Chapter 94: The Truth (Including Pink 80+)

  Lin Zhaoyan had no idea that Xu Xiujian was harboring intentions towards her and after bidding farewell to Jingyi Shitai, she returned to the wing room.

  She didn't think much of what happened with Xiao Xi, but seeing Lin Ruoyan's worried eyes, she couldn't help but remind her, "Do you know Second Young Master Xiao?"

  "I know!" Lin Ruoyan nodded, "I heard that he was exceptionally talented and stunningly handsome, originally the most popular candidate for the throne, but six years ago a big fire destroyed his appearance and he can only stay hidden away, Prince Xiao and Princess Xiao have been searching everywhere for doctors to help him, and they also come to Lingyun Temple every year to pray for blessings."

  She said, pausing again, curiously: "But I heard it's supposed to come on June 6th every year, I don't know why it came so early this year."

  Lin Zhao Yan just wanted to use Xiao Er Shao Ye to lure out Xiao Qi, but didn't expect Lin Ruo Xuan to say so much, and couldn't help but laugh, "You're quite knowledgeable."

  "I've investigated." Lin Ruoyan frankly admitted, "After Xiao Qi saved me that day, I had someone investigate his background, and naturally also found out some news about Young Master Xiao Er. It's said that the two brothers have vastly different personalities and don't get along well. Hmph, if I were Young Master Xiao Er, I wouldn't look up to such an older brother either!"

  It seems that your investigation was not thorough. Lin Zhao thought to himself, shaking his head, "You can know a person's appearance but not their heart, some people show you one side but it may not be their true self, anyway, you should be more careful in the future and don't be careless."

  "What does it mean?"

  "It means, don't provoke Xiao Qi, see him detouring, don't be impulsive, treat him as air and that's it." How many couples are quarreling out? As the saying goes, "no fight no acquaintance", Xiao Qi has obviously grasped Lin Ruoyan's weakness. It's not like Lin Ruoyan hasn't secretly sent someone to investigate his news already, at this rate, she won't fall for him only if there's a ghost. As for her feelings towards Lu Yan, the infatuation of a 12-year-old girl doesn't count."

  Lin Ruo Yan nodded slightly, seemingly unbothered.

  After Xiang Wangfei finished praying for blessings outside the main hall, Lin Zhaoyan and the others could finally go out to burn incense and pray for blessings. After everything was over, they returned to the mansion.

  The next day, Lin Zhaoyan received an anonymous gift - a purple sandalwood inlaid gold cloud pattern box.

  Open it, and surprisingly, there is a top-grade Tian Shan Snow Lotus inside.

  Man Shuang was shocked, "Who would send such a valuable gift?"

  Manhua is also. The Tianshan Snow Lotus is a sacred product that is revered and entered the palace in the Western Regions, and only the Empress Dowager and the favored imperial concubines will have it, who would give it to their family's young girls?

  Lin Zhaoyan furrowed her brow, her gaze falling on her own bandaged hand, recalling the doctor's words that day.

  Was it sent by Lu Yan?

  "Eh! There's a blank sheet of paper in here!" Man Shuang exclaimed, pulling out a piece of paper from the box.

  "Delivering holy goods to a wonderful person, wishing for an early recovery." Man read it softly while looking at both sides.

  Lin Zhaoyan said: "......" This doesn't sound like something Lu Zhaoyan would say.

  Man Shuang's ear roots turned red, and after hesitating for a moment, he said: "It can't be, it can't be that some young master has taken a liking to the young lady?"

  "Nonsense!" Manhua scolded her, hastily stuffing the letter into her sleeve. "Fortunately, Lin's mother didn't open the box when she sent it over, or who knows what rumors would have spread! Miss, I'll just burn this letter."

  Lin Zhaoyan nodded and thought for a moment before saying: "Put away this Tian Shan Snow Lotus as well!"

  She didn't dare use things with unknown origins.

  "Good." Manhua also had no objection. Although it was important to cure the girl's hand, if something disastrous happened, it would not be worth it. "I'll go and report this to Madame. Let her investigate who sent this Snow Lotus."

  At this time, Cheng Guo Gongfu also received a letter.

  He unfolded the letter and slowly read it. His eyes grew darker, his hand clenched into a fist as he finished reading. As soon as he finished, he crumpled the paper into a ball, his anger overflowing from his eyes.

  "Zhou Tingchen!"

  Zhou Tengchen, as the eldest son of the main house of Chengnan Bo's mansion, is now 25 years old. He has just returned from the northwest and was personally appointed by the emperor as a fifth-grade deputy lieutenant of the infantry. Since childhood, he followed Chengnan Bo in the northwest military camp, skilled in swordplay and marksmanship, with a majestic aura about him.

  However, a martial artist is still a martial artist. Those who grew up in the barracks and are skilled in battle may be bold and ambitious, but they lack the cunning and intelligence of those who grew up in a large mansion, where intrigue and strategy are essential for survival.

  Brave but imprudent, ultimately can only end up being used and sacrificed.

  In the previous life, Zhou Tengchen and other three princes were instigated by the second prince to lead the army into the imperial palace, where they were captured by Xiao Qi and others who were guarding the palace, and died after suffering humiliation and torture.

  And the one who killed him with his own hands was... Lin Zhao Yan.

  When Xiao Qi asked Lin Zhao Yan with great interest "should he die", Lin Zhao Yan chose to answer "yes" and took the long gun given by Xiao Qi, stabbing his heart at once.

  It is said that after Zhou Tingchen died, he did not close his eyes for a long time. Lin Zhaoyan stood opposite him, holding the long spear that had stabbed him to death, staring at him without blinking.

  These things were all heard by Lu Yan afterwards, although he was not clear about the inner cause and did not understand why Lin Zhao Yan had been so ruthless as to kill her good friend Zhou Wan Yu's elder brother at that time. But now it is crystal clear: Zhou Ting Chen has come back, and he too has been reborn, and will kill Lin Zhao Yan who killed him with his own hands in the previous life.

  Perhaps he thought that this way, he wouldn't have to die in this life.

  Lu Yan's hand clenched the letter, her mood unable to calm down for a long time.

  He had already found out that it was Zhou Tingshen who did it on the day Lin Zhaoyan got hurt, and he had been puzzled about it. After a month of observation, he finally came to this conclusion.

  Concealing his sharpness, he navigates between the Second and Third Princes with ease, even climbing up to the Xiao Wang Fu, this is absolutely not something Zhou Tingchen would do!

  In his previous life, due to family relationships, he was a member of the Third Prince's faction.

  In this life, the two families did not form an alliance, he would only hold back and not act rashly, how could he be as smooth-tongued as he is now?

  Thinking of Zhou Tingchen being killed by Lin Zhaoyan in his previous life, Lu Yan had no choice but to understand the reason.

  He decided to go find Zhou Tengqian and couldn't just sit around waiting for death.

  Two people reborn, in their previous life they were also from the same party. There will always be many common topics.

  The wind is warm and sunny, with a bright spring light. Zhou Tengchen is practicing his long spear in his own courtyard.

  In his previous life, he was killed by a long spear, and in this life, he has an almost obsessive "love" for the long spear.

  Although he was twenty-five years old, because he grew up in the northwest and recently returned to Shengjing, Mrs. Miao, the wife of Chengnan Bo, was not close to him, and they were still in the running-in period, so they had not yet discussed marriage, and only two maidservants were received in the house.

  At this time he was playing with a gun, and the servant beside him was a beautiful and elegant maid named Green Ink, whose eyebrows had a few points similar to Lin Zhao Yan.

  She's pregnant. But Zhou Tingchen not only didn't tell Miao to have an abortion, but also treated her with great tenderness and closeness in recent days. She thought that the usually cold Zhou Tingchen had finally fallen in love with her, and was overjoyed, unable to conceal the happiness in her eyes.

  "Young master, have some tea." Seeing Zhou Tengqian put down his gun after getting tired, he quickly went up to him to wipe the sweat for him and carefully served him tea.

  Zhou Tengchen took a sip from the delicate white cup and finished it in one gulp. As he handed the cup back, he caught a glimpse of her blushing face and a cold smile played on his lips.

  This face is really disgusting!

  "Alright, you can go now!"

  Looking at Zhou Tingshen who suddenly turned cold, Lu Mo obviously had some reaction and asked dazedly: "What did the slave do wrong?"

  "Now that you're pregnant, don't overexert yourself. The first three months are the most crucial; if you were to lose my child, what would you use to compensate me?"

  What to compensate with? Green ink's face turned pale. Subconsciously covering her own abdomen, "I will be careful. I will definitely take good care of this child and won't let anything happen to him!"

  Zhou Tengchen didn't say a word. He quietly looked at her for a moment.

  Green ink is about to retreat in panic.

  At this time, a maid came to report that Young Master Lu Yan of the Chengguo Gong Mansion had arrived.

  What's going on? Zhou Tinglei raised an eyebrow, and indeed he had arrived.

  Zhou Tengchen shifted his gaze to Lu Mo who was about to retreat, a faint hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

  "Don't go yet, there's a distinguished guest arriving, help with the reception in a moment."

  Green ink on her face again with joy, "Thank you young master, thank you young master!" It seems that the young master still likes her!

  She then asked Zhou Tingchen with great concern, "Young Master, would you like to go down and change into some clean clothes?"

  "It's unnecessary." Zhou Tengchen waved his hand, "Anyway, it'll get dirty again later, why waste time?"

  Lu Mo was taken aback and didn't understand his meaning. After a moment's thought, he realized that the young master might want to engage in a martial arts contest with that Lu family young master later, so he didn't think much of it.

  Lu Yan quickly walked over under the leadership of the palace maid.

  As soon as he stepped into the house, he saw Zhou Tingchen wearing a martial arts uniform, holding a bone china cup with a floral pattern, and looking at him with a hint of a smile.

  He was startled in his heart.

  In this life, he had never had any intersection with Zhou Tingchen. He came to visit him rashly, and Zhou Tingchen not only didn't find it strange but also showed such an expression.

  He obviously knows something!

  "You've finally arrived, a bit later than I imagined." Zhou Tingchen lightly sipped his tea and slowly began to speak.

  Lu Yan was certain he knew the truth.

  "Don't just stand at the door, if you have any doubts come in and let's talk." Zhou Tingchen put down his teacup on the tea table beside him and beckoned to him.

  Lu Yan gathered his thoughts and walked towards him.

  Zhou Tengchen led him to sit down beside a stone table, turned his head and ordered, "Lu Mo, bring tea."

  Lu Shao handed over a cup of tea, "Please, Young Master Lu."

  Lu Yan heard this voice and couldn't help but glance at her sideways. It was fine if he didn't look, but once he did, his expression changed greatly.

  This woman's voice is just like Zhao Er's, and her appearance is also 70-80% similar!

  What does Chow Chung-chun want to do?

  Lu Yan's face suddenly turned cold with anger and he said: "Zhou Tengchen, since we both know what's on our minds, let's just speak plainly."

  "Good!" Zhou Tengchen responded with a smile, "It seems that after coming back once, your indecisive nature has changed. If it were like this in the past, you wouldn't have let go of the woman you loved to someone else."

  Lu Yan heard the sarcasm in his words and a hint of hatred, but this hatred did not reach the point of being overwhelming.

  He suddenly realized, "You did it on purpose? Including letting the horse trample her?"

  Although it was Chao Er who personally killed him in his previous life, the one who actually harmed him to death was Xiao Qi or the imperial power. Reborn once, Zhou Teng Chen would not be foolish enough to put his energy into avenging a woman, he wanted to turn the world upside down and ascend to a high position!

  "Otherwise, you think I'd still be foolish enough to be used and framed by you like in my past life? And die with my eyes closed?"

  Lu Yan furrowed his brow, it seemed that Zhou Tingchen's obsession was extremely heavy.

  But he had an even greater doubt. "How did you know I also..."

  "I was reborn and the first thing I did was to investigate each and every one of you, I couldn't let myself die in such an unjust manner." Zhou Tingchen interrupted him, his words laced with twisted resentment.

  "You can completely follow Xiao Qi." In his previous life, Xiao Qi was a big winner in life. If Zhou Tingchen wants to make the family proud, he can completely follow him and do things. In their previous life, weren't they cautious and careful because they were afraid of following the wrong master? Since they already know in advance, what are they afraid of?

  A hint of disdain floated in Zhou Tengchen's eyes, "Since we can be reborn, it proves that this life may not be the end of the previous one. Moreover, I died at Xiao Qi's hands in my previous life, even if I live again, I won't forgive him. How could I possibly sacrifice myself for him?"

  As he spoke, he gave Lu Yan a profound look, "I know that your obsession is mostly for that elusive love, but I'm telling you, since ancient times, beautiful women have been the downfall of heroes. You don't want to end up like him in his past life, do you?"

  Although he didn't see with his own eyes how Lu Yan ended up, the situation was already set before he died. Xiao Qi won, so what good ending could Lu Yan have? Otherwise, he wouldn't have been reborn.

  Lu Yan fell silent.

  He couldn't help but admit that Zhou Tinglei was absolutely right. Even if he knew that Xiao Qi would win the election, even if he knew that Xiao Qi was invincible, people are emotional animals after all. In the face of such hatred, it's really impossible to sacrifice himself for him.

  "So you found me because I died later than you and knew more. You used Zhao Er to get me to come to you, so that we could cooperate?"

  "Agreed!" Zhou Tengchen made no attempt to conceal his plan. "The Second and Third Princes are destined to be eliminated by fate, we can't blindly follow them anymore. If we're going to choose, let's choose a new master!"

  New master? Lu Yan's eyebrows furrowed.

  No matter what, to ascend to the throne with legitimacy, the most important prerequisite is that you must have the surname "Xiao", otherwise it would be considered a rebellious plot, and even if you became emperor, no one would recognize you.

  Zhou Tengchen also deeply understands this point and will not be foolish enough to betray, he wants to wholeheartedly support the next emperor's ascension and become a founding merit subject.

  The surname Xiao also has the power to contend for the throne... apart from the Second Prince and Third Prince, there are only two young masters of the Xiao Wangfu.

  "You're saying... let Xiao Ming and Xiao Qi fight each other to the death?" In his previous life, Xiao Qi was able to ascend to the throne smoothly, thanks to General Xiao Ming's contributions. If he could drive a wedge between the two brothers this time around and help Xiao Ming take the throne, Xiao Qi would undoubtedly die.

  "Brilliant! You're indeed a student of Xue Shen's!" Zhou Tingchen looked at him with praise, "As long as you and I work together, plus Xiao Ming, I don't believe Xiao Qi can still come up with anything impressive!"

  It's about the position of power, no matter how good Xiao Ming and Xiao Qi's relationship is, they can still be driven apart by discord, the key lies in how they implement it.

  Lu Yan had never thought about these issues carefully, he was reborn and returned, just to protect the person he loved, not letting her suffer humiliation and harm like in his previous life.

  He once abandoned her for power and status, and as a result, he regretted it day and night.

  How can I let myself fall into the same trap again in this life?

  "You galloped over and hurt her, not just to force me out, but actually wanting to harm her too?" Lu Yanzi stared at Zhou Tingshen, speaking word by word. "If you want me to cooperate with you, it's simple, let her go."

  "She killed me." Zhou Tengchen raised an eyebrow and didn't respond, only stating a fact.

  Ke Lu had already understood his meaning and glanced at Green Ink standing not far away, completely clear about his perverted hobby.

  "The future is still yours, you choose one." Lu Yan was determined that he needed his help and would not give up a great future for a small Lin Zhao Yan.

  Wanting to vent one's anger, there are many ways to do so, such as green ink.

  Zhou Tengchen heard this and looked at him with a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling expression, "A person who is infatuated is often the most ruthless. I really want to know how she would react if she found out it was you who killed Liu Wenxuan."

  "Do you want to threaten me?" Lu Yan's face changed, "You don't have that capital yet!"

  "How dare you, how dare you." Zhou Tengchen's eyes narrowed again, and he smiled, "I promise you, I won't kill her." Only, he wouldn't kill her.

  As for the others... Hehe.

  Lu Yan's face finally eased up, "Deal. Xiao Ming, I will think of a way to infiltrate the Xiao Wang Fu on my own." He stood up and prepared to take his leave.

  The south of Chengnan Prefecture was gloomy and oppressive, he didn't want to stay here for a moment longer.

  Zhou Tengchen had no objection and stood up to see him out of the yard.

  Green ink bid farewell to the past.

  Lu Yan endured and endured, but still couldn't help saying: "This maid, change another one!" He really couldn't bear to have a woman similar to Zhao'er serving Zhou Tingchen.

  Lu Mo's face changed, and then he heard Zhou Tingchen say loudly: "Don't worry about this, it will absolutely not cause you any trouble!"

  After finishing, the tip of the long spear fell to the ground, and with a toss into the air, before Green Ink could react in surprise, she stretched out her hand to grab the spear shaft, and stabbed straight at her abdomen.

  All he heard was a "hiss", the sound of a sharp object piercing through skin, Green Ink's eyes widened in shock as he stared blankly at his pierced abdomen, and his mind flashed back to something he had just said.

  If you get rid of my child, what will you use to compensate?

  So young master, why...

  "Sorry, but the Zhou family can't have a son with a lowly birth mother." Zhou Tengchen said indifferently, and then fiercely pulled out his long spear.

  Blood splattered everywhere, and Green Ink only had time to look at Zhou Tingchen in a daze before instantly falling to the ground, ceasing to breathe.

  Zhou Tengchen's face and body were splattered with fresh blood, but he seemed to be completely unaware of it, a strange and eerie smile floating on his face.

  The sunset shines, a green ink robe with plum blossom patterns appears exceptionally desolate and beautiful on the bluish-gray stone brick ground.

  Thanks for the rewards from 熱戀^^, aki10086 (cake), and 蒙德韵逸 (perfume pouch)~ (......)