The Empress Is Dead Chapter 146

All the houses or courtyards they pa.s.sed through have simple designs the same as the one they lent to her . They only vary in sizes based on the count of their family members . It is totally different to the villages and towns that Lin Xulian visited before . Here, you can't tell the differences of their social standings . It made you feel like the concept of being rich and poor is non-existent .

Lin Xulian also noticed the large expanse of greenery encircling the village . And most of them are the very rare Buchong herb . Lin Xulian cannot help but salivate white looking at the abundant number of the herbs . As expected, her obvious desire gained more suspicion and distrust from her female companions . They note down that they would report her behavior to the clan head later .

When Lin Xulian and her group finally arrive at the village's entrance, clan head Gu Lingdao and Gu Rin are already there waiting for her . The father and son duo simultaneously turned around to look at her realizing that she finally arrived .

Today, Lin Xulian didn't wear her usual eye catching red robes . Instead, she is wearing a plain black female robes with silver silk thread embroidered in ethnic pattern just like the other women in the village . But it did enough to show her feminine and angelic beauty compared to her handsome yet androgynous one when she is wearing male robes .

Seeing how she looks right now, Gu Rin remembered his conversation with Hu Hai years ago:

"Rin, I met the King's great granddaughter today . Young Master Huang asked me to teach her too . I was completely flabbergasted . I'm expecting a tall, bulky and domineering woman just like our King or her brother or her father . Who would have thought that she is actually a warm girl with a face that completely embodies every definition of a fairy! Although she is taller than most of the young ladies in her age . " Hu Hai said with exaggerated look on his face .

Gu Rin rolled his eyes at his friend's actions . "Aren't you a married man? Are you not worried that I'll tell your wife how much you admire the young miss?" Gu Rin said with a teasing smile .

"No! No! No! I didn't mean it that way! I'm just describing the young miss for your sake . You are my best friend, aren't you? You wouldn't want to risk your friend's life right?" Hu Hai fawned over his friend . But Gu Rin only gave him a snort of contempt .

Seeing the young woman in front of him that really looks like a fairy, Gu Rin felt like her claim as Lin Xulian is really possible . But he still refuses to fully believe her until the King said so .

Gu Lingdao on the other hand didn't linger any longer and commanded them to move and follow him towards the direction of the castle .

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The three of them only used their qigong to travel . Lin Xulian noticed that there are no carriage or horses around . She realized that their qigong is their only means to travel around their whole country . Lin Xulian didn't mind it at all but she is just a bit worried about the time and distance .

She knows it herself that her body, skill and level of martial arts is not on par with the two men with her . But they are moving at the same pace as her . They are obviously slowing themselves for her sake . Seeing this, Lin Xulian is more resolved to give her all and be as fast as she can despite the difficulty .

But after almost three hours, Gu Lingdao signaled them to stop and rest . Lin Xulian didn't make a sound and tried to catch her breath as subtle as possible . Although they know that she is remarkably weaker than them, she still doesn't want them to think that she is a burden .

Then Gu Lingdao threw a bottle of draught at Lin Xulian . She clumsily caught it because she didn't expect him to give her anything . "What is this clan head Gu?"

"A draught made from Buchong herb . It will aid the replenishment of your internal energy . " Gu Rin explained in behalf of his father .

Hearing that it is made from the very rare herb she's been salivating earlier, Lin Xulian got excited and opened it then sniffed the content . The next second, she wasn't able to hide her disappointment and heaved a deep sigh .

The two men both noticed her reaction . "What is it young miss Lian? You look disappointed . " Gu Lingdao couldn't help but ask .

"I just noticed that this draught is not that pure . The apothecary only managed to extract half— . No, it is actually less than half of the herb's essences . I just felt like it didn't do any justice for such rare and precious herb . It was treated like a normal vegetable that was boiled in water . " Lin Xulian said while examining the draught in her hand .

Lin Xulian didn't notice that the father and son duo's expressions changed dramatically during her entire speech . While Gu Lingdao is feeling awkward and ashamed, Gu Rin felt offended for his father .

"You surely know a lot about draughts young miss Lian . " Gu Rin said with a hint of ridicule in his tone . Even after knowing that Lin Xulian is claiming that she is that medically talented empress, only a few knows that she could make draughts and medicines . So Gu Rin is having more doubts about her real ident.i.ty .

Sensing that there is an underlying meaning in Gu Rin's tone, Lin Xulian got confused . "Did I say something wrong young master Gu Rin?" She asked innocently that only gained more of Gu Rin's ire .

Seeing that his son is taking the offense for him, Gu Lingdao decided to step in and mediate . "There is nothing wrong young miss Lin . We don't have any apothecary for decades now so I have no knowledge in making draughts . The books I had didn't help at all . " Gu Lingdao explained .

Lin Xulian finally realized her fault and gave Gu Lingdao an apologetic look . "I-I didn't mean to criticize clan head Gu . On a positive note, although the draught is not pure, it is still pa.s.sable . After all, as long as it works it is considered a success . How about I teach you how to improve it clan head Gu? I have more than one way to extract the essences of any herb, be it an herb or fruit . I could help you become a full pledged apothecary!" Lin Xulian fawned over Gu Lingdao to salvage her chance to learn the art of Gu poisons .

Seeing how Lin Xulian fawned over him, Gu Lingdao laughed heartily but didn't take her latter words seriously . "I'll be looking forward to it young miss Lian . "