Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: The Fear of Lin Mengyao

Chapter 184: The Fear of Lin Mengyao

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Yes.”

“Your Highness, what about the Eldest Miss?”

“Do not harm her. Only destroy the supplies.”

Xiao Junhao, after reflecting, advised gently.

Outside the room,

Lin Mengyao’s hand stilled. The words “Do not harm her” echoed repeatedly in her mind.

She glanced involuntarily at the man’s expression.

Every time he mentioned Jiang Peihuan, his eyes swirled with complex emotions.

A surge of anxiety gripped Lin Mengyao, causing her to clutch her maid’s hand tightly.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Let’s return to the mansion.”

Before her maid could reply, Lin Mengyao cut her off and hastened back to the Lin Mansion.

Due to the previous poisoning incident at the feast, Lin Mengyao had been residing at the Prince Qing Palace. Her sudden return elicited mixed reactions from the Lin family; joy intertwined with concern.

Ignoring everyone, Lin Mengyao headed straight to Lin Ruhai’s study.

“Are you certain it was him?”

Lin Ruhai, with a grim expression, questioned his steward.

Having served Lin Ruhai for years, the steward knew his concerns well. He nodded affirmatively, “It’s indeed Lin Xingchen.”

Hearing that name, Lin Ruhai slumped into his chair.

But within moments, determination glinted in his eyes. “Even if he returns, I’m not afraid. 1 am charge on the Lin family now.”

A knock interrupted their conversation.

With a wary expression, Lin Ruhai inquired, “Who is it?”

“Father, it’s me.”

Relief washed over Lin Ruhai upon recognizing Lin Mengyao’s voice. He signaled the steward to open the door.

“Eldest Miss.”

Lin Mengyao, acknowledging the steward and approached her Lin Ruhai. “Father.”

“Get up.”

Gazing at his bowing daughter, Lin Ruhai spoke softly.

Once Lin Mengyao settled into a nearby chair, he continued, “Weren’t you at the Qing Mansion? Why the sudden return?”

“Father, 1 returned with an urgent matter. I need your assistance.”

“What is it?”

Lin Mengyao leaned in, whispering her request into his ear.

Stunned, Lin Ruhai stared at her. “You want me to send someone to kill Jiang Peihuan?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Father, I’m not sure when it began, but Jiang Peihuan’s influence over His Highness seems to be growing.”

“We, the Lin family, have invested everything in His Highness. I will not allow anyone to threaten our position.”

At first, Lin Mengyao didn’t truly intend to harm Jiang Peihuan. However, recent events made her acutely aware of the widening gap between them.

If one day he truly fell for Jiang Peihuan, the thought alone was something Lin Mengyao neither dared to entertain nor risk.

She resolved to quash this potential threat at its very inception.

Lin Ruhai had always perceived his daughter Mengyao as composed and gracious. This was the first time he detected a hint of jealousy in his eldest daughter’s demeanor.

Stepping forward, Lin Ruhai placed a comforting hand on Lin Mengyao’s shoulder. Whispering, he reassured, “Yao Er, don’t fret. I’ll take care of Jiang Peihuan for you.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“But remember, His Highness mustn’t learn of this.”

“Don’t worry. 1 have it under control.”

A faint smile appeared in Lin Mengyao’s eyes as she walked out of Lin Ruhai’s study.

Noticing the smile, the maid accompanying Lin Mengyao cautiously remarked, “Miss, His Highness isn’t inclined to harm the Eldest Miss of the Jiang Family. If he discovers our intentions, he might not take it well.”

“As long as we can get rid of Jiang Peihuan, it doesn’t matter even if His Highness resents us. Moreover, he would not know about this matter.”

The Qing Mansion and the Lin family sent people to find Jiang Peihuan at the same time.

Meanwhile, Jiang Peihuan remained oblivious to their intentions.

In the dead of night, Jiang Peihuan instructed everyone to rest where they stood.

Ye Xiao approached her, whispering, “Eldest Miss, you should take a moment to rest as well.”

Jiang Peihuan nodded in acknowledgment. “Understood.”

Though their journey weighed on her mind, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t allow herself to fall into a deep sleep. So, when a rustling reached her ears, she instantly awoke.

“Eldest Miss, we have company,” Ye Xiao, ever the alert secret guard, whispered.

Both Wang Ying and Lin Xiao were also roused. The three promptly converged beside Jiang Peihuan.

Suddenly, a peculiar sound echoed, and fiery arrows streaked toward them, landing amidst their grain supplies.

Witnessing the fiery assault, a shadow cast over Jiang Peihuan’s expression.

“Lin Xiao, Wang Ying, rally the Flying Feathers Army to guard our supplies.”

“Understood.”

“Xu Zhao?”

“At your service, Eldest Miss.”

“Have all the Imperial Army soldiers disperse and defend against the enemy.”

“Affirmative.”

“Ye Xiao, come with me.”

Without delay, Jiang Peihuan mounted her horse. Ye Xiao was quick to join her side.

Following the direction of the arrow, Jiang Peihuan led Ye Xiao to ride forward. Soon, they saw a group of people waiting there.

She took out a porcelain bottle and looked at it. Jiang Peihuan eyes were filled with complicated emotions. These people were obviously following orders. Jiang Peihuan was not willing to use these poisons on them.

Yet, seeing the steadily burning grain, any prior hesitations melted away from her countenance.

Looking at Ye Xiao, Jiang Peihuan said,” Ye Xiao, I’ll throw the bottle over and you break it immediately.”

“As you command, Eldest Miss.”

When she saw Ye Xiao nod, Jiang Peihuan threw the porcelain bottle in her hand at the people who were shooting arrows. Then, Ye Xiao threw the dagger in her hand, and the porcelain bottle instantly broke into pieces. The night wind blew, and a fragrance instantly filled the air.

When the fragrance dispersed, the archers fell from their horses and wailed.

The leader of the archer instinctively cast his gaze upon Jiang Peihuan.

He trained his arrow directly on Jiang Peihuan, but before he could release it, he was overcome with dizziness and collapsed to the ground.

“Young Miss, shall we execute these men?”

“There’s no need. Spare their lives.”

With that, Jiang Peihuan made her way back.

A significant amount of grain had been consumed by the flames. As she surveyed the scorched grain, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes brimmed with sorrow.

Turning to Xu Zhao, Jiang Peihuan spoke decisively, “Commander Xu, it isn’t wise to linger here any longer. Let’s move on.”

“Yes, Eldest Miss.”

The fatigue weighed heavily on the Imperial Guards, yet after the recent turn of events, none dared voice their complaints.

Particularly since Jiang Peihuan, by her lone effort, had thwarted the incident, the guards’ perception of her changed entirely.

Jiang Peihuan swiftly mounted her horse, gripping the reins of Lie Feng tightly.

However, not long after they left, a group of men in black rushed out.

“Guard the grains!”