The Birth Of A Villainess

However, this interaction between the two of them was caught by Lin Sang and he chuckled as he said, "It seems that even Prince Ziyin has been captivated by my niece's beauty. My niece has been quite praised because of her face but unfortunately, during these years she caused a lot of trouble."

"Lin Sang." Lin Feng called out his name, the reprimanding tone in his voice wasn't hidden as he glared at his brother. He turned to the two princes and apologized, "This humble servant asks for forgiveness for my younger brother. It seems that he had drunk too much and forgot himself."

Lin Feng forked out whatever excuse he could muster to not offend the two princes.

Prince Jing laughed and waved his hand, "No need to apologize as we won't take any offense in what he said."

Prince Ziyin nodded his head in agreement. His eyes were still staring at Lin Xiaofei.

However, Lin Xiaofei had already turned away and looked at her grandfather. She seemed to be engaged in another conversation with Lin Xiaomeng and couldn't be bothered with what her uncle had just said.

No. From what he could see, it seems that she didn't even care about the other people inside that place. Just with how her eyes looked at them as if they were some insignificant creatures, it only proved his theory.

This fourth young miss from the Lin family was not as simple as he thought.

Just as soon as Lin Xiaofei was done with what she wanted to discuss with her grandfather, she didn't immediately return to the Qu residence.

On the contrary, she decided to go back to her courtyard along with her personal maids.

Since she was about to be married to the duke, she needed to stay with her family until the wedding.

Originally, one would completely stay at home until the wedding. It was only in her case that Lin Xiaofei had to leave her home and go live with her betrothed even before her actual marriage.

What she and Qu Xing Xu did that time was only a precautionary measure against the royal family and the emperor. With Prince Jing trying to tie her up to him, it wouldn't be long before he could really convince his father to force the marriage unless they make up an excuse where Lin Xiaofei couldn't accept the imperial edict.

Besides, the only place that could securely hide her away from the royal family at that time was the Qu residence. Thus, Lin Xiaofei willingly lived inside the Qu residence.

"Young miss, should I draw your bath tonight?" Bai Lu asked as soon as they relaxed inside the courtyard.

Lin Xiaofei shook her head and replied, "No. Just bring a basin of water for me to use." She then whispered, "One needed to be careful when others are here."

With Prince Jing and Prince Ziyin still inside the Lin residence, Lin Xiaofei couldn't relax and take a bath. One prince was from the other empire and didn't seem to have anything against her aside from the curiosity in his gaze. The other prince, however, was a black-hearted man. Who can say what will happen if he tried to push his affection to her and try to say that it was an accident?

With only Su Tang beside her to serve her, Lin Xiaofei sighed and stretched her legs. Qu Xing Xu wasn't around her at last and she didn't have to worry about him appearing out of nowhere, startling her every single time.

Of course, she didn't forget to take the important things with her while she travels. Now that Lin Xiaofei got the box, she couldn't leave it anywhere else and so, she brought it with her.

"Young miss, the duke really treats you well. Look, he even let us take a chest of precious items with us even though we are only going to stay here for two days." Su Tang excitedly said as she stared at the five chests that were brought to Lin Xiaofei's courtyard upon her arrival.

Lin Xiaofei nonchalantly glanced at the chests but the slight movement that tugged the corners of her lips was there for a second before it disappeared.

"I already told him not to bother with it but he still ended up sending five chests. Does he think I will stay here for a few months?" Lin Xiaofei complained but in truth, there was a pleasant feeling deep inside of her.

Su Tang only smiled and started to unpack and arrange the things that her young lady needed to use for her stay there.

A few hours later, Su Tang looked at the sky and saw that it was already dark. Yet, the food that should be delivered to their courtyard wasn't there. Could it be that something happened and caused this delay?

Just as she was about to inform her young lady about this, a servant from the main courtyard was running towards their courtyard.

Su Tang greeted the servant with a smile and said, "Attendant He, what happened? Why did you run from the main courtyard to here?"

Attendant He said, "Where's the young miss?"

The urgency in his voice frightened Su Tang and she hurriedly guided Attendant He to where her young lady's room was.

"Young miss! Attendant He from the main courtyard is here looking for you." She shouted from outside the door.

"Come in!" Lin Xiaofei replied with a frown. What could possibly happen for an attendant from the main courtyard to come to her courtyard? Did something happen to her grandfather?

She hurriedly draped the fur coat on her shoulders as she was only wearing her middle clothes.

When the door opened, Su Tang and Attendant He stepped in.

"What happened? Did something happen to grandfather?" Lin Xiaofei asked Attendant He, who looked pale.

Attendant He nodded his head vigorously and swallowed before he said, "Yes, young miss. You must hurry to the main courtyard as master was ambushed!"

"Ambushed? Who would daringly attack the Lin residence and injure my grandfather?" Lin Xiaofei asked but she didn't wait for a reply from the attendant as she was already walking out of her courtyard.