Lin Qian sat in the room, her expression calm and serene. She closed her eyes quietly, using 003 in her mind to understand the outside world. The room was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, casting golden rays onto the floor.
"Host, the Prime Minister was furious when he learned that you had been assassinated by assassins sent by Prince Ning." 003's voice rang clearly in Lin Qian's mind. "He said that Prince Ning had gone too far and would not let it go. He would strengthen his defenses and also expressed his appreciation for your courage and wisdom."
"003, bring me the defense layout map of the Prime Minister's residence," Lin Qian said silently in her mind.
"Yes, host." 003's mechanical voice was completely unwavering, and instantly, a complex 3D image appeared in Lin Qian's mind.
Lin Qian observed carefully, her finger hovering in the air, zooming in, zooming out, and rotating, making sure she could see every corner of the Prime Minister's residence clearly. She chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in her voice: "This Prime Minister Lin is truly cautious. He's actually deployed so many experts, both openly and secretly."
Lin Qian's lips curled slightly upward, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, before she asked, "What about Prince Ning?"
"When Prince Ning saw the corpses of those assassins at his own doorstep, he flew into a rage. He was like an enraged lion, his face flushed red, his eyes filled with anger and resentment." 003 described in detail, "He cursed and said that he would make you pay a terrible price and make you wish you were dead."
"What's going on with Prince Ning?" Lin Qian changed the subject and asked casually.
"Prince Ning is furious this time! He never imagined that his carefully trained elite guards would be wiped out by a weak woman," 003 said gleefully. "Now the entire palace is in chaos, and Prince Ning's roars echo in every corner. He has even declared that he will stop at nothing to capture you and tear you to pieces!"
"Oh? Tear him to pieces?" Lin Qian chuckled lightly, but there was no fear in her eyes. "Then let him come. I'm afraid it's not certain who will be torn to pieces in the end!"
Lin Qian sneered, "Hmph, let's see if he has the ability."
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was handling state affairs in his study within the palace. The study was elegantly and solemnly furnished; the bookshelves, filled with books, exuded a faint scent of ink. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting dappled patterns on the floor like golden fish scales. The Crown Prince, dressed in magnificent robes, the gold threads embroidered on them shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight, was intently studying the memorials in his hands, his brow slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.
At this moment, a guard appeared silently like a ghost, knelt on one knee, and whispered, "Your Highness, Prince Ning has sent assassins to intercept and kill Miss Lin Qian outside the capital."
The Crown Prince slammed the memorial in his hand onto the desk with a sharp "thud," a sound that jarred the quiet study. The young eunuch grinding ink nearby trembled, nearly dropping the ink stick, and dared not utter a sound.
"He's getting bolder and bolder. Does he really think I wouldn't dare to touch him?!" the Crown Prince said through gritted teeth, his handsome face filled with gloom, and his eyes seemed to be burning with flames.
However, Miss Lin Qian was exceptionally skilled; not only was she unharmed, but she also dispatched all the assassins and disposed of their bodies at the entrance of the Ning Prince's residence.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger." The guard bowed his head. Prince Ning's actions were indeed extremely arrogant. However… he paused, a subtle glint in his voice, “I heard that Miss Lin has piled up the assassins' corpses at the main gate of Prince Ning's residence.”
"Hahaha!" The Crown Prince couldn't help but burst into laughter. This action was truly in line with Lin Qian's style—bold and reckless, yet somehow impossible to hate. His laughter echoed in the study, breaking the previously oppressive atmosphere. He dismissed the guards, and Lin Qian's bright and beautiful face appeared in his mind, causing a strange emotion to rise within him. That emotion was like a lake in spring, calm on the surface, but with undercurrents surging beneath.
He rose and walked to the window, gazing at the sky outside the palace with his hands behind his back. A touch of crimson gradually spread across the horizon, tinging the once azure sky with an ambiguous hue. A warm breeze ruffled his hair, carrying the fragrance of flowers and grass. However, as the Crown Prince looked at that crimson, a strange unease crept into his heart.
The image of Lin Qian's clear yet slightly cunning eyes flashed through his mind, and the irritation in his heart grew stronger. This woman, every time she appeared, she stirred things up into chaos, yet she acted as if nothing had happened, remaining completely detached.
"Your Highness," the guard cautiously probed, noticing the Crown Prince's uncertain expression, "should I send someone over..."
"No need." The Crown Prince coldly interrupted him, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Doesn't Prince Ning like playing with fire? I'll play along with him." His voice was as cold as frost, as if it could freeze the surrounding air.
He turned abruptly, strode to his desk, picked up his pen, and wrote a secret letter. The pen tip scratched across the paper, making a hissing sound, like the prelude to an impending storm.
"Give this to Shadow and tell them to proceed according to plan." The Crown Prince handed the secret letter to the guard, his eyes firm and cold.
The guard took the secret letter, a chill running down his spine. The Shadows were a secret force under the Crown Prince, responsible for handling shady dealings. It seemed the Crown Prince was truly enraged this time. He carefully put the letter away and withdrew.
As night fell, the entire capital was enveloped in tranquility. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its cool light and illuminating the streets and alleys as if it were daytime. However, inside the study of the Prince Ning's residence, a tense argument was unfolding.
A tense atmosphere filled the study. The candlelight flickered in the wind, casting swaying shadows. Prince Ning slammed his teacup to the ground, shards flying everywhere. Tea splashed onto the kneeling man in black, but he didn't dare to move an inch.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" Prince Ning's voice boomed like thunder in the study, his eyes filled with sinister malice. "I spent so much money raising you, only to send you to your deaths?"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger," the man in black said tremblingly, his body shaking uncontrollably as if terrified of the Prince of Ning's wrath. "We were also outmaneuvered, that Lin Qian..."
"Shut up! I don't want to hear that woman's name again!" Prince Ning stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with madness. "Send the order: kill that bitch at all costs!"
"Yes!" The man in black, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly retreated.
Prince Ning walked to the window, gazing at the dark night sky outside, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes. "Lin Qian, the humiliation you've inflicted upon me, I will repay a hundredfold!"
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