The laziness on Xiao Junhe’s face vanished in an instant, replaced by a chilling aura of authority and coldness.
“What have you found?”
The Anwei replied in a low voice, “Your Highness, we have confirmed that both Lin Lang, the garrison commander of Beishuo Cheng, and Luo Yuandao, the prefect, were involved in the assassination attempt!”
“When we intercepted them outside the city, Lin Lang was among them and sustained injuries during the fight. They would never have imagined that Your Highness is currently hiding in his own residence.”
Xiao Junhe’s fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the bed.
Luo Yuandao… Lin Lang…
He suddenly recalled the audacious woman from earlier.
The true daughter of Prefect Luo, and Lin Lang’s nominal fiancée?
A cold smile curled at the corners of Xiao Junhe’s thin lips.
This was indeed an excellent breakthrough.
…
Luo Qingwu slept until the afternoon, likely due to the mental exhaustion from the previous night.
After a simple meal, she headed toward the main courtyard, intending to press for her marriage arrangements.
Just as she reached the courtyard entrance, she overheard a conversation between Luo Jin’er and Madam Luo inside.
“Mother, don’t worry. Lin Lang is just a military man—how could I possibly take him seriously?”
“Of course,” Madam Luo replied dotingly. “My carefully raised Jin’er is destined to soar high and become a phoenix. Once we reach Jingcheng, I’ll find you a match at least as high-ranking as a prince or imperial prince! As for Lin Lang, he can be left to your sister.”
Leaning against a pillar in the corridor, Luo Qingwu raised an eyebrow.
Marrying an imperial prince? A fool’s dream.
She cleared her throat deliberately, making some noise, then walked in with a radiant smile. “Greetings, Mother.”
Madam Luo glanced at her rustic appearance and responded with an impatient “Hmm.”
Unfazed, Luo Qingwu grinned and asked, “Mother, when will General Lin come to propose?”
“Pfft—” Luo Jin’er couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes filled with mockery. “Is Sister in such a hurry?”
Luo Qingwu nodded emphatically, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Of course I’m in a hurry! That’s the title of a general’s wife! How impressive! I must hold onto it tightly—it’s better than going back to the estate to dig in the mud, isn’t it?”
“Vulgar and crude!” Madam Luo frowned in displeasure and waved her hand dismissively. “We’re already in the process of He Bazhi. You won’t miss out!”
“That’s wonderful!” Having achieved her goal, Luo Qingwu immediately took her leave, beaming with joy.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, Luo Jin’er chased after her.
“Sister, please wait.”
Luo Qingwu turned to look at her, noticing the barely concealed infatuation and smugness in her eyes.
“Sister,” Luo Jin’er boasted, “I went to visit Brother Lin Lang this morning. He was injured, and it broke my heart.”
Luo Qingwu’s heart stirred. Injured? Hadn’t she personally bandaged him last night?
Seeing her silent, Luo Jin’er grew even more pleased with herself. She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I was so worried about Brother Lin Lang that I reached out and touched his wound. Guess what?”
She giggled coyly. “Brother Lin Lang… actually had a reaction to me! He must adore me deeply.”
Luo Qingwu nearly burst out laughing.
Looking at Luo Jin’er’s foolish expression, she couldn’t help but scoff. “Little sister, Lin Lang is, after all, a man in his prime. It’s perfectly normal for him to have a reaction if any woman touches him, let alone you. If he didn’t react, that’s when you should worry—whether he’s… useless.”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Luo Jin’er’s face flushed red with anger. “That’s not true at all! Brother Lin Lang only has me in his heart, so naturally he would only react to me! He even said you’re vulgar and disgusting, that you could never make him feel the slightest bit of anything!”
The smile on Luo Qingwu’s face faded.
Well, well.
Last night he pretended to be all proper, and today he’s stabbing her in the back.
But… is it really true that he only reacts to Luo Jin’er?
Can a normal man’s physical reactions be controlled by “love”?
At this moment, Luo Qingwu’s scientific curiosity and her damn competitive spirit were both ignited.
She suddenly felt a strong urge to personally verify whether this claim held any truth.
…
Night fell in the western courtyard.
Xiao Junhe was resting with his eyes closed, contemplating how to use Luo Qingwu as a pawn to pry open the defenses of Luo Yuandao and Lin Lang.
“Bang—”
A violent kick slammed the door open.
Xiao Junhe opened his eyes, watching the woman who swept in like a gust of wind, his gaze dark and profound.
She was here again.
Luo Qingwu crossed her arms and walked to the bedside, cutting straight to the point without any preamble:
“I heard you had a reaction to Luo Jin’er today?”