She couldn't help but marvel, "You've only been working together for at most two months, right? The pace of progress is really fast."
Gu Fang thought for a moment and replied, "We officially joined forces two months ago, but Prince Ning has been planning this for a long time. Over the years, he's been quietly cultivating his own resources, though he's always been very discreet about it."
"Huh?" Lin Yi was curious. "Wasn't he neglected by the emperor in his early years? How could he build up any power?"
Gu Fang smiled slightly, a hint of admiration in his voice. "He has a habit of picking up people. Whenever he sees injustice, he lends a hand to protect them. Strangely enough, the people he saves often possess extraordinary skills or are uncut jade." He paused, as if recalling something. "Some are good at prospecting for mineral veins, some are skilled in mathematics, some have extraordinary hearing—these scattered individuals, gathered by him, gradually formed a network."
Oh, I see, Lin Yi realized. This was probably the system guiding him behind the scenes. Novels always wrote it that way—the system could detect a person's talent or future, allowing the protagonist to befriend them in advance and have them work for him. But it was strange that this had nothing to do with the original novel at all. Could it be that the original plot had completely collapsed from the moment the real protagonist died?
She suppressed this thought and leaned her head against Gu Fang's shoulder, whispering, "Then... I wish you both success."
Back at the General's Mansion, A Fu came to report: He Jing had sent a visiting card, wanting to come to the mansion to see Lin Yi.
Lin Yi understood immediately—He Jing didn't really want to see her. She clearly wanted to see Huang Xining, but her parents wouldn't allow it. Now that Huang Xining was here, she finally had an excuse.
Considering that Huang Xining was busy preparing aspirin, Lin Yi didn't want to disturb him. She just instructed A Fu, "Invite Miss He over tomorrow. Also, go tell Brother Huang so he knows He Jing will be visiting him tomorrow."
After giving the instructions, Lin Yi still pushed Gu Fang to the dining hall for dinner. After the meal, as usual, she pushed him to take a walk in the corridor to aid digestion. Having been out all day, she was really tired, so she took Gu Fang back to rest early.
Perhaps because she had been mentally exhausted during the day, Lin Yi couldn't fall asleep after lying down. Feeling bored, she grabbed Gu Fang's hand and examined it closely by the dim moonlight outside the window. The hand was well-proportioned, with distinct knuckles. If not for the thick calluses on his palm and tiger's mouth, it could really be considered pleasing to the eye. She couldn't help but daydream: If this were modern times, with hands like these, Gu Fang might become a hand model? No, speaking of that, just his appearance alone could make him a top celebrity.
Gu Fang had been drowsy. After his injury, his body was weak, and the day's travel by carriage had tired him out, even if he hadn't moved much. He had wanted to rest early, but Lin Yi's fiddling and touching had disturbed his sleepiness.
Gu Fang sighed lightly, resignedly opened his eyes, turned to face her, and asked gently, "Xiaoyi, can't sleep?"
Hearing this, Lin Yi sheepishly withdrew her hand. "Did I wake you, husband?"
"I wasn't asleep yet, so it's not really waking me." Gu Fang looked at her through the faint light outside the bed curtain. "Is something on your mind, Xiaoyi?"
"No, not at all," Lin Yi said, a little puzzled. "Why do you ask, husband?"
"When you first entered the mansion, you used to toss and turn like this," Gu Fang said softly. "At the time, I guessed it was because you were in a strange place and felt uneasy. Later, your routine stabilized, and I didn't think much of it. But tonight, seeing you unable to sleep again, I can't help but worry that something is troubling you."
So he had noticed back then. Lin Yi's heart softened. No wonder Gu Fang had been so gentle and accommodating in the beginning—he was afraid she would be anxious in an unfamiliar environment.
"Actually, there's nothing on my mind," Lin Yi said, snuggling closer to Gu Fang, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I'm just happy! Now that the hardest parts before the surgery are almost done, I feel like the day you stand up again is just around the corner."
Gu Fang raised an eyebrow. "Xiaoyi is so confident it will succeed?"
"Oh, we need to think positively!" Lin Yi reached out and poked Gu Fang's cheek, her tone full of encouragement. "You have to believe in us!"
Gu Fang couldn't help but laugh, nodding repeatedly. "Alright, alright, I believe you." He raised his hand to hold her mischievous finger and asked softly, "Then... what will it take for Xiaoyi to sleep peacefully?"
Lin Yi's eyes lit up, and she blinked, a hint of slyness in her voice. "Ahem, I think if a person is tired enough, they'll naturally sleep well."
Gu Fang: "..."
He was silent for a moment, then finally let out a soft sigh. He turned over and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to whisper in her ear, his tone full of indulgent helplessness. "As you wish."
【【【Highlight: Gu Fang is weak; it's just kisses】】】
Lin Yi slept soundly again and woke up refreshed. As she stretched, Xiao Qing was already waiting nearby with toiletries. Since Xiao Zhu had been assigned to study cement, Lin Yi had chosen this quiet and obedient maid from the mansion's servants to stay by her side. Xiao Qing wasn't particularly clever, but she was very obedient—doing whatever she was told without asking questions. For Lin Yi, that was enough. She knew the procedures herself and just needed someone who could follow instructions strictly.
After breakfast, Lin Yi went to the guest room where Huang Xining was staying. He Jing was coming today, so she needed to drag her fellow disciple, who was deeply absorbed in making aspirin, out of his world of pharmacology. Otherwise, given his dedication, he might forget what day it was.
When she reached the guest room, she heard rustling sounds from inside, mixed with indistinct muttering. Lin Yi pushed the door open and, sure enough, saw Huang Xining with dark circles under his eyes, a stubble of beard on his chin, clutching a few sheets of paper filled with writing, and staring at a pile of bottles and jars on the table while mumbling to himself. He looked exactly like a character from a martial arts novel who had gone into devilish cultivation.
"What's wrong with you? Is the aspirin research not going well?" Lin Yi asked.
Hearing her voice, Huang Xining turned his head slowly, his eyes still a bit dazed. "It's going very well, don't worry. It's just that I tend to lose myself when I'm focused on something. I can't pull myself away until I get results."
Lin Yi smiled and patted his shoulder. "I knew I was right about you—I knew you were a high-IQ talent! But I came to remind you that He Jing will be arriving soon. You should get ready—like wash your face and shave your beard."
Huang Xining blinked, as if just remembering that, nodded, and turned to tidy himself up. Lin Yi, seeing his disheveled state, figured it would take him a while, so she didn't wait and headed to the main hall first.
Not long after she sat down, He Jing arrived. She walked in quickly, her eyes searching everywhere as soon as she entered. When she didn't see the person she wanted, the disappointment in her eyes was almost impossible to hide.
Lin Yi explained gently, "Huang Xining has been so focused on researching aspirin that he's let himself go a bit. He knows you're here and is now fixing himself up. It might be a while before he comes."
He Jing then realized her emotions were too obvious. As a fellow countrywoman, being so partial was a bit rude. She smiled apologetically. "I'm too impatient. It's been so long since I last saw him." That was true—since she had transmigrated, she hadn't seen Huang Xining. Her longing and anxiety were known only to herself.
Lin Yi nodded, understanding. If she were separated from her closest friends or family for a long time after transmigrating together, she would probably be just as anxious.
Fortunately, it seemed Huang Xining was also eager to see He Jing. Before Lin Yi could exchange a few words with her, Huang Xining strode in.
As soon as He Jing saw him, her eyes reddened. She rushed over and swung a fist at his shoulder, hitting him hard enough to make him stumble back two or three steps. Her voice trembled with emotion. "You bastard! I finally get to see you! It's been so hard!"
Huang Xining seemed used to this greeting. He steadied himself without changing his expression, and his voice remained calm. "Mm. It's been three years since I came here. Finally, I've seen you."
The excitement of the reunion gradually subsided, and the two calmed down enough to talk properly. Lin Yi knew she should be a quiet background presence at this moment, so she just sat to the side, watching with a smile.
He Jing wiped the corner of her eyes and choked up. "Luckily, Lin Yi found me and recognized me as a fellow countrywoman, and then brought you here. Otherwise, I don't know how much longer I would have had to wait."
Huang Xining nodded, his tone calm. "We were both overwhelmed by death back then. We were too focused on confirming our respective landing spots, identities, and how to find each other. We forgot to ask if there were any others."
Perhaps afraid that Lin Yi would feel awkward sitting alone, He Jing turned to her and gave her a grateful smile. "Lin Yi, you were really quick on your feet. To remember to ask if there were any other fellow countrywomen at a time like that—Xining and I were so preoccupied with how we died that we didn't think of that."
Lin Yi recalled the situation and still felt a bit of lingering fear. "Actually, I only thought of that possibility at the last moment. Otherwise, I would have missed Xining, a fellow countryman who studied medicine."
He Jing nodded. "I heard from the parents of this body that you were chosen to marry General Gu to ward off evil. You found Xining for the general's injury, right?"
"Yes," Lin Yi replied frankly. "He's been really good to me, and we get along well. Plus, there are things I need his help with. So of course, I want him to get better."
He Jing sighed. "No wonder your eyes lit up that day when you heard Xining was a medical student. To put it dramatically, it was like a fire was lit."
Lin Yi recalled her feelings at the time and smiled. "I had no choice. When the Imperial Hospital said his lifespan was limited, I thought it was a euphemism for 'not long to live,' and I panicked."
He Jing's expression turned strange. "Haven't you read 'The Great Qian Realm'? That novel was a huge hit across the internet back then."