A Shocking Dream

She picked up a piece of chicken and frowned at the touch. She put it in her mouth and chewed it gently, only to find it was dry and tough, like chewing sandpaper, with no trace of tenderness. The so-called aroma was just a faint greasy smell, and the combination of spices was completely devoid of any depth, neither salty nor bland. It didn't bring out the flavor of the chicken at all, let alone compare to the delicious fried chicken she had in mind.

Does this chef even know how to cook? This roast chicken is a complete disrespect to the ingredients. The skin isn't crispy enough, the chicken isn't tender and juicy, and the seasoning is a complete failure. "Lin Wunian couldn't help but rant in his mind, "With this level of skill, how dare you open a shop? If I were to make it, I'd definitely marinate the chicken thoroughly, letting the flavors of the spices fully permeate every inch of the meat, then roast it at just the right temperature, ensuring the skin is golden and crispy, the chicken crackles when you bite into it, and the chicken is so tender it melts in your mouth. That's what a good meal is."

But for now, she could only barely fill her stomach before considering other things. She frowned and continued to struggle with the roast chicken, as if she were completing an extremely difficult task. She ate every bite with great reluctance, as if she wasn't enjoying a delicious meal, but rather enduring some kind of torture.

The epidemic in Linzhou had finally subsided, and the people's lives were gradually becoming stable. Standing on the streets of Linzhou, looking at the streets and alleys gradually regaining their vitality, Lin Wunian silently thought to himself: The Linzhou issue has been resolved, and it's time to focus on the affairs of my own sect.

At the thought of that despicable traitor from the Guiyuan Sect, a chill flashed across Lin Wunian's eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, gritted her teeth, and the rage within her raged like a raging fire. "That traitor was truly audacious. He had the audacity to take advantage of my preoccupation with Linzhou affairs and secretly abscond with all the male disciples of the Wunian Sect. Such evil deeds will not be tolerated!" Her voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling resoluteness that seemed to freeze the air around her with her anger.

Lin Wunian took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, secretly pondering how to punish the daring traitor. As she walked, she mapped out various plans in her mind, paying attention to every detail, her eyes flashing with determination and coldness.

When she returned to the courtyard, she saw Qin Rongchen and his nephew standing there, their bodies erect, as if they had been waiting for her for a long time. Qin Rongchen, dressed in a blue robe that fluttered in the wind, had a calm expression, his eyes shone with a deep light, as if he understood everything. Beside him, Qin Ruoyu, upon seeing Lin Wunian's return, had a look of eager anticipation in his eyes.

"Why are you waiting for me?" Lin Wunian spoke first, her eyes filled with confusion and fatigue. Her figure looked a little thin in the breeze, and her hair was a little messy and scattered on her shoulders.

"Miss Lin, Linzhou is now stable. We will set off back to Beijing tomorrow." Qin Rongchen's tone was gentle, but his eyes revealed unquestionable determination.

"Just go if you want to. I won't see you off." Lin Wunian folded her arms and turned her head away, her tone revealing a hint of stubbornness and distance. She knew very well that Qin Rongchen had come this time to persuade her to come to the capital with him. But the capital was a place of trouble, and she really didn't want to set foot there.

"Miss Lin, aren't you going back with us? The imperial decree requires you to come to the palace to receive your reward." Qin Ruoyu frowned and said anxiously. His bright eyes stared at Lin Wunian, as if trying to find a trace of hesitation on her face.

Lin Wunian raised her head slightly, her eyes calm but revealing an unquestionable determination: "I just did what I should do, curing diseases and saving lives, not for rewards. As for entering the palace, I don't want to get involved in the red tape and disputes in the palace." Her voice was cold and echoed in this small courtyard, as if to cool down the air around her.

Qin Ruoyu stepped forward and advised anxiously: "Miss Lin, this is the order of the emperor. It is a serious crime to disobey the order. Your achievements in Linzhou are witnessed by the entire dynasty. This reward is the honor you deserve. How can you give it up easily?" His hands unconsciously opened slightly, as if trying to grab something that was about to disappear.

Lin Wunian sighed softly, his gaze passing Qin Ruoyu and gazing at the distant sky. "I'm just a doctor, willing to relieve the suffering of ordinary people. The palace's reward is nothing but empty honor to me. I don't want to be drawn into the palace's power vortex and lose my freedom and my true self."

At this time, Qin Rongchen, who had been silent all the time, also spoke slowly: "Miss Lin, although what Ruoyu said was a bit blunt, it is not entirely unreasonable. The imperial edict is difficult to disobey. If you refuse, you may bring trouble to yourself. We will also assist you and try our best to keep you away from the troubles of court disputes." His tone was steady, and there was a hint of concern and worry in his eyes.

Lin Wunian shook her head, a faint bitter smile appearing on the corner of her mouth: "I know you are doing this for my own good, but I have made up my mind. I am not afraid of trouble, I just hope to follow the voice of my heart. If I change the trajectory of my life because of an imperial decree, then I will not be Lin Wunian." Her posture seemed particularly firm in the breeze, like an old tree rooted in the earth, which would not be easily shaken no matter how the wind and rain attacked.

"So, you want to disobey the order?" Qin Rongchen spoke, with a hint of imperceptible surprise and solemnity in his voice. His eyes were fixed on Lin Wunian, as if he wanted to see through her.

"I have my own things to do," Lin Wunian raised his chin slightly, his eyes firm and fearless. "I have been in Linzhou for several months, fighting the epidemic. All I have done is to save the people from dire straits. I have never thought of asking for credit or reward."

"Disobeying the imperial order is a grave sin, Miss Lin!" Qin Ruoyu couldn't help but utter, his voice rising slightly with anxiety, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He stared at Lin Wunian with wide eyes, as if trying to etch the gravity of disobeying the imperial order directly into her mind.

Lin Wunian paused for a moment. She knew the serious consequences of disobeying the order. Yet, she held onto her own resolve and perseverance. "I understand the stakes, but there are things I can't give up." Her voice was calm, yet shone with unwavering determination. Her eyes gazed resolutely into the distance, as if peering past the present scene toward home.

She wanted to go home, but she just couldn't die, and she couldn't bear to commit suicide. Sigh. Lin Wunian sighed softly, her voice full of despair and self-mockery.

Once, she thought that after going through countless hardships, she could finally endure the passage of time and die peacefully, bidding farewell to this troubled world.