Xiao Lin was busy making arrangements.
A palace maid carries a lantern.
The Imperial Guards escorted them.
Xiao Zhian rode in a carriage and left the palace.
Consort Hui now suspects the emperor's unborn child, and is filled with fear that the large swelling in her belly, if not a fetus, would be deadly...
She was barely able to protect herself and only regretted that she had been too scared to ask clearly earlier. She didn't dare to offend Xiao Zhian at all. When Lin Zhenlie asked, she only spoke kindly and favorably, saying that the Crown Prince was innocent and had only come to the palace to discuss marriage with his mother, and that it was not a matter to be pursued.
A gentle night breeze blew, and Xiao Zhian half-opened his eyes in the darkness, his handsome profile shimmering in the moonlight.
He deliberately broke into the palace, firstly to find Lin Huaiyin, and secondly to prepare for his father's impending recovery.
With his father fully recovered and having reclaimed his regency, he planned to retreat strategically, lying low to force Princess Pingyang to make a move.
The best course of action would be to present the emperor with a charge that could be serious or minor, but which would damage the royal family's reputation if it were to be revealed.
With his father bedridden and power slipping away, he harbors years of resentment and frustration. Once he recovers, he will surely settle scores and seize power. He will certainly use any charges handed to him.
However, he values his reputation above all else and dotes on his concubine, so he would never publicize the Crown Prince's misdeeds in the palace. If he were to deal with the Crown Prince, who had served as regent for many years and had never made a mistake, without clear explanation, the court officials would naturally have something to say.
Xiao Zhian had calculated this point and pre-set a controllable and flawed charge to give his father a handle. After that, he only needed to wait for Yinyin to cure his father. He would then show weakness and admit his guilt, whether by imprisonment or jail, leaving an opening for Pingyang to deal with his father.
If Pingyang were to attack the Emperor, Yinyin could use the pretext of protecting him to personally avenge him.
Xiao Zhian's arrangements were all based on predicting Lin Huaiyin's actions. The only problem now was that Xie Shi was keeping Lin Huaiyin tied up.
He needs to find a way to get rid of the Xie family.
The word "bet" was deeply etched in Xiao Zhian's mind.
Clutching the two jade pendants, he couldn't help but ponder: Yinyin was willing to gamble with herself, so the Xie family must be a huge threat. The Xie family is skilled in both medicine and martial arts, and their strength is heaven-defying. Why would they fall into Yinyin's trap?
What exactly did Yinyin use to drag him into the gambling game?
Yinyin is willing to gamble with herself, so she is absolutely confident of winning. What kind of puzzle can she use to attract the Xie family, and what kind of puzzle can the Xie family absolutely not solve?
After repeatedly asking himself these questions, Xiao Zhian gradually came to an answer. In contrast, his right hand, which had been gripping the jade pendant with restlessness and sweat, gradually calmed down and slowly stroked the texture of the jade pendant.
After pondering for a while, he hurried out of the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Xiao Zhian, who should have switched to a sedan chair, chose to walk back to the East Palace.
"Xuan Ge".
Xiao Zhian paced back and forth under the moonlight: "I remember that the Astronomical Observatory has a giant piece of meteorite iron."
“Exactly.” Xuan Ge nodded and raised his arm to signal the guards on either side to push him aside.
Xiao Zhian instructed, "There's something I need to do immediately."
"yes."
Xuan Ge clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Xiao Zhian explained in detail.
——
The Lin residence.
Xie Xincun brought Lin Huaiyin down from the sky and landed in her small courtyard.
The original purpose of this trip was to find Shen Congyun. Xie Xincun was determined to win the bet and acted swiftly, but Lin Huaiyin's stomach was rumbling and howling, which annoyed Xie Xincun.
She pitifully begged to go home and change into presentable clothes before seeing her ex-husband. Xie Xincun had no choice but to take her home first to find food and change clothes.
As for not using the main entrance, it was because both of them were covered in blood.
Lin Huaiyin's cuffs were stained with the life-saving blood she had sucked for His Majesty the Emperor, and Xie Xincun's collar was also soaked with blood.
As she was about to fall off Xie Xincun, Lin Huaiyin took the opportunity to pluck the blood clot that had accumulated in Xie Xincun's collarbone, and happily closed the door, completely ignoring how ugly Xie Xincun's expression was.
You brat.
Xie Xincun was so angry that he wanted to smash the door.
Hearing the noise and following the scent, the crab claw came over, accompanied by Yu Li.
"Greetings, Young Master Xie. Thank you for saving my life."
Yu Li curtsied, while Xie Ao waved his hand, indicating that his son-in-law didn't need to be so polite.
Hearing the noise, Lin Huaiyin opened the door and said, "It's cool outside, Yu Li and Xie Ao, come in quickly."
With a "bang," the door opened and closed again.
Xie Xincun's face grew increasingly grim, and he felt even more urge to kick the door down.
The room was brightly lit by candlelight.
A shadowy figure flickered through the crack in the door.
There was a lot of chattering inside the door.
Xie Xincun has amazing hearing.
The fabric gently rubbed against the girl's skin, and the door panel in front of her disappeared. It was as if Lin Huaiyin was changing clothes right in front of her, charming and alluring.
Xie Xincun has studied medicine since childhood and has long since passed the stage of seeing people as people, seeing people as not people, and seeing them again as people, and is indifferent to whether they are human or not.
It's just a skin that contains essence and blood. Xie Xincun has seen too much beauty, scenery, and things, so he has no interest in them.
However, at this moment, his fingertips trembled, and he subconsciously smelled the lingering scent of the girl in his arms.
The most exciting part was Xie Ao's excitement. Everyone in the sect praised Young Master Xie, saying that he was one in a million to be chosen as a son-in-law. She had already selected her personal belongings, packed her small luggage, and was ready to set off at any time to travel the world with the young lady and son-in-law.
The crab claw spoke and gestured, hopping and jumping around.
The atmosphere was lively, but the girl changing clothes didn't utter a word.
The fabric rustled as it clung to her body.
Xie Xincun's gaze pierced through the door, and he secretly threatened: You brat, if you dare to oppose me, you're dead.
At that moment, a soft, leisurely voice came from behind.
"Don't make a fuss, Miss has her own plans."
She didn't. Xie Xincun coldly dismissed the idea: she would soon lose herself to him, lose everything, and depend on him to survive.
Inside the door.
After changing her clothes, Lin Huaiyin's gaze fell on the blood-stained clothes and blood clots she had secretly hidden.
She listened to what Xie Ao and Yu Li were saying, but it didn't really register with her.
Lin Huaiyin's plan was to first go to Physician Lu to verify whether she had been detoxified and was able to conceive.
Thinking of this, she felt a little sad. Actually, what she wanted most was to find Xiao Zhian to test the effects of the medicine. He was so tender and fragrant now, so tempting. It would feel like a waste not to eat him, making her feel restless and anxious.
Oh no. Lin Huaiyin's face flushed red, and she shook her head, turning her face away from Xiao Zhi'an's.
Now is not the time to be thinking about eating meat.
Lin Huaiyin brought her thoughts back to the present. As long as it was proven that Xie Xincun's blood could indeed cure all poisons, the next step was to find a way to cure the Emperor.
Moreover, the Lin family should not get involved in this matter.
My father just brought out the Emperor Taizu's golden spear, dismissed the Grand Secretary and abolished the imperial edict, which is tantamount to showing contempt for the imperial palace and trampling the current emperor underfoot. The emperor may not say anything on the surface, but he must be wary in his heart.
At this moment, the Lin family offers medicine to save their master. How can the emperor ever repay such a great favor? He may even harbor resentment and put the Lin family in danger.
Therefore, one must either get close to the imperial physician, or...
Lin Huaiyin thought of Consort Hui.
She absolutely had to see Consort Hui and inform Princess Pingyang about her affair with the emperor's child, so that she could use her to deliver the antidote; that was the best course of action.
With Liu Cang dead and the imperial heir a fake, and with so many concubines in the Emperor's harem, Consort Hui has lost her support and may even get into trouble because of the fake imperial heir. Now is the best time to win her over.
Let her handle all the tough and dirty work that threatens the Lin family's safety, such as rescuing the emperor, detoxifying, and testifying against Princess Pingyang.
In a flash, a way to get close to Consort Hui came to mind, and Lin Huaiyue chuckled as he pulled Yu Li and Xie Ao along.
The three of them put their arms around each other's shoulders, and Lin Huaiyin earnestly announced, "I've decided to renovate the Holy Water Temple to accumulate some good karma. How about I ask Buddha to manifest his power and help me choose a husband?"
Fish and crab simultaneously curled their lip in disgust.
"Miss, when did you become a Buddhist?"
"Miss, when did you become a Buddhist?"
“Now,” Lin Huaiyin chuckled, “we’ll start repairs tomorrow. Sharing is caring, so we’ll cover the bulk of the cost. We can also go out and make some good connections and collect donations. It’ll be a great event.”
Yu Li and Xie Ao were stunned.
Lin Huaiyin's eyes lit up: she needed to disguise herself and go to Consort Hui's maternal family to beg for alms. It just so happened that Liu Cang had died and they needed the help of Buddha and Bodhisattvas to get rid of bad luck.
"Alright, let's go visit our mother and sister-in-law. Don't let them worry that I haven't come home yet."
With that, Lin Huaiyin embraced two women on her left and right and headed for the door.
Upon opening the door, Xie Xincun had vanished without a trace, while Lin Huaiyue, overjoyed, happily went off to find food.
The three of them each carried a lantern.
As I approached Lin's mother's courtyard, a wave of resentment swept over me from afar.
In the dark, Lin Cuiyue stood at attention in the courtyard. When he saw Lin Huaiyin in the distance, he was on the verge of tears. Living at home, he was constrained in every way. He had to take care of the children, serve his wife, and coax his elderly mother. He was busy from morning till night. It was far better than being a great general outside, where he could order people around and feel powerful and comfortable!
Lin Huaiyin crept over quietly.
Lin Cuiyue, his face contorted in a grimace, whispered, "Father has arranged a marriage for you with Brother Xie, whom we talked about before. Now Mother is inside sharpening a knife, saying she's going to kill Father..."
Oh, wow.
Lin Huaiyin felt the overwhelming surge of maternal love.
But what about the father?
Are you really willing to marry her off to a foreign country?
Not wanting to get involved in her parents' fight, Lin Huaiyin turned and ran away.
"Tell your sister-in-law," Lin Cuiyue said, almost in tears, "that she absolutely must not come over and should go to sleep with the children first."
"Okay." Lin Huaiyin nodded solemnly, her small hand resting on Lin Cuiyue's broad shoulder, admiring her older brother for carrying a knife while still caring for his sister-in-law.
So, Lin Huaiyin, who hadn't managed to get any food, finished delivering Lin Cuiyue's message, ate a few bites of her little nephew, and then ran to her fourth sister Lin Mianfeng's courtyard.
I haven't had a proper chance to spend time with Mianfeng yet.
Thinking of how the medicine Lin Mianfeng brought helped her kill Chu Jiu and solve many troubles, Lin Huaiyin loved her younger sister even more. She walked briskly, planning to stay at Mianfeng's place tonight and not leave.
The courtyard was brightly lit. A maid led the way, and Lin Huaiyin and her companions followed the strange smell. Unexpectedly, many maids and servants were standing in the main hall. Lin Mianfeng was standing behind a huge table, which was covered with all sorts of things. Right next to her, an old acquaintance was standing there.
"Doctor Lu?" Lin Huaiyin was shocked.
"Miss Lin!" Physician Lu jumped up, his old arms and legs bent over in a curtsy: "This humble official greets Miss Lin!"
"No need, no need," Lin Huaiyin quickly helped him up.
"Third Sister." Lin Mianfeng came running over and grabbed Lin Huaiyin's left wrist: "Come here, come here, let me feel your pulse."
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin immediately understood—her fourth sister was studying medicine.
But why didn't she seek out a military doctor, but instead chose Physician Lu as her teacher?
Isn't Physician Lu supposed to be a regular doctor at the Crown Prince's Palace?
Seeing her puzzled expression, Physician Lu mustered his courage and leaned closer to explain, "Miss Lin, you may not know this, but His Highness the Crown Prince intends for you to succeed him as the Grand General of the Imperial Guards. He sent me here to help you recuperate so that you can take up your post as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin's eyes widened—a Grand General? Xiao Zhi'an actually wanted her to be an official? A general? The Imperial Guards couldn't get involved in politics; they could only do manual labor and patrol the capital. Couldn't he give her a high-ranking position like the Grand Chancellor, someone who could swagger around and command all the officials?
Could it be? Lin Huaiyin was very suspicious: Could it be that Xiao Zhian wanted to play some kind of "you wear armor and I wear imperial robes" game, where a general is insubordinate or a monarch forces his subject into a game, which is an unbearable drama to watch?
We're doomed.
Lin Huaiyin envisioned her in full military attire, her armor gleaming, raising a bow to lift Xiao Zhian's chin, tearing his imperial robes, and pressing him onto the dragon throne... Xiao Zhian bit his lip, afraid to utter a sound, his slender fingers clutching her cloak, his beautiful face flushed pink, blood dripping from his earlobes, the tassels of his imperial robes jingling and swaying...
Ah, that feeling was simply...
It's simply unbearable to look at.
Why are you getting the wrong idea again?
Lin Huaiyin shook her head, her face flushed, and her palms felt hot.
It must be because Xie Xincun's thousand-year-old ginseng blood is too nourishing, making her have all sorts of wild thoughts. She was originally an honest and law-abiding person...
Let's think about something serious. Lin Huaiyin smashed her temple.
Why is she suddenly being replaced when her second brother was doing a good job as a general?
Could it be? Lin Huaiyin immediately realized: They were about to launch a southern expedition.
Xiao Zhian's push for the southern expedition was likely intended to provoke Princess Pingyang into taking action.
Once the southern expedition begins, Bai Zhizhi, who carries the blood oath of the people and can bring down Shen Zaiyuan, and Xie Xincun, who intends to ally with the Japanese to destroy Xing, are two crucial figures.
Bai Zhizhi was handed over to Xiao Zhian for rescue.
On her side, she must resolve Xie Xincun's issue as soon as possible.
——
Right now.
Qin Luo, who had noticed Xie Xincun bringing Lin Huaiyin back to the mansion and secretly taking action, was lying on the roof tiles of Lin Huaiyin's bedroom.
Under the moonlight, Qin Luo was unable to move, and several silver lights flickered on his head and face.
Xie Xincun stood there silently, his clothes fluttering in the wind.
Qin Luo spilled the beans, revealing every piece of information he knew about Lin Huaiyin, word by word.
"Former fiancé, the only son of the Su family."
He was captured on the Shangsi Festival, and his reputation was completely ruined.
The imperial decree granted the marriage, and she was sent to marry Shen Congyun.
They forged a secret edict, aiming their arrow at the Imperial City Guard.
He shot and killed Zhao Changji, the Minister of War.
At the Shen family banquet, a guard suddenly died.
..."
Xie Xincun stood with his hands behind his back, looking towards where Lin Huaiyin was.
The wind whistled past his ears, but Qin Luo's words contained no clues about being pierced by a thousand arrows or burned by flames, nor did they mention the origin of the scars covering his back.
Yes, Lin Huaiyin suddenly turned the tide from a tragic situation, seizing every opportunity and staying ahead of others in everything, as if a god was whispering in her ear to guide her.
One person, two souls.
Xie Xincun, while reviewing the medical records, wrote: "That dead soul must have experienced a lot. It must have been schemed against and tormented in another time and place, and finally died back in that brat's body."
The experiences of the dead can be a guide for the living.
Coincidence, or resentment?
Or perhaps he'll come back from the dead to correct his mistakes?
The truth slowly fell into Xie Xincun's grasp.
The brat who used to jump around in front of him was now leisurely strolling around the Lin residence like an emperor inspecting his harem.
Xie Xincun looked out over a vast distance, and everything within his sight was reduced to ashes.
He won the bet.
He will take the spoils with him.
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