When Lin Shuying woke again, she found herself in a jolting, bumpy carriage.
Her hands and feet were bound, and a cloth was stuffed in her mouth.
The carriage was pitch-dark, with only a sliver of light seeping through the door crack.
Her heart sank—she’d been kidnapped in broad daylight?
It seemed Little Lin Manor would need to hire a few more guards.
Ah, she’d been careless too.
The estate had been peaceful for so long that she’d let her guard down—she’d actually been working alone in the fields.
What now?
She tried moving her wrists—the ropes were tied tight.
Just as anxiety gripped her, the carriage suddenly stopped.
Voices came from outside.
“Did you bring her?” a rough, hoarse male voice asked.
“Brought her—fresh and tender. She’ll fetch a good price.” It was the same man’s voice from before.
“Let’s check the goods.”
The carriage door was pulled open, and bright light flooded in.
Lin Shuying squinted and saw two men standing outside.
One of them had a face full of flesh and studied her for a moment before nodding in satisfaction: “Not bad. Same as usual—twenty taels.”
“Twenty taels is too low,” the other man haggled. “This is a young lady from a wealthy family—soft and delicate…”
“Wealthy family?” The fleshy-faced man sneered. “That makes it more trouble. Thirty taels—can’t go higher.”
“Deal!”
The two were about to finalize the transaction when the rapid thunder of hooves suddenly sounded in the distance.
“Someone’s coming!” The man’s face changed.
The fleshy-faced man panicked too: “Quick—hide her!”
But it was too late.
A chestnut horse galloped toward them, its rider clad in red—none other than Zhao Di’er.
She spotted the bound Lin Shuying at once, her brows slanting in fury: “Let her go!”
The two men exchanged glances and drew their blades.
“Little girl, mind your own business!”
Zhao Di’er sneered, dismounted in a single motion, and drew her longsword: “You’re asking for it!”
Her swordplay was lightning-fast—in just a few moves, she had driven both men back.
The man who had pretended to be a farmer tried to run, but she kicked him to the ground and pressed her sword tip to his throat.
“Spare me! Please, spare me!” the man wailed, terrified.
Seeing this, the fleshy-faced man turned and fled.
Zhao Di’er was about to give chase when she heard Lin Shuying making muffled sounds.
She whirled around—and her face went pale.
Out of nowhere, three more men had appeared and were dragging Lin Shuying onto another carriage!
“Put her down!” Zhao Di’er dashed after them.
Seeing her coming, one of the three pulled out a bamboo tube and blew—several fine needles shot toward her.
Zhao Di’er swung her sword to deflect them, but she was a beat too slow—one needle struck her shoulder.
She grunted in pain, her movements faltering.
In that split second, the three men had already hauled Lin Shuying onto the carriage and whipped the horses into a gallop.
Zhao Di’er gritted her teeth, mounted her horse, and gave chase without hesitation.
The wound on her shoulder began to go numb—the needle was poisoned.
But she had no time to care.
After chasing for two or three li, she finally caught up to the carriage at the edge of a forest.
Zhao Di’er spurred her horse to the front of the carriage and severed the reins with one slash of her sword.
The startled horses bolted, and the carriage overturned.
The three men scrambled out. Seeing Zhao Di’er standing there swaying, their eyes turned vicious.
“Damned woman—you’re asking to die!”
The three attacked at once.
Zhao Di’er, deeply affected by the poison, moved slower and slower. Gritting her teeth, she held on, but more wounds appeared on her body.
Just as she was about to give out, the sound of hooves came from the distance.
It was Lin Jingshen and Wei Fuyu!
They had brought the estate’s servants in pursuit!
“Zhao Di’er!” Lin Jingshen saw her covered in blood, and with no sign of his sister, his killing intent surged. “You bastards! I’ll kill you all!”
He charged on horseback, his longsword like a rainbow—and cut down one of the men in an instant.
Wei Fuyu was equally formidable—her long staff whirling with ferocious gusts of wind.
Seeing the tide turn against them, the three tried to flee, but they were already surrounded.
The fight ended swiftly.
Lin Jingshen rushed over to support Zhao Di’er: “Di’er! How are you?”
Zhao Di’er’s face was pale, and she managed a faint smile: “I’m fine…”
“And Shuying?” Lin Jingshen’s eyes were frantic with worry.
“I’m here.” Lin Shuying crawled out of the overturned carriage—she had already worn through the ropes binding her wrists and ankles.
She ran over to Zhao Di’er and saw the wound on her shoulder turning dark; her heart clenched.
“It’s poisoned.” She pulled aside Zhao Di’er’s collar—the wound had already swollen.
“I’ll get a doctor!” Lin Jingshen said urgently.
“No time.” Lin Shuying was calm. “Back to the estate—get the green porcelain bottle from my room, along with clean cloth and hot water!”
“Yes!”
She turned to Wei Fuyu: “Fuyu, hold her steady for me. I need to extract the poisoned needle first.”
Wei Fuyu quickly complied.
Lin Shuying cut open the wound with a dagger, carefully removed the poisoned needle, then pressed a clean handkerchief against Zhao Di’er’s chest and squeezed out the poisoned blood. Only when the blood turned a normal color did she let out a long breath.
“Let’s get back to the estate first.”
— —
By the time they returned to the estate, night had fallen.
Lin Shuying tended to Zhao Di’er personally—changing her dressings and brewing a fever-reducing, detoxifying herbal decoction for her to drink.
After Zhao Di’er fell asleep, Lin Shuying stepped out of the room and saw Lin Jingshen standing guard outside the door, his eyes red-rimmed.
“Second Brother,” she said softly, “Miss Zhao is out of danger. A few days of rest and she’ll recover.”
Lin Jingshen nodded, silent for a long moment, then suddenly said: “Little sister, am I… a real asshole?”
Lin Shuying said nothing.
“She chased me three thousand li, and I never once gave her a kind word. But today… she nearly gave her life to save you.” Lin Jingshen’s voice cracked. “I used to think she was annoying, domineering, just trying to force me into an uxorilocal marriage… but today I finally see—she’s genuine.”
Lin Shuying patted his shoulder: “It’s not too late to realize that now.”
“But will she ever forgive me?”
“That depends on what you do from now on.”
Lin Jingshen took a deep breath, his gaze resolute: “I’m not running anymore. When she’s better, I’ll tell her straight—I can’t marry into her family, but from now on… I can marry her. If she’s not willing… then I’ll let it go.”
Lin Shuying smiled.
Her second brother had finally come to his senses.
“Oh, by the way,” she remembered, “those human traffickers…”
“Handed over to the authorities,” Wei Fuyu said, walking over. “The magistrate said this is a major case and will be dealt with severely. Don’t worry—they won’t dare come back.”
Lin Shuying nodded, but she still felt a lingering fear.
If it hadn’t been for Zhao Di’er today, she might have…
“Fuyu,” she said seriously, “starting tomorrow, we need to tighten security around the estate. When you train the servants, add some defensive drills.”
“No problem!” Wei Fuyu pounded her chest. “Leave it to me!”
Night had grown deep.
Lin Shuying returned to her room but couldn’t fall asleep.
Today’s events had been a wake-up call.
The estate was becoming more famous, and more eyes were watching it.
Relying solely on Wei Fuyu and Zhao Di’er wasn’t enough—she needed more comprehensive defenses.
She had to figure something out.
Just as she was thinking, the familiar tapping came from the window.
Xiao Shengrui was here again.
The young man wore an unusual look of anxiety on his face: “I heard what happened—are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Lin Shuying felt a warmth in her heart. “Your Highness is well-informed.”
“That’s what the Listening Wind Pavilion is for.” Xiao Shengrui studied her, making sure she was truly unharmed, then let out a breath of relief. “Those traffickers have connections—they’re not ordinary kidnappers. I’ve already sent people to investigate—don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“No need to thank me.” Xiao Shengrui paused. “But Shuying, this estate of yours… it won’t be peaceful from now on.”
Lin Shuying smiled wryly: “I know.”
“Do you need me to send some men?”
Lin Shuying thought for a moment, then shook her head: “No. I have Fuyu, and now Miss Zhao too—that’s enough.”
Xiao Shengrui didn’t press further; he only said: “If you ever need anything, call on me at any time.”
He left some medicine for wounds and departed quickly.
Lin Shuying stood at the window, watching his figure vanish into the night.
She later learned that every time Xiao Shengrui climbed over the wall, he had two secret guards with him—one to create diversions and draw away the night patrols, and the other to watch over him from afar.
The Empress actually knew about it but turned a blind eye.
That was before, though.
Ever since Xiao Shengrui passed his thirteenth birthday, the Empress had laid down a strict rule: he could leave the palace, but through the front gate, with guards—no more climbing walls.
After that, he had come to Little Lin Manor by carriage instead, and A Li had gotten into the habit of leaving the gate unlocked for him.
Lin Shuying clutched the bottle of medicine, her feelings a tangled mix.
That night, sleep eluded many.
In the western guest room, Zhao Di’er lay in a drowsy slumber, with Lin Jingshen keeping watch by her bedside.
In the courtyard, Wei Fuyu led the servants on patrol, her gaze alert.
In the study, Lin Shuying spread out paper and brush and began sketching a defense map for the estate.
Moonlight poured like water across the courtyard.
The lights of Little Lin Manor burned through the entire night.
— —
On the seventh day of Zhao Di’er’s recovery at Little Lin Manor, she was already able to get up and move around.
Lin Jingshen had stayed by her side every single day, bringing tea and water, feeding her meals and changing her bandages—so attentive it was almost embarrassing.
Wei Fuyu had privately joked to Lin Shuying: “Has your second brother had a change of heart? He used to avoid her like the plague—now he’s like a loyal dog.”
Lin Shuying smiled but said nothing.
Matters of the heart were like drinking water—one knew best whether it was hot or cold. Her second brother had been slow to catch on, but once he did, he was steadfast and wouldn’t let go.
But… Lin Shuying couldn’t shake the feeling that ever since Zhao Di’er had confirmed she really was her second brother’s sister and not a romantic interest, she’d been acting oddly.
It was the kind of “odd” where she’d avoid her but couldn’t help showing concern.
Still, Lin Shuying didn’t have much time to dwell on it—she had “big plans” to attend to.
One afternoon, Zhao Di’er sat under the corridor soaking up the sun, while Lin Jingshen peeled an apple beside her.
His knife skills were atrocious—the apple came out pitted and uneven, looking like it had been gnawed by a dog.
“Alright, alright, stop peeling,” Zhao Di’er couldn’t take it anymore. “If you peel any more, there’ll be nothing left but the core.”
Lin Jingshen sheepishly stopped and handed it over: “Here—eat.”
Zhao Di’er took it and bit in. The sweet-tart juice melted in her mouth.
She watched the busy laborers in the courtyard and suddenly asked: “Where’s Shuying?”
Lin Jingshen looked around but didn’t see his sister: “She’s been busy lately—don’t worry about her.”
Zhao Di’er was silent for a moment, then took another bite: “Lin Jingshen… there’s something I need to tell you…”
“What?” Lin Jingshen asked obliviously, still holding a clean cloth to wipe her hands.
Zhao Di’er awkwardly pulled her hand away: “The people who kidnapped your sister… I’m the one who attracted them…”
The two stared at each other, neither speaking for a long moment.
Inside the doorway, Lin Shuying frowned and stopped Wei Fuyu from charging out. What did she mean by “attracted them”?
“I…” Zhao Di’er stood up, her eyes filled with guilt as she looked at Lin Jingshen’s wide-eyed stare. “I was hanging around the black market… and I happened to chat with someone at a teahouse about the young lady at Little Lin Manor…”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen!” Zhao Di’er reached for his hand, but he shook her off.
“Zhao Di’er!” Lin Jingshen pointed at the blushing girl, his jaw clenched, and said harshly, “Leave. And never… appear before me again!”
“I didn’t mean to!” Zhao Di’er’s eyes reddened. “I’d been near Little Lin Manor for those two days—I saw that man approaching… and I followed him! I never thought they’d actually act on it! I’m sorry! I know I was wrong!”
“Get out.” Lin Jingshen’s face turned cold.
Zhao Di’er bit her lip, stubbornly holding his gaze: “I—I’ll apologize to your sister, and then…”
“No need!” Lin Jingshen roared, pointing at the gate. “Leave!”
“Yes, there is.” Lin Shuying stepped out, her expression equally stern. She took Zhao Di’er’s arm, glanced at her second brother, and said in a low, reprimanding tone, “For the sake of your own feelings, you nearly cost me my life—that was wrong. You owe me an apology.”
“I’m so sorry!” Zhao Di’er bowed deeply and remained bent for a long time. “It was—it was all my fault.”
“If apologies were enough, what would we need the authorities for?” Lin Shuying helped her straighten up. “But you did save me. I can let it go—provided you stay to ‘atone.’”
“Shuying!” Wei Fuyu stamped her foot in frustration. “Why keep her? Send her to the authorities!”
Lin Jingshen looked at his sister, his guilt deepening.
“Are you willing to stay at Little Lin Manor until… I’ve truly forgiven you?” Lin Shuying ignored the others, quietly meeting Zhao Di’er’s reddened eyes. “Are you?”
Zhao Di’er glanced at Lin Jingshen and nodded solemnly: “I am.”
“Then good—from now on, the security of Little Lin Manor is in your hands.”
“Sister…”
“Shuying?”
“Enough—I’ve already settled it with Miss Zhao.” Lin Shuying patted Zhao Di’er’s hand, still scabbed over. “But you’ll have to pay for room and board.”
“I will! Double!” Zhao Di’er bowed again, both grateful and ashamed. “Don’t worry! Once—once I’ve atoned! When I go home, I’ll have my father give me a good beating—to satisfy you!”
“Forget it.” Lin Jingshen muttered from the side. “Since you went to the black market and happened upon that ‘teahouse,’ come with me to raid the place! Turn them over to the authorities—that’ll count as your atonement. Dare you?”
“Of course! My wounds are healed!” Zhao Di’er knew he still harbored resentment and didn’t mind his tone, vowing solemnly, “We’ll clean them out completely!”
Lin Jingshen still wanted to say something to his sister, but she just gave him a small nod and a smile, so he swallowed the words stuck in his throat.
She really had… grown up.
Ah, once this all settled down, he’d go home and take a proper punishment from the family—it would make him feel better.
Later, those “teahouses” in the black market that dealt in human trafficking and abducted women and children were indeed cleaned out thoroughly. The authorities even made a special visit to thank their father and mother for raising such a chivalrous son.
It was her third brother who told her that Second Brother had been beaten so badly by their father and eldest brother that he’d been bedridden for half a month.
Lin Shuying didn’t exactly sympathize with her second brother—and she didn’t have time to worry about anyone else, because… she truly was about to do something big!
Leave a Reply