Chapter 18: Let's go to the scene and watch the drama unfold!
His crimson official robe was stained with bits of grass.
Lin Xiang's hair, which was always neatly combed, had a few strands blown into disarray by the wind, sticking to his well-defined cheeks.
He stopped walking, his chest rising and falling slightly, his breathing a little unsteady.
Yu Zhaoning also stopped and ran up to him.
With her hands behind her back, she imitated her grandmother, puffed out her little chest, and nodded her little head with great seriousness.
"Yes, Lin Xiangxiang did a good job."
She commented in a childish voice:
"It has the style of mine back in the day, I reward you!"
The word "reward" is spoken with resounding force and overwhelming power.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiang instantly suppressed all his unnatural expressions, and his handsome face returned to its usual solemnity.
He carefully placed the windmill and bubble solution in his hands on the stone table beside him, as if they were some priceless treasure.
Then, he lifted his robes and knelt down solemnly.
"Serving Your Majesty is the duty of a subject, and it is my honor. I would never dare to ask for any reward!"
His voice was clear and resonant, each word firm and forceful, making him sound exceptionally straightforward.
[Ouch, kneeling again! Doesn't the handsome Prime Minister's knees hurt?]
"Do you think you can refuse my reward just because you want to?"
Yu Zhaoning raised her little head, looking like she was saying, "You don't take me seriously."
Yuan Hua, who was sitting on a soft couch not far away, couldn't help but chuckle.
This old-fashioned fellow is really something...
It's cute in its meticulousness.
The palace maid Cui'er, who had been holding back her laughter, had received a signal from the Empress Dowager. She quickly came over with a tray and curtsied.
"Prime Minister Lin, you should first see what His Majesty has bestowed upon you before you refuse."
Cui'er's voice was clearly tinged with laughter.
Lin Xiang raised his head with some confusion.
He thought to himself that His Majesty was only four years old, and the gifts he would receive would probably be nothing more than gold, silver and jade artifacts, all prepared by the Empress Dowager.
Having pledged his loyalty today, the Empress Dowager will surely bestow upon him a generous reward in order to win him over.
But Lin Qingyan, as an official, did not seek wealth and glory, but rather a wise and benevolent ruler, and a peaceful and prosperous country!
He was about to speak when he refused again, his words righteous and firm.
His gaze, however, inadvertently fell on the vermilion lacquered tray in Cui'er's hands.
The next second, Lin Xiang was completely stunned.
On the tray, there was no gleaming gold, no gleaming silver, and no lustrous jade.
There are some, just a bunch...
Strange and weird things.
Several sugar balls, made from solidified colored syrup and adorned with small sticks, are crystal clear and shaped like little flowers and rabbits; they are incredibly cute.
There were also several small and exquisite bamboo windmills nearby, much smaller than the one he had been carrying while running, but with more delicate craftsmanship.
This is...
His Majesty's reward?
Lin Xiang's mind was momentarily blank.
Cui'er explained with a smile, "Prime Minister Lin, this is called a lollipop. It was made by the Empress Dowager herself. His Majesty loves it so much that he rarely eats more than a few himself!"
[Hmph, this was something I reluctantly parted with, taking it from my own private stash!]
[Lin Xiangxiang behaved so well today, both snitching and playing with me, she deserves a reward!]
[From now on, he's mine!]
Hearing this domineering yet adorable declaration, Lin Xiang's heart suddenly warmed.
Looking at those colorful candies and toys, I suddenly realized that they were more precious than any mountain of gold or silver.
This is a unique endorsement from the young emperor to whom he serves.
He silently reached out and took the items from the tray, his movements more solemn than ever before.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"
He silently added a sentence in his mind.
These treasures bestowed by His Majesty must be carefully stored away, for the future...
Leave it to my child! Let him also bask in the light of His Majesty's divine mandate!
Yuan Hua nodded in satisfaction as he watched him treat the treasure with such care.
This stone in the latrine has finally been warmed up by Zhao Ning. If he can truly remain a loyal subject in the future, it will be beneficial for Zhao Ning.
"Alright, if Lin Xiangru has nothing else, you may leave now."
Yuan Hua said lazily, "I'm going to take Your Majesty back for an afternoon nap."
"My lord, I obey the order."
Lin Xiang bowed respectfully, carrying a pile of candy and toys, and carefully turned around, retreating step by step towards the palace gate.
He had only taken two steps back, and had not yet left the Imperial Garden area.
That familiar thought echoed in his mind once again.
Yu Zhaoning was tired from playing and was being held in Yuan Hua's arms. Her little hands supported her chubby cheeks, and her big, dark eyes looked curiously at Lin Xiang's back.
[Sigh, seeing such an upright person as Lin Xiangxiang reminds me of the old Grand Tutor's daughter.]
Lin Xiang's steps suddenly stopped.
Grand Tutor? Wang An?
His daughter, Wang Jiaoniang?
[That's the ultimate, invincible love-struck fool that my grandmother always talked about!]
Love-struck?
What is this?
Lin Xiang's ears perked up quietly.
[That Wang Jiaoniang, for the sake of a poor, pedantic scholar, has already tried to kill herself at home quite a bit. Her methods are so varied, they could fill a book titled "108 Ways to Court Death."]
[Even so, they weren't taken by the King of Hell. I'm afraid the Wang family ancestors must be begging and pleading with every possible connection in the underworld, right?]
Lin Xiang's eyelids twitched violently.
[Tsk tsk tsk, that poor, pedantic scholar looks like a skinny monkey. Besides reciting a few pretentious poems, he's utterly useless. Wang Jiaoniang, however, insists he's a celestial being descended to earth, her lifelong love, and won't listen to anyone's advice!]
[Oh my god! I really want to go see what it's like to be completely obsessed with love!]
Yu Zhaoning's little face was practically screaming "I want to eat melon seeds!"
The system's voice immediately rang in her mind.
[Ding! Host! Being there in person makes the gossip even sweeter and earns you more points! You can definitely go!]
Yu Zhaoning's eyebrows immediately drooped.
[But system, we've already used up all our "gossip energy" and points in court today!]
The child's voice was filled with disappointment.
[It's okay! If we run out of fixed energy, we can use mission energy!]
The system guides and instructs patiently.
[Our Eternal Gossip System can trigger random tasks! This kind of sudden gossip field is perfect for starting random tasks! I'll set it up in the background for you right now and issue a limited-time task for watching a lovestruck fool. Not only can you enjoy the gossip, but you can also get random task rewards! I guarantee you'll have a great time!]
Yu Zhaoning's dark, grape-like eyes suddenly lit up!
[Wow! Is that even possible? System, you're so great! Love you!]
Hearing this string of heartfelt words, Yuan Hua's lips twitched wildly.
It's over.
She knew it.
I'm definitely not going to be able to take a nap today.
Lin Xiang, who hadn't gone far, was holding a bunch of candy and toys, unsure whether to go forward or backward, completely frozen in place.
What did he hear?
Is Your Majesty going to Grand Tutor Wang's house?
Go see "Love Brain"?
Wang An was never a good person to begin with; if His Majesty goes there, it will be dangerous.
However, before he could offer any advice, a small, bright yellow figure broke free from the Empress Dowager's embrace and ran up to him.
Yu Zhaoning tilted her delicate, porcelain-like face up and stretched out her two white, lotus-root-like arms toward him, speaking with a self-righteous tone.
"Prime Minister Lin! What are you still standing there for?"
"Quickly pick me up! Let's go eat some melon! We'll miss out on the freshest part if we're late!"
Lin Xiang: "..."
His mind went blank.
Reason told him that he should immediately kneel down and, citing classical texts, tell His Majesty how dangerous it was to travel incognito out of the palace, and how inappropriate it was for an emperor to be so engrossed in gossip.
But when I met those clear, expectant eyes, everything else vanished instantly.
His body reacts faster than his brain.
Almost the instant Yu Zhaoning finished speaking.
Lin Xiang had already bent down and skillfully and gently picked up the small body, holding it steadily in his arms.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He didn't hesitate for even a moment.
After saying that, he picked up the little empress, turned around, and without saying another word, strode away towards the outside of the palace.
Even while being held in mid-air, Yu Zhaoning didn't forget to turn her little head and wave vigorously at Yuan Hua, who was staring in disbelief behind her.
"Grandmother! Let's go on a clandestine visit!"
"Why don't you come with Zhaoning and go take a look too!"
[Hehe, gossip is most fun when the whole family is together! Gossip squad, on its way!]
Yuan Hua rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh of helplessness mixed with doting affection.
That's enough.
Today, I'll risk my life to accompany my granddaughter and witness an ancient version of being love-struck.