18
I Pass Through the Flowering Thickets, Not a Leaf Touches My Body
Lin Qingran wasn’t worried at all about Xu Shi’s sudden remark. After all, she possessed the original host’s memories and wasn’t afraid of being exposed.
“Mother knows that Crown Prince gege’s matter has made me mature a lot. I won’t make you worry anymore,” Lin Qingran smiled bitterly. “Xu Qin clearly has ill intentions toward elder brother. I can’t just stand by and watch him be schemed against. Whether it’s father and mother, elder brother, or grandfather, you are all my family, the people I care about most. I will never allow anyone to harm you.”
Xu Shi reached out and patted Lin Qingran’s head. “It’s wonderful that Ranran has grown up. Now I don’t have to worry about you suffering when you marry into the Eastern Palace.”
At least from what she could see now, Lin Qingran wasn’t brainless.
In the past, the Lin family had protected Lin Qingran too well, so when Xu Shi learned about the imperial marriage decree, she was very worried, afraid that her daughter would be bullied in the Eastern Palace.
But now, it didn’t seem like she would be easily bullied. This was good.
Xu Shi wasn’t a foolish person. The reason she hadn’t seen through Xu Qin’s true character earlier wasn’t because the other party acted particularly well, but because she hadn’t paid much attention to her.
Since her daughter had already noticed Xu Qin’s unsuitability, it was fine to leave it to her to handle.
“What does Ranran plan to do?” Xu Shi asked curiously.
Lin Qingran chuckled. “Mother needn’t worry, just leave this matter to Ranran. By the way, mother, I remember we’re supposed to attend a birthday banquet. Grandfather asked me to go with you.”
Xu Shi nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have taken you along. You must learn from this experience. We’re going to Lord Liang’s residence from the Dali Temple. His mother is celebrating her sixtieth birthday. Your father said even the princes will probably attend.”
As for the Crown Prince, he certainly didn’t need to go personally—sending someone with a modest gift would suffice.
“So it’s Lord Liang. I overheard the Young Marquis and Crown Prince gege discussing this Lord Liang today in the Eastern Palace. They seemed to quite admire him. In that case, we should socialize with them, especially since outsiders now see us as being aligned with Crown Prince gege,” Lin Qingran agreed.
However, since this Liang Peng was destined to fail, she couldn’t let him drag down the Lin family. Lin Lang currently served in the Ministry of Justice.
It would be good to go along and prevent her father and mother from being unaware of the situation and potentially getting implicated. It would be best to expose this person, which could also make that scoundrel owe her a favor.
After chatting for a while longer, mother and daughter returned to their respective courtyards to rest.
Over the next two days, Lin Qingran continued to report to the Eastern Palace daily, showing great concern for Xiao Heng’s injury. But as for whether she actually took good care of him, Xiao Heng was the best judge.
Perhaps hoping to hear some useful information from Lin Qingran, Xiao Heng didn’t refuse her coming to the Eastern Palace to care for him.
Surprisingly, Xiao Heng did hear some useful information, though Lin Qingran sometimes left her sentences unfinished, stopping halfway through.
But this was understandable. Since she didn’t know he could hear her thoughts, she spoke whatever came to mind.
“Will Ranran be attending the birthday banquet tomorrow?” Xiao Heng inquired.
Lin Qingran nodded, “Yes, Crown Prince gege should also be preparing a gift, right? Although Crown Prince gege needs to recuperate and can’t attend this banquet, Ranran will definitely work hard to build a good relationship with Lord Liang’s mother on your behalf. I heard Young Marquis and Crown Prince gege discussing a couple days ago that you seem to want to bring Lord Liang over to your side. Ranran will help with that.”
[This isn’t the kind of help worth giving though. It would be best if we could make Liang Peng expose himself early, so we can completely extinguish those schemes of that dog man and his group.]
[Look at how noble I am, still exhausting myself thinking about these things for that dog man, my nominal fiancé. This is truly remarkable of me.]
[Tsk, I’m really outstanding.]
Xiao Heng stared directly at Lin Qingran, apparently not expecting her to say such things. For a moment, he didn’t even know how to respond.
Lin Qingran was also taken aback, not understanding why Xiao Heng was staring at her like that. Then she calmly averted her gaze.
[Why is he staring at me like that? Could it be that I’ve been too nice to him these past few days and he’s developed feelings for me? That won’t do. I need to follow the plot and maintain a marriage in name only with him, so when the time comes, I’ll still have room to maneuver. Whether they’re wolf-like or puppy-like, they’re much better than that dog man – they’re my true type.]
[I’m passing through myriad blossoms, not a leaf sticks to my body.]
Impressive!
An indescribable anger surged in Xiao Heng’s heart. He hadn’t felt this way before, but now that he knew Lin Qingran didn’t care about him as much as he imagined, he also felt some inexplicable, peculiar emotions.
Clearly, the person before him was soon to be his wife entering the Eastern Palace. They had followed the three letters and six rites using royal ceremonies, granting her the highest honor. Yet this wasn’t what she thought in her heart – she even wanted them to be a couple in name only.
A cold smile curled at the corner of Xiao Heng’s lips. Many things were never up to Lin Qingran to decide. Once she entered the Eastern Palace, everything would still be under his control.
“Then I’ll thank you here, Ranran,” Xiao Heng said ominously.
Of course, Lin Qingran didn’t know what Xiao Heng was thinking, nor did she notice his tone. She was still diligently contemplating how to expose Liang Peng’s true nature.
If they could avoid the matter with Liang Peng, then the first minister to betray Xiao Heng would be eliminated, and this definitely couldn’t be blamed on the Lin family.
If Xiao Heng later learned that avoiding Liang Peng was because of her, she believed he wouldn’t react so strongly against the Lin family and might even feel grateful.
As long as Xiao Heng didn’t actively move against the Lin family and both sides remained on good terms, then the Lin family could remain safe and sound.
In Lin Qingran’s view, if she slacked off and stayed out of trouble, even if the main antagonist still met his destined end, the Lin family could still survive peacefully.
“It’s no trouble. For Crown Prince gege, Ranran is willing to do anything,” Lin Qingran said, blushing.
[Ugh, that almost made me sick. Why did I have to say those things in that cutesy voice?]
[Oh well, maintaining character consistency is necessary!]
Xiao Heng had originally found it hard to bear as well, but hearing that Lin Qingran had disgusted herself first, he felt it wasn’t so unacceptable after all.
Who would have thought that Lin Qingran would have such a day – making herself sick with her own words.
“Ranran, you should return and rest early,” Xiao Heng said.
Lin Qingran naturally hurried to take her leave and return home. She never liked staying in the Eastern Palace to stare awkwardly at Xiao Heng while constantly putting on an act—it was utterly exhausting.
“Alright, Crown Prince gege, take care. I hope you recover soon so you can attend all the major and minor gatherings in the capital.” The smile at the corner of Lin Qingran’s lips nearly broke through her restraint.
Xiao Heng nodded. “Mm.”
Was it just her imagination, or did Xiao Heng seem less hostile toward her now?