A Shocking Dream

"Your Highness, you felt that I was familiar from the first day you came to Linzhou. Not only did you suspect that I was an old acquaintance of yours, you even suspected that I was old Doctor Wu Nian. I am standing in front of you now, so look at me and see if I look like your old acquaintance, or old Doctor Wu Nian." After Lin Wu Nian finished speaking, she raised her chin slightly, with a hint of stubbornness and calmness in her eyes. Her posture appeared particularly upright under the interweaving of light and shadow in the room.

Qin Rongchen stared at her, his gaze slowly moving from her bright eyes to her straight nose and then to the slightly upturned corners of her mouth, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. The woman before him did indeed have an inexplicable sense of familiarity, but if he could say she was the old friend he remembered or the legendary old doctor Wu Nian, both her appearance and figure would be different.

"Ms. Lin, don't be anxious. There may be many misunderstandings, but your sudden disclosure of your identity really caught me off guard." Qin Rongchen's voice was low and steady. He tried to calm himself and carefully analyze this sudden situation.

Lin Wunian smiled lightly, but her laughter was full of bitterness: "Your Highness, I have waited for a long time and I am tired. Instead of hiding it like this, why not just come clean? I know you have been investigating me secretly, and now I take the initiative to stand up, but you hesitate again?" She took a small step forward, and her clothes fluttered gently in the wind.

Qin Ruoyu watched the confrontation from the sidelines, barely daring to breathe. His palms were wet with sweat, and his heart was beating wildly in his chest, as if it was about to burst through. His eyes darted back and forth between Lin Wunian and Qin Rongchen, his heart in deep turmoil and torment.

He hadn't expected Lin Bingshuang to be standing before him. Her familiar features and unique aura betrayed her identity. However, the uncle didn't recognize her, which left Qin Ruoyu both surprised and relieved. He knew full well that this matter was shrouded in complex secrets and interests; revealing her identity could unleash a storm that would be difficult to remedy.

Lin Wunian's eyes held a hint of determination and composure. She seemed to be awaiting Qin Rongchen's response, yet also prepared for any outcome. Qin Rongchen, on the other hand, frowned, his eyes filled with confusion and inquiry, trying to find more clues from Lin Wunian's expression and words.

Qin Ruoyu's lips trembled slightly. She wanted to speak several times, but she forced herself to hold it back. Reason told her that doing so would only put her in a more dangerous situation.

"Uncle, Miss Lin may only bear a passing resemblance to your old friend. Let's not make hasty judgments." Qin Ruoyu finally managed to utter these words with difficulty, a barely perceptible tremor in his voice. He didn't dare look Lin Wunian in the eye, fearing he would reveal his inner secrets in that instant.

Lin Wunian glanced sideways at Qin Ruoyu, a hint of gratitude and helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"I've said before that I'm not your old friend, and I don't know any old doctor Wu Nian. My name was given by my parents." Lin Wu Nian was very frank at this moment. She stood upright, looking directly at Qin Rongchen without dodging, her voice crisp and firm, as if a clear bell had rung in this space.

Qin Rongchen seemed a bit reserved. He coughed lightly and looked away slightly, as if trying to sort out his thoughts and demeanor. "Miss Lin, please don't be offended. It's just that there are some qualities about you that I find troubling, which is why I have so many suspicions." Qin Rongchen's tone was calm, but a hint of unnaturalness still lingered in his words.

Qin Ruoyu watched the two of them from the sidelines, secretly relieved, yet at the same time, he couldn't help but admire Lin Wunian's frankness. "Uncle, since Miss Lin said so, perhaps we really did misunderstand," he said at the right time, trying to break the slightly dull atmosphere.

Lin Wunian shook her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips: "It's okay, Young Master Qin is also acting cautiously. It's just that I just want to live a peaceful life in Linzhou, treat illnesses and save lives, and don't want to be involved in unnecessary disputes and suspicions." As she spoke, she walked to the table, sat down gently, raised her hand and poured herself a cup of tea. Her movements were elegant and natural, and she was not affected by the confrontation just now.

Seeing this, Qin Rongchen also slowly walked over and sat down, his eyes still flickering to Lin Wunian. "Miss Lin's medical skills are superb. During her time in Linzhou, she has saved countless lives. Her achievements are obvious to all. However, as a member of the imperial court, I have to pay attention to some special circumstances."

Lin Wunian picked up the teacup, took a sip, put it down and said slowly: "I understand the prince's duty. I just hope that we can be honest with each other in the future and not have such misunderstandings again." Her eyes were clear, revealing a sincerity and expectation.

"Since Miss Lin is from Yun Country, do you know anything about Saint Yun Shuang?" Qin Rongchen's eyes were burning, and he would not miss any clues that might be related to Lin Bingshuang. There was a hint of eagerness and expectation in his eyes, as if as long as Lin Wunian's answer was slightly wrong, the secret hidden in his heart for a long time would be revealed.

Qin Ruoyu stood by, bewildered, secretly wondering how the emperor's uncle could be so reckless as to ask about Yunshuang right in front of Lin Wunian. He looked at Lin Wunian worriedly, only to see that she looked calm, pausing only slightly as if considering her response.

Lin Wunian gently put down the teacup in his hand, raised his eyes and looked directly at Qin Rongchen, and said slowly: "Saint Yunshuang has a respected status in Yun Country. Although I am from Yun Country, I am just an ordinary person and have only heard some rumors about her. It is said that she is holy and noble, possesses a peerless appearance and extraordinary spiritual power, and is deeply respected and loved by the people of Yun Country. She has been practicing in seclusion in the holy altar all year round, praying for blessings and protection for Yun Country." Her tone was steady, without the slightest flaw, but there was a subtle ripple hidden in the depths of her eyes.

Qin Rongchen frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with the answer. "Just hearsay? Miss Lin, don't you have a deeper understanding? Like her preferences, her daily habits, etc?" He pressed on, refusing to give up easily.

Lin Wunian shook his head lightly, a helpless smile on his face. "Your Highness, I really don't know. To me, Saint Yunshuang is like the stars in the sky, far away and unattainable. How could I know these private matters of hers?"

Seeing this, Qin Ruoyu hurried forward to smooth things over: "Uncle, Miss Lin has already said that she only heard the rumor. If you continue to ask like this, it will probably embarrass Miss Lin." As he spoke, he winked at Qin Rongchen, signaling him to stop.