The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins
Chapter 306: Just Kidding

Chapter 306: Chapter 306: Just Kidding

"Is this... Qilin Soup?"

"Yes, I made it myself. Have a taste."

"..."

After taking a sip, Yin Kejun trembled all over, and two blushes appeared on her snow-white, jade-like cheeks. Only after a long while did she exhale a murky breath and looked at the young man with complex emotions.

"I’ve embarrassed myself with my amateur skills."

"Not at all, Sister Ke Jun, the food you make is also very delicious."

"If you don’t like it, just throw it away, no need to force yourself..."

"No, every grain is the fat of the people. Last year there was a great disaster in He Yang, the starving people resorted to cannibalism, how dare I waste!"

Hearing the boy’s casual whisper, the two girls, who had been raised in luxury and sheltered lives, felt a tremor in their hearts, as though they couldn’t understand but were deeply moved.

Cannibalism...

The hollow, abstract words suddenly seemed to form a picture, pressing down on them until they couldn’t breathe.

Yet at this moment, a lax voice rang out not far away.

"Well said, but how come I heard that the Pingyang Earl is cruel and violent, treating people like livestock, shooting and killing citizens on the street for fun? That’s quite different from your patriotic words!"

Turning his head, a young man with handsome features, tall stature, and luxurious python robe was approaching slowly, with a mocking, haughty cold smile on his face.

"Brother!"

"Your Highness, the Third Prince."

The two girls hurriedly stood and saluted, while Zhu Haomiao was momentarily taken aback, suddenly understanding the gossip behind today’s events.

Sexual assault, pfft!

Change of temperament, what are they talking about...

On the other side, seeing Li Lin lost in thought and not getting up to salute, the young man furrowed his brows slightly imperceptibly, leaning his body forward just a bit, gazing down on the young man with a certain oppressiveness.

"Pingyang Earl, don’t you have anything to explain?"

"Ah?"

Returning to his senses, Zhu Haomiao sat in the chair perfunctorily, cupped his fists lightly, and chuckled softly.

"First, I have no lofty sentiments about serving the country and the people; I simply don’t like wasting food."

"Second, if the Prince were a bit smarter, you would know that market rumors, spreading like wildfire, are not to be easily believed."

Upon hearing these pointed and sarcastic words, the expressions of the two girls changed slightly, while the young man’s eyes grew colder, his breathing quickened.

But after all, being a deeply scheming royal offspring, the Third Prince suppressed his anger, sneering.

"So you’re saying you didn’t kill anyone?"

"I did, but the ones I killed were armed assailants attacking the government, not innocent civilians."

"Haha, whether they’re civilians or bandits, isn’t it all determined by your word? Have you war heroes not committed enough crimes while embellishing your achievements?"

"Uh, Your Highness, such behavior only happens in remote frontier areas. No one would be foolish enough to do it under the Emperor’s nose, in the Imperial City Market."

"If you don’t understand, don’t pretend you do!"

"..."

"Moreover, the specific case files and evidence will be presented to the General Office in a few days. If you have any doubts, you can apply to review them."

No one had ever dared to show him such disrespect, leaving him unable to respond, his face flushed, wanting to speak but unable to, finally he could only snort coldly and leave with a flick of his sleeve.

Watching his retreating back, Zhao Nuo clenched her little fists, made a face, then worriedly looked at Zhu Haomiao.

"Third Brother is narrow-minded and vengeful, Mr. Li, you were too impulsive."

Zhu Haomiao, however, casually rubbed his chin, recalling information about the Third Prince.

In the fragmented memories of Li Lin, the Third Prince was a top figure at the Royal Martial Academy, with a huge gap in rank between them, there was no interaction, let alone resentment.

But why did he suddenly come to find fault today?

Could he really have believed the rumor that I shot civilians for fun?

Just then, seeing Yin Kejun looking at him with guilt, Zhu Haomiao suddenly understood.

"He likes you?"

"Yes, he’s been pursuing me... I’m sorry, I didn’t think he’d be so..."

After a moment of silence, Yin Kejun clenched her fists resolutely.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle this matter!"

"Uh... how do you plan to solve it?"

"By explaining to him clearly."

Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao rolled his eyes as if looking at someone simple-minded.

"It’s useless. Someone like him, spoiled and pampered, sees what he likes as forbidden, no one else should even touch it, not even a look."

"Your explanation won’t solve the problem, it’ll only make things worse, causing him to hate me more."

"Ah? Then what should we do?"

Seeing Yin Kejun’s nervous and helpless manner, Zhu Haomiao spread his hands and nonchalantly shrugged.

"What else can we do? Block him as soldiers would, fend him off as water would. If all else fails..."

Under the expectant gazes of the two girls, Zhu Haomiao raised a mischievous smile, and with a sinister grin, slid a hand across his neck menacingly.

"Just kill him, wouldn’t that solve it?"

"?!!!"

"Hahahaha, I’m just joking, why are you so scared?"

"Li Lin! How could you joke about such a thing!"

Yin Kejun, face flushed with anger, stood up with a slap on the table.

"I’ll discuss with father to try and resolve this feud. If he comes to you again, stay lenient, don’t confront him again, he’s one of the princes with the best chance to ascend the throne!"

With that, Yin Kejun hurried away, leaving the boy watching her back with a faint smile, whispering to himself.

"Yield? Be lenient? Is he even deserving?"

Listening to the boy’s murmur, Zhao Nuo hugged the fluffy Diao Chan tightly, trembling involuntarily.

"Li... Brother."

"Hmm?"

"You weren’t joking, were you?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You genuinely want to kill Brother, don’t you?"

Turning his head slowly, Zhu Haomiao stared at the trembling little girl, the dark, deep pupils swirling with a playful coldness as he pinched her chubby, creamy cheeks.

"You can mess around with food, but not with words. Even though we’re close, be careful or I’ll accuse you of slander~"

Hearing this, Zhao Nuo somehow mustered the courage to look straight into the boy’s eyes, stubbornly.

"You can’t fool me. I can feel it, that in your eyes, killing Brother is no different than killing a chicken!"

A hint of amazement flickered in Zhu Haomiao’s eyes, as he looked at the little girl with interest, watching her curl into a ball under his gaze.

"So what? Are you going to stop me?"

Hearing the boy’s meaningful whisper, the little girl instinctively grabbed his sleeve, urgently advising him.

"Don’t do anything stupid, you have no idea how powerful Third Brother’s influence is!"

"His mother is the legitimate daughter of Duke Ning. He has connections throughout the court."

"You’re just a martial artist who’s barely made it into the ranks..."