Having just finished breakfast, people from the Royal Family came.
Princess Royal sent someone to invite Lin Cheng to a musical concert.
Lin Cheng sat on the sofa with crossed legs, holding a cat. His light brown eyes were detached and aloof, even colder than his tone of voice.
"What a coincidence. I have a date with my girlfriend to go shopping today, so I'll have to politely decline the invitation." Lin Cheng's tone was slow and calm.
"Since when does the Duke have a girlfriend?"
Lin Cheng's expression remained the same, without even changing his tone, but his words were full of oppression: "My personal affairs are none of your business, are they?" The faint smile in his unfathomable eyes faded away.
The man was panic-stricken and quickly apologized, "I shouldn't have offended the Duke, please don't take it to heart."
Lin Cheng lowered his head to look at the cat in his arms, magnanimously saying softly, "It's fine," but it sounded more like he was talking to the cat.
The man left looking glum.
In the afternoon, an army from the Royal Family came to the castle.
A blonde woman with green eyes came out of an extravagant ceremonial carriage, lifting her heavy skirt and walking into the castle in high heels.
Lin Cheng did not come out to greet her, but was in the drawing room enjoying a recently acquired painting with cats and dogs.
It wasn't until the butler came to report: "Princess Karina has left."
Lin Cheng vaguely acknowledged with a sound, or maybe he didn't. He was immersed in appreciating the painting, with a lazy and casual look.
The housekeeper went on, "Princess Karina was angry when she heard that the Duke was out shopping with his girlfriend. She doesn't believe that the Duke has a girlfriend."
This time Lin Cheng didn't even respond, as if he hadn't heard it, but instead ordered: "Have them finish Miss Qiao's things as soon as possible."
Butler: "Yes."
Lin Cheng: "Ask Miss Qiao if she wants to eat anything tonight." After a short pause, "Ask Mr. Qin as well."
Butler: "Alright."
Lin Cheng: "Also ask if they want to see the painting or listen to a musical performance."
The butler continued to respond.
Flowing Shadow and Moon Shadow were called to the castle by Qiao Ying.
Flowing Shadow: "Since you know people from the Royal Family, why didn't you mention it earlier? You made Moon Shadow and I work so hard for nothing."
Qiao Ying: "The terms of cooperation with this guy are not low. I have already done you a great favor by not making you share part of the burden. Besides, if you worked hard for nothing, it's because your skills aren't good enough."
Flowing Shadow: "There's no need to take everything onto yourself. We'll split this revenge fifty-fifty. How much money do you need?"
Qiao Ying: "Living in a place like this, will he lack your ammunition money?"
Flowing Shadow: "No matter what deal you two made, Moon Shadow and I will pay half."
After Flowing Shadow had his say, he noticed that Qiao Ying didn't respond to him, but instead looked at him with a weird, somewhat roguish look. If the genders were reversed here, this would definitely be a playboy young master harassing a nice young lady from a good family.
Flowing Shadow's mechanical arm twitched with the urge to punch: "What are you looking at?"
His voice was very low, sounding dangerous.
Qiao Ying appraised him shamelessly on his own, commenting: "Very delicate features, big eyes, small cherry mouth, and tender skin too."
Qin Hanyue echoed: "The figure's not too bulky either."
Qiao Ying: "Put on some makeup, a wig and a dress..."
Qin Hanyue: "Would probably look prettier than many girls."
Qin Yan: These two vicious people, bullying the little one.
Flowing Shadow's face was expressionless: "Speak properly."
At some unknown point, Lin Cheng had come over, holding a cat and walking towards them. His eyes seemed to be asking Qiao Ying: "Hmm?"
Even with Lin Cheng's arrival, Qiao Ying didn't restrain herself. Looking at the gloom settling onto Flowing Shadow's face, she grinned wickedly, though her tone was indifferent: "Even if he takes advantage of you, Lin Cheng is rich, powerful and good-looking with a hot body. So it wouldn't be a loss for you, and he definitely wouldn't shortchange you either."
Flowing Shadow's fists were clenched tightly.
Qiao Ying kindly reminded him: "The stuff here is far more expensive than what I have at home."
Sensing a brawl about to break out, Moon Shadow changed the topic.
After chatting about the arrangements, Qiao Ying was getting ready to go upstairs and sleep.
Then she heard Lin Cheng's languid voice: "I like girls."
Before Qiao Ying could speak, Qin Hanyue said: "We're not very interested in the Duke's private affairs."
With smiling eyes, Lin Cheng lightly said: "Mr. Qin doesn't need to be impatient, I'm just clarifying my sexual orientation."
Qin Hanyue said: "I'm not impatient, the Duke thinks too much."
Very soon,
the things Qiao Ying asked for were ready.
A mask made of artificial human skin.
And Lin Cheng also received an invitation from the Royal Family.
Didn't expect the stage play to kick off so quickly.
Qiao Ying put on the human skin mask and sat down in front of the dressing table mirror, allowing servants and makeup artists to dress her up and transform her appearance.
Sunlight began to set in the west.
The girl stepped out, wearing complicated heavy formal attire, and presented a completely unfamiliar face to everyone.
It was a very beautiful face which had been carefully sculpted to be even more exquisite and glamorous. The teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye was very conspicuous, eye-catching, making it a face easy to remember at first sight.
This face was also synthesized by Qiao Ying using computer technology, then brought to life by Lin Cheng.
The human skin mask was thin as a cicada's wing, seamlessly fitting tightly onto Qiao Ying's face. Made in the fairest color, it was still not as fair as Qiao Ying's own skin, with an obvious difference in color compared to her neck, requiring a lot of powder to seem more natural.
Apart from her eyes and temperament, there was not a trace left of Qiao Ying in her - even if she stood in front of Qiao Yi and Huo Chengdong, they wouldn't be able to recognize her.
Although it was a completely unfamiliar face, Qin Hanyue looked at her and didn't find her unfamiliar at all. Moreover, when designing this face, Qiao Ying had asked for his opinion, asking if he preferred an innocent look or a glamorous look. Qin Hanyue naturally didn't dare to give inappropriate opinions or ideas.
Fourth Master stood by Lin Cheng's legs, staring at Qiao Ying with confusion, probably wondering why she changed faces when the scent was the same.
Qin Yan couldn't help but exclaim: "How magical, a completely different person!"
Lin Cheng said: "We should go now."
The convoy then drove out of the castle.
When night fell, the convoy reached the palace of the King.
Qiao Ying lifted her skirt and got out of the car with Lin Cheng.
Qin Hanyue got out of another car, formally dressed, accompanying Lin Cheng as a good friend.
Lin Cheng stood in front of the car, smiling as he offered an arm to Qiao Ying and asked: "Can you go along with this act?"
He wanted Qiao Ying to link arms with him. Qin Hanyue dangerous narrowed his eyes as he quickened his pace.
Qiao Ying, not looking sideways responded: "Overstepping bounds."
Lin Cheng: "???"
Overstepping bounds?
It was just linking arms, basic etiquette. This wasn't being jealous of her boyfriend, but finding him repulsive!
Qin Hanyue also said: "Duke Lin, watch the boundaries."
Lin Cheng didn't even look at the main player, just regretfully said: "Fine."
This wasn't a banquet, but a private invitation from the King.
The purpose of this dinner was probably to confirm whether Lin Cheng really had a girlfriend or not.
