Chapter 27 Begonia Flower: This marriage was forced upon him.

Shen Yun didn't even frown. She picked up a handkerchief from the side, wiped her hands, and continued to pull Lin Shutang over to drink her medicine.

Lin Shutang didn't dare to cause any more trouble.

She stole a glance at Shen Yun's face. He lowered his eyes and slowly stirred the steam in the bowl. The shadows cast by his long eyelashes could not hide the dark blue under his eyes.

I don't know how many sleepless nights I've stayed up.

Lin Shutang obediently swallowed the bitter and cloying medicine soup, thinking to himself, "He's got a lot on his mind, I wonder who he's secretly plotting to get back at again?"

Just as she was thinking this, her lips were pried open, and something rolled between her teeth, a sweet taste quickly melting on her tongue.

It's maltose.

Lin Shutang looked up at him, and Shen Yun, expressionless, brought him another spoonful of medicine.

Lin Shutang swallowed, then noticed the daylight outside and asked uncertainly, "Did I keep you from going on duty?"

“More than that,” Shen Yun laughed, “the trip to Jiuli Mountain was also delayed.”

"..."

Lin Shutang pursed her lips, unsure of Shen Yun's thoughts. After eating the candy he offered, she tentatively asked, "Then I want some more..."

"You fell into the lake while saving the princess. His Majesty was understanding and granted us permission to postpone our trip for a few days." Shen Yun seemed to know what she was thinking and answered before she could finish speaking.

Lin Shutang nodded.

If it can be delayed for a few days, that should be enough.

If Shen Xiuyan is still no good, then he is a good-for-nothing and not worth her working with.

Shen Xiuyan's plan that day was to have her keep Shen Yun in the mansion for a few days.

He needs to make arrangements in Jiuli Mountain in advance.

Shen Yun has always been suspicious, so if she brings it up herself, Shen Yun might not agree.

But if she falls ill, Shen Yun will have no choice but to stay.

Princess Changning was merely a pawn in Lin Shutang's game.

Yingchun was sent back, and she was certain that Changning would not easily swallow her anger.

So he deliberately provoked her on the arched bridge, instead of silently swallowing his grievances as usual.

Unexpectedly, Changning went so far as to frame her by falling into the lake himself.

Lin Shutang, of course, wouldn't let her have her way, so he simply let the title of "saving the princess" fall down with her.

In this way, it is perfectly legitimate.

Lin Shutang swallowed the last mouthful of her medicine and looked up to see Shen Yun staring intently at her.

Lin Shutang's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but feel guilty. She quickly avoided Shen Yun's gaze, her eyelashes trembling.

Fortunately, he didn't ask any more questions. He helped her lie down, tucked her in, and let her rest.

Lin Shutang's illness was quite serious. She had previously fallen into the water, which damaged her health. She had finally recovered, and now, having just given birth, she had fallen into the lake again.

Fortunately, the spring chill had dissipated, and the lake water was only a little cool. It was then promptly retrieved, so the cold did not penetrate the body.

Therefore, after two days of fever, and with Shen Yun's meticulous care, Lin Shutang recovered very quickly this time.

During the time she was recuperating at home, Zhao Mingzhu visited her many times.

The two had become quite familiar with each other since the last banquet.

Now, it's even more lively.

Upon hearing that the young master would soon be taking Lin Shutang to Jiuli Mountain, Zhao Mingzhu brushed aside the crabapple blossoms that were sticking out of the window and smiled, “Everyone says that the crabapple blossoms of Jiuli Mountain are the best in the capital, but I think the ones in Madam’s courtyard are even better.”

Lin Shutang smiled, got up from the couch and stood beside Zhao Mingzhu, and together they looked at the beautiful crabapple tree in the courtyard.

The petals clustered together, cascading down from the branches. The lingering crimson hue floated in the wind, the petals unfurling, rolling, and trembling, releasing a moist, fresh morning fragrance.

Sunlight streamed down from the treetops, filtering through the branches and falling onto the blue bricks like golden light. The scene was serene, like stepping into a fairyland.

"Really? I think they grow better in the mountains and forests." Lin Shutang raised her hand and poked the dew that had condensed on the petals with her fingertips.

"Not necessarily. Those in the mountains and forests are left unattended and are likely to suffer from insects, birds, and human damage. The crabapple tree in the lady's courtyard is carefully cultivated by craftsmen and can bloom from January to July. It is already a rare gem in the world. I'm afraid you can't find another one like it in the entire capital."

"But the flowering season of crabapple is only one spring. If it blooms too early and fades too late, is it still a crabapple?"

Her voice suddenly lowered, and if it weren't for the fact that only the two of them were in the room, Zhao Mingzhu probably wouldn't have been able to hear her clearly.

There seemed to be something wrong with what she said. Zhao Mingzhu turned to look at her. The woman raised her chin slightly and looked up at the crabapple tree, which was taller than the eaves.

A layer of confusion seemed to have settled over her usually calm and serene eyes. Her expression was serious, as if she were genuinely puzzled.

Zhao Mingzhu had heard some things about Lin Shutang and Shen Yun from Ji Huaiyi.

It seems that this marriage was forced upon the crown prince.

But Zhao Mingzhu was still not entirely clear about the truth.

Ji Huaiyi didn't say much to her either.

Zhao Mingzhu didn't know how to comfort Lin Shutang, nor could she quite understand Lin Shutang's reluctance.

Marriage has always been a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker's words.

All the women in Yujing were like this.

Even when she was still a young woman, she followed her parents' wishes and married Ji Huaiyi.

However, compared to many of them, she was much luckier.

She and Ji Huaiyi were childhood sweethearts, and their families had a long-standing marriage agreement.

However, she felt she could accept it if she didn't end up marrying Ji Huaiyi.

The young prince was a brilliant talent, handsome and dashing. His father was the Duke of Dingguo, a man renowned throughout the court, and his mother came from a prominent family in Jiangnan with three generations of successful candidates in the imperial examinations. He himself was a general with numerous military achievements.

He was truly the ideal husband coveted by all the noble ladies in the capital city.

The couple has now been married for three years and has a son.

Zhao Mingzhu was truly surprised that Lin Shutang was still unwilling.

She followed her gaze and said, "Of course. The different flowering periods are all due to the different growing environments and the different efforts of the caregivers. But a crabapple is a crabapple, no matter where it is or how well it blooms, it won't become a different flower just because of something else."

Zhao Mingzhu's words were meant to tell Lin Shutang that since she had already settled down, she shouldn't dwell on the past. No matter how the outside world changes, Haitang is still Haitang; she should just live her life well in the present. After all, she herself is the most important person.

But Lin Shutang sensed something different. Her eyes lit up for a moment, and a certain thought in her heart grew stronger and stronger.

She smiled and responded as the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a pinkish-white glow on her skin.

-

"Why would His Majesty send you and the Ministry of Works to survey some terrain out of the blue?"

Seeing Shen Yun tidying up his things in the duty room, Ji Huaiyi followed behind him, pacing around in confusion.

A hint of anxiety appeared in his eyes, and finally he lay down in the armchair as if he had no bones, wailing, "If you leave, how can I control these brats?"

Ji Huaiyi felt a headache coming on just thinking about those thugs.

"His Majesty wants to build a military review platform." Shen Yun, annoyed by his nagging, replied succinctly.

The words startled Ji Huaiyi so much that he sprang up from his chair in a flash. "What!"

The sound was even louder than before, like a gong or drum hitting Shen Yun's ears.

Shen Yun glanced at him, “Xi Yue’s attack on Sheng Chao has been unsuccessful, and recently there has been a tendency to attack Bei Wu. Once Bei Wu’s Xie Mountain is breached, Xi Yue can advance unimpeded, break through the passes, and march straight to Yu Jing.”

"His Majesty has ordered us to survey the terrain and quickly build a troop deployment platform in preparation for any eventuality."

Ji Huaiyi nodded knowingly, looking like he understood.

"So that's why His Majesty ordered you to stay in Xuanzheng Hall that day."

"I heard that the new emperor of Xiyue has ascended the throne by killing his brother and father. He has only just taken the throne, and he can't wait to prove himself with his great achievements?" Ji Huaiyi laughed. "This damned barbarian has only been peaceful for a few years, and he has already forgotten how my Sheng Dynasty beat him so badly that he didn't even recognize his own parents?"

Ji Huaiyi walked around the duty room, leaned on the table, and casually poured himself a cup of tea. Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he slammed the tea he was about to drink onto the table. "Instead of sending reinforcements to Beiwu, His Majesty is building this ridiculous military review platform. Are you really waiting for someone to come to your doorstep?"

Just as Shen Yun picked up a landscape painting, Ji Huaiyi's palm strike caused the entire antique shelf on that side to tremble.

He glanced at the man's furious expression, then casually looked away from the water stains on the table and continued tidying up the things he needed to prepare.

He didn't seem to care, saying, "With Xie Yannian in charge of Beiwu, let alone conquering Xieshan, Xiyue will probably be nothing but a bunch of defeated soldiers before they even set foot in Beiwu's border cities."

As for letting him lead troops into battle...

Shen Yun put the landscape painting into the box, his long eyelashes drooping slightly. Unless there was no one else available, he probably wouldn't be able to lead troops into battle for the rest of his life.

Upon hearing the name Xie Yannian, Ji Huaiyi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of ease and comfort, as if he had survived a calamity.

He picked up the teacup again and took a big gulp.

“Yes, how come Beiwu only produced Xie Yannian?” Ji Huaiyi shook his head, looking quite puzzled. “Given the nature of the Xuan royal family, if it weren’t for Xie Yannian, Beiwu would probably have been devoured by the surrounding Yi tribes long ago.”

The Xuan family of Beiwu, I don’t know if their ancestral graves were not properly buried, but not to mention the emperors of all dynasties, there is not a single normal person among the princes and grandsons of the collateral branches.

All they do is indulge in wine, women, and sensual pleasures, and engage in debauchery in broad daylight.

It is said that in the capital city of Beiwu, the use of Wushi San (五石散) is fashionable, attracting everyone from royalty to commoners. Wushi San is extremely rare, costing a fortune.

Despite the corruption of the royal court, Xie Yannian was the one who held it up, ensuring peace in Beiwu year after year.

Ji Huaiyi suddenly glanced at Shen Yun, a strange smile curving his lips. He leaned lazily against the desk and asked with some curiosity, "Tell me, if you were to run into Xie Yannian, who would win?"

Xie Yannian was known as the God of War of Beiwu. It is said that he once led 500 elite cavalrymen to charge into Fuling City, which was besieged by Danxia. This greatly boosted morale, and together with the soldiers inside the city, they defeated 80,000 Ling troops.

After that, he became famous and his songs were sung by the people.

Shen Yun once led two hundred soldiers to draw away a 50,000-strong Yue army, and was known as a born general in the military history of the Sheng Dynasty.

When the two of them fight, they are both fearless.

If we really encountered that, who knows how long the fight would last?

"So curious?" Shen Yun turned to look at him. "Then how about we transfer you to..."

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm going out to see how those brats are doing in their training." Ji Huaiyi quickly interrupted Shen Yun, instinctively feeling that he wouldn't say anything nice.

"Come back." Shen Yun didn't give him a chance and ordered, "Clean up the table before you leave."

Ji Huaiyi thought he was really going to do something, and had a bitter face. But when he heard that it was just to clean up the water stains, he immediately smiled and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

He picked up a handkerchief from the truss by the door and walked over, wiping away the tea stains and making the table shine.

I don't know where Shen Yun got this quirk from, being so particular.