In the end, Lu Yinxi failed to keep up with the medicinal diet.
If you have to find the reason, you can only blame the enemy for being too powerful!
The words Shang Luoshu whispered in her ear yesterday and the ticklish sensation of his breath on her collarbone still lingered vividly in her memory!
"Since Xi'er is so insistent, how about Xi'er feeding me the medicinal diet from now on just like today?"
After saying that, he gently bit her collarbone.
The stiff sensation beneath her, combined with his highly suggestive actions, made Lu Yinxi absolutely suspect that this was a blatant threat!
But unfortunately, she couldn't defeat him, so she had no choice but to surrender.
"Miss?"
Seeing the Fourth Miss standing in a daze in the pavilion early in the morning with a blushing face, Hongrui called out to her with concern, "What's wrong with you, Miss?"
"Nothing. I just want to ask if you're free today?"
Although Hongrui was Lu Yinxi's maid, since Shang Luoshu got injured, she and Hongmei had spent most of their time taking care of him.
"I'll be free after I send the morning medicine to the master," Hongrui replied honestly.
Hearing this, the young girl's eyes immediately lit up. "Great! Then after you're done, could you come to my courtyard and teach me kung fu?"
After these days, Lu Yinxi had a very clear understanding of her own strength. She knew kung fu, but could only show off in front of ordinary people. If she encountered a master, she would be a complete burden.
Although she had the language spirit skill as a backup, it was really a tactic of "killing one thousand enemies and losing eight hundred of one's own", and she didn't want to worry Shang Luoshu anymore. So she wanted to reduce her dependence on the language spirit.
In that case, the only way was to improve her own strength!
Hearing her request, Hongrui paused slightly, then solemnly agreed. "But please go back to the courtyard first, Miss. Let this servant send the decoction to the master. I'll come right away."
Lu Yinxi readily agreed and turned to leave.
As for seeing Shang Luoshu... she'd wait until the mark on her collarbone faded.
Shang Luoshu was discussing the situation in the capital with Lin Zihan in the room. Even though his body hadn't fully recovered, there were some things he couldn't escape.
Seeing Hongrui bring the decoction, the man drank it all in one gulp without changing his expression, then continued the previous topic.
"I've sent a letter to Chen Guang about our arrival in Longxi. I'm sure the emperor and Prime Minister Lu will receive the news soon. But the most urgent thing now isn't this..."
"Your Highness is referring to the great victory in Yangxian?"
Lin Zihan complemented what he was about to say tacitly.
Although neither of them had received definite news about this, if the whole incident in Yangxian was regarded as a scheme, then the conclusion they had just reached was obvious.
"After the great victory in Yangxian, the emperor will surely bestow rewards. In that case, it won't be so easy for His Majesty to take back the military power of those hundreds of thousands of troops."
The best way at this time was to make the leading general "disgraced", whether it was true or not. But Shang Mozheng must have thought of this too, so this matter might not be easy to handle.
Shang Luoshu tapped his knuckles on the table one after another, clearly at a loss.
At this time, Lin Zihan suddenly spoke again. "Your Highness, rather than worrying about the emperor's rewards, have you ever thought about what the Regent will do next if his plan goes smoothly?"
If Shang Mozheng's plan was successful, he would have hundreds of thousands of troops in his hands. This was only the visible part. Coupled with his popularity among the people, and the fact that the emperor had "happened" to make mistakes in government affairs.
If he were to raise his arm and call at this time, the consequences...
"I'll immediately order Chen Guang to pay more attention to the movements of the Regent's private troops."
"Your Highness knows where the Regent's private troops are located?"
Lin Zihan asked subconsciously.
Shang Luoshu shook his head silently. He only knew that Shang Mozheng had an army hidden in the suburbs of the capital before. There were many mountains there, which could best cover people's tracks.
But from the Guangling Uprising, he found that the private troops secretly raised by Shang Mozheng were far more than those in the capital. There were probably quite a few hidden in the south of the Yangtze River.
The south was rich in products and far from the capital, so it was not easy to be discovered.
"The south of the Yangtze River!"
After sending Hongmei back to the capital with the news, only Lin Zihan and Shang Luoshu were left in the room.
"You didn't come to see me today just for these things, did you?"
Noticing his hesitant look, Shang Luoshu took the initiative to break the silence.
Hearing this, Lin Zihan couldn't help but let out a bitter smile. He got up and saluted. "Your Highness has sharp eyes. This official..."
"Don't flatter me," Shang Luoshu interrupted him. He straightened his expression and said coldly, "You've been so hesitant. You must be interceding for Prime Minister Zhang."
The evidence sent by Xia Lingyin involved Zhang Chengen, who was Lin Zihan's teacher and his future father - in - law.
Xia Shouzheng had sent 50,000 taels of silver to Zhang Chengen. His ledger and correspondence all mentioned this matter.
Shang Luoshu had given the evidence to Lin Zihan because he had noticed these things and wanted him to make the decision.
"No!"
Lin Zihan flatly denied it. "Please Your Highness make a fair judgment. This official just thinks that this matter should be investigated in detail. We can't lightly convict Prime Minister Zhang just based on Xia Shouzheng's letters and ledger."
Facing the increasingly stern gaze of the Prince of Jing, he still continued unyieldingly, "Moreover, this official wants to say that he sincerely hopes that Your Highness will hand over this matter to this official completely. If it is really found that the teacher threatens the country, this official will never show any favoritism!"
"If there is any favoritism, this official is willing to be at Your Highness's disposal!"
Since Hongrui was a killer, all the moves she taught Lu Yinxi were killing moves. As long as Lu Yinxi practiced hard, every strike could take a person's life in an instant.
Since Lu Yinxi had some foundation before, she learned relatively quickly. In just one morning, she had completed all the tasks assigned by Teacher Hongrui.
At noon, Hongmei and Hongrui went to decoct medicine and cook medicinal diet for Shang Luoshu again. After Lu Yinxi visited her elder brother and returned to the courtyard, she felt very bored. Just as she was about to go to Shang Luoshu's place for a stroll, Mrs. Su came just then.
During her stay at her uncle's house, Lu Yinxi had seen her aunt more often. As for her two cousins and cousin, she hadn't seen any of them.
"Aunt, why did you come?"
Seeing the visitor, Lu Yinxi immediately stepped forward to greet her.
"I've noticed that Xi'er doesn't go out much these days since you came to the mansion. Do you feel bored?"
Before the young girl could reply, Mrs. Su continued on her own, "Your two elder brothers are always out. Daiyun went to her maternal grandparents' house a few days ago. She probably won't be back for a while. So it's only this old woman who can accompany you."
Daiyun that Mrs. Su mentioned was the legitimate daughter of the Su family.
Hearing this, Lu Yinxi gave a faint smile and replied politely, "I'm just not fond of moving around at home. It's the same now that I'm in Longxi. Aunt, you don't have to take such good care of me."
"How can that be?"
Mrs. Su forcefully took her niece's hand and said disapprovingly, "Since you've come to the Su Mansion, this aunt can't let you feel bored. I'm free today. How about I take you to have a look at the streets of Longxi?"