The group set off again on new horses. Although they had only rested for two or three hours in the past few days, Lin Jie felt only slightly tired and joked with Ruan Ning. In contrast, Ruan Ning, quickly drowsy from the horse’s jolting, closed her eyes and responded intermittently. Noticing her lack of energy, Lin Jie slowed down to protect her.
When they reached the next stop, Ruan Ning felt sore all over, especially below her waist—numb and painful. After being carried down from the horse by Lin Jie, she collapsed on the bed, too exhausted to eat dinner.
Lin Jie coaxed her, “Eat some porridge. How can you travel if you don’t eat?”
“Don’t want to. Why don’t you go ahead tomorrow, and I’ll catch up with you?” Ruan Ning mumbled, face down on the quilt. She had seen people riding horses looking cool on TV but found the actual experience uncomfortable.
“No!” Lin Jie replied sternly. “How can you walk alone?”
He felt his voice wasn’t harsh, but then saw Ruan Ning’s mouth purse and her head turn away. Instinctively, he turned her face back and found her eyes were wet with grievance.
Lin Jie: …
He hadn’t even scolded her. Helplessly pinching her cheek, he softened his voice: “Okay, stop fussing. It’s not safe on the road; you must stay with me. I’ll walk slower.”
“My legs hurt, my bottom hurts too,” Ruan Ning pouted.
She didn’t dare look but feared her inner thighs might be chafed. Remembering his experiences learning to ride, Lin Jie understood she was delicate and likely in pain. He coaxed, “Be good. Take a hot bath. Tomorrow, you’ll sit sideways, and I’ll carry you. We need to catch up with the delegation quickly. The longer we delay, the less safe it is.”
After much persuasion, she finally nodded tearfully. Lin Jie sighed, letting her lean against him, feeding her porridge spoonful by spoonful and patiently breaking snacks into small pieces for her. By the time the bowl of porridge was finished, he felt he might have raised a delicate little girl.
He stepped closer, looking down at her, water droplets on her face, exposed shoulders, and delicate neck, like dew on lotus leaves, yet even the smoothest lotus leaf could not compare to her skin. Those bothersome clothes were blocking the beautiful scenery.
Lin Jie felt a surge of unbearable heat rising within him, prompting him to quickly remove his outer robe, middle garment, and wide-legged pants, reaching for his inner garment.
Ruan Ning, shocked, had intended to get closer to him but was taken aback by his boldness in stripping off his clothes.
“Don’t take it off!” Ruan Ning said angrily, but it was too late. The inner garment fell to the floor, revealing his solid chest and leaving him in just his underpants.
Not a bad physique. Ruan Ning covered her chest with one hand and her eyes with the other, sneaking a peek through her fingers before splashing a basin of water on his face. Taking advantage of his temporary blindness, she quickly jumped out of the bathtub and dashed toward the door.
Blinded by water, Lin Jie vaguely saw a figure flash by and reached out to grab her, but only caught a wet cloth. She gave him a triumphant smile. Wiping the water from his eyebrows, he realized she was wearing only a thin inner garment and pants, the wet fabric clinging to her form.
As he chased after her, Ruan Ning had already donned his outer robe, standing by the door holding the bolt, and laughed: “If you dare to touch me, I’ll open the door and let everyone see the naked Lin Shou Fu.”
Lin Jie snorted coldly, saying, “Try me.”
Before he finished, Ruan Ning found herself in his embrace as he leaned close, revealing small water droplets on his long eyelashes.
Ruan Ning frowned and softly said, “It hurts.”
The tremor in her voice caught Lin Jie’s attention.
“Where does it hurt?”
He instinctively reached out but was blocked by her. With a soft gaze, she said, “Don’t, not now.”
Understanding her cue, Lin Jie decided to provide some comfort instead. The cool medicinal ointment quickly seeped into her skin, alleviating her pain. Ruan Ning lay on the bed, her flushed face buried in the bedding, refusing to show more despite her difficult breathing.
Lin Jie rubbed the not-yet-dry ointment on his fingertips, trying to calm his racing heart, and said hoarsely, “Sleep, we have to travel tomorrow.”
While she fell asleep, he struggled with restlessness. Previously, holding her while she slept brought him peace, but now it only intensified his energy. Images of her filled his mind, but he knew she wouldn’t allow him to indulge.
He thought he would have to wait until they returned to the capital and got married to experiment.
Lin Jie made the decision to quickly finish all matters and focus on exploring mysteries with her.
Lin Jie’s expression darkened as he said, “She has been causing a scene at the mansion because of Wang Mengfu.”
Ruan Ning sighed, “I’m such a confused mother; I don’t know what to do.”
“It’s simple,” Lin Jie replied coldly, “She believes you will belong to another family, and her nephew is the closest to her. Let Uncle Mi take a concubine and have more sons. Let’s see if she still causes trouble.”
Ruan Ning was momentarily stunned. Isn’t this the plot of a domestic intrigue novel? As expected of the Chief Minister!
Lin Jie was surprised by her eager expression and asked, “Aren’t you angry?”
“Not at all,” Ruan Ning replied, remembering details from the novels. “You could give her fertility medicine to encourage her to have children. If she has her own sons, she might reconsider wanting to empty the Ruan family for Wang Mengfu.”
Lin Jie laughed and kissed her on the face. “You…”
Ruan Ning tilted her head with a smile, “How’s that? Am I brilliant?”
“Mm,” Lin Jie kissed her again, “Come, let me apply the medicine.”
Half an hour later, after the medicine was applied, Ruan Ning was wrapped in a blanket, refusing to show her face, while Lin Jie went to take a cold shower.
The hidden guard on the roof tried to block out the suspicious sounds from inside and gestured to the guard in the tree, “Boss, let’s switch posts. I’ll treat you to a drink!”
The guard in the tree firmly waved his hand, “No way!” He had secured this rooftop duty and did not want to switch.
In the Ci Ning Palace, Empress Dowager Hu looked at Liu Xi and said in a low voice, “Failed again? This is the third group sent. Lin Si is still alive. Liu Xi, you should explain why the people you find are all useless.”
Liu Xi knelt down, remorseful: “Your Majesty, my capable people are limited. Lord Lin has elite soldiers, and I cannot match his methods. I will definitely work twice as hard!”
These words touched Empress Dowager Hu. She thought, how could such a talented person be outmaneuvered by a eunuch? It was hateful that he was bewitched by Ruan Ning and rushed back to take her away.
She was just a step away from killing that wretched woman!
Liu Xi was sweating. Having served Empress Dowager Hu for many years, he knew her preferences. If he praised Lin Jie and belittled himself, she would usually spare him.
“Find useful people, even if you have to hire outsiders. You must kill Lin Si and leave no survivors,” Empress Dowager Hu instructed.
“Yes!” Liu Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why is Liu Gong Gong kneeling?” Ming You’s gentle voice came from the palace door.
The cold palace did not reduce its gloomy atmosphere. After a short time inside, cries and whipping sounds came from within. Half a shichen later, Hu Taihou emerged and told Liu Xi: “Kill.”
Her mood was turbulent, alternating between resentment and heartache. If she had known he suffered so much humiliation, she would have tried to persuade the former emperor to pardon him. Now that she knew the truth, she was determined to take him back.
