Chapter 43: The Heroine Shen Lingjun

Within Linjiang City.

Night had fallen.

Inside a modest residence.

“Hmph!”

A woman’s low, muffled voice echoed from within the dimly lit room, tinged with a trace of pain and trembling.

The room was dark and sparsely furnished. Seated at the table was a delicate-featured woman, her face veiled with light gauze, dressed in a pale red brocade gown that starkly contrasted with the humble surroundings.

She retrieved a pill from her bosom and swallowed it. Then, sitting cross-legged, she began to regulate her breath. After some time, a faint flush finally returned to her pale face.

Exhaling softly, a sheen of cold sweat appeared on her fair forehead, and a hint of unwillingness flickered in her eyes.

She had failed!

Today she had infiltrated the Windward Court, knocked out the counterfeit courtesan, and attempted to lure that despicable noble’s son into a trap to kill him!

Rumor had it that the degenerate heir was cunning and lecherous, easily ensnared with a simple trick. Indeed, as expected, upon hearing the courtesan’s invitation, he had eagerly arrived as promised.

But just as she was about to silently eliminate him, she had not anticipated his preparedness—he saw through her scheme. When exposed, she tried to forcibly kill him, only to be evaded by the noble’s son.

Then his guards burst in. The assassination failed, and she had no choice but to flee!

So close!

Regret and frustration filled her eyes.

Why was she discovered?

And those guards…

“Cough, cough…”

She coughed, wincing. The guards by the noble’s son were highly skilled; just a distant palm strike had caused her internal injuries.

Had she not reacted swiftly to escape, she might have perished there. Now that the assassination had failed, attempting again would be even more difficult.

At that moment, a voice came from outside the door.

“Miss Shen Lingjun? Are you there?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingjun suddenly lifted her gaze, took a deep breath, and once her expression steadied, rose to open the door.

In the courtyard stood a man dressed as a servant.

Seeing him, Shen Lingjun’s eyes narrowed sharply, her voice cold: “Is this the intelligence your master provided today? You said that vile noble’s son was mindless—then why was I discovered today?”

“Miss Shen, please don’t be angry... Today’s events were indeed due to my master’s oversight,” the servant lowered his head, a flicker of something strange in his eyes.

Why was her cover blown?

Wasn’t it because she was too reckless, her disguise too poor? If only she had been more cautious, would this have happened?

Yet the servant dared not say this aloud. This heroine was no weakling; his master still found her useful.

Shen Lingjun scoffed coldly. “I nearly died today. Such martial prowess protects that noble’s son—why was this not warned to us earlier? Is this the intelligence you gave?”

“Miss Shen, please calm yourself. Today was truly an accident... It won’t happen again!”

The failed assassination was indeed due to their underestimation of Lord Lin’s household and the noble heir.

The servant added, “By the way, since the assassination failed, Lord Lin’s men are now searching for you. Miss Shen, you will likely have to hide for a while...”

“Hide?”

Shen Lingjun’s face darkened as she gritted her teeth. “I refuse to rest until I kill that despicable noble’s son!”

That man had ruthlessly slaughtered innocents. How many had died by his hand in Linjiang City recently? Nearly everyone in the Qingfeng Tower was taken to Lord Lin’s mansion, with almost no survivors. Such cruelty was horrifying—there was even the courtesan Chen Yingying...

At the thought, a flash of righteous fury filled Shen Lingjun’s eyes.

She had met Chen Yingying a few times—a kind and beautiful woman. How could that vile noble’s son stoop so low?

Moreover, a few days ago, there was a man named Song Jue who had a minor conflict with the noble’s son in the city. The next day, Song Jue was found dead by apparent suicide at home...

Suicide? Who believed that?

Most likely, the mad noble’s son had taken revenge to silence him!

Returning from her travels and learning of Chen Yingying’s tragic death, Shen Lingjun’s anger burned fiercely. She vowed to kill the noble’s son and avenge the people!

To carry out justice!

“Miss Shen, please don’t be hasty. Since the assassination failed, we may not have another chance soon. Perhaps it’s better to—”

Shen Lingjun waved him off, cutting him short with a cold voice. “There’s no need for your master’s idle talk. I have my own plans.”

Taking a deep breath, a murderous gleam sparked in her eyes. “That noble’s son—this heroine will take his wretched life!”

...

As night deepened,

Lin Jiangnian returned to his chambers. After dinner, he bathed and changed.

He dismissed the maids, then soaked alone in the bath, his mind occupied with the day’s events.

His earlier words to Zhi Yuan had been both a test and a warning.

They also served as groundwork for his infiltration of the Ruyi Brothel.

Once everything fell into place, Lin Jiangnian could act freely. This was his chance—perhaps to rid himself of threats and puppet strings...

After a long soak, he rose, changed his clothes, and opened the door.

Two maids waited outside.

Today’s lord was not as usual. They had heard about the assassination attempt in the city and knew his mood was foul.

They dared not breathe loudly.

When he emerged, they hurried to tidy up.

As Lin Jiangnian turned to leave, a furtive figure caught his peripheral vision.

A small figure hid around a corner nearby. When Lin Jiangnian’s gaze fell upon her, she turned to flee.

“Stop!”

Lin Jiangnian commanded coldly.

Frozen in place, she dared not move.

He stepped forward slowly. In the dim light, he saw a delicate face tinged with fear.

“Y-Your Highness...” the young maid stammered, turning stiffly.

“So it’s you,” Lin Jiangnian said, eyeing her. “Long time no see.”

He hadn’t seen the little maid for two days, unsure where she had been hiding.

“Your Highness, I...” Xiaozhu’s body tensed, anxious.

The events from two nights ago were vivid in her mind. Tonight, caught again by his cold, sharp gaze, her heart jumped.

That night, he had discovered her secret betrayal—she had secretly informed Sister Zhi Yuan.

To punish her, he intended to...

But at that moment, Sister Zhi Yuan appeared, confronting the lord to save her.

This left Xiaozhu filled with guilt and unease.

Now, she was even more terrified.

Lin Jiangnian stared at the young maid, stepping closer.

She instinctively retreated two steps—but cold stone wall was behind her.

No escape.

He closed in, sneering: “Do you think you can slip out of my grasp?”

“Your Highness...” she lowered her head nervously. “I, I know my mistake...”

“Your mistake?” he narrowed his eyes. “Then tell me, what was your mistake?”

Her head bowed, she bit her lip softly. “I, I should not... have betrayed Your Highness...”

“So you know, huh?” Lin Jiangnian’s eyes gleamed as he leaned closer meaningfully. “Do you know what happens to traitors?”

“I... I don’t know...” she whispered.

He sneered, “Traitors get... punished!”

Xiaozhu dared not look up, nervously twisting her hands. She didn’t know what that punishment entailed, but instinct told her it was grim.

She was scared.

Yet, thinking of Sister Zhi Yuan’s defiance on her behalf, worried that if the lord punished Zhi Yuan...

Wouldn’t that be her fault?

With resolve, Xiaozhu bit her lip. “I’m willing to accept punishment... Please, Your Highness, punish me!”

This was her fault—she would not let Sister Zhi Yuan suffer for it.

If punishment was to come—so be it.

The young maid’s eyes hardened with determination.

“Punishment?” Lin Jiangnian’s gaze roamed over her body. Then, as if struck by a thought, he smiled playfully. “Very well. Since you wish to be punished, I shall grant your wish!”

“The hour is late, so your punishment tonight shall be...”

“Warming my bed!”

“...”