For others, such a lonely, secluded place would drive anyone mad. The solitude could easily lead to a breakdown.
But Lin Fan could handle loneliness. No matter where he was, he had his own world and his own thoughts. He loved farming; look at this place—how wonderful it would be to cultivate and develop it fully.
Lin Fan, when absorbed in his work, had a charm all his own. Out in the fields, under the blazing sun, he planted his own crops, feeling deeply fulfilled. He had no interest whatsoever in what the outside world was like.
The surroundings here were quite pleasant, after all. Why concern himself with anything else?
The Dayuan Empire was the most powerful among the surrounding empires, but no dynasty is eternal. Now, in the 1250th year of the Dayuan calendar, while it appeared to flourish on the surface, discerning individuals knew it was spiraling into an abyss, being gradually eaten away, and signs of weakness had already begun to emerge.
Some simply chose not to believe it.
The current emperor had over a hundred children, with ten of them entangled in the whirlpool of power. Each faction supported its chosen successor, leading to a bloody and terrifying competition to see who would ultimately prevail.
In the Western Palace Courtyard.
The architecture was luxurious, with beautiful pavilions and lakes, enough to lift anyone's spirits and make them feel as if they'd entered a paradise on earth. But at this moment, the palace maids were trembling in fear.
From the most lavish chamber came sharp scoldings, mingled with the sound of a whip striking. The maids knew that their master was angry again. This time, the target of her rage was her own daughter. They couldn't fathom how someone could be so cruel to her own flesh and blood.
Every few days, there would be violence.
The maids felt a pang of sorrow each time. If it were their own child, they would cherish her, never raising such a harsh hand. But they were powerless and busy themselves, trying to survive in this environment. Even when they heard screams, they acted as if nothing had happened.
They all felt deeply wronged on behalf of the princess. It wasn't her fault that the prince had died, but the concubine took out all her anger on her. Sometimes, they wondered if the emperor would notice any of this. Yet, with over a hundred children, perhaps he didn't even know this princess existed.
It was a sad realization.
Truly, the heart of the imperial family was cold and ruthless.
Days Later.
Lin Fan was busy and content each day. The farming life was fulfilling, and he was delighted to see the once-abandoned land now sprouting with various vegetables.
The sunlight was warm.
He lay on a bamboo chair, holding a book he'd found on a bookshelf in the house: The Great Sorrow of the Thousand Saints—a martial arts manual. There were many such books on the shelf, a small library left by the late Elder Lei. Lei had once told Lin Fan to practice diligently. Once he mastered the skills, he should leave this place, distancing himself from the imperial family and finding a peaceful life elsewhere.
Lin Fan glanced through The Great Sorrow of the Thousand Saints, but it made him sleepy; it was really dull.
If only there were movies to watch.
He loved watching movies.
If the outside world knew he was sitting on such martial treasures without a second thought and was falling asleep instead, they would probably spit out blood.
The techniques left behind by Lei were among the highest in the imperial realm, with each one potentially capable of inciting a bloodbath in the martial world.
Gradually, Lin Fan fell asleep, surrounded by a tranquil energy that slowly seeped into his body, as if finding its ultimate destination.
A light breeze rustled the courtyard, lifting the scattered leaves, making this place seem detached from the world, almost as though everyone had forgotten it. Occasionally, a passing palace eunuch would glance at the tightly shut, crimson door and hurry away, fearing contact with anyone within, as if even speaking to them would bring misfortune.
Those exiled here were condemned for life, destined to live out their days in isolation, eventually dying of old age.
Suddenly, Lin Fan heard a faint noise and opened his eyes just in time to hear a splash. Someone had jumped in.
"Hmm?"
Curious, Lin Fan hurried to the well and peered inside. Though dark, he could see something in the depths. Without hesitating, he jumped in.
Inside the House.
Lin Fan sat on the bed, propping his chin with one hand, gazing at the little girl lying there, looking confused.
"What an adorable little girl. How could you be so careless? Fortunately, I found you, or you'd have drowned for sure."
He wondered where her family was, and how they could leave her unattended in such a dangerous place. If he met her relatives, he would certainly give them a lecture on safety.
The little girl on the bed wore a fearful expression, as though trapped in a nightmare.
Lin Fan gently stroked her forehead. "There, there, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Perhaps Lin Fan had a special reassuring presence; his gentle words calmed the girl, and her frown gradually eased.
"Be a good girl and rest," he murmured, rising to prepare a bowl of porridge and some ginger tea. He recalled seeing a report on TV recommending ginger tea for situations like this, to ward off the cold.
If this had been in the past, he wouldn't have known how to cook, but Qinglian had taught him well. Thinking of her, Lin Fan felt a deep longing. He believed in reincarnation and felt sure that someday he'd meet her again.
Soon, he returned with a bowl of steaming porridge and ginger tea and placed it on the table, waiting quietly.
After a while, the little girl opened her eyes.
"Is this the afterlife?"
Lin Fan smiled. "No, this is my home. Why were you so careless and fell into the well? Lucky for you, I was outside and heard you, or it would've been really troublesome—Old Zhang isn't around, and I'm not good with needles."
Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, the girl grew wary. Despite her young age, her expression betrayed a mistrust beyond her years, something no child should possess. Children should be innocent and carefree.
She looked at Lin Fan, who was smiling warmly at her, unlike anyone she'd ever met in the palace.
But even so, she remained cautious and guarded, unwilling to trust anyone.
"Come, have some ginger tea; it will help ward off the chill," Lin Fan said with a smile.
She stared at the steaming porridge and tea, surprised that a stranger would show her such care. Or… did he have some hidden purpose? But then again, she'd already tried to end her life; what use could she be to anyone?
"No, thank you," she said, standing up to leave, but suddenly she realized she wasn't wearing any clothes and turned pale.
"What did you do to me? Where are my clothes?"
Lin Fan explained, "You were soaked when I pulled you out, so I took them off to let them dry. They should be about done now; I'll go fetch them for you."
With that, he left to retrieve her clothes, and the little girl was left speechless.
When he returned with her clothes, she told him to leave, and he walked out, scratching his head and chuckling.
Inside the Room.
After changing, the girl quickly finished her meal.
"What's your name?" Lin Fan asked curiously.
She ignored him, finishing her food, then hurried out.
"Not a fan of talking to others?" Lin Fan mused.
She wasn't like Little Bao, who was always cheerful. Although Little Bao was lonely, he had never behaved like this. Children indeed had their own troubles.
As she left the courtyard, she looked back at it, knowing exactly what kind of place it was.
Only the condemned stayed here, forever bound to this place.
Who was he, and why was he living here?
Back in the Western Palace Courtyard.
The maids trembled, kneeling with their heads pressed to the ground, too terrified to lift them.
The imperial concubine was taking out her anger on the princess again.
"Eat! Go on, eat! Isn't this what you wanted? Eat it!" The concubine forced food into the little princess's mouth, holding her head down.
The maids shuddered in fear. Since losing favor, the concubine had become twisted and cruel.
They feared her deeply, a fear that struck at their very souls. Each one wanted to escape, but as mere servants, they had no say in their fates.
So, they could only remain, enduring this torment.
The little princess's eyes were lifeless, having long grown numb, eating the food her mother shoved into her mouth.
"Hahaha…"
The concubine's laughter was shrill and crazed, her once-delicate features twisted into a terrifying mask. She seemed more like a demon than a mother.