maidservant

Chapter 16: The Yue Lao Temple is in danger and the old emperor is seriously ill

As soon as these words were spoken, the carriage fell silent.

Li Song looked into Yunshan's eyes with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"A talent for saving the world and also kind and loyal?" He repeated. "I'm just a juren. How dare I claim to possess these qualities?"

Yunshan looked at him and nodded, saying firmly, "Young Master, you are upright and honest, and certainly not someone who only knows how to flatter. If you can enter the court as an official, it will definitely be a blessing for the people."

The atmosphere in the carriage became a little subtle.

Li Song turned his head away, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "I think, if Miss Yun is willing, why not enter the palace and take the examination to become a female official?"

"Where do you come from?" Yunshan was stunned.

"Isn't it a joy for a woman to be an official?"

Li Song smiled and said, "Your knowledge and broad-mindedness are probably not inferior to those of men."

Yunshan blushed at what he said and lowered her head: "I am just a useless person, living a miserable life."

The carriage continued to move forward. Yunshan looked out the window at the scene, but many thoughts were swirling in her mind.

The words just now made her realize that her expectations for this world seemed clearer than before.

When I returned home, it was already late.

That night, she did not sleep well. The images kept appearing in her mind:
The people in the market live and work in peace and contentment, and the streets are full of vitality and vigor. All this started with the end of the regime change, and ordinary people finally got a chance to breathe.

The early morning sunlight shone through the mist onto the official road. Lin Yu sat in the carriage, tightly clutching the silk handkerchief embroidered with twin lotus flowers in his hand.

There is a pair of lotus flowers embroidered on the silk handkerchief, which is particularly eye-catching against the pink background.

The petals are stacked layer upon layer, and each layer delicately presents a natural curve, as if it will sway gently at any time. The two lotus flowers are close to each other, telling a story of affection.

This is a work that took her nearly a month to complete. Every stitch and every thread embodies her expectation and piety.

"Yunshan." She turned to look at the maid beside her. "The daughters of the noble families in the capital all say that the Yue Lao Temple outside West Street is the most effective. I'm going there to pray today. I wonder if the God of Marriage will hear me."

Yunshan smiled and replied, "Young lady, your wish will surely come true if you are sincere."

After several months of getting along, Yunshan realized that the eldest lady was not only cheerful and enthusiastic, and treated people with sincerity, but also always revealed her kindness and integrity in the details.

She supervised her servants strictly but rarely criticized them. Yunjin's mother was seriously ill, so she gave her a half-month leave and asked the warehouse to prepare the best ginseng medicine.

Even though she was just a servant in a traitor's mansion, the eldest lady never looked down on her. Yunshan was full of deep respect and gratitude for her.

She is a good master and even a good companion.

But good people are not necessarily favored in this world. Yunshan thought of the Fourth Aunt, a kind and innocent person.

-

The Yue Lao Temple is located in a remote place outside the west of the city. Lin Yu got off the carriage and walked towards the main hall on the bluestone road, with Yun Shan following closely behind.

The temple was filled with the scent of incense and candles, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of sandalwood. The two knelt before the statue, and Lin Yu kowtowed devoutly, praying silently in her heart that Yue Lao would guide her on the road.

Lin Yu stood up and gently placed the handkerchief in the brazier. The flames instantly engulfed the pink embroidery pattern, and green smoke rose.

"Thank you, Yue Lao." She whispered, with an unstoppable smile in her eyes.

Yunshan knelt aside, but did not pray for her marriage.

She raised her head and looked at the kind statue of Yue Lao, feeling mixed emotions.

She has seen too many joys and sorrows, and heard too many helpless stories, so she dare not have any illusions about love.

On the way back, the carriage bumped along the official road, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Yunshan leaned against the wall of the carriage. The vigilance she felt day after day reminded her that there seemed to be danger ahead.

Lin Yu noticed something strange and was about to ask the servant when a shrill horse neigh was heard.

The four masked figures loomed in the sunlight, their swords slashing blood-red arcs through the air. "Stop them!" the leader shouted.

The servants drew their weapons and engaged in a desperate fight with the masked man.

The sound of swords clashing rang out one after another, and amidst the flying dust, the carriage was shaken by the violent impact, and the wheels were firmly stuck.

Yunshan didn't have time to think about it. She pulled open the carriage door and said, "Miss! Get on the horse!"

Lin Yu was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses.

Yunshan quickly untied the ropes holding the carriage and tossed it aside. Her movements were clean and decisive, without a trace of hesitation.

"Gee!" She swung the whip violently, and the black horse neighed loudly and rushed forward.

The flash of swords danced in the field of vision, and the sound of horse hooves was deafening.

Yunshan clung to the horse's back, feeling the pursuers behind her getting closer and closer.

She stared straight ahead, looking for any possible way out.

In a blink of an eye, the West Street gate was right in front of us.

"Marquis Yong'an's Mansion, sir, please let us pass--" Yunshan shouted towards the front.

The black horse rushed through the city gate like an arrow, and the pursuers behind it were blocked outside by the pass.

Under the escort of the city soldiers, the master and servant returned to the Lin Mansion.

Yunshan was called by the Marquis and his wife, and was given a detailed account of what had happened that day.

"—— The remnants of traitors and the old forces with red eyes. My Lin family has many enemies in the capital, so we must impose stricter martial law in the future." said the Marquis.

Lin Yu returned to the room and sat in front of the bronze mirror for a long time, tears welling up in her eyes. Yunshan silently helped her to tie her hair again, and she shed tears silently out of fear.

It was late at night, and moonlight streamed into the room through the window lattice.

Yunshan lay on the bed, thinking back on what happened today:

This thrilling escape may not happen again in the future, and she must always remain vigilant and protect Miss Yu.

We must protect Lin Yu with all our heart and soul, just like we protected Yan Yu.

No, this time she had to be more cautious than before.
We must not let any accidents happen to the young lady!

-

The old emperor's condition became increasingly serious, and the hall was filled with a strong smell of medicine.

The curtains on the dragon bed were hung low, and the dim candlelight flowed between the gauze curtains, reflecting the old emperor's thin figure.

He lay there, his face as pale as paper, with violent coughs coming from his chest from time to time, and his whole body was trembling slightly.

"Your Majesty, the time has come." The eunuch reminded softly.

The old emperor slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still as sharp as a knife.

His eyes were covered with wrinkles, but they could not conceal the wisdom and majesty contained in his deep eyes.

He waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs to withdraw, and the breathing sounds in the hall became particularly clear.

Outside the palace, the new Crown Prince's General Secretary Yang Zhao was standing in front of the study window, gazing at the distant sky.

He was nineteen years old, dressed in a dark purple brocade robe, with a shining jade belt around his waist, which made his figure look even more upright.

His eyebrows and eyes are picturesque, his nose is high, and the corners of his lips are slightly raised with a faint smile.

"My father's illness..." He whispered to himself after entering the hall, his eyes falling on a memorial on the desk.

(End of this chapter)