V1: Chapter 12: The Conspiracy Begins

"Hello, my name is Liang Di."

Liang Di was still as docile as ever, even appearing somewhat timid, which Liang Lin behind her looked down on.

Why would someone so powerful and intelligent pretend to be a pitiful little thing?

The noble students in their seats murmured in discussion, but it quickly turned into whispers, as Liang Lin was scanning the speaker with a threatening gaze.

"Who do you think will ultimately inherit the Langwendi family fortune, Liang Di or Liang Lin?"

"It should be Liang Lin, after all... Liang Di is most likely the child of Duke Auston and a commoner, how could an illegitimate daughter possibly..."

"Ahem, don't forget, they also have a younger son, named... what's his name, Edwin. He's the only male heir in the Langwendi family, inheritance rights... male heirs take priority."

"But Edwin was an illegitimate child before, he couldn't be considered respectable."

"That was before, now his cunning mother has climbed to the top."

"That's true..."

Some even started betting.

"Shut up."

Liang Lin raised her chin, "Our Langwendi family's affairs are none of your business, you bunch of good-for-nothings. If you want to discuss me, stab me in sword class first."

Uh, I forgot about Liang Di, I need to quickly curry favor.

“And Liang Di, she’s my sister. I don’t want to hear a single bad word about her.”

The classroom fell silent instantly.

Oh my god!

No wonder she’s known as a notorious shrew.

A barely perceptible smile curved Liang Di’s lips.

Things were getting more and more interesting. As far as she knew, a few months ago, Liang Lin was just an ordinary, somewhat pretty noblewoman. How come she’s changed so much recently…?

But, she was actually defending her. That was rather novel.

Liang Lin pushed Liang Di to her desk. Liang Di noticed that Liang Lin was the only one in the class occupying a two-person desk, and in the last row at that.

Wow, what a show of power.

“I won’t be able to sit with you next class. You have astronomy class next period.”

Liang Di asked softly, “Doesn't astronomy class for every students?”

“Uh…” Liang Lin hesitated for a moment, then her face flushed slightly. “No, it’s just that I don’t want to take those boring classes, so… so I told the dean I’m not going to astronomy class.”

Liang Di was confused.

But soon, she understood.

“Sleeping so soundly…” Liang Di propped her head up, looking at the slumbering young lady beside her, and smiled helplessly.

Look at her, drooling, not a trace of the elegance a young lady should have. She leans forward and backward, like a swaying blade of grass in the wind.

“Ring ring—”

Class was over.

Liang Lin suddenly sat up, startled Liang Di.

“You have so many notes.”

Liang Lin, still sleepy, looked at Liang Di’s densely filled notebook, her mouth wide open, a yawn stuck in her throat, the words seeming incredibly awkward.

"Stop writing. I'll take you to the astronomy classroom first; it's on the fifth floor."

And so, under everyone's watchful eyes, Liang Lin once again carried Liang Di's wheelchair up to the fifth floor.

Finally, she didn't have to be with this strange and hypocritical guy anymore. Liang Lin clapped her hands happily, crossed her arms, hummed a light and cheerful tune, and hopped downstairs like a little black rabbit.

She touched the longsword at her side, her hands trembling with excitement.

Finally, she could fight! It had been so long since she'd sparred with anyone; she was itching for it and couldn't wait for today's swordsmanship class.

Unfortunately, the swordsmanship class was full of weak students; there was no challenge. They were all just targets for her. If they got hit hard, they'd cry; if they got hit too hard, they'd yell for their father.

They had no manly spirit at all! Liang Lin muttered in exasperation. How could the Soteland Empire remain the most powerful of the ten great empires like this?

She'd heard that after her death in battle, a third of the territory she governed had been seized by the damned Valans Empire. Ha, sooner or later, she'd get her revenge.

The swordsmanship class area was large, even having stands. When Liang Lin returned, she found a group of students gathered in a circle, looking at something.

What?

Had the academy acquired something new in just one week?

Liang Lin quickly walked behind the students, desperately standing on tiptoe and craning her neck, but she could only see a bunch of fluffy heads. They were all boys a head or two taller than her; it was impossible for a petite girl like her to see anything inside the circle.

“Hey…”

Liang Lin clenched her small fist, shoved the student in front of her, and arrogantly said, “Excuse me.”

“Who is it? So rude… Oh, Miss Liang Lin, you’ve arrived.”

The name struck like a thunderbolt.

The surrounding students all turned their heads, their faces practically screaming,

"Why hasn't this guy dropped out yet?"

The crowd tacitly made way, and Liang Lin pushed her way through the students to the center.

Hmm…?

A carriage?

Since when are carriages allowed in the academy? Aren't they forbidden?

Liang Lin realized that the person in the carriage was definitely not ordinary.

The carriage door slowly opened, and an exaggerated cheer erupted from the crowd.

This is…?

Liang Lin narrowed her eyes.

After seeing the person's face clearly, she took a half step back, her face ashen as if she'd witnessed a thesis defense.

"Your Highness Prince Gael."

"Welcome, Your Highness."

"I've always admired your swordsmanship. Has Your Highness come today to demonstrate your swordsmanship for us?"

Liang Lin rolled her eyes dramatically, turned around, and tried to retreat to the back of the crowd.

"Miss Liang Lin, you were here after all."

"..."

Ahhh! Flies! Flies!

Flies are attacking her eardrums!

Flies are attacking her mind!

Flies are attacking her fragile stomach!

But, but the other party is a prince.

Why is this guy here? Could it be... could it be that he's taken a liking to her?

What?!

A man has taken a liking to her?!?

How disgusting, so disgusting!!

Liang Lin almost went insane on the spot.

But, pale-faced, she turned around, bowed to Gael, and then calmed down, regaining her composure.

It's unlikely that Gael fell in love with her at first sight or was lustful at first sight. There are too many beautiful noble ladies, and many more beautiful than her.

But considering the plans that the Auston couple and Queen Doris had conspired against each other, and that Gael is Doris's son, it's highly probable that Gael came with other purposes, possibly related to Liang Di.

Gael smiled and nodded at her, not bothering her any further, and went to find his swordsmanship teacher.

After the two stood aside and talked for a while, the teacher clapped his hands.