HLnovel Chapter 202 Extra (1) Parallel World 07
Chapter 202 Extra (1) Parallel World 07
Having achieved his goal, Lin Shiming left the Eastern Palace in high spirits.
He was so happy that he forgot to say goodbye to his new friend, and happily got up from the ground and went out with his brother.
Lu Yuxi, who had been eagerly waiting for her friends' attention, gradually went from anticipation to disappointment. She could only stand at the door and watch as Lin Shiming happily approached his brother and said something, and then Lin Shihe patted her head with a smile until the two brothers disappeared from Lu Yuxi's sight.
"The two brothers made up quickly."
Lu Yuxu gracefully avoided the wreckage of the door panels scattered on the floor, came out of the study, and stopped beside Lu Yuxi.
"What's wrong? Are you envious? That's not difficult. How about I give you a brotherly affection just like they do?"
Lu Yuxi was too lazy to respond to his brother's joke. He lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
“I’ve never seen him before, he’s very different.”
The words were incoherent, but Lu Yuxu still understood them.
He chuckled, his casual demeanor vanishing as he straightened his expression and looked at Lu Yuxi with gentle eyes. "Don't be fooled by his ruthlessness when he was attacking earlier. In reality, he cherishes his younger brother like the apple of his eye, giving him everything he asks for."
"Just because his younger brother disliked the political intrigues of the court, he schemed and plotted to reduce the reputation of the second young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to the lowest level in the capital, and even went so far as to ask the Emperor for a general's position as a backup plan."
Lu Yuxu's eyes were deep and lingering. "Of course he's different. He has the simplest and purest family affection. Someone shelters him from the wind and rain without complaint, allowing him to do as he pleases in this world of suffering."
"He was never from the capital." That's why you've never met him.
Lu Yuxi looked up at her brother and asked, "Can I be like him, or stay with him forever?"
His Highness the Crown Prince smiled.
“Yu Xi. Regardless of status or wealth, everyone in this world has their own place, their own rights to enjoy, and their own obligations to fulfill. And you are the Fifth Prince of Changping.”
Within the royal family, who can truly sever all ties?
Lu Yuxi remained silent.
Lanterns had already been lit by eunuchs on the courtyard gate in the distance, and the faint sounds of a crowd could be heard outside. Separated by the wide courtyard, it felt like another world.
Lu Yuxu frowned.
"It should be your sister-in-law's family arriving; I need to go and keep an eye on them."
Knowing that his words would upset Lu Yuxi, Lu Yuxu didn't press his younger brother, who remained silent.
"If you really like Shiming, it's fine to be friends with him more. It'll also help him to be more outgoing, instead of always acting like a little old man and following the rules."
As he spoke, Lu Yuxu patted Lu Yuxi on the shoulder, "I'm going to look for your sister-in-law. Remember to have someone fix the door for me."
*
His Highness the Fifth Prince has always been very proactive.
No sooner had His Highness the Crown Prince instructed his younger brother to spend more time with Lin Shiming than Lu Yuxi appeared at the gate of Lin Shiming's courtyard early the next morning.
When Lin Shiming opened the courtyard gate while yawning, he thought he was hallucinating.
"Why are you here?"
Lu Yuxi's expression was serious and sincere. "I have something important to tell you."
Something important? Why would you tell something important to someone like me, a complete stranger, instead of my brother?
Lin Shiming looked at the person in front of him suspiciously for a few moments.
Lu Yuxi immediately added, "It's about Prince Lin's plan yesterday."
Lin Shiming's expression changed instantly, and he warmly welcomed Lu Yuxi inside, "Come in quickly!"
*
"...So you mean my brother might not have given up on yesterday's plan?"
Lu Yuxi, sitting upright at the table, picked up her teacup, lowered her eyes, took a sip, and then slowly continued speaking.
“Neither Prince Lin nor my brother are people who would tolerate injustice. The reason they have been able to tolerate the Qin family until now is only because Empress Dowager Qin and the Qin family had not crossed their bottom line before, and they also had their own plans. But this time is different. The danger to their lives has shaken the foundation of the country. In their pursuit of power, the Qin family has completely disregarded the safety of Changping and is reckless in the face of consequences. Prince Lin and my brother will never give them another chance to cause trouble.”
Lin Shiming was filled with righteous indignation and slammed his hand on the table, "Therefore, the Qin family must die this time."
"Exactly. Moreover, we must die before the court discusses this matter together."
Otherwise, if the Queen Dowager Qin were to make a scene based on "filial piety," there would always be some people with vested interests, or those who like to smooth things over or have their own ulterior motives, who would chime in. After all that entanglement and wrangling, the outcome would be hard to predict.
"Turn big problems into small ones, and small problems into nothing." This is a principle that many people regard as gospel.
Lu Yuxi looked up, gazing meaningfully at Lin Shiming, who seemed lost in thought. His fingers unconsciously twitched, as if he had struggled for a moment before finally making up his mind.
"As far as I know, this matter should have been addressed at the morning court session today, but my brother deliberately postponed it under the pretext of taking care of my sister-in-law in order to delay the time. Even so, the next court session in three days is unavoidable."
As she spoke, Lu Yuxi leaned forward slightly, her meaningful eyes meeting Lin Shiming's gaze directly, her steady voice carrying a hint of seduction.
"Time is of the essence, and we also need to set aside a day or two for the operation and the cleanup. Do you think Prince Lin and my brother can come up with any better ideas? Perhaps they have decided to take a gamble, who knows?"
Take a gamble.
What else could it be but a gamble?
Isn't it just following Lin Shihe's plan, betting on whether they can protect Lin Shihe and whether they need to replace the young master of the Lin family?
How is this any different from gambling with your future freedom?
If they lose the bet, wouldn't I have to step in and live a life of constant scheming and backstabbing?
Wouldn't that mean all our previous efforts would be wasted?
After the brainstorming session, Lin Shiming gradually became flustered, nervously fidgeting with his cuffs. Lu Yuxi, sitting opposite him, watched his restless state and subtly curved her lips into a smile.
After a long pause and much deliberation, Lin Shiming swallowed hard and tentatively spoke, clinging to a sliver of hope.
"Maybe...maybe they can come up with a new plan? My brother promised me, he promised he wouldn't do that! He always keeps his word and never lies to me!"
Lu Yuxi's expression remained unchanged. "It's hard to say. There's still a day left, isn't there?"
One day! What can you even do in one day?
Lin Shiming picked up his teacup and gulped down all the tea in one go. He truly never doubted Lin Shihe's assurances. But this matter was of utmost importance, and time was of the essence. Left with no other choice, Lin Shihe's decision to take a gamble was indeed understandable.
Moreover, if Lin Shihe really loses the bet, and asks him politely, he will almost certainly agree to take over.
Those who enjoy rights must pay the corresponding price and bear the corresponding responsibility. Although, in critical moments, he is not unwilling to take his brother's place in protecting the Lin family and the world.
But who would willingly settle for second best when they have the freedom to be free?
Lin Shiming became even more flustered.
When people are anxious, they tend to amplify their fears without limit.
Now, images of himself racking his brains in the future kept flashing through Lin Shiming's mind.
No! This can't be done!
Even if he were to return to the imperial court and lead the Lin clan, he could only do his best before leaving the rest to fate. He could not place all his hopes on external forces; he had to try it himself before he would be satisfied!