Chapter 254 |
Chapter 254 The Return Journey
‘Is Master Sister going with us? Is this some kind of joke? Isn't that like carrying a time bomb?’ Lin Wanrong had always maintained a respectful distance from this sister. Her presence made him feel entirely insecure.
Xian'er grasped his arm, pleading, "Husband, can Master come with us to Jinling, please?"
Feigning a smile, Lin Wanrong replied, "Master Sister accompanying us to Jinling? Oh, that would be great. I am all hands and feet in favor. But, Master Sister, on our way back to Jinling, please, no more ghost stories. My courage has already been shattered. I really can't stand your torment."
An Biru glanced at him, chuckling, "As long as you don't play ghost, I won't scare you."
Both were speaking in veiled words. Qin Xian'er was somewhat perplexed, but seeing Master coming along with her and her husband made her happy. She decided not to delve deeper.
This Pei County was the battleground of General Lin's first battle. More than three hundred soldiers lost their lives here that day. Today, they returned to the old battlefield, inevitably paying their respects.
Lin Wanrong kowtowed before the gravestones. An Biru noticed the engraved characters on the big stone, humming disapprovingly. This was understandable. These soldiers were brothers to Lin Wanrong, but to An Biru, they were enemies. Her reaction was not surprising.
"Master Sister, why did your people ambush me that day?" Lin Wanrong voiced a question that had been lingering in his mind.
Lin Wanrong ventured, "Was it for the cannon?"
An Biru nodded, "Half correct." Time had changed. The two former enemies stood together, discussing their strategic aims. It seemed like they were able to laugh away past grudges.
"You took the cannon, traveled tens of miles in haste, and bombarded Marshal Xu Wei?" Lin Wanrong proposed.
An Biru looked at him in surprise, sighing lightly, "You do have some insight. Meng Du and Lu Kanli deserved their defeat at your hands."
Lin Wanrong fiercely responded, "They all targeted me, treating me like a soft persimmon to squeeze. If I didn't deal with them, there would be no justice."
An Biru laughed lightly, "I saw through the whole situation, but I underestimated you, a mere supply troop general. The White Lotus Sect's defeat at your hands must have been predestined."
The White Lotus Sect, established by An Biru herself, had failed. Although her face held a trace of regret, there was no sign of anger. This had always puzzled Lin Wanrong. This Sister An couldn't possibly be so magnanimous, could she?
Xian'er tugged at his sleeve, "Husband, I didn't know about the ambush that day. Only after Meng Du was defeated did Master tell me. You won't blame me, will you?"
An Biru laughed, "Silly girl, I didn't tell you because I feared your impulsiveness would ruin my plan. If he blames you for this, he isn't worth your lifelong commitment."
‘Damn, couldn't you just say less?’ Lin Wanrong glared fiercely at An Biru, but she behaved as though she hadn't noticed, her gaze deep and unreadable, leaving him to wonder what she might be plotting.
Qin Xian'er bowed deeply in front of the tomb, saying, "Brothers, although Xian'er was your enemy, you protected my husband, and so you are Xian'er's benefactors. I pay my respects here."
News of the imperial army's extermination of the White Lotus Sect had already spread throughout the surrounding provinces. Pei County, located south of Jining, had suffered from the calamity of the White Lotus Sect for many years. Now that the White Lotus was gone, the citizens were elated, setting off round after round of fireworks. As Lin Wanrong walked along the bustling streets, he couldn't help but sigh softly. An Biru, being the mastermind behind the White Lotus Sect, watched the scene with a calm expression, leaving him to wonder what was on her mind.
After asking around, he learned that Xu Wei's army had passed through Pei County a few days prior and entered Jiangsu. With the White Lotus eradicated, everyone in Jiangsu knew. There was no need for the army to hide. Remembering what Xu Wei had told him, Lin Wanrong's heart pounded. Having dealt with the White Lotus, the next step was to tackle Cheng De. He wondered what Luo Min and Xu Wei were planning and whether Cheng De had noticed any impending threat. What had become of Jinling? Thinking about this made him even more anxious, wishing he could fly back to Jinling to see how Qiaoqiao and the Xiao family were doing.
Xian'er understood his feelings. Holding his hand, she gently said, "Husband, you've just recovered from a severe injury. Don't worry so much. We'll find some fast horses and return to Jinling as soon as possible."
There were several hundred miles from Pei County to Jinling. Impatient, Lin Wanrong was not willing to delay and wanted to ride back directly. However, both Qin Xian'er and An Biru disagreed. Since he had just recovered from a serious injury, he needed rest and could not endure too much jolting. Despite his objections, the master and disciple hired a carriage, put him in it, and slowly set off for Jinling.
Having just recovered from severe injury, Lin Wanrong had no capacity to resist and let the two women arrange things for him. An Biru looked at his sullen face and couldn't help but laugh. "Little brother, who are you angry with? Xian'er is just worried about you, that's why she's considering all this. If it were up to me, whether you live or die would be none of my business."
Xian'er gently lifted the robe on his back, "Master, it's time for his acupuncture."
With his body still healing from severe injuries, Lin Wanrong relied on this miraculous acupuncture therapy to quickly regain vitality. An Biru gave him acupuncture three times a day, enabling him to recover so quickly over several days.
Stripping in front of two women didn't bother Lin Wanrong; after all, one was his wife, and the other was a ‘barefoot doctor,’ seeing her was seeing nothing. However, seeing An Biru's teasing smile as she held the silver needle, he couldn't help but shiver. ‘Damn it, she isn't going to stick him in the butt again, is she?’
[TL: "Barefoot doctors" were rural health care providers in the People's Republic of China during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The term "barefoot" comes from southern farmers who would often work barefoot in the rice fields. In this context, "barefoot doctors" were farmers who received basic and minimal medical and paramedical training and worked in rural villages in China.]
"General Lin, are you ready?" An Biru asked with a mysterious smile, her teasing demeanor making Lin Wanrong's hair stand on end.
"Xian'er—" Lin Wanrong grasped his wife's hand tightly and said, "When Sister Master gives me injections, you must stay with me! Watch over me closely!"
Xian'er, unaware of his past history with her master, chuckled at his use of the term "injection" instead of "acupuncture". She stroked his hair, comforting him, "Husband, don't be afraid, I'm here. Master's technique in acupuncture is excellent, it doesn't hurt at all—"
Whether it hurt or not, the needles were being inserted into his body. Could she really know the pain? His buttocks were still aching even then. Lin Wanrong shivered as he accepted treatment from his former enemy.
This time, An Biru did not make it hard for him. Her hands were much gentler, the needles penetrating his skin with smooth precision. Warm, sour heat spread across Lin Wanrong's body, a surprisingly comforting sensation. Xian'er, afraid he might truly be in pain, extended her petite hand to lightly massage his back.
Her warm, soft, and slightly moist hand glided slowly over his skin, sending a tingling sensation straight to his heart. "Ah—" Lin Wanrong let out a comfortable sigh, "Sweetheart, a little lower. Go lower, press harder, don't stop—"
Upon hearing his unusual groans, Xian'er's face flushed crimson. She was too shy to move. Lin Wanrong quickly seized ‘her wandering hand’ and called out, "Sweetheart, not here, go lower, even lower—"
As her hand reached for his buttocks, laughter bubbled up from her, "Here?"
"Yes—ah—" Lin Wanrong let out a loud yell, hearing an unexpected sound that nearly frightened him out of his wits. Twisting his head, he saw An Biru holding a silver needle with a faint smirk on her face. His own hand was still grasping An Biru’s hand, pushing it lower.
Damn it. Lin Wanrong quickly let go of her hand, his face pale. He was on the verge of a terrible mistake, nearly injecting himself with a needle.
"Don't want it anymore?" An Biru sneered.
Xian'er giggled, her face turning red, "Husband, let Master properly give you acupuncture. Stop messing around and saying such things. It's embarrassing for me to hear."
Lin Wanrong's face reddened slightly. He took hold of Xian'er's petite hand, "Sister Master, feel free to prick as you please. Xian'er, let me read your palm."
Xian'er laughed lightly, "Husband, when did you acquire such skill? How come I've never seen you use it before?"
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "My skills are vast, they can't be easily exhausted. Sweetie, you're blessed to be with me."
An Biru, who was currently administering the acupuncture, chuckled, "Little brother, it's only after meeting you that I realized my deeds with the White Lotus Sect pale in comparison to your swindling."
Pretending not to hear her words, Lin Wanrong held Xian'er's hand in his, examining it closely. He playfully caressed and tickled her hand, making Xian'er blush. "Xian'er, what a great palm you have! Excellent!"
"Where is it good?" Xian'er asked excitedly.
"Look, everyone's palm has three lines, they're known as the career line, love line, and life line."
Xian'er followed the direction of his finger and indeed, there were three thin red lines in the palm of her hand.
"Your life line is robust and lush, your love line presses forward bravely, and your career line has twists but swiftly aligns. Especially here—yes, right here—all three major lines converge. This predicts a significant event in your life has taken place."
"What important event?" Xian'er asked, gazing at him with deep affection.
"It must be the appearance of the most important person in your life. This person is wise and valiant, tall and courageous, charming and romantic, like a majestic tree in the breeze." Lin Wanrong shamelessly continued, "Ever since this person appeared, your life, career, and love have undergone drastic changes. They converge here, enduring and unyielding. The appearance of this person is like a rainbow piercing the sun, illuminating your life. From then on, you eat well, sleep well, marry better, bring honor to your husband and ancestors, wealth and prosperity, a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, happiness fills your household— Ah, your little hand, so white and tender, even a thousand touches a day wouldn't be enough—"
Xian'er, moved at first by his words, quickly retracted her hand in embarrassment when they turned flirtatious, "Husband, you're terrible. Master, won't you do something about him?"
His wife's words gave Lin Wanrong goosebumps. He was her husband, touching her was perfectly reasonable and lawful—why should her master intervene?
"General Lin, would you read my palm next?" An Biru extended her lotus-like arm before him, waving her delicate hand. A dazzling flash of silver glinted in his eyes. On closer inspection, there was a shiny silver needle held between her verdant, slender fingers.
Damn it. Lin Wanrong quickly recoiled. He was flirting with his wife, what right did An Biru have to threaten him? It was outrageous.
"General Lin, your insight is indeed extraordinary. You explained Xian'er's palmistry very well. Would you be so kind as to interpret mine as well?" An Biru giggled, unintentionally revealing the ominous needle tip. To the uninformed, it would seem like a lover's coquettish behavior, but only Lin Wanrong knew how terrifying this sister could be.
"Ah, yours represents the 'Three-Line Thistle', a poor omen. Though you hold a sharp weapon in your hand, it appears formidable, the very force of it blocks the progress of the three lines of your fate. It's a destructive sign, considered to be very unlucky. Because of this, your past years have been full of hardship. You have no family, no descendants, and your three endeavors are fruitless. I advise you, sister, to quickly throw away the ominous weapon and return to your true self. That is the correct path." Lin Wanrong shook his head, feigning a serious demeanor while bluffing.
The words Lin Wanrong had spoken were a mix of truth and falsehood. This left An Biru momentarily stunned, but she soon burst into a high, girlish laughter. The more she laughed, the more threatening it seemed. She couldn't seem to stop herself. Her jade-like cheeks turned bright red, her gorgeous lips gasping for breath, her shoulders trembling slightly. Her chest moved vigorously in time with her body, creating dazzling waves. It was as if two lively white rabbits were about to burst through the confines of her clothes at any moment.
‘Good Lord, they can't be fake, can they? They might fall off.’ General Lin quickly swallowed his saliva and turned his gaze to his beautiful wife beside him. Leaning into her ear, he said, "My dear, hers, yours, they're so big!"
"Husband—" Xian'er's body softened and she gasped slightly, "Don't behave like this, master is still in the carriage."
An Biru finally managed to stop laughing with considerable effort and said, "General Lin, my White Lotus Sect opposing you is truly foolish. With your silver tongue alone, you could rival an army of a hundred thousand. Xian'er having a husband like you is indeed a blessing, but I worry for her more. If you ever mistreat her in the future, she might not even be able to voice her suffering."
"I'll certainly never mistreat her in the future. She's my wife, I would be more likely to be too caring." Lin Wanrong gave a sly grin, "Master Sister, rest assured, I will cherish Xian'er all my life. You'll never see a day where she complains."
Xian'er gave a sweet smile and nestled into her husband's arms. An Biru sighed slightly and fell silent. The carriage was quiet as they hurried towards Jinling.
To accommodate the recently injured General Lin, the carriage moved at a very slow pace. Xian'er would not let him suffer even the slightest jolt. They traveled for what felt like an eternity, with Lin Wanrong on the brink of sleep, when suddenly Xian'er exclaimed in delight, "Husband, Jinling! We have arrived at Jinling!"
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