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

Chapter 192 "I am the Crown Princess! Number 2 in the World!"

A bright moon shines, and a gentle night breeze blows.

With everything settled down, and on a rare day when everyone was relaxed, the three of them, father and sons, gathered together for drinks, naturally wanting to have a good chat about their future plans.

As the de facto pillar of the family, Lin Shihe had long wanted to find an opportunity to sound out his father and younger brother's thoughts, so as to take this opportunity to make some plans.

If Shi Ming really can't stand life in the capital... so be it! What do those so-called promises mean! So what if he breaks his word? If his younger brother is unwilling, he will risk his life to get him out.

"If you want to leave, your brother will make arrangements for you."

Lin Shiming paused for a moment, as if he hadn't heard, and lowered his head in silence. Then he picked up the wine jar again and poured it into his mouth.

Lin Yunyue, who was standing to the side, moved his eyes up and down, watching the show while taking the opportunity to steal the last piece of roasted meat from the table.

"What's wrong?" Seeing that the person hadn't replied for a while, Lin Shihe took a sip of wine and asked with a smile, "Are you really willing to be trapped in the palace forever for the sake of a crown prince?"

Lin Yunyue, who was watching the play, silently drank another large bowl of wine.

Lin Shiming remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

“I promised Lu Yuxi that he would ascend the throne a year later, and then, ten years later, when Tingsong had grown up, he would abdicate, and we would travel the world together.”

Ten years later, Lin Shiming will be only twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, which is not too late.

"My father has worked hard for many years and seems to be full of energy, but he is somewhat indifferent to court affairs. Tingsong is still young. Why can't he sit firmly on the throne until he is fifteen or sixteen years old? Yuxi is the crown prince after all. My food, clothing, and peaceful life cannot be separated from the support of the people of the world."

Lin Shiming took another swig of wine and looked seriously into Lin Shihe's eyes. "I can't just be carefree and play games with the world."

Lin Shiming was a soldier in his previous life, and in this life he was born into a military family. Protecting the country and the people is a belief etched into his bones. He would never be a person who disregards the world and satisfies his personal desires.

However, Lin Shihe interjected with interest, "Is that all?"

Of course, that's not all! Lin Shiming shyly avoided Lin Shihe's gaze, his flustered appearance unusually awkward.

There's another important point he didn't dare say. It's rare to find someone you like in life, and he's unwilling to let go.

Lin Shihe, who had raised his younger brother single-handedly, naturally understood the meaning behind Lin Shiming's coy and hesitant manner. He chuckled softly, already knowing what was going on.

Well, it's rare for my brother to find someone he likes, so let him be.

However, Lin Shihe still asked one more question, "So for the past ten years or so, you've been staying in the palace the whole time?"

"Of course not!" Lin Shiming, who had been shy just moments before, jumped up excitedly at the mention of this, tossed aside the empty wine jar, and leaned close to Lin Shihe. "I've discussed it with him, and I can go out and play for one or two months every year."

"I'm all alone, so I can go anywhere! I'll also bring back lychees, cherries, and mangoes for my family!"

He is a child after all.

Lin Shihe smiled and shook his head, then lowered his gaze to meet Lin Shi's bright, sparkling eyes. Perhaps it was because he had drunk too much today, or perhaps it was because the atmosphere was just right, but looking at the light in his younger brother's eyes, Lin Shihe's heart softened for once, and like when they were children, he reached out and ruffled his brother's hair.

Lin Shiming squinted his eyes and enjoyed it, not forgetting to rub against him affectionately.

Under the full moon's glow, all was quiet, save for the occasional gentle breeze rustling the leaves. The two brothers were both immersed in the beauty of the moment, peaceful and serene.

Then an untimely voice broke the warmth of the moment.

Forgotten to the side, the true head of the family, Lin Yunyue, downed a bowl of wine in one gulp, his expression twisted with jealousy and bitterness. "What are you two grown men doing, acting all girly and petty... I should be your father!" If you want to be affectionate, you should come to me!

Lin Shihe stopped rubbing his younger brother's head, and the gentle smile on his face vanished instantly. He looked up and rolled his eyes at Lin Yunyue.

Enraged by the attack, Lin Yunyue shouted, "What kind of attitude is this? I'm the boss of the Lin family!"

Lin Shihe ignored him.

Lin Shihe patted Lin Shiming's head twice, signaling him to sit down, before withdrawing his hand and continuing to sip his wine.

Deprived of the warmth from his older brother, Lin Shiming pouted in dissatisfaction and gave Lin Yunyue a huge eye roll in return.

"You're just jealous!"

"Hey you little brat—you think I can't handle you now, huh?"

"I am the Crown Princess! Second only to the Crown Prince in the world!"

"Second in the world?" Lin Yunyue scoffed. "What's there to brag about? I'm only giving you face in public! The number one in the world lost to me in a sparring match yesterday, what's one less than you?"

The alcohol was taking effect, and Lin Shiming's head was already spinning. His usual sharp tongue was gone, and he could only repeat, "...You're just stingy! Jealous!"

"You little brat, I'll skin you alive today!"

Lin Yunyue roared angrily, stood up and grabbed at Lin Shiming, scaring Lin Shiming into turning and running away.

Lin Shihe lowered his head and smiled slightly, leisurely watching the play and drinking.

The father and son didn't use any martial arts skills; they just relied on their two legs to leap and bound around the yard, displaying incredible energy.

Until someone accidentally knocked over a jar of wine on the table, splashing it all over Lin Shihe's face.

Ruined!

Lin Shihe put down his chopsticks, looked up, and gave a fake, artificial smile.

Lin Shiming: "..."

Lin Yunyue: "...I'm your father!"

"Hey—it's not me, brother!"

"Lin Suimu! Have you no regard for the law?! You even dare to bully your own father?"

……

It wasn't until Zhang Ting, who had been woken from his sleep, came out wearing his clothes and started cursing that the commotion in the yard, with chickens flying, dogs barking, and rats scrambling for their lives, finally subsided.

"You three! Huh? How old are you? Don't you have any manners of being young masters from a noble family? Making such a racket in the middle of the night, don't you know how to let people get some sleep!"

Zhang Ting's large feather duster swung "whoosh" as it lashed out at the three men, father and sons, who were kneeling in front of her. Each one dared not utter a sound.

"...Go, clean up the yard for me," Zhang Ting, exhausted from wiping, held the feather duster with his hands on his hips, his coat draped over his body remaining perfectly still, demonstrating his superb skill. "Clean up all those broken wine jars, bowls, chopsticks, and leftover food. You're not allowed to sleep until you've finished!"

Lin Shiming reluctantly replied, "Oh—"

Zhang Ting swung a feather duster at him, "You have a problem with that?"

"No, no, I'll go right away!"

"Humph."

After venting her anger, Zhang Ting flung her clothes back into the house and slammed the door shut with a "bang".

*

It is 9:00 AM.

Lin Shiming finally woke up from his sleep. The first thing he felt as he regained consciousness was the headache from his hangover, which made him groan involuntarily.

A pair of hands quickly touched his temples, and Lin Shiming instantly woke up, his hair stood on end, and his vigilance was raised to the extreme.

He acted instantly, grabbing those hands and throwing them to his side before they even opened their eyes, accompanied by a muffled groan.

"Yu Xi?"

Upon hearing the sound, Lin Shiming quickly opened his eyes and saw that the person he had pinned to the bed was none other than Lu Yuxi.