HLnovel Chapter 200 Extra (1) Parallel World 05
Chapter 200 Extra (1) Parallel World 05
He really didn't know about this, and Lu Yuxi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
At Lin Shiming's insistence, Lin Yunyue and Lin Shihe have been trying their best to downplay Lin Shiming's presence. Even when Zhang Ting and Ji Tiao go out to socialize, they rarely mention the second young master of their family.
Some families who arrived in the capital late didn't even know that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had a young master.
For this reason, many things Lin Shiming did and reformed in the military camp were classified as secrets. Apart from the Lin family, the emperor, and the crown prince, no one else knew who was behind these changes.
"I'm the pioneer of wilderness survival. You guys probably have tents and stuff when you train, right? I'm different. I just find a tree or a cave to sleep in, it's a piece of cake. If I'm really not happy with where I am, I just go down the mountain and find an inn, it's that simple."
Insects and ants are everywhere in the wild. There are no beds or blankets, and you may encounter poisonous snakes and wild beasts from time to time. These conditions are more than enough to torture and interrogate prisoners. Only a weirdo like Lin Shiming would find pleasure in this and enjoy it so much.
Lu Yuxi didn't understand, but she respected and politely agreed.
"He can do things that ordinary people cannot do. Young Master Lin truly lives up to the reputation of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Overjoyed by the praise, Lin Shiming replied, "No problem at all! If you like, I can take you with me later."
You don't have to.
That's way too much.
Although this complete freedom and carefree life, which is completely contrary to his usual life, sounds so tempting and alluring, the Fifth Prince, a man of refined manners, still finds it difficult to accept this primitive, savage lifestyle.
Even if it means escaping the scheming and intrigue of the imperial city, even if all rules and etiquette can be discarded, even if all one's eyes are now fixed on the natural mountains and forests...
Even with Lin Shiming, that bright little sun, by my side.
……
It is not impossible.
Lu Yuxi sincerely suggested, "I think we should bring a tent if we go, or at least a blanket. Late summer or early autumn, when the sky is high and the air is crisp, would be a good time."
Wow! It's quite exquisite.
He's a pampered prince, so it's understandable!
"Sure, sure." Lin Shiming leaned back lazily in his chair and casually agreed. "I'll probably be going out around that time next time. I'll call you then."
Lu Yuxi nodded in agreement, adding a final reminder, "Then you must not forget."
"Humph--"
Without nodding or speaking, Lin Shiming closed his eyes and swung his legs, only managing to squeeze out a muffled sound from his throat as a response.
Lu Yuxi immediately felt flustered.
Did you remember this? You're not just going to brush me off and then run away, are you?
Lu Yuxi felt a rare, uneasy urge to ask again, yet she was afraid of being too abrupt.
What if they're just being polite?
But the Lin family has always been a family of their word!
But then again, Young Master Lin is still just a child, so it's understandable that he might forget a promise he made on the spot...
No! He's fourteen years old now. My mother often praises me for being a little adult, so he should be an adult by now!
……
Lin Shiming leisurely closed his eyes to rest, leaving Lu Yuxi to the side, wanting to say something but holding back, itching to speak.
Then a palace attendant came over and said softly, "Your Highness, the bath in the side hall is ready."
"Ready?"
Before Lu Yuxi could speak, Lin Shiming, who had been dozing off, jumped up, eager to try.
"Let's go now. Hurry, hurry—you have no idea what I went through last night. There are still people who get dizzy from light-footed kung fu these days. The feeling was unbearable!"
*
Chonghua Palace was chosen by Emperor Longyun for his beloved second son, and was personally decorated by the Crown Prince and Empress. It was granted to Lu Yuxi for his exclusive residence. The palace was filled with rare treasures, exotic flowers and plants, all of which were unparalleled in the world and even the Eastern Palace could not match it.
Even bathing was done in a separate side hall connected to the main hall, with a huge hot spring pool filled with swirling steam.
Lu Yuxi led the person to a large screen. "I never like to be served when I bathe, so I don't have anyone to attend to me in the hot spring. If you need anything—"
Lin Shiming was on high alert. "No, no, no! I don't like it either."
"Alright." Lu Yuxi didn't insist. "The bathing supplies are set up by the hot spring. My mother prepared my change of clothes; they're all new. If I need more water, just call out, and it'll be ready outside..."
"Alright, alright." Lin Shiming was exasperated. He placed his hands on Lu Yuxi's back and pushed her away. "I'm a rough guy, easy to take care of. You're so nagging!"
Isn't this something a courteous host should do? Lu Yuxi, who was pushed out in a few steps, was full of questions. Why was it so long-winded?
But he seems really easy to take care of.
I'm tempted to give it a try.
*
The rough-and-tumble General Lin indulged in a rare luxury: a comfortable hot bath.
Under the misty steam, Lin Shiming's fair skin turned slightly red, his whole body was pink and tender, and there was a faint scent of soap on his body. His black hair was loose and disheveled, and he did not look like the "rough man" he claimed to be at all.
Lu Yuxi wore the luxurious prince's robes without looking awkward at all; he naturally exuded the air of a noble young master.
He was, after all, the esteemed second young master of the Lin family. He was a bit wild, but when he put on airs, he still possessed an extraordinary demeanor.
When Lu Yuxi, who was waiting in the main hall, came out of the side hall, she was stunned for a moment.
He looked completely different from the dashing young man in his smart outfit just now, yet he did indeed have the same face.
Hey! What are you spacing out for?
Seeing that the person hadn't spoken for a while, Lin Shiming curiously approached Lu Yuxi and waved a hand in front of his eyes.
"Are you perhaps stunned by my dashing and handsome appearance?"
Lu Yuxi, who had been somewhat flustered, quickly regained her composure and said apologetically, "I was rude."
Lin Shiming waved his hand dismissively, then slumped into another chair without any regard for his image, picked up an apple, and started munching on it.
Lu Yuxi regained her senses, lowered her eyes slightly embarrassed, straightened her sleeves, and then spoke again.
"The bed is already made. You didn't sleep last night, so please get some rest here."
I've already taken a bath, why would I care about such a small thing?
Lin Shiming had no objection and went to Lu Yuxi's bed without any hesitation.
*
The bedding was soft and comfortable, with light gauze hanging down.
That sleep was truly sweet.
When Lin Shiming woke up again, it was already dusk.
Since it was dinnertime again, Lin Shiming didn't stand on ceremony and enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at Chonghua Palace before leisurely heading to the East Palace with Lu Yuxi by his side.
A eunuch had already come to deliver a message that Gao Rong, with Lu Yuxu's support, had pulled through and given birth to Changping's eldest grandson. Lin Shihe had also arrived at the East Palace; it was he who sent someone to tell Lin Shiming to go to the East Palace to find him and then go home together.
Thus, Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi entered the East Palace without any hindrance, led by the eunuch. The eunuch stopped at the front gate and directed the two to walk further in on their own.
The courtyard was deserted, not a soul in sight.
After walking a short distance, I could faintly hear sounds coming from the study.
"...There's no need to wait for the joint trial by the three judicial departments. The Empress Dowager will definitely interfere and protect the Qin family. You can use my private seal to mobilize troops, take the entire Qin family to the execution ground, and execute them first and report later. As for the Empress Dowager, it's only natural that she will find an opportunity to die of grief and depression later."