"I apologize that the Siamese royal family is so wealthy, yet the common people at the lower levels struggle to find enough to eat."
Lin Fan bowed to Long Pu in the Buddhist manner, "While I am fond of wealth, a gentleman acquires it through proper means."
He sighed, "Master Zheng invited me to observe the King's fortune. I will answer truthfully. If the King's reign has not yet ended, then it is not the royal family's destiny to perish. If... life and death are decreed by heaven, and fortune and status are bestowed by heaven, one cannot blame others."
Na Rui's voice was sharp, "Master Lin, do not forget, this is Siam, and I am a princess of the royal family. Are you not worried at all by acting this way?"
"No."
Lin Fan pointed towards the darkness by the river, "At least, by him, and him, him, him, they still cannot do anything to me."
Na Rui shuddered in surprise, her eyes widening.
How did he discover the secret guards hidden in the dark?
"We have different paths and cannot plan together. I bid you farewell."
Lin Fan ascended into the air and vanished into the night.
"Master, what do we do now?"
Na Rui had never imagined that Lin Fan would be impervious to both enticements and threats.
Zheng Xingchao was already sharpening his knives; if he were to rebel, Siam would surely descend into chaos.
"Amitabha."
Long Pu's face was serene as he calmly said, "Your Highness the Princess, the royal family's fortune has not yet ended."
"Uh."
Na Rui had not expected Long Pu to say this.
In fact, even as a princess of the royal family, she felt the dynasty was precarious in recent years.
Firstly, Rama X was unable to command widespread respect, and his reputation among the populace was quite poor.
Secondly, the Zheng family's hundred years of accumulation meant their influence was indeed considerable.
It could be said that the royal family was currently facing both internal and external troubles, like sitting on gunpowder, and any spark could shatter the entire royal family at any moment.
Long Pu's words that the royal family's fortune had not yet ended brought Na Rui both surprise and disbelief.
Given Na Rui's thoughts, one could imagine how corrupt the Siamese royal family had become.
Long Pu smiled kindly, "This old monk believes his skill in judging people has some merit, and he would not be mistaken. Your Highness the Princess can rest assured."
"Thank you, Master. Your great kindness is truly beyond repayment."
"Amitabha, Buddhist compassion, saving all sentient beings."
Long Pu clasped his hands together and silently recited scriptures.
Na Rui bowed in the Buddhist manner, "Master, I shall return now."
In the vast darkness of the night, behind a tall banana tree.
A pair of eyes shone with a faint purple light!
Lin Fan had returned to ascertain what Long Pu was up to.
He had suddenly had an idea and used his daytime techniques, channeling the purple energy to his legs. With his immense divine power, he had actually managed to fly.
Then, holding his breath, he approached Crescent Bay, completely undetected by Long Pu.
In Long Pu's eyes, he saw a peculiar kindness.
It was not the usual attitude towards a junior, but rather...
As if towards his own daughter!
Half an hour later.
Lin Fan returned to his guest room and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
No wonder the royal family had so many children, yet none were outstanding except for Na Rui.
That's right!
Lin Fan suddenly thought that the incident involving Na Rui's mother back then might have been due to her having an affair with an outsider, thus tarnishing the royal family's reputation.
Thinking of it this way, the events fell into place.
Before Long Pu became a monk, he must have had a romantic relationship with Na Rui's mother.
Then, the King took his beloved away.
Afterward, Long Pu became a monk.
And then, Na Rui's mother met with misfortune. Long Pu appeared, speaking of the reincarnation of a national guardian beast, which saved Na Rui from being expelled along with her mother.
Long Pu's actions must have been at the behest of Na Rui's mother, right?
Otherwise, there was no explanation for why he didn't go with the flow and reunite with his love and daughter.
Tsk tsk tsk, in the end, he couldn't let go of fame and fortune!
Lin Fan's imagination ran wild, deducing a magnificent drama.
The royal family, the monk, the princess, the rebels – truly fascinating!
Lin Fan recalled the palace intrigue dramas that Song Yue loved to watch, filled with schemes and cunning.
He used to think they were fabricated, but now it seemed they were indeed real.
The question was...
Should Zheng Xingchao be told about such matters?
"Alas~"
Lin Fan sighed, thinking that no one would believe him even if he told them.
At least for now, Zheng Xingchao clearly trusted Long Pu more.
...
The sun rose, and the sky brightened.
Zheng Yue woke up early. She first spent an hour managing company affairs, then tidied herself up and applied a simple, light makeup before going out.
Her most important task now was to stay by Lin Fan's side.
The first and second branches of the family had malevolent intentions and were capable of anything.
Especially after Lin Fan's display of skill yesterday, the second branch might already be plotting to harm him.
Walking through the scenic garden, Zheng Yue arrived at Lin Fan's guest room.
"Has Master Lin woken up yet?"
"Not yet, Fifth Miss."
The servant replied respectfully.
She pushed the washbasin cart and waited outside.
"Mm."
Zheng Yue nodded and stepped forward to knock.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Coming."
Lin Fan, deep in sleep, groggily got up.
Creak~
The door opened.
Zheng Yue's pretty face blushed.
Lin Fan, shirtless, revealed his well-built, defined muscles.
He was wearing only a pair of shorts.
Zheng Yue took a few steps back, lowering her head, daring not to look.
"Fifth Miss, you're here."
Lin Fan's spirits lifted. "Come in quickly, I have something to tell you."
Eager to talk about Long Pu, he stepped forward and took Zheng Yue's wrist.
"You, let go."
Zheng Yue cried out in alarm, "What are you doing?"
"I..."
Lin Fan looked down and only then realized his appearance was rather indecent.
"I'm sorry, I'll go change right away. Please wait for me."
Closing the door, Lin Fan quickly put on his clothes.
"Honestly."
Zheng Yue, her face flushed red, stood outside the door and chided him.
Recalling Lin Fan's robust physique and well-defined muscles, Zheng Yue's face felt burning hot. She quickly patted her cheeks, telling herself not to overthink it.
Five minutes later.
Lin Fan put on his clothes and opened the door.
Zheng Yue's face was still flushed.
Being pulled into a room by a man in shorts early in the morning was something she had never experienced in her life. Even though she knew Lin Fan hadn't meant to, her heart was still racing.
"My apologies."
Lin Fan smiled awkwardly.
"What did you want to tell me just now?"
For some reason, Zheng Yue couldn't forget Lin Fan's bare upper body.
Her gaze seemed to pierce through Lin Fan's clothes, his solid physique reappearing before her eyes.
Instantly, her face turned even redder, and she quickly turned her head away.
Lin Fan felt frustrated. Was it that serious?
It was just a man without a shirt!
In summer, men sitting outside to cool off were all like that!
"I have something very important to tell you. Is there a suitable place?"
Lin Fan's expression was serious, and it was clear he was not joking.
Zheng Yue immediately put aside her thoughts and nodded earnestly, "Yes, come with me."
They walked one after the other, along a pathway paved with granite, towards the depths of the residential complex.