IDWBE -Chapter 359 Who Am I?

“Dismissed. And in the future, don’t stand in front of me and get in my way.”

Lin Yi looked at the people before him—each one stiff as a corpse—and found it unbearably dull. He waved his hand impatiently.

So this was what it meant to stand high above—lonely and cold at the top.

It truly reflected the relationship between altitude and temperature.

The higher one stood, the fewer friends remained. Those who genuinely supported or helped him were scarce. There were hardly any people left who dared to speak the truth to him.

Even someone like He Jixiang, old and unafraid of death, now spoke only flattering words.

Everyone wished he would ascend the throne tomorrow, so they could claim the merit of having supported the dragon and be recorded gloriously in history.

Ah, people—once their own interests were involved, talk of nation, monarch, or honor became empty words in the end.

In contrast, foolishly loyal people like the Yuan family seemed almost precious.

Though they could infuriate him half to death.

Still, not everything lately had been bad news. At least there was one bit of good news.

For example, his future father-in-law couldn’t even afford a two-copper room for a single night anymore—nor could he continue enduring the cheapest communal bunkhouse that cost only a few coins a day.

“Where did this pauper come from? Get lost! Come back again and I’ll beat you to death!”

Lin Yi stood by the bridge, watching the inn waiter curse loudly, then looked at the furious Prince He Shun, Hu Zhen. To his own surprise, he felt delighted.

Hu Zhen walked ahead with his hands behind his back. Behind him followed Hu Miaoyi, the County Lady of Pingjiang, dressed in plain clothes and carrying a bundle.

“Mountains high and rivers long—we shall meet again someday,” Lin Yi stepped down from the stone bridge and faced the Hu father and daughter as they walked up. “Miss Hu, it seems fate binds us. We meet again.”

Hearing that irritatingly smug voice, Hu Miaoyi jerked her head up. After staring for a long moment and glancing at He Hong behind Lin Yi, she gritted her teeth.

“So it’s you, you shameless rogue! Ankang City is a place of virtue—it won’t tolerate your mischief!”

“Miss, rest assured,” Lin Yi smiled. “I come from an upright family. I certainly wouldn’t break laws or disturb order.”

Fine beads of sweat formed on her forehead; her pearly teeth pressed tightly into her lower lip.

Even when angry, she was adorable.

For a moment, Lin Yi found himself unable to say anything harsh.

“This young master—may I ask your honored name?”

Seeing Lin Yi dressed in fine silks, Prince He Shun Hu Zhen cupped his hands politely. “This old man greets you.”

“Your Highness is too courteous,” Lin Yi replied with a smile. “A dragon stranded in shallow waters is teased by shrimp. I deeply sympathize.”

“You recognize me?”

Hu Zhen brightened.

“Prince He Shun is a descendant of Duke Yue. Who under heaven does not know this?”

Lin Yi said solemnly.

Privately, he thought: Soon you’ll be a laughingstock known to all.

You walk straight into every trap set before you!

Do you have no brain at all?

“Young master has keen eyes!”

Hu Zhen said excitedly. “I am indeed a descendant of Duke Yue!”

“Father!”

Hu Miaoyi stamped her foot, nearly throwing down her bundle.

After all their family had endured—servants fleeing, even her father’s concubines running away—yet her father still failed to learn and remained so trusting of strangers.

It was beyond ridiculous.

“What does a girl know?”

Hu Zhen scolded her sternly, then turned back to Lin Yi with a smile. “Forgive the scene, young master. Might I trouble you to tell me how to reach Prince He’s residence?”

“You’re going to Prince He’s residence?”

Lin Yi was surprised.

This old fellow wasn’t entirely foolish after all. Cornered with nowhere to go, he thought of seeking him out.

“Indeed. Please show us the way.”

Hu Zhen smiled ingratiatingly.

Hu Miaoyi suddenly blurted, “Father, we agreed that—”

“Silence!”

Hu Zhen barked. “This is not your place to speak!”

“I’m familiar with Prince He’s residence. I’ll take you there.”

Lin Yi glanced at Hu Miaoyi, her eyes glistening with tears, and unexpectedly felt a bit soft-hearted.

“Many thanks, young master.”

Having met a stranger, Hu Zhen showed not the slightest caution and followed Lin Yi directly.

“Fool… what a fool…”

Lin Yi felt that Prince He Shun surviving to this age was a miracle.

At least inquire about who I am first, wouldn’t you?

And you just follow me like this?

Fortunately, he wasn’t actually a bad person.

Lin Yi walked ahead. He Hong and Jiao Zhong positioned themselves between him and the Hu father and daughter as they headed straight for Prince He’s residence.

Before long, they stood beneath its towering gate.

“This is Prince He’s residence?”

Hu Zhen found it hard to believe.

Even the gate of his own princely manor had been more impressive than this.

“Indeed.”

Lin Yi gestured. “Your Highness, please.”

Seeing Lin Yi enter directly without announcement, Hu Zhen grew confused and shouted after him, “Young master, do not be reckless!”

He lingered at the entrance, refusing to step forward.

“Please.”

Hearing a voice behind him, Hu Zhen turned trembling—and saw He Hong and Jiao Zhong expressionless.

Even more astonishing, over a dozen large men had appeared around them without his noticing.

“Father…”

Hu Miaoyi unconsciously drew a dagger from her bundle.

She prided herself on being a fifth-rank expert, accustomed to going wherever she pleased.

But when she suddenly realized that anyone among those around her possessed greater skill than she did, panic set in.

“Do not fear, do not fear,” Hu Zhen forced calm. “This young master is no villain. No matter what, Prince He is inside to uphold justice for us.”

Clenching his teeth, he stepped onto the stairs.

Soon he saw a woman.

As a prince, he had seen countless beauties and considered himself blessed with many companions. Yet at the sight of this woman, his heart still stirred.

She seemed as though she had stepped out of a painting.

Beautiful beyond reason.

Dazed, he followed her through turns and corridors until they reached a garden.

There lay that young master, reclining in a chair, smiling at them.

“Young master, so this is where you are.”

“Yes, I’ve been waiting here for you all along,”

Lin Yi smiled faintly, then said, “Attend—serve tea to the Prince.”

“Who exactly are you?”

Hu Miaoyi stared at Lin Yi, increasingly uneasy.

If he were truly ordinary, how could he behave so brazenly within Prince He’s residence?

“Who am I?”

Lin Yi laughed.

As expected of his future wife—she had struck straight at the philosophical question.

He said lightly,

“Who do you think I am?”

If he spoke truthfully, in his previous life he had been an orphan—an unnoticed blade of grass.

His life had been dull, his death insignificant.

Even reborn, he had never considered himself someone important.

To be alive was already heaven’s greatest gift.

If in this lifetime he could marry a wife—

That would be fortune accumulated over several lifetimes.