Chapter 25 Let's talk about it.

The silence lasted only two breaths. When they saw who had kicked down the door, everyone, including Lin Lanting, changed their expressions.

Especially Guo Xiao, the instigator, whose expression changed drastically, going from joy to sorrow.

"You all had a great time!"

Her voice was clear and bright, with a unique touch of coquettishness, yet at this moment it also carried the imposing force of an impending storm.

Huiyi's already unpleasant expression turned even more humiliated when she saw that scoundrel Lin Er with one on each side.

Huiyi strolled in with leisurely steps, speaking in a sarcastic tone.

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the private room seemed to wake from a dream, and hurriedly got up to pay their respects.

Among them, Guo Xiao's expression was the most indescribable. He swallowed hard, stepped forward respectfully, and said with a smile and clasped hands, "Princess Chang Le, what brings you here? We have been negligent."

The most unbearable feeling is knowing you're about to suffer but haven't yet. If Guo Xiao had known that Princess Chang Le would come knocking on his door, he wouldn't have invited his cousin even if he had eight times the courage.

Huiyi sneered, ignoring Guo Xiao, and walked towards Lin Lanting's seat.

The young woman's footsteps were light, with only the occasional tinkling of her jewelry.

A faint, sweet fragrance wafted over, unlike the strong scent of the incense from the women of Pingkangfang. Lin Lanting didn't find it pungent or unbearable; instead, she became somewhat interested in the incense.

"The princess has actually come! I never expected that."

Seeing that Lin Er had been caught red-handed yet remained calm and chatted with her, he was simply outrageous.

Drawing her whip from her waist, Huiyi weighed it in her hand under the hesitant gazes of Guo Xiao and his group. She sneered, "If I hadn't come, how would I have known you were having a good time at Xinfeng Tower, surrounded by women, enjoying yourself immensely!"

The words were firm and resolute. As Lin Lanting frowned, two women from Pingkangfang, one on each side of her, immediately knelt down in fear, whimpering and begging for mercy: "Princess, please forgive us! We were only summoned here and did not know we were serving the Prince Consort. We only poured wine and did nothing else. Please forgive us, Princess!"

Huiyi, who was about to say a few more words, was interrupted by the pleas and cries of the two women from Pingkangfang. She waved her hand at the two tearful women and said irritably, "This is none of your business, go away."

The women in Pingkangfang were engaged in this business; they were merely summoned to accompany the women, so the blame couldn't be placed on them.

Huiyi had no intention of arguing with the two women; she only hoped they would leave quickly so as not to get in the way of dealing with that scoundrel Lin Er.

Upon hearing this, the two women immediately beamed with joy, hurriedly lifted their skirts, and retreated far away.

Turning her gaze back to Lin Lanting, Huiyi raised her whip and asked, "What else do you have to say?"

Lin Lanting had been whipped before, and this time it was just a matter of a few more people. He believed that the spoiled princess was capable of doing this.

Being slapped in private is already embarrassing enough; if he were to be slapped in front of so many people, wouldn't he lose all face?

Thinking of this, Lin Lanting took the initiative to explain: "Those two are not mine. Zheng Liulang had something to do and couldn't come, so it can only be attributed to me. You also heard what they said. They were just pouring wine. I didn't do anything wrong."

"If you don't believe me, Princess, you can ask my cousin. He arranged it all."

In special circumstances, diverting blame can be a good tactic.

The effect was good. As soon as he finished speaking, the spoiled princess turned her head to look at Guo Xiao.

Guo Xiao immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "It's like this, Princess. I didn't originally arrange for my cousin to have a wife accompany him. It's just that we suddenly needed someone, so this is how it is. But I assure you, Princess, my cousin really didn't do anything."

Guo Xiao was filled with bitterness. His cousin had really married a tyrant. Although she was his cousin's wife, he dared not utter a single word of dissent.

Faced with the cousins' rebuttal, Huiyi was not about to believe them. She sneered, "Do you think I'm a fool to believe whatever you say?"

Seeing this, Guo Xiao's face turned ashen, and he remained silent.

Lin Lanting hastily wiped his face, stood up, and grabbed Huiyi's wrist.

Lin Lanting was still afraid that she might suddenly whip him a few times.

"Let's talk about it when we get back."

Lin Lanting did this because he didn't want to be laughed at, but Huiyi saw it as something else entirely.

"Go back and tell them? You don't mean you want your in-laws to plead for you, do you?"

Huiyi thought that if her parents-in-law and Sister-in-law Lu really spoke up for Lin Er, she would indeed give them some face.

"You wish!"

Hearing this tone, Lin Lanting knew that this explanation was ineffective.

"In that case, Princess, please don't blame me for being impolite."

Before Huiyi could understand what he was saying, she felt a pull on her wrist. In the blink of an eye, Lin Lanting had picked her up and carried her out of the private room.

"Princess, Princess~"

Seeing this, Yu Niang and the others jogged after them, calling out to them in worried whispers.

Guo Xiao and his group, seeing Lin Lanting's demeanor, stared wide-eyed with admiration and gave him a thumbs-up from behind.

"Erlang truly lives up to his name; he is a role model for us all!"

Even a domineering woman like Princess Chang Le dares to act like this; in all of Chang'an, only Lin Erlang would do that.

He certainly wouldn't dare.

When someone picked her up, Huiyi was initially stunned; she never expected Lin Er to do such a thing.

Caught off guard, Huiyi naturally wrapped her arms around his neck. Her embroidered dress was piled up, with the pale yellow skirt covering the dark purple robe, and the two skirts fluttered as she walked.

When Huiyi finally reacted and tried to struggle and curse, Lin Lanting was already prepared. He covered her mouth with his calloused palm and whispered, "Shh, there are so many people outside. The princess doesn't want to be made a fool of, does she?"

These words struck a chord with Huiyi; she truly did not want to.

She glared angrily at Lin Erwei's tense profile the whole way, and even secretly pinched his waist.

Huiyi finally smiled when she saw the other person gasp for breath.

As if to retaliate against her, he deliberately jolted her down the stairs, which startled Huiyi so much that she grabbed Lin Er's neck again.

"Are you trying to die?!"

Huiyi cursed angrily, but Lin Lanting was not annoyed. He just chuckled as if his wicked scheme had succeeded, which made Huiyi twist her head again.

Upon arriving at the carriage, Lin Lanting simply placed the person inside and clapped his hands, saying, "Please, Princess, get in the carriage."

Looking at the bustling crowds on the street, Huiyi didn't bother to argue with his rude behavior.

Lin Lanting rode up to him, his posture relaxed, showing no sign of fear at the impending questioning.

Unable to contain herself, Huiyi lifted the curtain and threatened Lin Lanting, who was on horseback outside, "Let's see how you explain this when you get back."

Upon hearing this, Lin Lanting turned to look at her, still with a smile on his face, and sighed, "My cousin and I have already told you the truth. If the princess does not believe me, what can I do?"

His tone was one of helplessness and perfunctoriness, as if she were being unreasonable and he were the victim.

If you're so capable, then produce evidence.

Huiyi was not satisfied with this explanation, and she also knew Lin Er's weakness. She sneered and said, "Then don't blame me for telling your parents about this. I'll tell them that you went to a brothel for pleasure, and see how your father deals with you!"

Having his sore spot hit, Lin Lanting was also a little annoyed. His thick, dark eyebrows furrowed, and his words became rather impolite.

“I said no, and that’s final. The princess may look after me for a while, but can she look after me forever?”

"The princess may not be tired, but I am."

Sensing that intense annoyance and dislike, Huiyi's emotions choked up, and she fell silent instantly.

She wanted to say that she was keeping a close eye on him not because she liked him, nor out of jealousy.

She just didn't want to be laughed at because her husband was messing around outside.

But after Lin Lanting finished speaking, Huiyi suddenly felt she didn't want to say anything more.

This is so boring.

The carriage curtain fell, separating the two and creating absolute silence.

Lin Lanting didn't hear a response for a long time. He turned his head in surprise and saw only the red brocade curtain of begonia, nothing else.

A look of suspicion appeared on Lin Lanting's face, and he hesitated to speak.

In Lin Lanting's mind, this willful princess should have passionately retorted to him, but now she had quietly retreated, which really surprised him.

After waiting a while, it was still quiet and peaceful, without a single word, which made Lin Lanting think that the person inside had been angered to the point of fainting.

Really?

Are his words that powerful?

But the current situation was indeed very unusual. Lin Lanting rode his horse closer to Yan Zhai's carriage and tentatively asked, "Princess, are you alright?"

After a moment, there was no sound.

Lin Lanting's expression changed, reinforcing her previous suspicions.

Did he really make her faint from anger?

Thinking of this possibility, Lin Lanting reached out and lifted the red brocade curtain, revealing the young woman inside.

He wasn't angry at all; he sat there perfectly fine, looking thoughtful, as if contemplating some important life matter.

Along with the summer heat, the blinding sunlight also crept in through the lifted brocade curtain.

Huiyi's thoughts were interrupted, and she turned her head to meet Lin Lanting's gaze, her eyes full of dissatisfaction at being disturbed.

"What are you doing? Soldiers have no manners!"

He was met with a barrage of insults, but Lin Lanting couldn't retort. He could only swallow his anger and say, "It's nothing. I thought the princess was unwell since she wasn't speaking, so I came to check on her."

"No, shut up, don't bother me."

Her decisive and straightforward manner, coupled with her undisguised indifference, left Lin Lanting somewhat bewildered. He rubbed his nose and reluctantly shut his mouth.

What major event could make a spoiled princess change her mind and think like this?

He wanted to ask a few more questions, but when Lin Lanting recalled the cold face of the woman behind the brocade curtain, he hesitated for a moment and didn't open his mouth.

Inside the carriage, Huiyi was still lost in thought.

She was indeed thinking about something important, something that would determine whether her future was good or bad.

That would be the way she would get along with Lin Er in the future.

Although Lin Er's words were unpleasant, what he said just now made perfect sense.

She could watch over Lin Er for a time, but she couldn't watch over Lin Er for a lifetime.

Even if a cat is determined to steal fish, there will always be moments when people are lax. Huiyi believes she cannot please everyone.

Moreover, keeping an eye on someone all the time is too tiring, so Huiyi thought better of it.

She needs to start planning for this ridiculous marriage again, so that she can live a more comfortable life in her later years.

She pondered all the way to the Lin residence. When the Yanzhai carriage stopped, the golden bells on the eaves jingled, and Huiyi had an idea.

With her thoughts clear, she felt much more at ease, walking with a spring in her step, attracting several glances from Lin Lanting, who smiled and inquired, "The princess seems to be in a good mood?"

Huiyi ignored him and didn't whine like usual. She just glanced at him briefly before going inside.

I'll explain it to him later tonight; for now, we shouldn't alarm Yu Niang and the others.

Lin Lanting, who was a step behind, looked at the unruly princess's strange behavior and couldn't figure it out.

Huiyi felt extremely sticky after going out in June and getting quite irritated.

Huiyi didn't need to worry. Yu Niang and Bi Qing, along with several other maids, had their tasks assigned efficiently: some served her bath, some served her meals, and some prepared the skin-nourishing creams for her to use later.

Everyone in the room was busy, making Lin Lanting seem idle.

There was only one bathroom in the room, which was occupied by Huiyi, so he could wait a while longer.

While waiting, Lin Lanting couldn't help but recall his cousin's private laughter.

"Take a bath with your cousin-in-law; it's much more fun than bathing by yourself."

Her thoughts drifted away, and Lin Lanting suddenly became curious about the elaborate process of this spoiled princess's bath.

As time slowly passed, Lin Lanting felt much more at ease that night, but he also noticed that the spoiled princess was acting strangely.

Not only did he not mention what happened at Xinfenglou today, but he also stopped arguing with him and didn't even look at him.

Even the words he had just initiated didn't elicit a strong response; the reaction was rather lukewarm.

If the person hadn't been right under his nose the whole time, Lin Lanting would have suspected that the person had been switched.

This strange feeling persisted until bedtime.

After everything was finished, the maids filed out, the door was gently closed, and the willful princess was seen getting out of bed behind the brocade curtains.

He said lazily to him, who was lying flat on the couch, "Come here, let's talk."

Lin Lanting opened his eyes abruptly, slowly sat up from the couch, his calm expression masking a turbulent heart. He feigned composure and asked in a slow voice, "What do you want to talk about?"

Lin Lanting's first thought was probably that the spoiled princess would continue to question him about his crimes during the day.

Thinking of this, he felt both annoyed and relieved. He sat up with one leg propped up, his eyes darting around.

To make it easier to talk, Huiyi sat on a crescent-shaped stool a little closer to the long couch, straightened her clothes, and said in a serious tone, "Let's talk about our future."

This word itself carries a deep meaning, and since it's a topic between husband and wife, it carries a certain ambiguity.

Upon hearing this, Lin Lanting raised an eyebrow and asked, "How so?"

Huiyi was annoyed by Lin Er's nonchalant attitude, as if nothing was worthy of his attention.

She is the same way now.

With her chin raised, Huiyi said, "What you said today may be harsh, but it's not without reason. I really can't watch over you for the rest of my life, nor do I want to worry about watching over you for the rest of my life. So I have an idea that can make us both more comfortable."

Perhaps not expecting the spoiled princess to be thinking about such a serious matter, Lin Lanting looked surprised and sat up straighter, replying, "What method?"

Huiyi looked straight into his eyes and said earnestly, "From now on, we'll keep to ourselves. You can have your fun, and I'll have my fun. Let's not cross the line."

Huiyi said this.

Lin Lanting was taken aback, realizing for the first time in his life that he couldn't understand what someone was saying, and asked, "What do you mean?"

His brows furrowed unconsciously, and he had a bad feeling.

Seeing that he was still acting foolishly, Huiyi scolded him again without any politeness: "Idiot, don't you understand this?"

"From now on, as long as you are mindful of your behavior, I will not interfere with your going out to have fun, and you can even stay out all night."

Lin Lanting's pupils dilated in surprise. "Is the princess so magnanimous that she can tolerate her husband's infidelity?"

Which woman doesn't care if her husband cheats? Competition between wives and concubines is common, especially since this woman is Princess Chang Le, who is the most favored.

It's truly baffling.

Seeing his expression, Huiyi knew he hadn't taken her words to heart, and in her anger, she could only repeat them.

"Didn't I say, you go find your fun, I'll find my happiness, and neither of us should cross the line?"

"So if I'm having fun, you're not allowed to interfere, and you absolutely cannot secretly tell on me, understand?"

Lin Lanting understood, and his expression was quite varied, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

He took several breaths to process what he had said before he said with difficulty, "Li Huiyi, I thought I was already a heretic, but I didn't expect you to be even worse."

Do you know what you're saying?

The princess and her husband drifted apart, each seeking their own pleasure and concealing their true intentions from each other.

It's really...

Lin Lanting was at a loss for words, finding the whole thing increasingly ridiculous.

Seeing Lin Er's expression of dissatisfaction, Huiyi said with discontent, "Isn't this method good? Look, neither of us wants this marriage. Living under the same roof every day is also causing us to hate each other. If we don't find a way to break through this, we can only continue to torment each other."

"Since you dislike it, I'm equally annoyed. Why don't we shake hands and make peace, finding a way that's comfortable for both of us? Wouldn't that be better?"

"Or would you rather be monitored and controlled by me for the rest of your life, unable to get close to any other woman?"

"Anyway, I'm not willing to live a life of widowhood in your house; that would be too foolish."

Huiyi shook her head, her expression one of resistance and a hint of disgust for that kind of life.

Lin Lanting successfully detected that hint of disgust, and his expression gradually turned cold.

But this only lasted for a moment, and then he suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, "That's very good. Not to mention this, even if the princess were to secretly meet with her lover, I would keep watch for you."

Decisive, prudent, and even beyond Huiyi's expectations.

Huiyi smiled, but said with a hint of something unsettling in her voice, "There's no need for such a sacrifice, and you don't need to go and keep watch."

It was as if there were already people outside that made him speak so naturally and fluently.

Lin Lanting's expression shifted between light and shadow, and he suddenly seemed somewhat disheartened. He suppressed his smile and said in a low voice, "It's getting late, let's rest."

Having achieved her goal, Huiyi stopped nagging and contentedly crawled back into the brocade tent.

Before the curtain fell, she left her last words: "I am happy with the alliance. Remember not to upset me in the future."

The brocade curtains fell, and the luminous pearls on the top of the curtains reflected the girl's reclining figure, making her look extremely adorable.

Lin Lanting closed her eyes and stopped looking, but her mind was echoing those words.

It's clearly you, this spoiled princess, who's making me angry.

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Author's Note: Update complete! [heart emoji]

Next chapter will be updated Friday night at 11 PM [heart emoji]