Chapter 87 Killing Intent

But who could have made her make a special declaration and test on Lin Heng's life?

She slowly stood up, ignoring Xun Chen's glare that was almost spitting fire, and nodded slightly to Lin Heng, her voice calm and unwavering:

"Thank you for your kindness, young master. Qingning is indeed a little tired and is looking for a quiet place to breathe."

She didn't even look at Xun Chen again. She just gestured to Zi Su and turned around and walked towards the waterside corridor that Lin Heng pointed to.

Jiang Qingning's posture was calm, as if he was just brushing away an insignificant fallen leaf.

Lin Heng looked at Jiang Qingning's cold back, then slowly released the hand that was holding Xun Chen.

He gave Xun Chen, whose face was livid and whose chest was heaving violently, an almost provocative smile:

"Master Xun, it's better to drink less. Excuse me."

After saying this, he no longer paid attention to Xun Chen's almost murderous gaze, turned around and followed Jiang Qingning slowly in the direction he left.

Xun Chen stood there alone, watching the figures disappear one after another, and felt a fishy and sweet taste rushing into his throat. The huge humiliation and anger almost tore him apart.

He suddenly grabbed a pot of wine on the table next to him, tilted his head back and drank it down in one gulp. The spicy liquid choked him and made him cough violently, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

The looks around me, some sympathetic, some mocking, some watching the fun, are like thorns in my back.

"Isn't this Earl Anping regretting his actions? Back then, Jiang Qingning served his mother and gave birth to his children, but he received nothing in return. Now that he's been honored by the Emperor, he's turning against her and showing off. He deserves it!"

"I think he deserves it. Everything he's going through now is retribution. He married a wife based on a painting, but she turned out to be a cruel woman who wouldn't tolerate concubines. The Anping Marquis's mansion is in great turmoil!"

"Who says it's not true? He forced his wife to divorce him, and now that he sees Jiang Qingning's extraordinary archery skills and the coral crown awarded by the emperor himself, he's starting to regret it. What were he doing before?"

All those present were married ladies, and they knew much more about the truth than the noble ladies who were currently staying in their boudoirs and only knew how to compete. They all felt sorry for Jiang Qingning and were extremely disgusted with Xun Chen.

Ever since the old lady of Anping Earl started to arrange Xunchen's second spring.

They kept a close watch on their legitimate and illegitimate daughters, and tried not to let Xun Chen take advantage of any of them.

Now, in their view, this was all the retribution Xun Chen deserved.

"Jiang Qingning..."

Xun Chen coughed and panted, clenching the wine jug tightly, his knuckles turned white, and his eyes were full of hatred as if they were poisoned needles.

He listened carefully to what the women around him said.

But they could only pretend not to understand, because every noble lady here came from an extraordinary family, and they were not someone that the Anping Marquis Mansion could easily afford to offend.

The corridors by the water are winding and the light of the palace lanterns is reflected in the calm water, breaking into swaying golden stars, adding a hazy poetic touch to the night.

The noise of the banquet and music was blocked by the layers of flowers and trees, and seemed distant and vague.

Jiang Qingning did not walk far, but only stopped at a small viewing platform extending from the water. The night breeze with the cool breath of the pool water brushed across his cheeks, slightly dispelling the heat during the banquet.

She stood by the railing, her eyes fixed on the shimmering water, her back slender and straight.

The sound of light footsteps came from behind him, steady and rhythmic. Jiang Qingning heard it but did not turn around.

Lin Heng walked to her side, half a step away from her, and also leaned on the railing to look at the water.

He did not speak immediately, but just stood there quietly, as if he was also enjoying this rare night view.

"If Young Master Lin has nothing to say, then Qingning will go back first."

Jiang Qingning spoke softly, glancing sideways at Lin Heng.

The evening breeze ruffled his ink-black hair and clothes, and the outline of his face appeared deep and handsome under the soft light of the palace lanterns, retracting the sharp edge in the daytime and showing some of the elegance and grace that a young man from an aristocratic family should have.

After a long while, Lin Heng spoke softly, his voice clear in the darkness: "The arrow just now."

He nodded slightly, his eyes falling on Jiang Qingning's calm profile, "Thank you very much."

Jiang Qingning didn't even blink, and smiled softly, as if with a hint of laziness:

"Young Master, you are too kind. It was just the same thing. We were targeting the same prey, and I happened to save you. It's all just a coincidence, not worth mentioning."

"coincide?"

Lin Heng chuckled softly, and the laughter was particularly clear in the silent night, with a hint of playfulness.

"To be able to kill a sneak attacking venomous snake at such a critical moment, at such a tricky angle and with such astonishing speed, if it were just a coincidence..."

He paused, then changed his tone, becoming low and firm: "Miss Jiang, you are too modest. Lin Heng will always remember this life-saving grace."

He raised his hand and took out the dark and cold crossbow arrow from the hidden pocket on his waist. His slender fingers rubbed the dent, and his movements carried an indescribable meaning.

"This arrow."

He handed the arrow to Jiang Qingning, his eyes fixed on her, "It's returned to its original owner, but I don't know who left these marks on the sword tip."

"I have never seen such a strange mark before."

Jiang Qingning turned his head and his eyes fell on the arrow stained with snake blood. He paused for a moment, then raised his eyes to meet Lin Heng's gaze.

Those were a pair of eyes that seemed particularly deep in the darkness, with an undisguised desire to explore.

"It's just a small mark, why should you delve into it, young master?"

Her voice was flat, and she reached out to take the arrow.

Just when her fingertips were about to touch the arrow shaft, Lin Heng withdrew his hand slightly and did not let her take it away.

Instead, his fingers moved upwards very naturally, with irresistible force, and gently pulled Jiang Qingning's wrist as she tried to retract it.

His fingertips were warm and thinly calloused, and when they touched the slightly cool skin on the inside of her wrist, the temperature contrast was extremely stark.

Jiang Qingning's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and his eyes instantly became chillingly cold.

She pulled her hand away suddenly, her movement as fast as lightning and accompanied by a sharp gust of wind.

However, Lin Heng's reaction was just astonishingly fast, and he did not force him to stay.

The moment she pulled her hand away, he loosened his grip, as if the touch just now was really just an unintentional act.

But his eyes were still fixed on her, and the playful smile on his lips deepened, with an almost provocative appreciation.

"Miss Jiang's arrows seem to be much more honest than your mouth."

Lin Heng's voice sounded softly in the night. His eyes swept across her and then quickly retracted, guiding his hand into his sleeve.

Finally, it stopped at her eyes, which were brighter because of her anger. Every word was crystal clear.

A cold light flashed in Jiang Qingning's eyes, and murderous intent flashed across his face.