New and dark light years

Chapter 412 I Want to See My Eldest Sister

The carriage swayed slightly as it traveled through the crowded and noisy streets.

Inside the car, Huang Qing remained silent.

Li Lin comforted him, "Don't be too sad. After all, you've been away from the capital for more than ten years. It's normal that they don't treat you like one of their own."

This is also human nature.

A woman who hasn't appeared for over a decade, and who is married to someone outside the family, is someone few people would care about except her own parents.

After all, the Huang family was a large clan.

The larger the clan, the colder the interpersonal relationships, and the more they prioritize self-interest.

Huang Qing shook his head: "I'm not worried about my own affairs, I'm worried about my mother... The Huang family clearly doesn't like her, and she's been forced to even come back to Yulin County with us."

“After all, Mount Tai is in Yulin County,” Li Lin said.

Huang Qing explained in a low voice, "Actually, my lord doesn't know much about this. When Mother was in Yulin County, she always said she wanted to go back to the capital. She didn't like Yulin County very much. After all, she grew up in the capital. The capital is her home."

"What about the eldest daughter-in-law's family?"

Huang Qing's voice lowered even further: "Seven years ago, I committed some offenses and was expelled from the capital. I went to the north and lost contact with them, since my family was already in Yulin County at that time."

Li Lin didn't know what to say for a moment.

The capital city is indeed a good place, but the power struggles and infighting are also quite fierce.

Most of the powerful officials in the capital are quite adept at political maneuvering.

The carriage continued its journey, and Li Lin asked, "Aren't we going to see your sister-in-law?"

Huang Qing shook her head and said, "I'm not going to see her. She doesn't like my husband, and I don't like her either."

She seemed to still remember what happened a year ago.

But Li Lin could tell that she was being somewhat insincere in saying those words.

After all, they are sisters who grew up together, how could they not care?

She just cared more about Li Lin.

For Li Lin, she was willing to break ties with her own sister.

"I don't care..."

Huang Qing shook her head: "My husband is a man, so naturally he has a broad mind. I am just a little woman. I will not like anyone who insults my husband, not even my sister."

Li Lin smiled and pinched her cheek.

Hongluan immediately leaned her face closer: "Husband, pinch mine too..."

The carriage returned to the Fulihua Inn, and the three of them got off at the entrance, where Fang was already waiting.

Upon seeing the three of them, she immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said with a smile, "You three guests have returned. Lunch is ready. Would you like to have a meal?"

"Okay." Li Lin nodded.

The three returned to the waterside pavilion and finished their lunch. The lunch prepared by the Fulihua Hotel was really delicious.

It is sufficiently detailed.

As the three finished eating and were preparing for their afternoon rest, Fang, who was in charge of taking care of their daily needs, came over. After bowing, she said, "Young Master Li, my master invites you."

"Your benefactor?"

"Yes!" Madam Fang smiled and said, "My master's surname is Zhu!"

National surname.

In the capital city, there was a large inn with such a vast area, and Li Lin immediately understood the other party's identity.

They're royalty.

He said to Huang Qing, "You two rest first, I'll be right back."

"Okay." Huang Qing ate some noodles and then began to feel drowsy.

She already had a habit of taking a nap in the afternoon, since the evenings were when Li Lin would bother them.

If I don't sleep well during the day, I won't have much energy at night.

Li Lin followed Fang Shi through the inn, and it took about half an incense stick's time to reach a garden.

There are many flowers here, in all sorts of colors.

Several women were also tending to the flowers.

"Master Li, please come this way."

Li Lin followed the woman into the room.

This is a small house that looks very simple, made of just some simple wooden planks and tiles, which seems particularly 'out of place' in the whole luxurious inn.

Li Lin walked in and saw a man in white casual clothes sitting cross-legged on a futon.

Li Lin walked over and gently cupped his hands in greeting: "May I ask if the host has invited you?"

The man was reading a book. Hearing this, he looked up, pointed to the person opposite him, and said, "Please sit down."

Li Lin also sat down on the prayer mat and asked, "May I ask the name of the host?"

"Zhu Huan".

"So it's the Second Prince." Li Lin bowed slightly.

"You really are as beautiful as the rumors say, even more beautiful than a woman."

Li Lin shook his head: "Your Highness flatters me. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Are all people from the southern border regions this straightforward?" Zhu Huan laughed. "We can first enjoy some tea and chat about romance before discussing mundane matters."

"I'm not really into romantic or sentimental things."

"You have four wives and concubines, don't you enjoy matters of the heart?" Zhu Huan asked with a smile.

Li Lin understood that the other party was "pointing out" him.

In other words, he knew his own intelligence and didn't need to lie.

Li Lin said solemnly, "This is a matter of great importance concerning human relations and reproduction, not a matter of romance."

Zhu Huan immediately laughed: "Your statement is quite interesting, a serious-looking but secretly flirtatious one. Since you want to talk about serious matters, I won't hide it anymore. You're the one who refined the Youth Preservation Pill and the Body Strengthening Pill."

"I have indeed refined quite a lot, but I don't know if others can refine it or if they have sent it to the capital."

Zhu Huan nodded: "Cultivation families do indeed have some foundation. Young Master Li, do you think the Emperor has a chance of achieving the Great Dao?"

Li Lin thought for a moment and said, "It is certainly possible that His Majesty is blessed with great fortune."

"Then tell me, what will the emperor do after he becomes an immortal?"

Li Lin said, "I am neither an immortal nor an emperor, so of course I don't know what the sage is thinking." "You're quite boring. You can think about it."

"I dare not think about it."

Zhu Huan nodded slightly.

At this moment, a beautiful maid brought over two wooden trays, each with a cup of tea on it. Steam rose from the trays, and a delicate fragrance filled the air.

"Please have a drink. This is tea made by my tea lady. It tastes very good."

Li Lin took a sip, nodded, and said, "It's delicious."

It's really nice; it has a strange, pleasant fragrance.

"When this tea was picked, it was placed inside the tea maid's clothes, kept warm against her chest, and brought down from the mountain," Zhu Huan said with a smile. "Once it reached the foot of the mountain, it was immediately stir-fried, which is why it tastes so moist and sweet."

Li Lin had heard of this tea before... but this was the first time he had tasted it.

"As expected of royalty, they certainly know how to enjoy life."

"What I'm trying to say is that, as the local governor, if you want to drink this kind of tea, it's very simple."

Li Lin shook his head: "It's too cruel to treat people like that."

“This is giving them an opportunity… Each tea maid can earn one tael of silver for bringing down ten of these tea leaves from the mountain,” Zhu Huan said. “As long as there is money, most people are willing to do things for you, even if what you ask them to do is very humiliating.”

Li Lin remained silent, knowing that Zhu Huan was telling the truth.

Not to mention now, even in his original world, it was the same.

"Then, Commander-in-Chief Li, Commander-in-Chief Li, what price do I need to pay for you to acknowledge me as your master?" Zhu Huan stared intently at Li Lin.

Li Lin said calmly, "I am loyal only to the Great Qi and to His Majesty."

"Not even the Crown Prince?"

Li Lin said calmly, "I said I am only loyal to the Great Qi and to His Majesty."

"So, it seems I, the second prince, have no hope of winning you over."

"Your Highness is too kind."

Zhu Huan stood up: "That's fine then... By the way, you don't need to pay for your accommodation. Feel free to stay here; it's on me."

Li Lin stood up and said, "Then I would be impolite to refuse."

After speaking, Li Lin turned and left.

Li Lin returned to the waterside pavilion, where the two women were still asleep.

They opened their eyes when they heard the voice, saw it was Li Lin, smiled sweetly, and then closed their eyes again.

Li Lin sat by the window, gazing at the shimmering blue water outside, lost in thought.

The second prince came to us, trying to win us over. What about the other forces?
They're probably itching to make a move.

He had anticipated this situation before coming to the capital.

Jiang Jili had also discussed this matter with him, and his advice was to remain inactive.

Ignore everyone, not even the Chiang family in public.

After all... the most important thing for a military governor is 'loyalty'.

Without loyalty, the emperor and the Secretariat would not have entrusted him with such an important position as military governor.

Li Lin thought so too.

Sure enough... Over the next two days, various factions came to invite Li Lin to meet them.

It's like one act ends and another begins.

But Li Lin refused them all.

Two days later, the imperial envoy arrived.

He was an acquaintance of Li Lin, the eunuch Wu Gan.

"It's nice to see you again, Lord Li."

Li Lin bowed slightly: "Eunuch Wu, how are you feeling?"

"Not bad, not bad," Wu Gan said with a smile. "Is it convenient for Lord Li to receive the imperial decree now?"

Li Lin nodded: "Please!"

Wu Gan coughed lightly, opened the imperial edict, and read aloud:

"I am very pleased to hear that Li Lin, the garrison commander of Jin County, has arrived in the capital. The border officials are diligent and have traveled a long and arduous journey. Now that they have arrived at the capital, they should come in to pay their respects as soon as possible to discuss border affairs and receive advice."

I hereby order you to tidy your appearance and attend court at the Zichen Hall tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). I will personally inquire about border defenses, the people's conditions, and the administration of officials. You shall present your views clearly and without concealment. Attending court and discussing state affairs is the duty of a subject and also a great responsibility entrusted to you by me.

The gatekeepers of the Imperial Palace shall lead the procession and guide the emperor, without violating the prescribed rites.

Admire this! "

"The minister obeys the order!"

When Li Lin received the imperial edict with both hands, he discreetly slipped a piece of silver into Wu Gan's hand.

Wu Gan was also very skilled; with just a flick of his finger, he collected the silver coins.

"Now that things are settled, I must go back and report. Mr. Li, please go ahead."

Li Lin cupped his hands in greeting and watched Wu Gan leave.

At this moment, Li Lin was standing at the entrance of the inn, holding the imperial edict and about to return, when he suddenly heard a delicate voice shout: "Li Lin, wait!"

Li Lin turned his head and saw someone walking over from not far away.

The leader was a young woman with a matronly hairstyle.

"Lingmei!" Li Lin asked with a smile, "What brings you here!"

"I've come to find my older sister."

Huang Ling sized up Li Lin, then said unhappily, "Getting more and more effeminate, humph."

Li Lin frowned slightly and said, "Madam Fang, please be careful with your words."

The change from addressing her as "Lingmei" to "Fang Huangshi" is enough to demonstrate Li Lin's attitude at this moment.

Huang Ling stared wide-eyed at Li Lin, then realized what he meant and angrily exclaimed, "You...you...you actually mocked me!"

"This is not sarcasm, but simply stating the facts."

"I don't want to talk to you, I want to see my older sister."

(End of this chapter)