Three days later.
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to take You Rong to Yan Yu Lou to see Feng Jing Tian, Fu Sheng arrived. He cupped his hands and said, "Wang Fei, His Majesty has sent an imperial edict via a eunuch from the palace, ordering you and Wang Ye to jointly attend the spring hunt at the royal hunting grounds outside the capital city in two days."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qinghe's brow immediately furrowed.
Spring hunt?
This was a common plot in television dramas and novels. When the emperor traveled or went on a spring or winter hunt, trouble was bound to occur, as it presented an excellent opportunity for assassination.
If the assassins targeted the emperor, she wouldn't have cared. However, with the malicious Consort Xiao present, she feared Consort Xiao might target her and You Rong.
A trip to the royal hunting grounds required thorough preparation.
Seeing Lin Qinghe's furrowed brow, You Rong blinked in confusion, "Wang Fei? Why aren't you talking? The royal hunting grounds are so much fun! You can catch rabbits, pheasants... and lots of other people. Father Emperor always takes us there every year! Don't you want to go?"
Lin Qinghe snapped back from her thoughts and smiled, "...No."
Lin Qinghe sighed inwardly.
This little fool thought the spring hunt was for fun, but who knew how many assassins were waiting to take his life.
Lin Qinghe said to Fu Sheng, "Steward Fu, this Wang Fei understands. Regarding the matter of accompanying His Majesty to the royal hunting grounds, you can handle the arrangements immediately."
"Yes, Wang Fei, this servant understands. I will ensure everything is meticulously prepared."
Lin Qinghe nodded, "This Wang Fei is taking Wang Ye out of the manor and will return later. You don't need to prepare our lunch."
"Yes, Wang Fei."
Lin Qinghe took You Rong out of the manor and went to Yan Yu Lou. Upon entering and inquiring with the owner, she learned that Feng Jing Tian was in a side room in the back courtyard. Lin Qinghe led You Rong directly to Feng Jing Tian.
As soon as she stepped into the room, Feng Jing Tian said with a smile, "Little girl, you're here. Quick, quick... let me give that silly boy some acupuncture, and then we can have a few rounds of chess. I've already set up the board, just waiting for you!"
Lin Qinghe smiled faintly and replied, "Okay, thank you, Divine Doctor Feng, for treating my husband first."
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong, who was stealthily trying to hide. She knew he was afraid of needles. She chuckled inwardly, took out the prepared candy, and popped a piece into his mouth, coaxing, "Be good. After Divine Doctor Feng finishes with the acupuncture, I'll take you to buy more delicious food."
"Then..." You Rong's dark eyes rolled, "I want ten skewers of candied haws!"
"Alright! I'll buy them for you!" Lin Qinghe readily agreed.
Hearing this, You Rong reluctantly endured his fear and obediently sat down to let Feng Jing Tian administer the acupuncture.
After Feng Jing Tian finished needling You Rong, he eagerly invited Lin Qinghe to play chess. However, Lin Qinghe was preoccupied with thoughts of the spring hunt in two days, her mind wandering. Consequently, she didn't play to her usual standard and lost three consecutive games.
Feng Jing Tian put down the chess pieces with a hint of awkwardness, "Girl, I can tell you're distracted while playing chess with me today, which is why you've lost several games. Could it be... you're worried about your silly husband?"
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she smiled, "It's not that. I wanted to ask if Divine Doctor Feng knows anyone skilled in martial arts in the jianghu who is currently in the capital city?"
"Skilled in martial arts? Why do you suddenly ask this?"
Lin Qinghe didn't hide anything from Feng Jing Tian and decided to speak frankly, "Divine Doctor Feng, the reason my husband fell off the cliff and was severely injured was that he was framed. In two days, we need to go to the royal hunting grounds for the spring hunt. I fear that person's malicious intentions are not dead and they still want to take his life. I want to find someone to protect him."
Feng Jing Tian shook his head, "Girl, you probably don't understand. People of the jianghu... dislike interfering in court affairs the most. No matter how much money you offer, few people would be willing to take on this task. I'm not saying this to be rude... but why don't you just kick that one out... and find a tall, handsome husband? I can introduce you to one, my..."
Before Feng Jing Tian could finish speaking, You Rong, with needles all over his head, rushed over and tightly hugged Lin Qinghe's arm, glaring at Feng Jing Tian, "No! Wang Fei belongs to this Wang... belongs to this Wang! You... this Wang doesn't want acupuncture anymore! This Wang wants to go back to the manor! Wang Fei, let's go!"
"..."
Lin Qinghe was dragged out by You Rong's arm. Seeing Feng Jing Tian's amused expression, she sighed and held You Rong, coaxing, "Wang Ye, don't make a fuss. Divine Doctor Feng was just joking, playing with you. I belong to you, and I will always be yours! I would never look for anyone else, do you understand?"
You Rong looked skeptical but didn't let go. "Really? You won't find another husband, you will only be this Wang's Wang Fei?"
"It's true! So stop making a fuss and sit down. You still have needles in your head, won't it hurt if you move around like this?"
You Rong reluctantly sat down, but he still tightly gripped Lin Qinghe's arm, as if she would be snatched away if he let go. At the same time, he glared fiercely at Feng Jing Tian, as if declaring Lin Qinghe was his, which only made Feng Jing Tian find it more amusing.
Finally pacifying You Rong, Lin Qinghe carefully considered Feng Jing Tian's words. He knew of highly skilled martial artists in the capital, but they were unwilling to involve themselves in court matters.
Lin Qinghe's heart stirred. She forced a bitter smile and said, "Divine Doctor Feng, you don't know, but I'm looking for someone to protect him not just for his sake, but for mine too. From the moment I married into the manor, those people have been lurking in the shadows, trying to take my life countless times. The previous few times, I narrowly escaped due to my luck. This time... if something happens to me, I won't be able to come to Yan Yu Lou to play chess with Divine Doctor Feng anymore..."
As Lin Qinghe had predicted, Feng Jing Tian's expression changed. He frowned deeply and muttered, "Really, I don't know what you see in this silly boy. Besides his handsome appearance, following him means being constantly on edge..."
Lin Qinghe remained silent, patiently waiting for Feng Jing Tian to speak.
After a while, Feng Jing Tian said, "Fine! I've rarely encountered an opponent like you, and treating him for you was already an exception. I won't make another one. My disciple will be coming to the capital in two days. I'll send him a message and have him secretly infiltrate the royal hunting grounds to protect you both from the shadows!"
Ye Qing Yan is coming?
Lin Qinghe's expression shifted slightly. Feng Jing Tian misunderstood, "I'm not bragging, but although my disciple can be a bit of a scoundrel, his martial arts are top-notch! He'll be more than enough to deal with those low-class assassins. You don't need to worry!"
Lin Qinghe quickly said, "Divine Doctor Feng, that's not what I meant. I... then I'll trouble you and your disciple."
Feng Jing Tian laughed heartily and waved his hand, "It's no big deal, don't worry about it... You must remember to come and play chess with me more often when you have time. And that chess game you set up last time... I've been studying it for days and still can't figure out how to break it. It's extremely interesting!"
"Hehe... Yes, Divine Doctor Feng, you can rest assured about that."
Lin Qinghe sighed inwardly.
Fine, rather than worrying about whether You Rong and Ye Qing Yan would have any interactions, it was more important to ensure their lives were safe for now.