Ask directly? Lin Xiaofeng wasn't that stupid. Figuring things out was easy—people in this era wore ancient clothes and thought in straight lines. Coaxing information out of them would be child's play.
He put on his best dazed expression and beckoned to the maid waiting by the bed.
"Hey, come here. My head's spinning and everything feels fuzzy. I can't remember much from before. Could you tell me about my past? As much detail as you can. It might help me recover."
The maid hesitated. "Where should this servant start, Young Master?"
"From the beginning. From when I was little, from my family—anything you know."
And so she began.
Lin Xiaofeng—no, Lin Feng now—listened intently, not daring to miss a single word. One slip could cost him his head… or the smaller one below. After sixteen years, he still hadn't used that one properly; he wasn't about to lose it now.
Piece by piece, the picture became clear.
The body he'd taken over belonged to someone with an insanely prestigious background. The Lin family had been a military dynasty for generations—protectors of the realm, holders of real military power. Even though his grandfather Lin Tianhe and father Lin Zhennan were dead, a faction of generals still loyal to the Lin banner remained.
His cheap aunt who had hugged him earlier was Lin Tianjiao, the current emperor's favored Noble Consort. Of course, she and the empress didn't get along—classic palace drama. The emperor had cooled toward Empress Zhou, but Empress Zhou's father was the Prime Minister, so most civil officials clung to the Zhou family tree like ivy.
As the maid talked, Lin Feng shifted to get comfortable, planning to prop his head on his hands. The moment his fingers brushed the back of his skull, he hissed in pain—a goose-egg-sized lump throbbed there.
The maid immediately grew anxious. "Does it still hurt, Young Master? From now on, please stay away from the Second Prince and his group. If you can't win, just avoid them! Even ignoring status, His Highness is one of the top fighters in the entire palace. If you really can't escape… just beg for mercy."
Lin Feng cursed inwardly.
No wonder it's the back of the head—someone beat the crap out of me, not a wall. Fine. Your grandpa Lin is new here and doesn't know the terrain yet, but just you wait, Second Prince. The previous owner might have been a pushover, but the one living in this skin now is me.
Out loud he said meekly, "Yeah, I'm weaker and lower in status. I'll be careful from now on."
The maid sighed. "Everyone knows Young Master is brilliant at scholarly pursuits, but… you really should train in martial techniques too. Even if you can't sweep battlefields like the Old General or Great General, at least you'd be healthier and stronger."
Lin Feng suddenly asked, "What's your name again?"
The maid's eyes instantly filled with tears. "Young Master doesn't even recognize this servant anymore? I'm Little Leaf!"
"Hey, hey, don't cry. I'm just feel a bit muddled—that's all. I'm fine."
While comforting her, he secretly sized her up. Willow-leaf brows, sparkling eyes, cherry lips, pearly teeth—she was a genuine beauty in the making. A few more years and she'd be stunning.
Little Leaf stepped closer, worried. "Did that punch from the Second Prince really damage Young Master's brain…?"
Lin Feng clenched his fist dramatically. "My brain is perfectly fine. I've made up my mind—starting tomorrow, I'll train both scholarly and martial paths. I won't let the Lin family name down!"
Little Leaf wiped her tears, beaming. "The Great General always hoped Young Master would inherit the family legacy and take up arms to protect the realm. If his spirit in heaven hears this, he'll be overjoyed!"
Whether the old man is happy or not is none of my business. I'm training so I don't get beaten up again—and so I can beat others up. Protect the realm? That's got nothing to do with me. But a strong body is the capital for revolution—or in my case, for my grand plans of palace conquest.
Aloud he declared righteously, "For my father's dying wish, I will work hard!"
Little Leaf, go back to the general's mansion tonight and bring me all the secret martial manuals my father left behind."
"Yes, Young Master! This servant will go right away."
"Off you go. I'll be fine."
After Little Leaf left, Lin Feng lay back and summarized everything.
The Zhou clan—Empress and Prime Minister Zhou—were openly hostile to the declining Lin family. If the Lins still held real power, the Second Prince (born of Noble Consort Lin, ironically) would never have dared touch him.
Right now, survival came first. Then, slowly reclaim the Lin faction's strength.
The Zhou family? I'll trample every last one of you. The men can all be exiled to the border troops, and the women… heh, I'll drag them back to the general's mansion myself.
Lin Feng drooled onto his silk pillow in happy fantasy.
Meanwhile, in Cloud Emergence Palace, Lin Tianjiao h