Hibiscus as a Painting

Chapter 147

As dusk settled, the servants lit the lamps early. Jun Lin, Si Kou Xun Xiang, Prince Anle, and Dugu Xi Hui sat at different angles, their anxiety barely concealed. They stayed by the room, unable to find a solution.

Zi Jin's pulse was abnormal. The doctors could only tell that she had a fever by observation, but they could not feel her pulse. Seeing the anxious and worried expressions on Jun Lin and the other three people's faces, they dared not make any wild guesses or prescribe any medicine.

Lou Shuo strode in, frowned as he glanced at Zi Jin on the bed, and whispered to Dugu Xihui, "Reporting to Master, the Yu family members outside are requesting an audience."

Anle Wang and Jun Lin both looked at Dugu Xi Hui at the same time. Si Kou Xun Xiang was wearing a bamboo hat, and a long veil covered his face and silver hair. Even so, one could still sense that he paused slightly.

Dugu Xihui squinted at Lou Shuo for a moment: "What do they want?"

"The Yu family has heard about the young lady's illness... and it seems they want to take her back to the manor to recuperate..." Lou Shuo said, his voice trembling as he braved the biting wind.

Dugu Xihui suddenly stood up: "They want to take this opportunity to coerce me into releasing the people?... Now that all the doctors from Shanzhong Town are here, what good solutions could they possibly have?!"

Prince Anle raised his eyes and glanced at Lou Shuo: "What did the people who came say?"

"The messenger said that ordinary doctors cannot treat the young lady's illness. He has a way to bring down her fever, but she must return to Cangyu Manor first," Lou Shuo said, enunciating each word carefully, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

Jun Lin's phoenix eyes narrowed dangerously into slits: "They want to take this opportunity to coerce the release of the people."

"My lords, you have misunderstood." With light and soft footsteps, a man dressed in coarse white clothes entered. His long hair was black with a reddish tinge in the light, and his skin was as smooth as cream, even more delicate than a woman's. Beneath his beautifully painted eyebrows were a pair of captivating emerald eyes, clear as crystal and as alluring as the night. His tall and slender figure exuded a bewitching charm.

Anle Wang and Jun Lin's pupils contracted again and again. Although this person's eyes were emerald green, his appearance and hair color were exactly the same as Xi Bao's back then. However, back then, Xi Bao always lowered her head and bowed, appearing humble and subservient. Now, standing upright, she exuded a lot more charisma and the charm that a man should have.

"Are all the servants in the Yu family as unruly as you?" Dugu Xihui sneered.

Bao Xian smiled humbly and bowed his head slightly, saying, "My lord, please don't be angry. I was only afraid that you might misunderstand my lady's good intentions, which is why I was so presumptuous. Although my Yu family wants to take Miss back, it's only to help her recover, not to coerce her. My lady said that if you gentlemen don't mind, you can all come and stay at Cangyu Manor for a while. Once Miss is fully recovered, whether she stays or goes is up to you. If Miss wishes to travel with any of the gentlemen, my lady will not stop her in the slightest."

"Very well! Since Madam Yu is so sincere, then I shall respectfully comply." Although she spoke so politely, Dugu Xihui's expression remained as aloof as ever.

Bao Xian said no more, raising his eyes to look at the bed. When he saw Zi Jin's appearance, he was shocked, but dared not make a sound. He walked over step by step, sat down on the edge of the bed without any ceremony, and reached out to feel her pulse. His brows furrowed more and more: "Why is the coldness in your body so heavy?... Miss has been too playful, and has disturbed the lords..."

Although the words were spoken subtly, there was an undeniable sense of reproach in the tone.

Bao Xian's expression was solemn. He reached out and wrapped Zi Jin in the quilt, but when he reached out to hug her, he was stopped by someone.

Jun Lin's smile was polite yet distant, but there was no hint of amusement in his phoenix eyes: "No need to trouble this young master, I can handle it myself."

Bao Xian glanced at Jun Lin, then stepped aside and bowed, saying, "The carriage is outside. I will take Miss with me first. My lords, please tidy up. Someone will come to meet you soon."

“No need, I’ll go with Jin’er,” Jun Lin said, picking up Zi Jin and striding towards the door.

Bao Xian smiled politely at everyone and quickly followed Jun Lin's footsteps.

After watching Jun Lin carry Zi Jin away, Dugu Xi Hui and Prince Anle exchanged a glance, both seeing the necessary wariness and calculation in each other's eyes. The only one wearing a veil, Si Kou Xun Xiang, kept his head turned towards the door.

Jun Lin sat in the carriage that had been prepared, but he still did not put down Zi Jin, whom he held tightly in his arms. His phoenix eyes were full of vigilance as he secretly observed Bao Xian without making a sound.

Outside the carriage, Qi Yongyue, Jun Lin's personal guard, was utterly helpless against Jun Lin's capriciousness. Now, disguised and without any support, the Yu family, deeply entrenched in this lawless mountain town, was not to be shaken easily. Yet his prince was recklessly placing himself in such a dangerous situation. What would he do if something happened to him? Even death would not absolve him of responsibility. Compared to his prince's impulsiveness, the fox-like Dugu Xihui and the even more cunning Sikou brothers must have devised a foolproof plan before entering the Yu family's territory.

Halfway down the road, Bao Xian felt extremely uncomfortable under Jun Lin's gaze, which was more painful than killing him. In the end, she couldn't help but give Jun Lin a harmless smile.

But this harmless smile presented a completely different picture to Jun Lin. The person opposite him had red lips, white teeth, and skin as smooth as jade—exactly the look Zi Jin liked best. His feigned innocent and obedient demeanor was practically identical to Jun Chi's from years ago, especially since this person was Xi Bao, who had been with Zi Jin for four years. Although those emerald green eyes were truly strange, Zi Jin had a penchant for the unusual, and perhaps these unique eyes would make her even more fond of him.

After the carriage arrived at Cangyu Manor, Jun Lin carried Zi Jin down from the carriage, and Bao Xian led the way in the darkness with a lantern. After walking for the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Bao Xian stopped at a small archway and smiled innocently at Jun Lin, who was still holding Zi Jin: "Your Highness, would you like to hand over your mistress to Bao Xian first?"

Jun Lin's phoenix eyes sharpened: "How should it be treated? Are you saying I can't even watch over it?"

Bao Xian lowered his head slightly: "My master wants to take a medicinal bath. Your Highness and I have no official title, so how can you approve?"

"You!...Do you even have a legitimate status?" Jun Lin's face gradually darkened.

Bao Xian bowed and said, "Ever since you entered the palace, I have been serving you in your daily life. This is how it should be done both inside and outside the palace. This is the duty of a servant."

Bao Xian's composed demeanor earlier had left an indelible impression on Jun Lin, causing Jun Lin's hostility towards her to gradually rise. Now, however, she was acting as if she were bowing and scraping like she had back then, her acting skills comparable to Jun Chi's back then. Jun Lin's phoenix eyes were filled with murderous intent as he coldly said, "How do I know if you are genuine or not?"

"Judging from His Highness's tone, it seems he has designs on my Jin'er." A lantern lit up, and Madam Yu, dressed in a formal outfit, looked much younger, but the wrinkles on her face could not be hidden.

“That’s natural.” Jun Lin turned around and nodded politely. “To be honest, Madam, that’s exactly why I’ve come here.”

Madam Yu lowered her eyes slightly, as if sighing softly: "I am pleased to hear what Your Highness is thinking, but should we hand Jin'er over to Bao Xian first?"

“I don’t trust him.” Jun Lin looked directly at Madam Yu and said this neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Old Master Yu smiled slightly: "Bao Xian was sent to the palace at the age of twelve and had his body castrated, so Your Highness can rest assured."

Jun Lin glanced at Bao Xian before reluctantly handing Zi Jin, who was wrapped tightly in the brocade quilt, to Bao Xian's arms. During this time, Bao Xian kept his head down so that no one could see his face.

After watching Bao Xian and Zi Jin enter through the archway, Jun Lin looked at Madam Yu, his hostility lessening considerably: "Judging from the old lady's words just now, it seems she intends to help me achieve my goal?"

Madam Yu stepped forward, standing three steps away from Jun Lin: "Jin'er is the only descendant of my Yu family, and I naturally want to give her the best possible future. I have seen His Highness's feelings for my Jin'er these past few days, and I understand them perfectly well. However, there are two things that His Highness must understand. First, His Highness must know what kind of formidable rival you are vying for Jin'er's affections. Second, Jin'er's own wishes are also very important. If she has His Highness in her heart, I will be overjoyed; if she does not... this old woman will not force her."

"As for the two points you mentioned, Madam, I... Jun Lin has considered them. They no longer have the right to compete with me for Jin'er, and in a while, they won't have time to fight me anymore. As for Jin'er herself, she no longer rejects me, so... Madam can rest assured and entrust Jin'er to me. I, Jun Lin, swear to heaven that I would rather die than betray her in this life." Jun Lin's phoenix eyes were fixed on Madam Yu, his eyes full of sincerity and determination.

Madam Yu stared blankly at Jun Lin, her eyes gradually reddening: "Good...good child, since you are so determined, I will entrust Jin'er to you with peace of mind. Tomorrow...tomorrow, my Cangyu Manor will accept your betrothal gifts."

“Bride…betrothal gifts.” Jun Lin stared blankly at Madam Yu.

Madam Yu smiled kindly at Jun Lin and patted his arm gently: "Silly child, although I, this old woman, can't decide on other things, I can still set a title for you two little rascals. What... don't you want to?"

Jun Lin's phoenix eyes widened: "I...I'm willing! Thank you for your kindness, Madam."

Madam Yu, the mother-in-law, scrutinized Jun Lin from head to toe as if he were her son-in-law, her satisfaction evident. Then she turned to the maid behind her and said, "Wutong, take His Highness back to his room first."

Jun Lin glanced at the tightly closed archway: "No, I'll wait for Jin'er to come out first."

Madam Yu smiled and said, "Jin'er will need to soak in a medicinal bath for at least six hours, followed by acupuncture. With all that, she won't be out for less than ten hours. Your Highness would be better off using this time to rest and prepare a congratulatory gift."

Jun Lin thought for a moment, then smiled sincerely at Madam Yu: "I will follow Madam's arrangements."