As the saying goes, illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is like pulling silk from a cocoon.
With Lady Wei's illness and the Prince of Jin's temporary suspension of the trial of Han Lianjing, she was able to relax for the time being and had no energy left to cause trouble for Luo Chaoxi.
Luo Chaoxi has had a pretty good time these past two weeks. Although Murong Ling has made her his maid, she doesn't actually have to do anything. Murong Ling does all his own things. Even the guard she met last time, Luo Chaoxi hasn't seen since.
The only downside was that Baohua Temple served vegetarian meals every day, without any meat. After eating this for almost half a month, Luo Chaoxi's face turned pale.
Is it normal for an emperor like Murong Ling to eat vegetarian food on the mountain for more than a year?
Luo Chaoxi had no appetite at all when faced with the four vegetarian dishes that were served. She scrunched up her hands and ate a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.
"I'm stuffed."
Murong Ling glanced at the almost untouched food in her bowl and said nothing.
As the sun began to set in the afternoon, Murong Ling got up and went out.
Luo Chaoxi naturally had to stay close to him, but she hadn't eaten much at noon, and her stomach was rumbling. She was waiting for Huaping to bring the food back for lunch, so she was a little reluctant.
"Where are you going? It's almost time for dinner. Can I not come with you?"
"Go and hunt some wild game to improve your meals. If you don't want to go, you can stay here and wait for your maid to bring your food."
Luo Chaoxi's eyes lit up, "I want to go!"
She jumped up from the chair and followed behind Murong Ling.
A smile flickered in Murong Ling's eyes as he strode ahead. He led Luo Chaoxi towards the back mountain of Baohua Temple.
Baohua Temple is built halfway up the mountain. It takes about 15 minutes to walk west from their courtyard to leave the temple grounds. Along the way, the trees are lush and the wildflowers are in full bloom. The mountain scenery is bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, making it a beautiful sight.
After walking for about 15 minutes, the two came to a relatively flat place. Not far ahead was a small pond with many fish in it.
Murong Ling found a slightly thicker branch, took out the dagger he was carrying, sharpened one end, and walked towards the pool with the branch in his hand.
He instructed Luo Chaoxi to gather some firewood around the area.
With meat coming soon, Luo Chaoxi worked very hard, immediately picking up all the dry branches nearby.
Murong Ling moved swiftly, aiming at a fish, and thrust the raised branch fiercely into the water, hitting it every time. In no time, he had caught four fish.
Luo Chaoxi had gathered almost all the firewood. She straightened up, carrying a bundle of firewood, and was about to return to Murong Ling's side when she suddenly felt herself being stared at by a chilling gaze.
Immediately afterwards, a hissing sound came from my ear.
Luo Chaoxi stiffly turned her head and saw a snake coiled on a branch less than a foot away from her. Its dark eyes were fixed on her, and it flicked its scarlet tongue at her, as if considering where to begin tasting its prey.
Luo Chaoxi was so frightened that her soul almost flew away.
She screamed and ran towards Murong Ling, scattering the firewood she was holding onto the ground.
"What's wrong?"
Upon hearing his voice, Murong Ling, who was processing the fish, immediately stood up, only to be unexpectedly bumped into by the woman rushing towards him.
If it weren't for his martial arts training since childhood, which gave him a stable stance, he probably would have already been knocked into the pool by now.
"There's a snake..." Luo Chaoxi's voice trembled, and her body shook; she was terrified.
Murong Ling gently patted her back to comfort her, "Where's the snake? I'll go take a look."
"Don't go over there," Luo Chaoxi grabbed him. "What if it bites you?"
"Don't be afraid, I know how to catch snakes."
After saying that, he walked towards the spot where Luo Chaoxi had just been standing. When he looked up, he saw the snake still arrogantly coiled up there, about an arm's length long.
Murong Ling swiftly raised his hand, grabbed the snake by its vital spot, and killed it with a dagger before carrying it back.
"I've already killed it. This snake isn't poisonous; I'll roast it for you later."
Luo Chaoxi took several steps back, frowning in disgust, "I won't eat this stuff."
Murong Ling smiled.
The two quickly built a fire, skewered the fish, and grilled them over the flames. Murong Ling had also prepared several packets of seasoning, which he sprinkled on the fish. After grilling them over the fire, the aroma of the fish instantly filled the air.
Luo Chaoxi's mouth was practically watering, her eyes fixed on the fish on the fire.
Damn it, I've never found grilled fish so tempting!
Murong Ling handed her a skewer of grilled meat, and Luo Chaoxi immediately began to eat it with relish.
Her eyes lit up immediately after taking a bite.
"It's so delicious! This is the first time I've ever had grilled fish like this. You seem to be very skilled at it; do you often eat it like this?"
Murong Ling hummed in agreement, "When I was leading troops into battle, we often set up camp in the wild and would occasionally go out to hunt some game for a treat."
Luo Chaoxi's eyes widened slightly. This was the first time she had heard Murong Ling mention his past. She followed up on his words and asked, "Were you a general before?"
"I suppose so." How could he not be considered a general before he ascended the throne?
Luo Chaoxi said with pride, "What a coincidence, my husband is also a general."
Murong Ling's face darkened. "Yes, a general who is a prisoner."
Luo Chaoxi got angry. "How dare you talk like that? My husband is innocent. You said you would get him out. When are you going to keep your promise?"
The two gradually became acquainted. Murong Ling was very tolerant of her, and Luo Chaoxi was no longer as afraid to speak as before. Murong Ling dared to slander her husband, so she became bolder and immediately retorted.
Hearing her repeatedly refer to her as "husband," Murong Ling's mood worsened.
"When I'm in a better mood." Murong Ling took out another small flask of wine from somewhere and drank it straight from his mouth.
Luo Chaoxi was not satisfied with the reply, but seeing his face darken and his displeasure, she shut her mouth and silently ate the fish in her hand.
After a long silence, she couldn't hold back any longer.
"Didn't you say you were going to become a monk? Why are you still drinking alcohol and eating meat?"
Murong Ling lowered his eyes and looked at the wine pot in his hand. With her as the antidote, why would he need to become a monk?
However, he knew that it was because he had said he was about to become a monk that Luo Chaoxi had lowered her guard against him. After spending time together, she had reluctantly come to regard him as a friend... or even just an acquaintance.
If he says he doesn't plan to become a monk anymore, the woman will probably think he's deceiving her and will treat him like a wolf, which is definitely not the outcome he wants.
After spending this time together, he had to admit that he had become interested in this "medicine".
There's no reason for him to give up what he's set his sights on. The throne is like that, and so are people.
Finally, he said, "I haven't been ordained yet, so I don't count as a monk."
After a while, he asked, "Do you drink alcohol?"
Luo Chaoxi opened her big eyes and shook her head, "I've only ever drunk fruit wine, the kind that doesn't make you drunk."
"Want to try some? A little won't make you drunk." The man's voice was deep and pleasant, with a hint of seduction.
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