Chapter 662

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Does Xingzhi know about Uncle Wang's background?"

At bedtime, Shen Yao grabbed Lin Xingzhi's sleeve and asked bluntly.

Lin Xingzhi smiled and nodded, "Otherwise Uncle Wang wouldn't often be outside Jingcheng."

Hearing this, Shen Yao's curiosity was piqued, "Is he hiding from someone?"

Seeing Lin Xingzhi about to reveal the answer, she quickly raised a hand to stop him, "Let me guess first."

The fact that this Uncle Wang didn't often stay in Jingcheng had existed since Lin Xingzhi could remember; back then, the one sitting on the Dragon Throne was not the current diligent New Emperor, but that infamous, pleasure-loving Former Emperor.

What he loved most was holding imperial selections to expand the Huang Hou, recklessly amassing wealth and building palaces and separate courtyards, while tossing all government affairs to his subordinates.

That was the most chaotic period in Li Guo, one many still refuse to recall to this day.

"It was the Former Emperor, right?" But the Former Emperor didn't love men; although this Uncle Wang had a handsome face, even past forty he could stir the heart, one could imagine what kind of charm he had in his youth.

Shen Yao hesitated for a moment, turned to carefully examine Lin Xingzhi's appearance, then compared the two in her mind; hmm, it seemed Uncle Wang's face still had the advantage.

Lin Xingzhi:...

Although Shen Yao expressed nothing in words, as her bedmate of many years, how could Lin Xingzhi not know what his wife's actions just now signified?

Unavoidable jealousy rose in his heart; he took a deep breath and shook his head, mentioning it was and wasn't so, "Uncle Wang's father is a half-demon of mixed blood; Uncle Wang's mother is probably a demon."

When Uncle Wang's parents married, the Former Emperor was merely an ordinary Prince; although somewhat outrageous, he was still controllable. The Former Emperor—Lin Xingzhi found it hard to speak, but Shen Yao miraculously grasped the unspoken secret.

"The Former Emperor loved Uncle Wang's mother;" to give birth to such an exiled immortal whose grace was hard to conceal, one could imagine how stunning the two elders were.

Shen Yao:... Truly as expected, not at all surprised; perhaps this is the Former Emperor's peerless reputation accumulated over many years.

"Uncle Wang is often not in Jingcheng; then Uncle Wang's parents"—not having heard Lin Xingzhi mention it, surely they didn't die young, right?

Lin Xingzhi raised a hand and rubbed Shen Yao's head, "Uncle Wang's parents: born but no one seen, dead but no corpse seen."

When the Former Emperor was alive, he once sent people to search, but found no trace or clue; then the Former Emperor gave up, and several favored consorts with demon identities entered the Huang Hou.

Shen Yao:...

So even this can be used to find a substitute!

666

Perhaps the father-son relationship was indeed thin; Lin Xingzhi never held back when speaking ill of the Former Emperor, and although Shen Yao had never seen this Former Emperor who lived on everyone's lips, he must have been sufficiently outrageous.

"Whether demon or half-demon, their lifespans are longer than humans';" even originally short-lived animals that become spirits detach from the objective constraints they should have at the moment they become spirits.

To speak seriously, uncultivated plants and animals and spirits who can take human form are two completely different species.

This is also why conflict between humans and demons exists; who doesn't want immortality?

"Yao Niang."

Lin Xingzhi embraced Shen Yao and happily spoke of the future—when he goes first, there will still be three children at home to accompany his wife by his side; truly the best news.

"You need not uphold the Royal Family's rule for me, much less sacrifice yourself for me; compared to these, Xingzhi cares more about Yao Niang's safety."

The two of them are predestined to not stay together long; Lin Xingzhi, as a human, is too fragile, while Shen Yao, as a spirit, does not lack lifespan; were it not for the operating rules of this world, they should not have had so many intersections.

…………

The group temporarily stayed in Xi Yun Cheng, and by the way enjoyed the scenery here.

As Lin Xingzhi said, this Uncle Wang in charge of Xi Yun Cheng's affairs indeed loved idleness like clouds and wild cranes, going out to play whether there was business or not, so their meetings were pitifully few.

"Oh? You haven't left yet?"

Uncle Wang's surname is Lin, given name Jinyu; he is a half-demon with a simple, innocent, and lively nature.

After all, being able to leave Lin Xingzhi and Shen Yao speechless with a single sentence makes him a rare natural talent.

"Uncle Wang, we will stay for a while; we'll depart after the matters in Yuanshui Cheng and Hejian Prefecture are settled."

They didn't really want to linger in Xi Yun Cheng; it was just that the previous two matters were too high-profile, causing other prefecture-city clans to tremble with anxiety and fear.

Lin Jinyu made an "oh" sound upon hearing this; his overly pure eyes reflected the two figures, "You may do as you please; if there's anything you don't understand, go to the Government Office officials to handle it."

Afraid Lin Xingzhi and the others would feel burdened, Lin Jinyu explained with a smile that the Government Office officials were exceptionally capable; since he came to Xi Yun Cheng he had never managed affairs, yet the city's development rose steadily, and the people lived in peace and contentment—all thanks to the officials' merits.

Lin Xingzhi and Shen Yao:...

Facing such a beautiful Uncle Wang who sincerely offered suggestions, what could they say? Of course they gladly chose to accept.

The Government Office officials, forced to increase their workload:...

Before coming to Xi Yun Cheng, they worked seriously, occasionally stealing leisure in the midst of busyness.

After coming to Xi Yun Cheng, they played wholeheartedly, occasionally feeling guilty and handling a few chores.

Including the Imperial Guards, bodyguards, and servants who came with them, all rarely relaxed.

Lin Chengyan's three children could be said to have played themselves crazy; every morning they pointed outside the door wanting to go out, and every night they clung tightly to the gate refusing to come in.

"Mother Consort, Mother Consort, play, keep playing~"

"Mother Consort, don't go back to the Room."

"Mother Consort, can I sleep outside?"

Shen Yao:...

Watching the three increasingly outrageous brats, Shen Yao pinched the soft flesh at Lin Xingzhi's waist in anger.

Lin Xingzhi:...

Hiss

A sensation of overly sour and refreshing stimulation shot straight to his crown; Lin Xingzhi, breathing in, urged his wife to calm down, "Yan'er and the others are just too rowdy; tomorrow morning I will definitely teach them seriously."

Shen Yao let out a soft huff at these words, indicating that a wayward child wouldn't listen no matter how it was said; for now, the only option was to get the person out of this environment as soon as possible.

"The news from Jingcheng should arrive no matter how slow it is," Shen Yao said, releasing the soft flesh at his waist and raising a hand to tap the not-so-honest Lin Xingzhi. "Don't delay any further."

Is being kicked out by the owner here some kind of good reputation?

Lin Xingzhi:...

"Uncle Wang has a kind nature; I imagine he wouldn't do such a thing," even if he couldn't stand it, he would just leave on his own.

Shen Yao shook her head helplessly upon hearing this. "I'm not referring to Uncle Wang," but rather the two elders behind that person's child.

These days Shen Yao always felt the gazes falling on them were about to solidify into substance, yet these few careless people had no awareness of where the problem lay.

But it was also to be expected; don't look at Lin Jinyu being no longer young in human years, but converted to demon calculation methods and his own extremely special mixed-blood situation, he was still a minor.

The two of them lingering in Xi Yun Cheng without leaving, in the eyes of that person's elders, was somewhat suspect of bullying a child.

Lin Xingzhi:... (￣ｏ￣)

Because his own wife helped remind him, Lin Xingzhi dared not linger too long; he tidied up their luggage at the fastest speed, and once everything was in order, he tendered his resignation to Lin Jinyu.

Lin Jinyu:... Still hasn't left?

Lin Xingzhi was also helpless; just how much did this Uncle Wang not care about managing affairs, that he didn't need to worry and be nervous about several capable uninvited guests staying in his territory?

Lin Jinyu:... Why worry and be nervous? Xi Yun Cheng isn't something he manages.

The cheap uncle and nephew each had their own communication channels; fortunately, neither side harbored other thoughts, otherwise who knew how many problems would be stirred up.

Lin Jinyu gave many specialty products of Xi Yun Cheng, and as a convenience also gifted a travelogue annotation he had drawn while touring the entire Li Guo in his early years (two years ago).

After all, Lin Xingzhi was ostensibly going out for fun, so he definitely had to visit some interesting places to make the trip worthwhile; Lin Jinyu was very talented in this regard, flapping his upper and lower lips nonstop.

Shen Yao:...

The two elders observing from the shadows at all times:...

Lin Xingzhi was instead unusually moved by what Lin Jinyu said, a pair of eyes eager to try.

In the end, Lin Chengjing couldn't hold back and started bawling at the top of his lungs; no one could coax him, and finally Lin Xingzhi carried him while walking before he gradually calmed down with hiccups.

Lin Jinyu had by now freed himself from the state of talking to himself, and his bearing and demeanor had regained the lively and graceful air from when they first met.

"Prince Jing, may you have smooth winds all the way."

"Uncle Wang, please stay."

Shen Yao lowered the curtain gently raised by her hand, relaxed her body, and leaned back.

Two gazes that followed like shadows and clung like bone-attached maggots finally disappeared from beside them, phew~

"Mother Consort, I want Mother Consort."

Lin Chengjing was impatient staying in Lin Xingzhi's arms, opening his little hands and about to rush into the carriage.

Lin Xingzhi:...

Lin Xingzhi helplessly handed the big daughter in his arms over to Shen Yao's side, "Just now you were very good with Father King, even pulling his sleeve when crying."

Lin Chengjing said nothing upon hearing this, only simply opening his mouth to ask for Mother Consort, asking for Mother Consort.

Only after Lin Xingzhi left and only mother and daughter remained in the carriage did Shen Yao ask in a gentle voice why Lin Chengjing was looking for her.

"Mother Consort, there's a big bird outside, it flew away."

Lin Chengjing turned his pair of eyes and blinked, his two little hands were not idle either, just flapping left and right; paired with his own chubby child body, he looked like a fat-headed goose.

Pfft

Shen Yao couldn't help but laugh out loud; she raised her hand and rubbed Lin Chengjing's little head, curving her eyebrows and eyes in that pair of innocent eyes, "Don't be afraid, Mother Consort will protect you; those big birds won't hurt Jing'er for no reason."

"Really?"

"Naturally."

Lin Chengjing got the definite word, nimbly leaning on Shen Yao's arm to stand up from the soft cushion, walking on his short little legs to the window side, squeezing his round little head out to look, and after a while he was happily dancing with joy.

What Mother Consort said was right; those big birds really didn't hurt them; they were hiding in the cloud layer in the sky.

"Mother Consort, Mother Consort."

Lin Chengjing called out to Shen Yao, and under Shen Yao's encouraging gaze, she seriously began counting the big birds in the cloud layer in the sky.

Lin Jinyu, who came to see them off just for his own son:...

The two elders who only came out for their own son:...

The bird demons who just acted according to the leader's orders:...

"Wow, so many, so many," too many to count.

Lin Chengjing's sensitivity to demons was comparable to radar; as long as they appeared within the field of vision, none could escape her naked-eye capture.

Lin Chengjing, having drawn so many conclusions, turned around and pounced back into Shen Yao's arms, laughing giggles.

As the carriage distance from Xi Yun Cheng grew farther and farther, the bird demons circling in the sky no longer pursued.

During evening rest, Lin Xingzhi pulled Shen Yao to study the travelogue annotation Lin Jinyu had given him.

"Yao Niang, look."

Lin Xingzhi pointed at Xi Yun Cheng on the travelogue and the white crane in midair, then pointed at Yuanshui Cheng not far behind and the black fish in the river, Floating Cloud City and the long snake in the city, which was ten thousand eight thousand li away, and Jiangning City and the foxes in the city, "Are these all demons?"

The white crane in Xi Yun Cheng was far in the sky yet near before the eyes; the fish demon in Yuanshui Cheng had once appeared to help him; the black snake ally in Floating Cloud City and the lizard demon were still the matchmaker for them as a couple; the fox in Jiangning City had also been posted with a notice...

Lin Xingzhi raised a finger and pinched his chin, thinking to himself that if this was true, then what Uncle Wang gave was not some travelogue annotation, but clearly a record of encounters with demons.

"Xingzhi thinks, should we offer this to the Emperor?" Shen Yao leaned close to Lin Xingzhi's ear and whispered softly.

"The Emperor has long heard of this matter; where is there a need for us to speak up."

Lin Xingzhi refused this matter without hesitation, then seriously browsed the places the carriage might stop at next, while tacitly skipping cities where small animals appeared (except for some that had been decided upon leaving the capital and could not be avoided).

Lin Jinyu's travelogue annotation was simple; on most cities there was only one kind of creature; this did not mean there was only one demon in the city, but rather that this demon had great power and was not easy to offend too much.

The locust trees of Huai Xiang Cheng, the silver wolves of Shuo Fang Cheng, the flower cats of Yue Hua Cheng, the turtles of Yue Chuan Cheng, the apricot trees of Xing Lin Cheng, and many cities surrounded by Run River... Run River was famous for water-system great demons, inside were all demons that had become spirits long ago.

"Our last stop here is Jingxiu City, after which we head north all the way and then west again," circling around before returning to Jingcheng.

Lin Xingzhi tapped the city names on the travelogue, feeling that this Uncle Wang of his had some skill—truly deserving of being a White Crane that could both run and fly.

"The Emperor has shown both grace and severity to the Qi Family of Yuanshui Cheng and the Zhang Zhou Ning Wang Four Families of Hejian Prefecture; the principal offenders inevitably face death, while accomplices receive lenient treatment."

"In the coming prefecture cities, my husband need not overly fret over how to handle things."

The Emperor still left these people a way out: those who knew they could not succeed offered up their clan resources early to save their lives, while the absolutely confident need not truly fight them to the death; at least the Emperor's name of benevolence, kindness, and humility had already spread, and I believe many had made preparations in advance.

Indeed, the following events went just as Shen Yao said—there were many clever people, and after realizing they could not compare to those few families that had capsized ahead, they obediently chose to sacrifice wealth to save their lives, after all, only the individuals themselves knew best the terror of this matter.

It was also from this that they, as husband and wife, gained the title of "Confiscation Official."

Whoever made it so that wherever they went, there were clans actively delivering themselves to the door? Facing the clan resources pushed before them, Lin Xingzhi looked at the plan not yet carried out, shook his head, and sighed that these people's bones were simply astonishingly soft.

"Evil deeds bring their own downfall; they would be better off sacrificing wealth to save their lives and sleep soundly than living in constant fear day after day," and besides, this was not leaving them with nothing at all.

The husband and wife exchanged a glance, then smiled together; Imperial Brother/The Emperor had indeed made a most skillful calculation, and now accepting clan resources was even more like cutting leeks—just waiting for the day the leeks grew back, then harvesting another batch.