CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 75: WHY SHOULD I FEAR THE HUAINAN PRINCE MANSION?

Yu Xiaolian felt that she was as busy today as a state leader meeting civil and military officials in turn.

Sitting on a stone stool in the gazebo of the inner yard with Jiang Lin, Yu Xiaolian lazily leaned forward on the stone table, resting her head on her arm and squinted, "What’s up? Speak quickly, I’m getting sleepy."

In the spring, one is sleepy; in autumn, tired; in summer, drowsy. Yu Xiaolian recently got used to taking a nap after lunch.

If this habit takes root and she skips her nap even for a day, she will feel a headache and lack of energy.

Jiang Lin said solemnly, "A while ago, my father and I went hunting in the mountains, and when we got home, we found signs that someone had rummaged through the house. At the time, we thought it was a thief trying to steal money, and were relieved we’d buried the Silver in the cow shed.

But just the day before yesterday, I suddenly found that the white porcelain bottle containing the Longevity Gu was missing."

"You didn’t throw away that white porcelain bottle that held the Longevity Gu?" Yu Xiaolian frowned, "Who would steal an empty bottle? It’s of no use."

Jiang Lin continued, "I suspect Zhao Kuo stole it."

"Are you saying when we talked about the trick with the Chicken Blood Vine last time, we didn’t fool Zhao Kuo at all?"

"Zhao Kuo probably didn’t believe it and trusted his own eyes more but had to give up at that time due to lack of other evidence.

After your family left River Bay Village, Zhao Kuo kept inquiring about your whereabouts. You better be careful when you go out recently.

Also... Somehow the Pan Family learned about the grave of the grass witch and reported it to the court. Now many government officers are excavating the grave over there near the twin hills.

Why would the court send people to dig up the grave of the grass witch?" Jiang Lin was truly puzzled.

Lately, relying on his good qinggong, he sneaked to the twin hills a few times, but unfortunately, there are too many government officers there now, making it impossible to get close.

It was only from the conversations with people that he learned that the ones excavating the grass witch’s grave were people sent by the princely heir of Prince Huainan.

It’s really bewildering that a dignified princely heir with authority and wealth would blatantly dig up a grave.

Jiang Lin couldn’t figure it out, but Yu Xiaolian knew a few things.

The Witch Clan’s Saintess raised the king of ten thousand Gu worms — the Longevity Gu. It’s rumored that although the Longevity Gu is a Beneficial Gu, if one becomes its host, not only can they suppress and control all low-level Gu worms, but they can also become immune to all poisons, achieving immortality.

Wouldn’t anyone want something so good?

The one who most desires the Longevity Gu is none other than the current emperor.

Being old and frail and plagued with illnesses, the current emperor, to obtain the Longevity Gu, has completely disregarded his Crown Prince son’s opinions and secretly issued a decree to his many brothers and nephews: whoever can find the Longevity Gu can become the next emperor of the Great Liang Country.

Jun Mobai’s trip is likely also for the Longevity Gu.

When Yu Xiaolian read the novel, although she read more than half, the matter concerning the Longevity Gu was described by the author as extremely mysterious and elusive. True and false stories of the Longevity Gu emerged from time to time, but whether a real Longevity Gu exists, Yu Xiaolian doesn’t know.

But Yu Xiaolian guessed that the Longevity Gu might be an elaborate fabrication by the Witch Clan’s Saintess, a fictional construct.

"If that bottle was indeed stolen by Zhao Kuo, he probably already reported it to the Pan Family, and now that the Pan Family is connected to the princely heir of Prince Huainan, things are unlikely to settle peacefully; sooner or later they will come to your house."

Yu Xiaolian frowned, "If it’s only the Pan Family, it’s easier to handle, but getting entangled with the Huainan Prince Mansion means you and your father should leave River Bay Village and find some place to hide."

If Jun Mobai suspects that Jiang Lin and his father obtained the Longevity Gu, they might face fatal danger and bloody disaster.

"Hide?" Jiang Lin was indifferent.

"Why should I fear the Huainan Prince Mansion? I haven’t broken the law. Can they arrest people without a reason?"

Yu Xiaolian sighed; Jiang Lin is brawny but simple-minded.

She had to explain, "The Huainan Prince Mansion is excavating the grave to find the Longevity Gu. They are acting on the emperor’s orders.

If the emperor wants to kill someone, does he need to give you a reason? Time is of the essence; before the people from the Huainan Prince Mansion come looking, you and your dad should quickly leave River Bay Village."

Jiang Lin’s expression changed slightly, "Are you saying the emperor is looking for the Longevity Gu? But the Longevity Gu has burrowed into my body; now I don’t even know if it’s alive or dead."

Yu Xiaolian gave Jiang Lin a sideways look, "There is no Longevity Gu at all; what’s in your body is just a Gu worm called Beauty Face."

Jiang Lin was confused, "If there’s no Longevity Gu, why is the emperor going to such great lengths to find it?"

"Have you ever heard the saying ’looking at plums to quench thirst’ or ’drawing cakes to satiate hunger’? The emperor has reached his twilight years; rumors say the Longevity Gu can extend life and eradicate all ailments. Do you think he would be tempted?"

A person with power and status can turn clouds into rain; naturally, he hopes to achieve immortality.

Throughout history, haven’t emperors done many absurd things in pursuit of immortality?

Some emperors, driven by the instigation of alchemists promising immortality, even turned against their sons, with numerous cases of them killing their own sons.

The current emperor of Great Liang has gone to extremes, causing turmoil in the court just to find the Longevity Gu.

Jiang Lin said with a bitter face, "But if we leave River Bay Village, where can we go? I’m also not sure if I can convince my dad."

"If it weren’t a life-and-death matter, I wouldn’t advise you to leave your hometown.

If you do leave, you must head towards Jiangnan; next year, the Northern Land might suffer a drought.

Next autumn, I’ll also take my parents to Jiangnan; I plan to settle in Jie City. Perhaps you and your father could head to Jie City too?"

Yu Xiaolian, who had transmigrated for once, had to avoid Jun Mobai and hide properly; Jie City lies on the border of Great Liang and Great Meng Country and is considered remote.

To protect her life, she must compromise, using every possible means.

"But I heard Jie City is secluded and desolate. Why would you go there?"

Jiang Lin was worried. Why go to such a poor and remote place, skipping so many good ones?

Yu Xiaolian took out fifty taels of silver from her space and placed it on the stone table, "I have my reasons. You take this fifty taels first, and rent a small yard when you get to Jie City. It won’t cost much, and around the Winter Solstice next year, I’ll join you."

Jiang Lin pushed the silver away, "No need, my dad and I have saved quite a bit over the years. My dad just doesn’t let me spend it recklessly, saying it’s for marrying a wife."

Yu Xiaolian continued, "Take the money as if you’re helping me rent a courtyard, so when I arrive in Jie City, I won’t be left without a place to stay."

Jiang Lin nodded, "Alright, I’ll head home first. I still need to discuss with my father and see if he agrees to go to Jie City. If we do go to Jie City, I’ll send word through Su Jingchen."

Yu Xiaolian advised, "Next year, the drought will cause the crops to fail completely by autumn. The year after, water sources will dry up; then the entire River Bay Village will have to flee from famine. It’s far better to leave now than in the chaos."

Jiang Lin nodded, "I understand. If I make it to Jie City, I’ll send word to you through the Escort Agency."