frightfiction Chapter 238 Extra (5) Daily Mischief 03
Chapter 238 Extra (5) Daily Mischief 03
Lin Shiming did indeed go back on his own.
But this was not his intention. In fact, he was frightened back by the howling wind and howling cranes that filled the mountain.
As the art of war aptly states, delay breeds change.
Although Lin Shiming was blinded by his own vision of a "protagonist's smooth road," he still retained basic rationality.
His parents and brother would never agree to such a dangerous thing as going deep into the mountains. Even if he were really experienced and had the extra power of internal energy that he didn't have in his previous life, making it virtually impossible for him to get into trouble, anyone with a brain could tell that no one would believe a four-year-old child like him.
So we have to get there early and go secretly, without telling anyone.
Therefore, while everyone was taking a nap, Lin Shiming, who had already fallen asleep in his brother's arms, quietly slipped out of the room. Taking advantage of his small size, he easily avoided the young novice monk guarding the door and climbed over the wall.
Upon landing, the feeling of freedom washed over him. Lin Shiming felt like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins or a fish that had returned to the sea, back to the territory he knew best.
Based on his experience from his previous life, he quickly figured out the way into the mountains, and in a flash, he disappeared completely into the dense forest.
The journey was smooth.
He skillfully avoided the tree roots and hidden rocks that would trip him up in the forest, and bypassed places where wild animals might appear. With a clear goal in mind, he followed the stream straight to the deepest part of the forest.
If someone had recorded his movements at that moment, they would have found that his trajectory was like a sharp sword piercing straight into the heart of the forest. This route allowed him to reach the deepest part of the jungle in a very short time, where he could no longer hear any sounds from the outside world.
Therefore, when Lin Yunyue and Lin Shihe led people to search for him in the mountains, he had no idea what kind of commotion had broken out outside because of his disappearance. He was completely unaware that the Tingyun Army had sealed off the mountain and the Imperial Guards had entered the mountain to search, as he was only focused on venturing deeper into the mountains, his mind filled with his dream of a glorious life.
It wasn't until he encountered a frantic animal passing by him for the third time, fleeing for its life, that his feverish, passionate mind finally calmed down.
When something happens in the mountains, the animals are the first to know.
With his intelligence fully restored, Lin Shiming realized something was wrong. He made a decisive decision, abandoning his search for some reclusive master, and instead immediately began to carefully and cautiously make his way back.
In front of family, what are reclusive masters? Not to mention that he had already gone deep into the mountains and found no trace of them. This desolate place may never have been visited by anyone at all!
Home is still the most important thing.
Lin Shiming hurried back the way he came.
Then, from a distance in the tree, he saw a large number of soldiers seemingly searching for something. By the light of the sun, which was still hanging obliquely in the sky, Lin Shiming carefully distinguished those people.
Familiar armor, familiar weapons, and even a few familiar faces. Getting closer, you can faintly hear the shouts of those people, calling out "Second Young Master."
Oh dear, it turns out the problem wasn't with his family, but with himself.
Oh no, oh no, oh no! This is a disaster!
Judging from this commotion, his father has mobilized all the men from the West Camp to look for him. With such a huge commotion, he's definitely in for a rough time when he gets back!
Lin Shiming was so anxious that he scratched his head and wished he could just faint and pretend that he had been kidnapped by some unknown force.
But this is obviously impossible.
One lie requires ten to cover it up. He is the youngest son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. If he were really kidnapped, it would involve major events in the imperial court. If things developed to that point, it would be beyond his ability to explain.
Although Lin Shiming acted impulsively and recklessly today, he would never fabricate such a blatant lie to justify himself and escape punishment.
He really didn't want to be caught and taken back just because he was out in public. What would he say if his parents asked why he was deep in the woods? That he wandered in and got lost?
What a shame!
He would rather take another beating.
So, the clever young master Lin Er quickly decided to take the initiative to return to the temple.
What's that saying again? Surrender and you'll get lenient treatment, a reduced sentence!
Lin Shiming made up his mind and went through a lot of trouble to avoid the soldiers searching for him and walk back. Under the cover of darkness, after several twists and turns, he finally managed to sneak back to the Buddhist temple without anyone's help.
*
In the room, Zhang Ting, who had been waiting all afternoon, finally couldn't hold back her tears.
Her hands, which were supporting the maid, were trembling.
"It's been so long and there's still no news. It's already dark. What should we do?!"
The maid also looked haggard, but she still forced herself to cheer up and comfort Zhang Ting, "Madam, don't be afraid. The second young master is very fortunate and will definitely be alright."
"What good is fortune? There are countless wild beasts and poisonous insects in that forest. How can a child like him survive..."
As she spoke, Zhang Ting broke down in tears, her suppressed emotions finally collapsing.
"Madam, you mustn't cry," several maids quickly surrounded Zhang Ting to comfort her. "If you ruin your eyes from crying, how guilty and heartbroken the Second Young Master will feel when he comes back and sees you?"
"Yes, yes!" a familiar voice chimed in, "I'd be dying of guilt before my father and brother even beat me to death!"
Maid: "The second young master is right, sir..."
maid:"?"
What the hell?! (???.???)????
She lowered her head, while Lin Shiming, looking guilty, tugged at Zhang Ting's sleeve.
maid:!!!
"Second Young Master!!"
"Second Young Master, where did you come from?"
Could it be that the spirit has returned to life?
The group glanced at the water clock instinctively; it wasn't even midnight yet!
Zhang Ting, who was covering her face and crying, realized something was wrong. She quickly lowered her hands and saw her youngest son, whom she had been worried about all afternoon, through the misty water in her eyes.
"Shi Ming?"
Lin Shiming nodded firmly, "It's me, Mother—"
*
When Lin Yunyue pushed open the door and entered, the atmosphere inside the room was tense.
Zhang Ting sat there expressionless, but upon closer inspection, there were still traces of tears at the corners of her eyes. Meanwhile, Lin Shihe was pressing Lin Shiming down on a stool and whipping his buttocks with a sword sheath, making Lin Shiming howl in pain.
Even more frightening, Zhang Ting would occasionally comment, criticizing Lin Shihe for having wasted his time, saying that he couldn't even make a sound when he hit someone.
Upon receiving the order, Lin Shihe raised his arm even higher.
"Waaah—Dad! Come save me, Dad!" The sharp-eyed Lin Shiming suddenly spotted Lin Yunyue entering through the door, and for a moment mistook him for a savior. "Waaah... Ouch! My brother's going to beat me to death... Help, Dad—"
Lin Yunyue, who was asked for help by his youngest son, snorted and didn't say a word. He just told the guards outside to bring in the food and then personally helped Zhang Ting to sit down.
The couple were very in sync, eating their meal accompanied by the background noise of Lin Shiming's wailing.
Lin Shiming: ?
despair.
"I must say, hearing this voice really brings me a sense of peace."
Lin Yunyue shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth, chewed it casually a couple of times, and swallowed it.
Zhang Ting also picked up a piece of food and nodded in agreement, "That's right. I didn't even have the appetite to drink a cup of tea all afternoon. Now that we've finally found the person, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and feel my stomach is empty."
The couple spoke calmly and served each other food.
Poor Lin Shiming was truly heartbroken at the sight, and his howls faded into despair.
Didn't we agree that surrendering would result in lenient treatment? This isn't what I expected! I might as well have pretended to get lost and had Tingyun Jun find me!
"Lin Shihe! Push harder!"
The screams on one end had barely subsided when Lin Yunyue, who was eating on the other end, became dissatisfied.
"How can your mother and I eat if he doesn't say a word?"
Lin Shihe put down his sword sheath, pried open Lin Shiming's mouth, and examined it carefully.
"His voice is probably a little hoarse from howling too much. Should he drink some water and continue?"
"What a hassle!" Lin Yunyue grumbled as she got up, grabbed a glass of water, and roughly poured it into Lin Shiming's mouth. "He's so spoiled, even being forced to drink water. I think hitting him harder would have the same effect!"
Listen to this! What kind of living Yama is this?!
Lin Shiming choked on the water in his mouth and immediately started coughing violently.
"Ugh—cough cough…cough, I know I was wrong, cough cough, please forgive me—cough cough cough…"
Lin Yunyue turned a deaf ear.
He casually tossed the cup onto the table beside him and turned back to continue eating.
"You keep playing for now, I'll take over for you after I finish eating."
Zhang Ting agreed: "It's time to change the players. I can see that Shi He is losing his fighting spirit. Shi He, just hold on a little longer, and I'll ask your father to replace you soon. Mom will prepare the dishes and food for you first."
Lin Shihe nodded, and then, under Lin Shiming's horrified gaze, raised that terrifying scabbard once more.
"Ow—"
"Help! Child abuse—murder!"