As soon as Lin Ting returned, he went back to his room to rest as his body was still too weak. Although the poison of the Fengli Grass had been eliminated, his body had yet to fully recover from the after effects of post-poisoning.
Yan Xin waited for him to leave before asking Lin Feilu, "Has His Highness King Qi been injured?"
Lin Feilu shook her head, and after thinking about it, she told her, "He was once poisoned, so his health is not very good."
Yan Xin frowned, "What sort of poison? Who was the culprit?"
Lin Feilu said, "It's Fengli Grass…"
She didn't finish her sentence and merely smiled apologetically.
Yan Xin thought the matter involved royal secrets, so she didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she said thoughtfully, "There is a natural medicinal spring atop the Qin Mountain, which is very effective for healing and detoxification. If you two have nothing else to do next, you can come back to the mountain with me."
Lin Feilu immediately became ecstatic, "Okay! I have always heard that Qin Mountain is very scenic, so I have wanted to see it for a long time!"
Yan Xin descended the mountain this time to find someone to learn from and refine her sword technique, but there were now more important priorities. Since Lin Ting was not in good health, her top priority was treating him.
As soon as they planned things out, they decided to set off tomorrow for Qin Mountain.
Lin Feilu didn't expect to encounter such an opportunity on her trip into the martial world. The medicinal spring was within the vicinity of the Thousand Blades Sect, and it was difficult for outsiders to join the sect, let alone use the medicinal spring inside. If it weren't for Yan Xin, Lin Ting's illness would probably have dragged on.
Kind people were indeed rewarded, after all!
Lin Feilu packed up her luggage and went to bed early because she would be on her way tomorrow.
The liveliness of Jinling City continued until late at night before it gradually quieted down. She rolled over in her sleep and suddenly felt a chill up her spine.
No, it wasn't the chills; this was a shuddering sword intent.
Lin Feilu suddenly woke up, and when she opened her eyes, she gasped sharply.
Just as she gasped for breath, the sword intent that wrapped around her ever so suddenly had disappeared.
Lin Feilu saw a person sitting in the house through the dim moonlight from outside the window. If it weren't for the familiarity of the sword's aura, she would have screamed.
Although, Master Ji, your way of waking people up is way too unusual!
Lin Feilu shivered and got up from the bed, forcing out a smile, "Ji…Uncle Ji…"
Ji Liang stood up in the dark and took something out of his arms, proceeding to throw it onto the bed wordlessly.
Lin Feilu scrambled to pick it up.
After seeing what he threw, her entire being shuddered.
Lin Feilu was going to cry tearlessly, "Uncle Ji, why are you giving this to me? Do you want me to be hunted down by everyone in the martial realm?"
Ji Liang said coldly, "No one knows it's with you."
Lin Feilu asked tentatively, "So are you asking me to keep it for you?"
Ji Liang, "No, it's for you."
Lin Feilu, "…"
She looked at the words 'Jimo Sword Manual' on the book's cover and took a deep breath.
The peerless swordsmanship technique that the entire world was fighting over has somehow fallen into my hands this easily?
Lin Feilu scratched her head, puzzled, "Why are you giving it to me?"
Could it be that the mighty warrior Ji somehow recognised my inner talents as a rare martial arts prodigy?
Ji Liang looked at her and didn't speak for a while as if he was in a complex mood. Lin Feilu waited to the point where she almost fell asleep before she heard his very indifferent voice.
He said, "That kid gave this to you as a birthday present."
The sleepy Lin Feilu woke up instantly.
Her 14th birthday was approaching. As a matter of fact, it was just next month.
Little Pretty Boy had been away for half a year. There was no way to communicate efficiently in this era, and due to the strict security control between countries, she couldn't inquire about his situation, let alone send a message to say hello. Sometimes, even when someone had settled down, some concerned people would constantly wonder if they were alright.
He would give her an ingenious gift for every single birthday of hers back then.
Those gifts may not be expensive, but they were all favourable to what she truly enjoyed. After all, he always seemed to know what she liked the best.
Originally, Lin Feilu thought that the exclusive gift from Little Pretty Boy for her birthday this year would amount to nothing due to his departure. Unexpectedly, he gave her such a big surprise.
Which martial artist wouldn't ever desire an undefeatable swordsmanship manual that the entire world was vying for desperately?!
Even if one didn't practise martial arts, it would be great to collect them!
Lin Feilu looked at the Jimo Sword Manual in her hand as the emotions in her heart swelled. It felt like the moment when Yue Buqun got the Sword Manual of Evil Wards, Dongfang Bubai obtained the Sunflower Collection, and Zhang Wuji was given the Great Shifting Manual(1)!
(T/N: All of these are actual historical/wuxia Chinese dramas that feature the characters going through trials and tribulations to obtain the treasured book that provided crucial and peerless techniques)
Ji Liang looked at the excited girl who laid on the bed for a moment and said blankly, "Now that the item has been delivered, I'll take my leave."
Lin Feilu hurriedly shouted, "Uncle Ji, wait!"
Ji Liang's figure had already made itself to the window, but he was able to turn back again, despite obviously being slightly impatient, "Is there anything else you need?"
Lin Feilu asked, "Is His Highness alright?"
Ji Liang cherished her words like gold: "He's good."
Lin Feilu got up from the bed with both hands, picked up the single-layered jacket beside the bed, and put it on, "Uncle Ji, will you be meeting him? If so, can you help me bring a letter to him?"
Ji Liang, "…"
Lin Feilu felt that he might have wanted to kill her with his sword.
She grabbed her collar and took two steps forward as her watery eyes looked at Ji Liang pitifully. The end of her eyes were slightly red under the silver moon and her voice overflowed with a choking emotion, "I have been worried about His Highness for so many months. Uncle Ji, please, I beg you, QAQ"
Ji Liang, "…Then you better write it quickly."
Lin Feilu hurriedly went to get a brush and paper.
Filled with worry, after holding the pen, she didn't know how to start after holding the pen.
After thinking about it, Lin Feilu felt that her chances of receiving a reply were practically zero. If she asked him how he was doing now, she would not get an answer, so she only told him about her situation, making Ji Liang wait impatiently. She wrote very fast as the paper was scribbled with just a few lines, but she did draw a cute smiley face at the end.
Pondering for a bit, Lin Feilu went to her bags and took out a small butterfly made of bamboo.
Pondering for a bit, Lin Feilu went to her bags and took out a small butterfly made of bamboo.
This was what Lin Feilu bought when she was shopping today. Every time she saw something good-looking and interesting, she would buy it. At present, She had no precious return gifts at hand for the time being, so she decided to just give him the butterfly as a small token.
She rolled up the little butterfly with the letter paper and handed it to Ji Liang. She even instructed, "Uncle Ji, don't lose it."
Ji Liang said nothing before he shoved the items into his clothes and jumped out of the window with no expression on his face.
Lin Feilu ran to the window and waved warmly at the empty night. Reluctantly closing the window, she flew onto the bed and rolled over several times on the bed with the Jimo Sword Manual.
How could Little Pretty Boy win her heart this much!
She was so excited that she didn't sleep much all night, so when the group left for Qin Mountain the next day, she started dozing off in the carriage.
This matter was not to be shared with others; she even kept it hidden from Lin Ting and Yan Xin. She would only secretly take the manual out from the bed every night when she was turning in for the night to take a look at it. Although she couldn't understand or practise it yet, she was still excited since it felt like she had owned the best treasure in the entire world.
The Qinshan Mountain stretched out for thousands of miles, and the Thousand Blades Sect was located on a particular peak on the mountain.
It was the first time Lin Feilu had come to this martial arts sect as a guest, but she thought the atmosphere would be very strict. Perhaps the road up the mountain was full of tricks and traps. Unexpectedly, as soon as they got to the foot of the mountain, she saw rows and rows of villages and farmland. It was spring, the time for hoeing and planting, as the farmers were busy and enthusiastic.
A burly and dark-haired strong man was standing in the field that was planting rice. He waved to her from a distance, "Little junior sister is back!"
Lin Feilu asked, "Is this also one of the senior brothers of the Thousand Blades faction you belong to?"
Yan Xin nodded, "Mmhm, the senior brothers will usually go down the mountain to help the farmers when they practise their exercises."
Only then did Lin Feilu know that the food for the disciples was provided by these farmers who resided at the bottom of the mountain. Both sides would travel up, and down the mountain, which formed a very friendly ecosystem.
After entering the mountain, the sunlight was blocked by towering ancient trees. After walking for more than an hour, the Thousand Blades Sect's door finally opened in front of them.
In order to accommodate Lin Ting, they ambled, and the disciples at the foot of the mountain had already run up to report the fact that Yan Xin was back. The steward in the mountains knew that she had brought some friends back to the mountain, so accommodations were already arranged in advance. As soon as Lin Feilu arrived, someone would take them to the place where they could stay for the night.
As soon as Yan Xin returned to the sect, she immediately headed to meet with the Sect Master first and explained that she was going to use the medicinal spring.
The head of the Thousand Blades Sect was her Master, and since he was the one who found her, he treated her like his own daughter. Hence, when it came to her requests, he would naturally agree.
The head of the Thousand Blades Sect was Yan Xin's Master, and since he was the one who found her, he treated her like his own daughter. Hence, when it came to her requests, he would naturally agree.
Rarely did this sect ever invite outsiders into their territory, so everyone especially noticed this pair of graceful siblings. The elder brother looked gentle and handsome, whereas the younger sister had an airy vibe and was beautiful. The burly men who honed their crafts all day long were fascinated by their arrival, but they didn't dare to use their usually loud tones whilst speaking to the siblings. After all, they didn't want to scare off their junior sister's friends.
This was especially true when it came to those senior brothers who were concerned about the happiness of their younger sister in the second half of their life. They used to think that their junior sister would never be able to find a suitable life partner because of her constant practice with her blade and her commanding temperament. Who would have thought she would actually manage to snatch such a handsome and serene-looking man back to the sect this time. Naturally, they would have to entertain him and serve him to the best of their abilities— most importantly, they need to make sure that they didn't terrify him to the point of running off!
The disciples of the Thousand Blades Sect have the same study of swordsmanship as Yan Xin, so the style of the entire sect was straightforward, void of many intriguing twists and turns regarding their swordsmanship and their personalities.
Paired with warm smiles, friendly attitudes, and a beautiful yet quiet environment, Lin Feilu was very satisfied with this holiday location.
Yan Xin was a little worried if the siblings would not be used to living there. After all, she knew the real identities of the two. How could this rural mountain ever compare to the regal living conditions that they were used to?
Lin Feilu comforted her, "I truly like the atmosphere of being surrounded by such rich martial energy. As for my brother, he is happy as long as there are animals to accompany him."
Yan Xin wondered, "Animals?"
Lin Feilu nodded, "Yes. My brother likes animals, and animals like him too."
Yan Xin then processed that thought.
The next day, after her morning practice, Yan Xin then grabbed a rope and carried a big bamboo basket into the mountain.
Lin Feilu couldn't find anyone after breakfast, so she took her sword and ran to the martial arts field to practice with the disciples of the Thousand Blades Sect.
Although their swords differed, the moves and routines had the same effect. Gradually, Lin Feilu became familiar with how the disciples trained. In particular, there was a man, whose face would form dimples when he smiled and shouted at the other disciples till his face and ears were a shade of angry red. Even so, everyone would automatically look out for her and give her pointers whenever she trained with them.
This was simply the martial arts life she dreamed of.
It was almost evening when Yan Xin came to Lin Ting's temporary residence.
Lin Ting also liked the quiet atmosphere in the mountains. Every day, he read a book, took a walk, and basked in the medicinal spring. Not only did his body feel much better, but his mood was also much lighter.
Hearing the knock on the door, he put down his book and got up to open it. As soon as Lin Ting opened the door, Yan Xin stood outside, covered in grass and leaves. Even the ends of her hair were dyed with finely withered leaves as if she had just emerged from the grass, but she had a large bamboo basket in her arms.
Lin Ting laughed and said, "Miss Yan Xin, what happened to you?"
Lin Ting laughed and said, "Miss Yan Xin, what happened to you?"
Yan Xin walked into the courtyard with the bamboo basket in her arms. Opening the lid, she turned her head and asked seriously, "Do you like these?"
Lin Ting walked over to look, only to find that the bamboo basket was filled with small animals.
There were two rabbits, a squirrel, a little fox, and a pheasant.
These animals were tied with ropes at their feet and were mostly placed inside cloth bags. Only their heads were out of the bag, but even so, they looked like they would fight each other.
Lin Ting was dumbfounded and quickly released all the animals. Perhaps Yan Xin's domineering aura was a bit too intimidating, because once the animals were released, they all scampered and hid behind Lin Ting instead of running away. The squirrel even grabbed onto his legs and climbed all the way up until it sat down on his shoulder, its two little paws gripping his shirt tightly.
Yan Xin thought the scene was fascinating. These animals would hide when they saw humans, and it took a lot of effort on her part to catch them, but why didn't they seem to be afraid of Lin Ting at all?
She took two steps forward, trying to touch the squirrel sitting on his shoulder, but it suddenly squeaked.
Yan Xin retreated a little embarrassedly.
Lin Ting shook his head with a smile as he took the squirrel down and held it in his hands. He patted its head, "Be good, don't squeal too much," Then he smiled and said to her, "Would you like to try again?"
Yan Xin looked at him before she stretched out her hand and slowly touched the squirrel's head.
This time it really didn't move, nor did it protest. Yan Xin patted it twice, retracting her hand when she felt the little squirrel tremble. Then, she asked him, "Do you like it?"
Lin Ting's eyes conveyed his gentle smile, "I like it."
She also laughed, her eyes forming crescent moons. She lost the pretense of the solemn aura that she always had in the past, leaving only the charming and naive side of the girl.
There were sounds coming from outside the door, and the leaves were rustling— it was as if something was hitting the tree.
Lin Ting looked over curiously, "Is there anything else?"
Yan Xin was silent for a while before she turned around and walked out. Soon, she brought in a wild boar with a sour expression on its face. It even had a pair of huge tusks.
She tentatively asked Lin Ting, "This… Do you like it too?"
Lin Ting burst out laughing.
The wild boar was grumbling, but because of Yan Xin's aura, it did not dare to move. Lin Ting actually noticed a trace of fear and trepidation on the face of that ferocious wild boar.
Lin Feilu came back after practicing her swordsmanship and saw the wild boar from a distance. She jumped up happily, "Wow, there's a wild boar! We'll get some roasted wild boar to eat tonight!"
Lin Ting/Yan Xin, "…"
The two looked at each other and laughed in unison.
The days on the mountain passed very happily.
Lin Feilu hardly felt the arrival of summer, but soon enough, summer was over. Lin Ting's body recovered a lot after constantly soaking in the medicinal spring for the past few months, and his complexion improved as well.
The most important thing was that his mental state had also improved; it seemed like he had changed back to the gentle, smiling boy he always used to be.
However, it was also time to leave this mountain paradise.
Although the disciples of the Thousand Blades Sect had been enthusiastically urging them to stay, Lin Feilu still remembered that she was to make a trip to Mount Wutai to visit her Imperial Grandmother. Hence, she could only regretfully decline but promised to return if she had the time in the future.
It was Yan Xin who brought them up the mountain last time. Likewise, it was Yan Xin who accompanied them down the mountain.
It looked like she had a lot to say, but in the end, she just clenched her fists and said four words, "Take care of yourselves."
Lin Feilu warmly invited her, "Sister Yan Xin, if you have the opportunity to come to the capital, remember to come and find us! There are so many Masters in the capital as well! I will accompany you to hone our swordsmanship skills when it comes down to that time!"
Yan Xin glanced at Lin Ting as she nodded and said yes.
The two got on the carriage, but Yan Xin stood still without moving. The breeze of the mountain sent her long, red skirt lightly flowing.
The carriage curtain suddenly lifted and Lin Ting stuck his head out and called her warmly, "Miss Yan Xin."
Yan Xin looked up.
He smiled softly, "The animals in the yard—can you help me take care of them first?"
Yan Xin said, "Alright, then when will you come back?"
Lin Ting looked at her tenderly, "Two months earliest, but half a year the latest is my estimation. Either way, I am sure to return."
A happy smile finally appeared on the face of the girl.
The carriage gradually drove away from the Qin Mountain. It was still spring when the siblings came, but it was already autumn when they left. The journey was quite lengthy from the Qin Mountain to Mount Wutai, but Lin Feilu was not in a hurry as she played the part of a tourist enjoying every second of her vacation.
After staying in the mountains for a few months, she missed the city's hustle and bustle.
Lin Feilu planned to go into the city to buy some autumn clothing and finally arrived at the nearest town in the evening. After finding an inn where they could settle down, the group went to the first floor to have a meal. They listened to the discussions around them as soon as they sat down. The gossip seemed to mention something about the new Emperor of the Song Empire.
Lin Feilu and Lin Ting looked at each other as they leaned aside and asked, "Sir, can I ask what happened in the Song Empire? Why do I hear everyone talking about it?"
The man turned his head and saw that it was a young girl, but he was very patient as he explained, "You don't know? Last month, the new Emperor of the Song Empire ascended the throne."
The monarch of the Song Empire was seriously ill last year, and Song Jinglan fled the Great Lin Empire because of this incident. Could it be that the monarch had passed away?
Hearing what she said, the man looked at her like a fool, "What do you mean 'died of illness'? The new Emperor directly killed him! The new Emperor not only killed his father, but also killed his elder brother, who should have succeeded to the throne for the position. I heard that his methods were especially vicious. After ascending the throne, all the officials who refused to obey him were executed and all the other princes were imprisoned. I heard that since he ascended the throne, the blood on the execution grounds of Song Empire has yet to dry!"
Lin Feilu and Lin Ting's facial expressions changed at the same time.
Since the new Emperor's methods were so brutal, the peace between the Song Empire and the Great Lin Empire would inevitably be broken.
Since the new Emperor's methods were so brutal, the peace between the Song Empire and the Great Lin Empire would inevitably be broken.
Lin Feilu was even more uneasy as she was worried about Song Jinglan's safety. She tried to comfort herself, with Ji Liang by his side, nothing would happen to him, right?
Lin Ting asked, "With how strong he is, do you know who this new Emperor of the Song Empire is?"
The man sighed, "Now that we talk about it, it's even more strange— it's none other than the captive 7th Prince that was sent to our Great Lin Empire, the one called Song Jinglan. Don't you think it's pretty funny?"
Lin Feilu, who was frantically worrying, "?"
What happened in less than a year?
When did Little Pretty Boy become such a devil? Was this the same boy I knew, or is this a vicious Prince with the same name as Pretty Boy?
Not only Lin Feilu was stunned, but Lin Ting was also shocked. He was one of the few people in the Great Lin Empire's Palace who had not insulted Song Jinglan. Although the two didn't have many interactions, they were courteous every time they met. His impression of Song Jinglan had always been gentle and elegant.
Was it an illusion?
This man had been dormant in the Great Lin Empire for many years without making a sound, but he was able to win the battle for succession within a year after returning to his country. It could be seen that he not only had effective methods, but he was also capable of strategizing and concocting schemes and ploys. It seemed like his meek performance while he was captive in the Great Lin Empire turned out to be nothing but an act.
Now that he was the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, he would use iron and blood to rectify the country after taking the throne. It would be completely different from the previous Song Emperor, who was merely obsessed with beauty. The weak Song Empire would probably rise again.
The other diners that were around them were shocked that they remained speechless for a moment. The man who provided them with the information smugly smiled, proud that he was the one that conveyed the information and knew about it before anyone else did.
He took a peanut with chopsticks and put it in his mouth as he shook his head and sighed, "Let the tiger return to the mountain(1)."
(T/N: It means to send a powerful person with bad intentions, or who had the potential to pose a threat, back to where they came from)
Lin Feilu slowly recovered from her disbelief and turned to look at Lin Ting.
Lin Ting sighed and whispered, "Let's eat first."
Lin Feilu no longer had the appetite.
Lin Feilu only had two sips of hot tea. No longer in the mood to even buy some new clothes, she directly returned to her room to rest.
She took a bath and went to bed as soon as it got dark. Once she closed her eyes, the only memory that flashed in her mind was the night they parted in late autumn last year.
By then, she had realized that Little Pretty Boy was slightly different from usual.
Whether it was his fingers pinching the back of her neck or the coldness that seemed to flash in his eyes, he no longer resembled the gentle Highness she once knew.
It's not that she didn't know about his plans. It was just that she didn't want to be involved in the conspiracy disputes of the ancient eras. Hence, she would rather pretend she knew nothing about it and go about her daily life.
Lin Feilu had witnessed the struggle between Lin Qing and Lin Ting all these years, so it was natural for her to comprehend how brutal it was to have a secure grasp of the throne. According to her understanding, even if Little Pretty Boy returned to his country, it would be considered a good end to just bask in his royal wealth for the rest of his life.
Who would have thought that what he sought after was the throne of his empire?
What kind of means and strategies did he rely on to arrange everything that played out in his country, thousands of miles away, as a royal prisoner? How could he pull off what he did to the point of ascending to the throne?
It was scary to even think about it.
Not only were all the incidents terrifying, but she also started to fear this very person.
He killed his father and brother, beheaded the courtiers, and imprisoned the other Princes. Did he use the same hands that carved wood carvings for her, painted martial arts secrets, and hugged her to do all those things?
I'm going to go insane!
Lin Feilu covered her head with a pillow and wailed twice. Then, she got up and took out the Jimo Sword Manual.
This birthday gift sent to her from thousands of miles away represented his intentions and sincerity. Besides, it was a unique gift that no other would possess.
That train of thought sometimes woke her up in the middle of the night, causing her to smile silently.
She had liked the feeling of being held dear to his heart.
In the future, will there be no more moments like that?
The Emperor was the highest ranked position in the entire country. He was above all his people and would own everything in that world of his. His subjects would adhere to his orders one by one, never refuting his imperial decrees.
He would have a harem, and the harem would have a large number of world-class beauties.
For a moment, Lin Feilu didn't know what she was more worried about— Pretty Boy's unapologetic manslaughter towards his own family or the fact that he would one day have countless exquisite concubines.
She stared at the Jimo Sword Manual for a while. Feeling overwhelmingly angry, she smashed the book against the corner of the bed and watched as it flopped onto the floor.
After being sullen for a while, she silently crawled over to pick up the manual, patted it, and placed it back into her arms.
This night was destined to be sleepless as she tossed and turned repeatedly. It was already early dawn when she finally managed to get some sleep, despite several strange dreams. After sunrise, Lin Ting knocked on the door, "Little Five, are you up?"
She responded lazily on the bed.
Lin Ting said, "The temperature decreased a bit today, and it's gotten a little cold. Let's go and buy some autumn clothes together before leaving."
Only then did Lin Feilu get up weakly and head out after washing up. Lin Ting looked at her haggard face and asked worriedly, "Didn't you sleep well?"
Lin Feilu thought about it and asked, "Brother, will we be fighting against the Song Empire?"
Lin Ting was stunned for a moment but smiled helplessly, "It's because of this that you didn't sleep well? You need not worry about this," After a while, he said, "Based on my understanding of Father Emperor, as long as the Song Empire does not take the initiative to send their troops, we will wage no war."
In the past, the previous Emperor of Song was weak and maintained his traditional way of thinking, whereas Emperor Lin had always looked ahead and remained vigilant. Since Emperor Lin was always alert, he would heighten that awareness now that the ruling monarch of the Song Empire had changed. Should a war break out, the peace between the three empires would be broken. Moreover, if the Great Lin Empire and the Song Empire were at war, the Yong Kingdom would definitely not remain on the sidelines. This could also cause a restless war between various belligerent ethnic groups.
After Lin Ting finished speaking, he thought of something and hesitantly said, "But…with the new ruler of the Song Empire being this capable, the Song Empire would only grow stronger and stronger in the future. If we were to take them down, now would be the best time to do so."
Taking advantage of his illness to kill the previous monarch, the new Emperor ascended the throne. With so many things happening, the Song Empire would definitely be in turmoil. To have a war start now might be a fortune amongst misfortunes.
It all depended on how Emperor Lin was going to see things.
Lin Ting picked up a crystal dumpling with his chopsticks and gave it to his sister, who looked disappointed, "Don't think too much about it; let's eat."
Lin Feilu nodded and began to eat obediently, but she still felt that the food was rather tasteless. After eating, the group went out to buy some autumn clothing.
Once they started shopping for clothes, Lin Feilu finally regained her interest. As soon as one of the store bosses saw her, he knew she was an important customer. Hence, he enthusiastically recommended the new styles in the store to her and kept asking the maidservant to help the lady try the new outfits.
Lin Feilu chose ten sets in one go and tried them all one by one. The maidservant of the store, who helped her try the clothes, looked beautiful, but her words were sweeter than honey. She praised Lin Feilu's looks from head to toe to the point where flowers could practically start blooming.
Lin Feilu said, "Okay, that's enough. Let's wrap this up."
The maidservant smiled and lowered her head to help the Princess fasten her belt. But suddenly, she stuffed something into her clothing.
Lin Feilu was a martial artist, so she swiftly reacted. She pushed the maidservant a few steps away from her with one palm, "What are you doing?!"
The maidservant was still smiling, "The Lady is very closely guarded, so I can only send His Majesty's reply this way."
Lin Feilu was already touching the hilt of her blade that was meant for self-defence, but upon hearing those words, her fingers stopped moving abruptly upon hearing those words.
She stared blankly at the maidservant for a while and asked, "What reply?"
The maidservant bowed towards her and said with a smile, "Of course, it is His Majesty's reply. Before this, the Young Lady stayed on top of Qinshan Mountain. Since this servant couldn't get into the Thousand Blades Sect, I could only wait at the foot of the mountain. Yesterday, the Young Lady finally descended from the mountain, but the guards around you were very cautious. It was difficult for this servant to approach the Young Lady, but I heard that you were going to buy some autumn outfits, so I waited here specifically. If the Young Lady wants to reply to His Majesty in the future, you only need to look for the signboard of the Golden Boutique. Someone will transfer the correspondence after you hand over the letter to this shop."
Lin Feilu's heart thumped twice before she finally reacted.
It was Song Jinglan who replied to her.
Her mood was very conflicted for a while, and she glanced around, "This… is this merely meant for your Song Empire's secret communication?"
Lin Feilu's mood was very conflicted for a while, and she glanced around, "This… is this merely meant for your Song Empire's secret communication?"
The maidservant smiled and said, "We are a legitimate business, and I'm an honest worker as The Golden Boutique has branches worldwide. The new clothes are sold well in various countries, and we are leading the fashion industry among the noble ladies, so you don't have to worry, my Lady."
Lin Feilu, "…"
Alright, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
She raised her hand to touch the letter before further securing it in the folds of her clothes. Inexplicably excited, she changed her outfit and said to the maidservant, "Wrap these up for me then— how much are they?"
The maidservant smiled and said, "His Majesty said that these clothes are a returning gift."
Lin Feilu, "…" She was silent for a while before she asked a rhetorical question, "What if I wanted all the dresses in this store?"
Maidservant, "My Lady can do anything as she pleases."
Lin Feilu couldn't tell whether she was happy or surprised to know that, at least when it came to her, Little Pretty Boy still seemed to be the same.
Lin Ting came back after he went shopping. He bought a lot of her favourite food, stood at the door, and asked her, "Little Five, have you made your choice?"
Lin Feilu turned back and responded affirmatively. Then, she said to the maidservant, "Just wrap up the ones I have chosen. Thank you."
After shopping, Xiaohei and Xiaobai returned to the inn with the group's luggage and began to prepare the carriage. Lin Feilu returned to her room, locked it, and took out the letter.
Song Jinglan's reply was obviously much calmer than her hastily scribbled greeting last time.
It was she who was familiar with his handwriting, so at a glance, she knew that it wasn't a lengthy one. Just like her telling him about interesting things, Song Jinglan also mentioned his life after returning to his country. He didn't bring up the fact that he had seized the throne and, in a few words, even talked about his calm and leisurely daily life. It was as if he had just switched locations but lived the exact same life as he did in the Cuizhu Villa.
Lin Feilu cursed in her heart while reading, you liar! Did you not predict that I would have figured out that you were the Emperor by now?!
The last sentence of the letter was, "I miss the Princess very much; does the Princess miss me?"
Through this sentence, she seemed to be able to picture him sitting in front of the window with a brush, the corner of his mouth grinning.
Lin Feilu touched his hot ears and folded the letter as if nothing had happened. She then put it in the Jimo Sword Manual.
Xiaobai prepared the carriage, and the group went out of the city, continuing the journey to Mount Wutai. Lin Feilu was wearing her new clothes and munching on some snacks. As the carriage swayed, the only thought that echoed in her mind was, "Does the princess miss me?"
I miss you a lot; do you miss me?
Lin Feilu bit the crunchy peanuts and said in her heart, is the martial world not exciting enough for me? Why the heck should I miss you? I don't! You shouldn't miss me either. Instead, you can think about your beauties in that harem of yours, you pig of an Emperor!
Lin Ting flipped through an ancient book beside him and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Is it not good?"
Lin Feilu answered, "Delicious!"
Lin Ting patted her head with a smile, "Then why are you angry with yourself here again? Who provoked our Little Five?"
Lin Feilu looked at him for a while and shrugged her head in frustration. She grumbled, "Forget it."