Chapter 48 Ambush.
Lingyi didn't believe it: "Then how could he have held on until now?"
No matter how brave and skilled he is in battle, he is still just like her, with two eyes and one mouth. As long as he is human, he needs to rest. If he had continued like this, how could he have lasted until now?
Qin Xiaoshan said, "Your Highness... when you really can't hold on any longer, you will drink a calming soup. However... medicine is bound to harm your body. Unless absolutely necessary, Your Highness will not take medicine and will rely entirely on yourself to get through it."
"Is it not time yet?" Lingyi always gets more rest than him. She is used to being patient and can't stand it, let alone Qin Lie who rides a horse during the day. Even though he occasionally rides a carriage, the messengers who come and go rarely get a break.
Qin Xiaoshan gently shook his head.
Lingyi then asked for a second option, "Then... could you prescribe me a calming soup?"
Qin Xiaoshan bowed and said, "The princess's arrangements are subject to the prince's decision. Without the prince's instructions, I would never dare to act on my own." He glanced at Lingyi's expression, a hint of secret expectation in his eyes, and said, "Why doesn't the princess ask the prince herself?"
Lingyi, feeling utterly disappointed, went back to her room, covered Ji'an's ears, and lay on the bed, utterly dejected, listening to the increasingly urgent coughing sounds from next door.
She really didn't understand. The Qin family had seized power from the Liu family, and he now held great power and should be in high spirits. How could he have reached the point where he was "depressed and unable to get rid of his feelings, and there was no cure"?
Could it be that the killings were too excessive, and the vengeful spirits are seeking revenge every night?
I thought that with his cold and hard personality, he was fearless of ghosts and gods, but I never expected that he would be in this situation today.
Lingyi felt a sense of relief, but this relief could not offset the torment she was enduring.
Fortunately, after a few days, they stopped traveling and went to the residence where Qin Lie was staying.
Lingyi and Ji'an were still arranged to stay together. After a long and tiring journey, they finally found a relatively spacious place that was also far away from Qin Lie. When they arrived at their lodging, they didn't even wash up or eat dinner; all they wanted to do was sleep.
Despite living a life of luxury these past few years, Lingyi still suffered from insomnia. Now, she falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow, which shows how much she has been driven to this state.
She had only slept for a short while when Qin Xiaoshan came over and asked her to brew medicine for Qin Lie.
Exhausted, Lingyi scoffed, "Prince Duan holds a high position and wields great power. Could it be that he can't even find someone to brew medicine? Or has Chief Steward Qin already sided with someone else, just waiting for me to poison Prince Duan so he can claim credit?"
Qin Xiaoshan maintained his ever-present respectful demeanor: "Your Highness is too kind."
No matter how respectful he was on the surface, he wouldn't leave unless Lingyi went to brew the medicine.
Lingyi had no choice but to follow him to Qin Lie's courtyard.
The doctor has already prepared the medicine.
When Lingyi went to Zhuozhou with the Fifteenth Princess, she saw her taking medicine along the way. The calming medicine was the most basic decoction, which was drunk by everyone from high-ranking officials to ordinary people.
The medicinal materials used vary from person to person, and the price ranges from tens of taels to tens of coins per dose.
The medicinal herbs Qin Lie used were naturally the most precious, but...
Lingyi hesitated, "Do we have to add all of these?"
There's a medicine pot here, but it contains five doses of medicine.
Five doses of medicine would be enough to take down a bear, yet they're giving them all to Qin Lie alone?
Qin Xiaoshan explained, "At first, one dose was enough, but the prince has been relying on it to fall asleep over the years, so the dosage has been increasing, which is why it has become like this."
Lingyi neither agreed nor disagreed, but poured the five doses of medicine into the pot, added water, and began to boil them.
Preparing the medicine is not difficult; you just need to put the herbs in in order. However, it takes a lot of time and requires you to stay here and watch over it the whole time.
She sat there for a short while before starting to doze off, and eventually fell asleep on the table.
Qin Xiaoshan instructed the maid beside him, "You stay here and watch. Just wake up the princess every time you add the medicine and let her add it herself."
The prince still needs servants; all of this is entirely his own idea. One can only hope...
But......
Looking at the sleeping princess beside him, Qin Xiaoshan sighed inwardly, feeling that all his hard work was probably going to be in vain.
The princess may appear gentle and weak, but she is actually as hard as iron. Compared to her, the prince is like an egg hitting a rock, with no chance of winning.
By dusk, the five doses of medicine had been boiled down to a bowl, the liquid thick and sticky, dark and gelatinous.
Lingyi only glanced at it before feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.
Qin Xiaoshan used the same trick again, "inviting" her to personally serve the medicine to Qin Lie.
Lingyi did not refuse; the closer she got to the capital, the more uneasy she felt.
Ji'an looks just like his father, and with so many people around, Qin Lie would never bring him to the capital.
Before they arrived in the capital, whether to kill or imprison them was entirely up to Qin Lie.
Perhaps he had already decided to eliminate them completely, and the reason he hasn't acted yet is simply because he maliciously wants to see them struggle in their death throes.
Even if there's only a sliver of hope, she'll give it a try.
She carried the tray to Qin Lie's room. He was sitting at his desk reading a book, his figure still as sturdy as a pine tree. But as she got closer, she could see that his eyes were bloodshot and his eyes were dark, indicating that he had not had a good night's sleep for many days.
She walked over and gently placed the medicine bowl beside him. "Your Highness, please take your medicine."
She had a naturally gentle and melodious voice. Qin Lie's eyes narrowed slightly, but he pretended not to notice. He looked at the book in his hand for a moment and then did not turn a page.
Lingyi half-squatted down, her back curving gracefully as she bent over, revealing a section of her fair and delicate neck right in front of him—this was a pose she had deliberately practiced, making her most charming and endearing.
Her large, watery eyes looked up at the person in front of her, full of tender affection. "Your Highness, if you don't drink it soon, the medicine will get cold."
Qin Lie finally turned his gaze to her face, but it wasn't the reluctance and fascination she had expected.
He looked at her, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain, his tone cold and stern: "Liu Lingyi, don't use the same tactics you used on Song Pingkou on me!"
Lingyi slowly straightened her back and gave a self-deprecating smile.
She forgot that he was not someone like Song Pingkou, whom she could manipulate at will.
As the only son of General Song, Song Pingkou was so proud that he was almost arrogant. Therefore, he never doubted her, because in his eyes, all women in the world should love him.
But Qin Lie was different. He had never let his guard down around her because of the hatred between his father and brother and the hatred between his wife and his wife.
He wouldn't do anything for her, let alone change his mind for her.
I wasn't infatuated with her body before, let alone now.
She got up to leave, but he wouldn't let her go. "What? You're too lazy to even pretend anymore now that I've seen through you?"
Lingyi was so disheartened that she was almost in despair, and she didn't even have the strength to answer. Under his intense gaze, she gave a perfunctory reply: "Your Highness is wise."
Qin Lie frowned deeply: "So, you were just acting all along, lying to me the whole time, weren't you?"
He had said everything he wanted to say, so what could Lingyi possibly say?
Seeing that she didn't speak, he grabbed her wrist and demanded, "Were all the things you told me before false?!"
Perhaps due to lack of rest, his face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot, and he seemed somewhat deranged. Lingyi dared not continue to be perfunctory, but...
"What words are you referring to, Your Highness?" She was never one to talk much, and besides, what had she said to him?
"You said...you knew nothing of the palace, and married me with high hopes..." Qin Lie stared intently at her, not missing the slightest expression on her face. "You also said...from the day you married me, you considered me your husband..."
"Are all these words... lies?"
Lingyi was stunned; she never expected Qin Lie to say these things to her.
It's like when two armies are locked in a tense standoff, and suddenly someone starts dancing in front of them—it's bizarre and absurd.
But he was so serious that he couldn't tolerate her being perfunctory or deceiving him.
She tilted her head and carefully recalled for a long time before finally having to answer truthfully: "I don't remember those words at all."
Over the years, I have traveled thousands of miles, hovered between life and death, racked my brains and schemed, and devoted all my energy to planning. I did the greater good, even killing my own husband. I have never had a good night's sleep or a moment of joy along the way.
How could I still remember my weak and naive self from the past, and the foolish things I said?
Her gaze was clear and open, as if she were still the same as before, only now with a touch more serenity. She looked straight at him, and for a moment Qin Lie almost couldn't breathe, hastily turning his eyes away.
I shouldn't have asked; I shouldn't have asked in the first place.
The moment he opened his mouth, he had already lost, yet he still clung to a sliver of hope.
He hoped she would deny it, even if it was a lie. As long as he didn't see through it, it would be true, all of it would be true.
But she couldn't remember, she really couldn't remember any of it.
She doesn't just remember those words, and presumably those past events as well.
While he was consumed by hatred for her day and night, gnawing at her flesh and bones, it turned out that he had long since become irrelevant to her.
He knew she deserved to die, but he didn't know she deserved to die in such a way!
His throat itched, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud. The laughter grew increasingly shrill, mixed with coughing. He laughed and coughed at the same time, unable to even straighten his back.
Ji'an was still in his hands. Lingyi didn't understand why, but she knew that he was in this situation because of her. She could only try to comfort him again: "Your Highness, the medicine is getting cold. You should drink it first."
.
Qin Xiaoshan, who had been guarding outside the door, naturally heard Qin Lie's laughter and felt terrified.
After Lingyi came out of the room, a while later, there was still no sound from inside. He thought Qin Lie had fallen asleep, so he tiptoed in to turn off the light. But as soon as he entered, he saw Qin Lie sitting silently at the table, cold and still, like a clay sculpture.
The medicinal soup on the table had long since congealed into a dark, murky mass, and sat quietly to one side.
Qin Xiaoshan said cautiously, "Your Highness, the medicine has gone cold. I will have someone brew another bowl right away."
"No need." The voice was low and desolate.
Qin Xiaoshan couldn't help but shed tears and knelt on the ground, "Your Highness, your body really can't take this!"
Qin Lie said calmly, "Do I have to say it a second time?"
Qin Xiaoshan dared not offer any further advice. He rose and retreated, not forgetting to close the door behind him. He was filled with regret. These past few days, he had acted on his own initiative in many matters, just like when he had asked the princess to care for his injured master. He had thought things would clear up as before, but instead of finding medicine, he had found poison!
He was filled with regret, and Lingyi was also deeply troubled when she returned home.
Qin Lie had just told her that he would leave Ji'an behind at the next stop, and that she would have to go with him.
She pleaded with tears streaming down her face, but all her efforts were in vain. He simply looked at her with mockery, as if she were a clown.
After laughing inexplicably, he returned to his usual expression.
He was no longer the sharp-tongued general who conquered the north. Now, he held a high position and wielded great power, his demeanor restrained. He leaned casually against the armchair, exuding the air of a leisurely prince, yet his words were sharp as blades.
"What? Are you afraid I'll secretly kill him after you leave? You overestimate yourself. If I wanted to kill him, would I need to hide from you?"
"If you leave obediently, he might still be able to save his life."
“Say one more word and I’ll cut off his hands and feet right now.”
"There are still a few days left, so enjoy your last moments of tenderness as aunt and nephew."
Although she didn't say anything, Jian was so precocious that she had already seen through the clues.
He held her tightly, tears streaming down his face as he cried, "Auntie! Auntie, don't go! Don't leave me alone! You're all I have left! Please promise me, okay? You won't abandon me, will you?"
Lingyi stroked his hair, her heart aching with unspeakable sorrow. He, however, misunderstood her, shoving her away, his youthful face contorted with rage. "Is it...is it that you've heard news of my brother?! So you're abandoning me, leaving me all alone?! I knew it! It's all a lie, a lie! You were kind to me before only because I was the emperor! So you flattered me, fawned over me! Now that I'm not, you still want to abandon me, letting those people harm me! You deserve to die, you all deserve to die!"
Lingyi never expected him to say such a thing, and she stood there stunned for a moment.
In that short time, Jian's expression changed, and he hugged her again, crying loudly, "Auntie! Auntie! Jian was wrong, Jian was wrong, I was just too scared! Auntie, please don't ignore me! Don't abandon me!"
His crying was so heartfelt that Lingyi slowly reached out and touched the top of his head again to comfort him.
After all, he was just a seven or eight-year-old child; he cried until he was tired and then fell asleep.
Lingyi stared at his face, which resembled the late Crown Prince, for a long time, unable to discern whether she felt sorrow or confusion.
I feel that life is full of helplessness, endless and without liberation.
After staying for two days, the group set off again, traveling during the day and resting at the inn at night, just like before. However, Qin Xiaoshan did not arrange for them to stay next to Qin Lie this time. Although there were only a few dozen people in the group, they never saw Qin Lie again after that day.
What should have been a cause for celebration turned into a source of unease as the separation from Ji'an drew ever closer.
Because of those accusations, although Jian tried her best to act as usual these past few days, she felt somewhat uneasy, constantly observing Jian's expressions and fearing that Jian might displease her.
He was just a child, how could he do it without leaving a trace?
Lingyi noticed this and felt impatient, but she couldn't show it.
Having come this far, I am now most disheartened, feeling that nothing was worthwhile.
With parting imminent and uncertainty about whether they would ever meet again, Lingyi still felt mostly heartache and worry for Ji'an. She spoke to him at length, but the message remained the same: no matter what the circumstances, one must strive to live on, for as long as one lives, good things will always happen in the future.
She encouraged Gian and comforted herself in this way again and again, but she did not expect to face death soon.
After Qin Lie set off again, he kept a very low profile. Even when he went to the post station, he used someone else's identity, and the group of people pretended to be ordinary merchants.
Apart from a few trusted confidants, no one knew that he was no longer with the army and was now on his way to rejoin them.
Unexpectedly, they were ambushed on the road.
When the carriage stopped, Lingyi had only doubts until she heard the sound of clashing blades outside. She lifted a corner of the curtain and saw people dressed in white mourning clothes fighting with Qin Lie's guards.
Qin Lie's group consisted of only about fifty people, while the opposing side numbered at least a hundred, and each of them was highly skilled. The two sides fought fiercely and were evenly matched.
Lingyi quickly made a decision, turning to Ji'an and saying, "Let's take this opportunity and escape!"
Jian glanced outside, then trembled with fear, her face turning pale. "Auntie, there are swords and spears outside..."
Ling Yi said, "They're after Qin Lie, not us. If we don't leave now, even if Qin Lie loses, we'll still be silenced. And even if he wins, do you think he'll let us go later?"
Gian was persuaded by her and nodded tremblingly.
The thieves had put a lot of thought into choosing this location; it was surrounded by mountains on two sides, forming a valley where they hid in the forests on either side.
The mountains and forests are dense; once someone hides inside, even dozens of people would have difficulty finding them in such a vast and desolate place.
When Lingyi went to Zhuozhou in the past, he traveled through the mountains and forests for more than a month and was confident that he could escape alive; otherwise, he would have just been throwing his life away.
The two got out of the car and, seizing any opportunity, tried to escape into the mountains and forests.
But after taking only two steps, her knee suddenly went numb, and Lingyi stumbled and fell to the ground, where a pebble landed. She looked back in the direction of the fall and saw Qin Lie standing behind the car with an angry expression.
She asked in surprise, "You... how did you get here?"
He should be in his own carriage at this time, so why is he guarding the back of his own carriage?
Qin Lie held a sword in his hand, his face cold and stern.
"Is locking you up the only way you'll behave?!"
As he answered, he casually stabbed an assassin in the chest, blood gushing onto his face in a horrifying manner.
Jian grew increasingly frightened and, ignoring Lingyi on the ground, turned and ran!
But he only ran two steps before the thief spotted him and raised his broadsword to slash at his head.
Lingyi's eyes widened in horror. Ignoring her leg pain, she rushed over and shielded Ji'an beneath her, closing her eyes tightly.
The expected pain did not come; only a few warm drops fell on her neck.
She shakily raised her head and saw Qin Lie block the man's broadsword with his right arm. The next moment, he switched the sword to his left hand and pierced the man's chest.
Seeing her standing there in a daze, Qin Lie shouted, "Get back in the carriage right now!"
Lingyi then came to her senses and hurriedly pulled Ji'an back into the carriage.
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