Chapter 18: The First Encounter
Returning to his own palace, Crown Prince Huo Yuchen instructed his personal attendant, Jing Feng, “Go bring that ‘Divine Archer’ here. I have matters to inquire about in detail.”
He recalled that his sister, the Princess, said Lin Pianran was the first to start rescuing people; perhaps she could provide some useful information.
Soon, Lin Pianran was brought into a magnificent and resplendent palace.
Seated in the central high seat was a strikingly handsome young man with a cold demeanor.
His eagle-like eyes narrowed slightly, exuding an imposing aura as he fixed his gaze unrelentingly on the girl who walked in slowly.
As Lin Pianran stepped into the grand hall, an invisible pressure surged toward her, as if to swallow her whole, crushing her into pieces.
The man seated in the hall appeared to be in his early twenties, with long hair elegantly tied up, delicate and exquisite features resembling a masterful sculpture. His face was breathtakingly handsome, his eyes deep and unfathomable as an abyss.
He was nobly unparalleled, sacred and untouchable.
The only flaw was a somewhat pale complexion, as if plagued by a chronic illness.
The man before her was stunningly beautiful to the point of shaking the heart; Lin Pianran’s eyes nearly locked onto him but she dared not stare too long and quickly averted her gaze.
Lowering her head, she approached and bowed respectfully at a short distance, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I pay my respects.”
“Rise,” the man’s voice was low and resonant, yet exceedingly pleasant, soothing to the ears.
Lin Pianran recalled that such a perfect man had eventually fallen victim to a dreadful chronic poison, incurable and severe. His once jet-black hair had turned completely silver, and some whispered behind his back that he was a monster.
After being slandered by treacherous officials and forced to bear baseless accusations, he sought to plead his innocence, but Emperor Qin Wu refused to meet him.
Driven to desperation, he broke through all odds, killing the treacherous villains, only to be relentlessly pursued by Emperor Qin Wu until he died on the run.
Such a prodigiously talented Crown Prince of the Great Qin had been forced to a tragic end.
Truly heartbreaking!
“Miss Lin, I have summoned you here to learn more about the wolf pack attack,” the man’s voice broke through her reverie.
Snapping back to attention, Lin Pianran quickly responded, “Yes, Your Highness. I shall tell everything I know, leaving nothing out.”
Noticing the young girl’s nervous yet composed demeanor, Huo Yuchen felt a slight urge to smile, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifted.
The girl was very young, about fourteen or fifteen, with thick bangs that obscured her delicate beauty, making her appearance less striking.
Yet those beautiful, cunning fox-like eyes were remarkably captivating—one could easily fall into them and not escape.
“Tell me about the entire rescue process, from beginning to end, the more detailed the better!”
After a brief moment to organize her thoughts, Lin Pianran began to speak in a melodious and pleasing voice, like a bird’s song.
She emphasized that before the wolves arrived, she searched around for any sign of the Imperial Guards but found none.
She also mentioned that only after the wolves had killed more than half the people did ten Imperial Guards arrive—an incredibly timely appearance, as if they had prior warning.
She even raised the suspicion that wolves should not normally appear during the daytime.
She suggested that the bodies of the wild wolves be examined to see if they were poisoned, especially the wolf king’s body.
She recommended a thorough inspection of the environment where the wolves appeared for any abnormalities.
After a series of analyses and explanations, Huo Yuchen felt even more certain that this incident was extraordinary and likely concealed a grand conspiracy.
Upon finishing, Lin Pianran praised the Princess for her beauty and kindness; Feng Pan for his exceptional martial arts, generous and righteous nature; Xue Yunci for unparalleled agility and noble bearing; and Lü Xueyan, true to her title as a ‘Tiger Daughter of a Military Family,’ for her tremendous strength and superb skills.
Her account was vivid, well-organized, and logically sound.
Not only was her voice delightful and clear, her pace measured and engaging, but she even mimicked the voices and actions of those she had seen with remarkable precision and charm.
Her storytelling deeply impressed Huo Yuchen.
He silently marveled that the girl was not only an excellent archer but also a masterful storyteller, utterly captivating.
After hearing Lin Pianran’s narrative, Huo Yuchen felt as if the fog had lifted, and clarity shone in his heart.
He teased lightly, “You praise the Princess as if she were unrivaled in heaven and on earth—is that not flattery?”
“I only speak the truth. The Princess deserves more praise. She is not only peerlessly beautiful but approachable and kind-hearted,” Lin Pianran replied confidently.
Huo Yuchen finally understood why the Princess described Lin Pianran as such an intriguing woman.
Indeed, she was a remarkable talent.
He watched the girl’s every word and gesture quietly.
The smile playing on his lips never faded.
His mood was the best it had been in years.
He stepped closer, closing the distance between them to just two paces.
Examining her more closely, he realized Lin Pianran’s features were exceptionally striking, rivaling even his sister’s; only her hairstyle concealed some of her radiance.
She possessed a perfect blend of coolness and charm, moving with a lively grace as if she were a sprite from the mountains.
Her skin was fair and delicate, her face exquisitely small, and her wide, sparkling eyes were the finishing touch, filled with mischief and innocence.
Her slender figure was slightly taller than most girls. When standing quietly, she resembled a lotus flower standing aloof from the world—pure, elegant, and untouchable.
When she smiled playfully, it was like a gentle breeze caressing the heart’s lake, stirring ripples that made one wish to hold onto that brilliant moment forever.
He had never met such an intriguing woman—stunning in appearance, lively and fascinating in spirit, and with a spirited, adorable personality. For someone as strict and proud as he, she held an irresistible allure.
He had never paid special attention to any woman before; now, for the first time in his life, he felt a strong urge to explore this girl’s depths.
“Is it because the Princess is your only sister that you praise her so relentlessly before me, hoping to leave a good impression?”
“Do you, like other women, seek every means to please me?”
Huo Yuchen’s eyes were as deep as the sea, swirling with a terrifying emotion.
Lin Pianran did not understand and dared not meet his gaze.
A bit annoyed, she made a fierce, clawing expression, then slumped her head and said, “If you don’t believe me, then forget it—I won’t say anything!”
“Besides, I’ve never thought of pleasing you, so don’t get the wrong idea...”
Seeing her reaction, Huo Yuchen realized his probing had upset the girl.