Chapter 146: Valiant and Battle-Hardened
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“We can’t just ignore this!” Yu Jingxiao said through clenched teeth. “General Xiao is one of the finest commanders in the kingdom. If he dies, the Yidian people will grow even more brazen... But Guard Lin, you must be careful too. If things become too dangerous, then—”
Before he could finish, Lin Hongda had already charged forward, saber in hand.
Yu Jingxiao: “...”
Could you at least let me finish speaking?
The other guards were unwilling to fall behind and rushed forward as well.
While helping the young girl lift General Xiao into the carriage, Yu Jingxiao kept glancing back anxiously.
As it turned out, he had still underestimated Lin Hongda.
Not only did Lin Hongda and the other guards drive the Yidian people away, they even captured one of them and brought him back bound hand and foot.
On their side, only two guards had suffered minor injuries.
“Young Master, the Yidian people have all retreated,” Lin Hongda reported.
Yu Jingxiao let out a sigh of relief. “Guard Lin, I’ve discovered that you’re even more formidable than I imagined! You didn’t show the slightest fear when facing the supposedly fierce and battle-hardened Yidian people!”
“Fierce and battle-hardened?” Lin Hongda recalled the encounter. “Their skills are indeed quite impressive.”
If there had been several more of them, he might not have been so confident.
“Father!” The girl’s anguished cry rang out again. When they looked over, they saw that General Xiao had completely lost consciousness.
“Quick! Pick up the pace and get to the inn ahead immediately!”
“Yes!”
...
The battle between Lin Wenyan and An Yu over sweet and savory rice dumplings ended with Lin Wenyan’s victory.
Of course, the two had not truly fought. They had merely exchanged a few casual moves.
With a look of utter reluctance, An Yu allowed Lin Wenyan to stuff a meat-filled rice dumpling into his mouth.
The meal was ready, but Liao Shuxia suddenly frowned and clutched at her chest.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Lin Sangqian came over to support her.
“I’m fine,” Liao Shuxia said. “I just suddenly felt rather uneasy.”
Then her expression changed. Gripping Lin Sangqian’s hand, she said, “Could something have happened to your father?”
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Lin Sangqian froze, then shook her head. “That’s impossible. My father is so capable, and Young Master Yu has brought other guards with him. What could happen to them?”
“That’s true...” Liao Shuxia murmured. “Nothing will happen. They should be back in a few days.”
As everyone was eating, two men dressed in black suddenly landed in the courtyard.
“Who’s there?” Everyone was startled. Lin Wenyan immediately rose to his feet and shouted angrily, “What are you doing in our home?”
“Don’t panic, don’t panic.” An Yu hurriedly stood and tried to reassure them. “They’re with us.”
With us? Lin Sangqian was stunned. Were they Guan Yanqing’s subordinates?
The two men in black paid no attention to anyone else. They hurried over to Guan Yanqing, bowed hastily, then stepped forward and whispered something into his ear.
Guan Yanqing’s expression did not change, but he set down the chopsticks in his hand.
“Master Guan,” Lin Sangqian said as she rose and looked at him. “Has something happened?”
“It’s nothing.”
Guan Yanqing rarely smiled, and there was a hint of reassurance in that smile.
“Just a minor matter. I have to leave first.”
It was a major holiday, and they had been eating the meal Lin Sangqian had prepared. Yet he was suddenly leaving and claiming it was only a minor matter?
No one really believed him.
Still, since Guan Yanqing clearly did not wish to explain, they naturally refrained from pressing him. Lin Sangqian and Lin Wenyan accompanied them outside.
The moment Guan Yanqing stepped beyond the Lin family’s gates, his expression turned cold and stern.
“Is it true?”
“Yes. We just received a message by carrier pigeon. General Xiao’s mother has passed away. He took his daughter home for the funeral, but they suddenly disappeared on the way back. No one can find them now. The brothers suspect they may have fallen into an ambush laid by the Yidian people.”
An Yu’s expression changed. “General Xiao has guarded the border between the Great Glory Kingdom and Yidian for years, keeping the Yidian people from invading. It would be only natural for them to resent him. If they truly attacked General Xiao, then that means...”
Killing intent erupted in Guan Yanqing’s eyes, utterly unlike his usual detached and refined demeanor.
The flames of war were probably about to rise once more.
He glanced back at the small courtyard of the Lin family, then turned and climbed into the carriage.
Within the Lin family’s courtyard, everyone felt uneasy after the sudden appearance of the two men in black and Guan Yanqing’s departure.
“What in the world happened?” Zhao Lan’er asked, looking from Lin Sangqian to Lin Wenyan.
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“Don’t worry yourselves,” Liao Shuxia said, stepping forward to calm everyone as the oldest person present. “Since Master Guan said everything is fine, we shouldn’t frighten ourselves for no reason.”
She was usually rather lively and carefree, but when it truly mattered, she could still display the dignity of an elder.
Though she was frightened herself. After all, her husband was still out there...
Lin Sangqian quietly asked Kang Ya, “Do you know what Master Guan’s true identity is?”
Kang Ya shook her head. “I only know that he came from the capital. I don’t know why, but he seems to have known Jingxiao since childhood... Oh, that’s right. Jingxiao lived in the capital for two years when he was young. They probably met back then. Everyone says he has a noble status, but I don’t know exactly what it is.”
Lin Sangqian was somewhat disappointed. If she knew Guan Yanqing’s identity, she might be able to infer what had happened. But as things stood, she had no clue.
Never mind. There was no point in dwelling on it.
All she could do was hope that Lin Hongda and Yu Jingxiao, still away from home, would return safely.
...
As soon as the Dragon Boat Festival ended, Imperial Physician Sun came to find Lin Sangqian.
He had carefully studied the anti-inflammatory medicine she had given him. Although he still did not know why it could cure the illness afflicting the townspeople, he could at least confirm that it was harmless. For that reason, he was willing to let Lin Sangqian give it a try.
Lu Chengren volunteered to use Fulfilled Fortune Restaurant as the place where the townspeople could receive the medicine.
Before long, a long line had formed outside the restaurant.
Lin Sangqian mysteriously drew Imperial Physician Sun aside and asked, “Imperial Physician Sun, are you and Master Guan very close? You were even willing to travel all the way out here for him.”
Imperial Physician Sun froze, then answered vaguely, “We get along well enough. It’s all right.”
Whether they were close or not, how could he possibly refuse when Guan Yanqing summoned him?
If he truly provoked that man’s anger, the roof of the Imperial Medical Academy might well be torn off...
“What has he been busy with these past few days?” Lin Sangqian asked again.
She had no interest in Guan Yanqing’s private affairs. But judging from what had happened on the Dragon Boat Festival, something serious might truly have occurred. With Lin Hongda still away, she had no choice but to remain cautious.
Imperial Physician Sun had come from the capital and had been summoned by Guan Yanqing. Perhaps he knew something.
“I don’t know either,” Imperial Physician Sun said innocently. “He doesn’t tell me about his affairs.”
Lin Sangqian was disappointed. At that moment, Yang Shi came running over, gasping for breath.
“Sangqian, hurry home! Miss Zhao has come to see you. She says your father is back!”
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