"Oh, isn't this our Prince Ning and Miss Lin? They're a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"
That disgusting voice—she didn't even need to look to know it belonged to that idiot Zhao Yue'e. Lin Qian sneered inwardly, but her face remained impassive, even carrying a perfectly timed hint of doubt, as if she didn't understand the hidden meaning in Zhao Yue'e's words. A sharp, sarcastic voice then cut in, successfully making Xiao Jingyan swallow back what he was about to say.
Xiao Jingyan frowned as expected. He hated being interrupted in such situations, especially in such a sarcastic tone.
“Miss Zhao,” Xiao Jingyan said coldly, “you seem to have a lot of free time?”
The speaker was Zhao Yue'e, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, who was known for her sharp tongue and loved to watch people make a scene.
"This humble woman dares not." Zhao Yue'e was startled by Xiao Jingyan's imposing manner, but unwilling to let the opportunity to humiliate Lin Qian slip away, her eyes darted around, and she feigned surprise, saying, "Oh dear, look at my memory, I forgot that Miss Lin was the subject of much gossip a few days ago..."
"Zhao Yue'e!" Su Yao suddenly interrupted her, her tone laced with undisguised smugness, "You've had too much to drink, daring to say anything you shouldn't? Hurry up and apologize to Miss Lin!"
Zhao Yue'e was stunned for a moment, then realized that Su Yao was implying that the rumors were true!
She suddenly perked up, pretending to cover her mouth, but the malice in her tone was impossible to hide: "Oh dear, look at my mouth, why did I have to bring up such a sore spot? I forgot Miss Lin is sensitive and can't handle these things..."
"Miss Zhao, have you forgotten that I am also present at this spring banquet?" Xiao Jingyan coldly interrupted her, his tone carrying a hint of warning.
Zhao Yue'e's face stiffened, and she gave an awkward smile, not daring to say anything more. Although she liked to stir up trouble, she knew who she could and couldn't afford to offend. Prince Ning, Xiao Jingyan, was not someone a mere daughter of the Minister of Revenue could afford to offend.
"Smack!"
A crisp slap interrupted Zhao Yue'e's words, and the surroundings fell silent.
Everyone was stunned. No one expected that the eldest daughter of the Lin family, who was known for her gentleness and quietness, would actually hit someone in public!
Zhao Yue'e covered her face, her eyes wide with disbelief: "You...you dare hit me?!"
Zhao Yue'e covered her face, disbelief in her eyes gradually turning into resentment. She screamed, "Lin Qian, are you crazy?! How dare you hit me?! My father is the Minister of Revenue. You have humiliated me like this today. I will make you regret it!"
The surrounding people whispered amongst themselves, but Lin Qian ignored them. She simply straightened her sleeves leisurely and chuckled lightly, "Miss Zhao, I'm so scared. But more than your threats, I'd like to see just how thin the 'skin' on your head really is."
After saying that, she actually reached out again, as if to slap Zhao Yue'e again!
Zhao Yue'e screamed in fright and scrambled to the side, pointing at Lin Qian, but couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Zhao Yue'e was hit, covering her face, speechless for a long time. She had never suffered such humiliation in her life, especially not in broad daylight, in front of everyone!
Su Yao's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She never expected that Lin Qian, who was always weak and easily bullied, would dare to slap Zhao Yue'e in public! This was completely different from the script she had envisioned! She was about to speak when she was so frightened by Lin Qian's cold gaze that she swallowed her words back.
"Lin Qian! Are you crazy?! How dare you hit me?!" Zhao Yue'e finally snapped out of her daze, screaming, "Do you know who I am?!"
Lin Qian picked at her ear, saying impatiently, "I don't care who you are! What, just because you're the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, does that give you the right to spread rumors and slander others? Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents, showing you what proper etiquette is!"
Lin Qian's words were quite blunt, leaving the young ladies around her stunned. Usually, Lin Qian was always gentle and soft-spoken in front of them, so why did she seem like a completely different person today?
A hint of interest flashed in Xiao Jingyan's eyes. He wanted to see what tricks this woman was going to play today.
"You! You!..." Zhao Yue'e trembled with anger, pointing at Lin Qian for a long time, but couldn't utter a complete sentence.
Lin Qian sneered, slapped her hand away, and said impatiently, "Alright, stop pretending. Do you really think no one can see through your little schemes? You just want to use those rumors to ruin my reputation so your good friend Su Yao can get close to Prince Ning, right? Too bad..."
Lin Qian deliberately drew out her words, looking at Su Yao, and said, word by word, "This young lady is not so easily bullied."
Su Yao's face turned pale. She never expected Lin Qian to expose her thoughts in public!
"You're talking nonsense!" Su Yao forced herself to remain calm, "Yue'e and I were just worried about you..."
Zhao Yue'e was stunned by the blow, covering her face and unable to react for a long time. Seeing this, Su Yao quickly and feigned concern as she helped her up, but whispered in her ear, "Hurry up and leave!"
Zhao Yue'e finally came to her senses, glared fiercely at Lin Qian, covered her face, and ran away.
Everyone around was stunned by Lin Qian's sudden action, and they all stood there as if they had been frozen in place, not daring to move.
Xiao Jingyan watched the scene unfold before him, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. He could naturally see that Lin Qian was deliberately provoking Zhao Yue'e, but he didn't understand what she was trying to do.
Seeing that Xiao Jingyan's gaze remained fixed on Lin Qian, Su Yao felt a surge of jealousy and resentment. She softly advised, "Your Highness, Miss Lin may have been provoked by those rumors and acted impulsively. Please calm your anger and don't take it to heart."
Xiao Jingyan withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Miss Su, you are overthinking it. I just feel that Miss Lin is... somewhat different from usual today."
Su Yao's heart tightened, but she remained outwardly calm and asked softly, "Does Your Highness feel that Miss Lin has been too rude and presumptuous today?"
Xiao Jingyan remained noncommittal, simply picking up his wine glass and taking a small sip.
Xiao Jingyan's gaze was like countless needles, almost piercing Lin Qian. She met his gaze calmly, her smile widening rather than diminishing, but her eyes remained devoid of warmth. "Your Highness, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
"You..." Xiao Jingyan's heart skipped a beat at her nonchalant attitude, and the question he had prepared got stuck in his throat. This woman, who used to always be meek and submissive in front of him, appearing weak and easily bullied, how dare she speak to him in such a tone now?
"I just feel that Miss Lin seems a little different from before." Xiao Jingyan suppressed his displeasure and put on a playful expression.
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