Lu Jinchen lay dying in the carriage, which was speeding towards the capital.
The coachman was none other than Lord Lin, the imperial son - in - law. He looked back at the curtain fluttering in the wind and felt a twinge of pity. "Jinchen, it's only a day's journey to the capital. It doesn't matter if we slow down the carriage a bit."
Lu Jinchen shook his head weakly. "Hurry up... Mentor..."
Lord Lin said, "You don't have to worry. According to the latest news, Xu Nian has been moved to the Mountain Mausoleum Prison by the queen's order. The prison is heavily guarded. He'll be fine."
Lu Jinchen said hoarsely, "This whole thing is really fishy. If my mentor had stayed in the palace, I wouldn't be worried. But now that he's been moved out, I always feel like someone is well - prepared."
"With your current condition, even if something does happen to him, you can't do anything. Jinchen, after we get back, you don't have to worry about these things. Regarding the matter of the Xu family back then, I'll go to the emperor and plead for a retrial. Now that there's a new person in the Supreme Court of Judicature, I'm sure Lord Guo will clear the Xu family of their grievances."
Lu Jinchen asked, "By that time, will my mentor still be alive?"
Lord Lin stopped and hesitated for a moment before lashing the whip hard.
Lu Jinchen said again, "Uncle - in - law, I have a favor to ask."
Lord Lin nodded. "You and I don't need to be so polite. Just tell me what it is."
Lu Jinchen coughed a few times. "The emperor is seriously ill. The matter of clearing my mentor's name may have to be postponed. As long as I know he's safe, I'll be at ease. But this time when I return to the capital, I have to go to the palace to visit the emperor first. I'm afraid I won't have the energy for anything else. Uncle - in - law, could you please send a letter to the Gu family and ask if Miss Gu is well?"
Hearing this, Lord Lin couldn't help but say, "At a time like this? She's safe and sound at the Gu family. How could she not be well? It's you. There are so many rumors in the capital now, and your health is like this. How can I be at ease? You should stay in the manor outside the city first. Your own manor isn't safe. Go to your aunt's manor. Wait until the truth is found out and the rumors subside, then you can return to the capital."
Lu Jinchen said coldly, "It's precisely because there are so many rumors that I can't avoid them. I'm sure the news that I'm alive and returning to the capital has already reached the capital. If I back down, wouldn't I be letting others slander my mother and mentor's innocence?"
"You..."
Just as Lord Lin was about to continue persuading him, he heard Lu Jinchen coughing violently. His breathing was like the sound of a bellows, clearly struggling to catch his breath.
He quickly pulled the carriage over to the side of the road, opened the curtain, and climbed in. He took out a medicine bottle from under the quilt, poured out the last pill, and fed it to Lu Jinchen. Then he helped him catch his breath.
After a long time, Lu Jinchen finally came to his senses. "Thank you."
Lord Lin looked up at the road ahead. Although it was spring, the cold still lingered. He had escorted Lu Jinchen all the way back. To avoid attracting attention, they had disguised themselves as an ordinary peasant father - son pair going to the capital to visit relatives. The carriage was a simple one - horse cart that could barely keep out the wind and rain. They didn't dare to take the main road but only detoured on small paths.
"Endure it a little longer. We'll be there soon."
A whistle sounded in the distance. Lord Lin immediately stood up and sent a signal. Soon, a horse approached, and a secret guard looked extremely complicated.
Lord Lin asked, "Is it a letter from the capital? Give it to me."
Lu Jinchen struggled to sit up. "Give it to me, Uncle - in - law. Give me the letter."
Lord Lin frowned. "Jinchen..."
Lu Jinchen shook his head. "The pills will keep me going for three hours. Give me the letter quickly!"
The secret guard didn't hesitate and immediately presented the letter.
Lord Lin tried to grab the letter by pressing on his hand.
Lu Jinchen ignored him and said calmly, "It's... a letter from Lu Jinxuan!"
Lord Lin was stunned. It was very likely that Lu Jinxuan was the one who had tried to assassinate Lu Jinchen, and yet he knew how to find Lu Jinchen's secret guard.
"Don't believe a word Lu Jinxuan says. He and his mother conspired to smear your name. Whatever he says now must be an attempt to disrupt your mind. Jinchen, don't believe him."
After reading the letter, Lu Jinchen fell silent, and the coldness around him grew stronger.
Lord Lin was extremely anxious. "Jinchen, say something."
Lu Jinchen took a deep breath. "How dare he! He's hijacked the prisoner, my mentor. This letter contains the location where he wants to meet me alone."
Lord Lin quickly shook his head. "Don't believe him, Jinchen. He wants you dead. He's luring you into a trap."
The veins on Lu Jinchen's forehead bulged. "Even so, I have to go. Uncle - in - law, that's my mentor, the one who raised and taught me. I... I will never let him fall into Lu Jinxuan's hands."
Seeing that Lord Lin refused to drive the carriage, Lu Jinchen simply got up and took the reins himself. "Uncle - in - law, you go back first. Remember to tell the emperor for me that I've never regretted my identity. I only regret that I can't repay his kindness of protection."
Lord Lin wanted to drive the carriage himself, but Lu Jinchen wouldn't allow it. He had no choice but to compromise and pointed at the secret guard. "Why aren't you driving for your master?"
He helped Lu Jinchen to the back of the carriage and said firmly, "Jinchen, you've always been stubborn. I can't persuade you, but I must go with you."
Lu Jinchen's face was ashen. He slowly nodded. "Uncle - in - law, you must take care of yourself. If the situation turns bad, don't put yourself in danger for my sake."
Lord Lin supported Lu Jinchen. "I know. You just take care of yourself."
Lu Jinchen stared coldly ahead. "When I was in the northwest, I was seriously injured and thought I was going to die. I didn't expect those people to just throw me into the water and leave. I thought it was their carelessness, but now I realize it was just Lu Jinxuan's scheme. He didn't want me to die in the northwest. He wanted me to return to the capital and then have a showdown with me."
"Mount Cang is a dangerous place. It's very close to the Mountain Mausoleum Prison. He hijacked my mentor just to get to me. There must be many checkpoints there. It won't be easy for us to get through safely."
Lord Lin shook his head. "If it were just Lu Jinxuan, I wouldn't be too worried. Lu Jinxuan's capabilities are limited. Your father would never let him outshine you."
Lu Jinchen snorted disdainfully.
Lord Lin said helplessly, "I know that you pretended to reconcile with your father in order to find out the truth about your mother's death. But during that time, didn't you feel your father's expectations for you?"
Lu Jinchen turned his face away. "You don't need to say anymore. Although he and I are father and son, we don't have much affection. Even when my mother was still alive, he favored his concubine over his wife and later made the concubine his main wife. He's so muddle - headed. If it weren't for the emperor, he would have deposed me as the heir apparent long ago and supported his good son, Lu Jinxuan."
Lord Lin opened his mouth but knew that he was helpless to solve Lu Jinchen's heart knot.
Just then, there were a few more sounds of fireworks in the sky.
Lu Jinchen's face changed drastically. "Liyue is in trouble!"