Chapter 1691 -1684: My name is Lin Yu, Lin as in Lin Sisi
Ye Hongru hurriedly saluted, âGreetings to Your Highness, the Prince of Ling!â
âNo need for formalities.â
Chu Jinling raised his hand slightly.
âLing⊠Your Highness, the Prince of Ling?â Lin Yuâs eyes widened, her heart suddenly surging with emotion.
For women like them, trained in martial arts, Lin Sisi was their role model. But Chu Jinling⊠he was the dream of every woman who pursued martial arts!
His legendary romance with Lin Sisi had spread across the lands.
A royal prince forgoing marriage to honor Lin Sisi, vowing to remain faithful forever, even taking Lin Sisiâs father as his own and caring for him.
Once a carefree, mischievous prince, he had now transformed into the commanding and all-powerful Prince of Ling.
Such a man was truly unmatched in the world.
Overcome with excitement, Lin Yu immediately knelt down. âThis humble woman, Lin Yu, greets Your Highness, the Prince of Ling!â
âWhat did you say? Your name is Lin Yu?â
Chu Jinling froze for a moment, visibly startled.
Lin Yu looked up, âYes, this humble woman bears the surname Lin, Lin as in General Lin.â
As she spoke, her face lit with honor, and a sense of pride welled up within her.
Though she could not compare to General Lin, she felt fortunate to share the same surname as Lin Sisi.
A deep, indescribable pang struck Chu Jinlingâs heart. Lin Yuâs tone, her expressionsâthey bore a faint resemblance to Lin Sisiâs. Bold, unrestrained, exuding a spirit that rivaled any man, she carried the air of a heroine.
Chu Jinling personally helped her to her feet. âStand up. Thereâs no need for excessive courtesy.â
âThank you, Your Highness!â
The light that had once dimmed in Lin Yuâs eyes reignited upon meeting Chu Jinling.
Moments ago, Chu Jinling had been silently observing from the sidelines. He had noticed Lin Yuâs defeat, her injuries, and had seen her desire to leave in frustration.
But his gaze softened as he looked at her, his words gentle yet firm. âIf you truly admire Sisi, then you should know that her spirit, like her martial arts, was unyielding. Defeat never made her lose confidence.
There will be countless contests in the future, countless opportunities. Women can enter the military camp too. Are you sure you want to give up?â
Lin Yu hesitated. âI⊠I donât want to, but Iâm afraidâŠâ
She feared she might never measure up.
She aspired to be like General Lin, a celebrated female general with unmatched achievements, but feared her own limitations couldnât amount to even a fraction of General Linâs greatness.
The humiliation of her defeat today onstage felt unbearable.
After all, for women, face was paramount.
âIf you have concerns, I wonât force you to stay. But remember this, no matter which path you choose, you must walk it with resolve.
I can tell you this: when Sisi was young, she rolled and tumbled in the military camp with Great General Lin, enduring no small number of beatings.
Yet she never gave up easily. Slowly but surely, she managed to defeat all those who had once beaten her.â
Lin Yuâs eyes lit up with a spark of admiration. âReally? General Lin⊠was bullied too?â
âHow could she not be? Who is born a master of martial arts? Sisi bore scars all over her body from a young age, and even more so on the battlefield later in life. She never once gave up.â
Even on the grimmest battlefield, left with nothing but a dulled and chipped blade, she had never backed down.
Chu Jinlingâs gaze clouded as he fell into memory, a trace of unmistakable sorrow flashing in his eyes.
Looking at the man before her, Lin Yuâs eyes reddened suddenly, a sense of guilt welling in her chest. âIâm sorry, Your Highness. This humble woman has erredâŠâ
It seemed she had reminded Chu Jinling of heartbreak.
Such an extraordinary man, forever bereft of the woman he loved.
General Lin would never return.
âItâs alright.â Chu Jinling rubbed the corner of his eye, then patted Lin Yu gently on the shoulder, encouraging her. âGo back and rest well. Consider carefully: will you participate in the imperial martial tournament? Do you still wish to join the military?
Once youâve thought it through, seek out General Ye.â
Lin Yu cupped her hands in salute. âUnderstood! Your Highness⊠my condolences.â
Lin Yu turned away, unwilling to look back, and swiftly ran off.
Chu Jinling watched her retreating figure and let out a helpless laugh.
She was a charming young woman.
âYour Highness, Great General Lin is upstairs. Would you like to visit him?â
Ye Hongru spoke indifferently.
Chu Jinling certainly wished to visit Lin Aotian, but during his last visit to the Lin family, the old man had driven him out.
The Lin family were kind-hearted yet quick-tempered. Lin Aotian couldnât stand the thought of him staying unmarried forever, wasting away his life, and had forbidden him from revisiting the Lin family or clinging to painful memories.
He couldnât always trouble others, after all.
âI wonât go up. Take good care of my father-in-law for me. Heâs getting old. Remind him to curb his temper, take his medicine, and mind his health,â Chu Jinling said, tapping his fan lightly against Ye Hongru, giving him a solemn reminder.
Ye Hongru noted the instructions and prepared to head upstairs.
But as soon as he lifted his head, he saw Lin Aotian descending.
Lin Aotian, of course, caught sight of Chu Jinling and let out a heavy sigh. âCome here, then,â he called.
Chu Jinling smiled and quickly stepped forward, addressing him with a bright, âFather-in-law!â
âShut your mouth! Donât call me that nonsense!â
Lin Aotian barked, his face stern.
Taking advantage of the absence of bystanders, he led Chu Jinling upstairs for tea.
Chu Jinling had long wanted to express his concerns for Lin Aotian, but the old man had never been willing to accept his goodwill. Now, having finally secured a rare meeting, Chu Jinling became unusually talkative, voicing numerous heartfelt concerns.
Lin Aotian slapped the table repeatedly in annoyance. âEnough! Youâre at least a prince regent assisting the Crown Prince in governing the court! Why are you this bothersome?
And how many times do I have to tell you? You and Sisi never formally got married in a wedding ceremonyâstop calling me father-in-law!â
It made him feel utterly embarrassed!
Chu Jinling lifted his tea cup and toasted Lin Aotian, his tone earnest. âWhether you accept it or not, Sisi will always be my wife. I will honor you as my father-in-law for the rest of my life and take good care of you.â
âWhy donât you understand? Sisi isnât coming back; she died on the battlefield in Qiongzhou City!â Lin Aotian slammed the table angrily, the sound resounding with a heavy thud.
Looking at Chu Jinling, his gaze filled with regret. âThe dead are gone, and the living cannot spend their days trapped in perpetual sorrow.
I had only one daughter, but I am oldâit no longer matters to me.
You are different! Youâre still young, with many years ahead of you. How can you let Sisiâs memory consume decades of your life?â
Chu Jinling smiled faintly, his tone soft. âHow could it be a waste? I love Sisi. Even though sheâs no longer here, I still love her. Thinking of her every day fills my heartâit leaves no space for other desires.â
âNo space for other desires?â Lin Aotian, a straightforward man of martial lineage, wasnât one to mince words. âWith your rank and position, a proper marriage would benefit not only you but also the imperial court!â
As a prince, the subject of gossip, clinging to his deceased daughterâwhat kind of image was that?
It had already been two months since his presence was last seen in court.
Rumors had it that he spent his days loitering in study chambers or wandering military campsâin places Lin Sisi had once frequented.
If this continued, how could he endure?
He would waste away.
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