Hoo~
After Princess Amidina was once again spirited away by Lin Nuo’s enthusiastic mother, Lin Nuo stepped onto a secluded balcony and let out a long breath, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted.
The little forced-to-work Yulilian was definitely somewhere, secretly drawing little circles to curse him while angrily devouring raspberry mille-feuille.
His mother, who hadn’t even met Amidina yet but had already decided on names for both Amidina’s and his own children, was very likely going to pressure him to hurry up and have babies with Amidina…
That was probably the trouble he’d have to deal with soon.
Just thinking about it made things feel a lot lighter!
The original storyline where Amidina would be humiliated and thus take the villainous path hadn’t happened at all.
So far, everything was peaceful.
Feng Aotian also known as Xiafuya had very likely already infiltrated the castle just like in the original story.
Even if she hadn’t developed any feelings for Amidina last night, among all the guests at today’s banquet, she would definitely fall head over heels at first sight upon seeing Amidina, who seemed to radiate beauty just like in the original.
Maybe Xiafuya would even notice that Lin Nuo’s attitude toward Amidina was far more appropriate than in the original story.
But even with just that, Feng Aotian wouldn’t treat Lin Nuo as a villain to be hated!
Though Lin Nuo couldn’t guarantee everything would go exactly as he planned… whatever!
As the saying goes, worry less about useless things and more about those you care for!
His stance was passive, his approach was defensive, his goal was to hold the line!
As long as Feng Aotian, that walking curse, didn’t come looking for him, well… hmph… it was almost like the overall situation was settled.
Lin Nuo nearly couldn’t help but curl his lips into a crooked, devilish grin like a dragon king.
But then, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder, and a light, clear voice came from behind, instantly freezing Lin Nuo’s smile mid-bloom.
“Hello there, Lin Nuo Noble Young Master~ the one who came up with the idea to save me and the Princess last night~”
!
“Cough cough! Cough cough cough!”
Seeing Lin Nuo choke on his own saliva, Feng Aotian withdrew her hand and stared at him with puzzled eyes.
This Lin Nuo Noble Young Master seemed a bit odd.
From Xiafuya’s adventures, it was common for men to show off their masculinity and scramble to win her favor.
By that standard, she felt her looks couldn’t be considered that ugly to men with normal aesthetics, right?
Even if Leftie and Rightie were a bit flat, at least there was some semblance of curve!
Lin Nuo was the first person to ever show this kind of reaction to her, and it seemed last night was no exception.
“Are you nervous, Lin Nuo Noble Young Master? I’m here specially to thank you.”
“Cough cough, you’re welcome, but there’s no need to thank me… You… you don’t happen to remember what happened last night, do you?”
“Hm, just a little bit.”
?!
Just a little… Lin Nuo had a sudden ominous feeling.
Could it be that she deliberately pretended to be asleep yesterday?
Letting her lie down underneath, letting her woman lie on top of her, taking advantage of her in that posture—although it was an emergency move to distract those adventurers…
But in some martial arts novel, there was a character who, for other reasons, bullied the heroine who was incapacitated by pressure point strikes and couldn’t move.
What happened to him in the end?
He ended up dead!
Why waste words with some henchman who bullied the heroine?
Try taking my Dark Misfortune Palm next life and learn a lesson!
Fully aware of Feng Aotian’s character, Lin Nuo’s heart was pounding wildly in his throat.
“Noble Young Master Lin Nuo said we could swap clothes and lure away those two adventurers, allowing the Princess to sneak off and fetch reinforcements…”
Xiafuya recalled, “I never expected that the supposedly cowardly and life-loving Lin Nuo Noble Young Master would show such courage when faced with danger.”
“Ha… haha, right?”
Lin Nuo forced a laugh.
It sounded like her memory ended there, and his tense nerves finally relaxed a bit—little did he know this faint expression was keenly observed by Xiafuya.
“But after I fainted, I seemed to feel someone constantly touching my body, rocking me… kind of like riding a horse… no, wait, it was like being ridden by a horse.”
“……”
That description was surprisingly apt.
Seeing Lin Nuo’s lack of response, Xiafuya narrowed her eyes, a subtle shift crossing her expression:
“Noble Young Master Lin Nuo, if you don’t mind telling me, did anyone take advantage of me last night? Like… pressing down on me, or on Princess Amidina?”
“……”
Within a second, cold sweat broke out down Lin Nuo’s back.
It felt like he was caught in an awkward, compromising situation—pretending not to be noticed while the other woman was hiding under the bed spying on them, just waiting to settle accounts later.
…This was bad!
“Today should have been the day Noble Young Master Lin Nuo welcomed Princess Amidina, and as someone you saved once, even if I don’t give you a sincere gift like the Princess, I should at least say some words of blessing…”
Feng Aotian’s eyes darkened, her tone increasingly doubtful: “But maybe your appearance is just too coincidental… It makes me feel that the trouble we had last night somehow involves you?”
“……”
“And my sixth sense tells me I should warn you today: ‘If you touch me or any girl I have my eye on, you won’t have a good time.’ Then, you should jump out and challenge me, only to get beaten up by me again. Doesn’t that sound about right?”
“……”
Lin Nuo was sweating profusely!
He could feel a chill swirling around him, and he knew that telling the truth about pressing Amidina down would surely end badly!
Even if Xiafuya didn’t say anything now because of the life-saving debt, if she ever learned that it was his Fatty Bird who stole Amidina’s socks, causing her injury and the subsequent chase… she might very well tear little Lin Nuo apart and make soup with Fatty Bird!
Was it better to just avoid this question?
Inside the castle, protected by his father and countless Holy Paladin Guards, even if he refused to answer Feng Aotian, she might just scold him or give him a harsh spanking, but it wouldn’t be the tragic fate of ending up selling hooks on the streets.
But Lin Nuo didn’t want to leave just like that.
If Feng Aotian couldn’t get answers from him, she might go to Amidina or that fool Yulilian instead!
A new storm had appeared, and it was destined that he would have to face it himself.
“Then if there’s anything you want to know, just ask.” Lin Nuo tried to steady his breathing and show a generous attitude.
“Good, Xiafuya thanks Lin Nuo Noble Young Master in advance.”
Xiafuya smiled warmly: “No matter what, we’re just strangers passing by. You didn’t rush me, an adventurer barely considered a guest, out of the castle, and you’re willing to take the time to answer my questions. That already makes me very happy.”
“Lin Nuo Noble Young Master, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure to meet you too.”
Lin Nuo shook the hand Xiafuya extended.
When he felt the coldness of metal from the object on her finger, his heart stopped beating for a moment and then went cold halfway.
He saw what Xiafuya was wearing on her finger—that was the Truth Ring, the magical device from Black Cliff that detected lies and had caused so much contention!
Damn, she’s got a cheat!
What pleasure was there now?
Xiafuya sensed the faint trembling from the ring on her finger and froze ever so slightly.
He’s lying…
It seemed this guy in front of her wasn’t as happy to meet her as he claimed.