The young general and the prince, who was to be married off, fell in love at first sight!

Chapter 5 Lin Ha, Lin Shi, Lin Qi

Lin Shiming fled the side hall as if his life depended on it, almost using his lightness skill, and only caught his breath when he reached the front hall.

The guards standing at the entrance of the main hall saw him approach and immediately stepped forward to greet him, "Second Young Master, His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for you inside."

Lin Shiming nodded and strode inside.

*

In the front hall, Crown Prince Lu Yuxi was standing in front of the screen, carefully examining the text on it. When he heard Lin Shiming enter, he immediately turned around to look.

"Your subject Lin Shiming greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for formalities!" Lu Yuxi walked a few steps to Lin Shiming and helped him up. "Please don't bow to me anymore. You and I... will be getting married soon, so there's no need for so many formalities."

Lin Shiming was very open-minded. When Lu Yuxi told him that he didn't need to bow, he immediately straightened up as Lu Yuxi helped him.

"Does Your Highness like this screen?"

Lu Yuxi seemed a little embarrassed when he saw Lin Shiming. He awkwardly tugged at his sleeve. "No, it's just that the calligraphy on this screen is elegant and refined, with the air of a master. I've never seen anything like it before."

"This is my great-uncle's courtesy name."

"Great-uncle?" Lu Yuxi paused for a moment before realizing he was referring to Lin Qingyuan. Then it became clear. Ever since this man had snatched away one of the Lu family's future heirs, the name "Lin Qingyuan" had become an unspeakable taboo within the Lu imperial family. Anyone who mentioned it would sigh and lament. Therefore, Lu Yuxi naturally had never seen Lin Qingyuan's name.

However, when Lin Qingyuan was mentioned, and when she thought of Lin Shiming and herself, Lu Yuxi suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"I went to pay my respects to the Emperor before lunch today. He said that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion sent someone to the palace this morning to say that you have agreed to our marriage. So I came to see you and, by the way, to ask you if you are willing."

“I keep my word, so of course I’m willing.” Lin Shiming chuckled, then threw the question back to Lu Yuxi, “What about Your Highness? Is Your Highness willing? After all, my brother and His Majesty have discussed some conditions, and I’m worried that it might upset His Highness the Crown Prince, which could lead to many conflicts and make things look bad.”

“Of course I’m willing. My opinion was sought before Father and Prince Lin even discussed this marriage.” As she spoke, Lu Yuxi’s eyes began to dart around, and her face flushed slightly. “As for the conditions they discussed, I agree to them. However—”

Lin Shiming raised an eyebrow and patiently waited for him to continue.

"Marriage is a major life event. Since we are both willing, I still hope we can continue on this path." Lu Yuxi's face turned even redder. "So after we get married, let's spend more time together. When things are settled, please consider keeping some of our time together."

"Your Highness has spoken, and I will obey." Quite the foresight! Lin Shiming subtly glanced at the somewhat reserved Crown Prince before him a few more times, then a plan formed in his mind. "Your Highness just said that you came today to see me and inquire about my feelings. Now that you've seen me and know that I am willing, what are your plans next?"

Although he didn't pay attention to politics, he had occasionally heard people say that the current crown prince was always a dignified, polite, and gentle gentleman. He never expected that he would be such an easily embarrassed person today.

Lin Shiming has always been one to push his luck. Now that he has discovered how thin-skinned his fiancé is, he will definitely not let him off so easily. He will definitely tease him a bit.

Lu Yuxi was completely unaware of the sinister intentions of the person in front of him; he was racking his brains trying to figure out how to answer the question.

"I..."

"Then why don't you come with me to my courtyard, Your Highness?" I bet you wouldn't dare; I just want to see you looking completely helpless!

"it is good."

Huh? Why did you agree? Lin Shiming was a little surprised. Shouldn't he have shyly refused? Why didn't he follow the expected pattern?

However, since the matter had already been brought up, Lin Shiming couldn't back out. "Then Your Highness, please follow me."

*

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was built by founding heroes, a family of nobles and military generals, so the mansion was much larger than even the royal palace. Furthermore, because the Lin family's inner quarters were simple and the population small, each person's courtyard was comparable to two or three courtyards of other families.

As the youngest son who was much loved in the family, Lin Shiming's courtyard could be described as having pavilions and towers, with everything imaginable.

“Jingming Courtyard?” Lu Yuxi looked up at the plaque above the gate of Lin Shiming Courtyard. “This looks like your handwriting.”

"Your Highness can read?"

“Of course. You’re always traveling, so people in the capital only know you as a person, but not what kind of person you are. So after my father told me about the arranged marriage, I went to look for you.” Lu Yuxi had already shaken off her earlier embarrassment and was much more relaxed. She spoke more calmly and peacefully. “I wanted to get to know my future Crown Princess.”

Lin Shiming asked with some curiosity, "What else does Your Highness know besides my calligraphy?"

"The first thing I learned was that you were highly skilled in martial arts. My mother even advised me to treat you better after we got married, otherwise if you beat me to death one day, no one would be able to find out."

That's absolutely true. The White Queen's original words were: "I am a close friend of Lin Shiming's mother, Zhang Ting, so I know a little about this child. Putting aside everything else, his martial arts skills are the strongest in the Lin family for generations. I have already lost your brother, and I don't really want to lose another child, so I suggest that you be more discerning after you get married, otherwise if he beats you to death, no one will be able to find out who did it."

This greatly shocked Lu Yuxi at the time.

“...No, that won’t happen.” This time it was Lin Shiming’s turn to laugh awkwardly. “I’m still very reasonable.”

Lu Yuxi smiled gently and said, "Of course I believe you."

The warmest sunlight of a winter afternoon softly bathed the two of them, and Lin Shiming seemed to be dazzled by the gentle and refined prince in front of him.

"Why don't you speak?"

"No," Lin Shiming said somewhat awkwardly, turning his gaze away. "Let's go, I'll take you to see the little wolf cub I just brought back."

*

Yuan Ye is a man of exceptional efficiency. It has only been an hour since Lin Shiming went out to eat, and he has already properly settled the three wolf cubs' home in a warm pavilion not far from the main room. He has even prepared three sets of tableware and a small nest.

“Look,” Lin Shiming squatted down on the ground without any regard for his image, poking one of the cubs that was crawling out again, “these are the three little things.”

Lu Yuxi had never seen such a small wolf cub, nor such a "lively and carefree" person. As the second son of the Empress and later the Crown Prince, he had only ever met well-mannered and strictly disciplined "nobles." Now, seeing Lin Shiming so uninhibited and natural, he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.

For a moment, he was a little worried. His future crown princess was so casual that she might be targeted by those people in the palace and the court who were always talking about etiquette and rules.

But Lu Yuxi thought again. She was the Crown Prince, and according to the law, no one except her father and mother could receive her courtesy. As her Crown Princess, Lin Shiming would inevitably be the same in the future, so whether he was formal or not was not really a problem.

Having successfully convinced himself, Lu Yuxi instantly relaxed. He even imitated Lin Shiming's nonchalant manner and squatted down beside him, reaching out to pat the little wolf's head.

Did you name them?

"Of course!" Lin Shiming exclaimed excitedly. "I already decided on the way back that we'd name them Lin Ha, Lin Shi, and Lin Qi, from oldest to youngest!" Husky!

Hmm? It even has a first and last name?

Is there any symbolic meaning?

"...I just thought of it randomly." This wasn't a very good explanation, so Lin Shiming had to brush it off. However, "After we get married, can I bring them into the Eastern Palace as well?"

“Okay, I’ll have someone arrange rooms for them.” At this point, Lu Yuxi suddenly blushed again. “What kind of style do you like? I’ll go back and redecorate our bedroom and the entire East Palace.”

Lin Shiming readily agreed, "I like a serene and spacious place. Ideally, there would be a training ground, as I need to get up early to practice."

Lu Yuxi recalled the layout of the East Palace and her own storeroom, and felt confident. "I'll go back and have people set it up. I'll take you in to see it beforehand."

Lin Shiming nodded in satisfaction. He knew he'd be living in this place for who knows how many years to come, so it was best if it suited his taste. And wouldn't you know it, his fiancé was quite sensible!

So Lin Shiming simply plopped down on the ground, reached out and picked up the biggest Linha to pet, and happily began to share his design plans with Lu Yuxi.

It wasn't until the sun began to set in the west that Lu Yuxi's eunuch came in to remind him that the Empress was still waiting for him to have dinner together, and then the two said goodbye to each other.

Before leaving, Lu Yuxi reminded Lin Shiming to get up early tomorrow, as the imperial edict would be delivered first thing in the morning.

*

After seeing the person off at the door and watching the car gradually disappear into the distance, Lin Shiming reluctantly went directly to the side hall.

As soon as he entered, he was greeted by Lin Shihe's gloomy gaze.

"You had a good afternoon, didn't you? I wonder who was it that was so reluctant last night, constantly urging me to call off the engagement!"

"Oh dear, where's my sister-in-law?"

"Are you trying to change the subject?"

"Where's my nephew? Why isn't he here?"

"Fine, keep pretending!" Lin Shihe chuckled, but still took pity on him and let him off the hook. "A few days ago, after receiving the invitation, your sister-in-law took Anji back to her parents' home in the afternoon to attend her third sister's gathering. They had dinner there before returning."

Why aren't you with me?

Lin Shihe rolled her eyes at him again, annoyed. "What would I do at their gathering of young ladies?"

"Oh!" Lin Shiming replied casually, his eyes darting around before he couldn't resist sitting down next to his brother with his bowl in hand, a fawning smile on his face. "Brother, tell me, what kind of person is Lu Yuxi?"

"You spent the whole afternoon with him and you're asking me?"

"Oh dear, we've just met, how can we possibly get to know each other so quickly? Tell us, tell us!"

"Alright, alright," Lin Shihe put down his chopsticks and became serious. "To be honest, when the former Crown Prince was still alive, this Crown Prince didn't receive much attention. Everyone's attention was focused on the then Crown Prince Lu Yuxu, and the only evaluation of Lu Yuxi was that he was gentle and refined, with a handsome face."

"After the former crown prince passed away, His Majesty made him the crown prince, and this fifth prince born of the legitimate wife began to receive widespread attention. At that time, what we knew was that Lu Yuxi was a gentleman with a dignified and polite appearance. After he entered the court and came into contact with many court officials, the evaluation was further enhanced by the words 'possessing both virtue and talent'."

"So, he's a gentle, polite, and handsome man?"

Lin Shihe nodded, "That's basically it. Actually, many people in the court feel that the current crown prince is far inferior to the former crown prince. This sounds reasonable, as the former crown prince was exceptionally handsome and refined, with few able to match him. But those who have actually met both of them know that one is dashing and the other is dignified, each with their own unique charm. It's just that the former crown prince was too stunning, while the current crown prince is more reserved, which is why everyone mistakenly thinks he is inferior."

As Lin Shiming listened, he became somewhat excited, feeling as if this person was a direct reflection of his own sexual fetish.

To be honest, he'd traveled all over and met quite a few people, but he always felt that they were all lacking in some way. The aloof and cold ones were too arrogant and unapproachable; the lively and cheerful ones annoyed him; the cute ones seemed childish; and even the scheming ones, he disliked their roundabout way of speaking.

And then I met Lu Yuxi today—polite, gentle, approachable, and incredibly talented. Most importantly, he's handsome too! He's exactly the kind of person I like best!

Lin Shiming felt increasingly pleased with himself; this marriage arrangement was excellent!

While Lin Shiming was still basking in the joy of his incredible stroke of luck, Lin Shihe, sitting opposite him, looked at his younger brother, who was acting like a young girl in the throes of first love, with a complicated expression.

Suddenly, he felt as if he understood how the emperor felt when Lin Qingyuan seduced the crown prince back then.

What goes around comes around, and now it's the Lin family's turn to experience the same thing. It's truly heartbreaking!