Chapter 71: Protection in the Shadows
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
For the latest updates, visit: ProNovels.com
Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB
Lin Xiu didn’t stay long at Changchun Palace. Consort Gui returned soon after, assuring him that the Emperor had promised a thorough investigation and advised him to recuperate at home and await news.
Lin Xiu spent a little while longer with the little guy, discussing its culinary desires and compiling a menu. A full belly, sound sleep, and companionship would surely ease the homesickness.
He also spent time entertaining Consort Gui. In some ways, she and the little guy were alike, both confined within the palace walls, both needing conversation and company. The palace maids and eunuchs were too respectful; Lin Xiu was more relaxed, understanding her unspoken needs, knowing what she wanted to hear and what she didn’t. Laughter filled Changchun Palace whenever he visited.
Before long, Consort Gui covered her face, exclaiming, “No more, no more! I can’t laugh any longer today, or I’ll get wrinkles. On your way out, stop by the Imperial Hospital and ask Shuangshuang to come over…”
Leaving Changchun Palace, Lin Xiu headed to the Imperial Hospital.
Shuangshuang was an intern there, but more importantly, she was the personal physician to the palace consorts. Any ailment, big or small, and she was the first one they called.
Her unique ability made her invaluable. Any physical ailment yielded to her touch.
Lin Xiu also knew that she was the reason behind the consorts’ youthful appearances. Her abilities extended beyond healing to skincare, maintaining cellular vitality. It was the reason his own wounds healed so quickly.
Lin Xiu’s comment about Consort Gui and Princess Minghe looking like sisters wasn’t baseless. In her early thirties, Consort Gui possessed remarkably youthful skin, so supple it seemed to shimmer with moisture. Even girls in their late teens couldn’t compare.
Now, Lin Xiu possessed a similar ability.
However, his couldn’t be revealed. Otherwise, with such miraculous healing powers, entire forests might come seeking him, not just a few trees. What woman could resist eternal youth and beauty?
Exiting the Imperial Hospital, Lin Xiu noticed a figure waiting outside.
It was Zhu Jin, the Emperor’s chief eunuch.
Lin Xiu bowed, “Greetings, Chief Eunuch Zhu.”
Zhu Jin nodded, “His Majesty is aware of your situation. The guard around your residence will be increased, and the Secret Investigation Department will provide covert protection. Should you face any insurmountable troubles, seek their assistance. Of course, only if you’re provoked first.”
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
Lin Xiu felt relieved. He bowed again, “Thank you for His Majesty’s grace.”
He added, “The assassins were planted within the Lin Estate.”
The servants and maids gifted by the palace were managed by the Department of Internal Affairs, making them the only ones who could investigate that lead.
Zhu Jin shook his head, “It’s futile. The Department of Internal Affairs recruits externally. Numerous families and factions have infiltrated it. The Secret Investigation Department has investigated, but found nothing.”
Seeing no further recourse, Lin Xiu bowed, “Thank you, Chief Eunuch Zhu.”
Zhu Jin waved his hand and drifted away.
Consort Gui’s legs truly were long and fair. With these arrangements, Lin Xiu no longer feared for his life. Though his privacy and freedom might be curtailed, it was a small price to pay for survival.
At the palace gates, Sun Dali was waiting.
Lin Xiu glanced at him, surprised, “What are you doing here in broad daylight?”
After moving, the Lin Estate was a short walk from the palace, along a street teeming with guards. Only a fool would attempt an assassination there. Sun Dali no longer needed to shadow him.
Sun Dali shook his head, resolute, “From now on, wherever Young Master is, I am there!”
His absence during the attack filled him with guilt. Lin Xiu, understanding his feelings, patted his shoulder, “Alright, follow if you wish.”
As they turned to leave, a carriage pulled up beside them.
Sun Dali immediately shielded Lin Xiu, assuming a defensive stance.
A deep voice emerged from within, “No need for alarm. I mean you no harm.”
Lin Xiu bowed towards the carriage, “May I ask who you are…?”
The voice responded, “I am Marquis Yongping. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Surprise flickered across Lin Xiu’s face. He’d recently offended Marquis Yongping, whose eldest son, Yang Xuan, had been exiled because of him. With Yongping being the prime suspect behind the assassination attempt, why would he so brazenly wait for him here?
A brief silence followed before the voice resumed, “I’ve heard about your attack. Xuan’er was soundly defeated by you, demonstrating your superior wit and strategy. You should realize this matter has nothing to do with me.”
Lin Xiu shrugged, smiling, “Not necessarily. Perhaps it’s a clever ruse?”
Laughter echoed from within the carriage, “They say Earl Ping’an’s son is mediocre. Meeting you today proves the rumors false. I have no ulterior motives. I simply don’t wish to be used as a pawn. Xuan’er provoked you and lost. He was outmatched. He has no one to blame but himself.”
A pause, then a thoughtful tone, “Years ago, I did consider a union with the Zhao family. However, their daughter’s prodigious growth wasn’t yet apparent. Over time, I realized such a union was beyond Yongping House. I abandoned the idea. Unfortunately, Xuan’er, having met her once as a child, became infatuated. He acted irrationally, but has paid the price. Your conflict is personal, unrelated to the Lin and Yang families.”
The carriage moved off.
Lin Xiu didn’t doubt him. He hadn’t suspected Yongping in the first place. The Marquis’s appearance was a declaration of non-interference. Regardless of his true feelings, his attitude and demeanor set him apart from lesser nobles.
Sun Dali asked, “Young Master, shall we return home?”
Lin Xiu shook his head, “Not home. To Pear Blossom Courtyard.”
While Lingyin was away, he intended to enjoy himself. He’d listen to music while he could. Upon her return, only relentless toil awaited.
Pear Blossom Courtyard.
The owner greeted Lin Xiu with unprecedented warmth, “Caiyi is upstairs in her usual spot. Go right up.”
The second-floor rooms were where the girls rested between performances. Each had their own.
In Caiyi’s room, a young girl of fifteen or sixteen was practicing her singing. Seeing Lin Xiu, Caiyi told her, “You can go now. Practice more downstairs. Mastery comes with repetition.”
“Thank you, Sister Caiyi.”
The girl smiled and skipped out.
Lin Xiu sat at the table. “How’s business lately?”
Caiyi smiled. “About the same as before. We closed for a few days, but things have recovered.”
Lin Xiu inquired further, “I saw the owner looking troubled. Is something amiss? Is someone causing trouble for the theater?”
Caiyi looked at him, “Magistrate Dong came personally a while back and dealt with those hooligans. No one dares bother us now. Did you ask him to do that?”
Lin Xiu didn’t deny it, “I merely mentioned it, asking him to keep an eye on things. If Pear Blossom Courtyard closed, where would I listen to music?”
Caiyi chuckled, “There are dozens of theaters in the capital, many larger than this, with renowned performers. Surely you’d find somewhere.”
Lin Xiu met her gaze, “But none of them have you.”
Caiyi froze, then a blush crept up her cheeks. She murmured, “My singing is… inadequate. I can’t compare to others.”
Lin Xiu said, “No matter how well they sing, I prefer your voice. I wish I could hear you sing forever.”
His words made Caiyi lower her head, her blush deepening, her heart fluttering. What does he mean…?
Nothing was more beautiful than a blushing woman. Despite his past experiences, Lin Xiu had only seen such genuine shyness in his first love.
Other women feigned it, and he saw through the act. When they put on that coy expression, he’d look into their eyes and silently acknowledge his own pretense. They were the same, neither truly invested.
But Caiyi was different.
Her gentle modesty, like a delicate water lily swaying in the breeze, evoked a protectiveness in him.
Because of Lingyin and their engagement, Lin Xiu had been restrained, avoiding flirtations. But with Caiyi, he couldn’t resist, just to see that charming blush.
Seeing her speechless shyness, he changed the subject, “So, Pear Blossom Courtyard must stay open. Otherwise, my wish to hear you sing forever will be dashed. Tell me, what troubles are you facing? If I can help, I will.”
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
Caiyi collected herself, “It’s a matter of money. The rent is high, and most of our earnings go towards it. The rest barely covers the troupe’s expenses. The owner is kind, taking in homeless children, hoping to teach them singing as a livelihood. But with business as it is, and so many mouths to feed, we’re struggling…”
The theater world was a pyramid scheme.
Top performers commanded high fees, while most troupes barely scraped by.
An idea struck Lin Xiu.
He looked at Caiyi, “If it’s just a matter of livelihood, let them come to the Lin Estate. I’m hiring servants. No special skills required, just basic chores like serving tea and cleaning.”
For safety, he’d dismissed his staff, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. Ah Yue and Aunt Wang couldn’t manage everything.
These girls, with clean backgrounds, were trustworthy. It solved both his and the theater’s problems. A win-win situation.
Caiyi’s eyes widened, “Would they be suitable?”
Lin Xiu nodded, “Perfectly. They won’t be indentured, and their wages will be paid monthly. They can leave anytime. After a few years, they’ll receive severance pay, enough for a dowry or to start a small business.”
Caiyi hurried downstairs to inform the owner, who rushed up, “Is this true, Young Master Lin?”
“Of course,” Lin Xiu replied, “Unless you object?”
“No, no!” The owner beamed, “It’s a blessing! Anything is better than being a performer, toiling endlessly for a meager living. How many do you need? Caiyi and I will choose the most capable and sensible ones…”
…
In the end, Lin Xiu selected eight girls, aged thirteen to sixteen, all orphans taken in by the troupe. As they walked back to the Lin Estate, each clutching a small bundle, their wide eyes held a mix of curiosity, anticipation, worry, and awe.
Upon arriving, Lin Xiu noticed the increased security.
Guards were stationed every fifty meters near his home, double the usual frequency.
This area, a hub for the wealthy and influential, had become the safest place in the capital.
But something else was different.
Slumped against the eastern wall was an old beggar, ragged and dirty, dozing. He occupied Da Huang’s usual spot. Normally, the dog would have chased any beggar away, but today, Da Huang lay by the gate, whimpering at Lin Xiu upon his arrival, complaining about the usurper. It had tried to resist, but the beggar’s glare had sent it scurrying.
Lin Xiu glanced at the beggar, then at a middle-aged man selling pancakes nearby.
Street vendors were common in this area, but this man’s pancakes were atrocious, a gooey, unappetizing mess. Even a dog wouldn’t eat them.
With such skills, he should have starved long ago.
If this man wasn’t a Secret Investigation Department agent, Lin Xiu would eat his entire stall.
Despite his suspicions, Lin Xiu gave nothing away, merely glancing at the two before leading the girls inside.
After he entered, the beggar straightened, shuffled over to the pancake vendor, and slumped down again, muttering, “Do you think he noticed us?”
The vendor, flipping a disastrous pancake, whispered, “Impossible. Our disguises are perfect.”
The beggar pondered, “I suppose you’re right.”
The vendor put down his spatula, “Try one of my pancakes. I think they’re quite good.”
The beggar looked at the sticky, black concoction bubbling in the pan.
He turned and retched against the wall.
For the latest updates, visit ProNovels.com. Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB.
