Since the deed of renunciation has been revoked, the Lin family can now openly acknowledge their relationship with the Liangping Town branch of the Lin family. The three workshops can also resume using the “Lin’s Jade Emporium” signboard and reinstate the original recruitment rules for workers. Some of these rules required signing a personal indenture contract. As Li Cuimei had anticipated, many applicants voluntarily requested to sign such contracts during recruitment.
In the past, refugees had also come forward, offering to sell themselves into servitude to the Lin family. They admitted that as long as they didn’t commit major mistakes and the household didn’t fall into ruin, even as servants without personal freedom, they would at least no longer suffer from hunger and cold—a misery they couldn’t bear. Selling themselves to a wealthy family for food and shelter seemed a viable option. However, the Lin family wasn’t short on labor at the time, and even if they were, the sheer number of refugees made it impractical. Accepting one would set a precedent, leading to endless requests. Thus, the Lin family refused all such offers.
Now, the situation is different. With Lei Dongzhu’s garrison stationed here, there’s a deterrent against theft and robbery. The Lin family can now be selective and even expand their business.
However, a pressing issue soon arose.
Refugees from other areas, somehow hearing that Lin Town was hiring and distributing winter supplies, initially arrived in small numbers, braving the cold. Gradually, more and more came, eventually flooding into Lin Town in droves. But the supplies Lei Dongzhu brought were only enough for the original refugees in Lin Town. The recruitment quota was already met, and the Lin family couldn’t possibly take in so many more. Moreover, housing for such a large influx became a problem.
Despite the chaos among the refugees below the mountain, Lin Fang remained secluded in Zixing Temple, where her small, red-decorated courtyard became her sole refuge. She never ventured out, yet she was well-informed about the situation in Lin Town. Xian’er came up the mountain daily to report on events below, and Tan Liu would also visit when he had time.
With little else to do, Lin Fang read travelogues and books on landscapes and customs, including the set of *Buddhist Sacred Sites of This Dynasty* given to her by Qi Biao, which she reread multiple times. Her energy was much diminished, and she could only read for short periods before exhaustion set in. Even when she lay down, sleep eluded her—her rest was shallow, and she often merely feigned sleep.
Tonight was no different. In the dead of night, when she should have been sound asleep, Lin Fang lay awake, careful not to disturb Liu Ma, who was deeply concerned for her. Liu Ma, growing older, slept lightly and would wake at the slightest movement from Lin Fang.
When Qi Biao entered, though he tried to conceal his presence, Lin Fang sensed him immediately. Strangely, the weaker her body grew, the sharper her senses became. The cold, aloof aura was unmistakably familiar. Though she remained still with her eyes closed, she knew it was him.
“Yi Ge, is that you?”
“Yes, Fang’er. Did I wake you?”
“No, I wasn’t asleep.”
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to—I just can’t sleep deeply.”
“How did you know it was me?”
“By your presence.”
“Your senses are truly sharp.”
No longer hiding, Qi Biao sat gently by the bed and smoothed Lin Fang’s hair. Though uncomfortable, she didn’t pull away, and they spoke softly in the dark.
“Yi Ge, why have you returned?”
“Returning to the capital with the army. Just passing through.”
“Heh.”
“Why are you laughing, Fang’er?”
“I’m happy.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I won’t die just yet.”
“Don’t talk like that. I’ll find a way to cure you.”
At the mention of death, Qi Biao’s voice carried a hint of anger. A silence fell between them before he sighed. “Fang’er, don’t speak so lightly of death. I’ve known you since you were toddling—nearly ten years now. I’ve watched you grow up. You remind me so much of my eighth sister. In my heart, you’re like a sister to me. I won’t let you leave early, as she did.”
The once-silent, lanky boy had grown into a composed and decisive young man. Tonight, in mere moments, Qi Biao spoke more than he had in months past. The change was not lost on Lin Fang, who felt a pang of emotion.
After another pause, Lin Fang asked, “Is Tan Xuyi you?”
“Figured it out?” Qi Biao wasn’t surprised.
“Yes. Yi Ge, Tan Xuyi—the connection is obvious. Besides, I’m just a girl who never leaves home. Who else but you or my family would care so much about me?”
“Want to know why I don’t use my real name?”
“Everyone has their reasons.”
“My mother’s surname is Qi.”
“Yi Ge, don’t you want to see what I look like now?”
Lin Fang cut him off, sensing his background was complicated. If he hadn’t revealed it in all these years, there must be a reason. She only asked to confirm her guess—some things were better left unsaid. Qi Biao’s midnight visit suggested he couldn’t stay long and didn’t want others to know. Best to satisfy his curiosity quickly. Besides, she wanted to see him too.
“I’ve already seen you clearly, Fang’er.”
Relieved at her interruption, Qi Biao felt a strange emptiness—a discomfort he couldn’t name.
“Hmm?” Lin Fang opened her eyes to utter darkness, barely making out Qi Biao’s silhouette. How could he have seen her? Was he part owl?
“Heh.” Qi Biao chuckled in the dark. “I can see at night. Tutor Shen says it’s from the poison I ingested as a child. As the toxins cleared, my night vision improved. So, lighting lamps is only for others to see me.”
*So he is part owl.* Lin Fang widened her eyes. “Really? Then your family must save a lot on candles.”
Qi Biao was speechless. Her leap in logic amused him. He flicked her forehead lightly. “If you can’t sleep properly, this isn’t sustainable. Lie flat—I’ll try massaging your acupoints. When I was young and restless from poison, my nanny used this to calm me. It didn’t cure me, but it helped.”
Lin Fang shook her head. “Why bother? Just press my sleep acupoint. You must be tired from traveling all night.”
“Just lie still.” Gently but firmly, Qi Biao adjusted her position and began massaging her head. “Pressing acupoints is for emergencies. Done wrong, it can harm you.”
“Ah—ow!”
“Too hard? I’ll go lighter.” He paused, then resumed with a lighter touch. Soon, Lin Fang giggled.
“What’s funny?”
“It doesn’t hurt anymore—it tickles!”
After adjusting his technique, Qi Biao found the right pressure, and Lin Fang gradually drifted off.
Gazing at her sleeping face, Qi Biao finally left the room. With a gesture, her hidden guard appeared and bowed. “Master.”
Qi Biao stared silently until the guard broke into a cold sweat, then dismissed him. He wanted to ask questions but didn’t know where to start. Though stationed with the army, he kept close tabs on the Lin family—especially Lin Fang, whom he cherished like a sister. Every move of hers was reported to him. What more could he ask?
The next day, two convoys arrived in Duoling County.
The first was the supply team Lei Dongzhu had mentioned, carrying materials for warm shelters and enough provisions to sustain the garrison and original refugees for half a year. Li Cuilan and Zhang Tieshuan, appointed as official planting supervisors, arrived with them, alongside the imperial eunuch delivering the edict—the most crucial figure in the group.
However, the elderly eunuch couldn’t endure the cold and rough journey, slowing the convoy repeatedly. They arrived ten days later than Lei Dongzhu’s promised ten-day estimate. A few more days, and the garrison would’ve faced food shortages.
As the convoy entered Duoling, the eunuch sent a rider to summon the county magistrate to Lin Town for the edict’s proclamation. By the time the convoy arrived, a stunned Lin Chengxiang was already waiting at the town entrance to greet the eunuch.
The eunuch’s carriage proceeded straight to the town office. After a brief rest, the trembling eunuch read the imperial decree: henceforth, Lin Town was designated as the imperial winter vegetable cultivation site. Zhang Tieshuan and Li Cuilan were appointed planting supervisors, with Magistrate Lin Chengxiang and Town Chief Lin Dalang ordered to assist fully. Disobedience would be severely punished, and interference considered defiance of the throne.
After receiving the edict, Lin Chengxiang grew increasingly puzzled.
Lin Dalang had only been town chief for twenty days—how did the emperor know his name? And Lin Town was just one of many refugee settlements in the province. Why would the emperor single it out? These questions gnawed at him, but he dared not probe further. One thing was clear: Lin Dalang was no ordinary man, and it was best not to cross him.
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