Chapter 76 Another year has passed, and Dai Dai still loves it...
The chill of winter lingers, but spring has returned to Jingning City.
Ji Yujing stayed by Lin Qingdai's side every day; she handled the accounts, and he served her tea and water.
She traveled to several places, and he became her driver.
To help her recover, he personally stewed an old chicken soup, and he spent a long time discussing the medicinal herbs he added with a group of senior doctors.
Zhuo Shuming saw this and jokingly complained that his precious child was too spoiled.
Deep down, I'm relieved. It's so good for the young couple to be like this now; their previous stalemate was both physically and mentally exhausting and a waste of time.
In the evening, the chicken soup was served.
Not only Lin Qingdai, but also the two mothers and Zhuo Xin and Ye Xiao were involved.
"Wow, this is the first time I've ever had chicken soup made by my brother. If I drink it, I'll definitely be able to pass the imperial examination next year."
Ye Xiao spoke ramblingly, his eyes and brows brimming with laughter.
He was genuinely happy that his brother and sister-in-law could reconcile.
Zhuo Xin chimed in, "Then I'll try to become the third-ranked scholar."
Zhuo Shuming: "That bowl of chicken soup isn't enough."
Lin Qingdai smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "I can take the imperial examination and become the top scholar."
After saying that, he looked at Ji Yujing and asked, "General, do you think I can pass the exam?"
Ji Yujing replied without hesitation, "Yes."
Ye Xiao persisted: "Brother, do you think I can do it?"
Ji Yujing: "You should stay home and drink chicken soup."
The atmosphere was joyful and harmonious, with laughter and chatter never ceasing.
Dinner was nearing its end, but the dishes hadn't been cleared away yet.
Zhuo Shuming looked at Ji Yujing and said, "In two days, I will take Dai Dai back to the south to stay for a while."
What was bound to happen has happened.
Even though Ji Yujing had been mentally preparing herself, she still felt terrible.
But he knew it was the best decision.
"Um."
Lin Qingdai entwined her hand with his, their intimacy evident. "I will always wait for you to come and pick me up."
"Hurry up."
Ji Yujing was almost easily coaxed, "Mmm."
Before he could even respond, Cheng Zhi spoke up again, "Jing'er, I'm going to the south with Dai Dai too."
Ji Yujing was surprised after hearing this.
Cheng Zhi smiled and explained to him, "You've been very busy these past few years, and the world hasn't been very peaceful. Not to mention other places, I've never even left Lingdong."
"Shu Ming invited me to visit the south this time, and Dai Dai is with me, so I thought I'd like to go for a trip to the south."
Lin Qingdai: "General, please rest assured, I will definitely take good care of my mother."
Ji Yujing laughed in exasperation: "You guys are the ones who are family, aren't you?"
Cheng Zhi scolded him, "Nonsense."
Lin Qingdai: "Who told you to be so busy? Otherwise, you could come with us."
Ji Yujing was undoubtedly delighted.
Once he leaves Lingdong again, he probably won't be able to return so quickly, leaving his mother alone at home, which will make him uneasy.
It would be best if Dai Dai took care of him.
At the end of January, Lunar New Year's Eve was approaching.
Zhuo Shuming and his entourage set off for the south, with Ji Yujing personally seeing them off. The original plan was to escort them out of Jingning City, but he followed the carriage the entire way, passing through city after city.
Having no other option, Lin Qingdai could only call him to a secluded spot and try to persuade him again.
Under the withered tree, there was only this young couple.
Lin Qingdai followed her heart, reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, looked up at him, and said, "Let's go back quickly, or I'm going to cry."
Ji Yujing reached out and stroked her hair, the soft, smooth touch making him reluctant to let go.
Why would he like a woman so much?
He found it difficult to accept that she was only staying at her parents' home for a short period of time.
"Don't you like it? I'll give it to you?"
Lin Qingdai: "No, it's because I feel sorry for you."
"And I want you to get down to business quickly and then come pick me up."
"Um."
"Once you go to the south, you can't like anyone else, and you're not allowed to get too close to other men."
Ji Yujing's worries were not unfounded. Just like Zhang Qiyuan, who had only met Dai Dai a few times, and who had barely even given her a second glance, he had already fallen for her.
Lin Qingdai chuckled upon hearing this: "General Ji, do you really have so little confidence in yourself?"
Ji Yujing: "I don't trust those men."
"Lust arises upon seeing beauty."
Lin Qingdai: "What does the general like about me? If I weren't as beautiful as I am now, would the general still like me?"
Ji Yujing: "I love everything about Lin Qingdai."
Such a vibrant, warm, and interesting person as Lin Qingdai, her appearance is just one of her many strengths.
Lin Qingdai was pleased with this answer and kissed Ji Yujing's heart through his clothes, "I understand, I will never fall in love with someone else."
"I only like Brother Ji Ci."
Without any cover, Ji Yujing couldn't control his surging emotions and kissed Lin Qingdai for a long time.
After kissing her, he looked at her flushed face and his heart melted completely.
"Wait for me to come back."
"Regarding my information, only my handwritten notes are reliable; do not believe anything else."
"Um."
No matter how reluctant we are, we must part ways.
Fortunately, there was no more resentment between them. Even though they were separated, they still cared for each other and were certain that when everything settled down, they would reunite and walk hand in hand through the long years of their lives.
In the thirty-seventh year of Zhaoshun, the emperor did not attend the New Year's Eve activities; the eldest prince presided over all matters.
Although the eldest prince was not raised in the palace, his knowledge and abilities were excellent, and he always had a smiling face and a refined and gentle appearance.
The court officials praised him highly, and few dared to oppose him.
On New Year's Eve, Song Yunmian, who had been busy all day, went to the imperial palace, ostensibly to keep the emperor company on New Year's Eve, but in reality, he carried an edict appointing the crown prince, intending to have the old man put his fingerprint on it. If the old man could briefly regain his senses, leaving his name would be acceptable.
However, these are all minor matters. The important thing is that tomorrow is the first day of the new year, and Song Yunmian will be the Crown Prince of Xun Kingdom.
When the emperor was unwell, he took over the administration of state affairs.
The palace gates opened briefly, then closed again.
The slow, creaking sound was eerie and chilling. Even deep within the imperial palace, the atmosphere was just as eerie.
Emperor Taining, who had always been in good health, lay on the bed with his eyes closed, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep.
Suddenly, he sat up abruptly, arms outstretched, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Where is my medicine?"
"Where is my elixir of longevity?"
"Xiao Qi! Xiao Qi!"
Upon seeing this, Xiao Qi quickly walked over.
He told the Emperor that he had finished his medicine.
The emperor was furious and slapped him across the face.
"What use is a eunuch like you?"
Ignoring the pain in his cheek, Xiao Qi immediately knelt down and kowtowed to the ground.
"Your Majesty, you can't take that medicine anymore."
"If you keep eating, you probably won't even recognize Lord Lin."
Xiao Qi cried out in anguish, but the emperor remained expressionless except for a slight reaction when he heard the name "Lord Lin," constantly muttering, "Where is my medicine?"
"Where is my longevity elixir?"
This was the scene that Song Yunmian saw when he entered the bedroom.
He smiled, because he was extremely happy.
"Manager Xiao hasn't given up yet? The old geezer you're serving will soon go mad."
However, he was already crazy before, and now he's just even crazier.
Song Yunmian's voice rang out from behind Xiao Qi, penetrating his ears and sending a chill down his spine.
The emperor's demeanor was too much for Xiao Qi to bear.
He felt that even if he were to die today, there were still some things he wanted to say.
With this thought in mind, Xiao Qi stood up, faced Song Yunmian, and skipped all formalities, "Your Highness, His Majesty is still your father, how can you..."
Feeding them poison?
This drug called the Longevity Pill, what else could it be but poison that has rendered His Majesty in this state?
What's even more terrifying is that the Imperial Hospital had examined His Majesty before he took the medicine. Furthermore, the Imperial Palace had been under surveillance for quite some time, yet no one outside had noticed anything amiss. The First Prince hadn't been in the capital for years and had no powerful backers; how did he manage to do all this?
Xiao Qi was unaware that all the support he received was borrowed from Zhang Qiyuan by Song Yunmian.
This was tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin, but Song Yunmian didn't care.
His fate is unimportant, and it is also unimportant who ultimately holds the throne.
Most importantly, everyone who displeases him will either die or go insane before him.
His goals have been achieved one after another.
He was delighted, so when faced with a eunuch's questioning, he did not show the slightest displeasure.
At least on the surface, the tone was friendly and gentle: "Steward Xiao, don't speak carelessly. This medicine has been tested by the Imperial Hospital and has the effect of prolonging life."
The problem is that the old man was so eager to live to a ripe old age and firmly control this empire that he overdosed on medication.
Of course, there was some deliberate guidance involved.
"Besides, he's already this old, wouldn't it be better for him to lie down? Dealing with state affairs every day is too tiring."
After speaking, Song Yunmian went straight to the emperor's bed.
Xiao Qi was now terrified of the Crown Prince's wicked and violent nature; he was truly capable of anything. He quickly stood in front of him, preventing him from getting close to the Emperor.
Song Yunmian gave a low, short sneer, as if laughing at his overestimation of his abilities.
"Someone come here."
No sooner had he finished speaking than guards in the distinctive uniforms of the Silver Shield Army entered. But these men were all unfamiliar faces; Xiao Qi had spent half his life in this palace, and he was certain he had never seen them before.
"Your Highness, what exactly do you want..."
Before he could finish speaking, Song Yunmian replied.
"I want Steward Xiao to quietly witness a major event."
"Quietly," he emphasized deliberately.
The Silver Shield soldiers immediately understood and subdued Xiao Qi, someone stuffing a piece of cloth into his mouth. From then on, no matter how angry Xiao Qi was, he could only mumble incoherently.
Song Yunmian was very satisfied with this scene and continued forward with a smile on his face.
Before long, he sat down next to Song Qingwu.
Seeing him speechless and dumbfounded, I felt even happier.
"Father, is this what you're looking for?"
As they spoke, Song Yunmian took out a jar of medicine from his sleeve pocket.
As they moved, the pills hit the bottle, making a soft sound.
To Emperor Taining, that sound was heavenly music. His upper body trembled, and his cloudy eyes lit up.
He struggled to raise his hand, trying to take the medicine.
Song Yunmian quickly stepped back, laughing as if coaxing a foolish child, "Father, sign this edict, and Yunmian will give you this medicine, okay?"
"Father likes to eat this, so he can have as much as he wants."
"To sign or not to sign?"
Emperor Taining didn't even ask any questions before saying, "Sign."
"The pill... I'll give you the pill."
Song Yunmian sneered inwardly upon hearing this.
I can hardly remember anyone around me anymore, but I still remember calling myself "I'm alone".
"OK."
"Bring me pen and ink."
The eunuch moved swiftly, and the brush dipped in ink quickly reached the emperor's hands.
At this moment, Song Yunmian looked at Xiao Qi and asked, "Do you know what this important matter is?"
"Tomorrow, on the first day of the new year, the Xun Kingdom will have a crown prince."
Song Yunmian's actions were tantamount to usurping the country.
Xiao Qi was both anxious and angry, but he couldn't speak and struggled but couldn't break free even a little.
Tears streamed down his face.
Once His Majesty signs the edict, Song Yunmian will be the future ruler of the country.
With His Majesty in such a state, he can rightfully rule the court.
He decides who to kill and where to attack.
He so wished His Majesty would wake up at that moment, but he did not.
For the sake of that jar of poison, His Majesty signed his name on the imperial edict without any hesitation.
The outcome is decided.
"Hahaha."
Hahahaha.
Song Yunmian couldn't help but laugh, one laugh after another.
He tossed the elixir that made people increasingly delirious to Emperor Taining, then stood up, grabbed a corner of the edict, and suspended it in mid-air, the words on it clearly visible to all.
Inside the imperial palace, the Silver Shield Army and the eunuchs all knelt.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
Only Xiao Qi did not kneel.
Song Yunmian did not force him to kneel, because he was too happy tonight and he could let the eunuch live a few more days.
Song Yunmian left the imperial palace and went straight to the central palace.
On New Year's Eve, while the surrounding area was decorated with lanterns and filled with joy, the vast inner palace was as cold and desolate as a huge tomb.
Song Yunmian undoubtedly liked this desolate feeling.
Wasn't his mother lying in her grave on New Year's Eve?
He went to the central palace and showed the edict to the Empress and the Second Prince. The Empress was also forced to drink longevity pills every day. To this day, she was as dazed as her dying husband, and rarely had any clear-headed moments.
The second prince glared at him coldly, "Traitorous minister."
He emphasized the word "thief" heavily, all his hatred hidden in those two words.
Song Yunmian's lips curled slightly. "Someone, slap him in the face."
He deserved to be beaten for speaking ill of the Crown Prince.
As soon as he finished speaking, someone rushed over and restrained Song Yunlan.
Clap clap clap.
A piercing sound rang out, but neither the Empress nor Emperor Showa spoke up to plead for him; one was mentally impaired, and the other was unwilling.
Showa felt completely at ease, just like Song Yunmian.
What is this called?
This is what they call "evil people will be punished by other evil people".
...
Ji Yujing spent New Year's Eve with the old man.
It was a rare occurrence that there was no snow in Lingdong on New Year's Eve. The daytime was sunny and dry. Ji and Jing went into the mountains and dug up two jars of wine.
The grandfather and grandson ate dinner together that evening and opened a jar to drink.
Ji Tongchuan took a sip and praised the wine as excellent.
"Any more? Give me two jars."
Ji Yujing smiled, "I do have some, but I can't give them to you. Next time..."
"it works?"
"No, these wines now belong to your granddaughter-in-law. If I were to dig them up, it would be stealing."
Ji Tongchuan was amused by these words.
“Then I’ll ask Dai Dai for it later. Dai Dai is so filial, she might give it all to me.”
As they spoke, Ji Tongchuan recalled the events of the past.
"These past six months have really been tough on Dai Dai."
Ji Yujing responded, her heart overflowing with longing.
"I will finish everything quickly and go south to pick up Dai Dai."
At this point, Ji Tongchuan couldn't help but ask, "What are your plans next?"
Ji Yujing replied truthfully, "I've been studying the map of Zhenshan River recently, but I haven't made any progress yet."
The treasure map is complete, but finding this place in the vast Xun Kingdom is not easy.
However, he has invited several geological experts to Lingdong for discussions, and there will always be progress.
After having dinner with Ji Tongchuan, Ji and Jing returned to the Lin residence. Now that his beloved was no longer there, he still stayed there in his spare time.
He had grown accustomed to it, and because traces of her were everywhere here, guarding them brought him peace and joy.
Her favorite read was the novel "The Legend of the Heroes of Xun Kingdom," and she brewed various fruit wines and medicinal wines.
She hung sachets everywhere, each with a bell at the bottom. When the wind blew, they tinkled and jingled, making the whole courtyard seem brighter and more cheerful.
"elder brother."
When Ye Xiao entered the flower hall, Ji Yujing was lying on Lin Qingdai's recliner, gently swaying as the chair rocked.
A lazy and relaxed state of mind.
Happy New Year!
Ji Yujing looked at him and smiled, "Happy New Year."
What are you doing here at this time?
New Year's Eve is a time for families to gather around the stove, chatting and laughing.
Paying New Year's visits is for tomorrow.
Ye Xiao approached Ji Yujing and handed him the scroll.
"I'm here to deliver a New Year's gift to you on behalf of my sister-in-law."
Ji Yujing was stunned for a few moments, then put his feet on the ground and sat up straight.
"What gift?"
While asking questions, he had already reached out and taken the scroll.
Ye Xiao shook his head, "I don't know, my sister-in-law said she can only give it to you on New Year's Eve."
"A big surprise should be given at the right time."
Ji Yujing imagined Lin Qingdai saying those words and couldn't help but laugh.
"Then let's see what kind of surprise Miss Lin has prepared for me."
He stood up, walked to the table in the flower hall, and spread out the scroll.
Ji Yujing was stunned at first glance.
Lin Qingdai actually drew a rough map of Zhenshan River and marked many place names on it.
It was obvious that she already knew the approximate location of the treasure.
At the very bottom of the hand-drawn illustration is a handwriting he is all too familiar with.
Admit it, I'm smarter than you.
Those who love their wives will find wealth flowing in from all directions. General Ji, this is what you deserve.
Another year has passed, and Dai Dai still likes Ji Ci. Come pick me up soon!
After reading it, Ji Yujing felt that the greatest treasure in the world was not Zhenshanhe.
It was Lin Qingdai.
She had no martial arts skills, was overly kind, and even sickly.
But she single-handedly forged her own unique and unprecedented path to success.
Absolute strength can break all conventions and prejudices.
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