Chapter 99: Teasing the Prince
"To be honest, Third Miss, I'm leaving the capital for the border to quell the rebellion in foreign lands and alleviate the suffering of the people. Since we're going the same way, why don't we travel together as companions? Although I can't free you from your crimes, I can at least help you along the way so that you have enough food, clothing, shelter, and transportation." Jiang Lin paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and said, "It can be considered as repaying the general's kindness to me."
Qin Xiangnuan rubbed her temples with her fingers, leaning back on the couch. She was still a little weak, and even thinking made her feel tired. Jiang Lin was indeed a very cunning person. Even if she tried to probe him, she couldn't get any information out of him. She could only get what he was willing to let her know.
"In that case, I will respectfully obey your command. I will only travel with you, and I hope the prince will stay away from us."
Qin Xiangnuan's eyes darkened, and her voice gradually lowered as she spoke, "Otherwise, if someone saw us, they'd probably start rumors and cause trouble again. Daddy hasn't been cleared of the charges of treason, and now he's accusing us of colluding with the court officials. I'm afraid we won't even be able to hold on to the border." She leaned gently against the jade pillow and fell asleep. She said this intentionally for Jiang Lin to hear.
Gu Mingqi's spies would undoubtedly be watching from the shadows. If they saw them walking together, chatting and laughing, supporting each other, how could they tolerate such wrath? From the undercurrent, Qin Xiangnuan had already guessed that Gu Mingqi was somewhat wary of Jiang Lin and also wanted to drag him down into the abyss and completely eliminate his dissidents. With a golden opportunity before them, they all knew exactly what Gu Mingqi would whisper into the emperor's ear.
If Jiang Lin wants to go along, he has to deal with the ears and eyes that are following him.
Qin Xiangnuan stopped talking after saying that. She knew Jiang Lin was a smart man and would not bring it up a second time.
Qin Xiangnuan, having finally gotten a good night's sleep, hugged the soft quilt and rubbed her sleepy eyes, reluctant to get up. It wasn't until she smelled the wafting fragrance that she flipped over and sat up. Jiang Lin sat on the round table in front of her with amusement, gesturing with his hands: "Are you awake? Come over here and use something. You've been asleep for hours, and it's already dark outside." Qin Xiangnuan lifted the curtain in surprise, and indeed, saw nightfall outside.
"Food for the other people in the Qin Mansion has also been prepared, so you don't have to worry."
"We will set off tomorrow morning. The imperial physician has examined you and said that your body has almost recovered and you are capable of traveling long distances, but you need to rest frequently. You can follow me in the carriage." Qin Xiangnuan sat opposite him. Jiang Lin handed her a pair of exquisite bone chopsticks. She picked up two pieces of meat without hesitation and tasted the flavor.
It turned out that the prince was traveling, and he probably brought the most famous restaurant chefs in the capital with him.
Several carriages were trundling behind the secret guards, likely carrying a considerable amount of supplies. Qin Xiangnuan raised an eyebrow, feeling that the days ahead would be good, but she remained vigilant and whispered, "It's better to keep the General's Mansion and the Crown Prince separate. We're going to endure hardships anyway, and if we follow the Crown Prince, it would be like an outing. If word gets out in the capital, I'm afraid the Crown Prince will be implicated."
Every word Qin Xiangnuan said was a satire on Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin could hear it, but he didn't care. He had indeed concealed his identity in the beginning, and now he was still deceiving and perfunctory at every turn. Qin Xiangnuan was smart enough to detect it, and her sarcastic remarks were not excessive. He just let her go and listened.
Qin Xiangnuan was only 70% full when she put down her chopsticks and looked at the box of pastries next to her.
When An Feng left, he didn't have time to collect the cakes. Qin Xiangnuan immediately saw the sweet-scented osmanthus cakes on display. Remembering what An Liu had told her, she narrowed her eyes and looked at Jiang Lin. Then she chuckled and said, "My cooking skills are much better now than before. If the prince wants to eat sweet-scented osmanthus cakes in the future, maybe you can talk to me. I'm afraid my cakes are better than those made in the pastry shops in the capital. At least, they will suit the prince's different appetite."
"good."
Jiang Lin's eyes rolled slightly, his face revealing no emotion, though his slightly curled little fingers betrayed a hint of his feelings. He flicked his sleeves and tucked his hands into them. The carriage grew quiet and awkward. Qin Xiangnuan had eaten and warmed herself by the fire, working up a bit of a sweat. She felt uncomfortable, holding up her clothes. The change of clothes she had brought with her had been buried under the snow during her escape from the avalanche.
She just took a quick look and thought that the people from the general's mansion didn't remember to pack up their things carefully when they escaped.
Liu and the others were only concerned with taking out the most important things such as food and drinks, as well as two intact down jackets. As for the rest… Qin Xiangnuan glanced at Jiang Lin, pondered for a while, and then said, "Sir, how about lending me a set of clothes?" Jiang Lin frowned, "Okay."
An Feng brought Jiang Lin's clean clothes over, and Qin Xiangnuan took them. The moment her hands touched the fabric, she knew it was precious Shu brocade. The ivory-white robe and tiara perfectly matched Jiang Lin's temperament. The elegant young man was aloof and independent, but beneath this innocent appearance, Qin Xiangnuan couldn't tell whether the beating heart was black or red.
Her eyes were a little vacant, and Jiang Lin thought she didn't like the style. "Otherwise, I'll ask the secret guard to find a few for you in town."
"No need." Qin Xiangnuan glanced outside the carriage and raised her chin to indicate, "Sir, are you going to stay here? You and I are alone, a man and a woman. Sitting in the same carriage is already an overstep. Do you still want to watch me change clothes?" Without waiting for Jiang Lin to speak, she raised her hand to untie the belt around her waist. Jiang Lin, who was always calm and didn't show his emotions on his face, stood up in panic, his throat tightening as he said, "I'll wait for you outside."
"If anything happens, call me."
Jiang Lin's hasty escape made Qin Xiangnuan burst into laughter. She had never expected him to have such a lovely side. Qin Xiangnuan felt the urge to tease him, and before he completely left, she said, "What's the matter? If I can't change properly, would you like the prince to come in and help me undress?" As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Lin's ears flushed.
"Master?" An Feng was guarding in front of the carriage, not knowing what was going on inside. He heard the sound and turned around, seeing a layer of sweat oozing from Jiang Lin's forehead, "Is the charcoal fire in this carriage a little too strong? You..." An Feng used his hand to test the temperature of Jiang Lin's forehead, "But you don't have a fever, what's going on?" Jiang Lin felt the cold wind, and the strangeness in his heart subsided a little. He looked back at the carriage.
Qin Xiangnuan, she dared to say it!
But had she already said these words to Gu Mingqi? Thinking of Gu Mingqi, Jiang Lin's eyes turned a little colder.
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