The weak prince's queen

When Lin Ruoyun heard Xiao Zixuan mention Lin Ruoxue's name, a nameless anger suddenly surged in her heart. She couldn't help but say angrily, "Eldest sister has been so arrogant and domineering at home since she was young! This time, she even provoked the prince to lose his temper in the street. She really went too far. When I return, I will report this matter to father truthfully so that he can discipline my eldest sister!"

Xiao Zixuan had been listening to Lin Ruoyun with great interest, but his expression instantly darkened when he heard these words. Regardless of Lin Ruoxue's behavior at home, the fact that Lin Ruoyun, upon hearing that her sister had been beaten, not only didn't first ask if she was injured, but instead eagerly criticized her, displeased Xiao Zixuan. The little interest he had left in Lin Ruoyun felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, extinguishing at least half of it.

Xiao Zixuan's expression grew increasingly gloomy, as if water could drip out of it. He pursed his lips tightly and coldly squeezed out two words from between his teeth: "Eat." He didn't even glance at Lin Ruoyun after that, but picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Seeing this, Lin Ruoyun was instantly panicked. Her eyes widened, a look of shock and confusion on her face, completely confused as to what she had said wrong to suddenly upset Xiao Zixuan. However, faced with Xiao Zixuan's indifference, she dared not ask further questions. She could only silently lower her head and carefully pick up the dishes on the table and put them into her mouth. However, the meal was tasteless.

In reality, Xiao Zixuan's strong reaction to Lin Ruoyun's words stemmed from his chance encounter with Lin Ruoxue during his last visit to the palace. Seeing her chatting and laughing with her personal maid, Dong'er, his heartstrings seemed to be gently plucked by an invisible hand, and he became deeply captivated by this beautiful and lively woman. So, hearing someone slandering Lin Ruoxue like this was naturally unbearable.

Lin Ruoyun chewed her food absentmindedly, her mind racing like a windmill, trying to recall exactly what she had said wrong. Thinking it over, it seemed like something went wrong when she mentioned Lin Ruoxue, but she couldn't understand why simply mentioning "sister" would elicit such a reaction from her.

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Ruoyun raised her head again and whispered to Xiao Zixuan, "What you just said about my sister being beaten, I will tell my father the truth when I get home and ask him to personally investigate the matter. I will definitely not let my sister suffer any injustice."

Hearing Lin Ruoyun's words, Xiao Zixuan's tense expression relaxed slightly, but overall he still looked rather uninterested. He nodded slightly, approving of Lin Ruoyun's approach, and then slowly said, "If there truly is a grave injustice behind this matter, Lord Lin can report it to the court. I believe that with the court's impartiality and strictness, they will surely clear Miss Lin's name."

Lin Ruoyun quickly responded, "Yes, thank you very much for your concern for my eldest sister." After that, she looked at Xiao Zixuan with eyes full of gratitude.

At this moment, Xiao Zixuan suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He scratched his head awkwardly and explained with a guilty conscience, "Actually... this is just some news I heard by chance, and I just casually told you this."

Lin Ruoyun opened her red lips and said softly, "Thank you very much, sir." Gratitude flashed in her beautiful eyes, as moving as autumn water.

Xiao Zixuan waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, just a trivial matter. Miss Lin, don't worry about it. Just enjoy your food quickly." His words were gentle and kind, making people feel like spring breeze.

Lin Ruoyun nodded slightly, indicating that she understood. She then stopped talking and quietly began to savor the delicacies on the table. For a moment, the only sounds in the room were the gentle chewing sounds and the clinking of cutlery.

Time passed quietly, and not long after, Lin Ruoyun gently put down the chopsticks in her hand with a satisfied smile on her lips.

At this time, Xiao Zixuan was almost full. He wiped his mouth gently and said, "Since the meal is almost finished, I have some important matters to take care of later. So let's say goodbye here."

When Lin Ruoyun heard this, a trace of imperceptible loss flashed across her face, but she quickly returned to normal and replied softly: "Okay, since you have important matters to attend to, you should naturally put the important matters first. But..." She suddenly stopped here, as if she was hesitant about whether to continue.

Seeing this, Xiao Zixuan looked at the shy and lovely woman in front of him with great interest and asked, "Miss Lin seems to have something to say. If you have something to say, please feel free to speak."

Lin Ruoyun lowered her head slightly, a blush spreading across her cheeks, as delicate and alluring as a blooming peach blossom. She asked shyly, "It's just... I just don't know when we can meet again." Her voice was low, but it reached Xiao Zixuan's ears clearly.

Xiao Zixuan was stunned when he heard this, then said, "Oh, so that's what it is. Don't worry, Miss Lin. When I have free time, I will invite you to get together."

After hearing this, Lin Ruoyun was immediately delighted and said quickly, "That's great. I will wait here for your good news."

Xiao Zixuan suddenly turned around as if he had remembered something important, and asked Lin Ruoyun softly, "Oh, right! Do you want me to arrange for someone to escort Miss Lin back home?"

Lin Ruoyun bowed slightly and replied softly, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I came here today in my own carriage. If you have important matters to attend to, please go and deal with them first." Her voice was as clear and pleasant as the sound of a yellow oriole singing in a valley.

Xiao Zixuan nodded and said, "In that case, I'll take my leave first. I'll see you another day, young lady." After that, he bowed goodbye to Lin Ruoyun, then left with light steps.

Lin Ruoyun stood there quietly, watching Xiao Zixuan's receding figure until he disappeared from her sight. Then, she slowly sat down, as if still immersed in the time she had just spent with Xiao Zixuan, and did not get up for a long time.

After a while, a maid named Xiang'er hurried into the room, came to Lin Ruoyun's side, and asked cautiously, "Miss, are we going back home now?"

Lin Ruoyun finally came back to her senses, nodded gently, and said, "Well, let's go back." Then the master and servant walked out of the room together, got on the carriage that had been waiting outside, and drove towards the Lin Mansion.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the gate of the Lin Mansion. As soon as Lin Ruoyun got off the carriage, she saw Mrs. Lin coming to greet her with a smile on her face. She couldn't wait to ask, "Yun'er, how did this meeting go?"

Lin Ruoyun hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to conceal some of the details of what had just happened. She simply replied, "It went pretty smoothly. Young Master Xiao said he'll ask me out again next time."

Mrs. Lin was overjoyed when she heard this. She grabbed Lin Ruoyun's hand and said excitedly, "Okay, okay, mother knew that my Yun'er would definitely win the heart of Young Master Xiao!" As she said that, she pulled Lin Ruoyun into the mansion.