Bab 9: Poison

"Cousin Zi Xuan," Feng Ning called as she walked towards him in her small steps. Her clear eyes were looking at the young man in front of him with unconcealed curiosity. It was as if she merely wanted to greet him without having any other intention.

Lin Zi Xuan lowered his gaze, looking at the young princess in front of him. "Yes, Princess Ning?"

"Would Uncle Han Xing be angry to see you here?" Feng Ning asked with tilted head once more.

Hearing her question, Lin Zi Xuan's eyes deepened. Even though she was asking such a naïve question and had a rather clueless face, he had the feelings that she was not as innocent and stupid as she looked. Those who looked pure was more often than not, were actually the opposite.

"He asked me to come here."

Feng Ning nodded and climbed the chair beside him. The chairs were here bigger as the one in their table was customized for children. It was a bit hard for her to sit down properly there.

"Let me help you."

"Ah, thank you."

Sensing Lin Zi Xuan carried her effortlessly, Feng Ning wondered whether she was actually that light. She was sure that she weighted at least several kilograms, right? Uh, there were no measurement here, so Feng Ning was not absolutely sure.

Lin Zi Xuan allowed Feng Ning to sit and took the empty glass. He poured the tea skillfully.

Looking at how he did it so elegantly, Feng Ning also wondered whether the males were also taught the skill to pour tea. She pushed the thought to the back of her head when she saw him offer the tea to her.

"Thank you, Cousin Xuan."

Sensing her change in her address, Lin Zi Xuan arched his eyebrows. "It's nothing. Are you not going to play again?"

"I'm tired," Feng Ning gave her excuse. "Cousin Xuan didn't play with your friends?"

"They're not here to play. It's more important to try to keep their lives intact after this party."

Feng Ning: "…" do you need to be so brutally honest in front of a child?

Seeing the dumbfounded expression on Feng Ning's face, Lin Zi Xuan chuckled. This little girl really did look stupid. However, how could there be any Imperial Family members who were actually so clueless? They would die if they couldn't figure out other people's scheme towards them.

"Are you also one, Cousin Xuan?" Feng Ning asked sweetly.

Lin Zi Xuan smiled, feeling that her voice sounded nice. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I see."

At this time, Feng Quan had walked towards them. Her eyes were looking at Lin Zi Xuan with wariness and also some curiosity. However, she had learned about his identity as the 'illegitimate' child of Lin Han Xing. Even though he had some fame, but he was someone who could lose his life even at a moment of carelessness.

"Sister," Feng Quan called in her coquettish voice. "Do you want to play again?"

"I'm still tired." Feng Ning was holding onto the cup in her hand and shook her head. She looked a bit cute when she acted this way.

"Alright."

Lin Zi Xuan sensed that Feng Quan didn't even want to interact with him. She didn't even spare him any glance as if he was not there. The corner of his lips curled up to form a sneer.

Indeed.

Most people would not want to interact with him because they knew of his low status. They were all afraid to get on the bad side of his father. And if they got close to him, what benefit would they get?

There was none.

He glanced at the young girl who sat beside him. Probably only someone as stupid as her would be willing to stay near him.

"Cousin Xuan?" Feng Ning raised her head. She was sensitive to other people's gaze and their emotion due to her past. Even though she didn't know what was inside Lin Zi Xuan's mind, she knew that his emotion shifted for a moment just now.

"Are you not worried your mother will search for you?"

"It's alright." Feng Ning lowered her eyes to the cup of tea in front of her. "Imperial Mother will not search for me unless I make trouble."

Lin Zi Xuan could sense the detachment in Feng Ning's tone. It was totally unlike the emotions that a mere 6 year old girl could possibly have. However, looking at the young girl, she did give him a sense of maturity that didn't seem to suit her young age.

It was strange.

"Do you like the party?"

Feng Ning didn't immediately answer. If she said that she didn't like it, it would surely offend those who had hosted this party. Unfortunately, the one who prepared the party was also the one whom no one would be able to afford to offend in their entire life.

"The decoration is nice and the atmosphere is lively. Who wouldn't like a party like this?" Feng Ning answered with rhetoric.

Lin Zi Xuan arched his eyebrows. He looked at the young girl deeply, contemplating what else should he talked with her. The more he talked with her, the more he found her to be so adult like.

He glanced at the cup of tea in his hand. "The tea has run out. I heard that Her Majesty is preparing a new type of drinks. Would you like to taste it?"

Glancing up, Feng Ning nodded her head. "I'm sure Her Majesty has excellent taste."

With that, Lin Zi Xuan raised his hand to call the servants to serve for him and Feng Ning. The nearby servant abruptly rushed over, delivering the drink that only several people dared to taste.

Lin Zi Xuan's eyes narrowed. The servant seemed a bit too eager.

The servant proceeded to pour the drink to their cups unhurriedly before retreating back once more.

Looking at the liquid, Feng Ning blinked her eyes. "It's tea."

"A new type of tea." Lin Zi Xuan was looking at his own cup, contemplating whether he should try to drink it or not. The smell was normal and there didn't seem to be anything wrong. His eyes landed on Feng Ning, wondering whether the servant was eager because of her.

But she was also an unfavored princess, wasn't she?

When he was contemplating, Feng Ning pushed her own cup away and then took Lin Zi Xuan's cup. She hated tea, so much that she would feel nauseas when she inhaled the scene. However, in this world, she would have no other choice but to drink them almost every single day.

It was annoying.

Thanks to that, she could remember their smell very well.

"Is there anything wrong, Princess Ning?" Lin Zi Xuan arched his eyebrows, letting the young girl to do anything she wanted.

Feng Ning didn't answer and merely looked at the cup of tea. "Don't drink it, Cousin Xuan."

"Why?"

"I don't like the smell."

Lin Zi Xuan chuckled at the childish reason. He raised his hand and tapped her forehead. "If you say that in front of Her Majesty, she'll not let you off."

Feng Ning paused and noticed that there were indeed some people who were looking in their direction. She pursed her lips and then put Lin Zi Xuan's glass to her mouth, sipping the tea.

"What are you doing?" Lin Zi Xuan was startled and pulled the cup away. He used a bit too much strength as the girl released her grip on the cup and it fell on the ground, crashing into pieces.

"I should drink it before you, Cousin Xu… ugh…" Feng Ning felt her throat was burning. In the moment, she coughed and blood trailed from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock, then she fainted towards Lin Zi Xuan.

The last thing she remember was the shout from the prince to call for Imperial Doctor.