside and looked at him closely, blowing his breath gently into his eyes. eyelashes.

There was a sudden tightening on her waist, and she let out a soft cry and fell into Shen Tingzhu's arms. She did not dare to speak loudly, but muttered in a low voice, "You are awake!"

"Yes." Shen Tingzhu hugged her tightly and rubbed his chin lightly on her cheek, "Why are you here?"

Lin Qingran happily shared her joy with him, "My little aunt is pregnant, and I'm going to have a younger brother or younger sister."

He's going to get better too, and there's nothing better than that.

Lin Qingran raised her head and said excitedly in his ear: "What do you think I should give you as a sister when the child is born?"

She thought for a long time but couldn't make up her mind.

Shen Tingzhu's voice was as warm as water, "Let me think about what to give to our younger siblings."

Lin Qingran blushed, "What does it have to do with you?"

Shen Tingzhu hummed and lowered his head to kiss her hair, forehead, and eyelashes. Lin Qingran involuntarily raised her chin and put her lips towards her.

But Shen Tingzhu suddenly stopped and said slowly: "If it's not my nephew, then whose nephew can it be?"

He slowly rubbed Lin Qingran's lips, but refused to kiss her, and whispered hoarsely, "I'm lucky that I don't have to die, so Ranran won't be able to marry anyone else." He slowly revealed his fangs that he had restrained for a long time.

Lin Qingran was trembling all over, she was unable to resist Shen Tingzhu like this.

"Say you heard me." Shen Tingzhu's voice was seductive, both commanding and bewitching.

The two of them were so close that every time he moved his lips, they would just brush against hers.

Lin Qingran's few senses were screaming, and she said stubbornly: "Don't tell."

The lips were parted, Shen Tingzhu hooked the tip of her tongue and stirred it gently. Sensing the little girl's addiction, he stepped back a little.

"I don't want to." He kissed her lightly, as if they were leaving.

He has allowed the little girl to do whatever she wants for so long, so he naturally knows what she likes.

Lin Qingran couldn't catch him several times, so she couldn't help but get annoyed. She rushed forward and kissed him hard, murmuring: "I heard you, let me eat."

Shen Tingzhu was reluctant to avoid it, "Okay, I'll let you eat."

The summer night was hot, and Lin Qingran soon became sweaty and her back felt greasy. However, Shen Tingzhu's body was always cold, so she whispered softly and pressed against him.

But the heat not only did not diminish, but instead swept over her and made her head dizzy. She snuggled into Shen Tingzhu's arms and hooked her hands around his neck, "It seems so right to me."

The sound of whimpering sounded like crying but not crying.

Shen Tingzhu was much better than her. He stayed awake and wanted to push her away, but Lin Qingran's eyes were blurred and she tightened her grip.

The veins on Shen Tingzhu's forehead pulsed. He stared into her misty eyes and kissed her neck gently for the first time, "Is this better?"

It was Lin Qingran's first time to taste this, and the mist in his eyes instantly moistened his vision.

"Shen Tingzhu..." She lay on Shen Tingzhu and cried.

Lin Qingran finally realized how hard Shen Tingzhu endured. She wanted to push him away, but when she put her hands on his shoulders, she hugged him tighter.

Shen Tingzhu's cute and pitiful look made Shen Tingzhu shake his mind and find it funny. The little girl was making such nonsense that she couldn't bear it.

"I know, I know." Shen Tingzhu comforted her softly, patting her back slowly.

He could let her do whatever she wanted to him, but he would never allow himself to touch her at this time.

He comforted and patted her.

The breath that touched Lin Qingran's ear made her even more uneasy, and her eyelashes trembled.

Lin Qingran rubbed randomly and refused to give up. It couldn't be just her who felt uncomfortable. Her mind was groggy and she treated him the same way she did during the medicinal bath.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes suddenly darkened, as dark as the abyss, "Is this going to end?"

"Yeah!" Lin Qingran snorted squeamishly, her movements becoming more and more excessive.

Shen Tingzhu gritted his teeth and said, "Okay."

Qin chose a bed but couldn't fall asleep, so she got up and walked in the courtyard. She vaguely heard a noise in Shen Ting's bamboo house. She went up to knock on the door and asked, "Zhi'er, are you asleep?"

Qin's voice made the two people in the room tremble at the same time.

Before Lin Qingran could catch her breath, she almost burst into tears, and Shen Tingzhu pressed her lips against hers.

He entangled their wet hands together, intertwined their fingers, and wiped them slowly.

Lin Qingran looked at him in the darkness, her water-colored peach blossom eyes full of coquettishness.

Mrs. Qin listened outside the room and left when there was no movement.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the emperor personally brought the medicine, accompanied by many imperial doctors from the imperial hospital.

Lin Qingran saw the transparent jade grass that was only half the size of a palm.

It was it that could save Shen Tingzhu's life.

Mr. Wei and the imperial doctors carefully compared the medical books and discussed many times. They confirmed that it was Lingyucao and dared Shen Tingzhu to take it, and then used acupuncture to promote the medicinal properties.

After Shen Tingzhu took the medicine, he fell asleep all the time. Lin Qingran followed the others and waited in the empty room on the west side, looking at the room where Shen Tingzhu was.

The imperial doctors came in and out, and when everyone came to report, they could not say with certainty when Shen Tingzhu would wake up. After all, no one had really seen the effectiveness of Jade Spirit Grass.

Lin Qingran stared at her toes in silence, her nails already scratching countless marks on her palms. Mrs. Lin asked her to rest first, but she shook her head, "I'll wait for him to wake up."

It wasn't until daylight that Mr. Wei came over in a hurry.

"How?" The emperor, who had not left all night, asked in a deep voice.

Everyone's hearts were lifted, and Lin Qingran stood up and stared at Mr. Wei closely.

Mr. Wei cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the prince has woken up and the poison in his body is gone."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Qingran burst into tears. She held her hands tightly. He was okay, so good... so good...

Shen Tingzhu had woken up and was sitting on the bed. Although the poison was gone, the damage to his body was still there. He was still haggard and needed good nursing care to recover.

The emperor came in to visit, stood by the bed for a long time, and said, "You are finally ready for me."

No more words were needed. The two looked at each other and smiled. Shen Tingzhu said, "I thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor did not stay long, "Your sister is still waiting in the palace. I have to rush back. You take good care of her."

After the emperor left, Lord Shen and Mrs. Qin also came in together. It was not until everyone who was supposed to come had arrived that Shen Tingzhu finally saw Lin Qingran.

He looked at the little girl who was looking at the door and refused to come near, and asked softly: "Why don't you come over."

Lin Qingran moved on her toes hesitantly. She was naturally hoping that Shen Tingzhu would get better, but when he really did, she felt like she didn't know how to face him.

Shen Tingzhu frowned, "What's wrong with Ranran?"

Lin Qingran said nothing, and Shen Tingzhu's heart sank slightly, "You want me to come here by myself? But I can't leave."

He lifted the quilt and said, "I'll try."

Seeing that he was about to get out of bed, Lin Qingran immediately ran over and held his shoulders, "Don't move, I'm coming."

Shen Tingzhu put his arm around her waist and brought her close to him, "What's going on?"

Lin Qingran couldn't explain clearly, "You are better now, we...I can't bully you in the future."

Shen Tingzhu couldn't laugh or cry, and Lin Qingran felt childish after asking the question. She buried her head in his neck in embarrassment, twisting her body and groaning.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and patted her back gently, "Ranran can bully her no matter what, and I will let you bully her for the rest of her life."

"When I leave here, I will propose marriage to the Lin Mansion."

Lin Qingran hummed awkwardly: "I may not agree."

Shen Tingzhu smiled: "If I don't agree, I'm afraid I won't let you bully me."

The illness was gone, and Shen Tingzhu stayed at Wancao Jujiang for more than half a month. Except that he still couldn't walk for a long time, his body was almost healed, so he decided to take Lin Qingran back to the Hou Mansion.

Mo Ci and his entourage loaded the things into the carriage and came over to invite him, "Your Majesty, it's time to set off."

Shen Tingzhu nodded and said goodbye to Mr. Wei, "Mr. I've been tired these past few years."

Mr. Wei smiled comfortingly and said, "I couldn't be more pleased to see that the prince is getting better. The prince only needs to take medicine for more than a month and he will be well." He paused, "It's just a leg injury. I have other things to think about." Method."

Now, Shen Tingzhu was very satisfied. He nodded and said with a smile, "Just let it go. Sir, there is no need to force it."

Lin Qingran came to him with a snow ball in her arms and said goodbye to Mr. Wei.

When it was time to leave, it was almost sunset, and a few people walked into the courtyard. Shen Tingzhu suddenly felt a flash of pain in his heart. His eyes were far away, and he suddenly felt something was wrong.

Lin Qingran looked sideways at him, "What's wrong?"

Shen Tingzhu frowned and shook his head. In an instant, the pain suddenly became sharp. Shen Tingzhu covered his heart tightly, and the strong smell of blood surged into his throat. He suppressed it tightly, but blood still spurted out from his mouth.

Mo Ci's expression suddenly changed and he exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

Lin Qingran's pupils shrank, and the back of her hand was splashed with warm blood drops. Shen Tingzhu had passed out in the wheelchair, and the corners of his lips were full of bright blood.

She inhaled in shock, "Shen Tingzhu—"

=== Chapter === 064

"Chen Tingzhu, Shen Tingzhu..." Lin Qingran squatted in front of him, trying to wipe away the blood from the corner of his mouth, but the more she wiped the blood, the movements of her hands became more and more chaotic, and tears kept flowing. out.

"Shen Tingzhu, wake up, wake up..."

No matter how Lin Qingran called him, he seemed unconscious and lifeless, with a haze hanging between his brows.

"Wake up! Shen Tingzhu!" Lin Qingran's hands were already covered with blood. How could this happen? Isn't he already well? How could this happen?

"Mr. Wei, Mr. Wei!" Lin Qingran cried in panic, "Come and see him quickly..."

Mo Ci immediately went to invite Mr. Wei to come out. Seeing Shen Tingzhu vomiting blood and unconscious, Mr. Wei frowned and said calmly: "Take him back to the house first, quickly!"

Lin Qingran was already confused and at a loss, she tried to help Shen Tingzhu up, but he didn't move at all. She cried and whispered, "What should I do... What should I do..."

Qiu Zhi hurriedly helped Lin Qingran aside who was crying so much that she couldn't help herself. "Miss, please don't worry." Qiu Zhi was also shocked and speechless. The prince's face was clearly filled with despair, but before that, Everything is clearly getting better. Could it be that... it's a reflection of the past...

The more Qiuzhi thought about it, the more frightened she became.

Mo Ci and others hurriedly sent Shen Tingzhu back to the house.

Lin Qingran brushed Qiu Zhi's hand away and followed him staggeringly.

Mr. Wei checked Shen Tingzhu's pulse, his frown tightening again and again. He had checked Shen Tingzhu's pulse every day before. His pulse was strong and had recovered, but at this moment, it turned out to be a sign of exhaustion.

He concentrated on the diagnosis again, and a look of horror gradually appeared in his eyes.

Mo Ci was beside him in a panic: "Mr. Wei, what happened to the prince?"

As soon as Mr. Wei got up, Lin Qingran sat on the side of the bed and took a kerchief to wipe the blood stains on Shen Tingzhu's face little by little. Her tears dried under her eyes, and the hand holding the kerchief kept shaking.

She saw that something was wrong with Mr. Wei's expression, and she didn't dare to listen, or even face him.

But despite this, Mr. Wei's solemn voice still reached his ears impartially.

"The prince's vomiting of blood is not due to an old illness, but due to a gu."

"Gu?" Mo Ci asked in fear.

Mr. Wei nodded, "Gu is a sinister and sinister addiction. If it does not occur, it will not show up. Once it attacks, it will directly damage the heart and veins. If a solution cannot be found within half a month..."

Half a month... Lin Qingran stared blankly at Shen Tingzhu's pale and lifeless face. Her heart felt as sharp as a knife, and a cry was choked from her throat. She inhaled hard and swallowed it all back. Her throat was so painful. .

Although Mo Ci had never seen Gu, he knew how vicious it was. He knelt down and said, "Sir, please save the prince's life."

Mr. Wei sighed. He is already in his old age and has seen too much life and death. Now he laments that his fate is unfair. The prince is only twenty years old. Half of his life is spent in suffering.

Mo Ci said anxiously: "Mr. Wei!"

"There are thousands of kinds of voodoo. To solve this voodoo, the only way is to find the person who cast the voodoo. But we don't know when exactly this voodoo existed in the prince's body."

Lin Qingran gradually couldn't hear what the people behind him said, and continued to wipe the blood stains on Shen Tingzhu numbly.

Mo Ci rushed to the Houfu to report the matter, while Mr. Wei went to the pharmacy to read medical books about voodoo, trying to find a way to deal with it.

The towel in Lin Qingran's hand was stained with blood and she couldn't wipe it off. She looked at Qiu Zhi helplessly, "...What should I do? I can't wipe it off. It doesn't look good."

Qiuzhi's eyes were sour, "I'm going to fetch water right now."

After fetching water, Lin Qingran washed the handkerchief and finally wiped Shen Tingzhu's face clean. His gray-green face was as handsome as ever.

Lin Qingran looked at the blood stains on his collar and said, "My clothes are also dirty, so I need to change them."

After everything was done, a smile finally appeared on Lin Qingran's lips. She bent down, rested her head on Shen Tingzhu's chest, took his palm and put it against her face, and murmured: "It's okay. "

After taking the Lingyu Grass to detoxify herself, Shen Tingzhu's body has gotten better day by day, and his hands are no longer as cold as before, but now they are so cold that there is no warmth at all.

Lin Qingran held his hand and put it to her mouth, breathing, trying to rub his hand to warm it.

Her movements were not gentle at all, and her impatience finally made her collapse. She covered Shen Tingzhu's eyes with her hands, tears bursting down her banks, and her shoulders shook from crying.

If Shen Tingzhu could not recover from the beginning, she would be sad and accept the reality, but now she is allowed to see him recovering little by little with her own eyes, and when she thought everything was over, he was destroyed mercilessly, how could she accept it.

The sobs in his ears were extremely fragile, hitting Shen Tingzhu's nerves one after another. His palms moved, filled with wet tears.

Lin Qingran raised his head, and Shen Tingzhu had woken up. He looked at Lin Qingran with deep love and reluctance in his eyes, "Ranran... don't cry."

He wiped Lin Qingran's tears that were falling down bit by bit, but couldn't wipe them away. He sighed and hugged her into his arms. The tears wet his clothes and burned his chest. Shen Tingzhu used to like to watch The little girl cried softly, but now I just want to see her smile.

"Stop crying, I'm not doing well."

Lin Qingran clung to him, her hands wrapped around his waist, her body still trembling like a little beast that couldn't find its home.

Shen Tingzhu tried to mobilize his internal strength. Unlike in the past, he did not find that his energy and blood were blocked. In addition to being a little weak, there was no trace of the severe pain before. But he knew in his heart that this was no accident. The more he noticed, the more he noticed. If it doesn't come out, it means it's getting more serious.

Otherwise, Lin Qingran wouldn't cry like this. He needed to know what happened to him.

Shen Tingzhu patted Lin Qingran's shoulder and said, "Ranran, go and ask Mr. Wei to come over for me."

At this time, Lord Shen's angry voice came from outside the house.

Lin Qingran choked out her breath, wiped away her tears, and encouraged herself to calm down before walking out.

Mr. Wei once again explained Shen Tingzhu's illness. After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Mr. Shen slapped the table angrily. He was a military commander. He had a cold demeanor and his eyes were splitting, which made people fearful. "What kind of bastard dares to kill someone behind your back?"

Shen Tingzhu laughed instead, "I knew it wouldn't be that easy."

Lord Shen's eyes flashed, "Do you know?"

Shen Tingzhu looked far away, "It's Lingyu Grass."

"Qiang Yue people?" Lord Shen frowned, and immediately his heart sank. It was Shen Tingzhu who killed the third prince of Qiang Yue. Their move was aimed at taking Shen Tingzhu's life.

Shen Tingzhu shook his head after hearing this, "If you just want me to die, you don't have to go through so much trouble. As long as we are not allowed to obtain the Lingyu Grass, I will only die." Shen Tingzhu calmly analyzed and said firmly: "So there must be something Pictured."

In recent years, Qiang Yue has been constantly attacking small countries outside the Pass. Although it does not dare to send troops to Da Qi, it has already been eyeing it. This can be seen from the third prince's attempt to collude with Zhao Xuan.

Once the waters of the two rivers were lost, Qiang Yue could easily occupy the city in the middle of the river. Now that the road was blocked by him, his idea was moved to the Changxing Houfu. His father held the military power and guarded Da Qi's first line of defense.

Marquis Shen has tempered his temper in recent years. Now he couldn't hold back his anger and cursed: "Barbarian bastard, I will go and ask the emperor for orders to send troops to attack Qiang Yue."

Shen Tingzhu waved his hands and said: "Father, please be patient. Once there is a war, the people of the world will suffer. The emperor will not agree, and all officials will take the opportunity to impeach." The power of the Changxing Marquis Mansion is at its peak, and how many people are afraid behind it? .

Between family and country, Lord Shen naturally knew what was important and what was important, but how could he do it if he could watch his only son die in front of his own eyes!

"Besides, Qiang Yue cannot be underestimated now. Half a month..." Shen Tingzhu smiled, "I would have died long ago."

Lord Shen said: "Then we can't just sit back and wait for death."

"Wait." Shen Tingzhu slowly slid his fingers on the armrests of the wheelchair and said softly, "How could they not show up after all the trouble."

Lord Shen left soon.

There was no figure of Lin Qingran in Baicao Ju. Shen Tingzhu let Mo Ci push him out to search, and finally found Lin Qingran sitting on a stone in trance by the stream behind Baicao Ju.

Shen Tingzhu waved her hand to avoid her, went to her side, stroked the top of Lin Qingran's hair with her palms, and asked softly: "Why are you sitting here."

Lin Qingran turned her head and looked at him in confusion. Shen Tingzhu looked at her red and swollen eyes, and his heart ached, "... Ranran."

Lin Qingran rested her head on his lap and asked softly, "Will you get better this time?"

Shen Tingzhu suddenly thought that God really didn't favor him at all. He smiled and said, "Yes."

Lin Qingran tightened her hands on his robe.

Every August is the time when envoys from the five neighboring countries come to Qi to pay tribute, and a grand banquet is held in the palace.

In the Jinluan Hall, the Wuyi dancers danced enchantingly, and the jade pots were spinning.

A chamberlain came in from outside the palace, walked to the emperor's side, and whispered, "Your Majesty."

The emperor glanced sideways, "Where is the queen?"

The chamberlain said: "Back to the emperor, the queen is not in good health. She may not be able to come here because she has lost her etiquette."

The emperor rubbed the cup in his hand, the light in his eyes was slightly cold, it was just the past, but at this time today...she really didn't take herself to heart at all.

The emperor said coldly: "Since she doesn't want to come, just stay in the palace."

The Wuyi woman who was kneeling aside to serve the wine secretly admired the emperor's face. When she saw the emperor looking at her, she immediately lowered her eyes and said in a shy voice: "I will pour wine for the emperor."

The emperor lowered his eyes and looked at the woman in front of him with a low eyebrow, then reached out to lift her chin, "What's your name?"

"Back to the emperor, I call you Yurou." Yurou raised her head timidly, then quickly took it back, biting her lip lightly.

Between the eyebrows and eyes, there was a slight resemblance to Shen Zhen when she was fourteen or fifteen years old. The emperor smiled: "It is really a delicate jade and a beautiful flower." He took back his hand and said to the servant: "Send it to the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart."

Shen Zhen prayed for Shen Tingzhu all night in the Buddhist hall, and she knelt until daylight. Her legs were numb, and the palace maid refused to get up even when she came to help her.

"Empress." Baoyue, Shen Zhen's personal maid, came in with an indignant look.

Shen Zhen frowned, "What's wrong?"

Baoyue bit her lip, "Hu Meizi, who the emperor asked the emperor to take to the Yangxin Hall last night, is outside asking for an audience."

Shen Zhen tightened her hand holding the beads and scolded: "When did you become so careless in your words?"

Baoyue didn't dare to say anything, she was unconvinced, she was just a coquettish and mean person.

Shen Zhen asked her to help her stand up, and said: "Let someone wait in the palace. I will be there in a moment."

After dressing up, Shen Zhen went to see Yurou.

When Yurou saw Shen Zhen entering the palace, she immediately knelt down and saluted, "Yurou, see you, the Queen."

Shen Zhen glanced at her and said, "Get up."

Yurou said softly: "Yurou is from Wuyi and does not understand the rules of Daqi, but she thought that since she entered the palace, she would come to pay her respects to the empress."

Baoyue chewed her silver teeth into pieces, she was really a foxy girl, and the emperor didn't grant her a title, so she wasn't even qualified to kneel as empress.

Shen Zhen hummed lukewarmly.

Yurou said again: "Yurou saw that the empress looked bad, but because of the prince..."

Shen Zhen's eyes turned cold, "Who told you that?"

Yurou quickly lowered her head, "Yurou is bold. I only learned about it when the emperor mentioned it last night, and Yurou happened to know that the witch doctor is proficient in the art of poison."

"Witch doctor?" Shen Zhen's voice was excited, "But Wuyi's witch doctor?"

Yurou nodded, "The witch doctor has already gone to meet the emperor with the second prince, so I think you can rest assured."

Shen Zhen was overjoyed and said to Bao Yue: "Zai Jia, I want to see the emperor."

Jinluan Palace.

The chamberlain invited Shen Zhen into the palace. Shen Zhen bowed and saluted the man sitting behind the dragon table, "I have met the emperor."

The emperor put down the brush in his hand, raised his eyes and smiled sarcastically, "It's rare that you are willing to come over."

Shen Zhen took a sip and said, "I heard that Wu Yi's witch doctor is proficient in the art of Gu."

The emperor interrupted her with a cold tone, "That's why you're here."

Shen Zhen ignored the care in his words and asked eagerly: "But is it true?"

The emperor said: "It's true."

"Then could your Majesty ask the witch doctor to diagnose and treat Shen Zhi?"

The emperor stood up and walked to the window with his hands behind his hands, "No."

Shen Zhen turned her head to look at him in disbelief, and the emperor said, "Do you know what conditions the Second Prince Wuyi made to me."

"He asked me to give away three cities." He looked back at Shen Zhen, "Do you think I can agree?"

Shen Zhen froze on the spot, and sending him out of the city was no different from betraying his country. She said incoherently: "There must be another way. I beg the emperor to think of another way."

The emperor said: "Go back."

Shen Zhen went over and pulled his sleeves, crying and begging, "But that is my concubine's biological brother, and he is also the emperor's savior."

The emperor looked at her and said, "I am the king, and he is the minister." The majesty of his words could not be ignored, "I have done my utmost to be benevolent and righteous to both the Shen family and Shen Zhi."

"Your Majesty... I beg you, my concubine."

The chamberlain bowed his waist and entered the palace. When he saw the scene in front of him, he lowered his head and did not dare to breathe, "Your Majesty, Miss Yurou wants to see you."

The waiter was worried, the empress was not a carefree person, so why did she get confused at this time?

The emperor glanced at Shen Zhen, with a sneer on his lips, and said to the chamberlain, "Let her in."

The emperor raised Shen Zhen's chin and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, "If it weren't for Shen Zhi, you wouldn't have come to me. Since you are so unwilling, there is no need to come in the future. Just stay in your own palace."

The servant was shocked that the emperor wanted to ground the queen!

Shen Zhen's eyelashes trembled and she looked at him closely, the hope in her eyes gradually extinguished. She was completely disappointed and stood up and said, "I leave you."

Yu Rou from outside the hall came in at the same time and walked past her. Shen Zhen raised her lips slightly.

Shen Tingzhu was in coma for the third time, and the coma lasted longer and longer. At first it was an hour, half a day, and then two days.

Lin Qingran watched over the unconscious Shen Tingzhu, her eyes empty, half a month away, only five days left...

She murmured: "You said it would get better, you can't lie to me."

When night fell, the emperor came.

The two of them were talking behind closed doors. Lin Qingran came over with tea and happened to hear their conversation outside the house.

"I hope you don't resent me." The emperor's voice was emotionless.

"I searched for famous doctors and found Lingyu Herb for you. I think I have done my best."

Lin Qingran clenched the hand holding the tray tightly.

After a long time, Shen Tingzhu's voice sounded, "I understand how I dare to blame the emperor."

Lin Qingran closed her eyes hard, tears falling on the tea lid, and she turned around and left in a hurry.

When Qiu Zhi saw Lin Qingran leaving and coming back, her face was filled with tears and she said anxiously: "Miss, what happened?"

The emperor's words were swirling in Lin Qingran's mind. Shen Tingzhu really couldn't survive this time. He lied to her again!

Lin Qingran slowly wiped away her tears, "Go buy something for me." She whispered into Qiu Zhi's ear.

Qiu Zhi opened her mouth wide after hearing this, "Miss, what are you trying to do?" She said in a hoarse voice, "You must not act recklessly."

Lin Qingran turned a deaf ear and said calmly: "Go now."

After the emperor left, Mo Ci came to invite Lin Qingran over.

Shen Tingzhu sat at the window and looked at her, taking in every inch of her, as if he couldn't get enough of her. After a long time, he smiled softly and said, "I have asked Mo Ci to contact Lin Zhao, and he will be here tomorrow Let me take you away first."

Lin Qingran looked at him quietly, "Didn't you say it would get better?"

Shen Tingzhu nodded and said with a smile: "When I feel better, I will go find you."

Lin Qingran nodded, "Okay."

After the words fell, both of them were speechless and looked at each other quietly. Shen Tingzhu thought she would cry or make a fuss, but she was unexpectedly calm. That was good.

Shen Tingzhu said softly: "It's getting late, go and rest early."

Lin Qingran nodded again, turned and left without saying a word.

The night was dark and neither of them fell asleep. Shen Tingzhu had been sitting behind the desk in trance since Lin Qingran left. The whole person was enveloped in darkness. The loneliness was so oppressive that it made people feel cold in their hearts and they did not dare to look more. One glance.

It wasn't until she heard the sound of the door being pushed open that Shen Tingzhu raised her eyes.

It was Lin Qingran, holding a bag of something in his hand, but he couldn't tell what it was.

"Can't sleep?" Shen Tingzhu asked.

Lin Qingran tapped her chin gently, closed the door and walked to him, with a slight smile on her lips, "I have something to show you."

Shen Tingzhu also looked at her and smiled, just like she did every time she came to his room, "Then I'll light the lamp."

"No need." Lin Qingran said anxiously: "You can't look yet, close your eyes."

Shen Tingzhu laughed. The room was dark and he couldn't see anything clearly. Although he was confused, he nodded and closed his eyes.

Lin Qingran was still worried and reminded in a low voice, "Don't look at it."

A soft voice touched Shen Tingzhu's ears, and he said, "Okay."

The rustling sound was particularly clear in the darkness. Some light shone on Shen Tingzhu's eyelids, and it was Lin Qingran who lit the lamp.

After a moment, she stepped on the clothes on the floor and sat on Shen Tingzhu's lap. Her voice was hollow and nervous, "Okay."

Shen Tingzhu slowly opened his eyes. He squinted for a moment before adapting to the light. When he saw the scene in front of him clearly, his calm eyes suddenly turned into a storm.

Candlelight shrouded Lin Qingran's body. She was wearing a bright red wedding dress with no complicated and delicate patterns. It was the most ordinary wedding dress worn by ordinary women when they got married. Her gorgeous face was not painted with pink and white, but it was enough to shake Shen Tingzhu's heart.

Lin Qingran said softly, "I'll marry you." She took out a handkerchief, wrapped it carefully around Shen Tingzhu's wrist, and whispered, "I heard someone say that if you don't get married, you will die. , you can't get on the Naihe Bridge."

When Shen Tingzhu realized what she was going to do and his hands were firmly tied to the armrests, his eyes gradually turned red and he said sternly: "Ranran, don't be ridiculous!"

"I'm not messing around." Lin Qingran put her arms around his neck, pressed her cheek against him and rubbed it gently, and said sadly: "No one will know, I will marry you secretly."

Shen Tingzhu's arms tensed up, his downcast eyes were extremely sharp, and he shouted angrily: "Lin Qingran!"

"I heard everything." Lin Qingran kissed his neck, with a broken cry in her voice, "I heard you talking to the emperor, and you lied to me again. You are obviously not going to get better." Sobbing, feeling helpless and aggrieved as if abandoned.

Tears slid down Shen Tingzhu's collar. He shook hard and his teeth bled, "Untie me and let's talk slowly."

Lin Qingran nodded, stretched out his hand, and was able to untie the ties of his clothes, "I don't believe you, you only lie to me."

After she finished speaking, she bit Shen Tingzhu's neck hard, refusing to let go even after tasting the blood, venting her grief, "Don't worry, I will go back with my brother tomorrow, and I will be your wife for one night."

Shen Tingzhu's hands were tied and his legs could not move. He only knew that the little girl was brave, but he did not expect that she could be so lawless. "Lin Qingran, how dare you!"

Lin Qingran raised her waist, her voice trembling, "I...sit down."

=== Chapter === 065

Shen Tingzhu's forehead was covered with beads of sweat. His rational mind was on the verge of collapse. He clenched his bound hands tightly, trying to exert force but then loosened his grip.

He shouted harshly like a trapped animal, "Lin Qingran!"

At this time, Lin Qingran had already lost her strength. She was frozen and did not dare to move. She was trembling all over. She was lying on Shen Tingzhu's shoulders without any strength. Her vision was hazy. It was unclear whether it was sweat or tears hanging on her eyelashes. She was so delicate. His lips were bitten with bloody marks by his teeth.

She cried and trembled and said, "Don't be cruel to me... I'm already in a lot of pain."

Shen Tingzhu couldn't help but feel distressed when he heard her crying like this. The little girl was so delicate that even pricking her hand with a wood thorn would make her eyes turn red. How had she ever suffered such a crime?

"Remove my hand."

Lin Qingran shook his head vigorously and said with tears: "If I let go of you, you will push me away."

She was heartbroken, so she simply closed her eyes tightly, raised her toes gently, and tightened her white calves. She told herself that she could just endure it.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to take a breath, and before Lin Qingran made any move, he kissed her gently at the end of her tear-stained eyes, comforting her deeply, "Ranran, let go of me. If you go on such a rampage, what will happen?" Hurt yourself."

Lin Qingran was not sure what he meant. She looked at him through the mist and mist. Shen Tingzhu's eyes were deeply focused. Suddenly, he kissed Lin Qingran heavily, making Lin Qingran timid. Tongue, mute command, "Untie."

The handkerchief slipped, and Shen Tingzhu held her slender waist, with fire dancing in his dark eyes, "Hold me tight."

In the early morning, Lin Qingran got into the carriage with Lin Zhao.

There was no noise or fuss, and the silence made Lin Zhao feel distressed. He did not delay and ordered to set off.

Lin Qingran picked up the curtain of the carriage house, took one last look at Wancaoju, let go of his hand, and as the curtain fell, the carriage slowly moved forward.

Lin Qingran took Xue Tuan away. She pressed her cheek against Xue Tuan's soft fur and whispered, "Just follow me from now on." He doesn't want you, and he doesn't want me either.

Lin Qingran closed her eyes, tears falling silently.

The wedding dress was left in Shen Ting's bamboo house.

Shen Tingzhu folded the rumpled clothes, touched the dark marks on them with his palms, and tightened his eyes.

He sent Mo Ci.

There were only four days left before the half-month period, and Shen Tingzhu's pale face already showed a grayish look of death. Mo Ci did not dare to look directly at him, and knelt down and said, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

Shen Tingzhu squinted his eyes and pondered for a long time before giving the order, "Try to contact the Second Prince Wu Yi and tell him that the conditions are up to him."

Mo Ci was startled and looked up at Shen Tingzhu. Seeing the sinister lust in his eyes, she suppressed her fear and cupped her hands and said, "Yes."

At the same time, the black shadow lurking on the roof jumped away.

On the calm river, an inconspicuous boat moved slowly across the river.

It was quiet in the cabin. The second prince ordered the accompanying witch doctor to diagnose Shen Tingzhu. Finally, the witch doctor retreated to the second prince's side, lowering his eyes and talking in Wuyi dialect.

Shen Tingzhu retracted his hand and looked at the two of them with furrowed eyebrows, looking very nervous.

The second prince glanced at him and said: "The witch doctor can indeed cure the poison on the prince's body."

Shen Tingzhu held his hand on the armrest of his wheelchair, "Seriously?"

The second prince nodded, but sighed again, with a troubled expression, "I'm afraid your prince doesn't understand Gu. It's not easy to practice Gu, and the antidote is even more rare..." He meant something.

He raised his eyes and glanced at the witch doctor, "Is this prince right?"

The witch doctor nodded: "Indeed, I only have one antidote."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the two of them and said, "If the second prince has any conditions, you might as well tell him directly."

The second prince laughed loudly, "Your Majesty, please speak quickly, I will make it clear." He put his hands on the table, leaned forward with his generous body, and stared at Shen Tingzhu with a pair of sharp eyes, "It's very simple, I want the one in Lord Shen's hand. The city defense plan is not difficult for the Crown Prince."

Shen Tingzhu's eyes turned cold, "The second prince wants me to betray the country?" What a good strategy. Once the city defense map was handed over to Wu Yi, the Marquis of Changxing was controlled by Wu Yi from then on.

The second prince said: "I thought the prince wanted to survive."

Shen Tingzhu chuckled disdainfully, "I do want to live, but I, the Marquis of Changxing, are loyal and loyal, and I cannot be a traitor."

The second prince didn't take it seriously, "The Marquis of Changxing is so loyal and courageous, how can it end well?"

Shen Tingzhu narrowed his eyes, "Second Prince, what does this mean?"

"I'm afraid the prince doesn't know that your sister, the current queen, has been grounded by the emperor. Once you die, the emperor will no longer owe the Changxing Marquis anything. Since the Changxing Marquis has an army and respects himself, the emperor is afraid that he will have been on guard for a long time. By that time, The survival of the Changxing Marquis Mansion." The second prince turned his palm down, "It's just between the emperor's palm turning over."

Shen Tingzhu's face turned ugly and he was obviously shaken, but he still said: "Second Prince, there is no need to say more."

The second prince stretched out his hand towards the witch doctor, who put a box into his hand, and he pushed the box down in front of Shen Tingzhu, "This is my prince's sincerity."

The life-saving medicine was placed in front of him, but no one could remain indifferent. The corners of Shen Tingzhu's lips tightened, as if struggling.

The second prince said leisurely: "As far as I know, the prince had an old illness. He finally recovered and tasted happiness with his sweetheart. Are you really willing to die like this?"

"You spy on me." Shen Tingzhu gritted his teeth and glared.

The second prince spread his hands and said, "If the prince dies, the beauty will end up in someone else's family."

Shen Tingzhu's expression changed several times, with anger flashing in his eyes. He stared at the medicine box and suddenly smiled, "I'm afraid the antidote is not that simple."

The second prince raised his eyebrows in surprise, glanced at the witch doctor quickly, and said: "Yes, this can only help extend the prince's life for ten days. Within ten days, the prince will bring out the city defense map, and I will give you the antidote. "

After he finished speaking, he stood up and said, "I'm waiting for good news about the prince."

The second prince and the witch doctor left the cabin, boarded another ship and left.

Mo Ci came in from outside, "Your Majesty, what should we do now?"

Shen Tingzhu picked up the wooden box on the table, held it up on the tip of his finger to look at it, and smiled casually: "Those three cities were not what they wanted in the first place. Making that request to the emperor was just a tactic to alienate them."

He picked up the medicine and put it into his mouth, "Ten days? Then wait for the last day and invite the second prince to come again."

In the past ten days, Lord Shen went in and out of Wancaoju many times, and every time he was in a hurry, and the entire Changxing Marquis Mansion was even more gloomy. The emperor rebuked Lord Shen in the court more than once, and everyone was there. It is speculated that the situation of Changxing Marquis Mansion is over.

That night, everything was silent in Wancaoju. Only the candlelight in Shen Tingzhu's room flickered, and the candlelight shone on his face in a mixture of light and dark, depressing and gloomy.

He pushed the sheepskin scroll in his hand forward, "This is what you want."

The second prince's eyes lit up and he reached out to take it, but Shen Tingzhu put his hand away and said, "The antidote."

The second prince impatiently took out a small box from his arms, and Shen Tingzhu still held the other end. The second prince's face darkened: "Is the prince going to regret it?"

Shen Tingzhu smiled, "I just think the second prince should come up with the real antidote."

That day he said he would give the antidote again. The word "again" already made Shen Tingzhu feel that something was wrong. Now he was about to give it out so easily, without even checking whether the picture was true or false. From this, it can be seen that it would never be so Simple.

The second prince's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect Shen Tingzhu to be so alert, but now his life was in their hands. What could they do if they knew.

The second prince took the scroll and curled his lips and said, "Indeed, the medicine this time can only keep the prince safe for three months, but after that, I will have someone come to deliver the antidote every three months, so you can rest assured."

"The second prince turned out to be playing tricks on me." Shen Tingzhu said slowly and leisurely, raising his eyes to look at the two people who were looking at the scrolls, "Why does the second prince think that if you don't come up with the antidote today, I will let you out?"

He spoke very slowly. The second prince laughed wildly when he heard this. Looking at his weak appearance, he mocked: "How dare you do anything to me?"

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and nodded, "I really don't dare to do anything to the second prince." He picked up the medicine box and played with it in his hand, and said in a sharp tone, "But he is different."

Then he flipped his wrist, and the wooden box in his hand flew to the crook of the witch doctor's knee. The witch doctor was unprepared for a moment, and his whole body sank forward. Shen Tingzhu's hand was like lightning, and he pinched him with his fingers. He strangled his neck hard, and the man's face instantly turned red, and he half-knelt on the ground.

Changes came so quickly. It was clear that Shen Tingzhu didn't even have the strength to break free from a handkerchief. How could he reach out so well? The second prince didn't have time to think deeply and was about to attack him. Shen Tingzhu grabbed the witch doctor's hand and exerted force. The witch doctor immediately rolled his eyes in pain.

He raised his eyes and said to the second prince: "If the second prince comes here again, I will break his neck." After a moment, he lowered his eyes and looked at the person kneeling in front of him, as if he were looking at a dead dog.

The second prince looked ferocious and had to stop, "He's just a witch doctor. If you want to kill him, just kill him. If you kill him, your medicine will be gone."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at him and sneered: "Still pretending to be calm."

He leaned slightly closer to the person on the ground, "The witch doctor is dead, but what if he is the fifth prince of Qiang Yue?"

The man on the ground had bruises on his forehead, his bloodshot eyes were wide open, and he looked at him in horror. He had never been to Daqi. How did Shen Tingzhu know his identity.

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "How come I never knew about Wu Yi's wizard Shan Gu? I have always wondered why Wu Yi colluded with Qiang Yue. I will understand when I see you that day." Shen Tingzhu's beautiful eyebrows flashed Li, "Wu Yi once married Qiang Yue, and the princess she married was the mother of the short-lived third prince. She gave birth to two sons."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and asked, "The other one is you?"

The fifth prince of Qiang Yue stared at him fiercely, his eyes almost splitting.

Shen Tingzhu's expression was as indifferent as if he was gossiping, "Avenge your brother?" He tilted his head, "No, I want to take the opportunity to make a contribution and get ahead."

The understatement was like a slap in the face.

The second prince was furious, "If you dare to take action, you will die as well."

Shen Tingzhu laughed out loud, the little girl was so courageous, so why should he not dare, "Why don't you think about how Wu Yi should explain to Qiang Yue if he brought the fifth prince out but couldn't bring him back safely. "

Shen Tingzhu was talking nonsense to them impatiently, "Antidote."

The fifth prince's eyes were sinister and lustful, but Shen Tingzhu was unmoved, "No?" His hand gradually tightened.

At this moment, the fifth prince, who was already out of breath and out of breath, put his hand into the lapel of his clothes. A cold light suddenly appeared, and he swung the dagger towards Shen Tingzhu.

Shen Tingzhu's eyes narrowed, his fingers were like claws, and with a crisp "click" sound, he forcibly removed the joints of the fifth prince's wrist, and the dagger fell to the ground.

The fifth prince was sweating profusely from the severe pain. However, his throat was strangled and he couldn't utter a single sound. His face was twisted in pain.

Shen Tingzhu said: "You cast the poison yourself. Don't you know that only when the poison is active will people be unable to move due to severe pain." After taking the jade spirit grass, except for the fact that his legs could not walk, everything else had already recovered.

"The next Gu hair is coming soon." Shen Tingzhu raised the corners of his lips with a hint of unpredictable evil, "But I will break your neck before then."

How could the second prince sit still and wait for death? He moved forward indifferently and tried to attack Shen Tingzhu's legs. Shen Tingzhu looked at him lightly and said, "Do you really think there is no one outside? This is Daqi, you can do it. Are you being presumptuous?"

Only then did he notice that people had gathered outside the house, and they were definitely not theirs. The second prince froze as if struck by lightning. This time, they underestimated the enemy and fell into a trap. The city defense map must also be fake. He Loudly: "Give it to him!"

The fifth prince was unwilling and unable to do anything, so he used his other uninjured hand to take out the real antidote.

Shen Tingzhu took the medicine and drank it.

The second prince said: "You can let me go!"

"Of course." Shen Tingzhu said and let go, pinched the fifth prince's chin instead, took out a porcelain bottle from his arms with one hand, uncorked it, poured it all into the fifth prince's mouth, and then threw the person aside.

The fifth prince held his throat and gasped for air, and asked in a rough voice: "What did you give me to eat!"

Shen Tingzhu said: "My poison doesn't have as many tricks as your Gu. It's better because it's quick and easy. It takes half an hour to spread the poison."

The blood on the fifth prince's face suddenly faded, "I've given you the antidote!"

"The fifth prince is too scheming, I have to guard against it." Shen Tingzhu said leisurely: "Half an hour is enough to remove the poison from my body. If not..."

His tone suddenly turned cold, "Just die with me."

=== Chapter === 066

The boat going south stopped at Shangyuan Ferry. The wind on the river blew the sails. Lin Zhao arranged for his servants to move things off the boat. His eyes turned to Lin Qingran who was standing at the stern of the boat. The wind lifted the white gauze on her hat, revealing A tapered chin.

Lin Zhao raised his eyebrows worriedly. Lin Qingran had always looked like this since leaving Beijing. He neither cried nor smiled. He often stood at the boat rail and looked at the river from a distance. He looked haggard and thin day after day. In a circle.

Lin Zhao saw this, feeling sad and helpless.

The half-month period has passed, the prince may be...

Lin Zhao sighed roughly, stepped forward and said, "It's time for us to get off the boat."

Lin Qingran lowered his gaze, his eyelashes lightly covering his eyes. The bright eyes in the past were only dim, "Yeah."

She was just wondering if Shen Tingzhu had stood at the bow of the boat and waited like this when he came to pick her up.

He didn't wait for him, and she couldn't wait this time either.

Lin Qingran closed her eyes, turned around and said softly: "Let's go."

Her dress was blown up, making her more frail and slender, as if the wind was stronger and could destroy her.

Lin Zhao put his arm around her shoulders, protecting her to prevent her from falling, "It's getting late. We'll stay at Shangyuan's house tonight, and then rush home tomorrow."

Lin Qingran had no objection, "Brother can just arrange it."

Regret arose in Lin Zhao's eyes. He should have accompanied her to Beijing in the first place, and the situation would not have developed into what it is now, nor would his good sister be like this.

"Shangyuan is a fortress where rivers and trade meet. It's prosperous and lively. I'll take you for a stroll later. If you want to buy or eat something, my eldest brother will accompany you."

Lin Qingran shook her head. She didn't want to go anywhere. After taking two steps, she stopped and said, "Brother, can you help me buy something."

Lin Zhao smiled: "Tell me what you want to buy."

"Brother, go and buy some yellow paper, white candles, and ingots for me."

The smile on Lin Zhao's face froze, "Why did you buy these?"

Lin Qingran's throat was filled with bitterness, and her thin voice was muffled by the wind. "Today is my second cousin's first birthday, and I want to pay my respects." This was her first time in the house after leaving Wancao Residence. Shen Tingzhu is mentioned in front of others.

Lin Zhao's eyes were heavy and his tone was gentle but serious, "I will buy it, but I will dye it lightly."

"I know." Lin Qingran interrupted him, "I know everything big brother wants to say, but... I should pay homage to him."

She wore a wedding dress for him and became his wife.

Lin Zhao didn't know the meaning behind her words. The Changxing Marquis and the Lin family were in-laws, and it was appropriate both emotionally and rationally.

He nodded in agreement.

The night wind blew up the burned yellow paper, dyeing Lin Qing's plain white clothes. Her eyes were extremely sour and red in the firelight. She bit her lip tightly and refused to shed tears. Throw the yellow paper in your hand into the brazier.

"I don't want to remember you." Lin Qingran murmured in a low voice full of helplessness, "But I always dream about you."

She dreamed that he was poisoned and died alone in the hut, and she also dreamed that he hugged her and whispered softly. The more she didn't want to think about it, the more pervasive her thoughts became.

Qiu Zhi, who was standing by, could not help but shed tears. She kept complaining about why God was so cruel and made the young lady and the prince separated from each other.

Lin Qingran stared blankly at the fire, feeling wetness dripping down her face. She hurriedly wiped it away with her hands and breathed hard, but the air that was poured into her throat was like a knife cutting it.

Lin Qingran didn't want to be like this anymore, so she sobbed and said, "I won't remember you for too long. After paying homage to Qiqi for you, you won't come to my dreams anymore."

…

It only took two days to get from Shangyuan to Jiangning. Mr. Lin looked at his children, especially when he saw Lin Qingran's current appearance. He was a different person from before he left home. His heartache had long outweighed his anger. The apple of his eye had always been He was so carefree, so why did he look so haggard and depressed?

Lin Qingran got off the carriage and saw her father's concerned and worried eyes and the few white hairs on his temples. Her forbearing emotions finally collapsed. She couldn't help crying and ran over and threw herself into his arms regardless of the rules. , "Dad, I made you worry."

Mr. Lin sighed deeply and reluctantly touched the top of her hair, "It's good to be back. Dad is here."

The envoys from the five countries left Beijing, and the emperor summoned Shen Tingzhu in the Jinluan Hall.

The emperor took a sip of tea, raised his eyes and said, "Is everything ready?"

Shen Tingzhu's eyes were smiling and his expression was lazy, "Thanks to the emperor."

Except for the fact that my legs cannot stand for long, everything else is fine.

There was no smile on the emperor's face, he snorted coldly, "You should thank me properly." He tapped his fingers on the golden nanmu table, "Because of you, Zhen'er has shut me out of the palace several times. ."

Shen Tingzhu smiled wildly, until he saw the emperor's face becoming colder again and again, then he calmed down a little, "Although I didn't get angry with sister beforehand, but based on the tacit understanding that the three of us grew up together, I think she understands the emperor." Yes, that shouldn't be the case."

The emperor did not speak. Shen Tingzhu's illness was the gap between them. He thought that by curing Shen Tingzhu's illness, they would be relieved. But it was not the case. The only possibility left was that because of Lu Yuanchong, she Still complaining that he broke them up.

Shen Tingzhu didn't think so. Although Ajie and Lu Yuanchong had known each other since childhood, and the two families had plans to get married, in his opinion, the two did not have a deep friendship, and they were always polite and polite in their dealings, never breaking the rules. The reason why Ajie couldn't pass the test in her heart was because of his body and the emperor's tough tactics.

"Okay." The emperor became more and more irritable as he thought about it. He waved his hand and said, "I don't need you to worry about me anymore. I'm afraid the Lin family daughter may think you are dead, so you won't chase me?"

Shen Tingzhu naturally wanted to go. If he hadn't cleaned up the mess these days, he would have chased him to Jiangning.

The emperor couldn't stand the look on his face, and said in a slightly mocking tone, "You've deceived people like this, I'm afraid you won't be able to stop it easily."

Shen Tingzhu's expression changed. Although he didn't mean to deceive Lin Qingran, he did conceal his plan. Thinking of her determination that night, he felt flustered.

The emperor rarely saw panic on his face, and said with a leisurely smile: "Don't bother me, I will grant you a marriage."

Shen Tingzhu was not fooled, "With your Majesty's past experience, I will never act impulsively."

The emperor felt pain from being stabbed and pointed his finger at Shen Tingzhu, "Now that you have recovered from your illness, do you think I will still pamper you? If you speak rudely, I will punish you not to leave the capital for more than a month." Still thinking about going to Jiangning, dreaming!

Shen Tingzhu raised his eyebrows in embarrassment, "Your Majesty does not want to hear from you why I don't see you this time."

The emperor was silent and said: "Tell me and listen."

Shen Tingzhu said: "I dare to ask, does the emperor really favor that Wuyi woman?"

The emperor frowned, "Of course not."

Shen Tingzhu nodded his chin clearly, "Does Sister know that?"

The emperor shook his head, and then said: "Why would she care about this?" He said with a self-deprecating tone, "She is eager for me to draft a concubine."

Shen Tingzhu felt that the prince's current behavior was a bit like what he had taken for granted.

Shen Tingzhu said: "Sister, I don't want to see the emperor, but at least she behaves well on her face. She has never been so temperamental as now."

After listening to the first half of Shen Tingzhu's words, the emperor wanted to extend his thinking time for a month, but later on, a smile appeared on his lips, "You mean, she is being mean to me?"

Shen Tingzhu nodded, "At least I don't care at all."

The emperor couldn't help but smile. As he stood up, he said to Shen Tingzhu, "You can go."

"Then Chen's grounding?"

The emperor did not embarrass him. He only said: "A small country like Qiang Yue has no idea how high the sky is. It is abominable to invade several times. I will never tolerate it anymore. All you have to do is come up with a complete plan for me. Go wherever you like." where."

Shen Tingzhu agreed calmly, and it shouldn't take him a few days. However, a letter sent by the secret guard completely threw him into confusion.

Shen Tingzhu lined up secret guards all the way to secretly escort Lin Qingran and his party back to Jiangning. He came to report once every ten days. After reading the letter in his hand, he realized that the little girl had already burned the yellow paper for him. He was afraid that this time The emperor said it right.

Shen Tingzhu wrote three pages of paper overnight and sent it to the palace. He ordered to set off early in the morning. However, he could not ride a horse now and there would be delays on the way.

She could only order Yueying to rush to Jiangning quickly and tell Lin Qingran that she was still alive.

At least stop burning paper for him.

Today was Shen Tingzhu's "March 7". Lin Qingran once again took a small copper basin and burned paper in his yard.

She threw the yellow paper into the brazier one by one, and the flames burned her face, making her look inexplicably eerie in the quiet night.

"Miss..." Qiuzhi hesitated. She looked at Lin Qingran uneasily and said cautiously: "Are you okay..."

"Okay, why not?" Lin Qingran continued to burn the paper with an expressionless face, holding a page of letter paper tightly in his other hand.

Just now, Lin Qingran was all fired up. A servant hurriedly sent a letter from Lin. The letter was very general. She only read a few words. Shen Tingzhu was not dead, and the poison had been cured. The aunt reassured her.

An Xin... Her heart was almost burnt on the fire!

Lin Qingran's chest heaved violently. She closed her eyes, then opened them suddenly, threw all the yellow paper at hand into the fire, and stood up suddenly.

Her eyes were red, she was a liar! He just knew how to lie to her without telling the truth! She didn't know his plan and couldn't help him, but he could at least tell her that he just watched her cry and let her do stupid things.

"asshole!"

Yueying, who had been hiding in the dark for a long time, shivered violently. The letter sent by the third lady arrived in Jiangning one step ahead of her. Lin Qingran was furious at the moment. If she showed up, she would inevitably be angered.

Lin Qingran cursed a few times, then suddenly crouched down and hugged her knees, sobbing, "How could you be like this... bastard... bastard." The hoarse voice was full of grievance, but more of happiness.

He's not dead, he's alive.

Seeing this, Yueying emerged from the darkness and said, "Miss."

Lin Qingran raised her head as soon as she heard her voice, with tears falling down her eyes. She tried hard to focus her eyes, "You're here too, where's that bastard!"

That bastard... Yueying lowered her head and said, "The prince is already on his way here. He was afraid that the young lady would be worried, so he asked his subordinates to inform him first." She raised her eyes and said, "Miss, I already know..."

Lin Qingran adjusted her breathing several times and couldn't help but sneer, afraid that she would be worried... afraid that if she was worried, he wouldn't lie to her like this!

"Do you all know?" She was the only one who was kept in the dark like a fool.

Yueying shook her head repeatedly, "Similar to you, my subordinates really thought that the Crown Prince was in a desperate situation this time... The Crown Prince asked this slave to tell you that he did not intend to hide it and did not tell you because he was not sure whether he would live or die himself and was afraid that he would not be able to keep his promise. "

Lin Qingran gritted her teeth so hard that she looked at the pot of unburned yellow paper on the ground. She shed tears and said angrily, "It would be better if he died!"

=== Chapter === 067

It was getting dusk, and an inconspicuous carriage passed through the town market.

Mo Ci turned around slightly while driving the carriage, and said to the inside of the carriage through the curtain: "Your Majesty, turn around the alley in front and you will arrive at the Lin Mansion."

Shen Tingzhu turned the page of the book in his hand and put it down, saying quietly: "Yes."

Mo Ci looked at the closed door of Lin Mansion from afar, and said with uncertainty: "Your Majesty, we won't be able to get in, right?"

He had asked his guards to deliver the message in advance, but until now, he had not seen anyone to greet him, not even a waiting concierge.

Shen Tingzhu pursed her thin lips slightly and said, "Knock on the door."

Mo Ci jumped off the carriage, pulled up the bronze animal head ring on the door and knocked it for a long time before someone came to open the door.

The concierge leaned out, looked at him up and down, and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Mo Ci reported his identity, "The person in the car is the Crown Prince of Changxing, who came to the house to visit."

When the concierge heard this, he immediately put on a smile and said, "It turns out to be the prince. I'm too young to report it right now." Then he closed the door and saw Mo Ci with a gray face.

He stared blankly, unable to believe that he was locked out like this.

On the carriage, Shen Tingzhu raised a corner of the curtain, lowered his eyes and smiled, and had already started to show off to him.

The concierge closed the door and hurriedly walked into the courtyard. Qiu Zhi stepped forward and asked in surprise: "You're here?"

"Come on, come on." The concierge wiped his sweat and felt a little uneasy when he remembered that he had smashed the door against the prince.

Qiu Zhi hurriedly went to tell Lin Qingran, only saying: "You can drive when I let you."

In Wuyue Pavilion, Lin Qingran was sitting next to the beauty in the corridor. She held a fan in her hand and shook it gently. She looked at the moon door expectantly. Seeing Qiu Zhi coming in, the fan in her hand shook quickly. After a while, he deliberately turned his gaze to another place, pretending not to care.

Qiuzhi ran all the way, panting from exhaustion, "Miss, the prince has arrived."

Lin Qingran said calmly: "We'll be there when we get there. Why are you in a hurry?"

Qiu Zhi groaned, secretly thinking that the young lady would not be able to get rid of her anger easily this time.

Lin Qingran's slender fingertips pinched the handle of the fan and gently twisted it back and forth, feeling angry again. He was the one who drove her away, and it was he who was chasing her. He had the final say in everything.

She held up her skirt and Shi Ran stood up and walked towards the house, "Gress and change clothes for me."

Mo Ci stood outside the mansion for more than half an hour but no one came to open the door. He walked to the carriage and said with certainty this time, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid we won't be able to get in today."

Shen Tingzhu was not in a hurry, "Just wait."

He made the little girl so frightened, and it didn't matter if he waited for a while, but the closer he got to her, the more intense and uncontrollable the yearning he felt in his heart.

Not long after, a carriage came from the other end of the alley, and it was Lin Zhao who got off.

Shen Tingzhu asked Mo Ci to help him get out of the carriage, and said with a smile: "Cousin, you are fine."

Lin Zhao's eyes paused slightly when he looked at Shen Tingzhu. His complexion looked very good.

Lin Zhao, who was also a man, could understand Shen Tingzhu's approach, but as an elder brother, he could not look down upon someone who had made his sister so sad. He could only say lukewarmly: "It turns out that the prince is here."

Lin Zhao raised his hand and said, "Please."

After walking past the Zhaobi, Shen Tingzhu looked around at the scene in the mansion, and was suddenly caught in the corner of his eye. He signaled Mo Ci to stop.

Her dark eyes tightly grasped the slender figure that walked out from behind the rockery. Lin Qingran was wearing a curtain hat, and the veil obscured her vision, but it could not block Shen Tingzhu's burning gaze.

Deep and intense, it seemed to be entangled in her eyes.

Lin Qingran walked towards the two of them, walking slowly, as if stepping on Shen Tingzhu's heart.

Lin Qingran stood in front of Lin Zhao. The wind passed by and blew the hem of her skirt to Shen Tingzhu's body. It swayed but could not be touched.

He raised his eyes and looked under the veil. He could only see her red ears dangling slightly, but he could not see her face unless he raised his hand to move her curtain. Shen Tingzhu was holding the hand on the armrest She curled her long fingers together a little, and heard her soft voice in her ears, "Brother, I'm going out."

Lin Zhao nodded, "Just go."

Lin Qingran walked out of the house without even looking at Shen Tingzhu.

Knowing that she was angry and ignoring him, Shen Tingzhu still frowned when looking at her elegant waist. It was already dark, where else should he go.

Just as he was about to speak, Lin Zhao said at the right time: "Your Majesty, please come this way. My father must be waiting for you."

Shen Tingzhu could only give up and follow Lin Zhao towards the flower hall.

Father Lin was quite polite to him and asked about his physical condition.

Shen Tingzhu truthfully explained the ins and outs of the matter. He said sincerely: "Although there was a reason for this incident and I had no choice but to hide it from my cousin, it made her sad. The fault lies with me."

Father Lin waved his hand, "It's a matter of life, so it's not something to be trifled with. Besides, my little girl will be sad for a few days even if she keeps a potted flower alive. Don't take it to heart, my son."

He said this to clear up the entanglement between Lin Qingran and Shen Tingzhu. The lintel of Changxing Marquis Mansion was high, and Shen Tingzhu was the proud son of heaven. The two families were related by marriage, so it would have been a good thing to get married to each other, but Lin The master is not willing to let his daughter marry far away, and he is particularly concerned about Shen Tingzhu's inconvenient legs and feet.

How could Shen Tingzhu be swayed by these two words? It was just the first time he met his future father-in-law. He acted very modestly. He didn't say anything after hearing this and only chatted with Mr. Lin.

Lin Qingran didn't come back until dinner. Shen Tingzhu finally asked, "Why don't we wait for my cousin to have dinner with us?"

Lin Zhao smiled and poured him wine, "She and her friends have their own place to go."

Shen Tingzhu glanced at the sky, smiled and said nothing.

September and October are the cool months, and boats can be seen everywhere on Yinghu Lake, with lanterns hanging on the bows and young ladies in the cabins enjoying tea and enjoying the scenery.

The hanging teahouse by the lake was even more lively. There were three women and two men sitting at the table leaning against the railing, and Lin Qingran was among them.

Lin Qingran drank the tea from the cup absentmindedly. Wei Yining next to her bumped into her slightly, "You have been staying at home since you came back from the capital. Why did you finally come out now and you are still running away from me?" Woolen cloth."

Wei Yining's family was also engaged in business and had been friends with Lin Qingran for many years. The two had not seen each other much since Lin Qingran went to the capital a year ago.

Lin Qingran came back to her senses, bit her lower lip and wiped away the water droplets on it, "Just thinking about something."

The man sitting opposite Lin Qingran put a plate of tea in front of her, "Miss Lin, try this, it will go well with your drunkenness." The person who spoke looked at her with a smile, it was Xia Shuming.

Lin Qingran, Wei Yining, and Chen Yao met Xia Shuming and his friends as soon as they arrived at the teahouse, so the five of them sat down together.

Xia Shuming didn't know that the fact that he had a wife had already been known to the Lin family. After meeting Lin Qingran at Huafang, he had been thinking about it. After finally meeting a beautiful woman again, he was naturally attentive.

Since the last time they met, Lin Qingran had obviously lost weight, and Liu Fufeng looked even more frail. His waist could easily be broken, and Xia Shuming's thoughts were racing in his mind.

Lin Qingran didn't care at all whether he had a wife or not. It had nothing to do with her anyway. But now that she looked at his peach blossom eyes that looked like Shen Tingzhu's, she understood what it meant to stand up and down.

She happily took a piece to eat, "It's not bad."

"What's a good idea?"

The clear and smiling voice came, not from Xia Shuming, but from behind.

Lin Qingran bit her lip, as if she knew who was coming.

The rest of the people looked at the person who was speaking. He was extremely handsome and distinguished from the bottom of his body, and the simple t-shirt on him made him look elegant.

Everyone just looked down and saw that he was sitting in a wheelchair, and then they realized that he had a leg problem.

Xia Shuming smiled politely and said, "Is this brother familiar with Miss Lin?"

Shen Tingzhu ignored him, but instead bent his eyes and smiled at the little girl who had not looked at him, "Why don't you introduce me?"

Lin Qingran turned her gaze sideways and looked at him calmly. Without the lens, every feature of his features was extremely clear, and there was no paleness or haggardness.

Her cold eyes made Shen Tingzhu's heart tighten.

Lin Qingran said to several people: "This is my cousin, Shen Zhi."

She also introduced a few people to Shen Tingzhu. The obvious sense of alienation in her words could be felt by everyone present.

Wei Yining came closer and asked, "Why didn't I know you had such a cousin?"

Lin Qingran said: "I'm not familiar with her either. I just met her once at my house today." Her voice was unclear, and it could be said that she wanted Shen Tingzhu to hear it on purpose.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Shen Tingzhu lowering her eyes and tightening the corners of her lips, which made her feel sour and happy in her heart.

Shen Tingzhu looked at everyone, "Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Xia Shuming said: "Master Shen, please come quickly."

Lin Qingran was just as she said, as if she was not familiar with him at all. She didn't even look at Shen Tingzhu and only talked to other people.

After sitting for a while, Xia Shuming suggested, "Why don't we go swimming in the lake."

Lin Qingran said at this time: "Second cousin has inconvenient legs and feet, and it would be inconvenient for him to travel with us, so I won't keep you here."

Shen Tingzhu looked at her, his eyes slowly flowing with love and nostalgia, "It doesn't matter, I'll go with you."

"As you wish." Lin Qingran stopped looking at him and took the lead in boarding the ship with Wei Yining and Chen Yao.

She sat on the cabin by the window, stretched her neck and looked out, and only looked away when she saw Shen Tingzhu walking towards the ship with Mo Ci's support.

Wei Yining saw her being weird and couldn't help but ask her: "What kind of grudge do you have with your cousin? You speak so rudely."

Lin Qingran moved her lips but said nothing. She was already polite enough.

Chen Yao watched even more enthusiastically than she did. She looked at Shen Tingzhu who was still at the bow of the boat and said, "Although my cousin has bad legs and feet, his appearance and bearing are outstanding."

Lin Qingran frowned when he heard this, and immediately said, "Second cousin already has a wife."

"Married?" Chen Yao glanced regretfully twice before looking away.

Several people boarded the boat. Shen Tingzhu was the last one to come in and only sat in the empty seat at the end.

Xia Shuming was extremely attentive to Lin Qingran, and it was obvious what he was thinking. However, due to the presence of his cousin Shen Tingzhu, he did not dare to go out of his way.

Although it was an eyesore to Shen Tingzhu, he restrained himself from having an attack. It was not until Xia Shuming poured wine for Lin Qingran that he said coolly, "She doesn't drink."

Xia Shuming put down the wine bottle and apologized: "I'm not thinking well, so I'll drink tea."

Shen Tingzhu said again: "Drinking too much tea at night will make you unable to sleep well. Ranran should drink some fruit drink."

Lin Qingran deliberately contradicted him and took the wine bottle from Xia Shuming's hand, "Who said I can't drink."

"My father and brother don't care, so why should you?" Lin Qingran smiled sarcastically.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to have lost his temper and said angrily, "You should always call me cousin. I have to take care of you myself."

Lin Qingran was angry again, cousin, then I will be my cousin for the rest of my life!

The boat had already swam around Yinghu Lake, and Shen Tingzhu said, "It's getting late, we should go back."

Compared to Shen Tingzhu's calm and gentle mood, Lin Qingran was like a hedgehog with its thorns erect and on the verge of breaking out.

"If you want to go back, go back by yourself."

Wei Yining had never seen Lin Qingran being so disrespectful to anyone, so he quickly smoothed things over and said, "Why don't we just stop here today."

Xia Shuming was no longer willing to let Lin Qingran go, but he would not show it on his face. He smiled considerately and said, "It's fine by me."

Lin Qingran said nothing and turned sideways with her back to Shen Tingzhu.

Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Xia Shuming took the opportunity to say, "If Miss Lin is not happy, we can come back another day."

Lin Qingran smiled at him and said, "Okay, didn't you say last time that you wanted to see the scenery of the 60-fold and 12-turn corridor? Let's go there."

Xia Shuming was overjoyed, "Then it's a deal."

Shen Tingzhu narrowed her eyes and looked at him, a cold light flashed in her eyes, and she looked away coldly.

When Lin Qingran looked around, he was looking at the dark lake with light eyes, his expression was very calm, which made her feel slightly worried.

The ship soon reached the shore.

Lin Qingran followed several people off the boat, and when passing by Shen Tingzhu's side, he held the hand under his sleeve silently.

Shen Tingzhu called her gently in a voice that only two people could hear: "Ranran."

Lin Qingran shrank her fingertips and pulled her hand out cruelly.

When she was about to leave, Shen Tingzhu held her sleeve instead. What he hated most in the past was sympathy from others, but now he showed weakness in front of Lin Qingran, "Ranran, I can't walk."

=== Chapter === 068

Xia Shuming walked out of the cabin and saw that no one was following him. He wanted to turn around and take a look, but Mo Ci had already stopped him first, "Everyone, please go back."

The gauze hanging in the cabin blocked his sight, and he could only vaguely see the shadows of two people, one standing and the other sitting.

Xia Shuming was already feeling itchy. If it hadn't been for this cousin who appeared out of nowhere, he might have been able to kiss her today.

Mo Ci looked at him coldly, "Please."

He insinuated that Xia Shuming was careless about life and death and actually cared about the prince's people. He should be lucky that the prince came in person today, otherwise if he dared to touch his hand, the hidden guards would pick off his head.

Behind the gauze curtain, Lin Qingran had a straight face, pulled his sleeves out, and said coldly, "I'll let Mo Ci come in."

Shen Tingzhu didn't let go. Lin Qingran was not stronger than him, so he simply took off the outermost sleeves, leaving only a tube top on his upper body, with his two thin white arms exposed, "Take it if you like."

Lin Qingran was very conflicted. She didn't know whether she wanted to leave or stay, but she knew that Shen Tingzhu would never let her go out like this.

Sure enough, his wrist was held, and pain and panic appeared in Shen Tingzhu's eyes, "...Ranran."

She still wanted to speak coldly, but her waist was also restrained. Shen Tingzhu pushed her towards him, slid his hands along her hips to the crook of her legs, and easily let her sit on his lap with her knees apart.

Lin Qingran blushed and struggled, "Second cousin, please respect yourself!"

Lin Qingran kept twisting, and Shen Tingzhu used a tricky technique to pinch her waist, and she softened as if the strength had been relieved. As soon as they got close, the familiarity with each other's bodies and the longing for these days were instantly palpable. Suddenly, Lin Qingran couldn't help but want to get closer to him. She could only say harsh words, "Shen Tingzhu!"

Shen Tingzhu patted her back gently to calm her anxiety, "Ranran must listen to my explanation. Let's talk."

"I have nothing to talk to you about." After Lin Qingran finished speaking, her lips tightened and she looked aggrieved and stubborn.

"Then Ranran, listen to me." Shen Tingzhu lowered her long eyelashes and looked at Lin Qingran's red eyes, "It was my fault that I kept it from you, but I wasn't sure it would be foolproof at that time... so I dare not disappoint you a second time."

"If I live, I will definitely keep my promise to marry you, but if I die unfortunately, I hope you can forget me."

Lin Qingran burst into tears as she listened to what he said. Shen Tingzhu went to kiss the wetness under her eyes, but Lin Qingran turned away and said, "But I have forgotten you."

Shen Tingzhu's breathing tightened, "No."

Lin Qingran took a deep breath. He had been in a trance for a whole month. Whenever he thought about it, he felt extremely distressed. How could he let him go away with just a few words.

She pushed Shen Tingzhu away and stood up, lowering her eyes and looking at him seriously, "When I burned the paper for you, I told myself that I would forget about you after burning it, so now it's between us."

Shen Tingzhu reached out to pull her, and for the first time, Lin Qingran reacted very quickly and took a few steps back, deliberately provoking him, "I'm very happy that you can remove the poison, but the things between us don't count anymore. "

Shen Tingzhu's lips turned pale, "You have already married yourself to me, and the wedding dress is still in my house, why don't you count it?"

Lin Qingran's pupils were clear in black and white, and her eyes were calm, "I also said that I would only be your wife for one night. Whoever I marry in the future has nothing to do with you."

She really dared to say anything. Shen Tingzhu really wanted to pull her into his arms and teach her a lesson to let her know whether it mattered.

However, what he said was completely opposite to what he thought in his heart. His tone was very soft, "Ranran took my body by force, and you don't want it anymore just because you don't want it?"

Lin Qingran's eyes flashed, and a flash of red quickly appeared under her eyes. Her legs under her skirt went numb for a moment. She picked up the big sleeves that fell on the ground, said "no" forcefully, and walked out in a panic. .

After walking out of the cabin, she discovered that the boat had reached the middle of the lake again at some unknown time, and it must have been arranged by Shen Tingzhu again.

She stood on the bow of the boat and blew the wind for a while to calm her mind, then walked back to question.

Waving away the gauze curtain, Shen Tingzhu raised his eyes. He held the cup with his slender fingers and drank slowly. There was loneliness in his eyes. His extremely white skin color made the alcohol easily turn red under his eyes. He The body is tilted and leaning on the sofa, with the collar and lapels slightly open, revealing the clear collarbone, which is decadent and romantic.

"Ranran." Shen Tingzhu's confused eyes were fixed on her.

Lin Qingran moved her lips, "Let, let the boat dock."

"I want you to find someone else when I get to the shore? Xia San?" Shen Tingzhu shook his head and spoke slower, "No, he has an extramarital affair and is very romantic."

Lin Qingran was already drunk when she saw him like this. She stepped forward and bent to look at him, "I want to go."

A trace of clarity returned to Shen Tingzhu's eyes. He grabbed her wrist and moved forward. Lin Qingran was caught off guard and fell into his arms.

The other hand hugged her waist tightly. Shen Tingzhu buried his head in her thin neck and nuzzled her like a child. His voice was no longer as clear and cold as before, "I'm not better than him...don't let me go."

"Ranran, Ranran." He murmured over and over again, his long and longing tone softening Lin Qingran's heart.

The voice gradually became quieter, and Shen Tingzhu fell asleep with his pillow on her shoulder.

Lin Qingran got off him and sat aside. Shen Tingzhu closed his eyes, rested one arm on the table, and tilted his head on the arm, his eyes closed and he was obedient and handsome.

Lin Qingran's breath was hot and she whispered, "Why is your drinking capacity worse than mine?"

She raised her waist, got close to him and patted his face gently with her palm, "Wake up, Shen Tingzhu."

The only response she received was her gentle and long breathing, which swept across Lin Qingran's face, burning the heat on her face even deeper.

Her gaze fell from Shen Tingzhu's brows and eyes, to the straight bridge of his nose, thin red lips, and the curve of his jaw that perfectly connected with the line of his neck. Lin Qingran looked down at his collar.

With her mind racing, Lin Qingran lowered her waist, and her trembling breath came close to his neck. Without the usual medicinal smell, he was left with only the refreshing fragrance of tea.

She gently put her lips to hers, holding her breath and rubbing them. When Shen Tingzhu didn't respond, she bit her teeth with her teeth as if to vent her anger.

Shen Tingzhu, who should have been asleep, silently opened his eyes. There was a trace of drunkenness in his clear eyes, and the corners of his lips raised a slight arc.

When Lin Qingran was walking in the garden the next day, he was already humming a tune leisurely. Qiu Zhi didn't know what happened last night, so she just followed behind and asked, "Miss, you have calmed down."

Lin Qingran raised the corners of her mouth and caught a glimpse of Shen Tingzhu coming from the other side. She immediately changed her face and said coquettishly, "No."

She said hard, but did not move. Further ahead was a stone bridge, which was inconvenient for Shen Tingzhu to cross.

"Ranran."

Lin Qingran hummed, "My second cousin and I are not that close."

Shen Tingzhu changed his mind and said, "Cousin."

Lin Qingran glanced over Shen Tingzhu's neck and saw the little bit of red. She pursed her lips guiltily. Before Shen Tingzhu said anything, she took the first step to remove herself, "There are many mosquitoes in summer. My cousin must have been bitten by a mosquito on his neck."

Shen Tingzhu smiled and touched his neck, "I seemed to be drunk last night, so I don't remember what happened next... maybe."

Lin Qingran didn't look at him, nodded and said, "It must be."

The concierge came over at this moment and said, "Miss, Young Master Xia has sent a message, saying that he invites you to enjoy the scenery."

Lin Qingran had already forgotten Xia Shuming. Just as he was about to push it away, he saw Shen Tingzhu

Looking at himself, he had said so emphatically last night that if he didn't go, wouldn't it make him proud?

Lin Qingran raised her chin and said, "Go and reply, just say I will be there in a minute."

Shen Tingzhu lowered his gaze and looked at his knees, "Can I go too."

Xia Shuming sat in the wind and rain pavilion in the middle of the lake. This place requires a boat to get to it. He deliberately dismissed the servants and chartered all the boats coming to this place at the pier to ensure that no one else would disturb him. Now he is waiting Lin Qingran came over.

Xia Shuming was shaking the jade fractured fan in his hand, and his mind was getting hot. Today he must have a taste of this thing he has been thinking about for a long time. He usually plays many tricks, but on the surface of the river, illuminated by the sky, it is still his head. one time.

Seeing the small boat coming from a distance, Xia Shuming closed his folding fan, stood up and stepped forward to greet her. However, what came out from under the awning was not the beauty he had longed for.

Xia Shuming was stunned, "Master Shen?"

Shen Tingzhu smiled and said, "Master Xia, if you don't mind if I come with you."

Lin Qingran came out after Shen Tingzhu and smiled apologetically at Xia Shuming, "My cousin is back to Jiangning for the first time, so I wanted to come and have a look."

"Of course I don't mind." Xia Shuming's eyes turned cold when he looked at Shen Tingzhu. Why was he always getting in the way?

Xia Shuming invited the two of them to sit in the pavilion, "I didn't have time to ask yesterday. From the accent, Mr. Shen doesn't seem to be from Nanjiang."

Shen Tingzhu said calmly: "Indeed not." He did not say any more, nor did he mean to introduce himself.

Xia Shuming was a little embarrassed, and few people would show off like this in front of him.

"Is Mr. Shen's family also engaged in business? I don't know what kind of business they are doing." Xia Shuming wanted to find out his background.

Shen Tingzhu said: "It's just some house property."

The humble Lin Qingran couldn't help but look at him. The more he looked at her, the more he couldn't look away. Suddenly, he felt that Xia Shuming's presence here was such a hindrance.

After hearing what Shen Tingzhu said, Xia Shuming sneered in his heart with disdain. He thought that with such a big family fortune, he might not want to be a son-in-law if he was so busy.

His attitude towards Shen Tingzhu also became colder. The Wind and Rain Pavilion had two floors, and the lame man couldn't keep up with the second floor. He turned to Lin Qingran and said: "The scenery on the river is better downstairs, not as good as ours." Go up and have a look."

"Master Shen, why don't we come together?"

Shen Tingzhu rubbed his knees with his palms, and then said softly: "It doesn't matter, just watch."

Lin Qingran's heart tightened when she heard this.

Xia Shuming seemed to have just come to his senses and pretended to be sorry, "I didn't think well. It's just that Mr. Shen is a talented person. I wonder why he has these legs?"

Shen Tingzhu lowered her long eyelashes, and her eyes suddenly became dull, "Old illness."

Xia Shuming sighed sadly, "It can still get better."

Lin Qingran was immediately annoyed and said to Xia Shuming, "Is Mr. Xia so careless in his words? How is my cousin's leg? What does it have to do with you? What does it have to do with you whether he is getting better or not?"

Seeing Lin Qingran's sudden anger, Xia Shuming said hurriedly: "I just want to say that I have a doctor I know who may be able to help with diagnosis and treatment."

Lin Qingran was like a cat with fried hair, "You don't need to worry."

Xia Shuming somehow made the beauty angry, "Miss Lin, I only mean well."

Lin Qingran called to the waiting boat and helped Shen Tingzhu, who had never spoken, "Let's go."

In the not-so-spacious awning boat, Lin Qingran sat at one end with her knees in her arms, looking at the lake in trance, with a glimmer of water in her eyes.

"Ranran."

Lin Qingran didn't speak. The harsh words Xia Shuming asked made her feel extremely distressed.

Shen Tingzhu went to hold her hand, but this time she struggled and stopped moving. Shen Tingzhu smiled slightly, holding her hand and exerting force to bring her into his arms.

Shen Tingzhu lowered her eyes, "Even if my legs don't get better, I can still carry Ranran. I can catch up with you wherever you go."

He lowered his voice, "I'm only afraid that Ranran will dislike me."

=== Chapter === 069

"Of course I won't."

Lin Qingran blurted out. She turned her face and met Shen Tingzhu's smiling gaze. Something quickly flashed through her mind. She pressed her lips hard and said two words from between her teeth -

"mean."

How could she forget that someone as cunning as Shen Tingzhu could easily be given the upper hand by Xia Shuming?

Shen Tingzhu looked at her angry brows with a smile, and touched the tip of her wrinkled nose with his nose, "It's a bit despicable. I want to make Ranran feel bad, so Xu will have to have me."

His voice is so soft and gentle, and he exposes the most vulnerable part of himself to you straightforwardly. Even the most hard-hearted person can't resist it, let alone Lin Qingran. Her heart is already in a mess, knowing that This is also his trick, but it makes him feel really distressed.

The movement of him rubbing the tip of Lin Qingran's nose gradually changed the smell, and his breathing became entangled. The crisp tea fragrance was tainted with the sweet smell, becoming more and more soft.

Lin Qingran's fingers tightened on his robe, and her consciousness gradually sank in. She took the initiative to press her lips together, but immediately stopped. With only the last trace of reason left in her mind, she still stubbornly said, "You...don't touch me."

Her lowered eyelashes trembled slightly, and her eyes were fixed on Shen Tingzhu's thin lips, which were only half an inch away from her own, "I didn't say I forgive you."

Shen Tingzhu took her look into his eyes, and his eyes were like snowballs after seeing dried fish. He didn't know whether he should be thankful that his body was so attractive to her.

He pursed his lips slightly and backed away, "Okay."

"Unless Ranran agrees, I will definitely not touch you."

The strong aura that wrapped around her body suddenly dissipated. Lin Qingran wanted to lean in unaccustomedly, but she had just said that. Wouldn't it be embarrassing to lean in now?

Shen Tingzhu just pretended that he could not see the anxious little girl, brushed the slightly wrinkled robe with his long fingers, and sat on one side.

Lin Qingran also held up her skirt and sat at the other end, pressing the tip of her eager tongue between her lips and puckering her lips, asking him not to be disobedient when she asked him to follow her. At this time, she actually obeyed her words.

"Ranran is angry?" Shen Tingzhu asked knowingly.

"No." Lin Qingran said firmly and turned away, "Don't talk to me either."

Shen Tingzhu almost raised the corners of his lips and smiled lightly.

Hearing the silence behind her, Lin Qingran couldn't help but guess his expression. She couldn't bear to look back. She felt that once she looked back, she might not be able to hold it anymore.

Shen Tingzhu stayed in the house for two days. Mr. Lin began to drive people away openly and covertly, while Shen Tingzhu pretended to be confused and pretended not to understand, and stayed here.

During dinner, Mr. Lin saw the two people's eyes locked together from time to time, and if he allowed him to stay, he might let him abduct his daughter one day.

"Ahem -" He cleared his throat and gave Lin Qingran a warning look.

Lin Qingran hurriedly picked up the bowl and ate. Only then did Mr. Lin look away and said to Shen Tingzhu, "After dinner, the prince will follow me to the study."

Lin Qingran raised his eyes along the edge of the bowl, "Why did dad ask my cousin to go to the study?"

After only a few days here, his daughter's attitude changed obviously. Mr. Lin was dissatisfied and said: "Eat your food."

Lin Qingran moved her lips. Shen Tingzhu gave her a comforting look and said to Mr. Lin, "Okay."

After dinner, Shen Tingzhu followed Mr. Lin to the study.

Master Lin ordered his servants to bring tea and said to Shen Tingzhu: "The prince has come all the way, so I should take him to have a good tour of Jiangning. However, the prince has just recovered from a serious illness. I think the Marquis and Madam must be thinking about him very much, so I won't." I'll save you a lot of time."

Mr. Lin almost didn't say goodbye directly.

Shen Tingzhu said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, I still have things to complete during this trip. If I fail, I may not even be able to enter the Changxing Houfu."

Mr. Lin frowned, "What is so important?"

Shen Tingzhu straightened his expression, extremely solemn. Mr. Lin's heart skipped a beat, and then he heard Shen Tingzhu say: "Then I want your approval to betroth my cousin to me."

Mr. Lin's face suddenly grew long.

Lin Qingran couldn't help but feel worried when she saw that Shen Tingzhu hadn't come out of the study. She didn't know if her father was giving him a hard time.

She walked around in the garden for a long time, then turned around to talk to her sister-in-law Chu Yin.

When she approached Mingqiu Pavilion, she saw no maid coming to greet her. Lin Qingran walked towards the main room where the lights were on. When she reached the corridor, she raised her hand and heard her sister-in-law's soft sipping voice coming from inside.

Lin Qingran didn't realize what was going on. Hearing her voice that sounded like crying but not crying, he thought something serious had happened and hurriedly knocked on the door, "Sister-in-law."

As soon as the sounds in the room stopped, Chu Yin's anxious and small voice sounded, "Husband... get up quickly."

Lin Qingran was stunned for a moment. She had some experience. She finally realized what the two of them were doing. Her face turned red. She lowered her head and twisted her fingertips. Her sister-in-law was still pregnant, so why...

She quickly shook her head to stop her random thoughts. Just as she was about to turn around, Lin Zhao had already opened the door, "Why are you here now?"

Lin Qingran raised his eyes slightly, and there was nothing unusual about Lin Zhao except that his lips were extremely red.

Why do you get dressed so fast, Lin Qingran thought.

"I'm looking for my sister-in-law."

Lin Zhao nodded, "Go in."

Chu Yin was sitting on the soft couch, with a hint of spring color on her cheeks that made people think of her. Because she was pregnant with her, her beauty was soft and soft that made people pity her.

"Sister-in-law." Lin Qingran's voice swirled with an ambiguous smile.

Chu Yin blushed and looked at her angrily, "Don't say a word of nonsense."

Lin Qingran's eyes turned into crescent moons, "Don't tell me, don't tell me." She changed the topic, "But sister-in-law, you are pregnant now, is that okay?"

Lin Qingran's dark eyes were clear and curious. When it came to love affairs, she had always been half-informed and bold.

Chu Yin was secretly annoyed by Lin Zhao's nonsense, "It's not what you think." She said vaguely, "We'll find out when you get married in the future."

Lin Qingran wanted to say that she already knew. They were both in a mess that night. She only remembered the pain in her body, the pain in her heart, and the pain in her eyes from crying. After that...

She was confused at the time, but now that she thinks about it, it is extremely clear. Every move seemed to knock her soul out of her body.

Lin Qingran put her legs together and pressed her toes tightly together.

"Okay, okay." Chu Yin said angrily: "You are a girl who has not left the court, you are not ashamed to say this."

"Why did you come to me?"

Lin Qingran then said: "Dad called my cousin to the study for a long time but he didn't come out."

Her concern for her daughter's family was all on her face. Chu Yin smiled and said, "Are you worried?"

Lin Qingran reluctantly nodded and admitted.

Chu Yin said: "Father, he just doesn't want you to marry far away and have the son's legs."

Lin Qingran naturally knew about it, so she was worried.

She looked at the sky and said, "I'll go take a look again."

Before reaching the study, Lin Qingran saw Shen Tingzhu halfway. She ran over and asked, "What did dad tell you?"

Shen Tingzhu looked at her skirt that swayed for a while and then gradually stopped swaying. He smiled and asked her, "Ranran is worried about me?"

Lin Qingran's eyes moved slightly and she retorted duplicitously: "Who is worried about you?"

"That's good. Actually, I didn't say anything." Shen Tingzhu said with a faint smile, "If Ranran wants to know, I'll just tell you."

Lin Qingran had a temper that could not stand being provoked, so she answered immediately, "Who wants to know?" She turned her eyes to the other side and said awkwardly: "I'm going back to the house."

Shen Tingzhu watched her walk away. Lin Qingran thought he would stop her but didn't. She felt more and more that her father must have said something to him, otherwise he wouldn't be like this.

Qiu Zhi made the bed and said to Lin Qingran, who was leaning on the soft couch in trance, "Miss, please rest early."

Lin Qingran had something on her mind. Where could she sleep? She said to herself, "I'd better go and ask."

She followed the path around to the west guest room.

When Mo Ci saw Lin Qingran coming over, he didn't even bother to ask. He came up and said, "The prince is in the house, my cousin is here to invite me."

He once again lamented that the Crown Prince was so good at knowing things. He was really sure that Miss Lin would come. Mo Ci secretly smacked his lips. Miss Lin was so straight-forward and careless, and the other three were no match for the Crown Prince. .

Lin Qingran walked into the house and Mo Ci closed the door outside. She looked around and Shen Tingzhu was not there, but there was the sound of water in the clean room.

Taking a shower? Lin Qingran naturally wouldn't shy away from it. Previously, she had been in and out of his medicinal bath every day, doing whatever she wanted.

Holding the curtain with her left hand, Lin Qingran hesitated again. They had not reconciled yet. She pursed her lips slightly. She just came to ask him something, and she had no intention of doing anything.

Lin Qingran picked up the curtain and went in, and saw a man sitting in the tub with his back to her, one arm resting on the edge of the tub, his straight back slightly stretched.

"Ranran."

Lin Qingran thought he knew she was coming, but soon she realized something was wrong. Shen Tingzhu was not talking to her, but was whispering unintentionally, ambiguously, entangled, and sticky.

Standing behind, she couldn't see his expression, but she could only hear him whispering her name one after another, his voice getting lower and hoarse, and the sound of water splashing was more like a response.

Lin Qingran refused to admit that she couldn't stand it, and only complained about why the summer hadn't passed yet. Otherwise, why would she feel so hot? She clenched her hands on the curtain, and listened to Zhu's hoarse whisper and heavy breathing. Her legs couldn't help but feel weak.

Lin Qingran usually liked to play tricks on him, and she had been deliberately keeping him cold these past few days. Suddenly she encountered such a scene, Shen Tingzhu said her name and committed suicide... She felt proud and itchy in her heart.

Coupled with the fact that she bumped into Lin Zhao and Chu Yin earlier, Lin Qingran's little desire to be strong disappeared. She clenched the curtain tightly to prevent herself from falling and from jumping up.

It seemed that a long time had passed, and when Lin Qingran could hardly stand, Shen Tingzhu let out a suppressed groan from his throat, and everything stopped.

Then, he leaned back lazily, and raised his hand under the water to rest on the other side of the tub. Water droplets dripped down his fingertips and dripped on the blue bricks. Lin Qingran just sighed. I feel like my heart is trembling.

Shen Tingzhu did not look back, and raised his eyes slightly, with a moist glint in his eyes. He chuckled, "Have you seen enough?"

=== Chapter === 070

Lin Qingran's rippling watery eyes seemed to have dropped a stone, which disturbed her soul.

He, he knew he was watching! And he finished the matter in front of her...

No matter how bold Lin Qingran was, the shame of being caught and watched like this was enough to make her panic.

Thick eyelashes flickered in front of her eyes twice, Lin Qingran tugged at the curtain in her hand again, and moved on her toes to escape.

She turned around and stopped again, looking at what was going on. If she ran away now, wouldn't she be at a disadvantage? Lin Qingran bit her lip with the tips of her teeth. He was not more ashamed than her when he used her to flirt with her like this. people.

Lin Qingran turned around and dropped the curtain in his hand, "Can't you see?"

She endured the trembling in her heart and slowly moved over. The closer she got, the thicker the smell, which was hidden under the scent of soap, became more obvious.

Lin Qingran squeezed her palms hard, touched her lips lightly, and said in a tone softer than her steps, "Did your second cousin do something shameful? So you can't watch?"

Shen Tingzhu lowered her eyes to look at the slender fingers gently resting on his shoulders. Both of them had extremely white skin color, only Lin Qingran's pink nails looked like the first blooming plums.

Shen Tingzhu remained motionless, waiting for the confused little thing to fall into the trap.

"There's nothing Ranran can't see."

He turned his head slightly, and the satisfied look in his eyes had not faded away. Lin Qingran bent slightly and met his gaze. Her charming peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, and the dark color surged again.

Lin Qingran's fingertips on his shoulders dug in deeply. Shen Tingzhu didn't move. She wanted to get closer but she cared about it because it was a matter of face.

"Tell me, second cousin, what were you doing when you called my name just now?" She looked away at the water and looked away with her cheeks red.

Shen Tingzhu seemed to be trying his best to restrain himself, and even said in a deep voice, "Ranran."

The little bit of reason in Lin Qingran's mind completely flew out of the sky, and she gradually tightened her arms around his neck, while using her other hand to remove the splash.

"You miss me in Xiao." She was confident and proud, showing the arrogance of being favored.

Shen Tingzhu rolled his Adam's apple hard, and the water droplets on it rolled down, and he confessed frankly: "It's not just what Ranran saw today."

Lin Qingran's heart was pounding wildly, and it was as sweet as drinking honey. She was so happy that she didn't care about her face, and moved closer to kiss the water droplets that were teetering on Shen Tingzhu's Adam's apple.

She went to eat his mouth again in a familiar manner, biting his lower lip with her teeth and gently pulling it down, and the soft and greasy tip of her tongue penetrated. Shen Tingzhu followed her, but never responded.

Lin Qingran raised his wet eyes, pursed his lips slightly, and looked at him dissatisfied.

Shen Tingzhu lowered his eyes and said gently: "I promised not to touch you unless."

Lin Qingran bit the corner of his lips angrily, and said in a thin and delicate voice, "Already agreed."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Tingzhu pinched her chin, pressed his thumb lightly under her lips, and asked her to open her lips. He immediately kissed her and went straight in. The overwhelming breath enveloped Lin Qingran.

He kissed her much harder than Lin Qingran, wanting to swallow all the air in her mouth.

"...Chen Tingzhu." Lin Qingran took advantage of the break to breathe and called him.

There was no response, but the back of his neck was pressed down by his big palm, pressing deeper.

Lin Qingran's body kept sliding against the tub. She was about to fall!

Shen Tingzhu clasped her forearm, and his strong arms passed under her arms, and he easily picked her up. Lin Qingran's feet were in the air, and the world was spinning. She was carried into the water. Shen Tingzhu helped her Touching her back, she didn't choke on the water.

Lin Qingran's eyes widened in fear. She was almost soaked and her body was bobbing in the water. She gasped for air, raised her eyes and looked at Shen Tingzhu, and the next moment she threw herself into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him randomly.

Qiu Zhi, who had followed Lin Qingran, listened to the noise in the house, her cheeks suddenly turned red, and she stood uneasy. This was in the Lin Mansion. How could the young lady dare to do anything wrong? It would be okay if the master knew about it.

Just thinking about it, Qiu Zhi's mind became confused.

Qiu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the sound of water gradually disappearing.

I could only hear the prince's faint comforting voice—

"Okay, okay." Shen Tingzhu gently stroked Lin Qingran's hair, and felt a thin pain on his shoulder. It was like a cat scratching, it was Lin Qingran biting him.

Her eyes were red and wet, and her long voice was aggrieved and seductive, "I already said yes."

Shen Tingzhu let her bite, "But we are not married yet."

Lin Qingran sat astride him and rubbed against him, making a sound like a cat meowing on a March or April night, "We have already become husband and wife."

Shen Tingzhu's hand that was caressing her back changed to a lingering one, and the sound humming from Lin Qingran's throat became more alluring and pleasant.

"That time doesn't count." How could he let her marry him so hastily, "Three books and six etiquettes, none of them are indispensable."

Lin Qingran kept twisting her waist, and leaned against Shen Tingzhu's arms in a hazy state, humming. He seemed to be giving in and refused to give up.

Shen Tingzhu regretted a little. He had forgotten that the little girl was a greedy and troublesome person. Veins were pulsing on his forehead. Now he was no longer afraid of the cold and sweated more than Lin Qingran.

Lin Qingran kept crying and moaning, calling "Chen Tingzhu" and "Second cousin" back and forth, rubbing his ears.

The darkness in Shen Tingzhu's eyes became thicker. He brushed away the wet hair on her cheeks, held her waist with both hands, picked her up, and made her sit on the edge of the tub, which was less than three inches wide.

Lin Qingran exclaimed in fright, looking down at Shen Tingzhu, "Second cousin!"

She grasped the sides tightly with her palms, her ten fingers were tense and turned white, for fear of falling.

So high!

Shen Tingzhu held her lower back firmly, touched her calf hanging in the water with one hand, held her ankle and raised it, "Hook me tight."

Lin Qingran leaned back again. She felt like she was on a cliff, teetering on the edge of falling, and would fall at any time. Even though she knew that Shen Tingzhu was supporting her and would not hurt herself, she was still afraid.

Lin Qingran didn't have time to think about what he was going to do. With tears of fear in her eyes, she tremblingly folded a pair of delicate and delicate feet behind his neck and tightened them obediently.

Qiu Zhi, who was still standing outside the house, was thinking that it was almost time to go in and call the young lady out, but unexpectedly the sound started to sound strange again.

The trend was getting worse. She walked to the courtyard with a red face and tried to stay away, but she could still hear it vaguely.

When Lin Qingran woke up the next day, it was already three o'clock in the morning. When she called Qiu Zhi, her voice was not as clear and clear as before, but gentle and soft, clearly showing the coquettishness that comes only after being loved.

After washing, Lin Qingran was completely awake. When Qiu Zhi was changing her clothes, she finally couldn't help but said: "Miss, I beg you, please don't do anything wrong."

The prince's legs and feet are inconvenient. The young lady must have taken the initiative, including the time when she got married without permission. The marriage between the young lady and the prince has not been settled yet. If anyone finds out, as a maid, she will not only not stop it, but also help... ...It would be strange if the master had to sell her.

Lin Qingran's ears felt hot. She dared to do anything in front of Shen Tingzhu, but she was shy towards others. She bit her lip, "It's not what you think."

Lin Qingran suddenly remembered that her sister-in-law said the same thing to her yesterday.

She closed her legs together in shame, and it turned out that it really wasn't what she thought.

The wet and greasy softness and gentle care made Lin Qingran's whole body tingle like bones when he recalled it.

Last night I obviously wanted to ask Shen Tingzhu what his father said, but in the end he didn't ask a single word.

Lin Qingran was really embarrassed to go to Shen Tingzhu at the moment, so after much deliberation, she went to ask Mr. Lin.

Mr. Lin glanced at his daughter, but he was also dissatisfied, and said truthfully: "The prince showed his desire to ask for something from his father." Before Lin Qingran could be happy, he added: "But my father refused."

"Dad!" Lin Qingran stood up anxiously.

Mr. Lin frowned, "Sit down, what does it look like?"

"You didn't say it yourself. No one is allowed in. How come you were deceived by him after just a few days here?"

Lin Qingran was embarrassed to say that she was the one who seduced Shen Tingzhu... She sat down slowly and whispered, "No."

Shen Tingzhu is one of a million people who stand out, but that's how ordinary people see it. Once he becomes the person who wants to marry his daughter away, Mr. Lin will find mistakes everywhere he looks at him.

"You don't have to worry about this matter, and don't go see him. If he is sincere, he won't give up easily. If he just gives up like this..." Mr. Lin wishes he would be like this, "Then we have many young talents in Jiangning. "

Lin Qingran wasn't worried about this. As long as her father didn't really object, Shen Tingzhu would naturally have something to do. She nodded obediently, "I listen to my father."

After leaving Master Lin, Lin Qingran sneaked to find Shen Tingzhu. The two went to the backing pavilion not far from the guest room. It was relatively hidden and few people came here. After Qiuzhi and Mo Cilin were separated, Qingran became bolder and straddled his lap in a majestic manner.

She had tasted it last night, so as soon as she got close to him, Lin Qingran's bones softened and she pecked his chin.

When she kissed his lips, those ridiculous images came to her again. At that time, his lips were even redder than now, stained with water.

Thinking of her confusion at that time, Lin Qingran was unwilling to let this happen. She knew how Shen Tingzhu could not resist the most, so she reached behind her and slid her fingertips along his spine.

"Ranran." Shen Tingzhu did not stop him, but said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Don't make trouble."

When Lin Qingran saw his reaction, she became even more enthusiastic. Shen Tingzhu narrowed his eyes and let her go. It wasn't until he heard footsteps approaching that he straightened his voice and said, "Ranran, don't act recklessly."

He tilted his head back to avoid it; there was already a mark on his neck.

Lin Qingran pouted and hooked his neck back, "I insist."

Shen Tingzhu looked at the man's feet exposed behind the rockery, pulled down Lin Qingran's arm and looked at her seriously, "Ranran, we are not married yet."

"Uncle doesn't agree with our marriage..."

Lin Qingran frowned tightly. He had already said these words last night, why was he still nagging him like this?

"If you do this again, I will tie your hands again."

Mr. Lin behind the rockery had a livid face and couldn't listen to a word. He stepped out and said, "Get down here!"

Lin Qingran froze suddenly, why did dad come here?

She hurriedly got off Shen Tingzhu on her hands and knees, and stood on the edge with her head lowered like a quail.

Mr. Lin's serious and angry eyes wandered between the two of them. He thought that Shen Tingzhu was coveting his daughter, but who would have thought that it was the other way around! A girl really dares to say anything and kidnap someone? He didn't even dare to tie anyone up.

Lin Qingran was already panicking and couldn't imagine why Mo Ci didn't guard this place. She secretly looked at Mr. Lin's expression, clasped her fingertips and muttered: "Dad."

In such a situation, it was hard for Mr. Lin to scold his daughter, so he just shouted in a low voice: "Go back."

Lin Qingran didn't care about Shen Tingzhu, buried his head and ran away. He was the heir apparent, what else could his father do to him, so it was better to protect himself at the moment.

Mr. Lin stared at the marks on Shen Tingzhu's neck, and then looked at his legs. His brows were so furrowed that he could pinch a fly. It was no longer a question of whether Shen Tingzhu wanted to marry him or not, but even in this situation, he Nor would he blame Lin Qingran.

Mr. Lin asked with a cold face: "A woman's reputation is very important. I don't know what the prince's plan is after doing such a thing."

Shen Tingzhu was neither humble nor arrogant, and said bluntly: "What I said yesterday came from the sincerity, and I am telling the truth. Before leaving Beijing, my mother was already preparing the betrothal gift, and also arranged for a matchmaker to come to Jiangning with the betrothal gift to propose marriage. Depending on the time, there will be three to five more days. We can reach Jiangning in a day."

Mr. Lin's face looked better now.

Shen Tingzhu stood up while holding on to the table. His movements were slow but steady. He bowed to Mr. Lin and said, "This junior has a deep love for my cousin and is determined to do so. If I am lucky enough to marry my cousin, I will take care of her for the rest of my life."

"This junior's leg may not be healed, but this junior will keep you safe and will definitely protect my cousin to be happy and worry-free throughout her life."

Mr. Lin has never doubted his sincerity, and he also knows that it is impossible to really stop her. He just wants to keep his daughter by his side for a while, but in this situation, he cannot keep her.

He looked at Shen Tingzhu quietly, sighed and said, "Then we'll discuss it when the people arrive."

The wedding ceremony is scheduled for the third day of March next year.

In the autumn, Shen Tingzhu rushed back to Beijing to prepare for the wedding ceremony. After he left, a secret guard would send a letter to the Lin Mansion every three days.

Lin Qingran watched the sweet-scented osmanthus in the yard wither, and the peach branches bloomed into buds. There were pages of letter paper in hand. Every word on the letter was written by Shen Tingzhu himself. He was also there with her. look forward to.

The team to welcome the bride has already set off. Lin Qingran has walked the road from Jiangning to the capital several times. She knows which river Shen Tingzhu will cross and which bridge she will cross.

Lin Qingran was looking forward to it day by day, looking forward to the sound of gongs, drums and firecrackers reaching her ears from far to near, looking forward to the bright red hijab covering her eyes, looking forward to the fragrance of the peach blossoms finally blooming on the tip of her nose... She knew that it was Shen Ting who Zhu came to marry her.

[End]