Chapter 61: Lending Support

The Lin family had forcefully seized a total of seven shops from Lin Pianran.
Among them, the eldest branch had taken five, and the second branch had taken two; all of these had to be returned to her as soon as possible.
Lin Pianran then added very understandingly, "I know you cannot gather this much silver all at once, so you may return whatever cash you have on you right now, and write an IOU for the rest!"
"I am a soft-hearted and kind person. Since we are parting ways on good terms, I will not pressure you all too harshly!"
Hmph! How could things be that cheap and easy?
However, you cannot shear a sheep completely bare all at once; otherwise, it loses all the fun.
If she pushed the Lin family too hard into a corner where they had nothing left to lose, it would backfire and result in losses for her instead.
Huo Yuchen, the Prince of Qi, Baili Qingyun, Shen Xuanzhi, and the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Liu Quan'an, all acted as witnesses.
Lin Aadong, Lin Aasong, and Zhao Yurou were all forced to hand over all the silver banknotes they had on them. Even on Lin Chuxi, Zhao Yurou searched out six hundred taels in silver banknotes, along with another one thousand taels given by Prince Chang, which were all returned to Lin Pianran.
Altogether, they gathered thirteen thousand five hundred taels. Lin Aadong then brazenly borrowed five thousand taels in silver banknotes from Consort De.
There was still a remaining balance of eighty-four thousand four hundred taels, which was demanded to be paid in full within one month.
In the end, Lin Aadong, Lin Aasong, and Zhao Yurou were forced to write IOUs.
When Lin Pianran received the IOUs and the silver banknotes, she was extremely delighted and tucked all of them neatly into her sleeves.
With matters handled up to this point, it could be considered a temporary conclusion.
Lin Pianran bowed deeply to all the helping officials to express her gratitude.
"Thank you all lords for speaking up for this humble maiden. I will certainly repay your kindness in the future."
The officials returned the courtesy politely and departed one after another.
Only Huo Yuchen, the Eldest Princess, and Baili Qingyun lingered on, refusing to leave and staying by Lin Pianran's side.
The Lin family had suffered a crushing defeat today. Lin Aasong whipped his sleeves angrily and stormed off in a rage, not even bothering to care about his older brother.
Lin Aadong had been so infuriated today that he had vomited two large mouthfuls of blood. At this moment, lying on a stretcher, he was breathing faintly and remained completely unconscious, being carried away by guards.
Zhao Yurou followed tearfully alongside the stretcher, heartbroken over both the silver and her husband, while her bitter resentment toward Lin Pianran piled up so heavily that it made it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Lin Chuxi followed behind them in a daze, devoid of sorrow or joy, her expression entirely blank.
Seeing that the Lin family had all left, Huo Yuchen finally brought the Eldest Princess over.
"Since you have already made a clean break with the Lin family, you certainly must move out of their side quarters."
"You saved my imperial sister, making you her savior."
"It is only right that she looks after you; you should move in to live at the princess's estate!"
"That way, outsiders will not dare to spread any idle gossip either!"
Initially, Lin Pianran had still been pondering this very issue.
Unexpectedly, Huo Yuchen had thought of a solution first.
Moving to the Eldest Princess's residence was indeed not a bad idea.
Moreover, under the banner of being a savior, it could effectively seal the endless chatter of outsiders.
Lin Pianran decided to accept this arrangement.
"Alright!"
She smiled faintly, blooming like a flower, which dazzled Huo Yuchen's eyes.
He gazed intently at Lin Pianran's face, feeling quite cheerful.
Lin Pianran then blinked playfully at the Eldest Princess, "Please take good care of me from now on, Your Highness!"
"Consider it done! Younger Sister Pianpian, no need to be so formal!"
With that, the princess added instructions, "I'll go have someone tidy up a courtyard for you; you can have my elder brother send you over later!"
She departed in a flurry of high-spirited enthusiasm.
In Lin Pianran's impression, the Eldest Princess had always been gentle, quiet, and impeccably dignified.
She had never expected her to possess such a lively side as well.
It certainly gave one a whole new perspective on her!
Seeing that everyone else had left, Huo Yuchen stepped closer and said softly, "May I accompany you to move your luggage?"
Lin Pianran smiled and stuck out her tongue playfully, "No, you may not!"
"Why?"
"Your status is far too high; it would scare people to death!"
"There is no need to make a grand fuss over such a trivial matter!"
"Just dispatch a few capable guards to help me; after all, I don't have that many belongings anyway."
After a brief moment of thought, Huo Yuchen understood Lin Pianran's concerns and did not persist further.
He assigned five or six competent guards to accompany her and move her things.
*****
After parting ways with Lin Pianran, Huo Yuchen was in an exceptionally fine mood as he walked slowly along the official path toward his own palace.
However, his path was abruptly blocked by a young woman.
The woman had delicate, picturesque features and was a charming, captivating beauty—a rare and exceptional specimen.
Especially her eyes, which were exceedingly lovely; with every flutter of her gaze, she invariably exuded a unique allure and sensual charm.
She was remarkably bewitching!
When she caught sight of Huo Yuchen, her expression turned exceptionally agitated, and crystal-clear tears shimmered in her eyes, making her look all the more pitiful and endearing.
Moving with a swaying, graceful gait, the woman quietly drew a few steps closer.
She said eagerly, "This humble maiden Gu Qingcheng pays her respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness, it has been a long time. This humble maiden heard that your health has greatly improved?"
Huo Yuchen had not expected news of his better health to spread so quickly.
Presumably, every single move he made was under the close scrutiny of the court ministers.
With this thought, he easily guessed Gu Qingcheng's purpose.
Perhaps it was a probe demanded by her grandfather to test his physical condition.
Or perhaps it stemmed from Gu Qingcheng's own intentions!
Gu Qingcheng was the eldest granddaughter of Grand Tutor Gu, at the tender age of eighteen.
Huo Yuchen glanced at her indifferently and spoke with chilling detachment, "Rise, no need for formalities!"
"Divine Doctor Baili prescribed a new medicinal formula, though I never expected the effects to be astonishingly good."
"Yesterday I was still collapsing unconscious, yet today I can already get out of bed and walk around!"
"This humble maiden heard that there is an elderly woman in the Southern Frontier with exceptional medical skills, and I had already sent people to search for her, but I never expected Your Highness's health to have already recovered so well."
"This is truly such an inspiring and wonderful piece of news!"
Gu Qingcheng glanced back at her two maidservants and said with a smile, "Your Highness, since you have just recovered, your body surely needs proper nourishment. This humble maiden has brought quite a bit of top-quality ginseng and other precious medicinal herbs, and I have brought them all for Your Highness!"
Huo Yuchen cast a glance at the items on the tray, merely sweeping his eyes over them indifferently before his lips parted slightly, "Many thanks, Miss Gu, but I am not lacking in these things. Please take them back with you!"
With that, he bypassed the mistress and her maids, continuing on his way forward.
Seeing that he intended to leave, Gu Qingcheng hurried after him by a few steps, preparing to rush forward and grab Huo Yuchen's sleeve.
As she lunged forward, Huo Yuchen dodged swiftly, turned his head to glare at her with icy detachment, and warned sharply, "Miss Gu, please conduct yourself with dignity!"
"I have long heard that Miss Gu is currently on intimate terms with His Highness the Prince of Duan, and it seems good news is close at hand!"
"His Highness the Prince of Duan has always been utterly devoted to Miss Gu; it is truly a match made in heaven."
"On the day of your wedding, I will definitely pay a visit to partake in a cup of wedding wine and share in your joy!"
Having said that, he continued walking onward without looking back.