dognovel Chapter 224 Lin Yiyu, what are you doing here?
Chapter 224 Lin Yiyu, what are you doing here?
Shen Yunzheng never expected that she would meet her cousin Lin Yiyu in this remote Xinyang.
In that instant, she was filled with astonishment. The young man she remembered should be in the capital, but now he was in this small county town, accompanied by the female county magistrate.
Lin Yiyu was also taken aback when he saw her. A trace of panic and shame flashed across his face. He dared not say anything and quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I left home this time only to show what I have learned."
Shen Yunzheng narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze shifting between him and the female county magistrate Shi Wanxia beside her.
Shi Wanxia's expression remained calm, though a hint of wariness and curiosity flickered in her eyes. She spoke first: "I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival; I apologize for not greeting you properly."
Shen Yunzheng waved her hand gently, "I was just passing by." After saying that, she looked at Lin Yiyu, "You have quite the guts to leave the capital without permission."
Lin Yiyu lowered his head. "I heard that the people of Xinyang were living in all kinds of ways and that there was an opportunity to put my ambitions into action, so I came here. I have received a lot of care from Magistrate Su and have also learned a lot about governance."
As Shen Yunzheng listened, doubts began to grow in her heart. How could she not know that her cousin had such great ambitions and was also entangled with this female county magistrate?
Shi Wanxia said from the side, "Your Highness, Young Master Lin is exceptionally talented and has helped our county in many ways. The people of Xinyang all praise him highly."
A cryptic smile played on Shen Yunzheng's lips.
"Really?"
She looked Lin Yiyu up and down. The boy was tall and straight, and although his face was still young, it was firm. He was no longer the child in the capital who only knew how to study and play.
Shen Yunzheng rubbed her temples, feeling a splitting headache. Her nephew, Lin Yiyu, had been stubborn and obstinate since childhood, and his actions were always unpredictable and contrary to common sense.
Now, she's even entangled with the female county magistrate Shi Wanxia in Xinyang, completely disregarding her family's expectations and the rules of the capital.
"As an elder, I cannot tolerate him degrading himself like this."
Shen Yunzheng thought to herself, then her face darkened and she shouted, "This is not up to you. Men, tie up Young Master Lin and take him back to the capital."
At the princess's command, her guards, like wolves and tigers, immediately stepped forward to capture Lin Yu.
Upon seeing this, Shi Wanxia rushed forward without hesitation and pulled Lin Yiyu behind her to protect her.
Having just made this impulsive move, she realized her mistake and quickly explained, "Your Highness, I have offended you. Young Master Lin is an independent person with his own ideas and pursuits."
"If Your Highness does not wish to return, please do not force me."
Shi Wanxia tilted her head slightly and looked directly at Shen Yunzheng with a calm expression. Although she was uneasy, she did not back down.
Shen Yunzheng's expression was solemn, her eyes sweeping over the two of them like knives. After a long while, she coldly said, "How dare you! Although I have spared you from the death penalty, Shi Wanxia, don't forget that you are still a criminal awaiting punishment."
"Once the Emperor finds out that you, a mere woman, are disrupting the court, even I will not be able to protect you. Huai'an, do you still want to be so willful?"
With her last sentence, her gaze pierced Lin Yiyu, filled with heartache and helplessness.
Lin Yiyu stood behind Shi Wanxia, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He was well aware of his identity and responsibilities, but he was also reluctant to part with all the little moments he had shared with Shi Wanxia in Xinyang.
He recalled how they walked together through the streets, learning about the hardships of ordinary people; how they worked late into the night in the county government office, planning the development of Xinyang; how could he just abandon her and return to the capital city, which was full of constraints?
However, if he did not return, he would be openly defying the Princess's orders and disregarding his family. His parents were still anxiously waiting in the capital, hoping that he would bring honor to their ancestors, rather than opposing the court in this remote place.
Lin Yiyu bit her lower lip tightly, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists, her heart filled with intense struggle.
Shi Wanxia seemed to sense Lin Yu's dilemma. She gently took Lin Yu's hand, turned her head slightly, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Lin Yu, there is no need to be troubled. If you want to leave, then go back with His Highness. I... I will be fine here."
Even so, her voice trembled and choked with emotion.
Lin Yiyu gripped her hand tightly in return, as if trying to draw strength from their clasped hands.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed to Shen Yunzheng, saying, "Your Highness, I am well aware of your good intentions and the expectations of the family. But during my time in Xinyang, I have seen a different world and realized that the greater good in the world is not limited to officialdom."
“I wish to seek the well-being of all people in my own way, rather than being confined to the capital. Please grant my request, Your Highness.”
Shen Yunzheng looked into his determined eyes and felt a slight tremor in her heart. She saw a resolve and persistence in Lin Yu's eyes that she had never seen before; he was no longer the willful and reckless boy from the capital.
But as the eldest princess, how could she easily agree? If she set such a precedent, how would she manage the sons of other officials in the future?
"Do you think you can persuade me so easily? Do you know that you are risking your future and your family's reputation?"
Shen Yunzheng's voice remained stern, but a hint of wavering appeared in her eyes.
Seeing this, Shi Wanxia spoke again: "Your Highness, Young Master Lin has already made great achievements in Xinyang. He has helped the people of our county live and work in peace and contentment, built water conservancy projects, and reclaimed wasteland. Under his planning, Xinyang's tax revenue has also become increasingly abundant."
"Although he has not entered officialdom, he has done things that benefit the country and its people. I hope Your Highness will see this clearly."
Shen Yunzheng fell into deep thought, knowing that Shi Wanxia's words were true. She had originally come to force Lin Yiyu to return, but seeing their determination and the changes in Xinyang, she had to reconsider.
"I will give you three days to think it over. If Lin Yu is still unwilling to return to the capital with me after three days, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Shen Yunzheng finally compromised. She wanted to see what kind of answer Lin Yu could give her in the next three days.
Lin Yu and Shi Wanxia exchanged a glance, both seeing gratitude and determination in each other's eyes. They knew that these three days would be a crucial turning point in their fate, and no matter what, they would not give up easily, nor would they abandon the beliefs they held dear.
As Lin Yiyu watched the princess's departing figure, he recalled how he had left his father without saying goodbye.
At that time, he was very confused and didn't know where to go, so he traveled all the way from the capital to Youzhou.
Night fell over the bustling town, and Lin Yiyu staggered wearily and heavily down the deserted street.
His brocade robe had long lost its former neatness, covered with the dust of his journey, and the collar was slightly open, revealing his collarbone, which was slightly sunken due to hunger.
His once neatly tied hair was now loose, with a few strands of hair falling on both sides of his face, making his originally handsome but somewhat stubborn face look even more haggard.
There was still a trace of resentment and confusion in his eyes; his once bright and determined gaze was now shrouded in a dim shadow of hunger and helplessness.
He was in a rather disheveled state at that time.