Weird, my gaming life

In a corner of the courtyard, several wintersweet trees stand proudly in the cold wind.

Lin Yuan's figure flickered under the plum blossom tree, his ten fingers flicking, poking, and twisting, creating sharp, piercing sounds as they went.

He did not use his true energy; he was purely practicing "Shattered Jade Finger" using his physical strength and exquisite techniques.

As your fingertips glide by, the falling snowflakes silently turn to dust, leaving not a trace of moisture behind.

Now, with his powerful comprehension, he is no longer the same as before. He has mastered the Yellow-level finger technique "Shattered Jade Finger" in just a few days.

Zhu Wanying sat quietly on the veranda, holding a hand warmer, her chin resting on her knees.

She found herself increasingly enjoying watching the kid practice his skills.

That youthful face always carried a focus and tranquility beyond its years, as if nothing in the world could disturb its mind.

Just then, Xiao Ling'er walked over quickly and whispered a few words in Zhu Wanying's ear.

Zhu Wanying frowned slightly, a hint of reluctance flashing across her face, but she still nodded.

"Qin Xiu, stop practicing, we have guests." She called out loudly.

Lin Yuan immediately stopped practicing, and the boiling true energy in his body gradually calmed down.

He walked to Zhu Wanying's side and followed her gaze. He saw Zhao Shixun, dressed in a brocade robe and wearing a jade crown, being led by a eunuch through the moon gate and walking towards them.

Zhao Shixun wore a perfectly gentle smile. His gaze swept across the courtyard and landed directly on Zhu Wanying under the eaves, his eyes filled with tenderness and concern.

"Wanying, I heard you were frightened a few days ago, and I was worried about you, so I came to the palace to see you."

His voice was gentle, like a spring breeze in March, but Zhu Wanying's heart was filled with complex emotions.

The fiancé that her mother found for her before her death was actually quite important to Zhu Wanying.

He was gentle and refined, handsome, and considerate towards her; at least, that was her opinion before the Marquis's birthday banquet.

But now, when she thinks back to the birthday banquet at the Marquis's mansion the day before she left the capital, how her fiancé, whom she relied on so much, watched her being humiliated and reprimanded by a group of noble ladies, and did nothing about it.

Zhu Wanying turned her head away, not even bothering to look at him properly, and said in a distant tone, "Your Highness the Heir Apparent of Xuanwu is very kind. I am fine, no need to worry about me."

Zhao Shixun's smile froze slightly, then returned to normal.

He had expected this outcome and was not angry. He had indeed been too hasty last time, thinking he had already taken control of this obedient princess.

Who knew that just because she didn't stand next to her once, she would throw such a tantrum? Compared to Xiaoyun, this third princess, who was spoiled by the emperor, was indeed far inferior.

Zhao Shixun ignored the aloofness in Zhu Wanying's tone, took two steps forward, and his gaze became focused and affectionate.

"Wanying, I know you're still angry with me." He softened his voice, with a hint of just the right amount of regret.

"It was my fault at Grandmother's birthday banquet that day; I made you suffer. But you must understand that in the Marquis's mansion, in front of so many elders and peers, I also had my difficulties."

His words were sincere and heartfelt. If it were the old Zhu Wanying, she might have softened her heart. But when she thought about her helplessness when she encountered kidnappers on her way out of the capital, and the danger of being assassinated and framed, she was moved.

Zhu Wanying found it all too grating. Back when his manor was in dire straits, it was she who used her mother's dowry to make up for the deficits that had plagued the manor for so many years.

It was through her own earnest persuasion that she convinced her father to give the Marquis's family another chance.

However, how did he treat himself? When faced with his grandmother's difficult behavior, he blamed and complained.

When you are most helpless and in the most danger, where are others? They are probably still enjoying wealth and luxury in the mansion, indulging in debauchery.

If you were truly worried about her, why didn't you come the day after the accident? It's been three or four days since then, and you still say you were worried about her.

Zhu Wanying is kind-hearted, not stupid; she can distinguish between genuine concern and feigned concern.

Difficulties?

Zhu Wanying finally turned her head to look at him directly. Her clear eyes no longer held the dependence of the past, but only calmness.

"Your difficulty is simply watching me be wronged and ridiculed by a group of noble ladies, without uttering a word? Zhao Shixun, I really overestimated you before."

Zhao Shixun's smile completely vanished; he hadn't expected Zhu Wanying to so bluntly expose his pretense.

He took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation.

"Wanying, you've misunderstood. I just wanted to explain to you privately afterward, and I didn't want to argue with them in front of others, as that would only put you in a more embarrassing situation."

As he spoke, he tried to change the subject, turning his gaze to Lin Yuan, who remained silent beside him.

"Qin Xiu, right? I must thank you for helping Wan Ying out the other day. As Wan Ying's fiancé and future son-in-law, I should naturally show my gratitude."

Here's what we'll do. I'm on good terms with the Third Prince, and His Highness has always valued talent. Although you are currently a princess's study companion and hold a seventh-rank official position, it's ultimately just a nominal post, which is really a bit of a disservice to you.

"If you are willing, I can introduce you to the Third Prince. With your talent, plus the support of the Third Prince and me, it will not be difficult for you to be ennobled and appointed as a general in the future."

Zhao Shixu spoke sincerely, but Zhu Wanying was so angry that she trembled all over. She took a step forward and pointed at Zhao Shixun's nose.

"Zhao Shixun! What do you mean? You're poaching my people right in front of me?"

"Wanying, you've misunderstood."

Zhao Shixun looked completely innocent. "I simply cherish Brother Qin's talent and can't bear to see his brilliance go to waste. You and I will eventually be family... His future is also a matter of your dignity, isn't it?"

"Who says we're family!" Zhu Wanying's pretty face flushed red. "Qin Xiu is my study companion; his future is none of your concern!"

Zhao Shixun's face finally darkened. The princess who used to obey him obediently was now making things difficult for him at every turn. He was a man, and he had his pride too.

Zhao Shixun stared at Zhu Wanying, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes.

"Wanying! How can you be so inconsiderate! Everything I've done is for our future!"

How can you, a princess with no one to rely on, survive the future power struggles within the royal family? The only way to save our lives in the future is to choose sides early.

The eldest prince is disliked by His Majesty, and the second prince is a spoiled brat. Only the third prince possesses both virtue and talent, and will undoubtedly be the best candidate for the throne.

"My future is none of your concern, Your Highness."

Zhu Wanying interrupted him decisively, her heart sinking even further.

He said it was for her sake, but in reality, it was all for the wealth and glory of his noble family.

Can't he see how much his father dotes on him? Yet now he's trying to drag him into the struggle for the throne.

Even though she was a princess who knew nothing about politics, she understood how dangerous the struggle for the throne was.

The Empress is still in power, and her maternal relatives are very influential. Even though her power has been temporarily restricted, the Emperor doesn't dare to do anything to her.

Once the Empress regains power and I am involved in the struggle for the throne, what will become of me?

This guy is really trying to kill himself.

In the past, she was favored by her father, the emperor, and always felt like she was walking on thin ice in the harem. If she were to participate in the struggle for the throne and displease her father, she might not even know how she died.

"Don't come here anymore. Let's end our engagement here!"

I will inform my father of the situation. From now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine. Let's each be well.

Zhu Wanying's words were like a sharp knife, causing Zhao Shixun's expression to change repeatedly.

Lin Yuan stood aside the whole time, like an outsider.

He watched Zhao Shixun's expression change from gentle to annoyed and then to anxious, just like the face-changing act in Sichuan opera, and he couldn't help but want to laugh.

This person seems to be very shrewd, but in reality he is just a clueless fool. Although he has never eaten pork, he has seen pigs run.

The struggle for the throne has always been incredibly brutal; the earlier you place your bet, the sooner you die.

Other noble families avoided this situation like the plague, unwilling to get involved in this vortex, but this person was still rushing to get involved. Lin Yuan didn't know what to say.

He could understand it if it were an official without a title, since official positions can only be passed down to one generation, and it is understandable to fight for the next generation.

However, despite having a hereditary title and having finally managed to get close to the emperor's most beloved princess.

This guy started off in a mess. Instead of trying to please the princess and live a good life, he was thinking of currying favor with a prince who hadn't even been chosen as the crown prince.

He really didn't know what was going on in this person's head.

Based on his observation of the emperor, he was at least at the sixth or seventh level of the Innate Realm. With such a level of cultivation, living for two hundred years would not be a big problem.

The emperor is only in his seventies and has more than 130 years to live. Why is he starting to act so early? Does the emperor really think he's blind?

The atmosphere in the courtyard plummeted to freezing point.

Looking at the princess before him, who seemed to have grown up overnight, Zhao Shixun felt a sense of unfamiliarity and loss of control for the first time.

How dare she tell him to break off the engagement? Doesn't she know that without him, she's a truly helpless princess?

Even with the emperor's favor, he couldn't always be by her side.

If something happens, who else can she rely on besides the Marquis's mansion?

Zhao Shixun straightened his robes, concealing the panic in his eyes, and forced a stiff smile.

"Wanying, I think there are many misunderstandings between us. Think carefully about what I said today."

He glanced at Lin Yuan with a gloomy look. "Since that's the case, I won't stay any longer."

The marriage arrangement was decided by the parents and should not be easily broken, otherwise it would damage the royal family's reputation.

After saying that, he hurriedly walked out of the villa, his back view filled with barely suppressed anger.

Only after his figure disappeared behind the moon gate did Zhu Wanying's tense body slowly relax, as if all her strength had been drained, and her face turned somewhat pale.