“Young Master Lian, was your ancestor Lian Po, the famed general of the State of Zhao?” Xiao Qianyin suddenly changed the subject, dragging Lian Jun, who stood off to the side, into it.
Lian Jun did not know why she would suddenly ask such a thing, but he still nodded.
“The friendship between Lian and Lin is renowned far and wide. Lian Po and Lin Xiangru, the general and the minister reconciled, assisting King Huiwen of Zhao together—a tale praised through the ages. How is it that their descendants don’t get along?”
Lin Yan glared fiercely at the other party. He simply couldn’t stand that look of Lian Jun’s!
Lian Jun, however, rarely flushed. This was the first time anyone had brought up this matter. If Xiao Qianyin had not mentioned it today, he likely would have forgotten it long ago. Could it be… she wanted him and Lin Yan to let bygones be bygones?
He glanced at Lin Yan. The other party wore the same expression as though he had swallowed shit. Having opposed each other for so many years, the mere thought of the two of them being close and affectionate made them both shudder in unison. So cold.
“The general and the minister reconciled? Miss Xiao, how amusingly you put it!” A light cough sounded. Only then did Xiao Qianyin realize that, at some unknown point, a sickly man had been sitting behind her.
His lips were a pale pink, faintly tinged with purple. Loose strands of long hair covered his smooth forehead, falling over his thick, slender lashes. Beneath his blue robes was skin of incomparable delicacy. Under the afternoon sun, there was not the slightest hint of color in his face; his delicate features showed only a sickly pallor, plainly revealing a frail constitution.
Only his eyes—those dark pupils were deep and profound, a bottomless abyss of black. Alarm bells instantly rang in her heart at full volume. This man was not simple!
“Commandery Prince Yu!” Someone cried out in surprise. This Commandery Prince Yu was His Majesty’s most beloved nephew. His mother had suffered a difficult labor while giving birth to him, then died of postpartum hemorrhage, while he himself was weak in health, constantly plagued by illnesses great and small.
He was the only one who did not practice swordsmanship, yet could still command respect. Overflowing with talent, he was no less outstanding than the crown princes of the other three kingdoms.
“I was only saying it for fun. Commandery Prince Yu need not take it to heart.”
“Earlier, hearing Miss Xiao’s lofty discourse truly filled Wuyou with admiration. And the magnificent feat you accomplished a few days ago could be called exemplary!”
The smile on Xiao Qianyin’s face vanished. This person was clearly mocking her in secret. Did he think she couldn’t hear it? Did he have some grudge against her? Was there any need to target her?
“Commandery Prince Yu must be joking. Qianyin is merely ordinary, and naturally cannot compare with Your Highness. What a pity, though. Some people have hearts higher than the heavens and ability as well, yet just happen to lack certain conditions. Alas, truly worthy of sympathy!”
The implication was: you damned cripple, don’t think that just because you have talent and ability, you can do whatever you like! This old lady isn’t buying it!
“How dare you! You actually dare speak to my lord like that!” The guard behind Commandery Prince Yu finally could not restrain himself. In the past, relying on the fact that her maternal grandfather was the Marquis Dingguo, Xiao Qianyin had openly mocked the prince as a cripple. Now she even dared to mock him in veiled words?
“Commandery Prince Yu, keep your dog in line! When masters are speaking, where does he get the right to interrupt?”
Xiao Qianyin glanced at him and added indifferently.
“You…” The guard wanted to say something more, but was stopped by his master. He could only retreat resentfully.
“Miss Xiao, what eloquence!” Commandery Prince Yu’s eyes were icy. Though his body was frail, the imposing aura about him was not lacking in the slightest. He looked at her, and an invisible dignity lay within that single glance.