From the spirit mirror that had devoured the Fengyue Baojian, Yun Shuyao obtained some things. Having something to rely on, she felt that if she went into those murky waters now, she could help. So she volunteered to go to Yangzhou.

The old lady was somewhat surprised she would do this.

“Have you really thought this through?”

She looked deeply at Yun Shi. The old lady believed she wouldn’t propose going to Yangzhou to compete with Concubine Mei for favor. In another two years, they would both be old enough to be grandmothers or maternal grandmothers. Not everyone was like Concubine Mei.

Moreover, Concubine Yun was indeed more careful and steady than Concubine Mei. Having her go care for her son put the old lady’s mind more at ease.

So after a brief period of consideration, she quickly agreed. “Go then. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Because Yun Shuyao planned to go secretly, not many people would accompany her.

Furthermore, she disguised herself, dressing directly as a man.

When she emerged wearing a full set of men’s riding attire, Luo Yu and the others were all shocked. Was this their concubine mother?

She was still the same person, yet also seemed not to be that person.

Her skin tone had become somewhat darker than before, and her eyebrows had been modified, becoming more heroic. Moreover, her neck was covered by her collar, so others couldn’t see that she had no Adam’s apple. If one didn’t know, they might think this was their concubine mother’s younger brother.

Luo Yu wanted to speak but hesitated about her concubine mother going south. She also wanted to go, but firstly, their sisters’ wedding dates weren’t far off, and secondly, Grandmother wouldn’t let them leave.

Chen Yu wanted to go even more. He couldn’t help but sigh. “Concubine, take me along with you.”

Yun Shuyao glanced at him. “Don’t make trouble. You still have plenty to keep you busy with this mess at home.”

Though things were temporarily fine on Lin Ruhai’s side, they had no shortage of matters here. “You need to keep the fence tight and not let anyone disturb the family. You also need to watch your two sisters more closely.”

Since Lin Ruhai was alright, the wedding dates would still proceed as scheduled.

Yun Shuyao looked at her daughters. “I’ll return before your wedding.”

Yun Shuyao was relatively optimistic about this. There was still some time, and the most dangerous period on Lin Ruhai’s side should have passed. There wouldn’t be another such test of whether one’s heart was strong.

Luo Yu and Chen Yu said nothing more. However reluctant they were, they could only watch their concubine mother depart.

When they set out, there were four people with four horses. The other three—two men and one woman—were all guards from the Lin residence.

Yun Shuyao’s group didn’t dawdle on the road, heading to Yangzhou at the fastest speed.

Along this journey, those three guards had originally thought the delicate concubine would complain, but instead they were the ones who were more tired and needed more rest.

Was this reasonable?

Yun Shuyao: “I’m naturally more energetic.”

The guards: “…” Really?

The reason Yun Shuyao had to go to Lin Ruhai’s side was because her mirror had now recovered about thirty percent.

When she first saw its appearance, she thought the spirit mirror had completely recovered, but it turned out to be false joy—only thirty percent was restored. But even with thirty percent restored, it was very useful.

Most importantly, Yun Shuyao obtained a cultivation method from it. Though it was the simplest qi refining technique, she had found a path and no longer had to fumble blindly as before, worrying that one misstep might cause her meridians to go into disarray and her body to explode.

This was an orthodox cultivation method, and she had spiritual roots. Though she was no longer young, and this body wasn’t the original, progress would be slow, but compared to before, she saw hope.

If evil cultivators really came to the door, hope for self-preservation.

Another thing that gave her confidence was that she had learned three types of talismans.

The first was called the Clear Wind Talisman. It had no other function except to help people stay clear-headed, very suitable for studying.

The second was the protective talisman the abbot of Huguo Temple had given. Yun Shuyao mastered this one the fastest, after all, she had practiced it so many times before and had even grasped a hint of its essence. Now knowing the secret and relearning it, naturally everything fell into place.

The last type was the Spring Return Talisman. She could finally heal.

The Spring Return Talisman—she didn’t dare say it could cure all ailments, but it could enhance a person’s vitality. If things were truly critical, this might save a life.

Had Lin Ruhai completely escaped danger?

Not necessarily.

They could only say he was fine when he wrote that letter.

What if he encountered danger again and human efforts couldn’t reach far enough? The Spring Return Talisman might be able to help.

They traveled dustily to Yangzhou and quietly came near the Lin residence, discovering that the area around the Lin residence was heavily guarded, with soldiers standing watch all around. Idle people were not allowed to approach.

They circled around and didn’t find any loopholes. This was reassuring.

After making a circuit, one guard took the initiative to step forward. To prevent misunderstanding, he spoke to a soldier from a distance, saying they were here from the capital to deliver a letter and requesting to see the steward.

The other party was very suspicious. The guard presented their token, and only then did someone enter the Lin residence to pass on the message.

Before long, the head steward came out personally.

At first he didn’t recognize Yun Shuyao. It was only because letters from the capital had arrived not long ago and more letters were coming that he worried something had happened in the capital.

The letter had been prepared early on. The other party didn’t touch it at all, carrying it in on a tray. Their attitude was very cautious. Although the family crest matched, the token matched, and he recognized three of the people, there was one unfamiliar face.

Moreover, would familiar faces necessarily not betray?

Not necessarily.

They had received quite a few letters before with substances added to the envelopes. If they hadn’t been careful enough, he didn’t know what state he’d be in now.

The steward took the letter away, and Yun Shuyao’s group was invited to wait for news in a certain location in the gatehouse.

Before long, Lin Ruhai saw the letter and had someone come to receive Yun Shuyao into the inner courtyard.

The letter stated that Yun Shuyao had come and that she was a woman disguised as a man.

People familiar with the Lin residence came to see her. When Yun Shuyao spoke, that familiar voice made them lower their guard: “It really is Concubine Yun. Concubine, would you like to wash up first?”

“Good.”

After washing up and changing back into women’s clothing, she was led through the Lin residence, turning here and there, before finally seeing Lin Ruhai.

For safety considerations, Lin Ruhai wasn’t staying in the main courtyard, which was like a target.

Yun Shuyao pushed open the door and entered the room, immediately smelling the strong medicinal scent. Lin Ruhai had his hair loose, wearing only inner garments and leaning against the bed. One hand and half his shoulder were wrapped in gauze, while documents were placed on the other side.

In this condition, he still had to work.

Seeing Yun Shuyao, Lin Ruhai felt somewhat helpless, his voice soft: “Why did you come? Didn’t I say in my letter not to come?”

“Master, you did say that, but I simply forgot, so I came. Don’t worry, no one else knows I came either.” It could be said this was the most bedraggled Yun Shuyao had ever seen him. When he previously went to Fengtian Prefecture as an imperial commissioner, though it was hard work and he lost quite a bit of weight, he was spirited. But now… the formerly gentle and graceful gentleman had become a pale and sickly handsome man.

Seeing this, Yun Shuyao’s mood grew heavy, and some of it showed on her face.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai smiled slightly. Because of his weakness, even his speech was much slower. “I’m not in serious danger. Doctor Zhou says I’ll be fine after a good period of rest.”

“Extend your hand.” Yun Shuyao wasn’t very trusting.

Her pulse-reading skills were no worse than an average doctor’s. Indeed, his life was no longer in danger now, but his physical condition wasn’t good: “You shouldn’t still be taxing your mind like this.” Now was when he most needed rest.

Lin Ruhai: “Some matters must still be handled. You know that at this time, I cannot retreat. Once I’m done with them, it will be fine.”

Yun Shuyao did understand, but still had to urge: “Things that others can do, let others do them. Master must cherish your own body.”

Lin Ruhai nodded in agreement: “Shuyao, Doctor Zhou is watching over me.”

“I’ll also be watching over you.”

Hearing this, Lin Ruhai smiled again.

“Master, what exactly happened?” In his letter he refused to explain in detail, fearing it would frighten the family. But now that she had come in person, there was no need to hide it.

Lin Ruhai sighed. “When I was returning to the residence by sedan chair, assassins rushed out from an alley.”

Of course he had been prepared. If he hadn’t been prepared, he wouldn’t be injured—someone would already be collecting his corpse.

Yun Shuyao: “Have you caught the people behind it?”

Lin Ruhai shook his head: “I don’t know which family sent them, but it’s just those families anyway. Count them one by one—none of them would be wrongly accused.” Speaking of this, a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

After the news leaked, each family reacted differently. Some chose to withdraw, clearing their inventory before large quantities of sea salt were produced to recoup partial losses. But more people wanted to maintain all their current advantages and wealth, eliminating sea salt and the new method in its infancy. To this end, they not only obstructed sea salt production at the salt fields in various ways but also used various excuses not to sell salt, preventing people from buying it, and spread all kinds of rumors unfavorable to sea salt and to him, causing public panic.

Without much thought, these people were clearly taking a stance opposed to him and to the court.

It was only because the news had leaked. Otherwise, once they had stockpiled enough sea salt, even if these people wanted to disrupt the market, they would have no way to do so.

Yun Shuyao frowned while hanging the protective talisman and Spring Return Talisman she had worked so hard to draw on his uninjured hand: “How did the news leak?”

Lin Ruhai glanced at the yellow talismans, puzzled about when she had come to believe in such things. However, he said nothing and just let her hang them.

“This matter is very suspicious.” Speaking of this, Lin Ruhai’s gaze flickered.

After he woke up, he had already written all the suspicious details in a secret memorial and had it sent to His Majesty by express courier.

In this world—scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—merchants ranked at the very bottom. But if nearly the wealthiest group of merchants in the world caused chaos, the impact on this world would be no small matter.

His Majesty would absolutely not want to see this prosperous place fall into disorder.

So very soon, this place would be able to calm down.

Moreover… when he went on his last assignment, he had sensed something suspicious. When he came to take office in Yangzhou this time, not only did he not avoid His Majesty’s secret agents, he even proactively requested people from His Majesty to place by his side, all to root out the mastermind behind the scenes.

Under all heaven, there is no land that is not the sovereign’s.

Lin Ruhai didn’t believe that a hidden force could truly leave no trace even under the current emperor’s full investigation.

This time he was injured and nearly took a trip to the gates of hell, but if they could root out that mastermind behind the scenes, the injury he suffered would be worth it.

At this moment, perhaps His Majesty had already found out who was behind it all. What they had done was too taboo. His Majesty would absolutely not let it go easily.

In fact, this was indeed the case.

After Kangxi eliminated suspicion of his own sons, his vigilance grew heavier.

Now the other party was using such mysterious and ghostly methods against the Lin family, against Lin Ruhai. If one day the other party used such methods against him, against the Aisin Gioro clan, what then?

“Someone come. Summon the abbot of Huguo Temple to the palace.”