CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 342: YUN XIAORAN, HAVE YOU GAINED WEIGHT? (2)

She says it was Nangong Mo who taught her well, but is that really the case? Could she truly achieve such accomplishments in just a few short months?

Even if we take a step back and assume her prowess in horsemanship and archery, as she claimed, was sheer luck and talent, combined with Nangong Mo’s hands-on guidance, leading to rapid progress.

Then what about the Beast Taming Skill?

She used to be terrified of those furry animals.

Not to mention fierce tigers, she was even afraid of cats, dogs, and rabbits, never daring to approach them easily.

But now, she has transformed into a beast taming master, taming ferocious tigers as pets and holding onto a little fox without wanting to let go.

How does one explain this?

And what about her martial arts?

While techniques are easy to learn, acquiring Inner Strength is difficult.

She can battle on equal terms with the top assassins of the Yellow Springs Inn, and such martial prowess is not something that can be achieved in a few short months.

There are too many strange things about her.

It even makes one suspect that she is not Lin Wanyue at all.

But he has checked, and she is not someone else’s face disguised.

If it’s the Nanyue secret technique—Face Changing Technique, even though this technique can alter appearances and deceive, the pear blossom mark on her shoulder remains.

Take a step back, even if the pear blossom mark is deliberately forged by someone with intent, then how does one explain the curse placed in her body?

This curse was personally placed by him, and no one else knows this secret, not even her.

If it’s someone impersonating her, it’s impossible to account for the curse too, deceiving everyone.

So... what exactly is going on?

How does one explain these strange occurrences?

She is clearly Lin Wanyue, yet in every aspect, she is not like Lin Wanyue.

Just as the Crown Prince was deep in thought, a series of footsteps approached from afar, light and hurried.

Nangong Jue’s eyes narrowed, suddenly turning his head, his gaze sharp as a blade.

However, upon seeing the person approaching, his brows furrowed, and a dim, hidden glow flickered in his eyes, faintly tinged with aversion and impatience.

His guards saluted Lin Yanran, and Lin Yanran came joyfully before him, gracefully curtsying, her voice coy and dripping with allure, "Yan’er greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince’s face held a gentle, scholarly smile, "Yan’er, there’s no need for such formalities. It’s so late, why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Lin Yanran took a few steps closer to him, her eyes greedily fixed on his handsome face, finally seeing him again! Finally able to look at him like this!

Under her almost burning gaze, Nangong Jue slightly frowned imperceptibly, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes.

"Yan’er? What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell physically?"

Lin Yanran suddenly snapped out of her infatuation, her cheeks flushing with two spots of red, she bowed her head and smiled shyly, using it to cover her embarrassment.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern, Yanran is fine. It’s just..."

"It’s just that Yanran just returned from the princess’s place, and seeing the princess’s injuries, Yanran’s heart feels extremely distressed! The princess is of noble birth, of utmost value, and now to suffer such torment, it truly makes one heartbroken."

As she spoke, Lin Yanran’s face was filled with sincere grief and sorrow, even taking out a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes.

Nangong Jue’s gaze swept coolly over the corners of her eyes, a faint mocking smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Such poor acting skills, even Nangong Mo, that blind fool, couldn’t be deceived, right?

"Ning’er indeed has suffered some hardship this time, I will personally compensate her well after we return to the capital. Yan’er, don’t grieve too much, take care of yourself."

Lin Yanran’s eyes flickered, feeling a bit elated internally.

Is he concerned for her?

Telling her to take care of herself, is it because she is the future Crown Princess Consort, soon to be Empress, and must bear him a Crown Prince to inherit the throne?

It must be so!

Lin Yanran tried hard to squeeze out a tear, her gaze tender and affectionate as she looked at the Crown Prince:

"Yan’er understands Your Highness’s good intentions, but seeing the princess covered in wounds, Yan’er couldn’t help herself, worrying Your Highness!"

"Yan’er dares to ask, has Your Highness already determined that this matter is unrelated to my sister?"

Sensing the Crown Prince’s slight frown, Lin Yanran quickly put on a pitiable expression, softly saying:

"Though my sister has changed a lot under King Qin’s influence, sometimes acting unpredictably and often becoming the talk of others, Yan’er believes in my sister!"

"Her heart is kind; she would never maliciously harm the princess, even if there was unhappiness between them, even if she threatened the princess with unpleasant words, she would never truly endanger the princess!"

"Though at the time there was a saying that my sister’s fate brought misfortune, causing the princess’s horse to be startled and injured, but... it’s not my sister’s fault either!"

Nangong Jue watched her performance quietly, never interrupting nor showing any intention to play along.

After Lin Yanran finished, waiting for a while without response from the Crown Prince, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy, timidly calling out, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince..."

"Are you unwilling to believe my sister? Or do you also think that she jinxed the princess and deserves punishment?"

Nangong Jue gave her a casual glance, her eyes still cloaked in a mist of tears, appearing pitifully vulnerable, indeed pitifully endearing.

"I know, the incident of the startled horse was purely an accident, unrelated to Lin Wanyue."

"As for the rumors of clash of fate, it cannot be spoken of lightly. If there truly was a jinx, then Miss Shen, who remains inseparable from her, would also be safe and sound, wouldn’t she?"

"???

!!!

Lin Yanran almost thought she heard wrong, almost lost control of her perfect expression!

He actually said... it had nothing to do with her?!

How could he declare her innocent so easily?!

But no matter how dissatisfied she felt internally, Lin Yanran dared not show the slightest hint of displeasure.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is wise, Yan’er thanks you on behalf of my sister!"