Lin Huaiyin jumped up and down
The main force went up the mountain, leaving the inn quiet and peaceful.
Seeing that the sun was shining brightly, Lin Huaiyin took Yu Li to the small garden to bask in the sun and eat fruit.
Holding the county gazetteer, she flipped through it page by page, slowly searching for usable entries, pondering how to use this day to prepare a generous gift for Shen Congyun.
Gradually, Lin Huaiyin gleaned a few interesting pieces of information from the vast expanse of tiny, handwritten characters—
"Heming Mountain is a deep and densely forested place with a hot and humid climate, and is often infested with poisonous snakes."
"The area is densely forested and infested with snakes, tigers, and leopards, so people dare not travel there alone."
"In the summer of the third year of the Wanli reign, a white snake, more than ten feet long, was seen on Heming Mountain, which was considered strange."
Are there many snakes in the mountains?
Lin Huaiyin chuckled softly, thinking that she was quite a good match for her husband, and that she could just tuck her into his arms like a den of snakes and rats.
Immediately, Lin Huaiyin made up her mind and summoned the Imperial Guard captain left behind by Lin Cuiyue, instructing him: "I have heard that there are many poisonous snakes in the mountains. I would appreciate it if you could go and replace all the people carrying the palanquin tomorrow with locals who are skilled at catching and driving away snakes."
"Very well, I will take care of it right away." The captain clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Lin Huaiyin added, "Just in case, tell them to bring all their equipment."
"Yes, Miss, rest assured, I will absolutely protect you and the young master."
Knowing that Lin Huaiyin was pregnant, the captain dared not be careless and hurriedly took his leave to handle the matter personally.
As he walked away into the distance, Lin Huaiyin was filled with unease.
Two hundred years ago, the Imperial Guards were the private army of the Lin family. Because the Lin family ancestors were loyal to the Xiao imperial family, they became the Imperial Guards, a tradition that has lasted for two hundred years. They have inherited their position for generations and undergone rigorous training. They are connected to the Lin family by blood, and their loyalty and ability are top-notch. Lin Huaiyin uses them as easily as using her own body to control her arms and her arms to control her fingers.
In her past life, Lin Huaiyin unintentionally caused everyone's deaths, resulting in a bloodbath on Heming Mountain.
In this life, she will stand with the Imperial Guards, to repay kindness with kindness and blood with blood.
Just to be on the safe side, Lin Huaiyin still needs to make a cover move.
After lunch, she took Yu Li into the city, strolled around for a bit, and then returned to the inn.
During this time, Xuan Ge was decocting medicine in the kitchen.
He had never decocted medicine before, nor did he know how, but Xiao Zhian instructed him that the medicine should never leave his sight or be handled by anyone else. So he could only sit by the stove with a heavy heart, muttering to himself, "decoct five bowls of rice water down to one bowl, first over high heat, then over low heat, and finally squeeze out the juice from the dregs."
After much effort, he finally brewed a bowl of medicine. When he brought it to Lin Huaiyin's door, he was covered in soot and the Imperial Guards could no longer recognize him as the second-rank commander of the Eastern Palace Guards.
Fortunately, the time was still the same. Yu Li recognized him by his scent. She took the medicine and was about to close the door when Lin Huaiyin called Xuan Ge in.
Xuan Ge dared not advance.
He recalled the night four days ago when he confessed to Xiao Zhian that he had lingered in front of Lin Huaiyin's door because he knew Yu Li was timid and was afraid she would cry alone, so he went to check on her.
He didn't even go inside; he just spoke a few words to Yu Li through the door.
Xuan Ge confessed the truth, admitting he was terrified.
When Xiao Zhian came out of Lin Huaiyin's room, his face was dark and gloomy. That dark face reminded Xuan Ge of fifteen years ago, when Princess Pingyang was imprisoned by the emperor and Xiao Zhian searched for her everywhere in vain.
For a whole year, Xiao Zhian couldn't find Princess Pingyang. After causing a scene several times, he was placed under house arrest in the Eastern Palace. Finally, he was forced to go on a hunger strike, losing most of his life in the process, before finally getting Princess Pingyang back.
That year, Xiao Zhian was the crown prince, and also an eight-year-old child. Xuan Ge served him day and night, and every time he saw him, he saw a face that looked like it could drip ink at any moment.
Xuan Ge didn't understand why Xiao Zhian was angry at the time. After confessing, he thought he was in grave danger. Unexpectedly, after listening to the confession, Xiao Zhian remained silent for a long time before asking only one question: "That child, is he close to you?"
Xuan Ge was unsure, but fearing that Xiao Zhi'an would also punish Yu Li, he quickly replied, "Miss Yu Li was injured earlier, and Miss Lin fainted. I happened to be nearby."
After he finished answering, Xiao Zhian didn't say anything more.
After that, all the tasks of delivering medicine, running errands, and providing close protection fell to Xuan Ge. The only prohibition was: he was not allowed to get close to Miss Lin.
Lin Huaiyin's invitation to come inside is tantamount to telling him to die.
Xuan Ge dared not, and turned to run away.
"If you don't come in, I'll throw the medicine away."
Lin Huaiyin threatened him.
"If you don't come in, Miss won't take her medicine."
Yu Li relayed the message.
Xuan Ge was even more frightened, looking helplessly at Yu Li.
Yu Li felt sorry for him and thought it best for men not to enter the young lady's room, so she ordered the Imperial Guards to step back and arranged for Xuan Ge to listen outside the door.
Through the door, Lin Huaiyin asked him, "What did the imperial physician say during the consultation that day? How long do I need to take this medicine? What is the prescription?"
Lin Huaiyin always wanted to know what medicine she was taking.
She remembered that after she left that day, only the imperial physician, Xuan Ge, and Xiao Zhi'an remained in the palace. She didn't dare to summon the imperial physician casually, so asking Xuan Ge was the safest option.
But Xuan Ge shook his head outside the door: "This humble general was too far away to hear."
"You're dead if you lie to me," Lin Huaiyin continued to threaten.
"This humble general truly did not hear it." Xuan Ge felt like a mouse that had been accidentally trapped in a bellows, filled with trepidation, wishing he could tear out his heart and liver to prove that he was not lying.
“Miss Lin, His Highness did not issue a gag order regarding this matter, so this humble general truly did not hear it. At the time, Physician Lu’s voice was extremely soft, and this humble general only noticed that His Highness asked, ‘Can it be cured? Will it be possible to cure it in the future?’ Physician Lu only said, ‘I will do my best.’”
Since he had already said that, Lin Huaiyin knew that she couldn't squeeze out anything else.
"Alright. You can go now."
Lin Huaiyin released Xuan Ge and silently pondered the question, "Will there be another time like this in the future?"
What could it be? She couldn't think of anything.
But judging from Xuan Ge's imitation of the tone, it might be something important.
Lin Huaiyin, filled with new doubts, tossed and turned from dusk till night, unable to fall asleep.
Under the cover of night, a dark figure sneaked into the post station and approached the window of the Imperial Guard Captain.
The sleeping gas blew into the room.
The shadowy figure waited a moment, then pried open the door, took a piece of sheepskin from the captain's bosom, examined it carefully for a long time, and then stuffed it back into the bag.
The next morning.
Fully packed and ready to go.
The Imperial Guard captains were at the front, using sheepskin scrolls and cloth maps to find their way.
Lin Huaiyin and Yu Li each rode in a palanquin, each carrying a food box.
Personal belongings were also transported in a palanquin.
A total of three palanquins and twelve strong, experienced snake catchers accompanied Lin Huaiyin up the mountain.
Four imperial guards patrolled the area.
Xuan Ge was found near the group, his whereabouts unknown.
The group arrived at the top of Heming Mountain in the early evening.
The crimson sunset slowly sank below the horizon, and the mountain mists rose and drifted away.
In this scene, the peaks bow their heads, the mountains burn for me, heaven and earth pray for me, and the sun, moon, and universe seem to be within my grasp.
Lin Huaiyin saw the most expansive and moving view of her life atop Heming Mountain.
Such a magnificent view suddenly turned into darkness, and she felt a chill in her heart. She told Yu Li to arrange the camp according to her assignment, as she wanted to go find Shen Congyun first.
During the national sacrificial ceremony, people were free from worldly affairs and men and women lived separately on different mountain peaks.
Everyone followed the rules, except for Lin Huaiyin, who arrived late. She was stopped at the entrance to Wanxian Peak on Zuoshan Mountain. No matter how the Imperial Guards explained, she said she didn't understand and didn't comprehend it. She was just a young woman who missed her husband, and the child in her womb also missed its father. She insisted on seeing him.
Shen Congyun had been working hard for days and had already gone to bed at sunset. When the Imperial Guards came to invite him, he had no choice but to get up and see Lin Huaiyin, continuing to pretend to be affectionate.
Lanterns and torches blazed fiercely in the wind.
When Lin Huaiyin saw her, she hugged her and called her "husband," and cried tears of joy.
Shen Congyun felt as if he were crawling with centipedes. He hung his arms, barely suppressing the urge to strangle Lin Huaiyin. He thought to himself that he had been too nice to her lately, and she dared to hug him without asking permission, so brazenly defiling him. She really didn't know what she was getting herself into.
"My husband, I have prepared something good for you."
Lin Huaiyin had hugged him enough and couldn't stand the nausea any longer, so she let go of Shen Congyun and took out a bundle of small flowers from her bag.
“This is snake-repelling grass,” she said with a worried look and her eyes sparkling with affection. “I heard there are many snakes in the mountains, so I picked this on the way. You can put it in your bedroom to ward off snakes, insects, and rodents, and it will help you sleep peacefully. You can also wear one on your waist when you go out, as it will also have the same effect. Consider it as me being by your side at all times.”
"Thank you, Third Sister." Shen Congyun quickly accepted it. "It's chilly at night. You've had a long day. Go back to your room and rest."
"Okay." Lin Huaiyin curtsied sweetly, "Thank you for your concern, my husband. I will go and rest now, and come to see you again tomorrow."
"Hmm." Shen Congyun nodded and turned to leave.
Lin Huaiyin looked dazed and intoxicated as she watched him walk away.
Snake-repelling grass really can repel snakes.
Lin Huaiyin smiled inwardly: She had only added a little aphrodisiac.
It's just a little bit. She's not afraid that Shen Congyun will throw it away. If he throws it away, she'll send it again tomorrow. Anyway, it won't be a waste for Xie Ao to go to Shen's mansion to get it.
She wanted to wait until Shen Congyun's medicine took effect to see if he would be so audacious as to harass Princess Pingyang in front of the Crown Prince and the Prince Consort.
Who knows, it might turn out to be a good show.
whee.
Lin Huaiyin laughed for no apparent reason.
The Imperial Guards were terrified.
"Miss, you must be tired from your journey today. I will escort you back. The women of your household are all staying at Xiandu Peak on the right side of the mountain—"
"Hmm." Lin Huaiyin shook her head and asked, "Where is big brother now?"
"The General is currently at the Crown Prince's palace."
The imperial guard pointed to the center of the two mountains and said, "Your Highnesses are temporarily residing in the temporary palace. The General has been personally patrolling there these past two nights."
When will you be able to return?
"It's hard to say." The imperial guard blocked the wind in front of Lin Huaiyin and advised her, "Miss Lin is pregnant and should not be exposed to the wind here. If you need anything, I can pass on my message."
"Alright, I'll head back to my place then."
Lin Huaiyin followed the Imperial Guards to Xiandu Peak.
She originally wanted to tell Lin Cuiyue immediately that White Lotus Rebels had appeared at the foot of the mountain.
But indeed, there's no rush.
The White Lotus Sect went up the mountain to carry out Princess Pingyang's bloody purge of disloyal officials.
They will definitely wait until the Golden Register Fast ends the day after tomorrow and the list of those to be cleansed is finalized before they take action. To rashly remind their elder brother to change shifts now would be tantamount to alerting the enemy.
Tomorrow is tomorrow.
Lin Huaiyin wasn't in a hurry.
Upon entering Xiandu Peak, passing through a series of small courtyards, the courtyard facing east with a small sign that reads "Zhoufu" is Lin Huaiyin's temporary residence.
The courtyard was small and dimly lit, and Yu Li didn't make any noise inside.
Lin Huaiyin took off her shoes and socks, and the cat quietly went in, pushed open the door, and jumped inside—
Xiao Zhian saw a pair of bare feet, with toes that looked like little mushrooms and white, tender insteps that resembled trembling cheese. Embarrassed, he rubbed his left foot against his right, and soon he had rubbed himself until he was pink and tender.
Even a pair of feet is so alluring.
Xiao Zhian was utterly helpless. He got up, picked up the bewildered owner of the foot, and turned to walk towards the bedroom.
"It's been five days."
Lin Huaiyin heard Xiao Zhian grit his teeth fiercely in her ear.
"I need to see for myself how your injury is."
Lin Huaiyin felt his breath was hot and fiery, and her cravings were instantly aroused.
"Does Your Highness truly only wish to see the wound on my back?"
Lin Huaiyin wrapped her arms around Xiao Zhian's neck, straddled his waist, and rubbed her face against his.
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