Xiao Lin had just returned from court and, before even taking off his court robes, personally cooked porridge and carried it on a tray. Amidst the astonished gazes of the many palace servants, he came to the bedchamber and obediently fed Yu Tang the porridge and massaged him.
Once Yu Tang's complexion improved, she changed into her everyday clothes, propped her head up with her hand, and watched Yu Tang with a happy smile by the bedside.
Yu Tang asked him, "Is there something good? Why are you smiling so happily?"
"This year, both the south and the north of Xiao Kingdom have had a bumper harvest. The officials of the Inspectorate have also done their best, conducting in-depth investigations in the localities, which has made those local officials dare not to bend the law for personal gain or disregard human life."
Zhao Lin also sent word that the reconstruction of North Nine City was complete, and everything was moving in a positive direction.
“Of course, what makes me happiest is…” Xiao Lin looked at Yu Tang and said, “They support my decision to make you emperor, and from now on, the six ministries will work together to prepare everything needed for the ceremony. The dual-emperor investiture ceremony is tentatively scheduled for New Year’s Eve.”
"They actually all agreed?" Yu Tang asked incredulously.
Xiao Lin said with a smile, "Yes, they are all very supportive."
The next moment, Xiao Jin emerged from Yu Tang's consciousness and directly exposed Xiao Lin's true colors: [Master, don't listen to his nonsense! Those ministers aren't like that at all!]
Then he told Yu Tang that when Xiao Lin brought this up, everyone was shocked.
Right Chancellor Qian Zhiyuan was the first to disagree, and Left Chancellor Liu An also unusually stopped supporting Xiao Lin.
Instead, they stood up and said that this kind of thing was simply against the natural order and would not work at all.
If things get serious, it could even plunge the people of Xiao Kingdom into chaos again.
With the two of them taking the lead, the other ministers also knelt in the main hall, pleading with the emperor to reconsider.
Xiao Lin's face immediately darkened.
He directly quoted the ministers' previous words to rebuke them: "Didn't Lord Qian say before that the common people don't care who the emperor is?"
Why is it acceptable for one emperor but not for two?
"And Lord Liu, didn't you say before that General Yu's Temple of the God of War solved many local problems?"
"Lord Zhao, as you are in the Ministry of Rites, you know that the people only believe what they want to believe. That's why they worship gods and Buddhas and offer sacrifices to their ancestors. And General Yu is precisely the kind of person the people would call a god!"
When he said this, the ministers were speechless.
Seeing this, Xiao Lin added another strong dose of medicine: "My mind is made up. If anyone disagrees, they are free to take off their official hats and robes right here in the Mingzheng Hall and go back to the countryside to farm. I will not make things difficult for you."
The ministers' hearts skipped a beat again. They looked left and right, thinking that if those high-ranking officials took off their hats and robes, they would follow suit.
But after waiting and waiting, it was Qian Zhiyuan who stood up first, returned to his seat, and said, "Your Majesty is right. I was out of touch with the old ways of thinking before."
Liu An stood up and stepped back as if nothing had happened: "I share the same opinion as Lord Qian. I believe that War God Yu is qualified to be on equal footing with Your Majesty."
As long as they're not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.
The ministers looked at each other, then returned to their positions and voiced their agreement.
The reason why Qian Zhiyuan and others yielded was not because they cared too much about the official position.
Rather, it's because wise rulers are hard to find.
Over the past two years, Xiao Lin has proven with his actions that what he said back then was not empty talk.
He went north to quell the war, and south to manage the disasters. He was frugal with himself and levied light taxes on the people.
In just two years, the development of Xiao Kingdom was put back on track.
Therefore, in their eyes, since the other party rarely wants to be willful, they should just let him be.
After all, since ancient times, no emperor has ever been willing to be treated as an equal.
But Xiao Lin was eager to help General Yu up.
From another perspective, this also shows them Xiao Lin's magnanimity.
Yu Tang learned the truth from Xiao Jin, and looking at Xiao Lin who was eagerly waiting for his praise, he finally smiled helplessly and said, "It's good that they support us."
After spending a few days with Xiao Lin, in order to prevent the emperor from neglecting his duties in the morning, Yu Tang made a three-point agreement with Xiao Lin.
The time and frequency were specified, and it was forbidden to use coquetry to gain advantages for oneself at the slightest provocation.
Only then was he able to regain his freedom.
I set aside a day to visit Qiao Yu.
Xiao Lin wanted to go too, but Yu Tang pressed him down into a chair in the imperial study, pointed to the mountain of memorials, and said, "My sweet baby, be good, finish reviewing the memorials first, and I'll pamper you when I get back, okay?"
Xiao Lin couldn't stand Yu Tang calling him "my darling".
He then reminded him to come back early and not to chat too much. He also said that Doctor Lu didn't like him chatting with Qiao Yu for too long, and so on, before letting Yu Tang leave.
Having regained his normal physique, Yu Tang didn't want to wear drafty clothes anymore. He took out a black casual outfit from the clothes Xiao Lin had made for him, dressed neatly, and went to Doctor Lu's residence in the capital.
He knocked on the door, and Lu Hanqing's young apprentice opened it and welcomed him inside. He saw Lu Hanqing and Qiao Yu sparring in the courtyard.
Both of them had practiced martial arts since childhood, and their moves were sharp and powerful, making it difficult to determine a winner.
When Qiao Yu saw Yu Tang appear, his moves suddenly went awry, and Lu Hanqing seized the opportunity to knock the longsword away.
The blade was close to Qiao Yu's neck. Lu Hanqing approached Qiao Yu and turned his head to see Yu Tang standing there, greeting them.
His phoenix eyes narrowed, revealing a dark glint.
"As expected, I guessed right. This General Yu is the one you have in your heart."
At this moment, Lu Hanqing's gentle demeanor was completely different from the one he displayed in front of Xiao Lin and Yu Tang.
With a hand resting on Qiao Yu's neck, Lu Hanqing's voice was dangerous: "This time when we meet, I hope you can sort out your relationship with him. Can you do that?"
Chapter 29
The villain was resurrected for the fourth time (29)
Qiao Yu was stunned for a moment, and his expression tightened.
He was well aware of Lu Hanqing's methods and his insane possessiveness.
This man is unlike him; when he likes someone, he will step back and silently protect them once he sees that the other person has someone they like.
Lu Hanqing would directly take action to snatch it.
He has come to deeply understand this over the past two years.
His memories before the age of three are vague. From the time he can remember, his impression of life is one of constant wandering and displacement.
General Yu rescued him and gave him a home.
So Lu Hanqing used every means to kidnap him back to the Qin family and force him to get married, leaving him somewhat dazed throughout the process.
Unfamiliar family members and a strange marriage contract bound him to Lu Hanqing's side.
Qiao Yu is a very reserved person, just like he avoids Yu Tang. He becomes very oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart.
Lu Hanqing's assertiveness and enthusiasm left him somewhat at a loss.
It's like getting married and having an intimate relationship with someone without really knowing what happened.
He considered getting angry, but he also knew that his life had been saved by this miracle doctor.
So many times, when faced with Lu Hanqing's face, the refusal that was on the tip of my tongue would be swallowed back.
"There is no relationship between General Yu and me that you think."
He held Lu Hanqing's hand and slowly lowered the long sword that was against his neck: "Just as you are my savior, General Yu is like an elder brother to me. I am grateful for his care of me in the past, and I will be in the same boat in the future."
Lu Hanqing's expression darkened further as he asked Qiao Yu, "What if Xiao Lin betrays him one day?"
Qiao Yu remained silent.
But it was this moment of silence that enraged Lu Hanqing.
He raised his longsword and pointed it directly at Yu Tang: "I have long heard of General Yu's wisdom and martial prowess. He has guarded the northern border for many years and fought countless battles. His skills are probably unmatched in the entire Xiao Kingdom. I am not very talented, but I would like to take this opportunity to learn from him. General, would you do me the honor?"
Yu Tang was still listening to Xiao Jin relaying the whispered conversation between the two people on the other side when he was suddenly called out, and he was stunned for a moment.
Then he realized that he had become the trigger for the two people's argument.
I immediately felt extremely embarrassed.
Sure enough, we should have listened to Xiao Lin. This Doctor Lu may seem all smiles, but he's not exactly a kind person.
I think I've stirred up a hornet's nest today.
"General Yu came to offer his congratulations, not to compete with you."
Qiao Yu tried to stop Lu Hanqing, but was pushed away by the other party.
Lu Hanqing's face darkened, and he no longer bothered to pretend to be easygoing: "General Yu, how about we have a contest? Let me broaden my horizons."
“Okay…” Yu Tang nodded.
Lu Hanqing then had the young medicine boy find a long sword and hand it to Yu Tang.
Yu Tang flicked his sword with a beautiful flourish, looked at Qiao Yu who was about to say something, and said, "Xiao Yu, don't worry, I will go easy on you. I won't hurt your husband."
The word "husband" was used by Yu Tang on purpose.
His stance was made clear in an instant.
This also caused Lu Hanqing to be momentarily lost in thought.
The next moment, Yu Tang's longsword was already aimed at his face. Lu Hanqing hurriedly raised his sword to block, but Yu Tang's attack was fierce and his sword moves were sharp. In an instant, he disrupted Lu Hanqing's rhythm. In just over ten moves, he forced Lu Hanqing to retreat step by step.
Yu Tang's eyes blazed, his killing intent surging, and with the added boost of divine power, he pressed down on Lu Hanqing like a primordial beast, as if he truly intended to kill him!
Lu Hanqing's medical skills were superior to his martial arts skills, and his challenge to Yu Tang was simply because he couldn't swallow his pride.
Now, facing Yu Tang, who is like a god of death descending to earth, all that remains in his pupils is the whistling sword tip, and he can hardly move an inch!
"General Yu, that's enough!" A long sword suddenly thrust forward, blocking Yu Tang's sword.
It was Qiao Yu who blocked the attack for Lu Hanqing.
Lu Hanqing stared incredulously at the man blocking her way.
He thought Qiao Yu wanted him dead.
Why would they come to save him?
Yu Tang, however, was not surprised at all. Instead, he sheathed his sword and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Divine Doctor, I haven't touched a sword in a long time. I was a little engrossed just now. Please forgive me."
He was deliberately trying to scare Lu Hanqing and Qiao Yu.