Chapter Twelve: Conflict

Lin Zhaoyan sneered bitterly upon hearing this. "You bear the burden?" Her voice was as sharp as an ice pick, piercing straight to the heart. "Is it the noble title your father fought desperately to earn, or the infamous reputation of a notorious playboy known throughout the capital?"

Her words struck Zhou Jingxuan like a blow to the head, leaving him stunned and his mind buzzing.

Realizing she had spoken too harshly—both unkind and ungrateful—Lin Zhaoyan pursed her lips, wanting to explain but unsure where to begin.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Jingxuan took Hu Yun’s hand, turned, and walked away. He snatched the money pouch Lin Zhaoyan had given Hu Yun and threw it to the ground with force.

Lin Zhaoyan glanced down briefly, then shifted her gaze and lifted her leg to leave.

In the end, Hu Yun was not sent away but accompanied Zhou Jingxuan instead. When he declared keeping the girl as a household servant, no one dared to object.

Except that he was beaten up once more by the Prince of Zhou.

Lin Zhaoyan rode at the front, leading the way, but her mind was elsewhere, troubled by unease. She knew she had no right to meddle in Zhou Jingxuan’s affairs—he was an independent person, unrelated by blood or bond. Where would she find the courage to interfere?

Moreover, harsh words cut like a chill in June; she truly had been wrong.

After pondering for several days, Lin Zhaoyan finally found Zhou Jingxuan among the soldiers during a break and requested a private conversation.

Zhou Jingxuan was casually chatting with Hu Yun among the troops, the atmosphere light, though Hu Yun remained reserved and silent.

As Lin Zhaoyan approached from behind, the entire group fell silent.

Sensing something, Zhou Jingxuan turned and saw her. His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a stony, indifferent expression.

"Does the heir apparent wish to speak with me alone?" Lin Zhaoyan asked politely.

Zhou Jingxuan turned away with a touch of pride, his back to her. "I am but a prodigal, unworthy of the general lowering herself to speak with me."

His tone was dripping with sarcasm. Everyone around held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Hu Yun bit her lip, sensing the tension, and quietly slipped away toward Zhou Jingxuan’s carriage.

Zhou Jingxuan didn’t notice her departure, entirely focused on pouting at Lin Zhaoyan, trying to read all her thoughts.

Lin Zhaoyan sighed, "I apologize."

The others looked up in shock, then quickly pretended they weren’t present.

The general was always stern and decisive, yet here she was bowing her head and apologizing to the heir apparent?

Zhou Jingxuan hadn’t expected Lin Zhaoyan to apologize publicly before so many subordinates.

***

"That day, I spoke out of turn and lacked restraint. It won’t happen again," Lin Zhaoyan apologized sincerely, explaining her reasons.

Zhou Jingxuan was at a loss, unsure whether he should continue being angry.

After wrestling with himself for a long time, he hardened his heart for the first time. "I am unworthy of the general’s apology. Please, General, return."

The atmosphere plunged back into an icy silence. Lin Zhaoyan fell silent, uncertain how to ease the mood.

Just then, Hu Yun came running up to Lin Zhaoyan and pressed a plain money pouch into her hand.

Lin Zhaoyan was taken aback. Looking down, she saw the pouch Zhou Jingxuan had thrown away earlier—the one she hadn’t bothered to pick up.

She glanced at Hu Yun, who winked mischievously for once.

Exchanging glances behind Zhou Jingxuan’s back, Lin Zhaoyan realized the pouch had been retrieved by Zhou Jingxuan himself.

A gentle smile blossomed on her lips, softening her demeanor.

"If the heir apparent would be so kind as to forgive my impertinent words, please come to my carriage. I have prepared a token of apology," Lin Zhaoyan said earnestly, waiting quietly for his reply.

Zhou Jingxuan chuckled inwardly. Never had he imagined the day when Lin Zhaoyan would lower her head to him. It was well worth it.

He curved his mouth into a sly smile but quickly suppressed it when he noticed everyone watching him.

"Since the general insists and extends such a gracious invitation..." Zhou Jingxuan began eloquently, only to be tugged at the sleeve by Hu Yun.

"Enough already! I’m worried sick," she thought to herself.

The general sister had been very kind to her, and the heir apparent had given her a place to stay. She didn’t want to see them quarrel.

Lin Zhaoyan turned and tied the money pouch to her waist, hands behind her back, then walked away.

As she left, the crowd surrounded Zhou Jingxuan. "Hey! Your Highness, will you go or not?"

Zhou Jingxuan’s smirk lifted to the sky, but he played coy. "Well..."

"I must think it over."

When the group prepared to set off, Song Ziji looked around and noticed Lin Zhaoyan was missing. "Where is the general?"

Xia Wan lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out, her gaze displeased. "Inside."

She lifted her skirt and approached Song Ziji. "Deputy Commander Song, could you teach me how to ride a horse?"

Song Ziji glanced inside the carriage, surprised. "Riding isn’t difficult. I’ll teach you."

While they spoke, Zhou Jingxuan lifted the curtain and climbed into the carriage. He kept a respectful distance from Lin Zhaoyan but stared intently at her.

"What were you and Doctor Xia discussing just now?" Zhou Jingxuan asked, clearly noticing Xia Wan’s displeasure.

Xia Wan had always respected Lin Zhaoyan and treated her with affection. Had they quarreled?

Lin Zhaoyan raised an eyebrow. "That’s none of the heir apparent’s concern."

She opened a food box, revealing modest rose pastries.

"I heard from the Prince of Zhou that you like rose pastries. We happened to pass through Mountain City earlier, so I bought some as a token of apology," Lin Zhaoyan said thoughtfully, then added, "Traveling is exhausting, and there’s little to buy along the way. When we return to the capital, I will host a banquet for the heir apparent. How does that sound?"

Zhou Jingxuan picked up a rose pastry, examining it. "A banquet?"

"A grand affair, so all in the capital will know," Lin Zhaoyan declared solemnly. "The heir apparent’s fame should be spread far and wide."

"Hmph... didn’t the general just call me a playboy a few days ago—"

"Cough, those were old words," Lin Zhaoyan said awkwardly.

Zhou Jingxuan’s mouth twitched upward as he offered a pastry to Lin Zhaoyan. "Have you tried this before?"

She shook her head. "I don’t often eat sweets." Yet, she accepted the rose pastry.

After all, they had often visited pastry shops together in the past.

A strange warmth blossomed in Zhou Jingxuan’s heart. Did this mean he was special to Lin Zhaoyan after all?

He propped his chin with one hand, glancing around. "Where is Hu Yun?"

"I had something to tell Xia Wan earlier, so I let Hu Yun leave first," Lin Zhaoyan explained vaguely.

What could she have told her?

Zhou Jingxuan couldn’t help but wonder.

They shared a plate of rose pastries before Zhou Jingxuan dismounted, satisfied.

Seeing him humming happily and bouncing along, Xia Wan cast a sidelong glance. "What song are you singing, Your Highness?"

Zhou Jingxuan stopped abruptly, fell silent, and glanced inside the carriage. Could he say it was a modern tune? No, he couldn’t.

"Just humming. I’m in a good mood," he said proudly.

"The general seems quite fond of the heir apparent. Are you pleased?" Xia Wan asked meaningfully.

Pleased?