Chapter 8: Arrival in Yancheng

Five days later, Lin Luoluo arrived in Yancheng. She stepped off the carriage, paid the fare, and left some food for the driver before the carriage turned around and departed.

Standing still for a moment, Lin Luoluo stretched her arms and legs before heading toward the city gate. Once inside, she was unsure where to start looking for her people when a familiar voice called out.

“Miss!”

Lin Da, who had been nearby, rubbed his eyes in disbelief before exclaiming in joy.

Lin Luoluo turned around and saw a familiar face. A smile broke out on her face. Thankfully, they were still here—otherwise, she wouldn’t have known where to begin searching.

“Lin Da! It’s really you! How is everyone doing?”

“We’re all well, very well! Let me take you home first. The young master and second miss will be thrilled to see you.”

Lin Da’s eyes reddened slightly, and despite his typically stern expression, his joy was evident. His awkwardly radiant smile seemed out of place on his usually serious face.

“Just laugh if you want to! Don’t force yourself to look so stiff—it’s unsightly. We’ve left the capital now, so there’s no need to keep up appearances. Live as you please: laugh when you want to laugh, cry when you want to cry. Just remember one thing—you must never betray me. If anyone does, I promise they will live to regret it. Can you do that?”

“I can! Lin Da will never betray you!”

Lin Da thumped his chest in a show of loyalty, his grin becoming even more radiant and unrestrained.

Lin Luoluo gave him a playful smack on the back of his head.

“All right, enough grinning like an idiot. Lead the way already.”

“Yes, Miss!” Lin Da straightened up, suppressing his grin as best he could, though the corners of his mouth betrayed him.

Lin Luoluo shook her head in amusement. He was still just a kid. None of her guards were over twenty—the oldest, Lin Da, was only eighteen, while the youngest, Lin Shi, was just fourteen. Because of their duties, they often had to maintain stern expressions, but in moments like this, their youth shone through.

“Since we didn’t know when you’d reunite with us, Uncle Zhong rented a two-courtyard house as soon as we arrived in Yancheng…” Lin Da chattered away, even throwing in a barrage of questions for Lin Luoluo.

Lin Luoluo was at a loss about where to begin answering. Was Lin Da finally letting loose after holding back for so long?

“You’re asking too many questions at once! Let’s wait until we get back, and I’ll answer them all at once.” She massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Before long, they arrived at a house not far from the city gate.

“Uncle Zhong! Open the door quickly! The young miss is here!” Lin Da banged on the gate enthusiastically.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Stop pounding so hard!”

The door opened just as Lin Da raised his fist for another round of knocking.

When Lin Zhong spotted Lin Luoluo standing behind Lin Da, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Young… Young Miss…”

“Uncle Zhong, I’m back,” Lin Luoluo greeted him with a gentle smile.

Hearing her voice, Lin Zhong couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. He broke down, releasing all the worry and pressure he had been suppressing.

After calming himself, he wiped his tears and said, “Good, good. It’s enough that you’re alive. Forgive me for losing composure, Young Miss.”

“How could I blame you? It only shows how much you care about me, Uncle Zhong.”

Lin Luoluo walked into the courtyard with a smile. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by two small figures hurtling toward her.

“Big Sister!” they wailed in unison, bursting into tears.

Hearing the commotion, everyone in the house came outside. Seeing the siblings huddled together in a tearful embrace, the onlookers couldn’t help but wipe their eyes quietly.

“All right, all right. No more crying. Big Sister is here now!” Lin Luoluo patted their backs gently, soothing them.

“I thought… hic… I thought I’d never see you again!” Lin Zirui choked out through his sobs.

“They said the Princess Consort of King Yu was assassinated and didn’t survive!” Lin Wanwan added, still crying.

“There, there, stop crying, my little Zirui and Wanwan. And you too, Ziyu. You’re all so adorable—how could Big Sister ever bear to leave you? Besides, Big Sister is very capable. I’m not so easy to kill. I’ve got nine lives, like a cat.”

Warmth filled Lin Luoluo’s heart. Knowing that so many people cared for and waited for her, even when they thought she might be gone, filled her with resolve. She vowed silently to protect them all.

“Yaya~ (I want a hug too!)” Lin Ziyu, the little toddler, couldn’t hold back anymore.

Hearing Ziyu’s babbling, the three older siblings released each other.

Lin Luoluo reached out her arms, and Ziyu let out a happy squeal as he dove into her embrace, smothering her face with slobbery kisses.

Lin Luoluo lightly tapped his bottom. “You little rascal!”

Ziyu, completely unfazed, kept holding her face and giggling, his antics drawing laughter from everyone. The once-heavy atmosphere lifted instantly.

Aunt Zhong, noticing Lin Luoluo’s fatigue, spoke up. “All right, let’s not crowd around anymore.

“Young Miss, you must be famished from your journey. I’ll make you a bowl of noodles. Take her to her room to rest for a bit.”

Without waiting for a reply, she sent Huzi to buy groceries and hurried off to the kitchen.

Lin Luoluo’s stomach growled in agreement, so she didn’t protest. Chun Tao took Ziyu and led her to the room.

“Young Miss, this is your room. Uncle Zhong kept it ready for you, just in case. The two rooms on the left are the Young Master’s and Second Miss’s. The one on the right is where I stay with Third Young Master.”

“You’ve all been so thoughtful.”

“It’s what we should do. Please rest now, Miss.”

“Thank you, Chun Tao, for taking care of them for me.” Lin Luoluo hugged her gratefully.

“Miss, don’t thank me. It’s my duty to care for them. I owe my life to you, after all.”

“Yaya~ (Hug again! I want hugs!)” Ziyu babbled, his big eyes gleaming as he stretched his arms toward Lin Luoluo.

With no choice but to comply, Lin Luoluo picked him up, placed him on the bed, and started playing with him.

Before long, Aunt Zhong arrived with a steaming bowl of noodles.

“Young Miss, have some noodles to tide you over. I’ll cook a proper meal tonight.” She set the bowl down and hurried off again.

The aroma of the noodles made Lin Luoluo’s stomach growl. As she ate, Ziyu stared longingly, drooling.

“You little glutton!” She teased, feeding him a bite.

The two of them took turns eating, finishing the bowl in no time.

“Let Big Sister check if your little belly is full!” Lin Luoluo gently poked Ziyu’s tummy, making him giggle.

“Miss, don’t make him laugh so much after eating, or he might throw up,” Chun Tao cautioned.

“Oh, really? My mistake. You take him now—I’ll rest a bit.” Lin Luoluo scratched her head sheepishly.

“Of course. Rest well, Miss.”

After Chun Tao left, Lin Luoluo lay down and quickly fell asleep.