Chapter 20: Icehouse Crisis
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
For the latest updates, visit: ProNovels.com
Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB
Lin Xiu had calculated everything, but he didn’t expect the “spy” to be right beside him.
No wonder he bumped into Lingyin everywhere. It turned out she was following and testing him.
If he had known the engagement wouldn’t be broken off, he would have performed worse.
He could have not treated those beggars to a meal, not eaten the three-copper-coin noodles, at the Clear Judicial Department, not…
Forget it, even if he had known about today, when the time came to stand up, Lin Xiu would still have stood up.
What’s past is past, the future can still be pursued.
Although the Zhao family had made their decision, it wasn’t necessarily set in stone.
There were aspects Lin Xiu couldn’t change, but some he could.
He could continue visiting Miss Haitang at the brothel. He could go today, tomorrow, the day after, every day! He didn’t believe the Zhao family would marry such a gifted daughter to someone who frequented brothels…
Lin Xiu sighed inwardly.
Things seemed to be getting more complicated.
The difference in status between the Lin and Zhao families was too great. This marriage, ideally, or rather, could only be broken off by the Zhao family. If the Lin family took the initiative, it would be a slap in the face to the Zhao family.
He had thought the Zhao family wouldn’t marry their genius daughter to him, but who would have thought he’d have a “pig teammate” by his side.
Fortunately, the situation wasn’t irreversible.
To change their minds, he had to change Lingyin’s impression of him.
Miss Haitang, wait for me…
At that moment, Zhao Lingyin suddenly said to him, “Since the engagement is settled, you should behave yourself. If I see you visiting a brothel again, I will break your legs. I mean what I say.”
After saying this, she gave Lin Xiu a warning look and turned to leave.
Thus, Lin Xiu’s last escape route was completely blocked.
Soon after, Baron Ping’an and his wife returned. Baron Ping’an said to Lin Xiu, “Xiu’er, Uncle Zhao was leaving, you should have gone out to see him off. Otherwise, it would appear we lack manners.”
Zhou Yun smiled. “I saw Lingyin and Xiu’er talking at the back. Xiu’er must have been so overjoyed by the news that he forgot.”
Lin Xiu wiped away a tear brought on by his indignation. “Yes, overjoyed, overjoyed to the point of tears…”
Baron Ping’an sighed. “They are even willing to honor this marriage agreement. The Zhao family is truly honorable. All along, it has been us who have had petty minds.”
Lin Xiu felt helpless. Who would want to marry a woman they had never met?
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
He didn’t know if she was beautiful or ugly, tall or short, fat or thin, what her personality was like, whether they would get along, whether they were suitable for marriage. If two incompatible people were forced together, wouldn’t it be another marital tragedy like his parents in his past life?
Lin Xiu dreaded this kind of marriage from the depths of his heart.
He sighed, murmuring, “I wonder what Miss Zhao is like, what she looks like, and what kind of personality she has.”
Baron Ping’an smiled. “In terms of appearance, what do you think of Lingyin?”
Lin Xiu replied, “A breathtaking beauty, without exaggeration.”
Baron Ping’an said, “They are born of the same parents. If the younger sister is like this, how can the older sister be any less? Lingjun’s beauty goes without saying. There are countless noble young men in the Capital who admire her, even princes in the palace have pursued her relentlessly. As for her personality, she’s mostly not in the Capital, so I don’t really know, but she should be more gentle and elegant than Lingyin…”
He patted Lin Xiu’s shoulder. “Lingjun is a genius even His Majesty values highly. The Zhao family rose because of her. Your Uncle Zhao was originally like me, just a Third-Rank Baron. But thanks to his daughter, he is now a First-Rank Marquis. When you meet her, you must be respectful…”
Lin Xiu sighed again, his desire to cancel the engagement growing stronger.
Who would be overly respectful to their own wife?
No matter how beautiful Zhao Lingjun was, or how talented, what good was it? Could a marriage where one needed to be respectful to their wife be happy?
He didn’t know about others, but he certainly wouldn’t be.
He pretended to be nonchalant, smiling at Baron Ping’an. “Don’t worry, Father. What’s a First-Rank Marquis? I’ll earn a First-Rank Duke title for you someday…”
Zhou Yun laughed at his words. Baron Ping’an playfully knocked Lin Xiu on the head. “Do you think First-Rank Dukes grow on trees? There’s only one First-Rank Duke in the entire Great Xia. If you can avoid causing trouble for me, I’ll already be very happy…”
Despite his words, he felt delighted. His son having this intention was enough to satisfy him.
After joking with his parents for a while, Lin Xiu took out a box from his pocket and handed it to A’Yue, who was standing behind Zhou Yun. “Sister A’Yue, this is for you.”
A’Yue opened it and saw a very delicate gold hairpin inside. She quickly said, “No, no, Young Master, this is too precious.”
Zhou Yun gently patted her hand. “Xiu’er gave it to you, so you should accept it.”
Hearing her mistress’s words, A’Yue happily accepted the hairpin, blushing as she thanked Lin Xiu. “Thank you, Young Master.”
Lin Xiu waved his hand. “We’re family, no need to be so polite.”
A’Yue had been in the Lin Manor since she was very young. She was eight years older than Lin Xiu. From his birth to growing up, she had always been by his side taking care of him. Although Lin Xiu had no memories of this, it didn’t prevent him from treating her like an older sister.
Afterwards, Lin Xiu gave Old Huang and Aunt Wang their gifts. Naturally, they expressed their gratitude profusely. Everyone in the house received a gift, and Da Huang, the dog guarding the gate, was no exception. At dinner, Lin Xiu specifically asked Aunt Wang to give Da Huang an extra chicken leg.
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
Zhao Lingyin’s father’s visit and the Zhao family’s attitude towards the engagement, although contrary to Lin Xiu’s plan, also relieved him of a worry.
The assassination attempt that night was probably not orchestrated by the Zhao family.
Lingyin treated him as one of their own, and Lin Xiu was grateful to her, and by extension, had some goodwill towards the Zhao family. He didn’t want to suspect them.
The investigation at the Clear Judicial Department had yielded no results, so presumably, they couldn’t find anything.
So, who wanted him dead?
The enemy was hidden in the shadows, while he was in the light. Lin Xiu couldn’t find them.
But he believed that since the last attempt failed, they would eventually reveal themselves.
The next morning, Lin Xiu had just finished breakfast when Zhao Lingyin arrived at the Lin Manor.
She was there to help him cultivate.
Lin Xiu noticed she was very dedicated to this matter. He also knew she was doing it so he could be worthy of her sister sooner.
However, Lin Xiu still had to go to Zhaiyue Restaurant today. If he was drained of his Yuanli now, he wouldn’t even be able to freeze a bucket of water later.
Zhao Lingyin knew what he was worried about. “I’ll go to Zhaiyue Restaurant with you later.”
With her there, Lin Xiu naturally didn’t have to worry. Three hundred taels of silver was just a flick of the wrist for her.
But this way, Lin Xiu felt uneasy taking the money. He thought for a moment and said to Zhao Lingyin, “How about we split the reward from Zhaiyue Restaurant, fifty-fifty…”
Zhao Lingyin waved her hand dismissively. “No, I don’t need the silver.”
Since she said so, Lin Xiu didn’t insist. He would repay her in other ways later.
They soon began their cultivation. Outside, it was still unbearably hot, but inside the room, a bone-chilling coldness permeated the air.
Meanwhile, in the Great Xia Imperial Palace…
Inside the imperial study, several palace maids held large fans, standing on either side of a middle-aged man in imperial robes, fanning him. Yet, the effect was minimal. The palace was like a giant steamer, suffocatingly hot.
The middle-aged man irritably put down his vermilion brush. Even as the emperor, wielding immense power, he couldn’t defy the heavens. Like everyone else in the Capital, he couldn’t escape the torment of the scorching heat.
He raised his head and shouted, “Zhu Jin, I told you to fetch ice, where have you been?”
A portly figure scrambled in from outside, kneeling on the ground. “Your Majesty, I just checked the icehouse. There’s not a single piece of ice left…”
“What?” The middle-aged man frowned. “The ice stored each year should last at least two months. It’s been less than a month. How could it be all gone?”
The portly figure explained, “Your Majesty, this summer is exceptionally hot, so naturally, the ice consumption is faster. I’ve checked. In the past half month, the ice usage in the inner palace has doubled. Yesterday, the Empress requested five blocks, today the Noble Consort requested ten, and just now, a large group of concubines’ servants were waiting there. The icehouse couldn’t provide any ice, and the inner palace is in an uproar…”
The middle-aged man rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. His consorts, pampered since childhood, couldn’t bear this kind of heat. The Bureau of Astronomy had also stated that this scorching weather would last for at least another month. By then, wouldn’t the inner palace be in chaos?
At this moment, the portly figure suddenly said, “Your Majesty, why not summon the Marquis Wu’an’s second daughter into the palace? She awakened the Ice Arcana. Wouldn’t making some ice for the palace be a simple task for her?”
“No.” The Great Xia Emperor waved his hand without hesitation. “I remember that girl is called Lingyin. That girl is exceptionally gifted, a future pillar of our Great Xia. How can we disturb her cultivation because of the enjoyment of my consorts? Even Marquis Wu’an would be ridiculed. Besides, you know the temperaments of those consorts. If there’s a conflict, how would I handle it?”
“Your Majesty is wise. It was this old servant’s oversight.” The eunuch chief bowed deeply, then added, “I heard that Baron Ping’an’s son has also awakened the Ice Arcana and has already entered the Arcana Academy…”
“Baron Ping’an’s son?” The Great Xia Emperor’s eyebrows twitched. “The one betrothed to the Zhao family’s legitimate daughter? Wasn’t he unable to awaken his Arcana?”
For the latest updates, visit ProNovels.com. Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB.
