When I stopped licking, the lady panicked.

Seeing the atmosphere become somewhat serious, Nalan Xiao quickly smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "As expected of a descendant of the Prince of Zhenbei, like father, like son."

Seeing that Nalan Xiao had taken the initiative to show weakness, Lin Xuan stopped pursuing the matter and said, "Uncle Nalan, you are too kind. I was just doing my duty."

Nalan Xiao smiled, deciding not to make a fool of himself, and then asked Nalan Qinghan, "Qinghan, when did you go out?"

Nalan Qinghan said, "Last night I went to Master Xiaoxiang's room to deliver tea, and then I was ambushed by Master Xiaoxiang. It was Prince Lin who brought me back."

"Oh?" Upon hearing Nalan Qinghan say that Lin Xuan had brought her back, Nalan Xiao became even more curious about Lin Xuan.

What's wrong with Lin Xuan? In just half a month, he seems like a completely different person.

Could it be that he has a master mentoring him?

"The Venerable One plotted against you?" Nalan Xiao feigned surprise. "Where is he? I'll go and demand an explanation."

Nalan Qinghan intended to answer truthfully, but Lin Xuan beat her to it: "He's probably already run away."

Nalan Xiao immediately sent someone to check on Master Xiaoxiang's room. Soon, the servant returned and reported that Master Xiaoxiang was no longer in the room.

Nalan Xiao frowned, glanced at Lin Xuan, and thought: This kid must have revealed something to Master Xiaoxiang in private, so he took the initiative to strike first. You, Lin Xuan, ruined the Nalan family's important affairs. How can I let you off easily?

"Send men to investigate immediately," Nalan Xiao ordered, feigning seriousness.

"Yes." The servant withdrew.

Nalan Xiao asked a maid to serve tea. After taking a few sips, Nalan Xiao said, "Young Master Lin, the annual martial arts competition is about to begin."

"It is said that your father stood out through the martial arts examination."

"You must be determined to win this martial arts competition, right?"

Lin Xuan keenly sensed a hint of danger, but remained calm and said, "I wouldn't dare, I'll just do my best."

"Young Master Lin is too modest," Nalan Xiao said with a smile. "The city lord presides over the martial arts competition every year. As the city lord's son-in-law, you are bound to shine. It's just that there are a few more people from the imperial court at this year's competition."

"Oh? Which officials from the imperial court?" Lin Xuan asked.

Nalan Xiao said, "The thirteenth prince and his wife."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan was shocked.

The thirteenth prince, Xiao Ke, had already been killed by him in the Beacon Fire Forest, so he certainly couldn't be there.

As for the Thirteenth Prince's Consort, she probably won't be coming either.

After all, her husband is gone, so there's no point in her coming alone.

It's unclear whether Nalan Xiao truly didn't know Xiao Ke was dead, or whether he was deliberately trying to trick Lin Xuan into revealing information.

"Why are members of the royal family participating this year?" Lin Xuan asked.

Nalan Xiao smiled and said, "Because of previous instances of favoritism and corruption, from this year onwards, members of the royal family will participate in and supervise the annual martial arts competition."

Lin Xuan nodded, pondering the matter.

Since the thirteenth prince and his wife will come, now that he is dead, will he be replaced by another prince or someone from the Heavenly Fire Palace?

Lin Xuan wasn't too worried about these things. His only concern was that the Third Prince might take the opportunity to settle personal scores.

After a brief chat, Lin Xuan made an excuse to return to the Lin residence.

After Lin Xuan left, the smile on Nalan Xiao's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a ruthless and calculating look.

……

Upon returning to the Lin residence, Lin Xuan had just entered when he heard a commotion outside.

When he went outside, he saw a group of royal guards standing in front of the mansion, led by a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes with a cold and elegant demeanor.

It was Luo Qingxue.

Upon seeing that the visitor was Luo Qingxue, Lin Xuan smiled slightly, tilted his head, looked at her on her tall horse, and said, "I am deeply sorry for not welcoming the Third Prince's Consort to my humble abode. Why don't we go inside and chat to ease our longing?"

Luo Qingxue naturally understood the teasing in his words, her face flushed, and she scolded, "Lin Xuan, don't try to play games with me."

Lin Xuan smiled but remained silent.

He couldn't resist Luo Qingxue when she was naked, but he could easily control her when she was dressed.

"I have come here today to discuss something with you," Luo Qingxue said, dismounting from her horse.

Lin Xuan asked, "What is it?"

Luo Qingxue said, "Let's go inside and talk."

"Shall we go inside?" Lin Xuan asked with a smile.

Luo Qingxue retorted angrily, "If you continue to speak so rudely, I'm leaving."

Lin Xuan said, "Take care."

"you!"

Luo Qingxue stomped her feet in anger.

In all her life, no one had ever dared to disobey her like this.

After all, she was the daughter of the Left Prime Minister, and had lived a pampered life since childhood. All her peers, both men and women, talented men and beautiful women, treated her with utmost respect.

Lin Xuan, on the other hand, not only had a bad reputation, but he also dared to defy her wishes so blatantly.

But when it comes to hatred, Luo Qingxue couldn't bring herself to hate; in fact, she felt a strange pleasure from the offense.

"Are you trying to send me away? Then I'll go back and tell His Majesty right now." Luo Qingxue used the emperor to scare Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan replied, "I didn't. You were the one who wanted to leave."

"Then I'm not leaving now. Take me inside," Luo Qingxue said angrily.

Lin Xuan smiled and said, "Please."

He ordered his guards to make way and led Luo Qingxue into the Lin residence.

When Uncle An saw the Third Prince's wife arrive, he instinctively became wary.

Lin Xuan gave Uncle An a wink, and Uncle An immediately understood and went to attend to his own business.

Upon entering the main hall, Lin Xuan instructed his servants to prepare tea, and then sat down opposite Luo Qingxue.

"What does the Third Prince's Consort want with me?" Lin Xuan asked.

Luo Qingxue snorted and said irritably, "The Northern Territory cannot be without a ruler for a day. Now that the Prince of Zhenbei has died on the battlefield, there is no one to guard his fiefdom. Therefore, His Majesty has decided to appoint you as the new Prince of Zhenbei, and you will take office on a chosen day."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan frowned.

The Emperor was so eager to appoint himself as the new Prince of Zhenbei as soon as he died, which was clearly an attempt to frame him.

Lin Xuan's current strength is only at the early stage of the Spirit Profound Realm. Sending him to the Northern Territory would be tantamount to sending him to his death.

Not to mention the enemy and traitors eyeing him covetously, Lin Xuan couldn't even control the group of arrogant and fierce soldiers in the northern border.

They might even tear us apart alive.

After all, the Black Armor Army has always believed in strength. Without strength, you can't hold onto the position of the King of Zhenbei.

"Oh? Which day is the chosen date?" Lin Xuan asked.

Luo Qingxue said, "It could take half a year at the longest, or even next month at the shortest."

Lin Xuan then asked, "Is there an imperial edict?"

Luo Qingxue shook her head and said, "No."

"Such a big matter, without even an imperial edict, who knows if what you're saying is true or false?" Lin Xuan laughed.

Luo Qingxue said unhappily, "Are you saying I'm lying to you?"

Lin Xuan said, "That's not it. It's just that everything should follow a procedure. The title of Prince of Zhenbei is so grand, and it's one thing that there was no ceremony when he took office, but there wasn't even an imperial edict. This really chills the hearts of us loyal ministers."