Chapter 49
The other palace servants had been dismissed by Ling Huanchen early on. Now, only the three of them, the master and the servant, and an uninvited guest were left in the main hall of Yuluan Palace.
Ling Huanchen was somewhat shocked when he saw the captured Lin Shuluo. He looked horrified, having been bound and brought up by Yun He. His once elegant and graceful demeanor was completely gone. His face was covered in bruises, his left eye was a black eye, his cheek was swollen, his clothes were disheveled, and his right shoe was missing, leaving his foot swollen like a pig's trotter.
His mouth was stuffed and he couldn't speak. He could only whimper and stare at Ling Huanchen with the eye that was not hit.
Yunhe was just hitting him in the face.
Even without a word, Ling Huanchen could sense the indignation emanating from the other person. "Prince, I can let you speak, but it's best if we talk calmly. If you can't help but yell, I might not be able to protect you. Just nod if you agree."
Seeing Lin Shuluo nodding vigorously, Ling Huanchen signaled Yunhe to take the cloth out of his mouth.
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, Ling Huanchen, what do you mean? Do you think that just because Yu Xi pampers you, you become a human being?"
Before he could finish his nonsense, Yun He slapped him in the face again, "You can't just call the king and the master by their names."
As the saying goes, one must bow under the eaves. Lin Shuluo was used to being arrogant and domineering. Although he had always relied on the favor of the Xian King, he was after all the Crown Prince of Xian City, and no one could do anything to him. But he was the one who committed the thief, and if it got out, it would be shameful. Moreover, if Yu Xi knew about this, given the temper of the Youcheng King, he would probably die under the peony flowers.
In the past, when he encountered beauties of humble status, he would easily seize them. Even if the one he liked had a good background, with his lightness skill, he could easily become the flower picker. But unexpectedly, this time, the hunter who often caught eagles was pecked in the eye by an eagle. He was good at lightness skill, but there were others who were even better.
Lin Shuluo gnashed his teeth and said, "Your Highness, it's my fault. I shouldn't have offended Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will show mercy."
Ling Huanchen's face was expressionless, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. "It would be best if Your Highness could remain calm. No one else needs to know about what happened today, but Your Highness must promise to return to Xiancheng in two days. Whether you're claiming illness or any other excuse, I don't want to see you in the Youcheng Palace in two days."
When had Lin Shuluo ever been treated like this before, especially since the person who was dealing with him was a mere toy he considered. The palace servants on either side of him were staring at him with eager eyes, and it was no exaggeration to say that if he said no, he would be in for even greater misfortune.
"Of course. I will definitely leave Youcheng in two days and will not be a nuisance to Your Highness."
"I hope the prince will keep his word, otherwise, I may not be able to return to Xiancheng."
Ling Huanchen winked at Yunhe, and Yunhe immediately grabbed Lin Shuluo by the collar and dragged him out of Yuluan Palace.
"What a bastard! Beating him up is too easy for him." Xiao Qi pouted at the door. "Master, don't worry. I will clean the floor of the main hall again later."
Ling Huanchen saw that he was holding an object in his hand, which was wrapped in black cloth and was about the size of two hands. "What's in your hand?"
Xiao Qi chuckled twice and pulled off the cloth. "This is what I prepared for that idiot prince. Sister He was fighting with him, so I put a mousetrap nearby."
No wonder Lin Shuluo's feet were so swollen.
Ling Huanchen couldn't help but fall into deep thought, wondering if he had led Xiaoqi astray. After all, in his previous life, Xiaoqi was so scared that he didn't even dare to step on a bug.
According to the agreement, Lin Shuluo should have asked to return after two days. The two-day extension was primarily to allow Lin Shuluo to heal the wounds on his face, so he wouldn't have to complain about being mistreated in Youcheng. After two days, the guest didn't receive any news of the Xiancheng prince's return, but instead received other shocking news.
Ling Huanchen had been concentrating on reading when he felt thirsty. Without even looking up, he reached for his teacup. As his fingertips touched the cup, Xiao Qi's sudden shout startled him, causing him to knock over the cup, spilling tea all over the table.
"Master, please don't move. Let me wipe it."
Xiao Qi rushed over and cleaned up everything quickly.
Ling Huanchen looked at him for a moment, "What's the matter?"
"Something big has happened, Master. It's that prince. He's a liar and doesn't keep his word. Not only did he not leave, he even came to the palace to ask for marriage!"
Ling Huanchen couldn't think of anyone in the palace that Lin Shuluo could propose to. After all, there was no adult princess in the palace. Could it be that he had fallen in love with the daughter of some minister?
"Who are you proposing to?"
Xiao Qi's face wrinkled into a bun, "Propose to Sister A He."
"What?" Ling Huanchen blinked, unable to react.
Didn't this guy get beaten enough or what?
Seeing him stunned, Xiao Qi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. "Master, what should we do? That damn prince said that he fell in love with Sister A He at first sight and must marry her as a concubine. It's all nonsense. Sister A He can't marry that scumbag."
Ling Huanchen recovered from his surprise. Yes, Lin Shuluo was taking revenge. He asked to marry Yun He in order to bring her back to Xiancheng. Even if Yun He's martial arts skills were high, he could not defeat so many soldiers alone.
If he resorted to despicable tactics again... he would have underestimated the thickness of Lin Shuluo's face.
"Where is the king now?"
Xiao Qi was sweating profusely as he gestured and said, "In Ziyi Palace, the people from Xiancheng are also there."
Ling Huanchen didn't dare to delay for a moment and went straight to the study in Ziyi Palace. When he entered, he heard Lin Shuluo expressing his love for Yunhe in front of Yu Xi. His words were sincere, and those who didn't know the truth would really think that he was terribly in love with this girl.
"My feelings for Miss Yunhe are evident to all, and can be expressed by the heavens and the earth. If I cannot marry Miss Yunhe, I will never be at peace in my life. I hope Your Majesty will approve of this marriage. I will be very grateful." Lin Shuluo bowed. Since coming to Youcheng, no one had seen him be so polite. He bowed every three sentences, just like a prodigal son returning home.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable."
As soon as Ling Huanchen entered the study, Yu Xi's eyes finally lit up. He was almost drowsy after listening to Lin Shuluo's long speech.
"Don't worry, Huanchen, sit here." Yu Xi took his hand, led him to her side, and tidied his slightly messy hair.
Lin Shuluo looked back and forth between the two of them. The sourness that he had suppressed began to bubble up again, but he still had to pretend to be deeply in love. "Shuluo greets Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness has any misunderstanding about Shuluo that is why you oppose my marriage with Yunhe. Your Highness, please believe Shuluo. I will definitely treat Ah He well."
Ling Huanchen had no time to look at him. He only said to Yu Xi, "Your Majesty, you said that once Yun He was given to me, she would be mine, right?"
"Of course." Yu Xi also didn't have the leisure to look at the extra person in the study. All her attention was on Ling Huanchen.
"I don't agree with this marriage. No matter what the reason is, it is his own idea. Yunhe has never liked you and will not leave Youcheng. Thank you for your love." Because these words were said to Lin Shuluo, Ling Huanchen glanced at him reluctantly.
There were still light bruises on Lin Shuluo's face, and a scar the size of a little finger at the corner of his eye, which vaguely reminded people of the tragic scene two days ago.
"We came here originally intending to make peace with Youcheng, but now that that girl Lin Ran is gone, the marriage is off the table. We won't be able to explain ourselves when we return." Lin Shuluo still refused to give up. Suddenly, he made a powerful move, lifting his skirt and kneeling on the ground. "I sincerely wish to marry Yunhe. Please, Your Majesty, grant my wish. If not, I will kneel forever."
A prince expressed his sincere desire to marry a palace maid. Lin Shuluo was very confident that no matter how unreasonable King Youcheng's behavior was, he would not refuse this favor.
"Your Majesty..." Ling Huanchen wanted to say something but was stopped by Yu Xi.
"Huanchen, don't say anything more."
As soon as these words came out, a glint flashed in Lin Shuluo's eyes. He knew that she was just a palace maid, and he certainly couldn't regard her as more important than the relationship between the two city-states. The King of Youcheng was protecting Ling Huanchen, but could he also protect Ling Huanchen's servants?
"Has Xian'er learned any new words recently? Huanchen, come with me to see her. I miss her a lot after not seeing her for a few days." As she spoke, Yu Xi took Ling Huanchen's hand and walked around someone and went straight out.
Lin Shuluo caught up with him with difficulty, "Your Majesty? Your Majesty! Then I..."
Yu Xi seemed to have just remembered him. "When this prince is not here, no one is allowed to stay in the study. If you still want to kneel, you can kneel at the entrance of the palace."
Ling Huanchen was still a little dazed until Yu Xi pulled him onto the sedan chair. He looked back and saw Lin Shuluo still standing at the door of the palace as if petrified.
"Your Majesty, this is..."
Yu Xi hugged him tightly, warming him with her body, "I know you can't bear to leave Yun He, so how could you agree to him?"
Ling Huanchen breathed a sigh of relief. After thinking about it, it made sense. It was he who was too concerned and confused.
"But why did Lin Shuluo suddenly ask to marry Yun He? And where did the scar on his face come from?"
When he met Yu Xi's eyes, Ling Huanchen felt as if he was being seen through. "I, I don't know either."
Yu Xi raised her eyebrows and said, "Then I'll check it myself." Although Lin Shuluo wanted to marry Yun He, he was obviously coming for Ling Huanchen.
It would be better for him to tell the story than to let Yu Xi send someone to investigate thoroughly. So he simplified the incident of the night visit to Yuluan Palace, saying only that Lin Shuluo had behaved frivolously and he had Yun He teach him a lesson, thinking that he had done this because of a grudge he held.
After a long while, Yu Xi remained silent. Ling Huanchen observed her expression and whispered, "Your Majesty, I told you that you promised me not to act rashly."
Yu Xi pulled the corner of her lip, "Don't worry, Huanchen, Lin Shuluo will never get into trouble in Youcheng."
Ling Huanchen thought Lin Shuluo would not give up, but the next day after the marriage proposal failed, the envoy from Xiancheng and the prince hurriedly left for Xiancheng. Although he didn't know the reason, Ling Huanchen thought Yu Xi must have been involved.
The envoy from Xiancheng had already left, so Yu Xi shouldn't have been so busy, but he still didn't come back early from court.
Ling Huanchen asked several times, but Yu Xi just brushed him off with a vague answer.
Could it be that the situation has changed and it is time for Yu Xi to prepare a surprise without telling him?
"Master, just now Chief Sergeant Fu sent a message saying that the King will not be coming for lunch."
Ling Huanchen put down the book and looked up at Xiao Qi, "What has the king been busy with recently?"
Xiao Qi tried to recall, then shook his head after a while, "I didn't hear any rumors. But I did hear some other news, and it's very gratifying news."
"Hmm? Tell me about it."
Xiao Qi lowered his voice, "When the carriages from Xiancheng reached the junction of the three cities, they encountered bandits. That idiotic prince was killed by the bandits, and the envoys from Xiancheng returned to the city in a hurry with his body."
Ling Huanchen was stunned for a moment, then replied calmly, "Are there still bandits out there?"
"Who knows? But I heard that the bandit leader has a great background. He is a former official of Mingcheng. Because of a crime, he became a bandit and now entrenched in the intersection of three cities." Xiao Qi said with great joy. "He is an old official of Mingcheng. Who knows if Mingcheng has secretly taken a fancy to him? Anyway, this confusing account falls on Mingcheng's head."
Ling Huanchen thought about it for a moment and suddenly laughed. It turned out that this was what Yu Xi meant that day.
This tactic of killing someone with a borrowed knife saves the trouble of Ming and Xian cities joining forces in the future.
As a result, Ling Huanchen, who was full of worries, let out an almost inaudible sigh. What on earth was his king busy with behind his back?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
