son, don't mess around

In the cold and quiet room, the gauze curtains blocked the light from outside the window, making the room slightly dim.

The neatly arranged and clean room is filled with a unique fragrance.

Lin Jiangnian was very familiar with this aura.

It was so unforgettable that when I smelled it again, my peaceful mood was quickly broken.

Obviously, since he entered the third level, his mind had become more stable. But now, his heart was once again in turmoil.

Lin Jiangnian raised his eyes and scanned the structure of the room. It was a woman's boudoir with a slightly warm tone. The flowers placed on the window sill seemed to have not been watered for a few days and were gradually withering. On the wall not far away were several valuable landscape paintings, and under the paintings was a bookshelf, but the books on it were neatly arranged, and it was obvious that they had not been moved for a long time.

Lin Jiangnian's gaze swept across until it stopped behind the screen in front.

The qingxuan screen hanging in the middle of the room seemed to divide the room into two. Behind the screen was the most private part of the woman's boudoir.

Through the screen, a figure can be vaguely seen, half-sitting on the bed.

When Lin Jiangnian saw this figure, he felt something strange in his heart. He paused for a moment before walking behind the screen.

But soon, a hoarse and cold voice sounded.

"stop."

The voice was cold and distant.

Lin Jiangnian paused, looked behind the screen, and said, "Aunt."

"I'm not your aunt!"

The cold voice came from behind the screen again, interrupting Lin Jiangnian.

It was so cold that it seemed extremely unfamiliar.

Hearing this, Lin Jiangnian sighed inwardly.

Yeah, they really don’t recognize him anymore.

It was expected, but I didn't expect that my aunt would choose to do it in such a cold way.

"Auntie, are you okay?"

The cold voice behind the screen sounded again: "I'm not your aunt, don't call me that!"

As if he could hear his aunt's angry tone, Lin Jiangnian asked tentatively: "Then, Yuxiang?"

If you are not allowed to call me aunt, it’s okay to call me by my name, right?
But as soon as this name was uttered, the vague figure behind the screen seemed to sway suddenly, as if it was not sitting steadily.

"Shut up!"

The cold voice seemed to have a hint of panic, and also seemed a little exasperated.

"Who told you to call me that?!"

Lin Jiangnian stood outside the screen and sighed, "You don't allow me to call you aunt, nor do you allow me to call you Yuxiang, so what should I call you?"

"..."

"Don't shout, I don't know you, get out!"

His voice grew angrier, but still cold.

Suppressing the anger and panic in my heart.

Lin Jiangnian did not leave. He hesitated in silence and then walked directly behind the screen.

Through the screen, the private areas of the woman's boudoir can be seen clearly.

This was Lin Jiangnian's first time here. He looked around quietly and his eyes fell on the figure on the bed behind the screen. A woman with a pure and elegant temperament was sitting on the bed, staring at him with a shy and somewhat flustered look.

"Who, who let you in?!"

There was panic on her face, and she looked fierce but weak.

Lin Jiangnian looked at her quietly. His aunt looked pale and her flawless skin seemed dull, like a rough jade covered with dust.

But even so, it is still difficult to conceal the mature feminine aura in her, just like a fine wine that has been sealed for a long time. The charm it exudes after being opened reaches its peak at this moment.

Lin Jiangnian's heart was also filled with an emotion that was difficult to conceal. He looked at Jiang Yuxiang sitting on the bed quietly, without saying a word, just looking at her.

At this moment, Jiang Yuxiang's heart was suddenly extremely anxious.

Obviously, every time she saw Lin Jiangnian in the past, she was aggressive and even very confident. But this time, she couldn't hide her panic in her heart, and she didn't even dare to look him in the eye.

Under Lin Jiangnian's gaze, Jiang Yuxiang looked away stiffly. Her voice trembled even more: "Who let you in?!"

She repeated it again, her voice even colder, as if trying to embolden herself.

However, the effect is minimal.

Lin Jiangnian took one step closer, two steps, three steps...

With every step closer, Jiang Yuxiang's heart seemed to hang in the air. Until finally, it almost reached her throat.

Lin Jiangnian stopped beside the bed, in front of Jiang Yuxiang, and looked at her quietly.

"Auntie."

Lin Jiangnian suddenly called out softly.

Jiang Yuxiang did not respond, and her eyes still did not fall on Lin Jiangnian. Her face was cold, as if she was trying hard to remain indifferent.

until……

Lin Jiangnian suddenly knelt down slowly in front of Jiang Yuxiang.

"Auntie, I'm sorry."

Lin Jiangnian spoke slowly and in a heavy voice.

At this moment, all around was quiet.

Jiang Yuxiang, who caught a glimpse of this scene from the corner of her eye, froze in place. Then, panic surged into her heart, an indescribable panic.

She was a little dazed, looking at Lin Jiangnian who suddenly knelt in front of her in panic, her mind going blank.

I never expected... that he would do this?!

This kneeling seemed to disrupt all her hidden and disguised emotions.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

Lin Jiangnian's voice was low and calm. When he saw his aunt's pale and weak face, the guilt in his heart became stronger.

Even though he knew that he had to do it out of necessity, it still caused irreversible consequences.

To be honest, this nominal aunt has always been very kind to Lin Jiangnian since the first time she met Jiang Yuxiang.

She really treated Lin Jiangnian as a junior and took care of him, even to the point of being extremely protective.

Now that this has happened, he is responsible no matter what.

"The situation was urgent. In order to save you, I had to..."

"No matter what, I'm sorry..."

"..."

Lin Jiangnian's voice gradually reminded Jiang Yuxiang of her previous memories. Her breathing became rapid and her emotions gradually became agitated.

Is she angry?

Naturally I am angry.

How could she not be angry after something like that happened?
Until now, she has not accepted this fact.

only……

Do you blame him?
Jiang Yuxiang thought about it carefully, but found that she didn't have much intention of blaming him.

After all, in that situation, he had no choice.

In a sense, he even saved her life.

only……

Jiang Yuxiang remained silent.

What was most difficult for her to accept was not Lin Jiangnian's behavior, but...

Jiang Yuxiang slowly closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Her originally cold tone softened a little.

"Get up."

Lin Jiangnian stood up slowly.

Jiang Yuxiang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "You can't be blamed for what happened this time."

"After all, you're trying to save me."

"So, just treat it as a misunderstanding."

Her voice seemed to tremble slightly, but then she steadied herself, "…just pretend it never happened, and no one is allowed to tell anyone or mention it again!"

At this point, she looked up and stared at Lin Jiangnian: "Don't mention it again, and don't let anyone know, especially Zhiyuan... Do you understand?" Lin Jiangnian looked into her eyes, was silent for a moment, and nodded: "Okay."

The huge mountain hanging in Jiang Yuxiang's heart seemed to fall down suddenly, and she felt a lot more relieved.

Before she met Lin Jiangnian, she was extremely flustered and terrified. But after seeing him, she calmed down.

The imagined scene did not happen.

Everything is peaceful.

In fact, it was so calm that she felt a little dazed.

After a long silence, she finally figured out the reason.

Before she met Lin Jiangnian, she was extremely worried and afraid that their relationship would deteriorate.

She was worried that Lin Jiangnian would say something outrageous or do something that would terrify her.

I was even more worried that she would break up with Zhiyuan because of this incident.

This was what she was most worried about.

However, the current situation seems to be under control.

The first thing Lin Jiangnian did when he appeared in front of her was to apologize to her. This made Jiang Yuxiang, who had been panicking for a long time, stunned, and her heart, which had been hanging in the air, suddenly let go.

And what she said just now was, in a sense, self-deception. She was warning Lin Jiangnian, and also warning herself.

Unexpectedly, Lin Jiangnian agreed and followed her wishes without any disobedience.

This made Jiang Yuxiang completely relieved.

It seems like nothing has changed.

She is still her, and he is still him.

And what happened that night can be completely regarded as a dream, it's just... that's all.

Nothing.

As long as no one mentions it, it won’t happen!
Jiang Yuxiang told herself this silently in her heart.

How could Lin Jiangnian not know what his aunt was thinking?
However, since she chose to play dumb, Lin Jiangnian did not refute.

This may be the best outcome at the moment.

"Auntie, how is your health?"

Lin Jiangnian spoke up to break the silence and change the subject.

"Fortunately."

Jiang Yuxiang took a deep breath and looked away slightly: "Anything else?"

"If you have nothing to do, please leave now and don't disturb my rest."

Her tone was natural, and seemed a little impatient, but one could still hear the deliberate distance in her tone.

Obviously, even if she said that it didn't happen, could she really do that?
Lin Jiangnian did not leave. He came to see his aunt today, not only to apologize, but also for other more important things.

"Aunt, all the people who framed you this time have been found out."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuxiang's face condensed slightly, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

It was precisely because of this frame-up and drugging that led to the current situation. Jiang Yuxiang was naturally angry.

"who is it?"

She had a vague answer in her mind, but she wasn't sure.

"Sun Yan teamed up with Xu Xiuzhu to set up a scheme to do something bad to my aunt."

Lin Jiangnian slowly told Sun Yan and Xu Xiuzhu's plan: "Sun Yan bribed and used Yu Yunyao. She knew that Yu Yunyao had a good relationship with you, so she took the opportunity to let you, my aunt, let down your guard..."

When Lin Jiangnian finished speaking, the room suddenly fell silent.

Jiang Yuxiang was still sitting by the bed, but her expression was silent, and there seemed to be a mixture of indescribable emotions. There was astonishment, realization, disbelief, disappointment, and an indescribable sadness.

She had expected it, but she just didn't want to believe it.

She lowered her eyes slightly, and after a long moment, the sadness on her face became stronger. She murmured in a trance, "Why?"

Lin Jiangnian was silent.

Don't know how to answer.

Being betrayed by her best sister since childhood was undoubtedly the heaviest blow to her.

Not to mention her, even Lin Jiangnian was deceived. Otherwise, he would never have left his aunt alone in the room.

At this time, no matter what you say, it will be of no use.

"Where is she?"

After a long time, Jiang Yuxiang suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Lin Jiangnian.

Lin Jiangnian said: "I ordered her to be imprisoned in Yangzhou City."

Jiang Yuxiang clenched his fists and said in a deep voice: "I want to see her!"

"it is good."

Lin Jiangnian nodded: "I'll order someone to bring her here."

"no need."

Jiang Yuxiang slowly got up from the bed and said, "I'll go see her."

Seeing that her face was pale and her body was trembling slightly when she stood up and she was standing unsteadily, Lin Jiangnian was a little worried and wanted to say something, but he saw that her eyes were sad, yet unusually firm.

In the end, Lin Jiangnian said nothing and just nodded.

……

In a secret room of a house in Yangzhou city.

It was dark and airless, and there was an unpleasant smell in the air.

A woman with a delicate and pretty face, wearing a brocade dress and outstanding temperament, was sitting in the corner, staring blankly ahead, no one knew what she was thinking about.

Her eyes were dull, and her face was sometimes panic, sometimes relief, and sometimes guilt.

She looked distraught. She should have been a graceful lady, but now she looked disheveled, with disheveled hair and messy dress.

Until the door of the secret room was opened.

A faint light came on in the secret room, and the dazzling light made her unable to open her eyes. After trying hard to adapt, she vaguely saw a figure appear in the room.

A familiar male figure.

A look of fear flashed across her eyes, followed by a look of relief.

What was supposed to come finally came.

She stared quietly at Lin Jiangnian in front of her. He looked down at her with cold eyes, and his whole body vaguely revealed an aura that made her tremble with fear.

But that handsome face made her feel jealous again.

Then, she gave a sudden bitter laugh.

It seemed that she couldn't escape that despicable jealousy after all.

"Is she okay?"

Yu Yunyao spoke in a hoarse and weak voice.

Lin Jiangnian stared at her coldly: "Does this have anything to do with you?"

She looked dazed. Yes, it had nothing to do with her anymore!
"Just kill me."

Yu Yunyao gave a bitter smile, her voice was weak and her expression was calm; she was seeking death.

She knew that she could not survive.

Whether Jiang Yuxiang was still alive or not, she was doomed to die.

Lin Jiangnian walked slowly to her and stared at her with cold eyes: "Why do you do this?"

Yu Yunyao didn't say anything.

"You are her best friend, her most trusted friend, why would you betray her!"

Lin Jiangnian asked in a deep voice.

"best friend?"

Yu Yunyao muttered to herself, looking a little dazed.

Then, a hint of sarcasm appeared on her face, "I am not her best friend."

"From the beginning, it was never..." (End of this chapter)