Chapter 17: Did they surrender?
Lin Xiang abruptly flicked his sleeve, turned around, and walked back towards the palace gate.
That tall and resolute back view left the servant behind him stunned.
My lord, what is this...?
Are we going back again?
The palace gate guards were also completely bewildered by what they saw.
Why is Prime Minister Lin back so soon after leaving court? Did he forget something?
No one dared to stop him, and Prime Minister Lin returned to the inner palace without any hindrance.
The chief eunuch Defu was directing the junior eunuchs to sweep the courtyard when he looked up and saw Prime Minister Lin's handsome yet serious face. He quickly went to greet him.
…
"Oh, Prime Minister Lin, what brings you back?"
Defu had a smile on his face, but his heart was pounding.
This man is a pillar of the First Prince's faction, and has never been on the same page as the Empress Dowager and His Majesty.
With such a big incident in the court today, is he coming back now to cause trouble?
He carefully bent over.
"The Empress Dowager is currently with His Majesty at Cining Palace. She has decreed that if you, Prime Minister Lin, return, you may go directly there."
Lin Xiang's eyes were fixed straight ahead, and his voice was clear and cold.
"I have come to request an audience with His Majesty."
Defu's smile froze on his face.
Requesting an audience with His Majesty?
He secretly glanced at Lin Xiang, his mind racing.
Is there any difference between seeking His Majesty and seeking the Empress Dowager now? Isn't it the Empress Dowager who holds four-year-old children?
Why did you specifically separate them?
Defu's heart skipped a beat.
Something's wrong! Something's really wrong!
This Minister Lin previously wished he could have the words "support the Crown Prince" etched on his forehead, but now that the Crown Prince has just been confirmed to be of enemy blood, he has come to request an audience with His Majesty.
This is...
Are they here to demand an explanation?
Or are they here to force a resignation?
No! We must quickly remind the Empress Dowager!
As Defu thought about it, his smile widened.
"So you're here to see His Majesty! That's good. His Majesty is in Cining Palace right now. Minister Lin, if you want to see His Majesty, you'll have to go to Cining Palace, won't you?"
Lin Xiang nodded slightly and walked towards the Cining Palace.
Defu followed behind and secretly winked at one of his apprentices. The apprentice understood immediately and took a shortcut to rush towards Cining Palace.
In the Imperial Garden of Cining Palace, a gentle breeze blows and hundreds of flowers bloom.
A small, bright yellow figure, like a happy little butterfly, darted about on the grass.
Yu Zhaoning's delicate, pretty face beamed with a bright smile as she held a colorful windmill high in her hand.
The windmill was made by Yuan Hua himself using bamboo strips and colored paper. It has a unique shape, like a small Ferris wheel.
When it starts running, all the little colorful wheels on it spin non-stop, it's so beautiful.
"Grandma! Grandma, look! It's spinning so fast!"
On a soft couch not far away, Yuan Hua leaned back, looking at his granddaughter's lively and adorable appearance with eyes full of doting affection.
"Zhaoning, slow down! You just fell into the water a few days ago and you've only just recovered. Don't make yourself sick again!"
Yu Zhaoning stopped, put her hands on her hips, puffed out her cheeks, and answered in a childish voice.
"Grandma, I'm perfectly healthy! Don't be afraid!"
[Hehe, I now have system points! Once I've accumulated enough, I'll exchange them for gene pills! Then I can do parkour every day!]
Upon hearing this thought, Yuan Hua's smile deepened.
Just then, Prime Minister Lin walked steadily into the Imperial Garden.
He wore a deep purple official robe, which accentuated his handsome face and upright posture, but his serious demeanor was completely out of place with the leisurely atmosphere of the garden.
When Yu Zhaoning saw him, her big eyes blinked, and she ran to Lin Xiang.
With her little head tilted back, she shoved a strange little gadget into his hand.
"Here you go! Prime Minister Lin, blow bubbles for me!"
Lin Xiang looked down at the thing in his palm.
A small, crystal-clear bottle containing an unknown liquid, and a stick with small circles on it.
What is this?
For the first time, a look of bewilderment appeared on his handsome face, and he stood there stiffly.
[Oh my! The handsome prime minister is completely bewildered! That expression is so cute!]
[He's never even played with bubbles before, has he? What a pitiful old-fashioned person! Oh no, I guess I'm an old-fashioned person too!]
Upon hearing this heartfelt sentiment, Lin Xiang's ears turned slightly red.
The palace maid Cui'er chuckled and quickly stepped forward to defuse the situation.
"Prime Minister Lin, dip this little stick into the bottle, then gently blow air into the circle."
Lin Xiang: "..."
Under the expectant gaze of the Empress and the scrutinizing gaze of the Empress Dowager, Prime Minister Lin could only bite the bullet and clumsily do as he was told.
He blew on it gently.
Sure enough, a string of crystal-clear bubbles, shimmering with seven colors, floated leisurely out in front of him.
Yu Zhaoning jumped up with joy.
"Wow! It's flying! Lin Xiang is amazing!"
She clapped her little hands, chasing after the bubbles that filled the sky, her laughter as clear and crisp as silver bells.
Yuan Hua spoke lazily, a hint of inquiry in his phoenix eyes.
"What brings Minister Lin back after leaving?"
Lin Xiang diligently blew bubbles, and only stopped when he heard the Empress Dowager's words, carefully placing the little gadget aside.
He straightened his clothes, bowed to Yu Zhaoning with his hands clasped, and spoke in a firm and powerful voice.
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects! I must inform Your Majesty that Grand Tutor Wang An is still harboring treacherous intentions and intends to support the Second Prince, Yu Jinghong. I fear that he may conspire with other senior officials to harm Your Majesty, and I have come to remind Your Majesty to remain vigilant at all times!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Yuan Hua's phoenix eyes, then he nodded slightly.
"I didn't know before that Prime Minister Lin would actually care about His Majesty. That's quite rare."
Her words carried a hint of teasing.
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Lin knelt down on one knee with a thud, his expression extremely solemn.
"It is our duty as subjects to think of the ruler's concerns and to worry about His Majesty's worries, and we should do our utmost to fulfill this duty!"
"In the past, I was foolish and blinded by the so-called ancestral laws! Today, witnessing the miracle, I realize that Your Majesty is destined by Heaven and will surely become a great emperor for all time, ensuring the peace and prosperity of our Great Yu for hundreds or even thousands of years!"
His words were passionate and stirring, as if he were ready to sacrifice his life for the Empress at any moment.
However, the little empress he served was running back, stomping her little feet, her face puffed up with anger.
"What are you saying? I can't understand you! Hurry up, hurry up, all the bubbles have popped, let's do another round!"
After saying that, she put the Ferris wheel windmill into Lin Xiang's other hand.
"And this! You have to run, the windmill looks better when you're running!"
Cui'er, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but hold her forehead.
It's over.
Cui'er wailed inwardly.
Lin Xiang always valued rules the most, and was even more difficult to deal with than those old fogies at the Imperial Academy.
His every word and action was impeccable, and even his official robes were perfectly neat and without a single wrinkle.
I despise those princes who are unambitious and only know how to play.
Her Majesty the Empress's actions are practically jumping on Lin Xiangyu's landmines, and she's sure to be given a good lecture by him, citing classical texts and historical precedents!
However, Cui'er secretly raised her eyes, and the next second, her eyes widened in shock.
Because she saw that Lin Xiang, who was always serious and as steady as Mount Tai, actually stood up obediently.
He held bubble solution in his left hand and a Ferris wheel in his right.
Then, they started running.
With long strides, he started running laps in the Imperial Garden in an unnatural posture.
Not only that, he even blew strings of bubbles while running.
The imagery focused on someone who was obedient and sincere.
On the soft couch, Yuan Hua was also stunned.
She muttered to herself.
This Prime Minister Lin is exceptionally talented and capable; he's a real talent. She's always wanted to bring this stubborn fellow to her side.
However, the other party kept insisting that the ancestral laws and traditions could not be changed and wholeheartedly supported the eldest prince.
Yuan Hua tried countless times to win him over, but to no avail.
I never expected this...
Her precious Zhao Ning only ate a melon in the court once, and Lin Xiang, such a stubborn and old-fashioned guy, directly surrendered?
And they surrendered so completely?
Thinking about it that way, it really is...
That's pretty cool!