The Might of the North, Chapter 123: Lin Ai’s Heart

As the group walked along the streets, Long Tianya couldn't help but sigh, "Zhenbei Pass hasn't changed a bit."

"Grandpa Long, have you been to Zhenbei Pass before?"

"Of course. Back when your grandfather was here treating his bone-chilling ailment, I visited several times."

"So that's how it is. Come to think of it, Grandfather truly did a lot for this place." To be honest, Li Qiutong had never expected the people of Zhenbei Pass to hold his grandfather in such high regard. From veterans like Beitang Mo and Dong Hong to the common folk, the mere mention of Li Baicao’s name was met with a sacred, inviolable reverence.

Long Tianya sighed. "It’s a pity he never cared for such things. Anyway, I won’t keep you two young people company anymore; I’m going to look up some old friends of my own." Without waiting for a reply, he leaped into the air, leaving the two young people speechless.

The pair chatted idly until they reached the entrance of the mansion that Li Qiutong had received for free.

"Brother Li, is this place really all yours?" Although Lin Ai had seen houses more impressive than this, she hadn't expected Li Qiutong to acquire such a fine property the moment he arrived.

Li Qiutong looked helpless. "I had intended to stay at the military barracks, but I ran into the head of the Xiyun family last night. He insisted I shouldn't stay there and pushed this house on me. Besides, Xingtian has also secured a place in the city center for himself and the Yuling sisters, and my foster mother has returned to her old residence. I really wasn't used to living in such a large house all by myself—I hardly slept a wink last night."

Seeing Li Qiutong’s complaining expression, Lin Ai suddenly felt an urge to laugh.

"Brother Li, you'll have to get used to it. You’ll encounter many more things like this in the future."

Li Qiutong could only smile helplessly. "Let's go inside."

As soon as Li Qiutong pushed the door open, the servants cleaning the courtyard hurried over to greet him respectfully.

"You certainly have plenty of people serving you," Lin Ai teased.

"That was Xiyun’s arrangement, too. I’m not really used to it." With that, Li Qiutong led Lin Ai into the living room.

"The General certainly lives in comfort here."

"It's... manageable, I suppose."

Just then, the maid, Xiaoyu, brought over some tea.

"General, this is fine Beiting Iced Tea. Please enjoy." Xiaoyu skillfully placed the tea before them and stood to the side. Feeling a bit awkward, Li Qiutong turned to her. "By the way, Xiaoyu, you’ve all been busy all morning. Let everyone take a break."

"Thank you for your concern, General, but they will rest naturally once they finish their chores."

"Uh, I see. Well, why don't you sit down? Standing like that must be tiring."

The unexpected show of concern warmed the young girl's heart, but long-ingrained habits were hard to break. "It’s fine, General. Oh, and General, didn't you say this morning that you didn't sleep well? I’ve already restyled the bed and changed the sheets for you."

"There was no need for such trouble. It was actually quite warm last night; I just haven't slept properly in a long time, so I wasn't used to it." Li Qiutong hadn't expected his casual remark from earlier to be taken so to heart by the girl.

"As long as you felt warm, General. I was worried you wouldn't be accustomed to the cold weather here in Zhenbei Pass, so I warmed the bed for you before you bathed last night."

"Oh, I see. No need for such trouble next time; my body is quite hardy. You go ahead and prepare some lunch; Miss Lin will be dining here." Li Qiutong thought nothing of it, but that didn't mean Lin Ai felt the same.

Lin Ai, who was drinking tea, suddenly choked.

"What's wrong, Xiao Ai?" Li Qiutong asked, puzzled.

Lin Ai looked up at Li Qiutong’s face, thinking about what had just been said, and felt a sudden knot of discomfort in her chest.

"Your maid even takes care of warming your bed?" Lin Ai’s tone was strange, her white teeth gently biting her lip.

"I only just found out about that myself."

Thinking of how she had been working herself to the bone lately just to help the Qiu Cao Alliance grow stronger, while this guy was enjoying such a pampered life, she snapped, "Li Qiutong, is that the kind of person you are?"

Li Qiutong was momentarily stunned, wondering why she was suddenly lashing out at him.

Lin Ai showed no signs of stopping. "I get it now. That night back in the Tang Kingdom with Princess Jingning—that was probably your doing, wasn't it?" She didn't know why she brought it up, but a feeling known as jealousy was now taking hold.

"With Princess Jingning? That’s impossible! I was drugged by them that night. I have no idea what happened afterward." Li Qiutong didn't know why, but he desperately didn't want Lin Ai to misunderstand.

"Drugged? So you're saying it was a drunken mistake."

"No, my tolerance is terrible; I get drunk the moment I touch alcohol." Li Qiutong tried his best to explain, but Lin Ai’s resentment was still written all over her face.

Realizing he couldn't explain it clearly, Li Qiutong said, "Xiaoyu, bring me some wine."

Lin Ai watched in confusion as Li Qiutong took a cup of white liquor, wondering what he was planning.

As for what Li Qiutong intended, it was a live demonstration. After taking the wine from Xiaoyu, he resolutely downed it in one gulp. The familiar wave of dizziness followed instantly.

"See? Look at that. I only had one sip—one sip and I'm already drunk..." Before he could finish his sentence, Li Qiutong slumped onto the table.

"Brother Li, what's wrong?"

***

In the West District, inside a small house called the Baicao Hall, Qin Shouyu was quietly reading Li Baicao’s medical texts.

"Things really haven't changed here at all." Long Tianya walked straight in. Back when Li Baicao first settled here, it was Long who had helped him build this house.

Qin Shouyu turned around, confused, only to see a familiar face.

"Brother Tianya, what brings you here?"

Long Tianya smiled. "I came here to take care of some business with a young girl. I heard you were in Zhenbei Pass, and I figured you’d be here."

Hearing the words of an old acquaintance, Qin Shouyu’s mood drifted back to the past. "Yes, Zhenbei Pass has kept this little herb hall intact and even renovated it quite a bit."

"I never thought you’d actually adopt that boy as your foster son."

"You knew all along that Baicao and that child were living in the Song Kingdom, didn't you?"

Long Tianya walked over to the main table; the arrangement hadn't changed a bit. "I had no choice. Brother Baicao wouldn't let me talk. Whenever I tried to reveal even a hint of his whereabouts, he would threaten to cut ties with me."

"That sounds just like him. He was always so stubborn."

Talking about their old friend brought not only the warmth of memories but also the pang of regret.

"Anyway, let’s not dwell on that. I actually came here for another reason—I want to discuss something with you."

"What is it?"

Long Tianya laughed. "I think my young girl and Li Qiutong are quite a match, and they have a good relationship. Since they are both of marriageable age, why don't we arrange an alliance between them? What do you think?"

"Your young girl? Who is she?" Qin Shouyu hadn't expected Long Tianya to bring up such a matter.

"The current head of the Lin family, Lin Ai. Didn't Li Qiutong tell you? Their relationship is no simple matter. That boy just took Lin Ai home to rest; who knows what might happen? Just like that business with Princess Jingning."

"You old fool, stop spouting nonsense! My son is not that kind of person. Let the children handle their own affairs; we parents shouldn't interfere." As a woman, Qin Shouyu sensed that there was more to this than met the eye. Her son had clearly stated he only wished to marry Sister Yun and was usually cold toward other women. However, Long Tianya wouldn't lie about this. Making a mental note, Qin Shouyu decided to have a talk with Li Qiutong later.

***

Back in Li Qiutong’s room, he was fast asleep on the bed while Lin Ai sat quietly to one side.

"Miss Lin, if you'd like to rest, I can look after the General," Xiaoyu said, noticing the exhaustion on Lin Ai’s face.

Lin Ai smiled faintly. "It’s alright. Go ahead and do your work; I’ll stay here."

"Miss Lin, do you like General Li?"

"Me?" Lin Ai hesitated, not knowing how to answer. "Why do you ask?"

"Actually, I heard your conversation with the General. Although I’ve never liked anyone myself, I know that one only cares that much about someone they love."

"Love?" Lin Ai whispered the word.

"I am very sorry about what happened earlier; it was my fault. General Li is a very kind man. He doesn't treat us like servants or slaves; I feel he treats us as friends, as equals. I am very grateful to him, which is why I try so hard to take good care of him. I have never had any other relationship with the General."

Looking at Xiaoyu, who was nervously clutching the corner of her apron, Lin Ai shook her head gently. "I don't blame you. I was too emotional earlier and couldn't control my feelings. I owe you an apology."

The tense Xiaoyu relaxed significantly and smiled. "Miss Lin, you are a kind person too. You and the General are a perfect match. I still have a lot of work to do, so I’ll leave you two alone." With that, the young girl quickly left the room.

"Do I love him?" Lin Ai looked at Li Qiutong’s sleeping face and recalled their first meeting—the passionate, headstrong young man fighting off bandits in a valley—and their second reunion, when he had become a powerful Saint Warrior with a new dream.

"If only you were still that boy who dreamed of walking the world with a sword, how wonderful that would be."

As the sky gradually darkened, Li Qiutong regained a flicker of consciousness. He opened his eyes groggily to see a fair, soft face before him. She was sleeping soundly and peacefully.

"Isn't that Xiao Ai?"

Li Qiutong propped himself up and realized Lin Ai had been sitting in a chair by the bed, her head resting against the mattress.

"This girl really isn't afraid of the cold." The chill of the northern border was no joke. Helplessly, Li Qiutong quietly climbed off the other side of the bed, walked over to Lin Ai, and carefully picked her up. He laid her on his bed, removed her shoes and socks, and tucked her in tightly with the still-warm quilt before leaving, feeling relieved.

When he reached the living room, Xiaoyu had already prepared dinner.

"General, you're awake. I was just about to call you."

"It's a good thing I didn't drink much. By the way, let Xiao Ai sleep a while longer; don't wake her."

Xiaoyu nodded. "Understood."

Just as Li Qiutong was about to start eating, a servant rushed in. "General, someone is here to see you. He says his name is Tian Baishu."