"Immature?" Xiao Jingyan repeated these three words in a low voice, his tone carrying a deep meaning. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze revealing an indescribable sense of oppression, and slowly took a step forward. His tall figure was like a towering mountain, almost completely enveloping Lin Qian, and his intense aura of aggression spread like a tidal wave: "Then, in Miss Lin's opinion, what constitutes maturity nowadays?"
Lin Qian's breath hitched. The faint scent of ambergris mixed with the strong smell of alcohol emanating from Xiao Jingyan wafted into her nostrils, the pungent odor making her stomach churn and her disgust intensifying. She subtly took a half-step back, deliberately avoiding Xiao Jingyan's burning gaze. Her handkerchief tightened unconsciously in her hand, but she feigned shyness and said, "This humble woman is ignorant and does not know what Your Highness is referring to."
“What I mean is…” Xiao Jingyan deliberately dragged out his words, his deep eyes like unfathomable pools, staring intently at Lin Qian, as if trying to see through her soul. His voice was deep and magnetic, with an irresistible charm, and he slowly uttered two words: “In the past.”
"Before?" Lin Qian tilted her head, feigning ignorance. Her clear eyes were full of innocence, as pure as dewdrops on leaves in the morning. She blinked gently, her long eyelashes fluttering like fans, and said softly, "Did I offend Your Highness in the past because I was ignorant?"
Her innocent and harmless appearance was like that of a defenseless little rabbit. In the past, Xiao Jingyan would have been captivated by her. But now, he softened his tone, speaking with a hint of coaxing, "Miss Lin is so intelligent, how could she possibly anger me? It's just that before, we seemed to be closer." As he spoke, he moved closer to Lin Qian again, his eyes burning and focused, trying to break down her defenses with his intense gaze and words.
Unfortunately, Lin Qian is no longer the naive and innocent girl he used to manipulate at will.
"Your Highness is joking," Lin Qian chuckled, her eyes sparkling with an indescribable charm. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, forming a captivating curve. "Boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven. Your Highness and I are long past the age where we can play around freely. Would it be improper for us to be as intimate as before?" Her voice was clear and melodious, yet it carried an undeniable firmness.
"Etiquette?" Xiao Jingyan's face broke into a mocking smile, as if he had heard an extremely funny joke. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Lin Qian's wrist, the force so great that Lin Qian felt a sharp pain. He forcefully pulled her close to him, the distance between them instantly closing, their breaths mingling. "Lin Qian, since when have we ever needed to talk about those hypocritical etiquette rules?"
His warm breath, like a heat wave, sprayed against Lin Qian's ear, carrying a faint smell of alcohol. The heat made her skin crawl, and her disgust grew stronger. Lin Qian suppressed her discomfort, her body trembling slightly, and struggled in a feigned panic: "Your Highness, you're drunk..." Her voice trembled, and her eyes were filled with fear.
"Drunk?" Xiao Jingyan sneered, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. His other hand swiftly gripped the back of her head, forcing her to meet his gaze, his eyes seeming to devour her completely. "Lin Qian, look at me. Do I look drunk?"
His eyes were incredibly sharp, showing no sign of drunkenness whatsoever. That clear and sharp gaze made Lin Qian's heart tighten, but she quickly regained her composure and continued to struggle to break free from his grasp.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, accompanied by a sharp female voice: "Your Highness! What are you doing?!"
The sudden sound, like a sharp blade, instantly shattered the ambiguous atmosphere between the two. Xiao Jingyan's movements paused abruptly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he still released his grip on Lin Qian's hand.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Qian broke free and quickly took a few steps back. Slightly out of breath, she raised her hand to tidy her slightly disheveled clothes and hair. She looked up and saw a woman in gorgeous attire walking briskly towards her. The woman had a beautiful face, but it was distorted by anger and jealousy; her eyes were fixed on Lin Qian, as if she wanted to devour her alive.
This woman was Su Yao, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel. She had always been deeply in love with Prince Ning, Xiao Jingyan, and had long regarded Lin Qian as a thorn in her side. Today, having heard that Prince Ning was holding a flower-viewing banquet, she had dressed up carefully and came with great joy, hoping to get close to Prince Ning, but she never expected to witness such a disgraceful scene.
"Your Highness, how could you treat me like this?" Su Yao walked to Xiao Jingyan's side, her voice filled with grievance and sorrow, her eyes glistening with tears, looking pitiful.
Xiao Jingyan frowned, a hint of impatience on his face, and said coldly, "Su Yao, it's none of your business to interfere in my affairs."
Su Yao bit her lip, her eyes revealing resentment. She turned to Lin Qian, her tone full of mockery and hostility: "Lin Qian, you vixen, all you know how to do is seduce the prince!"
Lin Qian sneered inwardly, but put on an innocent expression, her eyes full of grievance: "Miss Su, what are you talking about? It was clearly His Highness Prince Ning who..."
"You still dare to argue!" Su Yao interrupted Lin Qian angrily. She took a step forward, raised her hand, and seemed to want to slap Lin Qian.
Just then, Xiao Jingyan shouted, "Enough! All of you, shut up!"
His voice was filled with authority and anger, and Su Yao and Lin Qian were both intimidated by his aura, daring not to speak again.
Xiao Jingyan glanced coldly at Lin Qian, then at Su Yao, his heart filled with extreme frustration. He had only intended to test Lin Qian, but Su Yao's meddling had made things even more complicated.
"I don't want to hear anyone mention today's events again," Xiao Jingyan said, then turned and stormed off.
Su Yao glared at Lin Qian fiercely, then followed Xiao Jingyan away.
Lin Qian watched their departing figures, a cold smile playing on her lips. She knew her plan was progressing steadily, and these people were merely pawns in her game.
At this moment, 003's voice rang in Lin Qian's mind: "Host, well done! Prince Ning is going to have a headache for a while now."
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