IDWBE -Chapter 274 Ageless Beauty

Lin Yi sat down beside the table in front of his mother, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it toward her.

“Have some tea first. It’s early in the morning—don’t trouble yourself with random worries. Please rest assured, Mother Consort. As long as your son lives, Uncle’s family will be safe. I personally guarantee it.”

“Really?”

Consort Yuan did not take the tea. Instead, she asked, “When the hare dies, the fox grieves; when the zhizhi orchid burns, the hui orchid sighs. I never got along with the Empress, but thinking about Liu Cishi’s entire family… thinking about the Empress… I haven’t been able to sleep all night.”

Lin Yi smiled. “The Yuan family has always been loyal to Father Emperor. Naturally, he trusts them. Mother need not worry.”

Of course—if the Prince of Yong ascended the throne, that would be another matter.

The Prince of Yong even wanted him dead. He certainly wouldn’t give him face. If he later slaughtered his maternal family as well, that wouldn’t be surprising.

“Yes,” Lin Ning quickly chimed in to comfort her, “Elder Brother is right. Father Emperor relies heavily on Grandfather and Uncle. Please don’t overthink it.”

Consort Yuan stood up. Supported by Lin Ning, she walked to the entrance of the tent. Gazing at the tall city walls of Ankang under the morning sun, she sighed.

“When I was young, I once traveled south with your grandfather. After entering the palace, I never stepped beyond its gates again.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes once more.

“Mother…”

Lin Ning took out a handkerchief to wipe them away.

Lin Yi braced himself and said, “Mother, rest assured. As long as I’m here, you will not suffer any grievance traveling south. I remember you once said you wanted to roam the world with a sword. When the realm is pacified, I will arrange for you to travel from south to north, from east to west—so you can see all the mountains and rivers under heaven.”

Consort Yuan replied helplessly, “That was just foolish talk from long ago. I didn’t expect you to remember.”

Lin Yi grinned. “I took it seriously. Besides, I’ve traveled all this way to fetch you. Don’t keep wearing such a long face—it hurts your son’s feelings.”

“You and your slick tongue.”

She shot him a sideways glare.

As mother and son were speaking, Hong Ying approached. Knowing something was up, Lin Yi excused himself and followed him to a hilltop, looking toward the south where column after column of troops were approaching.

Wang Tuozi pointed at a distant banner. “Your Highness, that’s the Prince of Yong’s standard.”

“Are they escorting him out?” Lin Yi asked.

“Your Highness, I don’t know. But from afar I saw that the leader is the Holy Maiden Ye Jinyu of Jizhao Nunnery.”

“Damn it, Jizhao Nunnery just has to stick its hand into everything,”

Lin Yi said helplessly. “Grandmaster, didn’t you say a volley of arrows could force her to retreat? Shall we try?”

Ye Qiu said flatly, “Your Highness, Sanhe doesn’t have that many archers.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes. “You just love telling the truth.”

He had only wanted to brag a little.

Ye Qiu smiled awkwardly.

The Prince of Yong’s banners drew closer to Ankang City. Wang Tuozi suddenly pointed toward the southern gate. “Your Highness, the gates have opened!”

By the time Lin Yi looked, the drawbridge over the Juma River had already been lowered.

He then saw the Prince of Yong ride out from the city, followed by a plainly dressed figure with a gleaming bald head.

After joining his army, the Prince of Yong reined in his horse and looked toward Lin Yi’s direction.

Lin Yi had the distinct feeling that the bald figure was also looking at him.

“That must be Jingyi…” he muttered.

Pan Duo corrected him, “Your Highness, that is Jingkuan, the head seat of Jizhao Nunnery.”

Lin Yi snorted. “Jingyi or Jingkuan—sooner or later, I’ll have her warming my bed.”

“Your Highness, I’ve heard she’s already over seventy,”

Ye Qiu suddenly added.

“You’ve been talking a lot lately,” Lin Yi shot him a sharp look.

“Forgive me, Your Highness.”

Seeing Hong Ying glance over as well, Ye Qiu quickly lowered his head.

Noticing the Prince of Yong had no intention of leaving, Lin Yi mounted his donkey and said with a smile, “Let’s go greet him. One must be polite. After all, he is my elder brother.”

If Jingkuan truly was as formidable as rumored, whether he went or not would make no difference.

Hong Ying hesitated briefly, then led the reins in front. The Blind Man and Ye Qiu guarded the flanks, while three thousand cavalry rapidly assembled behind them, spreading out in formation as they advanced toward the Prince of Yong’s forces.

The Prince of Yong’s troops drew their bows, but at his gesture, the bows were lowered again.

On the walls of Ankang, Han Long and the others watched the confrontation with barely restrained excitement. They almost shouted: Fight! Fight!

“Third Brother, a day apart feels like three autumns,”

Lin Yi called lazily from atop his donkey, waving. “Who would’ve thought you could come out today? Congratulations indeed.”

As he spoke, his gaze casually swept toward the woman behind Yong.

Because of Consort Wen and the Grand Princess, seeing such an “ageless” maiden no longer surprised him.

Clearly an old woman—yet not only did she not look aged, she was strikingly beautiful.

“You disappoint me not, Ninth Brother,” the Prince of Yong replied darkly.

“You wrong me, Brother,” Lin Yi shook his head. “I truly hoped you’d come out. Otherwise I’d have no opponent—life would be dull. The longer you live, the happier I am. Oh? And who is this beauty behind you? Won’t you introduce her?”

“At last we meet, Prince He,” the woman behind Yong finally spoke. Holding a horsetail whisk, she gave a slight bow. “This humble nun, Jingkuan, greets Your Highness.”

“No need for formality,” Lin Yi chuckled, staring at her gleaming bald head. “Reverend, you’re quite the beauty. Where do you cultivate?”

The Prince of Yong rebuked sharply, “Prince He, mind your words!”

His entourage was stunned.

How dare he be so flippant before a Grandmaster?

Yet unexpectedly, Jingkuan did not grow angry. Her expression remained gentle as she bowed again. “Your Highness jests.”

“I do not jest,” Lin Yi grinned outwardly, though inwardly uneasy. If she suddenly attacked, could Hong Ying and the Blind Man withstand it?

“You go too far, Prince He,” the Prince of Yong said coldly.

“Very well, I won’t say more. Third Brother, I wish you a smooth journey back to Yongzhou,”

Lin Yi clasped his hands. “When I have time, I’ll visit you there.”

The Prince of Yong snorted. “Let’s hope you have the chance.”

“Brother need only wait.”

Watching Yong ride off—and Jingkuan gradually recede into the distance—Lin Yi finally let out a long breath.