Chapter 318: Chapter 285: Pei Jian Pays a Visit
"Yurou, I will talk to her, and as long as you are willing, I believe she won’t oppose it." Guan Biyun seemed determined to persuade Lin Miao.
"Master Guan, aren’t you being a bit too wishful?"
"Only if you agree can I talk to Yurou, otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to say to her," Guan Biyun explained.
"Master Guan, tell me honestly, are you pushing for Yurou and me because of some personal agenda?" Lin Miao wasn’t afraid to offend Guan Biyun and asked openly.
Guan Biyun was silent for a moment before speaking, "Indeed, I have a personal agenda. I don’t want Yurou to marry the Fifth Prince because his mother, Consort Xue, is someone who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals."
Lin Miao was silent.
The behavior of the Xue Family is well-known, and from what Guan Biyun perceives, Consort Xue might be a dangerous beauty, often skilled at manipulating men.
The emperor is no exception.
"Isn’t there another way?"
"This is the only solution I can think of. Apart from you, Lin, no one else can help me," Guan Biyun said. "Since Yurou is fond of you, and her temperament has changed quite a bit, why not take Yurou as your wife?"
"Yurou is from a noble family. Are you asking me to offend the reigning Mr. Lien?"
"Mr. Lien might not want Yurou to marry into royalty either, but now he has to consider the Lien family’s interests, sacrificing a daughter’s happiness for future glory – it’s a small price to pay."
"What if it’s wrong?"
"Yurou isn’t a direct descendant of the Lien Family, and when the time comes, the ties can be quickly severed..." Guan Biyun explained.
Indeed, it’s all strategy.
"Master Guan, I still can’t agree to this. You know, as a mere physician, I don’t want to get involved in complex court politics," Lin Miao wasn’t foolish. He and Lien Yurou were merely friends, and helping had a limit.
If he were to take her as a concubine, he would have to take on responsibility.
Today it’s Lien Yurou, tomorrow someone else. The allure of beauty is a dangerous thing, knowing the trouble it could bring, why invite it?
"Lin, I’m really out of options, that’s why I turned to you. You’re the only one who can help me."
"Master Guan, if you want to avoid meeting the Lien Family, I might have a plan?" Lin Miao thought for a moment and said.
"What plan?"
"Avoid them, as long as you haven’t received any notice and haven’t met the Lien Family, just pretend you don’t know about it. If you can avoid them for a while, it’ll be alright," Lin Miao said.
"Avoid them, where can we hide, moreover, I still have an official duty?" If Guan Biyun leaves her post without permission, it won’t only cause her trouble, but Lin Miao’s trial assessment would also be affected.
"If His Majesty is to arrange a marriage, when would it be?"
"Probably after the autumn hunt, when the Fifth Prince is announced to come of age," Guan Biyun thought for a moment and said.
"Then there’s still two months’ time, if Master Guan can return before my trial period ends, it should be settled!" Lin Miao said.
"But where would we go?"
"Li Hen City, Longchuan Canyon, even if the Lien Family knows where you are, they wouldn’t dare go there," Lin Miao suggested.
"That’s indeed a solution, but what about your trial records?"
"Anyway, passing the trial isn’t an issue for me anymore, the rest is just about how many cases I can complete, we’ll handle your duties ourselves, but leaving your post..."
"I will take responsibility for that. I’ll say it was my decision to go to Longchuan Canyon for research. There are three of us; if there must be punishment, we’ll bear it together, none can escape!" Guan Biyun said.
"You can give a word to Cui Wanquan, just tell him it’s been a long time, and you’ve been supervising and recording alone, now it’s his turn..." Lin Miao advised.
Guan Biyun’s eyes lit up, as long as she wasn’t directly leaving without notice, the fault would be much lighter.
Three people’s work couldn’t be left to her alone, Guan Biyun asking Cui Wanquan to take over was reasonable.
It’s best if he returns, if not, he’d be the one to face consequences.
As for Old Poison Four, there’re still four months, Cui Wanquan do two months, Old Poison Four do two months, the tasks distribute nicely.
"I’ll pack up now and set out tomorrow." Guan Biyun thought this was a good strategy. If they escape and the Lien Family can’t find them, pretending ignorance, even resisting orders, one must know the decree first. Without knowing, how can one resist?
Publicly, neither the Lien Family nor Consort Xue can do anything to them, since the plan was to offend them, they didn’t mind anymore.
"When you reach Li Hen City, go to a shop named ’Lin’s’, someone will arrange accommodations for you and Miss Yurou there. It’s best to change identities, as you’re still an officer, people there hold a grudge against the court."
"Yes, I know some disguise skill, I’ll manage." Guan Biyun is not without any experience of the world.
"Alright, let’s do it this way."
With this tricky issue resolved, Lin Miao felt relieved; he didn’t want to strain relations with Guan Biyun.
Solving the problem without involvement is perfect.
...
"What did Master Guan discuss with you for so long?" Sun Youwei waited for Lin Miao to finish his rounds and go home together; she had been waiting for nearly half an hour.
It was almost dark.
It was possible to get home a bit earlier, but now that’s out of the question.
"It’s okay, let’s go home first." Lin Miao glanced at Lien Yurou, who had been accompanying Sun Youwei, and said.
"Alright."
"Ah, how could Master Guan come up with such a terrible idea..." On the way home, Lin Miao quietly recounted in detail to Sun Youwei what he and Master Guan had discussed.
"Master Guan and Consort Xue must have a deep enmity; otherwise, she wouldn’t do such a thing," Lin Miao analyzed. "Otherwise, why would she stop Lien Yurou from marrying the Fifth Prince?"
"What you say makes sense. Yurou is her disciple; if she has a grudge against Consort Xue, how could she possibly agree to let her disciple marry the enemy’s son? That’s a valid point," Sun Youwei agreed with Lin Miao’s judgment. "Did Master Guan mention what her grudge with Consort Xue is?"
"No, not really. I think it probably has to do with Consort Yi being punished and sent to the cold palace," Lin Miao said. "Master Guan used to serve as a female physician in the palace, and she had a good relationship with Consort Yi. She was implicated in the case involving Consort Yi and was demoted and expelled from the palace, which very likely involved Consort Xue. As for what their enmity is exactly, I don’t wish to know and don’t want to get involved."
"Junior Brother, you’re right. Helping others should have limits; this clearly exceeds our capabilities," Sun Youwei nodded.
"That’s why I advised her to let them hide away for a while. As long as they’re not found, this whole ordeal will naturally be over after some time."
"But if His Majesty really decrees a marriage, and Yurou defies the order and escapes, won’t that be a serious crime?"
"If the emperor is so reckless, then this country won’t last long," Lin Miao said. "Defying a marriage decree happens after receiving it. If no one shows up now and no one is there to accept the decree, would the emperor still issue a marriage order?"
"Probably not, but the Lien family could still handle the acceptance..."
"Alright, this isn’t something we need to worry about. Let’s go home and eat dinner; we’ll resume our small lessons tonight." Lin Miao chuckled.
...
"Master, Mr. Pei has come and has been waiting for you for a while." Just upon returning to the mansion, Dong Fei hurriedly reported, bowing deeply.
"Where is he?"
"In the main hall, having tea."
"Who’s attending him?" Lin Miao asked again.
"Miss Yun."
"Alright, I understand. You go ahead with your work." Lin Miao nodded and turned to Sun Youwei, "Senior Sister, you should head back first."
"Okay, be cautious in your discussion with Mr. Pei," Sun Youwei advised.
"I understand, don’t worry."
...
"Mr. Pei, it’s an honor for you, of such high status, to grace my humble abode, and I apologize for not welcoming you from afar!" Lin Miao quickly walked into the main hall from outside, clasping his fist towards Pei Jian, who was sitting on the chair talking with Yun.
"Mr. Lin, you’re too kind." Pei Jian stood up and returned the greeting with a clasped fist.
"Xiao Miao, you’re back."
"Mrs. Yun, let me attend to Mr. Pei; you can go ahead with your duties." Lin Miao slightly nodded.
"Mr. Pei, please have a seat."
"I’ve heard from my son that, for some time, he will be practicing martial arts under Mr. Lin’s guidance. I’m very grateful." Pei Jian expressed his gratitude with clasped fists beside him.
"Mr. Pei, you’re being too polite. I’m just overseeing your second son on behalf of Master Fahai for a few days. Once he’s done with his matters and returns, I will hand him back." Lin Miao chuckled, explaining.
"Is Mr. Lin close with Master Fahai?"
"Not exactly; we became friends after some encounters." Lin Miao half-jokingly said. He wasn’t foolish; Pei Jian was trying to glean information from him. "Mr. Pei, you’re not here just for your second son, are you? Rest assured, I won’t make things difficult for him over trivial past matters."
"No, no, I believe in Mr. Lin’s character; I wouldn’t have such mean thoughts," Pei Jian hastily denied. "I came here today because there’s something I wish to discuss with Mr. Lin."
"Oh, what matter is worth Mr. Pei coming in person? You could have just sent someone to convey it."
"I’m not sure if Mr. Lin is aware of the situation in Li Jing?" Pei Jian asked.
Lin Miao pondered for a moment, unsure of Pei Jian’s purpose today, but he couldn’t show any timidity and replied, "I know a bit."
"His Majesty wishes to select a group of young talents from among the noble families during the autumn hunt, to form the future team for the new sovereign. This battle for talents involves all parties striving hard to win, affecting even the local regions," Pei Jian said. "My eldest son, Pei Ye, is already in the Eastern Palace, serving as a bibliographic officer in the Eastern Palace Experience Bureau. As for my second son, Pei Rui, if he can achieve a good ranking in this autumn hunt, he might be directly granted an official position."
"Why is Mr. Pei telling me this? What does the Pei family’s business have to do with me?" Lin Miao asked, puzzled. I don’t intend to get involved in the Crown Prince’s contention.
"I understand that Mr. Lin is dedicated to healing and helping others, but some matters are beyond our control. Your connection with the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion means you can’t stay uninvolved. I’ve also recommended you to the Crown Prince for recognition, placing you under the Crown Prince’s faction, so the faction of the Fifth Prince represented by the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion will certainly target you."
"Target me? I’m just a humble physician, not part of the central government. Besides, my status probably wouldn’t qualify me to be involved, right?" Lin Miao said. "Moreover, my issues with the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion are personal grudges; as long as they don’t provoke me again, I won’t seek trouble myself."
"Mr. Lin, Xue has entered the palace."
"Entered the palace, what do you mean?" Lin Miao knowingly asked.
"Xue’s vital parts were destroyed, rendering him incapable of being a man. The Xue Family arranged for him to enter the palace as a eunuch," said Pei Jian. "The Marquis Lingyang and Mrs. He are indeed ruthless people."
"That’s actually a good thing; it prevents him from harming women anymore."
"Mr. Lin, you should know better than I how Xue got harmed. Once the Fifth Prince ascends to power, the Xue Family is bound to rise with the tide. Then, will you still be able to remain as carefree as now?" Pei Jian asked.
