After returning to his palace, Crown Prince Huo Yuchen instructed his personal guard Jing Feng, “Bring that ‘Shenjianshou’ here. I have matters to inquire about in detail.”
He remembered his sister, The Eldest Princess, mentioning that Lin Pianran was the first to begin rescuing people. Perhaps some useful information could be gleaned from her.
Soon, Lin Pianran was brought to a magnificent palace.
Seated on the central elevated position was a man of extraordinary grace and handsome features, yet with an aloof demeanor.
His eagle-like eyes narrowed slightly, exuding an intimidating presence as they fixed intently on the slowly approaching young girl.
The moment Lin Pianran stepped into the hall, she felt an invisible pressure engulfing her, as if threatening to crush her to pieces.
Observing the man seated in the hall, who appeared to be in his early twenties, she noticed his hair was tied high, his features exquisitely painted like a masterpiece, his entire face breathtakingly handsome as if carved by divine hands, and his eyes deep like abysses, impossible to decipher.
Noble beyond compare, sacred and inviolable.
The only flaw was his somewhat pale complexion, as if he had been plagued by prolonged illness.
The man before her was stunningly beautiful, enough to make one’s heart tremble. Lin Pianran’s gaze lingered for a moment, but she dared not be excessive and quickly averted her eyes.
Walking with her head bowed to a spot not far from the man, she bent in a curtsy. “Your humble subject pays respects to the Crown Prince!”
“Rise.”
The man’s voice was somewhat deep yet incredibly pleasing, enough to make one’s ears swoon.
Lin Pianran thought of how this perfect man would eventually fall victim to a terrifying chronic poison, remaining incurably ill and severely afflicted, his jet-black hair turning completely silver, leading some to privately refer to him as a monster.
In the end, treacherous officials would slander him, forcing him to bear false accusations. Though he sought to plead his innocence, Qin Wudi refused to grant him an audience.
Driven to desperation, he had no choice but to burn his bridges, killing the treacherous villains, only to be relentlessly pursued by Qin Wudi until his death on the run.
Such a brilliantly talented Crown Prince of the Great Qin Kingdom was forced onto this tragic path.
How lamentable!
“Miss Lin, I’ve asked you here to learn more about the specifics of the wolf attack,” the man’s voice sounded.
Pulling back her wandering thoughts, Lin Pianran hurriedly replied, “Yes, Your humble subject will hold nothing back and speak in full detail!”
Noticing the young girl’s nervousness and her attempts to appear composed and dignified, Huo Yuchen felt a slight urge to laugh, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting in a faint smile.
The girl was still young, likely only fourteen or fifteen, with thick bangs covering her delicate features, making her beauty less prominent.
But her beautiful and cunning fox-like eyes were particularly striking, capable of ensnaring anyone who gazed into them, making it hard to look away.
“Then, recount the entire rescue process from beginning to end. The more detailed, the better!”
After a moment of thought, Lin Pianran organized her words and began narrating in a melodious and pleasant voice, like the chirping of birds.
She emphasized that before the wolf pack arrived, she had searched the surroundings for any sign of the Yulin Jun but found none.
She also mentioned that it was only after more than half the wolves had been killed that ten Yulin Jun members arrived, their timing so coincidental it seemed as if they had received advance notice.
She even raised the question of why the wolf pack would appear during the daytime, which was unusual.
Additionally, she suggested examining the bodies of the wild wolves, particularly the wolf king’s corpse, to check for any traces of drugs.
He also suggested that the surroundings where the wild wolves appeared be carefully inspected for any abnormalities.
After a series of analyses and explanations, Huo Yuchen grew increasingly convinced of the unusual nature of the incident, sensing that it concealed a massive conspiracy.
After finishing her account, Lin Pianran made a point of praising The Eldest Princess for her beauty and kindness; Feng Pan for his impressive martial skills, magnanimity, and sense of justice; Xue Yunci for his exceptional lightness skill, describing him as a peerless gentleman; and Lu Xueyan, whom she hailed as the “beauty of a general’s family,” noting that she lived up to her family’s prestige with her immense strength and formidable martial prowess…
Lin Pianran’s narration was vivid and well-organized, her analysis logical and well-founded.
Not only was her voice pleasant to the ear, but she also spoke at a steady, unhurried pace, recounting events with such flair that she even mimicked the voices and actions of those she described, making it all incredibly engaging.
Huo Yuchen couldn’t help but feel a strong fondness for her.
He silently marveled at how the young girl was not only skilled in archery but also a first-rate storyteller, utterly captivating in her delivery.
After listening to Lin Pianran’s account, Huo Yuchen felt as though the clouds had parted to reveal the moon, the haze in his heart completely dispelled.
He teased her, “You’ve praised The Eldest Princess as if she were a celestial being unmatched on earth—aren’t you just trying to flatter her?”
“I’m merely speaking the truth. The Eldest Princess deserves even more praise. Not only is her beauty unparalleled, but she is also approachable and exceedingly kind-hearted,” Lin Pianran replied with conviction.
Huo Yuchen finally understood why The Eldest Princess had described Lin Pianran as such an intriguing young woman.
She truly was a clever one!
Huo Yuchen quietly observed the girl’s every word and action.
The curve of his smile never once faded.
His mood was better than it had been in years.
He took a few steps closer to Lin Pianran, until only two paces separated them.
Up close, he realized how strikingly beautiful her features were, rivaling even his sister’s, though her hairstyle somewhat obscured her brilliance, diminishing her radiance.
She possessed a unique charm, a perfect blend of cool elegance and adorable liveliness. In motion or stillness, she was exquisitely spirited, like an elf that had emerged from the mountains.
Her skin was fair, her face delicate and petite, with sparkling eyes that held a mix of mischief and innocence, serving as the perfect highlight to her features.
Slender and slightly taller than most women, when she stood quietly, she resembled a lone lotus—elegant, untouchable, and ethereal.
When a playful, adorable smile graced her face, it was like a gentle breeze sweeping across one’s heart, stirring ripples of emotion and making one yearn to preserve that brilliance and beauty.
He had never encountered such a fascinating woman—a face that could captivate nations, a lively and amusing soul, and a cheerful, endearing personality. For someone as stern and proud as him, she held an irresistible allure, utterly enchanting.
He had never paid much attention to any woman before, but now, he felt an intense curiosity about this young girl.
It was a first in his life.
“Is it because The Eldest Princess is my sister that you’re going to such lengths to praise her, showering her with compliments in front of me, just to leave a good impression?”
“Are you, like other women, trying every possible way to please me?”
Huo Yuchen’s eyes were as deep as the ocean, swirling with terrifying emotions.
Lin Pianran couldn’t understand them, nor did she dare to look.
She was a bit angry, making a fierce expression with bared teeth and brandished claws, then said dejectedly, “If you don’t believe me, then forget it. This subject’s daughter won’t say anymore!”
“Moreover, this subject’s daughter has never thought about pleasing Your Highness. Don’t misunderstand…”
Seeing her like this, Huo Yuchen knew his probing had upset the young girl.