The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

Prince Anning's Mansion.

"Are you kidding me? How could you forget me, a grown man? Is there no place for me left in the Prince's mansion?"

"While you enjoy the finer things in the capital, do you know how I traversed mountains and rivers, overcame countless obstacles, captured wolves, and drove away tigers on my way here..."

The speaker was a girl of about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in rags, covered in dust, looking just like a little beggar who had just fled famine.

She carried a tattered bundle on her back and had a chipped dagger tucked into her waistband.

It was Lu Linbai's younger sister, Lu Yishui.

Shaoqian glanced at her, "Didn't you say you wanted to be a chivalrous woman, upholding justice? You know how to come home now?"

Lu Yishui scratched his head and chuckled dryly, "Well, the martial world may be great, but it's not as warm as home."

Actually, he had only been out of the city for two days when a pickpocket stole his money bag. He didn't have much of value on him and had to beg his way to Shengjing.

God knows what she's been through these past few months.

She slept in dilapidated temples, ate cold steamed buns, and even stray dogs tried to steal her food.

"By the way, I heard before I came that His Majesty summoned you to the capital to bestow a marriage upon you. When is the wedding? Where is your sister-in-law?"

Shaoqian glanced to the side, a half-smile on her face.

"Ask him, how did he manage to ruin such a wonderful marriage?"

Lu Yishui turned his head and saw Lu Linbai with a lingering gloom between his brows, gazing blankly out of the hall, looking like a widow who had been abandoned by his wife.

She clicked her tongue. "Not surprising at all."

"My brother has a sharp and vicious tongue; he'll only end up alone."

Lu Linbai was already in a bad mood, and said coldly, "If you want to die, I can grant your wish."

This is how it is with a family; if you ever see them speaking politely to each other, that would be a miracle.

Just as Lu Yishui was about to retort, Gan Si tumbled in from outside, shouting, "Your Highness! Great news! Fantastic news! Miss Ning has arrived!"

"!" Lu Linbai suddenly stood up. "Really?"

At that moment, he had only one thought in his mind—Qi Yitang really did his job after taking the money, and the one million taels of gold was well spent!

And the speed was so fast that it surprised him somewhat.

"This Miss Ning is—" Lu Yishui felt a gust of wind pass by, and when he looked again, the seat in front of him was empty.

"?"

She rubbed her eyes, momentarily stunned.

Is this still the same older brother who swore he would never take the initiative, never fall in love, and never bow down to anyone in his life?

Has it been possessed by some strange thing?

……

Lu Linbai practically sprinted over there, and Gan Si couldn't catch up even when chasing him.

But as he approached the main hall, he slowed down, straightened his clothes, adjusted his cuffs, and tidied his hair, which had become disheveled in his haste. Only after confirming that he looked presentable enough did he slowly step into the main hall.

Inside, Ning Nishang saw him, stood up and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Xuan..." Realizing it wasn't appropriate to call her by her maiden name yet, Lu Linbai changed his address, "Miss Ning, there's no need for such formalities. Someone, serve tea."

"Prepare a plate of each of the following: jade cake, hibiscus pastry, and chestnut flour cake steamed with osmanthus sugar."

"Yes."

Ning Nishang's expression shifted slightly. These were all her favorite foods. How did he know?

—Of course, Qi Yitang took the initiative to inform me. Once the money is spent properly, any kind of information can be obtained at will.

Fearing she might feel awkward, Lu Linbai added, "Miss Ning, please don't be shy, just make yourself at home."

Ning Nishang remained polite, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Her aloof and restrained demeanor undoubtedly pierced Lu Linbai's heart the most.

If he hadn't broken his promise that day, they would probably be preparing for their wedding by now... Every time he thinks about it, Lu Linbai feels like slapping himself twice.

"Miss Ning," Lu Linbai said softly, "emotionally, you saved my life; logically, you were arranged by Consort Qi and are His Majesty's chosen Princess Anning... There is no need for us to be so distant."

Ning Nishang lowered her eyes.

She wasn't being cold on purpose; it's just that after her parents passed away, she had lived with others for many years and had long since become accustomed to keeping her emotions tightly under control, making it difficult for her to open up to anyone.

She knew this was her shortcoming, but she couldn't change it in a short time.

"Your Highness, the reason I came here today is to ask you something."

"Ask me anything, I will answer everything I know."

Lu Linbai guessed that she had probably heard about his request for Qin Xinxi to join the household and came to inquire about his attitude. Lu Linbai was prepared to express his loyalty.

Unexpectedly, Ning Nishang asked, "Did Your Highness go to see Tangtang?"

Ning Nishang didn't care about others, but she was suspicious of why Tangtang had suddenly changed her personality.

After all, the person who used to frown at the mention of Prince Anning actually wrote a whole page yesterday saying things like "My uncle is actually not bad," "He has above-average looks," and "He needs brains and good looks/He needs cunning and money," which was so nauseating that it sounded like someone was holding a knife to his throat to write it.

"May I ask, Your Highness, did you threaten Tangtang to speak well of you?"

Threat?

Two question marks appeared above Lu Linbai's head.

Although he wasn't exactly a great philanthropist, there was no need for him to threaten a girl who was several generations younger than him, was there?

Besides, who is Qi Yitang? She's the emperor's darling, able to do whatever she wants inside and outside the palace. Why would he bother threatening her?

Last time, she had him beaten black and blue, but he didn't hold it against her because he was her elder.

Seeing Lu Linbai's unusual expression, Ning Nishang realized, "Your Highness, please forgive me, it was Nishang who misspoke."

She stood up to apologize, but Lu Linbai held her elbow.

"Xuan Niang, I did go to the palace to see your cousin, not to threaten her, but to bribe her." His voice was deep. "Consort Qi accepted one million taels of gold from me."

How many?

Ning Nishang didn't even bother with his title, because she was completely stunned by the number: one million taels of gold...?!

Even if you sold her off as a package deal, she wouldn't be worth this price.

Tangtang really is...

She was momentarily at a loss for words, her tightly pursed lips relaxed slightly, revealing a helpless smile.

The smile was faint, like a sliver of sunlight peeking through the first snow, fleeting and ephemeral.

But Lu Linbai saw it, and his fingertips went slightly numb, as if he had been burned by something.

Her smile... is so beautiful.

Realizing they were too close, Ning Nishang quickly took a half step back. "So that's how it is. I misunderstood Your Highness."

A complex feeling, hard to describe, suddenly welled up in Lu Linbai's heart.

Qi Yitang "sold" her out, but she wasn't angry at all. She just easily got over it, which can be described as indulgence.

Thinking of Lu Yishui's eccentricities, Lu Linbai suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

"Xuan Niang, do you really favor Consort Qi that much?"

Ning Nishang was about to answer when a blurry voice, as if something had forcibly shoved it into her mind, suddenly flashed through her mind.

[She went to great lengths to harm you, causing your miscarriage, and you still went out of your way to plead for her? Xuan Niang, aren't you despicable?]

A sharp pain shot through her brain, as if someone had scraped the inside of her skull with a razor blade.

"Miss Ning?" Lu Linbai's voice came from beside her.

Ning Nishang took a few breaths before the inexplicable stinging pain slowly subsided.

Meeting Lu Linbai's concerned gaze, she steadied herself and said, "Your Highness, Tangtang is my sister, so naturally I favor her."