Volume One, Chapter 17: Do You Wish to Die?

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Upon seeing this, Jun Yue felt a surge of displeasure. Clearly, she had always sat beside him before. He raised his arm slightly, recalling how she used to link her arm through his at this moment, their closeness unbroken, sharing every word without reserve. Yet today, she maintained a respectful distance, as if a stranger.

Thinking this, Jun Yue glanced at her with a trace of irritation in his voice, “Am I some kind of wild beast?”

“What?” Lin Qingwu was taken aback by his sudden question.

Realizing what he meant, she shook her head gently. “Your Highness, you are handsome and charming, full of grace—how could you be a wild beast?”

“Oh?” Jun Yue’s displeasure vanished instantly at her words. He raised an eyebrow, “Then why does it seem like Miss Lin is about to leave and sit with Mo Ci and the others?”

This time, Lin Qingwu understood his meaning clearly; the man was almost directly asking why she was avoiding him. She smiled calmly. “If I may be blunt, Your Highness, you are now my brother-in-law. Even if we have important matters to discuss, it is proper for a man and a woman to keep their distance when alone together.”

“Brother-in-law?” Jun Yue paused, realizing she was referring to Lin Qingyun.

He tried to explain, “But now that the imperial edict has been issued, the betrothal is between you and me. I don’t think there’s any need for such restraint…”

“Ah, Your Highness, you are mistaken,” Lin Qingwu interrupted him promptly. “This betrothal was a misunderstanding from the start. Since we have temporarily agreed to cooperate, you will have to endure a little inconvenience for now.”

“I am not—” Jun Yue began to protest.

Lin Qingwu hurried on, “However, please rest assured, Your Highness. I understand your heart belongs to Lin Qingyun, so I would never entertain any improper thoughts.”

“Give me some time. When the moment is right, I will return the betrothal to Lin Qingyun. After all, I have no habit of stealing another woman’s man, nor would I ever put Your Highness in a difficult position.”

She addressed him with utmost respect, calling him “Your Highness” and referring to herself humbly, her words flawless and reasonable, yet they infuriated Jun Yue beyond measure.

“Well said.” He gritted his teeth and forced out a cold smile, his deep eyes fixed on her. “Miss Lin, you truly think of me, but it’s such a burden on you.”

Lin Qingwu, however, seemed completely oblivious to the sarcastic tone in his words. She only offered a polite warning, “It is only what I must do. You need not take it to heart, Prince Yue.”

“...” Jun Yue said no more, staring coldly at her.

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The atmosphere inside the carriage grew awkward. Lin Qingwu felt inexplicably troubled. The entire Duke’s household had now turned against her, and she was exhausted from dealing with constant conflicts. She had no desire to offend this powerful Prince Yue and create yet another enemy.

That was why she carefully chose words she knew he would accept, making it clear that their relationship was strictly business and she would not entangle herself further with him.

Yet now, he seemed angry?

Lin Qingwu sighed inwardly, thinking, “Princess Fuwan, if you hadn’t kept him around, why would he be here escorting me?”

Though she appreciated Fuwan’s good intentions, at this moment she felt almost tearful.

She stole a glance at Jun Yue, rubbed her temples helplessly, and silently turned to face the carriage door.

There was no more conversation until the carriage stopped at the Duke of Ru’s residence.

Lin Qingwu looked back and found Jun Yue, who had somehow already leaned against the back of the carriage with his eyes closed, breathing evenly as if asleep.

But she knew he was only pretending to rest, unwilling to engage with her further. That was fine by her.

“Thank you for the escort, Your Highness. I take my leave.” Without looking back, Lin Qingwu stepped down from the carriage.

She then turned to Mo Ci and said, “Thank you.”

Mo Ci hurriedly replied, “Miss Lin, you’re too polite…”

“Back to the residence!”

Before he could finish, a cold voice suddenly echoed from inside the carriage.

Startled, Mo Ci nodded to Lin Qingwu and cracked his whip to drive the horses away.

“Miss, did you have a quarrel with Prince Yue?” Zhixin asked, watching the scene unfold.

“A quarrel?” Lin Qingwu glanced at her with amusement. “He’s a prince of noble birth, and I’m just a humble servant. How could I quarrel with him? You really think too highly of me.”

Seeing Lin Qingwu’s obvious unease, Zhixin fell silent.

“Second Miss, madam requests your presence in the Shuiyun Hall.”

Just as the two returned to the residence, a young maid intercepted them.

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When Lin Qingwu arrived with Zhixin, she found Yun Shang, Zhi Yi, and several familiar faces gathered there.

However, the room was surrounded by household guards, separating them from Lin Qingwu and Zhixin.

“What is the meaning of this?” Lin Qingwu stepped forward and looked at Jiang Shi, who sat calmly drinking tea.

Jiang Shi feigned surprise upon seeing her. “Qingwu has returned.”

She rose with a smile. “I was just waiting for you…”

“Do you want to die?” Lin Qingwu stared coldly.

“What?” Jiang Shi seemed not to hear clearly and leaned in closer.

“I said, my mother passed away three years ago. What exactly are you?” Lin Qingwu scrutinized her from head to toe, stepping closer with a warning, “If you dare call yourself my mother again, I’ll dig a pit and bury you in it.”

“You! How dare you speak to me like that?!” Jiang Shi stumbled back and fell into a chair, trembling with anger, pointing at Lin Qingwu. “No matter what, I am your elder. How can you be so disrespectful?”

“Mother, please don’t be angry. Sister surely didn’t mean it,” Lin Qingyun hurried forward to soothe Jiang Shi.

She then looked anxiously at Lin Qingwu. “Sister, you’ve gone too far. Mother is our father’s lawful wife. It’s only natural for us children to call her mother. How could you say such things?”

“That’s your mother. Don’t drag me into it,” Lin Qingwu shot her a cold glance, her tone devoid of emotion.

Lin Qingyun’s eyes immediately welled with tears. “Sister, did I say something wrong?”

“Yun’er is timid by nature. Why trouble her?” Jiang Shi quickly stepped forward, protectively pulling Lin Qingyun behind her.

Then, with a stern face, she looked at Lin Qingwu. “Today, I’ve been presumptuous. I thought that by marrying the Duke and becoming the mistress of this house, I would treat you children as my own. But I never imagined you would be so undisciplined—”