RPDPHW Chapter 36

When Lin Ziyan returned to Dan Wenshu’s residence, Zhong Shujin was sitting on a tree outside, swinging her legs as she gazed at the door of Dan Wenshu’s room.

A faint smile played on her lips, and she idly toyed with the scented sachet at her waist.

“Master Zhong, the wind is strong outside. Why not sit inside?”

Hearing Lin Ziyan’s voice, Zhong Shujin put down the sachet and, with a light push against the tree trunk, effortlessly leaped down.

Standing in front of Lin Ziyan, she replied, “Your mother is inside. I’m not familiar with her, and staying in there wouldn’t do much good, so I came out for some fresh air.”

Lin Ziyan’s expression immediately tensed. Without another word, she quickly said, “I’ll go check on her,” and hurried inside.

After a brief pause, Zhong Shujin decided to follow behind her.

Inside, a voice was already speaking.

“We truly owe Doctor Gu our deepest thanks. Wenshu is the master’s most cherished one. For her to recover thanks to Doctor Gu’s miraculous hands—this is a great blessing for our Lin family indeed.”

Madam Lin, dressed in luxurious attire with an air of elegance, sat by the round table inside the room. She smiled politely at Gu Qingyin and said, “Once the master returns to the manor tomorrow, we must host a banquet to properly thank Doctor Gu. You must do us the honor of attending.”

Gu Qingyin returned with a polite smile.

“There is no need for such courtesy, Madam. My medical skills are far from exceptional—I have merely bought Fifth Madam a little more times. It would be undeserved to call it a miraculous recovery, let alone accept such gratitude.”

Madam Lin warmly held Dan Wenshu’s hand, her smile unwavering. “How could that be? Just look at Wenshu—her complexion has improved so much. In a few more days, she will surely recover.”

Dan Wenshu gave a bitter smile and said, “If that were truly the case, it would be my greatest fortune.”

Unsure of Madam Lin’s true intentions in coming here, Dan Wenshu could only exchange polite conversation with her.

It was at this moment that Lin Ziyan burst into the room.

The first thing her eyes landed on was Dan Wenshu.

Only after confirming that she was unharmed did Lin Ziyan breathe a sigh of relief. She then respectfully greeted Madam Lin with a bow.

“Mother.”

Seeing the concern in Lin Ziyan’s gaze, Madam Lin let out a soft chuckle, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “Ziyan, are you afraid I’ll eat Wenshu? Why are you so tense?”

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Lin Ziyan lowered her gaze slightly and said in a calm voice, “Mother, you must be joking. I was only worried that your visit here might displease Father. After all, Father has already stated that the Fifth Concubine needs to rest due to her condition, and no one should disturb her without reason. If you’re here, and she happens to fall ill again, Father will certainly not be pleased.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Madam Lin released Dan Wenshu’s hand, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip. With a meaningful smile, she added, “But really, my child, it’s quite something—you return home, yet instead of visiting your own mother’s courtyard, you come running here to see Wenshu first. Anyone who didn’t know better might think that *she* was your real mother.”

At those words, both Lin Ziyan and Dan Wenshu stiffened in shock.

Gu Qingyin furrowed her brows but knew it wasn’t the right moment to intervene.

It was Zhong Shujin, standing behind Lin Ziyan with a frown, who spoke in a timely manner.

“Qingqing, didn’t you say that Fifth Madam just took her medicine and needs proper rest? Why are we still chatting away and not letting her rest? What if her condition worsens?”

Her intention to dismiss the guests was unmistakable.

Dan Wenshu took the cue and covered her mouth, letting out a few coughs.

Gu Qingyin immediately reached out to check her pulse, then lifted her eyelids, appearing ready to continue her diagnosis.

With that, Madam Lin could no longer justify staying any longer. She stood up and bid farewell.

Lin Ziyan quickly followed after her, not even having time to put down the peanut chips she was holding.

“Mother, let me see you off.”

The two walked in silence all the way back to Madam Lin’s residence. Just as Lin Ziyan was about to leave, Madam Lin spoke in a cold voice.

“Ziyan, do not disappoint me.”

Lin Ziyan’s steps faltered slightly.

“She’s just a sickly woman. “If I wanted to crush her, it would be all too easy,” Madam Lin continued. “Don’t force my hand.”

Lin Ziyan felt her heart sink to the bottom of an abyss.

Her mother said such things could only mean one thing—she had already seen through Lin Ziyan’s feelings for Dan Wenshu.

“A few matchmakers have come by recently, bringing marriage proposals to you. “I had originally intended for you to stay in the manor a while longer, to help ease your father’s burdens, so I turned them away.” Madam Lin sighed as she gazed at Lin Ziyan’s back. “But if this continues, don’t blame me for forcing you into marriage.”

Lin Ziyan clenched her fists tightly, then slowly released them.

“I understand.”

With that, she turned and left without looking back.

It seemed that this General’s Manor could no longer accommodate them.

No, perhaps it was not them who were unwelcome—but rather, their forbidden love.

But in this world, was there any place that could accept a love like theirs?

When Lin Ziyan returned to Dan Wenshu’s residence, she had already suppressed the turmoil in her heart. Seeing the three of them sitting together, chatting and laughing, she couldn’t help but smile as well.

Some pain and helplessness were best kept to oneself.

Without Madam Lin’s oppressive presence, the atmosphere had lightened significantly.

Lin Ziyan placed the peanut chips she had brought on the table, unwrapping them with a smile as she looked at Zhong Shujin.

“I heard from Qingyin that you like sweets. I happened to pass by a well-known shop and bought some peanut chips. Try them—if you like them, I’ll have someone buy more for your journey.”

Zhong Shujin’s eyes brightened. Qingyin still remembered her tastes?

Pleased, she picked up a piece and took a bite, chewing slowly.

“Mmm, it’s quite good.” Even while eating, she didn’t forget to ask, “By the way, how’s the situation outside? How can we leave?”

Lin Ziyan took out a token and placed it on the table.

“I stole this from my father’s study,” she said calmly. “With this token, we can open the city gates at night and issue an emergency military order.”

Hearing this, Dan Wenshu frowned and said, “Ziyan, falsifying military orders is a serious crime!”

“It’s fine.” Under the table, Lin Ziyan secretly took Dan Wenshu’s hand, gently stroking it for reassurance. “I happened to have a message to send to my father as well. “Arranging for someone to leave the city at night won’t be considered a major offense.”

She then shared her plan with the others.

Zhong Shujin and Gu Qingyin discussed it briefly and agreed that Lin Ziyan’s method was indeed feasible. It would allow them to leave the city without resorting to violence. Grateful, Zhong Shujin quickly said, “Ziyan, I really appreciate this.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. We still don’t know if it’ll work.”

Noticing the faint scar on Zhong Shujin’s lips, Lin Ziyan could easily guess what had transpired between the two the night before. She shot Gu Qingyin a knowing smile.

Gu Qingyin, however, didn’t mind her friend’s teasing gaze. Instead, she calmly wiped away the crumbs lingering in the corner of Zhong Shujin’s mouth, smiling as she said, “Eat slower. Look at you, making a mess.”

Such a small gesture was enough to make Zhong Shujin blush fiercely, her heartbeat racing.

She thought to herself—she was done for.

Even Dan Wenshu, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but notice the intimacy between them.

For a moment, she felt a pang of envy toward these wandering souls of the jianghu.

To live freely, unconcerned with the judgment of others—that was truly enviable.

Dan Wenshu lowered her gaze. Compared to the open closeness of those two, she and Lin Ziyan could only steal fleeting touches beneath the table, their hands secretly intertwined in the shadows.

It seemed that for them, love would always be something hidden, a stolen moment never meant to see the light of day.

“Master Zhong.” Lin Ziyan suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of something bold. “I’ve heard that your Bloodflame Sect welcomes those who have no place in this world?”

“Welcome those who have no place in this world?” Zhong Shujin was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. “Who told you that? Most people who seek refuge in my sect are indeed those who have been forced into desperation by the martial world, but we don’t just take in anyone who shows up. We have our own standards.”

Recalling the veiled barbs in Madam Lin’s words earlier, Zhong Shujin seemed to grasp Lin Ziyan’s intent behind the question. She chuckled and teased, “What’s this, Third Miss Lin? Are you thinking of joining my Bloodflame Sect?”

Lin Ziyan neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, she asked, “Then how does the sect accept new members? Are there specific requirements?”

At these words, Gu Qingyin’s smile faded.

Meanwhile, Dan Wenshu’s expression darkened.

Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, Zhong Shujin quickly put down the peanut brittle, stole a glance at Gu Qingyin’s face, and awkwardly replied, “Well… actually, anyone who can reach Bloodflame Sect and pass the scrutiny of the current sect master is eligible to join.”

This standard was neither overly strict nor overly lenient.

The path to Bloodflame Sect was fraught with danger. Anyone who could reach its gates safely was, without a doubt, highly capable.

In other words, the sect only accepted those who were strong and useful.

Hearing this, Lin Ziyan asked earnestly, “Then… do you think I would pass your scrutiny, Sect Master Zhong?”

The moment those words left her mouth, everyone present understood her intention.

Before Zhong Shujin could respond, Dan Wenshu immediately snapped, “Lin Ziyan! Have you lost your mind? “Do you even know what you’re saying?”

Seeing this, Gu Qingyin tactfully pulled Zhong Shujin away.

Once they had left, Lin Ziyan quickly stepped forward, embracing the furious Dan Wenshu before she could storm off. Holding her tightly, she spoke with determination, “Shu’er, don’t be mad. Just listen to me, please?”

She took a deep breath and continued, “Let’s leave, alright? Staying here only makes us miserable. Why not take this chance to do what we truly want? With your talent, you shouldn’t be trapped within these four walls. The world is vast—there must be a place for us somewhere. Let’s go with them while we still can. Will you come with me?”

Dan Wenshu’s illness stemmed from her heart.

If the two of them could leave the General’s Manor together, especially with Gu Qingyin accompanying them, her health would surely improve compared to before.

However, Dan Wenshu scolded her instead, “Do you have any idea how high Father’s expectations of you are? Do you know that you—”

“Shh.” Before she could finish, Lin Ziyan pressed a finger gently against her lips. “Silly girl. Fame, power, wealth—these are all just worldly possessions. In the end, I still won’t escape the fate of being forced into marriage. Shu’er, now that my mother knows about us, if we don’t leave, are you really willing to stay here and watch me be married off?”

Dan Wenshu froze at those words.

“I know you wouldn’t want that,” Lin Ziyan murmured. Taking advantage of her momentary daze, she softly pulled Dan Wenshu into her arms and whispered, “Let’s leave. I don’t want to live with regrets. Even if our time together is short, I refuse to spend it sneaking around, only to end this life full of regret.”

Lin Ziyan’s desire to leave the General’s Manor had not been a fleeting thought—it had been growing for a long time.

And Dan Wenshu’s desire to leave had been just as strong, just as persistent.

She clutched tightly at the fabric of Lin Ziyan’s robes.

If she had to watch Lin Ziyan marry someone else, it would be worse than death.

But how could she, out of her own selfishness, ask Lin Ziyan to abandon her home and her entire past just to follow her into exile?