novelden Chapter 73 Punishment: Confinement for Reflection
Chapter 73 Punishment: Confinement for Reflection
After throwing the money, Lin Shu immediately turned around to check on her husbands. Ling Wanzhen, seeing this, thought she was about to leave, and immediately pointed at Lin Shu, saying sternly, "Take her down for me, I want to..." take this lowly commoner's life.
"what are you up to?"
Before Ling Wanzhen could utter her last few words, a cold shout rang out, and the scene fell silent for a moment. Everyone looked up and saw a woman with an elegant demeanor and a touch of heroism in her brows walking out of the teahouse across the street.
"Which blind fool..." Ling Wanzhen was interrupted and was very unhappy. She turned her head to look, and when her eyes met the person, her eyes involuntarily shrank back.
"Second...Second cousin..."
The surroundings were completely silent.
The only ones Ling Wanzhen could call her cousin were the princesses, and wasn't the second princess the current Crown Princess?
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people all knelt down.
After Feng Zhao told the people to stand up, he glanced at everyone present, his gaze landing on Lin Shu and Ling Wanzhen. His expression was somewhat inscrutable as he said, "Come in."
Then he turned around and stepped back into the teahouse. Just before entering, he glanced back at Feng Yu, who was sneaking around in the crowd with her neck hunched over, and added, "Xiao Qi, come in too."
Feng Yu pouted and muttered a few words before reluctantly following behind.
"Shu'er," Xue Wen said worriedly. His face was deathly pale, perhaps from the shock.
Ling Wanzhen must be... Now that he has no power or influence, he really doesn't know how to deal with the current situation. And apart from Lin Shu, no one else in the Lin family has seen Feng Zhao's true face, so naturally they don't know that this person is the previous 'Guard Xiao'.
"It's alright, Father, don't worry."
"Chou Er, take good care of my father and my three husbands," Lin Shu instructed a woman who had appeared out of nowhere. She then quickly settled the men of the Li family, gave them some instructions, and hurriedly followed.
When everyone arrived at the private room on the second floor, Feng Zhao was already sitting in the main seat drinking tea. Beside her stood a woman in black with a scar on her brow bone and a sword in her arms. Those who knew her well knew that this was Yuan Lei, a confidante of the Crown Princess.
"Tell me about it! What's going on?"
Feng Zhao took a sip of tea, slowly put down the teacup, and asked unhurriedly.
Ling Wanzhen was slightly surprised. The Crown Princess had never paid attention to these trivial matters of hers before. What was the reason for this today?
However, she didn't think too much about it. After all, she was her cousin, and she would definitely side with her. With that in mind, she took the initiative to complain:
"Second cousin, this lowly commoner is truly despicable. Today, he not only loitered in front of the academy gate, seemingly with ill intentions, but he also tried to extort money from me in full view of everyone and mocked me. I hope that second cousin will uphold justice for me!"
After saying that, Ling Wanzhen gave Lin Shu a defiant, contemptuous smile.
Upon hearing the term "lowly commoner," Feng Zhao frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. He then looked at Lin Shu and Ling Wanzhen with interest, casually asking, "Is that really so?"
"That's pure nonsense." Lin Shu's voice was completely calm.
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhao remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. Seeing that she seemed to believe Ling Wanzhen's words, Feng Yu stopped pretending and quickly stepped forward, saying:
“Your Majesty, you must not believe Ling Wanzhen’s nonsense. She is clearly being unreasonable. Today’s events are like this… (Aba aba), not at all as she says.”
Feng Yu recounted the day's events in detail, and at the end, she accidentally met Lin Shu's gaze. She shyly tugged at her sleeve and said hesitantly, "Lin Shu... Lin Shu is very good..."
Feng Zhao looked astonished, glancing at her younger brother who had been spoiled since childhood, and then at Lin Shu.
Feng Yu has always despised scholars, often saying they are hypocritical and inferior to military generals. How could he be like this now...?
"Second Imperial Sister, A-Yu is young and must have been fooled by someone with ulterior motives. His words cannot be trusted!" Ling Wanzhen hurriedly tried to cover it up. In her haste to complain, she had completely forgotten about Feng Yu, who had been keeping his head down like a quail.
"Enough! I will decide what to do about this matter." Feng Zhao frowned, waved his hand to silence her, and then declared:
"Daughter Ling Wanzhen, the heir of the Prince of Dingbei, has committed a moral failing. Therefore, you are to be confined to your room for half a month to reflect on your actions. Go now!"
Ling Wanzhen was taken aback to find that only she was punished, and felt indignant. She pointed at Lin Shu and said, "Why? What about her?"
"Lin Shu didn't do anything wrong, so why punish her? Are you just jealous of others doing well? You're really both stupid and wicked. Humph!" Before Feng Zhao could respond, Feng Yu couldn't hold back and retorted first.
Ling Wanzhen was furious. She looked at Feng Zhao and saw that she remained silent, as if she had tacitly agreed. She suddenly felt that everyone here was mocking her. In a moment of impulsiveness, she blurted out:
"Your Highness, please don't forget that my father is your uncle. If..."
"Oh? Is my cousin threatening me? Very well, I don't mind bothering Mother Empress about this matter, and we'll see how she decides then." Feng Zhao was clearly also angry, and even referred to herself as 'I'.
"Wanzhen wouldn't dare!" Ling Wanzhen realized her words had been inappropriate and quickly lowered her head, but her heart was overflowing with resentment. You all just wait and see!
After Ling Wanzhen left in a huff, Feng Zhao said to Yuan Lei beside her again, "Take Xiao Qi to the carriage and wait for me."
"Yes!" Yuan Lei clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.
Feng Yu wanted to say he wouldn't go, but when he met his elder sister's unquestionable gaze and glanced at the burly Yuan Lei in front of him, he could only look at Lin Shu pitifully for a few moments before leaving reluctantly.
Watching Feng Yu's retreating figure, Feng Zhao shook his head helplessly, his face full of doting affection. Then, looking at Lin Shu with a teasing expression, he said, "I didn't know my seventh brother could be so obedient!"
"Your Highness is joking!" Lin Shu said expressionlessly.
"Tsk! Why does this feel so awkward? I guess I've gotten used to you calling me 'Guard Xiao'!" With no one around, Feng Zhao lazily stretched her waist, somewhat reverting to the way she and Feng Zhao used to get along back in Mengzhou Prefecture.
Lin Shu: ...
Seeing that Lin Shu remained expressionless no matter how he tried to tease her, he gave up and said seriously, "We've known each other for so long, why haven't you mentioned your mother to me, A-Shu?"
Lin Shu looked over in confusion, but answered honestly, "The ties have been severed."
"Is that so! How could someone as talented as A-Shu..." Feng Zhao exclaimed in surprise, "I'm sorry, A-Shu..."
"It's alright." Lin Shu shook her head, looking at her clumsy acting, and then continued, "Your Highness, there's no need to test me. I have no relation to that young lady. My mother is just a villager."
After thinking about Lin Dafeng's appearance, Lin Shu added, "Moreover, I look a little like her."
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhao touched his nose somewhat awkwardly, realizing that he had been discovered after only saying a few words!
The two chatted for a few more minutes, but Lin Shu, missing her husband, took her leave.
After Lin Shu left, Feng Zhao stared at her retreating figure, lost in thought.
Lin Shu and Ling Huanan, the Prince of Dingbei, were remarkably similar, not only in their eyes and brows but also in their demeanor. Both wore stern faces and exuded a cold aura.
Then I thought of the unintentional concern Lin Shu showed for her family and friends. Perhaps the only difference is that Lin Shu is more like a real person with flesh and blood!
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