192: Chapter 0192 A Chill

Xie Juner felt extremely relieved, even feeling a sense of liberation.

She was full of anticipation, wanting to see Lin Xiao's reaction.

She had previously acted on his behalf under the identity of Ning Junzhu, and even gone up to the city walls to defend the city together with him.

He should be very surprised, right?

A gust of mountain wind blew by, feeling chilly.

Nothing happened!

Lin Xiao acted as if he hadn't heard anything, continuing to tidy up the potatoes without even turning his head to look at her!?

Xiao Qingxuan held back her laughter with great effort; after all, not showing one's emotions on one's face was one of the mandatory courses for an emperor.

My husband is really something, he could have at least acted a little; if this Princess Ningxiang gets stimulated and jumps off the cliff in anger, what then?

Considering that they still needed to cooperate with the Xie Family in the future, Xiao Qingxuan did not want to make the relationship too rigid.

She quickly put on an expression of surprise, covering her mouth with her hand:

"What? You are Princess Ningxiang? No wonder you are so beautiful, the reputation is truly well-deserved!"

Xie Juner stood in place, clenching her hands, biting her lips.

In the past, if anyone had complimented her like this, she would have felt it was a kind word.

But when Xiao Qingxuan said it, Xie Juner felt it was a great irony!

The key is... why didn't Lin Xiao react!?

"Madam Lin, you flatter me. In front of you, how could I, Juner, dare to speak of beauty..."

Xie Juner said bitterly: "It is no wonder that Lin Xiao has no interest in even glancing at me."

"Princess, you have misunderstood."

Lin Xiao put the potatoes into his storage space, stood up, turned around, and said: "This general only felt awkward, after all, I just had a falling out with the Marquis."

"Furthermore, my relationship with the heir is usually like brothers, so for Emperor Hong to suddenly bestow you upon me in marriage is somewhat inappropriate."

Upon hearing this explanation, Xie Juner immediately said: "Our Xie Family did something wrong, so it is reasonable and fair to be punished."

"As for my brother, he never cares about these things and will not mind, so why does the General feel it is inappropriate?"

Lin Xiao smiled and said: "Princess, if you think this engagement is very appropriate, then why have you always used the identity of 'Ning Junzhu' before today?"

"I..."

Xie Juner was speechless, discovering that no matter what she said, it wouldn't be appropriate.

From looking down on a 'mere martial artist' at the beginning, to not wanting to share him with other women later, and then to being indecisive and overly concerned with gains and losses...

In the end, deep down, she was still not open-minded enough! Not firm enough!

Unknowingly, she had missed all the opportunities to get closer to him!

"Princess, you do not need to worry about the marriage decree. Emperor Hong is currently unable to protect himself and cannot manage these things."

"If it really doesn't work, just say that because of the matter of fining the Marquis's estate, I had a falling out with the Marquis; any explanation will do."

"As for the cooperation between our Northern Trade Alliance and the Xie Family, you don't need to worry either; Su Wansha will definitely understand, and you can still continue to be good sisters."

"Today I am accompanying my wife out for an excursion and still have some things to do, so I will take my leave now."

Lin Xiao did not want to say any more, stopping at the right point.

Xie Juner hadn't done anything heinous; it could only be said that their personalities didn't quite match.

Noble ladies from wealthy families mostly have tempers, which Lin Xiao could understand.

Doing business and making money together was still fine, even very professional; she was definitely a good helper.

As for marriage? Forget it, forget it, let's not torture each other!

Xie Juner was not stupid either; she naturally could hear that the man was not interested in her at all!

Grievance, regret, unwillingness, shame...

Countless emotions made her chest feel stuffy!

But her strong-willed nature made her hold back and not cry out.

"It is rare for Lin Xiao to be so frank. Juner understands; let's do as the General says."

Xie Juner forced a smile and said: "The scenery here is unique; I still plan to walk around a bit more. Please feel free to go ahead, the two of you."

Lin Xiao nodded, took Xiao Qingxuan's hand, and walked back to the temple.

After the two had gone far away, Xie Juner's fragrant shoulders trembled, and tears fell onto the ground with a pattering sound...

Little did she know, both of them were martial arts experts, and even separated by dozens of meters, they could still hear the sound of her tears falling.

"Husband, Xie Juner has many admirers in the Northern Territory. If you don't marry her in the end, I'm afraid many people will stand up for her in the future."

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head and sighed, but there was a hint of playfulness at the corner of her mouth.

"Why does my wife sound a bit like she's gloating?"

Lin Xiao didn't care about these things; he had no time to deal with those playboys. Whoever came, would die!

"Husband, you have misunderstood. I just admire you, husband; such a beautiful princess, and you say you don't want her, so you just don't."

"It's all thanks to you, my wife. After seeing your beauty, those are nothing!"

"That is indeed true!"

Xiao Qingxuan did not hold back either, happily linking her arm with the man's and smiling beautifully.

Arriving at the meditation room of Xishan Temple, Lin Xiao asked the young novice monk to fetch the abbot, Liaoyuan.

"Lin Xiao, is there something you need to instruct this humble monk?"

The monk Liaoyuan was curious why it was so mysterious.

Lin Xiao did not talk nonsense and took out one of the potatoes he had just dug up.

"Abbot, do you recognize this item?"

Liaoyuan looked closely and was immediately startled: "Lin Xiao, where did this come from? Half a year ago, I clearly ordered my disciples to destroy them all!"

"Destroyed?"

Lin Xiao frowned and said: "Do you know what this is?"

Liaoyuan sighed: "I do not know exactly what it is, but this thing is poisonous. Once eaten, it will cause confusion, vomiting, and diarrhea!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao immediately thought that someone must have eaten sprouted ones, and the solanine levels were too high.

"Your Xishan Temple has such great courage, actually still planting poisonous weeds?" Lin Xiao feigned anger.

"I am wronged!"

Liaoyuan hurriedly knelt down and explained: "Lin Xiao, this thing was brought by a Sanskrit monk who traveled here at the beginning of the year."

"That Sanskrit monk followed a Hu merchant caravan all the way from Western Shu, Nanling, the capital, and then to our Northern Territory, Cang Province, to exchange Buddhist teachings."

"He finally passed away in our Xishan Temple. The Hu merchant caravan took his remains back to the Western Regions, leaving behind only some unwanted worldly possessions."

"We originally thought it was some kind of fruit. A disciple was greedy and ate a few bites; not only was it terrible, but he almost lost his life!"

"That is why I ordered two disciples to destroy all the poisonous fruits, but how... did it end up in the General's hands?"

Lin Xiao immediately asked him to bring the two disciples who had originally destroyed the potatoes.

Upon questioning, it turned out they had indeed dug a pit and buried the sprouted potatoes.

Liaoyuan was so angry that he took a discipline ruler and hit the two disciples a few times.

"You fools! This is a poisonous weed! You didn't burn it, but planted it in the ground? Isn't this going to harm people!?"

Lin Xiao was terrified on the side, thinking to himself that it was fortunate for the two 'silly monks'; if they had really burned it, he would have suffered a huge loss!

If it weren't for the need to keep it secret now, he should have awarded them a banner saying 'Immeasurable Merit'!

"Since it was not intentional cultivation of poisonous plants, this general will not hold you accountable."

Lin Xiao said with a serious face: "However, this matter ends here and cannot be spread; otherwise... no one can save you!"

"That is natural! We are afraid of such ugly things! Thank you, General, for your benevolence!"

Liaoyuan was terrified and swore repeatedly, telling his disciples to keep their mouths shut.

"By the way, did that Sanskrit monk leave behind anything else? This general wants to check it." Lin Xiao said sternly.

Upon hearing this, Liaoyuan's expression became somewhat stiff, while the two beaten disciples looked at their master with strange expressions.