Another day passed, and Lin Qinghe learned from the gossiping mouths of the people about the fate of Xu Zhizhou and others.
Lin Yuanwen and Xu Zhizhou naturally lost their official hats. After the emperor ordered a thorough investigation, many cases of collusion between officials and merchants, and acts of bullying and oppressing the common people were exposed. The emperor was furious and ordered the execution of Lin Yuanwen and Xu Zhizhou. Their property was confiscated, and their children, wives, and concubines, upon hearing the news, packed their belongings and returned to their hometowns.
Just as Lin Qinghe thought she would have no chance to see Xu Yiyi again, Xu Yiyi's figure appeared at the entrance of the small tavern.
Today, Xu Yiyi was not elaborately made up. Her face was pale, and she wore a simple, plain dress, looking much more haggard and dispirited than usual.
Xu Yiyi bit her lip and said to Lin Qinghe, "I... I want to see You Rong one more time."
Lin Qinghe frowned and was about to reprimand her when You Rong walked over, took Lin Qinghe's hand, and said indifferently to Xu Yiyi, "Miss Xu, please leave. I already have a wife. I hope Miss Xu will respect herself!"
The words "respect yourself" made Xu Yiyi's face even paler. She held back her tears and asked, "Me... Why? What am I worse than her? Is my appearance inferior to hers? Is my family background not as good as hers? Am I not as gentle and virtuous as she is? Or am I inferior to her in other aspects?"
You Rong gazed at Lin Qinghe, his handsome face gradually softening. He whispered, "You are not inferior to her in any aspect. In my eyes, she is the best woman in the world!"
"You..." Xu Yiyi's eyelashes trembled lightly, and finally, tears couldn't help but fall, one after another, making her look pitiful.
You Rong remained unmoved and said coldly to Xu Yiyi, "If I had known that saving you would make my wife so unhappy, I truly regret having done so unnecessarily."
This remark was undoubtedly the most crushing. Upon hearing it, Xu Yiyi could no longer hold back and turned away, crying as she ran off.
Lin Qinghe felt quite satisfied with this turn of events but playfully teased, "You Rong, you really don't know how to cherish a beauty. You've made such a beautiful flower run away in anger."
You Rong chuckled and dotingly pinched Lin Qinghe's nose. "If I weren't like this, wouldn't you make me kneel on the washboard when we got back today?"
"Hmph! It seems you're quite understanding..."
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Another day passed.
The small tavern had just opened its doors when Lin Qinghe was helping with the cleaning. A few people walked in. Lin Qinghe greeted them warmly, "Are you here for a meal? Please come in and sit..."
As soon as she looked up, she saw a familiar face. Lin Qinghe was stunned and quickly knelt down to bow, "Your humble subject greets Your Majesty."
Seeing this, the others in the small tavern quickly knelt down and bowed as well.
The emperor laughed heartily and said, "No need for such formalities. Please rise, everyone. I am here today because I heard that the food in your small tavern is famous far and wide, and I've come specifically to try it!"
Compared to the nervousness of the others, Lin Qinghe smiled calmly and said, "Alright, Your Majesty, please be seated. Your humble subject will go and bring you the tavern's signature dishes. I guarantee the taste will not disappoint you!"
"In that case... I am very much looking forward to it."
Lin Qinghe personally went to the kitchen to prepare a pot of hot pot and also worked on a new dish she was planning to introduce: grilled meat.
The emperor looked at the bubbling pot in front of him, the aroma filling the air. After Lin Qinghe said it was ready to eat, he eagerly picked up a piece of food, dipped it in the sauce as Lin Qinghe instructed, and put it into his mouth.
Zhang Daniang and the others held their breath, fearing that it might not suit the emperor's taste and incur his wrath.
Little did they know, the emperor exclaimed with delight, "I have never tasted food like this before... It is truly delicious!"
As soon as he said this, everyone in the small tavern secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Qinghe then served the grilled pork belly, sprinkled with seasoning, to the emperor. The emperor ate it and praised it highly.
As the emperor was enjoying his meal, more than ten black-clothed men suddenly broke through the window from outside. Without a word, they drew their swords and charged at the emperor.
Lin Qinghe was quick-witted and pushed the emperor, allowing him to dodge the black-clothed men's long swords.
The emperor's guards reacted quickly, drew their swords, and shouted, "Guards! Protect His Majesty! Quickly, someone protect His Majesty!"
The small tavern descended into chaos. The emperor's guards and the black-clothed men engaged in a fierce battle, while the others scattered in panic.
Lin Qinghe cautiously dodged the black-clothed attackers, but one of them noticed her and, with a sword raised, lunged at her.
Lin Qinghe inwardly cried out, "Not good!" She was too close to dodge the black-clothed man's sword.
Just as Lin Qinghe closed her eyes in fear, believing she was doomed, she heard a gust of wind whistle past her ear. The black-clothed man opposite her grunted and fell at her feet.
Lin Qinghe belatedly opened her eyes and looked back. It was You Rong, holding a bow and arrow, aiming at the next black-clothed man approaching her.
The arrow he shot flew true, and the black-clothed man immediately fell dead at his feet.
Lin Qinghe belatedly remembered that this was the bow and arrow You Rong had once taken into the mountains for hunting. He had taken it to town a few days ago to have it repaired, and after it was fixed, he had kept it in the small tavern, never expecting it to be of such great use.
With the addition of the skilled archer You Rong, the situation quickly changed. The black-clothed men gradually fell into a disadvantage and were eventually subdued by the emperor's guards.
You Rong put away his bow and arrow and quickly walked to Lin Qinghe's side, asking anxiously, "How are you? Were you injured?"
Lin Qinghe shook her head. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
You Rong suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, when he saw the black-clothed man's sword nearly strike her, he had been so nervous his heart had nearly leaped out of his chest.
At this moment, the emperor's guards arrived and knelt before the emperor, cupping their hands and saying, "Your Majesty, your humble servant arrived late to save you. Please forgive me!"
The shaken emperor regained his composure and waved his hand. "General Lin, please rise. I am unharmed. This is all thanks to the owner of the small tavern and his wife, that the assassins failed to succeed. I must reward the two of them handsomely!"
You Rong quickly cupped his hands in a bow. "Your Majesty, this commoner dares not claim credit. Subduing the assassins was the merit of your esteemed officials."
"Alas! If I say you have merit, then you have merit!" The emperor's gaze fell on the bow and arrow in You Rong's hand. "I see you are skilled. Your archery is excellent. Have you learned martial arts?"
You Rong replied truthfully, "This commoner has never learned martial arts, but I used to hunt frequently in the mountains, which honed my archery skills."
"So that's how it is..." The emperor's eyes flickered, and he asked, "You Rong, is it? If I were to offer you an official post and have you serve me in the capital, would you be willing?"
Lin Qinghe subtly frowned.
According to the original plot development, You Rong saved the emperor and thus obtained a position as a minor general in the capital, where he repeatedly achieved military exploits and rose through the ranks to become a great general.
Could it be that You Rong was going to follow the original plot's trajectory?