son, don't mess around

Outside the hospital.

Tao Ya stood at the courtyard gate, straining her ears to try and hear anything coming from inside. But she was too far away to hear anything more than some indistinct conversations.

She frowned, seemingly lost in thought.

Until, footsteps approached in the courtyard.

Tao Ya was startled and took two steps back. When she looked up at the courtyard gate again, she saw Lü Xuan walking out of the courtyard.

"Husband?!"

Upon seeing this, Tao Ya immediately stepped forward.

"Ya'er!"

When Lü Xuan saw Tao Ya outside the courtyard, he forced a smile. Tao Ya quickly noticed that Lü Xuan's expression was off; seeing his gloomy eyes, she immediately asked worriedly, "What's wrong? What happened?"

As she spoke, Tao Ya glanced into the courtyard and asked anxiously, "Did the Prince of Lin make things difficult for you?"

Lu Xuan's expression darkened; it looked quite unpleasant.

He looked at Tao Ya in front of him and said in a deep voice, "Ya'er, he made an unreasonable request... He wants to see you."

"See me?!"

Upon hearing this, Tao Ya froze on the spot, unable to process what she was hearing.

The Crown Prince of Lin requests an audience with him.

"What do you want with me?!"

"I am not sure as well."

Lu Xuan's face was very ugly. Why did the Crown Prince of Lin want to see Ya'er?

He and Ya'er were complete strangers. Why would she suddenly ask to see his wife in front of him, her husband?
Lu Xuan felt uneasy, a strong sense of unease welling up inside him.

At this moment, Tao Ya seemed to realize something, and her expression changed slightly.

"My lord, that...that Crown Prince of Lin, could he be..."

As if remembering something, Tao Ya turned pale and became so nervous that she seemed to stutter a little.

Lu Xuan clenched his fists tightly under his sleeves: "Ya'er, don't be afraid. This is our Lu family. No matter how bold he is, he wouldn't dare to do anything to you in our Lu family."

"Yes, but..."

Tao Ya looked weak and her face was full of worry: "I had heard before that the Prince of Lin is a complete wastrel, bullying men and women... I heard that many women have been played with by him..."

These words made Lü Xuan's face even more gloomy, almost turning as black as charcoal.

He was naturally aware of this matter. Could it be anything good that the Prince of Lin suddenly wanted to see his wife? Lü Xuan certainly didn't believe that the Prince of Lin had no ulterior motives.

But can he refuse?
He is, after all, the heir of the Prince of Lin. If we refuse, the consequences will be unimaginable.

He couldn't refuse.

"Ya'er, don't worry, I will definitely protect you!"

Lu Xuan said angrily, "If he dares to do anything to you, I will fight him to the death!"

At this moment, Tao Ya felt flustered.

She was naturally aware of her husband's thoughts and ideas; could she refuse?

No!

That's the Crown Prince of Lin. If the Crown Prince of Lin wants to see her, how can she refuse?

Moreover, the Lü family has now lost all power and has no right to resist.

Thinking of this, Tao Ya became increasingly panicked. However, she quickly calmed down and took a deep breath.

“My husband is right. Since he wants to see me, I have no choice but to see him.”

Tao Ya tried to calm herself down, and looking at her husband's gloomy face, she comforted him, "Husband, don't worry, things haven't gotten to the worst yet."

As if remembering something, Tao Ya gritted her teeth: "If he dares to do anything to me, I would rather die than submit!"

"Even if I die, I will remain chaste for my husband and never submit!"

"..."

In the hall.

Lin Jiangnian leaned comfortably against the main seat, eating snacks and fruit brought by the servants while closing his eyes contentedly, looking completely relaxed.

What's wrong with the Crown Prince of Lin enjoying himself?
Unfortunately, the Lü family was not sensible and refused to provide two beautiful maids to keep them company.

Lin Jiangnian sighed, but then he thought that now that the Lü family had fallen on hard times, it was already difficult for them to maintain their facade, and they probably didn't have any extra maids.

Even if she did, her looks probably wouldn't catch Lin Jiangnian's eye.

Thinking this, footsteps sounded again in the courtyard. Lin Jiangnian opened his eyes and saw two figures appear in the quiet courtyard.

First was Lü Xuan with a sullen expression, followed by an elegant woman behind him.

The two walked into the courtyard one after the other.

"Your Highness."

Lu Xuan forced a smile: "This humble subject has brought my wife."

Upon hearing this, Lü Xuan felt a wave of humiliation.

It's as if you're an incompetent husband who gave his newlywed wife to another man, willingly wearing a green hat and becoming part of another man's relationship with your wife... Although that's not the exact meaning, it's remarkably similar.

Isn't he just that incompetent right now?

The thought made Lü Xuan feel even more humiliated, his face burned, and his heart filled with grief and indignation.

Tao Ya, following behind Lü Xuan, walked out cautiously. Compared to Lü Xuan, although she was cautious, she also appeared very calm and deliberate. She looked at Lin Jiangnian, who was sitting in the main seat, and bowed.

"This humble servant, Tao Ya, greets Your Highness!"

Inside the hall, Lin Jiangnian's gaze skipped over Lü Xuan and landed on Tao Ya, who had a delicate appearance, behind him.

It must be said that this young lady of the Tao family has a very beautiful face, and she exudes the mature and charming aura of a young lady from a prominent family.

Women raised in aristocratic families are inherently very different from women from ordinary families. The difference is not only in appearance, but also in temperament and the aristocratic etiquette in every gesture.

This eldest daughter of the Tao family, who is already married, possesses an even more indescribable charm.

...It smells like a married woman.

However, Lin Jiangnian didn't have any particular fondness for married women.

He quietly examined Tao Ya before him, looking at her intently, as if he were admiring some priceless treasure.

Lu Xuan, standing to the side, naturally noticed Lin Jiangnian's gaze. That intense gaze was practically fixed on his wife. Lu Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and the feeling of humiliation intensified… Could it be that the Crown Prince of Lin really had taken a liking to his wife?
What if the Prince of Lin were to act unreasonably and try to seize it by force...?

At this moment, Lü Xuan felt a little flustered.

His Lü family is no longer what it used to be; where does he now have even a shred of power? If this Prince Lin's heir really wants to forcibly seize it, he can only watch helplessly and go to the authorities to file a complaint with the emperor.

But would any of this be of any use to the infamous Crown Prince of Lin?
Lu Xuan's heart sank.

At this moment, Tao Ya also noticed that the Prince of Lin's gaze was fixed on her, as if he wanted to see her completely naked.

For some reason, Tao Ya felt that the Crown Prince's gaze was very meaningful, carrying an aggressive quality, yet not intense. This feeling made Tao Ya extremely uncomfortable.

Few people dared to stare at her like that, not even her husband.

But right now, the Prince of Lin's gaze was so direct and bold that Tao Ya felt a sense of dread, as if her privacy was being exposed.

Especially since all of this happened in front of her husband, Tao Ya felt even more ashamed.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Tao Ya's voice trembled slightly, and she lowered her head under Lin Jiangnian's gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Your Highness, why are you staring at me like that?"

"Young Madam Lü is exceptionally beautiful, a rare sight indeed. I, the young master, was captivated by her beauty for a moment."

Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but sigh. These words made Tao Ya's heart skip a beat, and Lu Xuan's face became even more unpleasant.

They've stopped performing already?!

To harass his wife like that in front of him?!

Do they really no longer take him seriously?
Lu Xuan bit his lip until it almost bled, continuing to suppress the humiliation and anger in his heart.

"Yes, thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

At this moment, Tao Ya suppressed her discomfort and said, "I am just an ordinary woman. How could I possibly be worthy of Your Highness's praise?"

"What? Are you questioning my judgment?" Lin Jiangnian's appearance was exactly like that of a spoiled scion of a noble family.

"I don't dare."

"It's okay if you don't dare."

Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes slightly, patted the seat next to him with a half-smile, and said, "Young Madam Lü, don't stand, come and sit down. It's a rare occasion, and I would like to have a good chat with you."

Tao Ya's expression changed, and she subconsciously turned to look at Lü Xuan.

Lu Xuan's face turned extremely ugly, his eyes almost spitting fire, his lips trembled, and just as he was about to explode, Tao Ya quickly gave him a look.

Don't fall out with them!

This Prince Lin is clearly doing it on purpose; we absolutely must not fall for his trap.

Seeing the look his wife gave him, Lü Xuan finally realized what was happening, and secretly took a few deep breaths to suppress his anger.

Don't fall out with them!

"Your Highness, isn't this inappropriate?"

At this moment, Tao Ya forced a smile and said with difficulty, "Your Highness is of noble birth, how dare I sit next to you? Besides, Your Highness is not yet married, while I am already married. If this has any impact on Your Highness, I will be willing to die for it."

Use retreat to advance.

However, Lin Jiangnian was not buying it at all.

"If I say you can, then you can. As for what gets out..."

Lin Jiangnian gave Lü Xuan a meaningful look: "There are no outsiders here, how could word get out?"

Tao Ya forced a smile: "But Your Highness..."

"Come and sit."

Lin Jiangnian changed his tone and spoke calmly.

The smile on his face had become more meaningful.

Tao Ya's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Lü Xuan beside her, took a deep breath, and forced a smile, saying, "Since Your Highness requests it, then I will be imposing my will!"

As she spoke, Tao Ya slowly walked forward and sat down in the seat next to Lin Jiangnian.

Lu Xuan stood there, watching helplessly as his wife was forced to sit next to the Prince of Lin. Her forced, ingratiating smile looked exactly like someone being coerced.

And he... an incompetent husband!

Just then, Lin Jiangnian's calm voice rang out again: "If Young Master Lü has nothing else to say, you may step down."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Xuan suddenly looked up, his anger finally becoming uncontrollable.

Should we make him step down?
He left his wife alone with the Crown Prince of Lin?
What does he want to do?
Is there even a need to guess?!
Just as Lü Xuan was about to speak angrily, he heard Lin Jiangnian's voice again: "Young Master Lü, what's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Are you angry with me?"

That indifferent tone was like a bucket of cold water being poured over me.

Lu Xuan looked up and met Lin Jiangnian's indifferent gaze.

At that moment, Lü Xuan felt a chill in his heart, and a deep sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.

He realized... that was a threatening look.

Calm, yet chilling.

"Your Highness..."

He knew perfectly well that the Prince of Lin was doing this on purpose, but there was nothing he could do. He even had to watch helplessly as his wife…

At this moment, Lü Xuan felt like a useless piece of trash.

Even if he's angry, so what?

Even if you point your finger at the Crown Prince and berate him, what good will it do?

What else could be done besides turning the Prince of Lin against the family and plunging the Lü family into an even more chaotic situation?

At this moment, Lü Xuan was undoubtedly in despair.

As the son of a former Minister of Personnel, he had been a member of the elite since childhood, and for the first time felt a deep sense of despair and powerlessness in the face of power...

Just as he was in despair, he met the gaze of Tao Ya, who was sitting next to Lin Jiangnian. Tao Ya looked worried and shook her head slightly at him, signaling him not to act rashly.

Then she gave him a reassuring look, while also expressing her determination... she would absolutely not let the Prince of Lin succeed.

Lu Xuan's eyes flickered with uncertainty, and finally, he closed them in anguish.

"This humble subject dares not."

He lowered his head, almost biting his lip until it bled: "Then, this humble subject will not disturb Your Highness any longer."

With that, Lü Xuan slowly turned around and left the hall, looking utterly dejected.

After Lü Xuan left, only Lin Jiangnian and Tao Ya, who was sitting next to him, remained in the hall.

Tao Ya was very nervous at that moment.

She sat upright, her whole body tense, a forced smile still on her face, but her entire being was filled with vigilance and resistance.

She sensed danger approaching.

At this moment, all around was silent. A man and a woman were alone. What did the Prince of Lin want with her?
Is it really...

Lin Jiangnian brazenly scrutinized the woman beside him; at such close range, he could see her clearly. Tao Ya, standing nearby, could also clearly feel Lin Jiangnian's intense, predatory, and scrutinizing gaze.

She even vaguely sensed a scorching heat emanating from the side, as if it wanted to devour her.

"Mrs. Lü, you are indeed beautiful and charming!"

Beside them, Lin Jiangnian's voice of admiration and praise rang out again.

Tao Ya forced a smile: "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

"I've long heard of Madam Lü's name, but seeing her today truly makes this young master's eyes light up! Tsk!"

Lin Jiangnian clicked his tongue in admiration, then suddenly asked casually, "Young Madam Lü's breathing is steady; she seems to be a martial arts practitioner?"

"Where did Madam Lü learn her martial arts?"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Tao Ya's eyes. But she quickly regained her composure.

"Your Highness, I used to practice some martial arts with the guards in the manor, just for physical fitness, nothing serious."

"Unfit for the mainstream?"

Lin Jiangnian chuckled: "I don't think so?"

"Young Madam Lü's martial arts skills are quite impressive; she must be at least a fourth or fifth-rank master. With such strength, she's already on the list of top masters, so how can she be considered mediocre?"

As Lin Jiangnian spoke softly, he kept his eyes fixed on Tao Ya's, gradually moving closer to her. By the time Lin Jiangnian finished speaking, he was already right in front of Tao Ya.

A calm tone, a figure gradually approaching.

At that moment, Tao Ya felt a chill run down her spine, as if some secret had been revealed to the public.

Horrifying!
Almost every pore on my body stood on end.

What did he find out?!

...(End of chapter)