Chapter Thirty-Four: The Little Traitor

"Anomalies?"

Upon hearing Zhiyuan's inquiry, Xu Lan’s heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood what Zhiyuan meant.

She really was suspicious of Lin Jiangnian's identity!

At this thought, Xu Lan’s heart tightened. That guy actually thought his disguise was perfect? She never expected that Zhiyuan had already grown suspicious of him.

"What sort of anomalies could that guy possibly have?"

After a brief moment of thought, Xu Lan shook her head. "If you must call something an anomaly, it’s probably that something is wrong with his brain."

"No, that’s not quite right—there has always been something wrong with his brain!"

Xu Lan sneered.

Zhiyuan frowned slightly, but her expression quickly smoothed out. "Miss Xu, don't you think... His Highness has changed?"

"Changed? Isn't he always that wretched sort of person?"

Xu Lan scoffed. "What else could have changed? Could he possibly turn into a gentleman overnight?"

As she said this, Xu Lan’s expression grew increasingly indignant. "He is nothing but human scum! Even if he were reduced to ashes, I would still recognize him!"

To curse the Heir of Prince Lin to the face of his own handmaiden—in this world, besides Prince Lin himself, she was likely the only one who dared to do such a thing.

Zhiyuan fell silent, and the last trace of doubt in her eyes vanished. She nodded. "In that case, I shall not disturb you any further."

Zhiyuan turned and left.

Xu Lan stood where she was. Only after Zhiyuan had completely disappeared did she let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.

The cold sneer and indignant expression on her face vanished entirely, replaced by a gradually deepening gravity.

After a long while, she gazed out into the night, lost in thought. A complex, indescribable expression crossed her face, and she muttered to herself.

"I’ve saved your life this time, you wretch... Hmph..."

***

Inside the room.

Lin Jiangnian sat on the edge of the bed, regulating his breathing. The aftereffects of those two palms from Xu Lan were a bit too potent. Although he had taken medicinal herbs for his injuries, he could still feel the lingering discomfort and dull pain in his body.

He looked down and let out a soft sigh.

His physical fitness was, after all, rather concerning. While he couldn't call it frail, it was certainly nothing to boast about compared to others.

Moreover, he couldn't even defeat Xu Lan; he had only managed to win by relying on a sneak attack and despicable tactics. If he were facing someone else, Lin Jiangnian might not be so lucky.

Are all ninth-rank experts this formidable?

And what about a first-rank expert?

Lin Jiangnian felt a stir of ambition.

The Prince Lin Estate was a massive power; surely there must be many experts here, right? And it must also house many secret martial arts manuals, right?

Although the Prince Lin Estate was a government entity, it had many connections to the martial arts world. Within Lin Province, which sect or school didn't have to show respect to the Prince Lin Estate? Even those martial arts factions that even the imperial court couldn't discipline had to behave themselves once they arrived in Linjiang City.

In that case, if Lin Jiangnian could learn a move or two of these martial arts... even if he didn't aim to become a legendary grandmaster, just improving his physical health would be better than being unable to beat someone like Xu Lan.

Thinking of this, Lin Jiangnian grew more eager. However, before that, he had to clarify one thing.

Why did the previous Heir of Prince Lin not practice martial arts?

If the former Heir had no interest in martial arts, and Lin Jiangnian suddenly showed a keen interest, he would likely reveal his true colors.

It seemed he still needed an opportunity!

After a long while, Lin Jiangnian sighed. In this Prince Lin Estate, he still had to tread carefully, as if walking on thin ice.

Just then, a handmaiden's voice from outside the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Your Highness, the hot water is ready. You may bathe now."

Lin Jiangnian regained his composure, stood up, and opened the door. He glanced at the two handmaidens outside. "Where is Xiaozhu?"

"Sister Xiaozhu will be here shortly."

"Fine, you may step back."

Lin Jiangnian nodded, his eyes narrowing as he gave a cold smile. "Have her come."

***

The night was silent.

Xiaozhu walked with nervous steps, appearing outside the bathing room with great caution. Her small face was filled with tension and a hint of unease.

His... His Highness had asked for her by name to serve him again!

For the past few days, whether it was helping His Highness rise in the morning to wash and comb his hair, or helping him bathe and change in the evening, His Highness had insisted that she do it alone. He had even nearly asked her to warm his bed...

Although she had already suspected as much, Xiaozhu couldn't help but feel nervous, and even a little guilty.

Thinking about how she had secretly gone to report to Sister Zhiyuan not long ago, her heart began to hammer against her ribs.

She stood at the door, took a few deep breaths, and tried to calm herself before speaking softly: "Yo... Your Highness?"

"Come in."

The voice from within gave no hint of joy or sorrow.

Xiaozhu pushed the door open and entered.

The room was filled with steam. Lin Jiangnian stood before a copper mirror, watching her quietly.

When she caught his gaze, for some reason, Xiaozhu felt an instinctive sense of guilt. She hurriedly lowered her head. "Yo... Your Highness..."

"What are you standing there for?"

Lin Jiangnian’s voice sounded slightly impatient. "Aren't you going to help me undress?"

Xiaozhu’s face turned bright red, and she hurried forward in a panic. "I... I will serve you, Your Highness..."

As she spoke, she reached out carefully to help Lin Jiangnian with his clothes.

Perhaps practice made perfect; having done this for the past two days, Xiaozhu was significantly more skilled and fluid than before, and she quickly helped him remove his outer robe.

Once the outer robe was removed, Xiaozhu froze when she saw the plain white undergarment beneath.

"Continue!"

Lin Jiangnian’s expressionless voice sounded in her ear again.

Xiaozhu’s lovely face turned scarlet, and she felt her cheeks burning hot. Last night, His Highness had only asked her to remove his outer robe; why was he asking for more tonight...

Despite her nervousness and shyness, Xiaozhu took a deep breath and trembling, reached out to continue...

Lin Jiangnian stared at the blushing, head-bowed Xiaozhu with a blank expression, a cold sneer in his heart.

This little handmaiden was indeed a spy planted by Zhiyuan.

Since that was the case, he wouldn't blame himself for playing along!

"That's enough!"

Xiaozhu had tremblingly removed his upper garment. After a long moment of struggle, just as she was about to reach for his trousers, she was stopped by Lin Jiangnian.

Xiaozhu felt an immediate sense of relief; her hanging heart finally settled, though her face remained burning hot. When she saw His Highness turn and step into the bath, she quickly turned her back in alarm.

But soon, she heard Lin Jiangnian’s voice behind her.

"Come over and wash my hair."

Xiaozhu clenched her small hands into fists and took a deep breath.

*Xiaozhu, you can do this.*

*Don't be afraid!*

*Serving His Highness is your duty. His Highness... His Highness won't do anything to you!*

Recalling the past two days, Xiaozhu felt a little more at ease.

His Highness really hadn't bullied her over the last two days... It really was different from what the other sisters had said.

Thinking of this, Xiaozhu turned around, cautiously walked behind the Heir, and began to wash his hair.

Lin Jiangnian lay in the bath, soaking in the hot water, his eyes narrowed as he quietly enjoyed the little handmaiden's service.

The little handmaiden’s movements were clumsy yet gentle. As she washed his hair and looked down at his youthful, slightly scholarly face, Xiaozhu’s cheeks flushed pink.

*His Highness is really handsome!*

Xiaozhu couldn't help but take a few extra glances. Her peripheral vision accidentally drifted downward, landing in the water...

"Ah!"

Her face turned bright red, and she gasped in alarm, quickly turning her head away, not daring to look again.

Her heart began to race wildly!

By the time she had gradually calmed down, she realized that His Highness had opened his eyes at some point and was watching her quietly.

The flush that had yet to fade from Xiaozhu’s face surged back in an instant, burning hot. "Yo... Your Highness... I... I'm sorry..."

"It's nothing," Lin Jiangnian said.

Hearing that His Highness wasn't blaming her, Xiaozhu let out a heavy sigh of relief and continued to wash his hair.

"Xiaozhu."

Just then, Lin Jiangnian spoke again.

"Yes?"

Xiaozhu kept her head down, the crimson on her delicate face still not having faded. "Your Highness, what is it?"

Lin Jiangnian looked quietly at the delicate face of the little handmaiden, just inches away. She looked pitiful and moving, appearing soft, gentle, and easy to bully.

"I have a question for you."

Lin Jiangnian beckoned her over. When Xiaozhu leaned in with a hint of confusion, she saw Lin Jiangnian narrow his eyes and say suddenly: "Did you go to Zhiyuan to report on me earlier?"

Xiaozhu trembled all over, her small face instantly turning deathly pale.

*His... His Highness found out?!*