Chapter 56: The Secret of the Seventh Floor

"The Prince once instructed that when Your Highness made up your mind to practice martial arts and embark on the Great Path, I was to hand this key to Your Highness..."

Zhiyuan kept her gaze lowered. "The seventh floor holds what the Prince left for Your Highness."

Lin Jiangnian looked at the key resting in the palm of her delicate hand, then raised his eyes to gaze at Zhiyuan's expressionless face.

A trace of astonishment stirred in his heart.

What did this mean?

Could it be that the Prince of Lin had foreseen all along that the Heir would one day turn over a new leaf?

Was the seventh floor of the Ruyi Tower reserved specifically for the Prince's Heir?

If that were true, wouldn't he, Lin Jiangnian, be considered an interloper taking over the magpie's nest?

After a brief pause of astonishment, Lin Jiangnian glanced at Zhiyuan and took the key from her hand. "Does that mean the Profound Yang Manual is on the seventh floor?"

Zhiyuan nodded calmly.

"Very well, then this Heir shall go and take a look."

Lin Jiangnian nodded, stood up, and walked toward the staircase leading to the seventh floor.

Zhiyuan stood in place, quietly watching as Lin Jiangnian climbed the stairs to the seventh-floor entrance and inserted the key into the iron padlock. With a crisp 'click,' the iron door swung open.

Zhiyuan watched Lin Jiangnian step into the seventh floor, her eyes seeming to gleam faintly. A wisp of light from outside the tower fell upon her delicate profile, highlighting her tall figure, chillingly aloof and independent.

Like an otherworldly fairy—serene and cold!

...

As soon as Lin Jiangnian stepped into the seventh floor, a faint scent greeted his senses. It was like aromatherapy, lingering and diffusing through the air.

This struck him as somewhat strange.

The seventh floor had always been locked, and no one except the Prince of Lin had ever entered. Logically speaking, shouldn't it be covered in dust and filled with a stale, unventilated, and stuffy odor?

Lin Jiangnian looked around. The dim seventh floor was not at all what he had imagined. Instead, the seventh floor of the Ruyi Tower felt more like... a room?

It was an elegantly furnished room with an antique aesthetic, maintaining a fresh and refined style overall. Wall lamps were hung along the walls; as Lin Jiangnian approached, the lamps suddenly ignited on their own, illuminating the entire chamber.

When he caught sight of the decorations and furnishings inside, a startling thought arose.

Could this place... be the bedchamber of the deceased Princess of Lin?

No...

Shouldn't it be said to be a replica of her bedchamber?

Lin Jiangnian's gaze fell upon the objects and furnishings within the room. Upon recognizing the familiar architectural structure, his inner guess gradually solidified.

Indeed!

Various items were displayed throughout the room, revealing that their owner had likely been a modest person. Every piece of furniture was simple and unpretentious, entirely devoid of any luxurious flair. Placed within the Prince of Lin's Mansion, this was almost unimaginable.

Aside from this, a suit of armor and a precious sword hung on the nearby wall... and on a desk not far away lay several books that had been thumbed through.

Could this armor and sword belong to the Prince of Lin himself?

Why would Lin Hengzhong set up a place like this inside the Ruyi Tower?

Could it be... to commemorate the deceased Princess of Lin?

He would never have guessed that the Prince of Lin was a man so deeply devoted to affection.

At this thought, Lin Jiangnian's gaze narrowed slightly. He had indeed heard that ever since the Princess of Lin passed away, the Prince had never remarried, nor had he taken any concubines, leaving only a single legitimate son.

Indeed, he could truly be called a man of unwavering devotion!

Pulling his thoughts together, Lin Jiangnian finally remembered his primary objective. Sweeping his gaze around, a fresh wave of doubt arose within him.

Since the furnishings on the seventh floor were where the Princess of Lin had lived during her lifetime—a place where the Prince of Lin yearned for his departed wife—it was understandable that it was locked to keep others away. However, why would he leave the key with Zhiyuan and instruct her to pass it to the Heir?

Was there something special about this place?

Lin Jiangnian inspected his surroundings, yet failed to detect anything out of the ordinary. The surrounding furnishings were arranged neatly, and Lin Jiangnian did not disturb them. Everything placed here consisted of the relics left behind by the late Princess.

Although Lin Jiangnian had never met the Princess, after learning of her deeds from the woman in red, he held a profound respect for her.

Until finally, Lin Jiangnian's gaze landed on the desk not far away. On top of the desk lay an open book, and alongside it... was a letter?

Lin Jiangnian walked slowly forward, approaching the desk and fixing his eyes upon it.

There was indeed a letter on the table.

To be precise, it was a single sheet of paper.

On the paper, there was only a single sentence.

"Go and do what you wish to do, my son!"

Signed: Lin Hengzhong.

A concise and comprehensive line of words, written in a clear hand with sweeping, dragon-like brushstrokes.

Clearly, these were words left behind by the Prince of Lin for his Heir.

Lin Jiangnian stared quietly at this line of text, furrowing his brow as his confusion deepened.

Why would Lin Hengzhong leave behind such a message?

The former Heir of Lin was good for nothing and showed not the slightest interest in martial arts. How could Lin Hengzhong have been certain that his son would change his mind?

Then what was the purpose of all these arrangements he had left behind?

Why couldn't he have said it to his face?

Why bother handing the key to Zhiyuan and staging such a grand setup?

Lin Jiangnian frowned tightly, unable to deduce an answer. He picked up the sheet of paper, beneath which lay the half-opened book. When Lin Jiangnian picked up the book and saw the contents within, he froze in shock.

...

The day was growing late.

Night was gradually descending.

Ruyi Tower, the sixth floor.

Zhiyuan still stood quietly in place, standing as straight as a statue with her hands behind her back. Her gaze swept past the window into the night, occasionally retracting to fall upon the entrance of the seventh floor.

After a long wait.

Until night had completely fallen, the figure of Lin Jiangnian finally appeared at the doorway of the seventh floor.

Lin Jiangnian walked out slowly, carefully locking the iron door of the seventh floor once more before coming before Zhiyuan.

"Here you go."

Lin Jiangnian handed the key back to Zhiyuan.

Zhiyuan did not take it. Lowering her gaze, she said, "This servant was merely holding the key on behalf of Your Highness. Now that Your Highness has visited the seventh floor, the key naturally belongs in Your Highness's possession."

"What you say makes sense, but..."

Lin Jiangnian still pressed the key back toward her and shook his head. "I am a person with a poor memory, and I worry I might lose the key one day. Therefore, you had best continue to keep it safe for me."

Zhiyuan was slightly startled. She raised her eyes to study Lin Jiangnian, hesitating for a moment before finally accepting the key.

"Then... this servant shall continue to keep the key for Your Highness."

Lin Jiangnian nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the sky outside the tower, and said, "It is getting late. Let's go."

With that, Lin Jiangnian turned and walked downstairs.

Behind him, Zhiyuan stood in a daze, watching Lin Jiangnian's retreating figure. For some reason, His Highness seemed to have... changed somewhat?

What had happened?

Unconsciously, she turned her head to glance back at the tightly sealed seventh floor, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt.

Inside the seventh floor, what on earth had the Prince left behind for His Highness?

A moment later, Zhiyuan gathered her thoughts and slowly followed after him.

Stepping out of the Ruyi Tower, Lin Jiangnian stood on the bridge, breathing in the fresh air and feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Although the Ruyi Tower was reasonably well-ventilated, it still felt somewhat oppressive compared to the open air outside.

At this twilight hour, a evening breeze brushed across the surface of the lake, creating a picturesque scene.

Lin Jiangnian stopped in the middle of the bridge, gazing at the scenery before him. Behind him, Zhiyuan followed step for step and came to a halt.

Her gaze fell upon Lin Jiangnian's relaxed and refreshed profile. Remembering something, Zhiyuan suddenly asked, "Your Highness, did you obtain the Profound Yang Manual?"

Lin Jiangnian turned to glance at her and nodded slightly. Then, as if thinking of something, he asked playfully, "If I were to practice the Profound Yang Manual, how long do you suppose it would take me to become an expert?"

Zhiyuan frowned slightly and replied softly, "The practice of martial arts requires accumulation over time and a gradual release of potential. If Your Highness focuses solely on quick success and instant benefits, not only will you fall into mediocrity, but you might even... suffer a deviation in your vital energy."

"Your Highness, be cautious!"

However, Lin Jiangnian did not seem to take her warning to heart and asked instead, "Logically speaking, haven't I missed the optimal age to begin practicing martial arts?"

"Is it still too late to start now?"

Naturally, the younger one started practicing martial arts, the better.

Would it be too late for someone of Lin Jiangnian's age to begin now?

Zhiyuan merely replied calmly, "Whenever Your Highness is willing, it is never too late."

Lin Jiangnian could not decipher the meaning behind her words, but he did not dwell on it. He glanced at the evening scenery over the lake, then cast a look at Zhiyuan beside him, and suddenly asked, "You are seventeen this year, aren't you?"

Zhiyuan was slightly puzzled, but still nodded. "Yes."

"Seventeen... that is indeed the age when one should be thinking of marriage!"

Lin Jiangnian murmured to himself, then stared at Zhiyuan and said with sudden meaningful depth, "I have heard the servants in the mansion say..."

"Are you my father's illegitimate daughter?"

"Is there any truth to this?"

A sudden flash of biting coldness crossed Zhiyuan's eyes, her gaze turning icy.

Lin Jiangnian's expression remained ordinary as he watched her reaction.