Volume 1 Chapter 9 A Lesson

Lin Che never expected to run into Xiao Chen here. Not wanting to engage, he said to Murong Qinghe, "Let's go."

Murong Qinghe was also aware of Xiao Chen’s arrogance and didn’t want to linger, so she stepped forward to get into the carriage.

Because of the matter with the Dragon Jade, Xiao Chen had come to drown his sorrows. Now, drunk and seeing Lin Che, his anger finally erupted.

In his eyes, Lin Che was deliberately trying to extort money from them, making things difficult!

He couldn’t strike in front of his sister, but now, he wouldn’t let this bastard Lin Che off!

“Stop right there!” Xiao Chen charged forward, shouting, “Since I’ve met you here, you’ll pay the price!”

He raised his fist, aiming straight for Lin Che’s forehead.

“How dare you!” Murong Qinghe instinctively rushed forward, standing in front of Lin Che, causing Xiao Chen’s fist to land on her shoulder instead.

“Ahh…” Murong Qinghe groaned, staggering sideways.

“Miss Murong!” Lin Che’s expression shifted slightly as he hurried to steady her.

Murong Qinghe fell right into Lin Che’s arms, clutching her shoulder with a pained expression.

Lin Che glanced around; several shadowy figures tried to rush forward but stopped under his fierce gaze.

Seeing Murong Qinghe, Xiao Chen was momentarily stunned, then looked at Lin Che with contempt. “Lin Che, well done! You divorced my sister and immediately hooked up with another woman? My sister really misjudged you!”

“Xiao Chen, enough!” Lin Che said coldly.

“What’s the matter? Caught red-handed and flustered? Pathetic…” Xiao Chen sneered.

Lin Che didn’t tolerate him further. Before Xiao Chen could finish, he slapped him so hard that stars appeared in his eyes. Xiao Chen spun twice and collapsed to the ground.

Xiao Chen’s face twisted in pain. As he struggled to get up, his eyes reddened in disbelief. “You dare hit me, Lin Che? You actually dare hit me now!”

“Why not?” Lin Che replied indifferently.

He was no longer connected to Xiao Aoyu. He had once endured this little brother-in-law, but there was no need anymore.

“Fine, fine! Lin Che, you made me sell your jade, and now you hit me? I’ll make you pay!” He glared at a few cronies nearby. “Take him down!”

The cronies, hoping to gain favor with Xiao Chen and Prince Liang, charged at Lin Che.

Lin Che snorted coldly, pushing Murong Qinghe aside and clenching his fists, feet firmly planted.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Within three punches and two kicks, he sent the drunken scions flying.

Xiao Chen’s eyes widened in shock. “Lin Che, you… you know martial arts?!”

Impossible. This guy had always been a weakling.

“Don’t bother me again,” Lin Che warned.

He wasn’t just trained in martial arts; his father had secretly groomed him from childhood, refining his skills with the best teachers to prepare him for the throne. He just hadn’t had the opportunity to show it at the Xiao residence.

Xiao Chen realized that continuing to cause trouble would only bring him trouble. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Just wait! I’ll tell my sister, and she’ll make you pay!”

He was certain that once his sister intervened, Lin Che would be in trouble.

Lin Che shook his head with a smile, ignoring him.

Once in the carriage, Lin Che asked, “Does it hurt?”

Murong Qinghe, sensing his concern, smiled sweetly. “A little.”

“Don’t do that again. They can’t hurt me.”

She nodded; it was a reflexive act.

“Your Highness!” A strong voice came from outside the curtain.

Lin Che looked ahead. “I’m fine.”

It was Zhao Wu, a guard secretly sent by his father to protect him from assassins within the court.

“By the way, have you found any leads on the Dragon Jade?” Lin Che asked.

“My men are investigating with all their effort!”

Lin Che said no more and returned to the palace to prepare for tomorrow’s enthronement ceremony.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chen had already returned to the Xiao residence.

“Chen’er, how did you get so badly hurt?” Xiao Boqing and Xiao Aoyu, discussing affairs in the study, were both stunned.

Xiao Chen touched his swollen face, venomously, “That bastard Lin Che beat me!”

Lin Che?!

Xiao Boqing’s first reaction was disbelief.

Xiao Aoyu doubted it too. “Xiao Chen, Lin Che is weak as a kitten. How could he have beaten you?”

Xiao Aoyu was fond of martial arts, and Xiao Chen had grown up around it. He wasn’t the strongest warrior, but certainly could handle two or three opponents.

To claim Lin Che had beaten him was surely a grudge-driven lie!

“It’s true, sister. Lin Che is a villain. Help me get revenge! Let Prince Liang teach that brat a lesson!” Xiao Chen insisted.

“Chen’er, tell the truth. Who really hurt you? Our Xiao family may have fallen on hard times, but with Prince Liang around, no one would dare beat us without consequence!” Xiao Boqing thought Xiao Chen was afraid to speak the truth.

Xiao Chen was frustrated and stamped his foot. “Why won’t you believe me? I saw Lin Che, and he was with a beautiful woman—definitely from a noble family. They were cozy, then got into a carriage together!”

Xiao Aoyu shook her head, smiling skeptically.

Lin Che was broke—how could he ride in a carriage? And with a beautiful woman?

“Chen’er, you must be drunk and imagining things. Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken with Prince Liang. He promised ten thousand taels!” They had just been discussing this.

“Really, sister?!” Xiao Chen brightened.

Xiao Aoyu nodded. She had approached Lin Wangzhi, who surprisingly agreed decisively. He even said he would come along to formally propose to Lin Che in person.

This made Xiao Aoyu’s heart swell with happiness.

“Prince Liang is truly generous—nothing like that useless Lin Che!” Xiao Boqing boasted proudly.

“Indeed, Prince Liang is about to inherit the throne. He’s not comparable to a nobody like Lin Che.”

“By the way, Yu’er, has Prince Liang told you when we’ll be reinstated?” Xiao Boqing asked, more concerned.

Xiao Aoyu shook her head, puzzled. “I asked him, but he told me not to inquire further. He seemed very irritated—no idea why!”

“Must be the pressure of inheriting the throne,” Xiao Chen said.

Xiao Boqing nodded. “That shows he cares deeply for the country. He’ll be a wise ruler for ages to come!”

Xiao Aoyu agreed, pride swelling in her heart.

This was her man—concerned with the realm and its people.

...

Lin Che returned to the palace, observing ritual fasting, eating vegetarian meals, measuring his body, and familiarizing himself with the ceremonial rites until late at night before retiring to his chamber.

Just as he arrived, a gust of wind blew outside.

“Your Highness Zhao Wu requests an audience!”

Lin Che replied, “Send him in.”

Zhao Wu entered, sword at his side, ensuring no one was around before closing the door.

“Your Highness, the Dragon Jade has been recovered from a merchant for your inspection.” Zhao Wu approached and presented it with both hands.

The uncut jade was yellow with a carved dragon etched upon it.

“How much silver was paid?” Lin Che took the jade.

“Not a single coin. Your Highness, we arrested the merchant on charges of illegal trading of royal goods. He begged us to return the jade!”

“Well done.” Lin Che noted Zhao Wu’s thoroughness.

Merchants hoarding goods were the scourge of the nation and deserved such treatment.

He suddenly recalled that the Xiao family had once been lowly merchants.

But that was all in the past.

Lin Che dismissed Zhao Wu and lay down to rest.

The next day, June 14th, at dawn, Lin Che rose.

Today was the day of the enthronement ceremony.