Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 38: Pure Green Tea Flavor
"Ms. Lin, I really didn't expect that you are the one in the legend..." Having said that, she stopped talking.

"Three without a thousand gold?" Lin Zhiqing continued with a smile.

Miss Hua took an awkward sip of tea. "That's just how I am. Don't be offended. You and those people are saying different things. I really don't connect the two Lin Zhiqings together."

She looked frank and calm when she said this, and it was obvious that she was telling the truth.

"That's fine." Lin Zhiqing glanced at the people who were secretly observing him and said, "Three people can make a tiger. Just be yourself."

Princess Pingning, who was sitting at the same table, nodded in agreement after hearing this. "Don't trust rumors. Although Miss Lin did some foolish things in the past, she is different now."

As she spoke, she skillfully ordered a cup of tea and placed it in front of Lin Zhiqing.

When the others saw this, they thought of the story of Lin Zhiqing murdering his cousin that had been spread in Shengjing City some time ago. Their eyes flashed, and they started discussing it in groups of three or five.

"The princess's tea-making skills are excellent. My grandfather told me to learn from her. You should try it." Miss Hua was completely unaware of the twists and turns and enthusiastically invited Lin Zhiqing to taste it.

Looking at the princess with her eyes downcast, her smile barely reaching her eyes, Lin Zhiqing calmly picked up the teacup and took a sip: "It tastes really good. The princess's cooking skills are even better than the maid who specializes in making tea beside my cousin."

As soon as these words were spoken, Princess Pingning's face froze and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Miss Hua, however, didn't notice anything wrong and nodded in agreement, "The princess is very clever and skillful. None of the maids in the scholar's mansion have such skills."

"That's right." Lin Zhiqing chuckled and said no more.

She felt relieved when she saw Princess Pingning was so angry that she was about to vomit blood but was still pretending to be calm.

Princess Pingning mentioned the tea-making matter calmly just now, simply to remind everyone present of the recent rumors surrounding her.

Lin Zhiqing praised the princess's tea-making skills, which seemed to be a compliment to her, but he compared her to a maid, which was not a good thing at all.

She didn't want to offend the princess, but ever since everyone discovered her arrival, the princess had been fanning the flames, trying to drive her away or embarrass herself.

Blindly tolerating will only make the princess go further.

Lin Zhiqing had already thought of a way out. Anyway, he had the reputation of being a "three-no rich man", so he could just pretend to be stupid and let it go.

Unexpectedly, Miss Hua agreed and brought the people from the Bachelor's Mansion in. In this way, the princess was unable to get angry.

There were many smart people at the scene. After seeing such a good show, they were all afraid of getting into trouble. While drinking tea with their heads down, they silently thought about Lin Zhiqing's performance today.

However, Miss Hua did not notice the tense atmosphere in the room, and continued to chat and laugh with Lin Zhiqing and the princess.

Lin Zhiqing is not arrogant. He smiles when he should smile and responds when he should respond, and he does it with ease.

On the contrary, the princess' smile was a little forced, and she only answered a sentence or two from time to time.

When everyone saw this situation, they all tacitly thought that Lin Zhiqing's performance was more generous.

Of course, no one dared to say this out loud.

The only voice left in the entire pavilion was Miss Hua's. Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere did not last long.

The maid from the Bachelor's Mansion informed Miss Hua and led everyone to the house in the center of the lake.

Even though Lin Zhiqing was mentally prepared, he was still shocked by the inhumanity of the Bachelor's Mansion.

Miss Hua raised the corner of her mouth and said, "All the flowers and plants on this island were brought from Bianliang."

"Miss Hua is very generous, and the scenery is breathtaking. At first glance, there are several kinds of flowers and plants that I have never seen before." Princess Pingning used her compliments to point out the names of several rare flowers and plants at once.

This is clearly showing off one's knowledge.

Everyone watched and praised Princess Pingning in unison. Lin Zhiqing, following the edge of the group, spotted a few unusual chrysanthemums.

She hadn't walked a few steps with the crowd when she heard the voices of a group of men talking loudly.

In an instant, blushes appeared on the cheeks of all the women present.

Not long after, a group of well-dressed young men came over from the other end.

Lin Zhiqing saw Jiang Liuyun and Lu Huai at a glance. Both of them looked really outstanding.

Although they all brought their partners, many young ladies also turned their attention to these two.

Miss Hua stepped forward and talked to the leading man, and then the two teams walked towards the pavilion in the middle of the lake together.

At this time, the male and female partners who had come together before naturally came together again.

Lin Zhiqing got a headache whenever she thought of Jiang Liuyun and Lu Huai, so she deliberately stayed at the end of the list.

Lin Shi'an had no intention of looking for Lin Zhiqing and was having a pleasant chat with Lu Huai. However, Jiang Liuyun left his "partner" and walked towards the back.

Seeing this, Princess Pingning's eyes flashed and she slowed down her pace.

The thing that Lin Zhiqing least wanted to face happened.

"Qing'er." Jiang Liuyun walked side by side with her and called softly, "I just heard that something happened over there. Are you okay?"

Lin Zhiqing thought he would question why he didn't choose him as a partner, but he didn't ask anything.

This made Lin Zhiqing feel a little relieved: "It's okay, just a small matter."

"If you like that prize, I will definitely help you get it." He lowered his voice, his eyes shining.

Compared to the prize, Lin Zhiqing cared more about another thing: "Why did you team up with Lu Huai?"

"The invitations for the Spring Banquet are limited and are only given to female members. I couldn't get one." Jiang Liuyun touched his nose and said, "Lu Huai has one, it's from Miss Lu, so I shamelessly came with him."

"I'm always worried about you being alone." He said this and quietly took out a brocade box:
"You're dressed very differently today. If you add this, it will look even better."

It was a rectangular box, probably containing something like a hairpin.

"This is too expensive, I can't accept it." Lin Zhiqing waved his hand and refused without thinking.

Jiang Liuyun scratched his head and was about to say something when he heard the voice of Princess Pingning:
"Prince Jiang, I accidentally lost my brocade fan. Could you please help me find it?"

Jiang Liuyun paused and put the brocade box away. "Qing'er, you go first. I'll be right back."

Lin Zhiqing nodded and walked past the two of them.

When she passed by Princess Pingning, she turned her head slightly and saw the fan that was deliberately thrown down among the flowers.

As if she had noticed Lin Zhiqing's gaze, Princess Pingning smiled slightly and said, "I'll just lend it to Prince Jiang for a while. Miss Lin, please don't be so petty."

Mmm... Such a pure green tea flavor.

"The princess is indeed very good at tea art, and she exudes the fragrance of West Lake Longjing." Lin Zhiqing said lightly, and then walked forward on his own.

Princess Pingning was left standing there, confused as to what he meant.

(End of this chapter)