"It seems Miss Lin has always lived a life pampered by everyone."
"I am, after all, the only daughter in the family and younger than all my elder martial brothers, so it's natural I'd be doted on. Isn't Your Highness also the youngest son, and thus very loved by the Empress Dowager?"
This Prince was a true scion of heaven, second only to the emperor in power, and enjoying a more comfortable life. He didn't even have to wake up early for court.
Both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor indulged him greatly. The fact that he wasn't married yet was proof enough; the Emperor tolerated whatever he wished to do.
"Your Highness, please," Lin Yan opened the door, inviting Prince Chu inside.
Prince Chu had his accompanying guards wait by the entrance, and entered the room alone with Lin Yan.
"It seems Your Highness trusts me quite a bit." Lin Yan gestured for Prince Chu to sit in the chair by the window.
After Prince Chu sat down, Lin Yan brought over a small cup and sat opposite him.
"My imperial brother and I have already sent people to Mount Li. May I ask what Miss Lin wishes for us to see?"
Prince Chu didn't conceal their actions, but was curious about what basis Lin Yan had to negotiate with them.
"Once the scouts return, Your Highness will likely know." Lin Yan didn't wish to answer, as no matter how much she said, it wouldn't be as informative as what they would discover themselves.
"Your hand." Lin Yan extended her hand, signaling for Prince Chu to offer his.
Prince Chu placed his hand in Lin Yan's palm. He then realized he might have been presumptuous, but by the time he thought of retracting it, Lin Yan had already taken hold.
Lin Yan produced a silver needle and pricked each of Prince Chu's five fingers. She then dripped the exuded blood into the small cup she had brought.
Watching Lin Yan's serious demeanor, Prince Chu felt a sense of anticipation. How many more facets of her did he not yet know?
"Miss Lin, we can consider ourselves friends now. You can call me by a different title. My surname is Qin, my given name is Cong, and my courtesy name is Huaijin," Prince Chu introduced himself.
Lin Yan actually knew the Prince's name, but even if she did, how could she directly address a Prince by name?
"Your Highness is a few years older than me, so I will not stand on ceremony and call you Brother Qin."
Lin Yan put away the small cup, then took out a box of ointment from her purse and carefully applied it to Prince Chu's fingers.
"Then, how should I address Miss Lin?" Prince Chu allowed Lin Yan to apply the medicine, watching her movements leisurely, and not refusing her address of "Brother Qin."
"Brother Qin is welcome to call me as you please." Lin Yan put away the ointment box, then stood up and took down a box from the shelf behind her, retrieving two ceramic medicine bottles from it.
"These are pills to nourish the body and strengthen the physique. Brother Qin can take some to start. Their efficacy, if nothing else, should be better than the medicine prescribed by the imperial physicians."
Lin Yan handed the medicine bottles to Prince Chu Qin Cong. "I will prepare the required medicinal herbs as soon as possible to create a targeted treatment for Your Highness's condition. Your health will then slowly recover."
"Then I thank you, Yan'er, in advance." It seemed he had just thought of how to address her.
"Upon my return, I will send people to deliver the necessary medicinal ingredients. After all, since it's for my treatment, you shouldn't bear too much of the expense, Yan'er!"
"Then thank you for your consideration, Brother Qin!"
The Yan family of Jinling, known for their golden sabers.
The atmosphere in the Yan family had been extremely tense recently, primarily due to the tragic death of the Yan family patriarch's only daughter.
Over forty people in the manor had been murdered, and the only grandson's whereabouts were unknown.
When the news arrived, the old Master Yan smashed his favorite porcelain vase. He immediately dispatched people to verify the truth of the news and sent his two sons to check on his daughter. If the news was true, they were to handle her funeral rites.
He couldn't believe his daughter had been killed so casually. He had seen her just last month, held his grandson. How could she have been murdered so suddenly?
Who dared to be so audacious as to kill his formidable daughter, Yan Jun? Did they think he was too old? That he could no longer wield his saber?
He wasn't dead yet! And they dared to lay hands on his daughter! Who would be next? His sons, his grandsons?
And what about his infant grandson, only six years old? Was he kidnapped by the culprits, or had he also met an unfortunate end?
He dared not think about it. Every time he closed his eyes, he was reminded of the last time he saw his daughter and grandson!
A servant cautiously approached Yan Jun. "Old Master, the head wife's maid has come to report an urgent matter, concerning the young master."
In this household, only his daughter's child could be referred to as the young master.
Yan Jun trembled. "What is it? Bring her in quickly!"
Yan Jun was anxious. He already knew of his daughter and son-in-law's demise, but there had been no news of his infant grandson.
This was the first piece of information he had received about his grandson, so how could he not be anxious?
Soon, a maidservant dressed in blue walked in.
"You say you have news of Yuan'er?" Yan Jun looked sternly at the maid, hoping to hear good news from her.
"Reporting to the Old Master, the shopkeeper of Zhuyun came to see the head wife and presented a jade pendant, stating that young master Yuan is currently at their shop."
She bowed and extended her hands, holding a smooth, white jade pendant.
Yan Jun looked at the jade pendant. He remembered it; it was a gift he had given his grandson on his full moon celebration.
Yan Jun immediately stepped forward and took the jade pendant into his hands. Yes! It was this one! He had personally selected the material from the storeroom, and personally chosen the pattern for the jade carver!
"Has the shopkeeper left yet?" Yan Jun prepared to walk out.
"No, Shopkeeper Yu is waiting just outside the door," the maidservant quickly replied.
"Bring her in quickly!" Yan Jun halted his departure.
"I'll go fetch her immediately!" The servant hurried out.
Soon, Yu Xin walked in. "Junior disciple Yu Xin from the outer sect of the Mount Li Sword Sect pays her respects to the Golden Saber, Old Master Yan!"
Yu Xin performed a junior's bow.
"You are a disciple of the Mount Li Sword Sect?"
"Reporting to Old Master Yan, I am."
"You say you have news of my grandson?" Yan Jun's eyes widened, staring at the woman with low martial arts cultivation.
"Yes, two days ago, my senior martial brother Luo Yuxuan arrived in Jinling carrying a child. He said he rescued the boy from a family that had been wiped out. The boy said his name was Yuan, and that his maternal grandfather was Old Master Yan Jun, the Golden Saber!"
Yu Xin spoke neither servilely nor humbly, showing no fear. After all, she was offering a service to Old Master Yan. They wouldn't repay kindness with enmity, would they?
Furthermore, they needed to learn the truth about the Yan family lady's demise from their senior martial brother. They could only treat her with courtesy! However, she also felt sympathy for the old Master Yan before her, as she was his only daughter.
"Where is he now?"
Yan Jun stepped forward, reaching out to grasp Yu Xin's arm, eager to know the whereabouts of his grandson.