end

Xiao Zhian left the Golden Immortal Palace.

The sun shines brightly again, and the sky is a deep blue.

A dazzling light bathed him.

Palace attendants, guards, and imperial soldiers knelt to welcome the new world.

The jade pendant, broken into two pieces, a keepsake from his mother, was tightly clenched in his palm.

Xiao Zhian raised his head high and strode away.

Twenty-five years ago, his mother, Zhao, was tricked into entering the palace and used until her death.

The palace is a mother's purgatory, an empire's sore spot. He will not let himself rot there, nor will he bring Yinyin here to be tainted by the filth.

Xiao Zhian was leaving, taking his mother with him, changing his name and surname, going to Yinyin's house, eating her rice, and growing a new body.

The Imperial Palace and the Eastern Palace are separated by only one wall, but the road is extremely far.

Xiao Zhian missed Lin Huaiyin and hurried along in his palanquin.

Xuan Ge greeted the emperor at Su Zhang Gate. Observing his master's expression, he had a premonition that he would soon see Miss Yu Li.

At the Vermilion Bird Gate, Du Yu waited anxiously. When he saw Xiao Zhian emerge in his palanquin, he rushed over to report that Bai Zhizhi had threatened to become the Crown Princess, that Miss Lin had cried in anger, and that General Lin was going to kill someone.

Upon hearing that things were in complete chaos, Xuan Ge immediately urged the palanquin forward.

Xiao Zhian returned to the Eastern Palace like lightning.

Lin Shifeng wanted to take Lin Huaiyin home, but Lin Huaiyin refused.

The confrontation escalated to the Chongjiao Gate, where court officials were constantly coming and going on official business. The two dared not make a sound, their eyes locked in a fierce stalemate.

The Imperial Guards and the Crown Prince's guards were all clearing the way, busy trying to avoid being seen.

When Xiao Zhian arrived at the scene, Lin Shifeng grabbed Lin Huaiyin's wrist and shielded her behind him.

The Crown Prince's humiliation of a subject's daughter is completely unreasonable, no matter how you look at it. Lin Shifeng stubbornly refused to bow, only regretting that the Emperor Taizu's golden spear was not in his hands. Otherwise, he would have followed his father's example in dealing with Shen Congyun and used the same trick on Xiao Zhian!

My second brother-in-law glared at me again.

Xiao Zhian felt wronged and even more exhausted. He had just spent a lot of energy confronting his father, and his energy and physical strength were exhausted. He was powerless to deal with Lin Shifeng, but he was really worried about Lin Huaiyin. Thinking of how Yinyin had been made to cry because of him, Xiao Zhian was confused and his mind was blank. For a moment, he could not move his feet and could not speak.

He made no comment, which meant he was not expressing his opinion. He took advantage of the situation and forced the Lin family to swallow their losses. Lin Shifeng's anger intensified, and he directly ordered the Imperial Guards to carry the sedan chair. He wanted to take Lin Huaiyin home.

Lin Huaiyin remained calm. This was the Eastern Palace, her territory; she wouldn't cause any trouble here.

She was more concerned about the outcome of Xiao Zhian's request for the imperial decree. Through Lin Shifeng, she heard Xiao Zhian's disordered breathing and silence for a long time. She immediately realized that the request for the imperial decree had been thwarted and that Zhian was sad.

Asking the emperor to issue an edict to send the crown prince to marry into the family was already unconventional and shocking. It was normal for it to fail, and he might even be reprimanded. Lin Huaiyin felt sorry for him and leaned over to comfort him: "It doesn't matter if the emperor doesn't agree. Next time, we can ask him with the golden spear of the great-grandfather."

After saying that, Lin Huaiyin chuckled, looking like she was carrying the Taizu Golden Spear and running around with people even though it was worthless. This made Lin Shifeng so angry that he flicked her forehead and sent her flying back.

"Ouch." A soft plea for mercy came from behind Lin Shifeng.

Xiao Zhian smiled bitterly, his heart melting. Yinyin had been wronged and was crying just moments before, yet she was still thinking of and caring for him.

"His Majesty has agreed, and the decree will be issued soon," Xiao Zhian announced the good news.

Lin Huaiyin's head, which had been dazed by the flick, immediately hardened like a steel plate. She secretly praised her man, wondering what kind of deity he was, and then puffed out her chest and patted Lin Shifeng on the back.

"Knock knock knock".

Lin Huaiyin pressed hard, leaving Lin Shifeng bewildered. Turning around, he saw Lin Huai grinning broadly, "Second brother, stop bullying me! Didn't you hear we obtained the imperial decree?"

"Who cares?" Lin Shifeng rolled his eyes and said in a defiant tone, "Who cares about the Crown Princess? I'll take you to the palace to meet the Emperor right now and tell him that daughters of the Lin family do not marry outside the family. So the imperial decree can be waived!"

"She's not the Crown Princess."

Lin Huaiyin waved her hand and shook her head, her eyes shining brightly as she glanced at Xiao Zhian.

Lin Shifeng immediately flew into a rage. If it wasn't the Crown Princess, then it was a concubine, or even a high-ranking concubine. His anger flared up, and he grabbed Lin Huaiyin's arm—"No way! A woman of the Lin family will never be a concubine! I don't agree, and Father won't agree either. If you don't come home, I'll break your legs!"

"Okay, okay! I'll be right back!" Lin Huaiyin nodded hurriedly, her arm was being gripped so hard it hurt, and she hissed and gasped, but her face was as cunning as a little mouse that had stolen some sesame oil. She smiled and dropped a bombshell: "But I'm bringing our family's live-in son-in-law with me."

"Excessive—" Lin Shifeng paused, his hand gripping the person stiffening abruptly. He glanced sideways at Xiao Zhian, swallowing hard. "Excessive—what?"

"A live-in-the-son-in-law!" Lin Huaiyin seized the opportunity to brush away Lin Shifeng's hand, ran to Xiao Zhian's side, and hugged his arm. "The imperial decree has been issued, and Brother Zhian is going to marry into our Lin family and become my live-in-the-husband!"

Lin Huaiyin proudly showed off, and Xiao Zhian was so charmed by the title "Brother Zhian" that he nodded in agreement. The entire Chongjiao Gate seemed to be frozen in place.

The wind stopped, the clouds dispersed, the air condensed, and the surrounding Xuan Ge Du Yu became stiff and petrified. The footsteps of the courtiers hurrying back and forth were clear and distinct, like stepping on someone's forehead.

Lin Shifeng's handsome face, which was filled with the expression "wanting to kill," froze, cracked, and shattered into a blank stare at a speed visible to the naked eye.

“Son-in-law?” he repeated, his voice dry, as if he were forcing it out from his throat.

“Yes!” Lin Huaiyin’s face was flushed and her eyes were bright. She hugged Xiao Zhian’s arm and shook it. “Brother Zhian is coming to our house, staying in my courtyard, eating our rice, and in the mornings, he will go out with Father and Second Brother to go to court and work.”

Lin Huaiyin described her imagined life: the Lin family would accept her Zhi'an, and Zhi'an would feel at ease in the Lin family.

With each word she spoke, Lin Shifeng's face went blanker, until finally, it became a completely blank sheet of paper.

Marrying into another family?

Brother Zhi'an?

Crown Prince Regent?

Are you going out to court together?

Third Sister is talking nonsense. Has that woman driven her crazy?

Phrases and images collided and exploded wildly in Lin Shifeng's mind, making him dizzy and unable to move his eyes. The Crown Prince was watching his third sister show off with doting eyes, and even turned around to nod at him.

The lotus-shaped lips opened and closed, and the Crown Prince's mouth seemed to be calling out "Second Brother-in-law." Lin Shifeng's heart skipped a beat, his vision went black, and he fell straight backward.

"Second brother!"

"General Lin!"

Exclamations erupted from all sides.

Xiao Zhian and Lin Huaiyin rushed forward and helped Lin Shifeng up.

"Second brother is so easily frightened." Lin Huaiyin pouted in disdain.

Xiao Zhian, however, did not dare to relax. He handed the person over to Xuan Ge, gently squeezed Lin Huaiyin's two small hands, and whispered, "What's going on with Bai Zhizhi?"

When Bai Zhizhi was mentioned, Lin Huaiyin's excitement vanished instantly.

Holding Xiao Zhian's hand, the two walked slowly.

"Didn't I tell you about Bai Zhizhi's fate in her past life?"

Lin Huaiyin walked and stopped, then looked up at Xiao Zhian, "Zhian, Bai Zhizhi married Shen Zaiyuan in her previous life."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhian's usually unwavering phoenix eyes stirred with emotion.

Bai Zhizhi carried a petition written in the blood of ten thousand people and fled to the capital to expose Shen Zaiyuan's embezzlement of disaster relief funds. In her previous life, after being intercepted by Pingyang, she not only falsely accused a local honest official of embezzlement, but also married Shen Zaiyuan.

How can two people who share a bed be bound by a blood feud from a past life?

In this life, he has once again uttered startling words, attempting to curry favor with the powerful and covet the position of Crown Prince.

This person's character needs further investigation, and Xiao Zhian has to reconsider whether to adopt her as his sworn sister, and also reconsider bestowing upon her the title of princess.

Lin Huaiyin noticed his hesitation and even saw the faint displeasure and disdain on Xiao Zhian's face. She tightened her grip on his hand and said, "Zhian, listen to me. Let me finish."

"Hmm."

"The reason I didn't tell you about Bai Zhizhi's past life was because I didn't want you to have preconceived notions or prejudices against her." Lin Huaiyin recalled the first time she saw Bai Zhizhi in the palace, and her eyes gradually reddened again. She said, "But Zhi'an, do you know that the moment I saw her, I understood why she betrayed us?"

Lin Huaiyin's voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. Xiao Zhian frowned, feeling sorry for her but puzzled. He led her to a waterside pavilion and helped her sit down.

The palace maids promptly served fruits, pastries, and tea.

The fruit, cakes, and tea were all fragrant, the colors were wonderful, and the aroma was delightful. When Lin Huaiyin saw them, her nose tingled, and she nestled in Xiao Zhian's arms, unable to hold back her tears.

“Zhi’an, you didn’t see her eyes. She scanned the palace and me like a hungry wolf, with curiosity, fear, greed, and ruthlessness. I could see her reaching out, touching, snatching, and taking everything for herself.”

Lin Huaiyin's eyes were filled with fear, she was trembling, and her voice was shaking.

“I’ve never seen eyes like those, Zhi’an. I’m scared, but think about it. Her hometown suffered from disaster for three years, with no harvest for three years. She was poorly clothed and couldn’t even get enough to eat. She crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, hiding from pursuers all the way, and made it to the capital with great difficulty. How much she hoped that someone could uphold justice for her and save her fellow villagers. But what did she see when she arrived in the capital? She saw your palace, and I was dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jewels. My shoes were even decorated with gold tassels. How could you expect her to maintain her integrity? How could she not be swayed?”

“She’s never even met you, doesn’t know who you are, yet she says she wants to be the Crown Princess and threatens not to report Shen Zaiyuan if you don’t agree. But the situation is different now than in the past. You and I have plenty of ways to deal with Shen Zaiyuan and protect the supply of military provisions for the Southern Expedition. My sadness isn’t because of her threats. I just feel like we’re taking too much and forcing others to have no way to survive.”

Lin Huaiyin's tears flowed uncontrollably.

She once had nothing and lived like a ghost. For revenge, she killed and set fires, willing to do anything.

Bai Zhizhi also has nothing, so it wouldn't be surprising if she did something if given the chance.

Feeling a pang of sympathy for those of the same kind, they were once exactly alike, but now Lin Huaiyin has Xiao Zhian and possesses everything, and when she faces Bai Zhizhi, who has nothing, she feels a chill to the bone.

This chill, penetrating through Lin Huaiyin's tears and trembling, pierced through the clouds and split the rocks, precisely and without reservation, striking into Xiao Zhian's heart.

Holding Lin Huaiyin in his arms, he had only one feeling—Yinyin was a blessing from heaven, the one destined for him.

Xiao Zhian had just severed ties with his corrupt father, and he thought he was about to go to the Lin family and start a new life. In the blink of an eye, Yinyin brought Bai Zhizhi and took him to the common people, where he saw a living "subject".

Yin Yin repeatedly called him the sovereign and father of hundreds of millions of people. Xiao Zhian, this sovereign and father, sat high in the temple and reviewed countless memorials. At this moment, he finally welcomed a "subject" in the true sense of the word and finally saw what kind of life his "subject" was living.

Yinyin is a lucky star, the moon in the sky, and the sun at its zenith.

Xiao Zhian hugged Lin Huaiyin tightly and wiped away the tears on her face.

“Yinyin, don’t cry. Regarding Miss Bai, we can adjust our strategy. First, we should ensure her safety, make sure she is well-fed and clothed, and have a place to stay. Then, we can hold a public trial for Shen Zaiyuan’s embezzlement case and provide relief to the disaster victims. She can participate or receive a reward. As for the matter of Princess Fengyi, we can discuss it later.”

"Yes." Lin Huaiyin nodded with tears in her eyes. "Let's not get involved anymore. Let's just handle this as an official matter and make it a formality. Let her know that there is justice in the court, and it has nothing to do with the two of us."

“Alright.” Xiao Zhian readily agreed: “Send her to the Dali Temple. My men will keep an eye on her the whole time and handle it strictly as a business.”

The expedient solution was temporarily agreed upon, and Xiao Zhian comforted Lin Huaiyin.

The breeze was cool in the waterside pavilion. Xiao Zhian whispered to Lin Huaiyin in a warm embrace. An hour passed in the blink of an eye. He had just managed to calm Lin Huaiyin down when Xuan Ge brought someone to see him.

Upon closer inspection, Xiao Zhian realized that it was the leader of the many axemen in the Golden Immortal Palace.

"What is it?" Xiao Zhian asked.

The leader lowered his eyes, not daring to look up, and replied softly, "Your Highness, His Majesty has just woken up, and immediately issued an edict to bring Princess Pingyang with him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin looked at Xiao Zhian with her moist eyes.

Xiao Zhian also looked down at her.

“Pingyang has something that my father can’t hide, so he might secretly execute her.”

The words I spoke earlier still ring in my ears.

Lin Huaiyin did not expect it to happen so quickly.

No sooner had Xiao Zhian left the palace than the Emperor ordered him to be killed to silence him.

The Emperor's heart, like Princess Pingyang's, was as hard as iron.

Xiao Zhian is preoccupied with Lin Huaiyin's obsession with taking revenge herself, and is unsure whether Yinyin wants to witness it.

A questioning gaze fell into Lin Huaiyin's eyes—should she save him or not? Or should she at least see his body?

Lin Huaiyin knew his feelings and shook her head sadly.

Since my rebirth, I have already committed enough killings.

What she ever wanted was not to have blood on her hands, but to become a ghost for the sake of the one she loved.

But times have changed and circumstances have shifted.

The Lin family is intact and unharmed.

The court is stable, and treacherous officials have been eliminated.

She was being carefully cared for by Xiao Zhian, her soul was freed from its shackles, her heart was filled with Xiao Zhian, and her hatred had overflowed. She was going to move forward and no longer look back.

Shake head.

Lin Huaiyin slowly shook her head.

She didn't want to witness death, so she let it happen quietly.

Xiao Zhian understood perfectly.

He instructed, "Alright."

"As you command." The leader clasped his hands in greeting, rose, and took his leave.

Xiao Zhian's eyes darkened, and he added, "Afterwards, go to the imperial prison and convey a message to Shen Congyun."

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys." The leader referred to himself as his subordinate, as if he were Xiao Zhian's personal guard.

Xiao Zhian continued, "By the way, tell Shen Congyun that Pingyang confessed that nine years ago, Pingyang personally killed his father."

Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin was speechless with astonishment.

Xuan Ge and the leader bowed their heads, accepted the order, and left.

Xiao Zhian gently closed Lin Huaiyin's chin, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

Yinyin didn't ask, and he didn't explain much. Yinyin didn't want to hear Shen Congyun's name; it disgusted her. But Xiao Zhian would never tolerate those who had hurt Yinyin.

Lin Huaiyin understood his thoughts, and her heart warmed, but she didn't want to think about those people and things anymore. She smiled faintly, rubbed her hands together, and began to arrange things for Xiao Zhian: "The memorials haven't been reviewed yet, go and get busy."

"I'll stay with you a little longer." Xiao Zhian moved closer to Lin Huaiyin, feeling sorry for her red eyes. He wanted to wait until she was completely healed before he could spare any attention for her.

"That works too." Lin Huaiyin nodded, snuggling mischievously into Xiao Zhian's arms and acting coquettishly. "Anyway, I'll take you home for dinner whenever I'm done with work."

"I'll go right now!"

Xiao Zhian stood up abruptly, put Lin Huaiyin down, gave her a light kiss on the top of her head, and headed straight for Jiade Palace.

"Pfft."

Lin Huaiyin watched Xiao Zhian leave, then sat alone in the waterside pavilion. Clouds floated in the blue sky, as did fish. The blue sky occasionally rippled, but eventually returned to calm.

As the sun sets in the west, the evening glow spreads across the land, fish burn in the fire, and the pond mud transforms into the Crimson Dragon Gate. Beside Lin Huaiyin, Xiao Zhian, bathed in the glow of the sunset, walks in.

"Take me home, Yinyin."

Xiao Zhian reached out his hand.

Lin Huaiyin got together with him.

I boarded the carriage, the carriage swayed, stirring my heart and soul. I felt a sense of longing for Lin Huaiyin, this lonely boat that had been banished, carrying the setting sun, chasing the sunset home.

As I got out of the car at my doorstep, the doorman came to greet me.

Lin Huaiyin secretly inquired, fearing a bloody storm was brewing, but to her surprise, everything was peaceful at home. She also learned for the first time that she was not staying out all night, but was practicing asceticism at Shengshui Temple.

My father is quite considerate.

Lin Huaiyin's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settled down, and she called Xiao Zhian to follow.

The plan was to first sneak back to the courtyard, where Lin Huaiyin would quietly visit her father and mother to get some information, and then take Xiao Zhian to pay her respects.

Before they even entered the door, Yu Li and Xie Ao, having heard the commotion, came out to greet them, leaving them completely bewildered.

Why did the young lady bring a male prostitute home?

Crab Claw was utterly shocked—they just came like this? Were they going to promote her from a concubine to a higher rank?!

Yu Li was also surprised. She had seen His Highness the Crown Prince at the post station, but she never expected him to so openly bring the young lady's hand to their home.

She was confused about what was going on and didn't know whether she should bow or not when Xuan Ge suddenly appeared behind Xiao Zhi'an.

"Miss Yu Li, it's been a long time."

Xuan Ge fumbled around and pulled out a large bowl from somewhere.

Yu Li stared wide-eyed. "General Xuan Ge, are you thirsty?"

"Mm." Xuan Ge nodded vigorously, unable to find any other reason to speak.

Lin Huaiyin almost couldn't hold back and led Xiao Zhian inside.

We've finally arrived at Yinyin's house.

Xiao Zhian looked around, appearing as if he had never seen the world before.

Xie Ao didn't pay attention to Yu Li and Xuan Ge, and followed behind the two. He remembered that Xiao Zhi'an had betrayed them at the inn and had the nuns at Shengshui Temple trick them into going out. He was itching to beat Xiao Zhi'an up several times.

Xiao Zhian and Lin Huaiyin both sensed the murderous aura behind them. For a moment, they didn't know where to begin explaining, so they just kept dodging and running towards Lin Huaiyin's courtyard.

Unexpectedly, before they could even enter the inner quarters, they were blocked on their way, as Lin Zhenlie and Lin Shifeng caught them red-handed.

"Hehe, Father, you look very energetic today." Lin Huaiyin flattered him awkwardly, "Second Brother too, you must feel refreshed after a good night's sleep!"

Lin Huaiyin's face was beaming with joy, but Lin Zhenlie and Lin Shifeng ignored her.

Xiao Zhian stood in front of them, holding their daughter/sister's hand. The father and son had their brows furrowed in the same way, unable to understand why Xiao Zhian was in such a hurry, daring to come to their door before the imperial decree had even been issued.

No, even if there were an imperial edict, the Lin family would not accept it. The Crown Prince's move to bind the Lin family and his intention to oppress the inner palace were obvious. The Lin family would not take on this hot potato.

They will not accept him, even if he marries into the family to circumvent ancestral rules. The Lin family will not accept him either.

However, if he doesn't return his daughter/sister, the father and son's eyebrows will remain furrowed.

After much deliberation, the father and son had no idea how to welcome Xiao Zhian.

If he were the crown prince, he would have to kneel to greet him.

If it's a scumbag who bullies his daughter/sister, he should be beaten up and kicked out.

The tense atmosphere seemed to solidify among the crowd, and the air was unusually quiet.

Only Crab Claw was eager to try, thinking that this person was a male prostitute, and a really bad one at that, and that she could beat him up.

Lin Huaiyin felt that the crab claws might jump up and attack at any moment, so she could only suppress them with her eyes. Xiao Zhian understood the air, released Lin Huaiyin, and bowed gracefully: "This son-in-law greets father-in-law and second brother-in-law."

He came to join this family, with a pure and simple heart.

But Xiao Zhian never expected that the Lin family would resist.

The Lin family has military power, prestige, mountains of wealth, and the best daughter in the world; no amount of precaution is too much.

Moreover, Xiao Zhian's identity is arguably the most sensitive in the world—his father is still alive, and a prince marrying into the Imperial Guard is tantamount to forcibly binding the Lin family onto the ship, which is almost treason.

This matter offers no tangible benefit to the Lin family, so it's only natural that they would be rejected.

But Xiao Zhian of Longmen is determined to leap today.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Xuan Ge appeared and presented a brocade box.

Xiao Zhian did not touch it, but gestured for the brocade box to be given to Lin Zhenlie.

Lin Zhenlie took the box and opened it. Lin Huaiyin also hurried around to take a look—inside the box was a dark black tiger-shaped support.

This thing looks familiar. Lin Huaiyin vaguely remembered seeing this pattern on Xie Xincun's sleeve. As she was thinking about it, Lin Zhenlie pursed his lips.

Xie Xincun's personal belongings ended up in Xiao Zhian's hands; the knot was intact, as if they had been removed rather than forcibly pulled off. Lin Zhenlie was unsure what this meant.

“An hour ago, Brother Xie came to say goodbye to my son-in-law.” Xiao Zhian explained with a smile: “Brother Xie gave this token, as well as a female physician named Gongyang Yan from his household, to my son-in-law and Yinyin as wedding gifts.”

Upon hearing this, the crab claw was the first to freeze, and everyone noticed something amiss, their eyes all falling on her.

Crab scratched the tip of its nose and nodded in confirmation: "That Gongyang Yan was almost killed by the Fourth Miss, but he's really fine now. He even said he'd wait for Miss to come back and listen to her instructions."

"Oh. Is that so?" Lin Huaiyin was overjoyed. It turned out that her wise and capable husband Zhi'an had won over Xie Xincun.

Xie Xincun was a major worry for Father. Zhi'an's success in dealing with Xie Xincun was equivalent to resolving Father's distant anxiety and removing a sword hanging over the empire. Moreover, with Gongyang Yan alive, Consort Hui's pregnancy could also be saved. This was an extraordinary feat. Lin Huaiyin immediately straightened her back, abandoned her strategy of pleasing her father and brothers, and ran back to take Xiao Zhi'an's arm.

This gesture, which made her practically cling to a man, was something Lin Shifeng had seen her do once in the Eastern Palace. Now that she was doing it again, it was infuriating.

"Brother Zhi'an, are you hungry?" Lin Huaiyin said coquettishly, as if no one else was around. "Let's go to Mother's courtyard for a meal. My little courtyard isn't fully set up yet. I'll ask Mianfeng to come over too, and have her call your brother-in-law to you."

As she spoke, she instructed the crab claw, "Call him son-in-law."

For some inexplicable reason, she didn't call out.

Lin Huaiyin hooked her arm around Zhongxia's neck and threatened that she would not buy her new clothes and would be expelled from the training ground, forbidding her from practicing martial arts.

The crab was stubborn and wouldn't make a sound no matter what, which made Lin Huaiyin scream in anger.

Xiao Zhian just stood there watching happily, like a fool.

Lin Zhenlie was heartbroken to see his daughter treated like dirt.

Regardless, Xiao Zhian had managed to win over Xie Xincun. The Crown Prince of the Empire had become sworn brothers with a powerful figure on the continent, forming an alliance. This was tantamount to eliminating a threat to Daxing and gaining a powerful ally. The Lin family had been watching Hu Shoulin for over a hundred years, and now this heavy responsibility, which was originally meant for their daughter, had been resolved by their son-in-law. Lin Zhenlie couldn't help but feel admiration, pride for the Empire, and pride for his daughter.

Gritting his teeth, Lin Zhenlie made a painful decision—since the Crown Prince had captured Hu Shoulin, his power was unimaginable. So be it if the Emperor deposed him. The Lin family was not afraid of taking responsibility and would stand with the Crown Prince through thick and thin, unafraid of criticism.

"Now that things have come to this, let's eat." Lin Zhenlie said, blowing his beard.

Lin Shifeng was shocked.

Xiao Zhian immediately pulled the mischievous Lin Huaiyin off the crab claw and bowed to Lin Zhenlie: "Your son-in-law will respectfully comply."

"Oh dear." Lin Huaiyin looked at Xiao Zhian, then at Lin Zhenlie. Unable to handle the crab claws, she turned her attention to Lin Shifeng.

"Second brother, call me brother-in-law!" Lin Huaiyin said with a mischievous grin.

Lin Shifeng turned and ran.

"Second brother, wait a minute!"

Lin Huaiyin chased and played around, flying all over the place. Xiao Zhian stretched out his long arm and caught her around the waist.

"What?" Lin Huaiyin hadn't had enough of making a scene yet.

Xiao Zhian helplessly rubbed her little head, "Father is calling us for dinner."

"Oh." Lin Huaiyin hung herself back on Xiao Zhian. "Then let's go quickly."