IDWBE -Chapter 349 Merit

He wanted to see how the Princess would react.

Unfortunately, he was disappointed. Under the dim light of the lantern, her expression didn’t change at all, as if she had just heard something utterly ordinary.

“He still won’t give up.”

The Princess turned her back and looked at the moon in the sky.

“Does immortality really exist in the world?”

Lin Yi stood beside her, looking humble and eager to learn.

The Princess smiled. “The path to immortality is right before you, yet so many fools cannot comprehend it. Mortal flesh and impure bones, imagining immortality—how ridiculous.”

Lin Yi was surprised—he didn’t expect the Princess to speak so plainly.

He pondered for a moment, then smiled. “But Father said you also know the method of immortality.”

“You can tell him tomorrow—that was me tricking him. There is no such thing as immortality in this world.”

The Princess suddenly laughed.

“Are you trying to anger Father to death?” Lin Yi asked, curious.

“Then do you think I still have a chance to kill him?” The Princess asked.

“Elder Wuxiang is no longer in the palace—you actually still have a chance,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “As for Liu Chaoyuan, he stays by Father’s side, probably for the same reason—seeking immortality. If you tell him it’s fake, he probably won’t turn against you either.”

“That old dog… it’s pathetic. He’s afraid of death too,” the Princess laughed joyfully. “If he knew all of this was fake, he wouldn’t spare me either.”

Lin Yi said, “Aunt is acting strangely today, telling me so many truths?”

The Princess replied, “These are trivial matters—what harm is there in letting you know? I actually hope you go to the palace early to tell your Father. I think his expression will be quite entertaining.”

Lin Yi chuckled, but didn’t continue that topic. Instead, he asked, “Aunt, have you heard the rumors spreading recently that disciples of Xing Chen Hai are reappearing in the Jianghu?”

“What?”

The Princess, usually unflustered, suddenly changed expression.

“Disciples of Xing Chen Hai reappearing in the Jianghu,” Lin Yi repeated. He couldn’t imagine how powerful Xing Chen Hai must be to scare the Princess like this. “It’s said they recently destroyed the three major sects of Liangzhou.”

When Pan Duo first told him this, he didn’t take it seriously.

In his view, these so-called Jianghu sects were lawless gangs. No matter how arrogant, could they withstand his iron-fisted rule? If they truly went out of control, he could crush them with just a few constables.

But judging by the Princess’s expression, it wasn’t that simple.

Seeing her silent, he was about to ask further when the Princess suddenly leapt up, snatched the sword from the pillar, and floated away.

The blind man gave chase.

It all happened in the blink of an eye—Lin Yi hadn’t even reacted.

By the time he realized the Princess was escaping, only Ye Qiu and the guards remained nearby.

“Women really are so unpredictable,” Lin Yi sighed helplessly.

There hadn’t been a single sign! Not even like a female driver! At least with a driver, he’d know when she was turning!

He Hong said, “Your Highness, since the Princess is escaping, should we reveal the matter of Jizhao Nunnery’s silver vault?”

He had been worried about this matter, finally voicing it to show the prince that even a warrior could be thoughtful.

But Lin Yi immediately kicked him hard.

“You’re an idiot. If she falls into Jizhao Nunnery’s hands, what benefit is that to us?”

He Hong looked aggrieved.

Indeed, in the end, right or wrong was decided by the prince alone.

“Hmph,” Lin Yi said helplessly, “If the Princess cannot endure Jizhao Nunnery’s punishments, the vault will fall to Old Third, harming us with nothing to gain.”

“Your Highness is wise,” He Hong reluctantly acknowledged.

Lin Yi looked at Ye Qiu. “You’re coming too.”

“I’m afraid I cannot obey,” Ye Qiu said. As the only Grandmaster in the mansion, if he left, there would be no experts left in the Prince Mansion.

“Fine, suit yourself,” Lin Yi said, understanding.

Yawning again, he returned to his bedroom and lay down.

He woke before dawn.

According to the scout’s report, his mother would arrive at Ankang City today. He had to be at the South Gate to greet her. She had a temper—arriving late would mean a scolding, and that wouldn’t be worth it.

In his heart, he really didn’t want her coming, as the situation was too complicated. If anything went wrong, he’d have to flee south in a panic.

But he couldn’t resist her stubbornness; saying no would lead to crying, tantrums, and threats.

“Your Highness,” Jiao Zhong said while Lin Yi ate breakfast. “Pan Duo reports that Her Highness’s carriage is less than two li from the South Gate.”

“So fast?”

Lin Yi was surprised. “They’re moving quite quickly.”

He hastily stuffed half-eaten pastries into his mouth, wiped his hands with a wet towel, and headed straight for the carriage.

Consort Yuan returning to Ankang City was a major event for the local officials eager to please the prince—they arrived even before him.

Just outside the city gate, Lin Yi saw civil and military officials lined up at the South Gate.

Including Qi Yong, Ma Jin, Gan Mao, and others.

Was this too much flattery? No shame, no dignity? He couldn’t understand it.

“Long live the Prince, a thousand thousand thousand years!”

As Lin Yi stepped out of the carriage, the officials knelt and shouted.

“Rise.”

Lin Yi stood on the carriage, looking down, scanning the crowd.

He didn’t see the Yuan family—his grandmother Dong or the elder lady Xue.

“Thank you, Prince!”

The crowd shouted again.

As he descended the carriage, someone shouted, “Her Highness has arrived!”

Lin Yi looked up to see the Sanhe Cavalry holding otter flags, followed by a line of carriages, then an endless troop of light soldiers.

At the gate, the cavalry lined both sides. One carriage slowly drove forward.

When it stopped, Mingyue and Zixia jumped down, standing by the carriage at attention.

Lin Yi lifted his robe, knelt, and said, “Pay respects to Mother.”

“Long live Her Highness, a thousand thousand thousand years!”

The crowd knelt, shouting.

“Rise.”

The voice from the carriage was gentle and calm, as if untouched by the mortal world.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

The crowd stood, not raising their heads too high.

Lin Ning was with Consort Yuan in the carriage. Seeing her mother’s proud smile, she laughed. “Mother, I just peeked—Qi Yong and Ma Jin are here too.”

“That’s only proper,” Consort Yuan said with a smile. “Your brother is now the Regent Prince—they dare not be too reckless.”

“If you ask me, this is all Mother’s merit.”

Lin Ning couldn’t help teasing.

“Of course,” Consort Yuan said thoughtfully. “If I hadn’t taught him properly, how could your brother have such influence today?”