Ever since she knew Long Tianhao, she had never seen him shown concern for anyone other than Concubine De.
Not even the most exceptional beauties were able to move Long Tianhao"s heart. Why then was he especially concerned about Princess Linlang?
Lin Mengya stole a glance at Steward Deng, who was busying himself organizing the herbs and medicine, Lin Mengya had a brainwave she casually asked,
"I"ve not heard of Princess Linlang. Who exactly is she?"
Without feeling suspicious, Steward Deng paused for a moment and answered, saying,
"Miss Linlang was Prince Yu"s playmates when they were young. Because of her poor health, she has been living in Prefecture Bing to recuperate. Miss Linlang"s health had always been something on the prince"s mind, which was why he always sends these valuable herbs and medicine to nurture her health.
So that was the reason. Lin Mengya nodded. In that case, she had nothing more to inquire.
Since they were together from the time they were young, it was only natural that they had a deep relationship with each other.
After all, Long Tianhao had not always been the cold and aloof prince since young.
Lin Mengya thought it was better for her to find out more information earlier than to be caught off guard. She sat silently at the table for a moment.
"What illness did Miss Linlang contract? I"m afraid any regular medication would not help with her condition?"
Lin Mengya sighed in her heart and decided to probe further.
She reckoned that Long Tianhao must have the same thoughts, which was why he had sent for her to help pick the herbs and medicine.
She would never have imagined him to be so meticulous and thoughtful.
"Prince Yu had also instructed me to inquire from you. Miss Linlang had always been weak since she was in her mother"s womb. Subsequently, she thinks too much and worries too much. In addition, she injured herself recently and this caused her health to collapse."
In contrast, Miss Linlang must have been a lovely lady.
Otherwise, Steward Deng would not look so worried when he talked about her.
"In that case, this potent medicine may not be suitable for her. Baishao, go and get the hundred-herb pill for Miss Linlang."
After pondering for a while, Lin Mengya thought this milder medicine would be more suitable for someone with weak health.
"I suppose this is not suitable?"
Steward Deng stared at the delicate jade bottle with a narrow neck. Baishao had just brought it over and she was obviously unwilling to hand it over, probably because of how precious it was.
"The raw materials for this pill were actually rather easily available. Only the processing of it is extremely tedious. Since the Prince had delegated this task to me, I shall not let him down."
Lin Mengya suppressed the sadness and helplessness in her heart, as she forced herself to act with magnanimity.
He already had someone who had been by his side since young.
She, being a burden put on him, would one day have to pack up and leave.
Nevertheless, while she was still around now, she should do her best to help.
"That"s good. Thank you, Princess, for making the effort."
Having gotten hold of the necessary medicine, Steward Deng left the room, all smiles on his face.
In the medicine chamber, as Lin Mengya watched Baishao and Baiji tidied up the medicine, she suddenly had an idea.
She got up and walked up to one of the shelves and drew out a special wooden box from it.
Lying in the box were over ten stalks of herbal gra.s.s, giving off a unique fragrance.
This was what she needed to purge the toxin in her body. She needed another three-flavored herb to make it complete.
Once she found the three-flavored herb, it would be time for her to leave.
That would be very soon.
As Lin Mengya walked out of the small store, her heart felt heavy.
All the people from the courtyard were circling Lin Mengya, but she just kept a straight face.
"What"s troubling you, Miss?"
Baizhi was a sweet la.s.s, but she was also the silliest of them all, which was why she dared to speak her mind.
"No, I"m fine. Come, I"ve something to tell you."
Lin Mengya reached out to Baizhi and pulled her close to her. She had been so busy with her own businesses that she almost forgot about the matter regarding Baizhi.
"Do you remember that young man we b.u.mped into at the back hills of the temple that day?"
Baizhi pondered but there was a look of puzzlement in her eyes. It looked like she could not recall.
"The one who s.n.a.t.c.hed your snack box away."
Just when Lin Mengya finished talking, Baishao immediately remembered. With an angry tone, she said,
"Oh him! Of course, I remember him. If it"s not for him, I wouldn"t have lost my snack box!"
Lin Mengya was speech as she realized that this la.s.s would not remember anything if it was not related to food.
"That young man is actually the King Ming"s son, the crown prince. A few days ago when I attended the state banquet, I b.u.mped into him again."
Lin Mengya wondered if she would scare her too much if she told her directly that the Crown Prince of King Ming had taken a fancy to her.
"Miss, did you asked him to pay for the box of snack? I suppose being a crown prince, he must be extremely rich?"
Baizhi was indeed talent and Lin Mengya could not help but burst out laughing.
She reckoned that this adorable girl was to become a pair with the open-minded and sanguine crown prince, they would be a perfect match!
"Listen, this is what"s happening. The crown prince of the western va.s.sal state had proposed for marriage with Dajin. However, he does not fancy any other woman other than you. He wants you to be his consort. I"ve meant to ask you if you"re willing or not?"
Lin Mengya had made up her mind that if Baizhi was willing to be the crown prince"s consort, she would do her best to make sure Baizhi would have a blissful future.
However, if Baizhi was unwilling, she would not force her into the marriage.
She could not bring herself to do something to benefit herself at the expense of another"s blissful marriage.
"What? Is the crown prince an idiot？He wants me to be his consort? I"m merely a maidservant!"
Surprisingly, Baizhi was not stunned. She must have thought that Lin Mengya and the crown prince of King Ming were joking.
She was a little maidservant by Lin Mengya"s side since she was young. How could she be fit to marry the crown prince of King Ming?
"Don"t ever despise yourself, la.s.s. You are like a younger sister to me. All of you here are either my friend or family. As long as I"m around, I will never allow anyone to look down on you."
Baizhi"s eyes welled-up in tears as she was touched by Lin Mengya"s words.
She clearly knew that her mistress had always treated her as a best friend, even when she was still an idiot.
Lin Mengya had always kept a portion of whatever was delicious or fun for her.
This was also the reason why she had been so faithful to her mistress.
Baizhi threw herself into Lin Mengya"s arms and replied with a sad voice, saying,
"I don"t want to be married. I want to remain by your side. Did we not agree that we would never separate?"
This la.s.s was still like a kid.
Not to mention getting married, even the feeling of romantic love was alien to her.
Lin Mengya went into deep thoughts. If she simply sent this innocent girl to the western va.s.sal state, it was as good as sending a sheep into a tiger"s mouth.
She made up and mind and patted Baizhi, saying,
"This matter concerns your future happiness, so I would never force you into it. How about I get the crown prince of the western va.s.sal state to spend some time with you? After that, you can decide if you want to follow him to the western va.s.sal state. What do you think?"
If she kept Baizhi with her, she would eventually be implicated by Lin Mengya.
Lin Mengya was very clear where her path was leading her. Baizhi was too gullible and she thought it would be wise to find a good family for her to marry.
"Miss, are you really going to send me away? Is it because I ate too much? If that"s the case, I will stop eating snacks. Will that do?"
Baizhi appeared to be at the verge of crying, so Lin Mengya gently shook her head immediately.
"No, it"s not that, silly. I can"t keep you with me all your life. If you can"t find your happiness your entire life, I"m happy to keep you with me. I"m just giving you a suggestion for now. Whether it would happen according to what I plan, it depends on you really. Do you understand?"
Baizhi nodded even though Lin Mengya was not sure if she really understood. She would be fine as long as her mistress did not the way she did not want her.
"Alright, anyways it"s too early to talk to you about this. Ask Baiji to make arrangements for us to meet the crown prince at the relay station tomorrow."
Baizhi"s eyes were red as she wiped her tears away and excused herself.
All of a sudden, a lanky figure appeared behind Lin Mengya. It was Qinghu. When he saw her in a daze, he called out gently to her.
"What are you thinking, la.s.s?"
Lin Mengya recovered from her trance. Looking at Qinghu"s cheeky expressions had definitely lifted her mood.
This guy was always wearing a smile on his face, as if nothing in the world could intimidate him.
"I"m just thinking of how I should punish you if you fail to accomplish the task I entrust you with."
Qinghu could see the sinister look in Lin Mengya"s eyes. He put his hands on his chest and pretended to look as if he was afraid.
"Alright, stop your repulsive act. I don"t have the strange affinity you thought I have! Tell me the outcome quickly!"
Lin Mengya had to admit defeat to this man, who never got serious.
It was no wonder that Lin Zhongyu always had that look of disdain in his eyes whenever he mentioned Qinghu.
"Lin Mengwu and her mother were almost going crazy. There were planning how to take back the chance to be the western va.s.sal state"s crown prince"s consort. The first person they were planning to get rid of is none other than your Baizhi."
Now that she had Ye to protect her, Qinghu was being freed up to do a lot more things.
For example, he could go around to gather information for her.
Lin Mengya had long expected this and the corners of her mouth curled up in a smile.
Earlier on Lin Mengya was unwilling to marry the crown prince of King Ming because she thought that he was definitely an unrefined and uncultured man.
Little did she expect that Hu Tianbei was, in fact, a handsome, open-minded and heroic young man.
Any normal girl in her right mind would be happy to become a crown prince"s consort.
"Now that she wants to be the crown prince"s consort, why then did she spoil the plan in the beginning? However, Lin Mengwu won"t become the crown prince"s consort just because the mother-daughter wish it happens that way."
In fact, from the time Lin Mengya knew that Lin Mengwu was the candidate for the crown"s princes consort, she had determined in her heart to upset this marriage arrangement.
Fortunately, Lin Mengwu, being an idiot, had dug her own grave.
"Your Highness, the Princess, King Ming had invited the Dajin Crown Prince and Prince Yu to join him on a hunting trip the day after next. Prince Yu had sent me here to ask you to get prepared early."
The voice of a male servant echoed from outside the room.