IDWBE -Chapter 570 The Return Journey

“That…”

Prince Jin stood up, hesitating for a moment before saying, “Should I personally go over and explain things to her?”

After a long conversation with Prince Nanling, he had finally come to understand many matters, and the knot in his heart had been untied.

In recent days, he had entered the prince’s mansion many times, but without Lin Yi’s permission, he never had the chance to meet the family, and naturally had not explained anything to Su Xin.

“Alright, go ahead.”

Lin Yi waved his hand, picked up the teacup, sipped, and after a while, seeing no one around, lay down on the couch and unknowingly fell asleep.

In a drowsy haze, he felt someone giving him a full-body massage.

Opening his eyes, he saw a woman—it was Su Xin, Prince Jin’s concubine.

Lin Yi smiled and said, “You’ve gone to so much trouble, there’s no need to feel embarrassed.”

Her delicate hands massaged his abdomen while she smiled, saying, “My lord worries day and night about state affairs; it is my blessing to help ease your burden.”

Her forehead was smooth, her brows slender, and her enchanting smile captivated the heart; a single glance could mesmerize.

Lin Yi felt himself growing somewhat entranced.

Feeling moisture at the corner of his mouth, he quickly wiped it with his sleeve and asked with a smile, “Where is my fourth elder brother?”

What did this mean?

“Prince Jin was tired and went back to rest first.”

Su Xin’s hands had already begun wandering toward Lin Yi’s groin.

Lin Yi felt a fiery heat throughout his body.

Seeing that he didn’t resist, she grew bolder, moving her hands to forbidden places. Lin Yi instinctively grabbed her hands, saying, “No need to do that here.”

Even a fool would understand something now!

Prince Jin really was lavish with his generosity—he even sent his wife!

“My lord, you are too polite.”

Su Xin blushed as Lin Yi held her hands.

“Ah,” Lin Yi sighed, “if you said you didn’t want this, it would be awkward, given the mood already built.”

Su Xin didn’t fully understand his meaning, only feeling her hands burn under his touch.

Outside the door, Lei Kaishan heard a clatter and couldn’t help but glance toward the heated room. Through the thick papered window, he saw two figures quickly merging into one.

Being a peak ninth-rank officer, his hearing was extremely sharp; though the two inside were restrained, he could hear everything clearly.

He whispered to Tan Fei, “Prince Jin is extraordinary.”

Tan Fei solemnly said, “Shut your mouth, or trouble may come of it.”

Lei Kaishan protested, “It’s just the two of us, no one else is around.”

Cheng Duo’er blushed deeply, saying, “Master Lei, I am human too.”

“Apologies,” Lei Kaishan laughed awkwardly, “I didn’t mean it that way.”

Cheng Duo’er said, “Gentlemen, it’s late; you should go off duty. I’ll handle things here.”

Lei Kaishan and Tan Fei exchanged a glance, then said, “Thank you, we leave this to you, Miss Duo’er. Farewell.”

Since being scolded by Shen Chu last time, the two had handed over the prince’s security duties to him.

Now Shen Chu had Prince Jin’s mansion sealed tight; unless a Grandmaster personally came, ordinary experts couldn’t even enter.

They were now more ornamental than functional.

It was cold today, and they were willing to slack off and enjoy a few drinks.

Night fell.

Snow fell harder. Lin Yi opened the window of the heated room, looking at the snow-covered rooftops, frowning. “We must return.”

Su Xin, leaning behind him in only a gauzy robe, trembled upon hearing this. “My lord…”

“Don’t worry, you’ll come with me,”

Lin Yi said without turning his head. “But you must be prepared—this is not the mansion, and you will have no official status. I’ll set up a residence for you outside the mansion.”

After all, Su Xin was still Prince Jin’s concubine.

Secretly together, no one could blame them; openly disregarding propriety would bring scorn.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Su Xin finally exhaled in relief.

Her future with Prince Jin was over; even if she returned, she would not have a good life.

Following Lin Yi to Ankang City, although without status, at least she had a place to stay. The rest could be planned gradually.

“Someone!”

Lin Yi called outside the window.

“My lord.”

Lei Kaishan appeared at the window, bowing his head, not daring to look inside.

Lin Yi said, “Give orders to make preparations; we return to the capital tomorrow.”

“My lord, shall we wait a few days to see if the weather clears?”

Lei Kaishan tentatively asked.

Lin Yi shook his head. “No waiting—go before it freezes. If it freezes, it will be troublesome.”

Without weather forecasts, traveling depended entirely on luck.

After saying this, he closed the window, turned, and shared another intimate night with Su Xin.

Before dawn, he rose.

Outside the Prince Jin Mansion, the carriages and horses made a ruckus, flags fluttering.

Shi Quan personally helped Lin Yi into the carriage, then followed and knelt inside, saying, “I came in haste and have not received your guidance, my lord. I am ashamed.”

Lin Yi smiled. “In Jinzhou, the court will waive taxes for two years—use this golden period to develop the economy. Follow the policies we applied in Sanhe, Yuezhou, and Jizhou: less empty talk and paperwork at offices, more grassroots visits to understand and resolve the people’s real needs. Many problems arise because officials neglect their duties. Do you know what you must do? Severely punish corruption, enforce public security, maintain open trade routes. Good governance and safe roads naturally lead to prosperity.”

Shi Quan said, “I will follow your instructions, my lord.”

He began planning in his mind.

Lin Yi’s instructions were no different from current practice in Ankang City.

“Also, I entrust Yang Changchun to you. He’s a sly old fox—don’t treat him too politely. If you go out of your way to show respect, he will only despise you more,” Lin Yi said slowly, “Arrange him as you see fit, just don’t let him die.”

Shi Quan laughed. “My lord, rest assured. Even if Yang Changchun is skilled, he’s just a toothless tiger in front of us. He can’t escape our grasp.”

“But don’t underestimate him,” Lin Yi said seriously. “All famous men, ancient and modern, have some skills. Yang Changchun is a military man, with many disciples and subordinates. If you are careless, you’ll regret it. I won’t be responsible for your losses.”

“My lord is right,” Shi Quan hurriedly replied.

The carriage slowly left the city gates. Lin Yi saw people kneeling densely on both sides of the street, looking puzzled.

Shi Quan said, “They heard my lord is returning to the capital and came voluntarily to show gratitude.”

“Are you sure they weren’t forced?”

Lin Yi hated this kind of formalism.

He had seen officials organize “ceremonies of ten thousand umbrellas” to glorify themselves; false, corrupt officials would be punished by the Supervisory Bureau.

Thus, such “ceremonial” events were almost extinct locally.

Shi Quan explained, “My lord, this is truly voluntary.”

“Good,” Lin Yi lowered the curtain. “Once the weather warms, bring your family here and manage things properly. Also, I told Shen Chu that from now on, you are in charge in Jinzhou. He must obey you. You two must cooperate.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Shi Quan’s last worry vanished; he bowed deeply. “I will serve with all my heart until death!”

After two more li, Shi Quan reluctantly dismounted.

In the snowy landscape, he bowed deeply to the retreating caravan as Liang Tian draped a cloak over him.

Liang Tian laughed. “Sir, it’s even colder here than Ankang City.”

Shi Quan, in a good mood, teased, “Missing Sanhe?”

Liang Tian raised his head. “Of course! Nowhere compares to our Sanhe.”

Shi Quan said, “Shall I let you go back to Sanhe?”

Liang Tian widened his eyes. “You promised to secure my future when you sent me north. You can’t break your word now!”

He wasn’t so easily dismissed.

“Keep your voice down!”

Shi Quan’s face turned red.

This brat had no sense of occasion!

Back then, when Lin Yi raised troops to Ankang City, they were ordered to follow and assist him.

In Baiyun City, his salary was limited; after buying supplies, there was barely anything left.

Being a censor, bringing two attendants wasn’t too much, right?

But maintaining an attendant cost at least one or two taels per month.

He had no money! He could only promise Liang Tian a bright future.

Thus Liang Tian followed him from Baiyun to Ankang and then to Ping City.

“Sir, I’m telling the truth,” Liang Tian said plaintively.

“I’m now a high official; how could I neglect your future?” Shi Quan, exasperated, said, “If you keep fussing, I’ll give you 200 taels and send you back to Sanhe.”

“I was joking, sir. Don’t be angry.”

Liang Tian quickly smoothed things over.

Could he leave now? Not a chance!

Since arriving yesterday, people seeking an audience with the Provincial Administrator had not stopped.

To see the Administrator, they had to go through him!

In just one day, he had tasted the prestige of being a trusted aide.

He had already collected over forty taels! No way was he leaving.

“Don’t think I’m a fool. Do you think I don’t know how much you collected yesterday?” Shi Quan said fiercely, “From now on, split it 60–40. Six for me, four for you.”

Otherwise, with only his salary, he would starve.

Lin Yi understood this, but looked the other way.

His anti-corruption targeted the court and the people, not local gentry. He didn’t confiscate local wealth—they were shown mercy.

If anyone dared collude with gentry to exploit the people, it would be suicide.

“Sir,” Liang Tian said incredulously, “Forty percent? That’s too much!”

“What are you thinking?”

Shi Quan rolled his eyes. “Sixty for me, forty for you.”

Liang Tian protested, “I’ve served you faithfully all these years! You can’t treat me this way.”

Shi Quan snapped, “Keep fussing and I’ll send you back to Sanhe immediately. You’ll leave without a penny—there are plenty willing to serve me.”

“I believe you,” Liang Tian admitted.

“Then behave, and I’ll teach you the art of collecting money later,” Shi Quan said, “What you can ask for, what you can’t.”

“Really? I can ask for money?” Liang Tian’s eyes shone.

He felt his future was boundless.

Shi Quan snorted. “I told you, there’s meat at the end of the line with me.”

He couldn’t bear to send Liang Tian away.

Liang Tian, though flawed, was trustworthy and talented in martial arts—almost ninth-rank—making him both attendant and bodyguard.

Such “talent” wasn’t easily found.

“Yes, sir. Whatever you say, goes.” Liang Tian said loudly.

Not far away, Jin Bo overheard everything.

What a pair of characters!

Especially Liang Tian—he had no idea of his own value as a peak eighth-rank!

From start to finish, Shi Quan had led him around by the nose.

He had considered sending Liang Tian to the vanguard camp, but now it was unnecessary; better to keep this fool for Shi Quan himself.

---

Snow fell heavily.

Lin Yi didn’t feel as cold, sitting in the carriage, holding a stove, watching Mei Jingzhi on horseback. “General Mei, if you’re cold, come warm yourself in the carriage.”

Mei Jingzhi laughed heartily. “Thanks, my lord, but I’ve earned my fame in the extreme cold of the northern frontier. This little snow is nothing.”

“Almost forgot, General Mei fought enemies in the freezing north,”

Lin Yi smiled. “Much respect.”

Mei Jingzhi said, “Regent Prince, you flatter me.”

Lin Yi looked at the darkening sky. “What’s ahead?”

Mei Jingzhi said, “The nearest place is Shaguan Town, twenty li away. If we move quickly, we can reach it before nightfall.”

“Then hurry a bit,” Lin Yi said slowly, “Lingering isn’t helpful.”

“Yes,”

The guards and soldiers shouted.

The coachman cracked the whip, speeding the carriage, while the surrounding soldiers increased in number, fearing an accident.