Chapter 303
Chapter 303 Defiant and Unyielding
Lin Wanrong chuckled lightly, feigning surprise as he said, "Oh, what is this, your Highness? Are you amusing yourself by flaunting your gold leaf? It's so glittery that it's blinding! What an intriguing hobby."
Seeing Lin San's nonchalant demeanor, Prince Cheng grinned and said, "Brother Lin, please don't misunderstand. You are a recluse of high wisdom, naturally uninterested in these mundane treasures. This is merely a token of my respect. I hope you won't find it offensive."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Your Highness is too kind. I am no hermit. Who wouldn't love glittering gold and shining silver? As a man of common tastes, seeing these worldly treasures makes me all the happier. But, accepting such a generous gift out of the blue makes me uneasy. I am afraid I cannot accept it."
A glint flashed in the eyes of Prince Cheng, as he focused his gaze on Lin San, saying, "Brother Lin, you speak swiftly and honestly, just as I had hoped. Truth be told, my court lacks a young, talented, and courageous scholar like you. Therefore, I took the liberty to invite you to join me at my mansion. I promise to reward you handsomely in the future."
Prince Cheng indeed was a formidable figure, publicly recruiting talent and promising rich rewards to lure people. Even if he failed to recruit, he gained public favor, ensuring that many talents would seek him out to serve under his command.
Lin Wanrong shook his head, taking a few steps back as he laughed, "Your Highness is overly generous in your praise. I am but a lowly servant in the Xiao family, basking in the glory of the Madam and nurtured under the care of the Eldest Miss. I grow strong and healthy, spend my days tending to the flowers, nursing the grass, sketching landscapes in my leisure, leading a carefree life. Apart from this, I am unskilled. Your talk of a young scholar assisting and supporting you is like playing a lute before a cow, I'm afraid. Oh, just touching this gold leaf doesn't cost me, does it? That's good then, gentlemen, please take it back."
Prince Cheng was no ordinary man. His expression remained calm, but a sharp light gleamed in his eyes as he glanced at Lin Wanrong, then shifted his gaze to the Eldest Miss, "Brother Lin, won't you reconsider— Oh, Miss Xiao, are you running your operations in the capital now?" Seeing Miss Xiao nod, he smiled and nodded, "That's excellent, very good indeed."
A change flickered across Lin Wanrong's face. The others might not understand the implications in Prince Cheng's words, but he did. The Prince was threatening him using the Xiao family. Lin Wanrong cursed inwardly, ‘Such is the nature of a hero, unscrupulous in his ambition. If soft tactics don't work, he turns to threats. Well, I'm not scared. I would rather write my name backward than bow to you.’