Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Ungrateful.

The next day, early morning.

Lin Zhen was lying on the couch, half covered and half pressed by a thin quilt. There was a drizzle outside the window, but the person on the couch was unaware of it. He had a slightly frowned brow and was fast asleep.

“Dongdong——”

There was a muffled knock on the door. After a long time, Lin Zhenfang slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Hongye was not in the room.

As she got dressed and got out of bed, the pain in her lower body was hard for her to ignore.

Lin Zhen couldn't help but frown and walked towards the door.

The door was opened and a woman was standing at the door. When she saw Lin Zhen open the door, she walked in without any hesitation.

She was similar in stature to Lin Zhen, and wore the same moon-white dress as Lin Zhen, but she had a charming and enchanting face, while Lin Zhen always had a cold expression.

This woman was none other than Du Sanniang, the famous courtesan of the former Jiaofangsi. Lin Zhen was not surprised by her arrival.

This dilapidated side house has always been deserted. The only regular visitor here is Du Sanniang.

"Oh, even if the weather gets warmer, you can't sleep with the window open at night. You can't stand the wind blowing overhead!"

Du Sanniang twisted her slender waist and walked straight in. She quickly raised her hand and closed the window in front of Lin Zhen's bed.

"Hongye is not here, but the water is on the table. Pour it yourself if you want to drink." After Lin Zhen said this, he endured the discomfort and sat at the table outside.

At this time, Du Sanniang slowly walked out from the inner room, poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and sat down beside Lin Zhen. She took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Lin Zhen.

Lin Zhen looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand and frowned at Du Sanniang.

The latter leaned over and whispered a few words in Lin Zhen's ear. Lin Zhen's neck gradually turned red. She tightly grasped the porcelain bottle in one hand, slammed the bottle on the table with a "thump", and said coldly: "No need."

Then he tightened his clothes around his neck, stood up and walked silently into the inner room.

Seeing that she didn't appreciate it, Du Sanniang didn't get angry. She picked up the porcelain bottle and followed in, forcing it into Lin Zhen's hand. She said, "That girl came to me early in the morning to get medicine. I was afraid you would scold her, so I left her at my place for dinner."

Du Sanniang stood by the window, leaning against the table. She glanced at Lin Zhen, the marks on his body faintly visible under his thin shirt. She lowered her eyes, sighed softly, and advised, "Use the medicine properly to avoid suffering."

This time, Lin Zhen didn't say anything, just held the porcelain bottle silently.

Du Sanniang finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. In order to avoid embarrassing Lin Zhen, she immediately stopped talking and turned her eyes away from Lin Zhen. Inadvertently, she saw a jade pendant on the table.

She had been in the world for decades, and had also tried to pretend to be cultured with some civil officials. She could recognize a few words, but when she saw the word "Ning" on it, Du Sanniang's face changed slightly.

Naturally, she knew something about Lin Zhen, and she also knew who the owner of the jade pendant was.

Du Sanniang pretended not to notice the words on the jade pendant, took it in her hand, played with it, and said with a smile, "This jade pendant is really beautiful!"

"Do you know where there is a reliable pawnshop?" Lin Zhen raised his head and asked suddenly.

Du Sanniang was stunned for a moment, then quickly asked, "You want to pawn it? Then you don't have to look for a pawnshop anymore. I like it very much. You can pawn it to me. When you need it, you can redeem it from me."

"Alright, I'll have Hongye give you the money later. I have guests, so I'll be leaving first!"

After saying that, without waiting for Lin Zhen's response, he went out like a gust of wind.

Du Sanniang left the courtyard and looked back deeply. She didn't really care about the jade pendant, but...

She had a hunch that if that person knew about this, Lin Zhen would suffer a lot because of his unyielding character.

Lin Zhen had saved her life, and she hoped that she could live a better life...

*

The imperial palace.

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and a group of female musicians in blue clothes filed out of Kangtai Hall.

Today was originally the Third Prince's birthday. Now, besides the Empress's youngest son, there are only three adult princes in the palace. The Eldest Prince has been stationed outside the Great Wall for years, and the Second Prince's mother is of humble origin. This makes the Third Prince, born to the Imperial Concubine, the most likely candidate for the throne.

All the court officials and ladies came to celebrate, and the Ministry of Rites also sent female musicians from the Music Bureau to add to the fun.

When they reached the side hall where the musicians rested, Lin Zhen was stopped by a maid who came hurriedly in the crowd.

"Miss Lin."

The maid smiled faintly and led Lin Zhen to a corner. After a few pleasantries, she pulled out a purse from her waist. She held Lin Zhen's hand, pressed the purse into her palm, and said gently, "Madam knows all about the young lady's grievances, and she has always been thinking about her. However, in the current situation, Madam herself is also having a hard time in the Marquis' Mansion..."

The maid sighed and continued, "Although this little bit of money can't save the girl from danger, it is also a token of Madam's kindness."

Lin Zhen frowned slightly and took her hand away from the maid's hand. She always disliked such intimate touch from others.

Seeing Lin Zhen accept the silver so quickly, the maidservant's eyes flashed with disdain. The corners of her lips curled up into a smile, and she finally revealed her true purpose: "Madam, please understand that you are tired. There is no need to come all the way to pay your respects. Go and have a good rest."

As soon as she finished speaking, Hongye came out of the house. Seeing that it was the maid of the Marquis of Yong'an, she hurried forward happily and said, "Sister Zhiqiu is here!"

Indeed, Zhiqiu's arrival once again rekindled Hongye's inner hope. After all, the only person who could rescue the girl now was the lady.

Before Zhiqiu could answer, Lin Zhen said calmly, "Thank you, Madam."

Hongye wanted to say something, but saw Zhiqiu had already turned and left. She looked away disappointedly. When she saw Lin Zhen, her eyes soon lit up again. She approached and asked, "What did she say to the young lady? Did the lady want to see the young lady?"

Lin Zhen lowered her eyelashes. She did not reply to Lin Zhen's words, but walked towards the house and said, "Come in."

Hongye looked at Lin Zhen's back in confusion, but when she saw the purse in her hand, a smile finally appeared on her face again.

After all, she is the girl's biological aunt, so how could she ignore her?

On the Third Prince's birthday, even the female musicians from the Imperial Music Bureau were treated to a meal. Everyone in the room was chatting and laughing while eating. When they saw Lin Zhen and his servants walk in, the smiles on their faces all disappeared at the same time. Several of them took the lead and moved their bowls, chopsticks and dishes on the table to the courtyard.

After a while, only two bland side dishes were left on the table.

Because she had offended Ji Bai, everyone in the Music Bureau had always avoided Lin Zhen like the plague. She just stayed in the side room and didn't have to face such an embarrassing situation.

Lin Zhen folded his sleeves and sat down at the table. He picked up the clean wooden chopsticks placed beside him, picked up a piece of celery from the plate, and began to eat slowly.

She was dressed in a green dress, with a high, snake-like bun and a ring. Her manners were elegant and her demeanor was calm. If Hongye hadn't known that celery was Lin Zhen's least favorite food, others would have thought she was enjoying the food.

Seeing the girl like this, Hongye no longer listened to the noisy laughter outside the house, and sat down with Lin Zhen to eat.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound outside the door suddenly disappeared. Hongye hesitated and put down her chopsticks. When she looked back, the door was pushed open from the outside with a "creak".

Hongye's eyes widened, and after a long while, she stood up unsteadily, her voice trembling a little.

"Shi, Shizi."

Hearing this, Lin Zhen paused slightly on the chopsticks, pursed her red lips, and a hoarse voice came from behind her: "Zhen'er."

Hearing this soft call, Lin Zhen frowned and his long eyelashes trembled for a moment.

Hongye, who was standing aside, already felt a sore nose and moist eyes. She bowed slightly and slowly retreated.

Lin Zhen put down the chopsticks in her hand and turned to look at the haggard-looking boy in front of her. Lin Zhen knew that her marriage to Ning Shilu was just a way for her father to protect her.

She had no feelings for the young man in front of her, but the moment she saw him, her heart was still stirred.

She seemed to have been isolated from the outside world for a long time. Ning Shilu's arrival was like a ray of light shining into hell, making her feel a little warmth.

Ning Shilu's originally tense nerves completely lost their defense after seeing Lin Zhen's beautiful face as white as jade. The boy's eyes were red, and he strode towards Lin Zhen and hugged Lin Zhen uncontrollably.

"Sister..."

The delicate fragrance of the woman filled his nose, like a dream.

In fact, he had never done such an intimate thing with Lin Zhen. In the eyes of others, Lin Zhen was so cold that people didn't want to get close to him. But in his heart, his sister was hot. She was so dazzling and so fascinating to him.

"Ning Shilu."

Such a touch made Lin Zhen feel a little uncomfortable. She frowned and reminded him in a low voice.

"...Zhen'er." Ning Shilu finally let go of Lin Zhen, stood up, and called her name again.

Although he is one year younger than Lin Zhen, if he had not lost control just now, he would never have called Lin Zhen "sister". In Ning Shilu's heart, Lin Zhen is his wife.

"Did you really accept the jade pendant?" His tone was filled with unconcealable joy. Then, with a serious expression, he solemnly promised, "Zhen'er, if you can endure this for a while longer, I will definitely redeem you from the Music Bureau."

Lin Zhen didn't know that the letter she sent to the Yong'an Marquis Mansion had already been withheld by her aunt Lin, but seeing Ning Shilu's state, she still spoke to stop him and said, "Ning Shilu, our engagement is over. If this is the case, don't mention it again in the future."

All women who were sent to the Jiaofangsi not only needed money to redeem themselves, but also needed to obtain a release document from the Ministry of Justice.

Although Ning Shilu was the eldest son of the Marquis of Yong'an, he had no official rank and no real power.

Besides, the real person holding her captive was someone else. If Ning Shilu tried to save her, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

After saying that, Lin Zhen turned sideways and walked out.

"Zhen'er!" Ning Shilu called out in a high voice. Just as he was about to catch up, the palace door was slammed open by someone.

Ji Sui, wearing a dark green brocade robe and holding a wine jug in one hand, leaned lazily against the palace door. His dark eyes swept into the palace and he asked with a smile, "I was wondering why I couldn't find a musician to accompany me. It turns out he's here." As he spoke, his slightly blurred eyes fell on Lin Zhen and he said slowly, "You, come here."

Seeing the situation, Ning Shilu strode forward and blocked Lin Zhen to his side.

A few months ago, as soon as Ji Sui returned to the court, he submitted a memorial to the cabinet impeaching Dali Temple Minister Lin Yunfeng. The next day, an imperial edict was issued, sentencing Lin's family to confiscation of property and exile on a trumped-up charge.

As everyone knows, five years ago, the eldest daughter of the Lin family picked up a down-and-out boy and brought him back to the family. Since then, the boy has become Lin Zhen's close attendant and is inseparable from him.

Three years ago, for unknown reasons, the handsome attendant beside the eldest daughter of the Lin family disappeared. When the young man reappeared in the capital, he had become the current general Ji Sui.

I thought the Lin family would enjoy great prosperity from now on, but who knew it would end up in such a miserable way.

Ning Shilu had also met Ji Bai at the Lin residence. At that time, he was just a lowly servant, but his elder sister taught him to read and write, and treated Ji Bai differently from ordinary servants, to the point that he was jealous.

He had originally thought that his sister had survived the catastrophe because Ji Sui still had some conscience. He had never imagined... he had never imagined...

He actually sent my sister to the Jiaofangsi!

Ning Shilu hated such ungrateful people. He held Lin Zhen's wrist tightly with one hand and stood upright in front of her.

As the saying goes, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. Even though Ning Shilu is shorter than Ji Rui, he is not at all inferior in momentum.

Lin Zhen, who was standing beside Ning Shilu, looked up and stared at the person not far away. His eyes were half closed and his expression could not be seen.

"Oh……"

Suddenly, a man's sneer was heard in the hall. Ji Sui raised his eyebrows slightly and said in a more serious tone: "Why, do you need me to say it again?"

"Ji Sui! Zhen'er once saved your life, taught you to read and write, and treated you better than ordinary people. How could you treat her like this? You are repaying kindness with enmity!" Ning Shilu naturally could not hand Lin Zhen over, and scolded angrily.

The two attendants from the Marquis' Mansion who were originally guarding the door hurried forward, bowed and apologized to Ji Bai repeatedly, hoping that he was really drunk and would not care about the prince's rude behavior.

"My Lord, please leave quickly."

Two attendants came in and wanted to help Ning Shilu away, but he pushed them away harshly. When they were at a loss, another maid came into the yard. It was Zhiqiu from before.

She looked anxious as she hurried to the hall and bowed to Ning Shilu, saying, "Madam has a heart attack. Your Highness, please go and see her quickly!"

Ning Shilu stood there hesitating for a long time, and finally loosened his grip on Lin Zhen's hand. He turned around and soothed her, "Zhen'er, this is the palace. He won't dare to do anything to you. Wait for me."

The group hurriedly left with Ning Shilu, and the side hall was silent.

The emerald jade wine jug fell to the ground with a "bang", and a dark green figure approached her slowly, blocking the only beam of light in front of the door.

Once again, Lin Zhen was shrouded in his own boundless darkness.

Ji Sui's slender fingers touched the side of Lin Zhen's face, and his voice was low: "Lin Zhen, you don't really like this loser, do you?"