A Thousand-Year-Old Clam, the Older It Gets, the Sweeter It Tastes

As Jiang Jingyi pondered, she had already pushed the teacup in front of him.

"Mr. Lin, please!"

"Thank you!" Lin Heng lifted the teacup, his gaze earnest. "Lady Murong, I offer tea in place of wine to thank you for saving me!"

"It was merely a small effort. Mr. Lin, though, you should mind your words and actions outside whenever possible. This is Dingyang City, a place of paramount importance, and the Dynasty's eyes and ears are everywhere."

ε=(′ο｀*))) Sigh!

Lin Heng let out a soft sigh, set down his cup, and said, "I've already learned my lesson. Who would have thought that casually mouthing off with a friend would get me arrested? Lady Murong is still the reasonable one, not making a mountain out of a molehill."

"I also wanted to ask—do you often enter and leave the palace? Can you meet the Female Emperor herself?"

Jiang Jingyi had not expected this. He was actually taking the initiative to inquire about palace affairs.

Murong Ziyan noticed the glance Jiang Jingyi cast her way and immediately understood. She took the initiative to say, "Of course. Our Murong Family is originally one of Her Excellency's trusted confidants. We usually run errands and handle matters for her, so we naturally enter and leave the palace often. Meeting Her Excellency is also a common occurrence."

"Why are you asking this?"

"Hmm... there is something I would like to ask you two ladies, though I am not sure whether I should say it." Lin Heng advanced by retreating.

He did not know whether what he wanted to ask involved palace secrets, so it was safer to leave each side a way out.

"Hehe!" Jiang Jingyi found it somewhat amusing and replied, "Since Mr. Lin has asked it that way, then even if it should