With a low, deep "hmm," the sedan curtain was lifted, revealing Lan Xiuyuan's handsome face to Qin Kou'er.

"Fifth Master, is there something you need while waiting for Kou'er here?"

Qin Kou'er looked at Lan Xiuyuan quietly, her gaze neither humble nor arrogant, and asked softly.

Lan Xiuyuan waved his hand, and immediately everyone around him stepped aside, looking around warily.

Qin Kou'er knew that Lan Xiuyuan wanted to talk to her, so she turned her head and nodded to Jun Yannuo.

Jun Yannuo nodded slightly to Lan Xiuyuan and then walked away.

After making sure no one was around, Lan Xiuyuan stared at Qin Kou'er in a deep voice and asked, "Why did you defend Lan Linxue during the morning court session, Kou'er?"

Lan Xiuyuan had been depressed about this for a long time, so he didn't bother to hide it and asked directly.

He didn't understand why Qin Kou'er, who had clearly shown no connection with Lan Linxue, would still defend him in the end. Hadn't a month of getting along made Qin Kou'er realize the deep feelings he harbored for her?

Looking into Lan Xiuyuan's eyes, which were churning with unspoken turmoil, Qin Kou'er smiled gently and said, "Kou'er is merely stating the truth! In the court, before the emperor, Kou'er wouldn't dare utter a single lie even if she had ten lives. After all, in the end, Kou'er is just a commoner!"

Hearing Qin Kou'er say this, Lan Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes: "This is quite unexpected! Miss Kou'er is a heroine among women. Back then, not to mention me, even in front of the Crown Prince, Miss Kou'er did not show the slightest fear. Why do you seem flustered today?"

At this point, Lan Xiuyuan deliberately paused before continuing, "Moreover, what Kou'er said might not be the truth! I haven't seen any gratitude from the people of Jiangnan towards the Crown Prince! And once they know that the Crown Prince was involved in destroying the dikes and blasting the fields, they probably won't feel any gratitude towards him either!"

Qin Kou'er knew Lan Xiuyuan would ask this question. Deep down, she felt a deep-seated disgust for these people. They couldn't even handle their own problems, yet they always wanted to vent their anger on others. What ability did such people have to be the emperor of the world?

With a slight smile, Qin Kou'er said indifferently with a hint of disdain, "I cannot agree with what you said, Fifth Master! Indeed, I am a rough and unrefined person and have never been afraid of anyone, but this also depends on the situation!"

The Crown Prince acts willfully and recklessly, and Kou'er believes that she should always be in the right. What is there for Kou'er to fear about such a Crown Prince?

Fifth Master is a friend of Kou'er's, and Kou'er has always been loyal to her friends, so she naturally wouldn't feel any fear. Does Fifth Master intend for Kou'er to have to bow and kowtow three times and nine times whenever she sees him? If so, Kou'er is willing to grant his request.

However, today Kou'er is meeting the Emperor! The most supreme ruler of the land! If Kou'er dares to be disrespectful and speak nonsense at this moment, wouldn't she be ridiculed by the world for her lack of manners and moral principles? Kou'er could never do something so disrespectful to her sovereign and father!

To put it bluntly, Qin Kou'er doesn't take the Crown Prince and you, the Fifth Prince, seriously at all. It's only because you're not the Emperor; you're just sons who benefit from the Emperor's status. She never truly considers you two to be anyone important.

However, Lan Xiuyuan found this explanation quite reasonable.

However, Qin Kou'er hadn't finished speaking, and continued, "As for whether the people of Yangzhou are grateful to the Crown Prince, I think I probably know more than Fifth Master. Fifth Master only needs to look at the way the people reacted when they received the silver to know where they truly place the Crown Prince! On the contrary, Fifth Master's words today have stirred some emotions within me. The Crown Prince is, after all, Fifth Master's elder brother, but within the royal family, it has become a life-or-death struggle. This has left me somewhat frightened. I only hope that in the future, Fifth Master will be more lenient towards me, considering that I am a person of the martial world and unfamiliar with the rules!"

The people of Yangzhou really did have a very good impression of Lan Linxue, that's for sure! Of course, this goodwill all came after Lan Linxue left.

Qin Kou'er was afraid that if Lan Linxue's true colors were exposed, the people would condemn her to death. That's why she spent a lot of her own money to buy Lan Linxue's favor! As a result, the people of Yangzhou, unaware of the situation, still regarded Lan Linxue as a good person and worshipped her.

Thinking about all this, Qin Kou'er felt like she could vomit three large bowls of blood. She had worked hard to earn money all her life, but that bastard Lan Linxue had just been working hard to squander it all. Sooner or later, she would have to get it all back with interest.

Lan Xiuyuan didn't pay attention to what Qin Kou'er said before, but her last few words made him a little nervous.

He quickly walked to Qin Kou'er's side and said softly, "Kou'er, are you upset that Xiu Yuan didn't hold back?"

Qin Kou'er glanced at Lan Xiuyuan indifferently and said without expression, "Kou'er wouldn't dare! Kou'er just feels that the waters of the imperial court are as deep as the sea, and Kou'er doesn't have enough confidence to guarantee that she can always come out unscathed. So, Fifth Master, let's try to avoid seeing each other in the future!"

With that, Qin Kou'er gave a slight bow and turned to leave.

Lan Xiuyuan immediately panicked and reached out to grab her arm.

Qin Kou'er immediately looked down at Lan Xiuyuan's hand.

Lan Xiuyuan was startled and awkwardly released his grip. He stared at Qin Kou'er and said anxiously, "Kou'er, you really misunderstood me! You saw what happened. Father Emperor was completely biased towards Lan Linxue, and I had no choice but to do it! I assure you, all the evidence we found today was done by Lan Linxue. I have absolutely no involvement whatsoever!"

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