"She's really beautiful," she whispered as she leaned closer to Zhao Shu.

Unfortunately, Lin Dongxue overheard this and, feeling jealous, pulled her out of the door, leaving her with food and a few bottles of medicine on the table.

"These two, really." Zhao Shu didn't know what to say. She had lived several lifetimes and naturally couldn't do something like openly being jealous. However, she still found it quite cute to see young people being jealous.

The food that Lin Dongxue brought was very delicious, much better than what Xiao Guozi had found. After a hearty meal, it got dark, and Lin Dongxue arranged for the three of them to stay overnight.

Having traveled a long and arduous journey and not had a proper rest for several days, the three of them spent the night in silence.

The next day, Zhao Shu and Huo Baichuan both got up very early. Lin Dongxue knew that Huo Baichuan was a minister in the court. Although he was surprised that he was still alive, he did not ask any questions and took the initiative to share the major events that had happened in the past few days.

Huo Baichuan frowned as he watched Lin Dongxue read out intelligence reports, as if he were pondering. This kid was quite something. He wasn't surprised to see that Lin Dongxue was still alive, and didn't even ask a question out of curiosity. If given time to grow, he would be a talent.

Lin Dongxue noticed Huo Baichuan looking him over. He smiled shyly. After returning to Luoyang, he continued to disguise himself, still looking the same as before.

"The Emperor is critically ill?" Zhao Shu frowned, interrupting their silent exchange.

"Yes, the Emperor is critically ill, and many vassal kings who were waiting to see what would happen have raised an army under the pretext of coming to the capital to support the Emperor." This means that even more vassal kings have raised an army than before.

However, Zhao Shu was not surprised. According to her memories from her previous life, almost all the vassal kings had raised armies. Only a few who were truly incapable of doing so remained inactive. Even if they remained inactive, they would still collude with other forces.

"Do you have any intelligence on the princes?"

"Yes." Lin Dongxue handed a stack of papers to Zhao Shu.

Zhao Shu took it and examined it carefully. After reading it, she sneered, "The Fourth Prince actually escaped. He's really capable."

Naturally, no one responded with praise; it was clearly sarcasm. "He's out now, and he's not far from dismounting," Huo Baichuan chimed in.

Zhao Shu agreed. Lin Dongxue had investigated the events in the capital very thoroughly. Although some of the information was false, Zhao Shu was still able to tell that the matter concerning Yi De was orchestrated by Sun Yun.

With the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain, there was an additional layer of protection.

"Are you going back to Beijing?" Zhao Shu asked Huo Baichuan.

"I'm not going back." He shook his head. "You go back, I think you want to go back and join in the fun too."

Zhao Shu didn't reply. Indeed, she really wanted to return to the capital, but it wasn't the right time yet. Prince Jing hadn't been eliminated yet. In her previous life, Prince Jing was the most capable, and she almost succeeded. Although she knew he would die, she was afraid something might happen if she didn't see it with her own eyes.

"Are you really that confident in Zhao Bi?" Huo Baichuan asked.

Zhao Shu fell silent. Indeed, he was also worried about Zhao Bi, who was of great use to him.

“But Prince Jing is not to be underestimated either,” Zhao Shu replied after a long pause.

“King Jing, he is indeed a remarkable man, but you are not good at fighting, so isn’t it redundant for you to stay here?”

Indeed, even if she were not by Wei Tingsi's side now, he would no longer be blindly loyal to Emperor Mingde, because he had already promised to let Emperor Mingde become the retired emperor and support the crown prince to ascend the throne. He was a man of his word and would never break his promise.

So, there's not much point in her staying here. After thinking for a long time, she nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go back to the capital. Prince Jing, keep an eye on him. I always feel that he's not as simple as he seems on the surface."

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Xiao Weizi for you."

Zhao Shu's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head away and continued reading the intelligence in her hand.

Zhou Hanyan was grinding ink on the side. After listening to the conversation between the two, she wanted to beat her chest and stamp her feet. In some places, a woman can have multiple husbands. Sister Ajun could have taken both of them, so why didn't she?

The blessing of having multiple wives is not something everyone can enjoy... I really don't understand these people from the Central Plains. What's the point of having so many rules? It only leads to frustration.

Having been cooped up at the Lin family's house for days, she suddenly had a sudden thought. She walked up to Zhao Shu, took her arm, and said, "Sister A-Jun, shall I go to the capital with you?"

"ah?"

"Can't!"

Zhao Shu and Lin Dongxue spoke at the same time. Zhao Shu looked confused, while Lin Dongxue looked worried.

Zhou Hanyan glared at Lin Dongxue, "Your Lin family has so many rules. You can't walk fast, you can't speak loudly, you can't eat your fill, and you have to wear five layers of clothes even when it's scorching hot. I've had enough. I'm going to the capital with Sister Ajun!"

Lin Dongxue: ... He couldn't find any words to refute her. After searching for a long time, he finally came up with a few weak words: "Yes, the Lin family has many rules, but the Lin family is safe. It is precisely because of these rules that we can speak here peacefully."

"There's a saying in the Central Plains: 'Fortune and honor are found in danger,' and another saying: 'Be prepared for danger even in times of peace.' If you think about it, you'll be prepared; if you're prepared, you'll have no worries. So you can see that comfort is not a good thing," she offered her clumsy explanation.

"Listen to me, it's very hot in the capital right now, hotter than in Luoyang," Lin Dongxue earnestly advised.

"In early spring, I heard that there was a cook in Prince Yong's mansion who could make refreshing summer dishes. I don't care, I'm going." She was determined to go to the capital with Zhao Shu. She had been feeling too stifled at the Lin family's house these past few days.

Zhao Shu's eyes flickered. Actually, it was a good idea for Zhou Hanyan to come to the capital with her. She could pretend to be her maid and travel all the way to the capital. No one would pay attention to a woman from outside the capital.

He exchanged a glance with Huo Baichuan and nodded, clearly having thought of this as well.

Unable to dissuade Zhou Hanyan, Lin Dongxue turned his attention to Zhao Shu, saying, "Princess, Hanyan is being immature, please don't take it to heart."

“It’s good to go out for a walk,” Zhao Shu said.

Lin Dongxue was so angry that he almost kicked them out of the house, but fortunately he still had his senses and just ignored Zhao Shu and Huo Baichuan in a huff.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!