Chapter 430: Chapter 428: Prophecy Spreads, Xue Ji_1
“Burn down her study and find the secret chamber while you’re at it.”

Lin Qingluo suddenly had a flash of inspiration and chuckled playfully, “Let’s collect some interest.”

“All right.”

Little Kingfisher connected with her master’s thoughts and understood her intentions instantly, flapping her little wings in joy.

That night, the Second Imperial Princess’s residence was engulfed in flames, and all the treasures accumulated over the years in the secret chamber mysteriously vanished, almost causing her to cough up blood in anger.

Officials within the residence were frightened by the shocking event, their souls trembling in fear, and they couldn’t find peace for days on end.

The people of Capital City were abuzz with discussions.

The divine fire had extinguished the Second Imperial Princess’s ambitions of making a comeback.

Meanwhile, the legend of the Heaven-descended Goddess and the Divine Beast Phoenix continued to spread among the people, even as the fire raged on, being passed down from one person to another.

**

With the reputation of the whitening cream as a guarantee, the eye cream was a hit upon launch, and wealthy ladies flocked to buy it.

Beauty Salons in Capital City had a steady stream of customers daily, and the hand cream, too, was often sold out; orders for it piled up, bookings stretching out to two months in advance.

Luo Zhan seized the opportunity and introduced slimming tea.

The launch of the slimming tea ignited the enthusiasm of beauty lovers from all over Fengqi.

Men and women alike scrambled to buy it.

Tea merchants’ businesses plummeted as a result, and even the once-popular jasmine tea was barely inquired about any longer.

Money flowed into Jufeng Bank like water, and Lin Qingluo dutifully delivered her share of the profits to the Duke of Zhen’s residence.

Luo Zhan personally paid a visit, bringing along countless exquisite gifts, one for each of the residence’s esteemed members, under the guise of little Qingluo showing filial piety to her elders.

Lin Xiaoyang received him, and the two held a secret meeting in the study.

Luo Zhan was a master of business, his calculating mind sharp and unwavering in discussions with Lin Xiaoyang on legitimate business ventures.

Lin Xiaoyang patiently negotiated with him, occasionally rubbing his brow in fatigue.

Thanks to his youngest daughter’s meticulous treatment, his body had mostly recovered; however, he was still mentally and emotionally struggling due to Aunt Xue’s situation.

The incident had hit him hard and inevitably cast a shadow over his life.

Recently, just hearing the words “younger sister” would irritate him, and he was unwilling to even visit the back courtyard.

“How has Xue Ji been lately?”

Luo Zhan’s eyes flickered, asking knowingly during a pause in their conversation.

“Her?”

A woman of enchanting beauty and myriad expressions flashed through Lin Xiaoyang’s mind, causing him to be momentarily stunned.

“Xue Ji chose to stay at the Duke of Zhen’s residence willingly, devoting herself to you, Brother Xiaoyang, as your concubine. You should cherish her.”

The image that appeared in Luo Zhan’s mind was completely different from Lin Xiaoyang’s.

A killer ranked seventh on the Jianghu’s hit list.

Clad in black, her raven hair flowing free, she took lives effortlessly with a wave of her hand, striking fear into people’s hearts.

Xue Ji’s encounter with Lin Xiaoyang was indeed a case of love at first sight leading to a lifetime of entanglements.

How wonderful it would have been if Xue Ji had continued as the deputy envoy at the Thousand-Mechanism Pavilion, carefree and unrestrained, instead of quarrelling with concubines in the back courtyard.

Luo Zhan shook his head with regret, his gaze filled with slight dissatisfaction as he looked at Lin Xiaoyang.

“Father, can Qingluo come in?”

As a knock sounded on the door, Lin Qingluo’s delicate voice rang out. The two men’s eyes lit up simultaneously.

Lin Xiaoyang smiled, got to his feet, and personally opened the door for her, “Qingluo has come; please come in quickly.”

“Father, Qingluo heard that Brother Zhan came and brought many wonderful things.”

Lin Qingluo walked across the threshold, her eyes curved in delight.

“Little Qingluo, this box of pastries was prepared especially for you by Brother Zhan. They are sweet, crispy, and soft – every young girl’s favorite.”

Seeing her enter, Luo Zhan picked up a two-tiered red food box from the ground and handed it over with a beaming smile.