Lin Qian sat at her seat in the Spring Banquet, seemingly casually enjoying the song and dance, but in her heart, she was plotting her next move. The banquet was filled with the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments, and the dancers were graceful and elegant, but all of this seemed somewhat uninteresting to Lin Qian.
"This banquet is nothing special," Lin Qian muttered to herself.
At that moment, 003's voice rang in her mind: "Host, you were so cool when you confronted Prince Ning just now! But you have to be careful, Prince Ning is not someone to be trifled with."
Lin Qian responded in her heart: "What's there to be afraid of? I know what I'm doing."
"Oh?" Lin Qian seemed to have heard an amusing joke, her eyes sparkling with a hint of provocation. "Then, in His Highness Prince Ning's eyes, what was I like before, and what am I like now?"
Her feigned ignorance only fueled Xiao Jingyan's anger. He snorted coldly, taking a step closer, practically trapping her in his shadow. "Before? The former Miss Lin, she practically clung to me every day, wanting to be with me—"
“Your Highness, please be careful with your words.” Lin Qian interrupted him without fear, her tone carrying a hint of warning. “Today is a spring banquet. Walls have ears, so it’s best not to say certain things carelessly.”
Her tone, neither humble nor arrogant, and even carrying a hint of threat, fueled Xiao Jingyan's anger. Just as he was about to lash out, Lin Qian suddenly leaned closer, her breath sweet as orchids in his ear, her voice as soft as a feather yet carrying a deadly chill, "Your Highness, don't you think so?"
Xiao Jingyan felt a tingling sensation near his ear, as if something had gently scratched him, and a strange feeling quickly spread throughout his body. He instinctively wanted to back away, but Lin Qian grabbed his wrist. Her hand was soft and cold, like the forked tongue of a venomous snake, making his heart tremble.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Lin Qian's voice was full of innocence, as if she hadn't done that bold thing just now.
Xiao Jingyan stared at the face so close to his own, a familiar smile on her face, yet it felt utterly foreign to him. What trick was this woman playing?
Just then, a melodious zither tune rang out, attracting everyone's attention. It turned out that the Empress had arrived, and the Spring Banquet had officially begun.
Xiao Jingyan gave Lin Qian a deep look, but ultimately said nothing and turned to walk back to his seat. His back was tall and proud, but it couldn't hide the surging anger and doubt in his heart.
Lin Qian watched his retreating figure, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
The melodious sound of the zither acted as an invisible barrier, separating the tense atmosphere from what had just been. At the spring banquet, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and a gentle breeze stirred the people's clothing. Lin Qian's smile gradually faded, replaced by a cold indifference.
"Miss, are you alright?" Her personal maid, Xiao Tao, asked worriedly. What had just happened had really frightened her.
Lin Qian withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "What could possibly happen to me? It's you who's so easily startled; aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"
Xiao Tao realized she had spoken out of turn, and quickly lowered her head, not daring to utter another word.
The spring banquet was a scene of singing and dancing, with toasts and laughter filling the air. However, in Lin Qian's eyes, all of this seemed so hypocritical and ridiculous.
She picked up her wine glass, took a small sip, and casually glanced at the crowd before finally settling on a figure not far away.
The man was dressed in black, with black hair like a waterfall, and his features were exceptionally handsome. He had a cool and otherworldly temperament, like a banished immortal.
He is the current Crown Prince, Xiao Jingheng.
He sat upright at the table, seemingly detached from the bustling and noisy environment. His brows were serene, and a faint smile played on his lips. Yet, his phoenix eyes were as deep as the night, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.
In truth, compared to the arrogant and conceited Prince Ning, who only knew how to resort to petty tricks, this Crown Prince seemed more like Lin Qian's target. Unfortunately, this Crown Prince, seemingly gentle and refined, actually kept everyone at arm's length. The seat beside him was always empty; no one dared to approach.
As Lin Qian pondered to herself, 003's voice sounded again: "Host, this Crown Prince seems quite extraordinary. Are you really planning to make him your target?"
Lin Qian responded in her heart: "The more challenging it is, the more interesting it is, isn't it?"
Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng is truly an exceptional man. Lin Qian rested her chin on her hand, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. It's a pity that the original book describes him very little, and we know nothing about his likes and dislikes.
Lin Qian rested her chin on her hand, her gaze lingering on him with interest. Before, she was completely infatuated with that fool Xiao Jingyan, her heart and eyes only for him, and she had no interest in anyone else. Now that she had escaped that quagmire, she realized that there were many interesting men in the world, and Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng was a prime example.
This man was truly blessed with handsome features, especially his phoenix eyes, deep and dark, yet seemingly holding a thousand stars, making one want to drown in them. It's just a pity his personality was too cold.
Just then, a burning gaze fell upon her. Lin Qian sneered inwardly, but outwardly remained calm as she raised her head and followed the gaze.
Their eyes met, and Xiao Jingyan's eyes blazed with fury, as if he wanted to devour her completely. Lin Qian, however, showed no fear, instead flashing him a defiant smile.
Damn it! Is this woman deliberately trying to provoke him?
Xiao Jingyan suddenly stood up and strode towards Lin Qian. The surrounding guests, seeing this, cast curious glances and whispered amongst themselves.
"Isn't that His Highness Prince Ning? Why is he suddenly walking this way?"
"Where is he going? Could it be that he's going to cause trouble for Miss Lin?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down, don't forget that Miss Lin used to be..."
The crowd murmured amongst themselves, but no one dared to step forward to stop him. Xiao Jingyan's aura was too intimidating; his gloomy eyes seemed to see through everything, inspiring fear in everyone.
Xiao Jingyan's aggressive demeanor paled in comparison to Lin Qian's. She calmly set down her wine cup, her red lips parted slightly, and she said with a hint of mockery, "Oh, isn't this His Highness Prince Ning? What, did the songs and dances at the Spring Banquet not suit your taste? Would you like to find some entertainment here with me?"
The whispers around them grew louder, but Lin Qian seemed not to hear them at all. She even deliberately raised her voice, emphasizing the words "your subject's daughter" as if to remind Xiao Jingyan that things could never go back to the way they were before.
Xiao Jingyan was indeed enraged by her dismissive attitude. He grabbed Lin Qian's wrist with such force that he almost crushed her bones. "Lin Qian, don't be so stubborn! I'm warning you—"
"What are you warning me about?" Lin Qian met his gaze without fear, her eyes and brows filled with provocation.
"You!" Xiao Jingyan's face turned ashen with anger. He never expected that the woman who used to be so obedient to him and even willing to give up everything for him would dare to speak to him in such a tone!
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