Zhao Kan's voice was not small. It was impossible for Zhao Huaiyan, who was sitting in the carriage, not to have heard it, but he remained silent.
Amidst the deadlock, Lin Xiyu, who had received some unknown information, rushed over and, at the sight of Lin Jinhuai wearing the Third Prince's fox fur, bitingly remarked, "Seventh Sister, why are you meeting with the Third Prince alone here?"
Zhao Kan didn't hesitate. If others were to think that Lin Jinhuai had disregarded her reputation to meet with him privately, it would seem plausible, "This prince only saved Miss Lin at the back alley yesterday. I came to check on her today. Is there any problem with that, Miss?"
Upon seeing Zhao Kan defending her in this manner, Lin Xiyu, although she knew her mother's intentions, was still resentful, "The Third Prince has kindly intentions, and Xiyu does not dare to voice any objections. However, Seventh Sister’s biological mother has just passed away, but she is only concerned about her personal affairs, either she is as foolish as a pig or she is an unfaithful and unfilial person without regard for propriety and integrity!"
Such heart-piercing words made Gao Bingzhe frown slightly. He turned to the carriage and inquired if he should help. However, Zhao Huaiyan only narrowed his icy eyes and shook his head as he gazed at the serene woman standing in the snow.
Zhao Kan was about to speak, but Lin Jinhuai took advantage of the opportunity to step back, creating some distance from Zhao Kan and said, "What Elder Sister said is correct. However, this maidservant is only expressing gratitude to the Prince for saving her life. If there is any overstepping, I am willing to accept any punishment without any complaints!"
Upon hearing this, the onlookers nodded in agreement. After all, who would choose to have a secret meeting in the bustling main entrance?
As Zhao Kan frowned and sneered, suggesting that Lin Jinhuai was eager to distance herself from him, she replied, "The Third Prince's status is noble, and this maidservant does not dare to associate inappropriately."
"Is that so? But you dare to associate with the Crown Prince? And what about our esteemed Prince Ning from the Jin Dynasty?" Zhao Kan's gaze turned cold as he looked towards the carriage.
Listening to his words, Zhao Huaiyan remained calm and composed without a hint of fluctuation in his expression. However, his gaze fell more on Lin Jinhuai. From her current situation, she clearly wanted to find someone to shelter her. Compared to his own silence, the Third Prince, who was now flourishing, seemed to be the best option. Was there some conflict between these two? Last night he had it investigated, and there had been no prior interaction between the two. Could there be a secret hidden between them that even he was not aware of?
"Because..." Lin Jinhuai seemed to feel Zhao Huaiyan's gaze and looked at him, "Although Prince Ning has a hidden illness, as long as I can accompany him, I am willing to do so, regardless of rank."
When Lin Jinhuai spoke these words, it seemed as though each word had been carefully considered, and it was impossible not to believe her.
Zhao Kan had never felt so humiliated. Particularly when this young lady chose Zhao Huaiyan, who was suffering from a hidden illness, over himself. His eyes narrowed, and with a hint of killing intent, if not for the reminder from the attendant, he feared he would have snapped Lin Jinhuai's slender neck.
Lin Xiyu exchanged a glance with the maid Xiaofeng, who covered her mouth and sarcastically said, "Seventh Miss, you are in such a hurry just after coming of age. Even those who make a living in the brothel wouldn’t be as impatient as you."
The surrounding people were in an uproar. To say that an unmarried woman was so impatient, comparing her to a woman of the pleasure quarter—this spread the word, and the reputation of the Lin Family's Seventh Miss would truly be tarnished.
"Who would have thought that the other day you were still accompanying your deceased mother's funeral procession, and today you are seeking to get married here."
"Oh my, shameless indeed, tarnishing the family's reputation..."
...
The mocking and ridiculing voices from the crowd kept on coming. Lin Jinhuai lowered her gaze slightly, speaking softly, "My father is far away at the border, my mother has just passed away, and my aunt has been imprisoned for allowing someone to poison me. Elder Sister, Jinhuai is truly scared, and I don't know what I should or shouldn't say."
Zhao Huaiyan looked at her standing in the cold wind, dressed in mourning clothes, and she appeared so pale as if she could be blown away by the wind at any moment. But the words she spoke seemed as if each had been carefully pondered, making it impossible not to believe her.
Lin Xiyu was taken aback and hurriedly said, "You are talking nonsense. When did my mother ever allow someone to poison you!"
"I dare not speak falsely. Elder Sister, please don't hit me." Lin Jinhuai took a step back, biting her pale lip. The dewy mist that had formed in her bright eyes seemed even more pitiful.
Everyone looked at the bloody wound on her forehead and took a sharp breath of cold air.
Zhao Kan looked at the distressed and helpless Lin Xiyu and cursed her internally. He stepped forward and grabbed Lin Jinhuai's shoulder, giving an insidious smile, "Seventh Miss, are you unwell? No wonder you look so weak..."
Lin Jinhuai felt as if her shoulder was about to be crushed by him, and as she tried to speak, she felt a numbness at the back of her neck. Her whole body seemed to lose strength, and her mind began to swim. She was overwhelmed by the feeling of helplessness and panic she had felt when she helplessly watched her entire family being executed and when she was forced to drink poisoned wine in her past life.
Before losing consciousness completely, she only saw Lin Xiyu looking at her with ill intentions and saying to Zhao Kan, "Why did Seventh Sister faint? Third Prince, could you please take her inside!"
(Translated by AI)