C116

A sharp shout rang out from far away, and even the pair standing beneath the Hanging Bell Tree were alarmed. They simultaneously raised their heads to look in the direction of the Eastern Warm Pavilion.

However, the diamond-shaped window was not big to begin with, and with Li Yingluo's figure blocking the window, she was unable to see the situation inside the house. She didn't know what the girl had said, but the man shook his head. She continued to stand under the tree, not moving at all. She only turned his head to look at her.

When the palace maid who was behind Li Yingluo heard that, she immediately prepared to enter the house, following orders to grab the person who angered the County Princess.

Unfortunately, Jin Lan didn't give them a chance.

She straightened her body, and her young and tender voice came out from her lips, "County Princess, how unreasonable."

His indifferent tone was like a casual gossip, yet it was aimed straight at the other party's heart!

Standing at the opposite of Jin Lan, Li Yingluo's expression immediately changed. From the little girl's anger, it gradually turned into savageness as she fiercely squeezed out a few words from her clenched teeth, "What did you say?"

No one had ever dared to speak to her like this, not even the emperor. When he spoke to her, his voice was gentle and soft. This slut, how dare she publicly reprimand her!

Jin Lan did not seem to hear Li Yingluo's question, her black eyes were like black jade, sparkling. She repeated what she had just said again, and even her tone and attitude were the same.

"The words of this humble woman, County Princess, are unreasonable." As soon as she finished her sentence, she added, "You are guilty of being disloyal and dishonest. You are guilty of disrespecting the sovereign!" As she said that, she intentionally glanced behind Li Yingluo, a glint flashed past her eyes, so fast that even Li Yingluo who was constantly staring at her did not notice.

"Slut!" Li Yingluo held the silk handkerchief tightly in her hands, her eyes filled with a terrifying ruthlessness. She stared fixedly at the small face that made her want to tear it, and shouted: "You dog slave, quickly catch that slut who insulted the imperial bloodline!"

The palace attendants, who were already not far from the door, were stunned by Jin Lan's words. They suddenly came to their senses, and without further delay, rushed into the pavilion, reaching out to grab Jin Lan's body.

"Don't bother, I know how to walk." Jin Lan was quick with his eyes. With just a few steps, he avoided the hand that was reaching over. He then turned around and walked towards the veranda outside the door.

When the palace maids and attendants saw that she had volunteered to go out, they could not help but heave a sigh of relief in their hearts. Although it was County Princess's orders, she was said to be a delicate guest brought into the palace by her highness. The County Princess naturally had the protection of the empress dowager, but they, the servants, would be in trouble.

They were not the first servants from the Pingyang County Princess's side.

Jin Lan walked out of the pavilion, but the inside and outside of the door seemed to be separated by two layers of ice and fire. She gathered up the fox fur coat on her body and didn't remove it after entering the room.

She smiled wryly to herself.

However, with these words and actions, she would definitely have no regrets! No matter who it was, even if it was His Majesty himself, he couldn't humiliate her mother for no reason!

Initially, she was worried that she would anger the emperor's aunt, but now that she had delivered herself to her doorstep and accused her of insulting the imperial family, even if it meant taking her dog life, the emperor's aunt was unable to say anything.

When Jin Lan was still three feet away from her, Li Yingluo could no longer suppress the bloodthirsty urge in her heart. She opened her mouth to order someone to take the torture staff, she wanted to see this slut die from just one staff strike!

But before she could even spit out the words that she wanted to say, a delicate and pretty servant girl ran to the end of the veranda and shouted at Li Yingluo: "This servant pays respects to County Princess, His Highness invites you to come over for a chat."

"Fourth brother wants me to go over?" Li Yingluo tilted her head to take a look, and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in surprise, then turned to look at the figure below the huge Suspending Bell Tree.

Presumably, Fourth Brother heard the argument just now? The anger in Li Yingluo's heart cooled, and a look of vexation involuntarily surfaced on her face. She fiercely glared at Jin Lan and shouted: "Take her with you!"

Although she was a County Princess and was raised in the empress dowager's palace, she was still someone with a different surname. Li Yingluo was very clear on this point. This is the Ganquan Hall, a place for the Emperor to recuperate. If he had dared to use violence here just now, he might have incurred the wrath of the Dragon King. It must have been Fourth Brother seeing through the connection that had caused her to come over and stop her impulse in time, right?

Li Yingluo's heart was warm, and the gait beneath her feet became even more graceful.

The palace maids and servants behind her were in trouble, this time the County Princess was using pawns, not capturing them or bringing them, if they really allowed Jin Lan to pass like that, Iron Dazhi would definitely be in trouble.

One of the servants could only smile apologetically at Jin Lan and bow, "Miss Ye, what do you think?"

Jin Lan pursed his lips, looking at Li Yingluo's back, the chill in his eyes grew colder and colder. If she was really taken by someone else, her maiden name would be completely ruined, and even Madame SHen, who was far away in the Yangzhou, wouldn't be any better.

When the servant saw that she was still standing upright, and remembered the notoriety of the Pingyang County Princess, after weighing the pros and cons, he mustered up his courage and planned to take her in!

Just as they made their move, the attendant that had just returned said in a timely manner, "This lady, His Highness has invited you."

Jin Lan lowered his eyelids, concealing the light in his eyes. The corners of his mouth curled up, and he ignored the palace maid who was standing by the side. Raising his legs, he began walking down the Hanging Bell Tree.

She was sure that if the person under the tree asked him to come, it wouldn't be to add punishment. Otherwise, if Li Yingluo caused a ruckus, it would be fine.

As for who the woman under the tree was, Jin Lan couldn't see it clearly, nor did he know. But as for the man, she had a guess in her heart.

When she first met Li Yingluo, she was bringing the palace maids to search for the Fourth Prince, and the time that she had spent in the Eastern Warm Pavilion, was definitely not more than an hour. In this short period of time, Li Yingluo had returned after leaving and even made clear her identity. The only possibility was that she was stopped not too far away from the Ganquan Hall.

It was this person who not only told Li Yingluo the whereabouts of Fourth Prince, but also told him about her identity and background.

From this, she determined that the man under the tree was Fourth Prince.

However, who was the informer? Jin Lan secretly tightened his fingers.

Could it be Roughpeak? A smile suddenly flashed across her face and her heart sank. Roughpeak was someone close to the emperor, could it be that he was ordered by the emperor to make things difficult for her, County Princess Pingyang?

But why? She was merely the daughter of a rank 2 noble official. In a place like the capital where crouching tigers and hidden dragons were hidden, she was nothing. Even with the Old Ancestor here, shouldn't she make the Emperor fear her?

Jin Lan laughed at himself.

This palace was truly difficult. No matter how careful one was, they would involuntarily fall into the trap of others.

No matter how spacious the front yard was, it would always come to an end. However, as they got closer, Jin Lan felt the cold air grow thinner. Instead, waves of warmth assaulted his senses. She had always been walking with her head down. Now, taking advantage of the others being unaware, she quickly looked around and found that it was already filled with fog.

Although it was already the middle of winter and the moon, the spring water was still hot and misty. Therefore, standing by the side like the sun and spring, it didn't seem to be cold at all.

Li Yingluo was the first one to walk over. She had already removed the sable coat on her body, revealing a bright red five-colored dress that was adorned with white fox fur.

"Fourth brother." Li Yingluo gracefully bowed to the Fourth Prince, and then smiled and nodded at the young girl in pink, "Cousin sister."

The young girl dressed in pink naturally curtsied and returned, "County Princess."

"What happened? "He's so angry."

Her warm voice was like a flowing spring water, slowly surging into the hearts of everyone present, causing Li Yingluo's beautiful face to redden uncontrollably. However, when she mentioned Jin Lan, the gentleness in her eyes that was like water immediately retreated. She pursed her red lips and said: "Fourth brother, that slut, uh, that woman actually reprimanded and insulted me in front of everyone."

What a good 'villain is the first to complain'! The moment Jin Lan walked over, he coincidentally heard Li Yingluo's words that were full of grievance, and couldn't help but laugh coldly in her heart.

"Hmm?" Fourth Prince softly replied, as though there was a layer of mist covering his, his unfathomable eyes flashed, raising his head to look at the young lady, "Is that so?"

Jin Lan stopped walking. He still had his head down and his chest out, looking submissive, but there was a layer of unyielding stubbornness in his eyes. "Reporting to His Highness, Fourth Prince's words are sweet and charming. This humble woman cannot argue."

"You …" Li Yingluo saw her poking her bottom in front of him and immediately became angry, but just as she was about to spit out a word, she was stopped by the young girl in pink.

"Cousin, what are you pulling me along for?" Li Yingluo turned his head in anger, only to see the girl in pink shaking her head at him, and giving him a look.

Only then did she realize that Fourth Brother was still beside her!

Seeing that Li Yingluo had understood her thoughts, the girl in pink let go of her sleeve and turned her head to look at Jin Lan with interest.

Fourth Prince did not seem to notice the two's little movements, his gentle gaze was fixated on that small and thin body from start to finish. His beautiful lips, which had a little less blood color than the rest of the people, slightly opened, "If young lady is willing to say, this king will naturally listen."

"Fourth brother!" Hearing that, Li Yingluo stomped his feet, "Why are you still talking to her Fourth Brother? Drag him down and teach him a lesson, then chase him out … "

Fourth Prince gave Li Yingluo a glance and instantly made her swallow the rest of her words. She glared at Jin Lan and turned her head away, not saying a word.

Jin Lan stood at the same place, but his heart was sinking to the bottom bit by bit. Fourth Prince's intention, was he not going to let her go so easily?

"Raise your head."

At this moment, the gentle and pleasant voice entered Jin Lan's ears like a clap of thunder, causing her entire body to tremble. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only slowly raise her drooping face …