Chapter 168 The Anxious Little Maid

After reporting today's events to His Highness, Lin Qingqing was waved by Lin Jiangnian to go down and rest first.

Lin Qingqing had been running around and tired during this period. She looked much thinner. Things were almost done, and there was no need to do anything more next.

Just wait!

Wait for an opportunity.

As for what the specific opportunity was, Lin Jiangnian did not say much, and Lin Qingqing did not ask much.

When His Highness got into trouble this time, she had sent a pigeon letter to the Prince of Linzhou. But the content of the Prince's reply surprised Lin Qingqing.

In the letter, the Prince told her that the matter would be left to His Highness to handle, and she just had to obey.

This surprised Lin Qingqing and shocked her. But then she quickly realized that this was not the Prince's trust in His Highness?

Since leaving Linjiang City, the Prince has been very confident in His Highness, and His Highness's performance along the way did not disappoint the Prince.

As for her, she just had to obey and protect His Highness's safety.

After Lin Qingqing left, it was getting dark. Lin Jiangnian looked out of the courtyard, and it was quiet all around.

This house is located in a remote location. Now there are soldiers everywhere in Xunyang City, but it is not easy to find this place.

Based on Lin Jiangnian's understanding of the governor, he is afraid that he will not give up. Lin Qingqing went to see him today, first to test him, and second to find out the cards of the governor.

If nothing unexpected happens, Wang Shiquan will probably be unable to sit still, and he will definitely take action next.

As for what he will do, Lin Jiangnian is not clear for the time being.

He is still waiting for an opportunity.

To be precise, he is waiting for someone!

"It should be here soon."

Lin Jiangnian muttered to himself, looking into the distance.

The time spent in Xunyang County is not short, and it is almost time to leave. If it continues, winter will come soon. If we don't reach the capital before winter, I am afraid that the road to the north will become more difficult.

...

The night fell, and after dinner and bathing, Lin Jiangnian returned to the room.

Pushing open the door, the room was dark and empty.

Lin Jiangnian, who had just stepped into the room, stepped out again.

"Where's Xiaozhu?"

Lin Jiangnian turned his head and looked at a maid at the door.

On the way to Beijing this time, there was naturally more than one maid responsible for taking care of Lin Jiangnian. In addition to Xiaozhu, there were several maids from the Linwang Mansion. However, Xiaozhu usually took care of Lin Jiangnian's daily life most of the time, so the presence of other maids was not strong.

Lin Jiangnian clearly remembered that he had specifically told Xiaozhu during the day to wait for him in the room tonight.

But now, where is she?

The room was empty, without Xiaozhu's figure.

Where did the little maid sneak away?

Didn't she obey?

Lin Jiangnian remembered something at this moment. It seemed that he hadn't seen the little maid tonight!

The maid under the eaves bowed her head and said respectfully: "I don't know."

"I don't know?"

Lin Jiangnian frowned: "You haven't seen her?"

"I saw Xiaozhu in the afternoon, but not in the evening. I don't know where she went."

Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian frowned even deeper.

"Go find her, call her over."

Lin Jiangnian waved his hand.

The two maids under the eaves nodded quickly and went to find someone.

Lin Jiangnian stood in the corridor, frowning. Where could this little maid go?

Will there be any accidents?

As soon as this thought came to mind, he shook his head quickly.

Although Xunyang City is in chaos now, there are countless masters hiding and protecting inside and outside this private house, not to mention the existence of masters of the same level as Zhiyuan. It is almost impossible for outsiders to sneak in quietly.

Where could Xiaozhu run to?

Just as Lin Jiangnian was puzzled and wondered, he walked outside the yard and bumped into Lin Qingqing who was just about to return to her room.

"Qingqing?"

Lin Qingqing stopped and turned back: "Your Highness?"

"Why are you here?"

Lin Jiangnian glanced at her: "Why didn't you go to rest?"

"I just went to find Sister Zhiyuan..."

Lin Qingqing glanced at the Highness and hesitated: "Your Highness, I just saw several maids around you hurriedly passing by in the courtyard. Are they...looking for something?"

"Looking for Xiaozhu."

Lin Jiangnian nodded: "The maid is gone."

"Xiaozhu?"

Lin Qingqing was startled, and then her eyes were a little strange and complicated: "Xiaozhu, it seems to be with Sister Zhiyuan."

"Zhiyuan?"

Lin Jiangnian suddenly stopped and turned back: "Is Xiaozhu with Zhiyuan?"

"Yes!"

Lin Qingqing nodded subconsciously.

"What are you doing with Zhiyuan?"

"No, I'm not sure..."

Lin Qingqing shook her head. She happened to see Xiaozhu when she went to report something to Sister Zhiyuan. At that time, she was quite puzzled why Xiaozhu was with Sister Zhiyuan.

She didn't know the specific reason. Just as she was about to speak again, she saw Lin Jiangnian had turned around and walked towards Sister Zhiyuan's room.

Lin Qingqing stood there, staring at the back of His Highness leaving, stunned for a moment, then realized something belatedly...

Could it be...

Lin Qingqing's expression froze, and she recalled the scene she saw in the afternoon, and a trace of worry soon rose in her heart.

Not surprisingly, His Highness and Sister Zhiyuan probably have a special relationship...

But...what about Xiaozhu?

Lin Qingqing's eyes were complicated, she was the one who knew the relationship between His Highness and Xiaozhu best.

Xiaozhu is not only His Highness's personal maid, but also His Highness's...bed-warming maid.

She saw how much His Highness doted on Xiao Zhu along the way to Beijing. The two of them were inseparable and very close. Not to mention, the night when His Highness and Xiao Zhu... it was she who handled the scene.

It can be said that she witnessed everything with her own eyes.

In this way...

Lin Qingqing's eyelids jumped.

Sister Zhiyuan, are you going to cause trouble for Xiao Zhu?

Although Sister Zhiyuan's personality suggests that she is not that kind of person, but...

Who can say for sure?

Thinking of this, Lin Qingqing couldn't help but become more worried.

Won't...

cause a death?

...

In the side yard, in the room.

There was an oil lamp on the table, and the weak light illuminated the room, which was cold and quiet.

In front of the table.

Xiao Zhu sat upright on the stool and rubbed her arms subconsciously.

It was a bit cold!

It wasn't the kind of cold wind blowing.

But there was an inexplicable chill in the room, enveloping her, as if from the depths of her soul.

It's hard to describe the feeling.

The little maid had a blank look on her face, and she looked up quietly.

In front of her, Zhiyuan, dressed in white, was also sitting quietly at the table, holding a book and looking down.

The faint light shone on her peaceful face, adding a bit of surprise.

Very beautiful!

Xiaozhu was a little envious of her beauty.

But for some reason, she was very uneasy now.

Just in the evening, Sister Zhiyuan suddenly called her over. Xiaozhu originally thought that Sister Zhiyuan had something important to tell her, but she didn't expect that Sister Zhiyuan just asked her to stay here and not go anywhere.

Xiaozhu felt puzzled, but she didn't dare to refuse. She could only sit here obediently, motionless.

Such a well-behaved action, just like the well-behaved and upright appearance when seeing the teacher, looked a little funny.

But as the sky gradually darkened, Xiaozhu began to feel a little anxious.

She hadn't forgotten His Highness's instructions today. His Highness had said that she should go early to warm His Highness' bed today...

It was getting dark now, His Highness must have returned to her room soon, but she was still here...

What if His Highness was angry...

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhu gradually became restless. She couldn't help but secretly glanced at Sister Zhiyuan a few more times, and found that Sister Zhiyuan was still reading a book calmly, as if she was not in a hurry at all.

Sister Zhiyuan, what on earth did she want to find her for?

Xiao Zhu didn't know why Sister Zhiyuan called her over, but Xiao Zhu was indeed very anxious at the moment.

After a few more sneak glances, a few more, and a few more, Xiao Zhu finally couldn't help it, took a deep breath, and whispered carefully: "Sister Zhiyuan, sister?"

Zhiyuan, who was reading with her head down, didn't even raise her head: "Hmm?"

"It's getting late, can I, can I go back?"

Xiao Zhu asked cautiously.

Zhiyuan paused and looked up at her.

This glance made Xiao Zhu's delicate body tremble slightly for some reason.

A little scared.

The look in Sister Zhiyuan's eyes... made her feel guilty.

As if her purpose was seen through?

Zhiyuan stared at her little face for a few seconds before speaking indifferently: "Are you sleepy?"

"No, not sleepy..."

Xiaozhu shook her head gently. She was not sleepy yet, but...

His Highness is waiting for her.

After hearing this, Zhiyuan said calmly: "Since you are not sleepy, then stay with me for a while."

"Ah?"

Xiaozhu was dumbfounded: "I, I..."

"What?"

Zhiyuan glanced at her again: "Don't want to?"

"No, no..."

Hearing this, Xiaozhu's face immediately turned pale, and she waved her hands quickly: "Xiaozhu, of course I am willing to accompany Sister Zhiyuan..."

How could she not want to accompany Sister Zhiyuan?

If it was normal, she would definitely have no objection.

But, just now thinking of His Highness's affairs...

His Highness is still waiting for her.

But, she couldn't say it.

What if Sister Zhiyuan knew about it, who knows...

Xiaozhu was getting more and more uneasy, and her face was full of regret and helplessness.

Zhiyuan nodded lightly: "That's good."

"It's been a long time since we last met, stay with me for a while."

After that, she continued to lower her head to read.

Xiaozhu sat there, her face frozen.

After a while, she finally lowered her head with some grievance.

Since Sister Zhiyuan said so, what else can she do?

She can only stay with Sister Zhiyuan.

As for His Highness...

Your Highness won't be angry, right?

What if His Highness is really angry...

Xiaozhu lowered her head, her face was a little flustered, and finally she seemed to have made up her mind and gritted her teeth.

If His Highness is angry, then, then she will behave well and compensate His Highness...

I don't know what she thought of, Xiaozhu's face was slightly red and hot.

The room was quiet.

Zhiyuan, who was reading a book, seemed to catch a glimpse of Xiaozhu's expression. She frowned slightly, looked at him for a few times, then slowly retracted her gaze and glanced out the window not far away.

It was quiet outside the window, and the courtyard was silent.

Her face was calm. She glanced out the window for a while, then retracted her gaze and lowered her head to continue reading.

…

After an unknown amount of time, there was movement in the yard outside the room, and footsteps gradually approached, approaching the eaves door of the corridor.

Hearing the footsteps, Xiaozhu, who was sitting at the table, sat up quickly. But after a while, there was still no knock on the door.

Then, the room was suddenly pushed open. A gust of cold wind blew in, and the cold air instantly filled the room. Xiaozhu felt the cold wind blowing behind her. She was so cold that she shivered and subconsciously turned around.

The next second, her pupils suddenly widened, and she exclaimed in a panic: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty?! Why are you here?"

Outside the door, Lin Jiangnian's figure appeared at the door and slowly stepped into the room.

His eyes fell from Zhiyuan, who was looking down at a book in the room, to Xiaozhu. When he saw Xiaozhu sitting upright, he quickly realized something.

"My prince's maid is lost, why don't we look for her?"

Lin Jiangnian's lips raised slightly.

Hearing this, Xiaozhu's little face immediately became anxious and ashamed. He subconsciously glanced at Sister Zhiyuan, and then quickly lowered his head, "Yes, I'm sorry..."

"Slave, I came to see Sister Zhiyuan today and accidentally forgot the time..."

"If His Highness is angry, punish Xiaozhu."

Xiaozhu lowered his head with guilt on his face.

Hearing this, Zhiyuan, who was still reading at the table, glanced at her casually.

When Lin Jiangnian heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little funny.

He naturally knew Xiaozhu's character, and Xiaozhu would never do such a thing.

It was obvious that she was taking the blame for Zhiyuan.

"Don't worry, I will definitely punish you."

Lin Jiangnian stepped forward slowly, reached out and pinched her cheek gently.

Xiaozhu's face immediately turned red. Thinking that there was Sister Zhiyuan in the room, he lowered his head shyly.

"You go back first."

Lin Jiangnian glanced at her and said angrily: "I will take care of you later."

Xiaozhu was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Zhiyuan beside him.

"What? My prince's words don't work?"

Lin Jiangnian snorted coldly.

This little maid is actually prepared to act based on Zhiyuan's face?

Seeing that His Highness seemed a little angry, Xiaozhu shook his head in panic, "Slave, I don't dare..."

"Slave, I will go back now."

Xiaozhu lowered his head, stood up and left the room uneasily.

Even after walking out of the room, her little head was still a little confused.

What's going on here?

Why did His Highness come to find her?

Sister Zhiyuan, no, you won’t be angry, right?

With these thoughts in mind, the little maid left the yard uneasily.

Lin Jiangnian and Zhiyuan were the only ones left in the room.

Lin Jiangnian sat down directly where Xiaozhu had been and looked at Zhiyuan opposite.

"Stop pretending!"

Seeing that she was still reading with her head down, Lin Jiangnian curled his lips and said, "Did you do this on purpose?"

No response.

Seeing this, Lin Jiangnian reached out to grab the book in her hand.

Zhiyuan leaned back a little, avoiding Lin Jiangnian's movements and looking at him expressionlessly.

"What are you doing?"

"What are you reading?" Lin Jiang young laughed and glanced at the book she was holding in her hand.

The kite didn't move.

"Why did you deliberately call Xiaozhu here?"

Lin Jiangnian asked.

Zhiyuan's eyes were indifferent: "Ask her to come and accompany me."

"You lied."

Lin Jiangnian stared into her eyes.

Zhiyuan remained silent, as if he was too lazy to explain.

However, Lin Jiangnian had no intention of letting her go.

"you……"

He suddenly narrowed his eyes and approached Zhiyuan, half-smiling.

"Have you heard everything today?"

"..."