Young Prime Minister, a Hermit

Chapter 60

Yunyan sighed again, "Back then, you were indeed determined to save the people from their suffering, but you preferred to open the Yixiu Academy among the common people rather than... In fact, given your status, you dared not enter the officialdom. Ren Yao was exceptionally talented, but he shared the same thoughts as you, believing that the officialdom was a corrupting influence and better not to enter it. The two of you met by chance in a restaurant, and from acquaintance to friendship, you talked for three days and three nights straight. However, you were on your way to Shuiwu at that time, so you agreed to meet again three months later. Who knew... who knew that when you returned, his whole family was imprisoned, and as for him, you only found out that he was imprisoned by the Crown Prince, but you didn't know the details. The next day, a servant delivered a letter, and after reading it, you went mad and tried to rush into the palace to save him. Yihan, Uncle Li, and I finally managed to knock you unconscious and bring you back. However, the next day, without discussing it with me, you registered for the newly added imperial examination."

Yunyan helped me sit up on the short couch, leaning against it, and she rested her head on me: "Linyu, you know your place. The officialdom is so complicated, and there are many capable people. If you're discovered one day, it's a crime of deceiving the emperor! But I couldn't stop you. From a young age, you've always been indifferent to everything and everyone. No matter what situation you were in, you were always so calm and composed. That was the first time I saw you so panicked, as if the sky was about to fall. Even... even when Uncle Qin died, I never saw you so fearful and heartbroken. That's why I agreed to let you enter the officialdom. Who knew it would be too late..."

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I remained silent for a long time before finally calming the turmoil in my mind. Although it hurt, those pains were Lin Yu's, not mine. I told myself this, then looked up and asked, "Yun Yan, where's Buying?"

Yun Yan was taken aback, a strange blush flashing across her face. She pouted and said, "How should I know!"

I looked at her in surprise: "But didn't Linglong say he came to the palace to accompany you?"

Yunyan pouted her cheeks, looking quite adorable, and after a long while, she said dejectedly, "I made her leave."

Seeing my surprised expression, she punched my foot hard, as if she were punching someone through my foot. Only after I cried out in pain did she say, "Who told him to insist on taking me away? Not to mention the palace is heavily guarded, do you think he could even open these shackles on my hands? Then, he said he was going to assassinate the emperor, which made me so angry that I blurted out, 'You're nobody to me, why are you meddling in my business?' As a result, he ran away."

I opened my mouth slightly, looked at him, then at Yihan. A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, and he nodded. I was still somewhat skeptical, so I looked up at Zimo. Zimo chuckled, "Calling you slow-witted is too kind; you're practically a blockhead. You guessed right, Buying really does like your wife."

I looked down at Yun Yan's stunningly beautiful face, which was a mixture of resentment and shyness, and a thought struck me. It seemed that Yun Yan was not heartless after all! Just as I was about to speak, I heard Xiao Anzi call out from outside, "Young Master, two hours have passed."

I was startled, only then remembering Yang Yi's words. The thought of having to deal with that unpredictable emperor again made my head throb. Yun Yan helped me to my feet, her brows furrowed: "Husband, things may not be as bad as you think. Just be flexible and adapt to the situation. Don't be too stubborn and hurt yourself."

Yunyan's words were loaded with meaning, but I knew it was inconvenient to speak further once I heard her change her form of address. I could only nod, hug her, and then, under her gaze, quickly leave the room that made me feel so suffocated.

Outside the Emperor's study, layers of security guards blocked Yi Han's way at the first level. I squeezed his cold, calloused hand, and we looked at each other in silence, but I could clearly see the concern and worry in his eyes. Suddenly, a corner of my heart was touched, a corner that he had already torn open. Yi Han… Yi Han… I murmured his name in my heart, then abruptly turned and walked towards that dangerous and perilous place.

I walked step by step across the terrazzo floor to the carved nanmu wood table. Yang Yi sat on the golden dragon chair, staring intently at me. To the left of the table was a celadon urn, containing scrolls of calligraphy and paintings that subtly obscured the left side of his face, but his burning gaze upon me was impossible to conceal. He appeared humble and benevolent, courteous to scholars, and loving towards his people like his own children; yet, after all, he was an emperor, an emperor who held the power of life and death over millions.

I took a deep breath and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities," he said casually. When I looked up, I saw his usual smile, his tiger-like eyes carrying a gentle yet noble air, as if he were still the same humble king, and I was still his most beloved subject. Despite the warm atmosphere, I shivered slightly when he stepped down to help me up.

Yang Yi sat in the main seat, and I sat down in the first seat on the left. He looked at me kindly, with a smile of gratitude for my hard work and achievements: "Lin Yu, you have always been loyal to me, Jin Yao, and this time you went to Xiangxi and forced the Fire Feather Army to retreat in just half a year. But you have already been appointed as the prime minister, and gold and silver treasures are probably not of interest to you. I really can't think of anything else I can reward you with."

I quickly bowed my head and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. It is my honor to serve Your Majesty faithfully."

Yang Yi placed a hand on the back of my hand. I stiffened, almost pulling my hand back, but I immediately restrained myself. I heard him laugh and say, "However, now I have thought of a way to reward you."

I looked up at him in astonishment. His face still held a smile, but his eyes held a chilling coldness: "My sister, Princess Jianing, has always admired Lin Yu's talent and always said that unless it's someone like the Prime Minister, she would rather remain unmarried for life. I know Lin Yu deeply loves your wife. As the saying goes, a wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned, and I understand your deep affection, Lin Yu. But this time, Lady Ning committed such a heinous crime, and my sister almost lost her life… Alas! Although she doesn't want anyone to covet her husband, having such a jealous and vicious woman by her side…"

"Your Majesty, please understand!" I quickly rose and knelt down, saying, "Yunyan is definitely not that kind of person. There must be some misunderstanding here!"

Yang Yi looked down at me, and I looked up at him. He frowned and waved his hand, saying, "Someone, summon Physician Lu!"

After saying that, he immediately regained his peaceful smile, personally helped me up, and said, "I also don't want to believe it, but the truth is... Never mind, when Physician Lu arrives, Lin Yu, you can ask him yourself."

I cursed inwardly: They're all your people, you ordered him to do what you said, what's there to ask? Of course, I couldn't show it on my face, and Yang Yi and I didn't exchange another word until an elderly imperial physician walked into the study.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty." Imperial Physician Lu knelt down tremblingly and kowtowed.

Yang Yi smiled and said, "Rise. Physician Lu is a veteran official, so there's no need for formalities in front of me. I summoned you here today because Prime Minister Qin wants to know the specific details of the poisoning case involving Lady Ning. You must tell the truth and not utter a single falsehood."

Physician Lu repeatedly agreed, and only after being helped up by the eunuch did he stand up. He said somewhat unclearly, "On that day, I examined the princess's pulse and confirmed that she had been poisoned by the Intestine-Breaking Powder. Later, we also found the Intestine-Breaking Powder in the pastries sent by Lady Ningguo."

Seeing that Yang Yi was staring at me, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask, "Although the pastries were sent by my wife, we can't be sure that she poisoned them! For example, the pastry chef, or even Consort Nian who taught my wife how to make the pastries, could be the culprit."

Physician Lu knelt down with a thud and kowtowed several times, seemingly terrified of me. He then said, "Your Majesty, please understand. I was only responsible for checking the princess's body and whether there was any poison in the pastries. As for the rest, I know nothing."

I sighed, and asked somewhat dejectedly, "Is the princess busy right now?"

Physician Lu hurriedly replied, "The princess is out of danger. She only needs to rest for a few days to fully recover. This is all thanks to the Emperor's good fortune."

Yang Yi smiled broadly and said, "Alright, go and rest in the side hall first. I still have something to discuss with you after I finish talking with the Prime Minister."

Physician Lu hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude and retreated, covered in sweat.

Xiao Yi

2007.9.11 17:42

Chapter 41: The Sealed Past (End)

[Complaint] #6 Netizen: Onion's Review: *The Young Prime Minister, a Worldly Outsider* Rating: 2 Posted: 2007-09-10 16:44:16 Chapter Reviewed: 43

I've created a group for you, and I look forward to your joining! Friends who like this story, please come in too! (42152467)

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This is because when Xiaoran created the group back then, I created too many, and then I never joined any of them. So for now, this will be the only group for "Young Prime Minister," please don't create any more. Hehe, thanks Onion! Thank you everyone. One more time, the group number is: 42152467

Ugh! Some people love modern times, some love ancient times. All I can say is, I won't be writing about modern times in volume two, but I'll start returning to modern times from volume three onwards. Um, do you really want to see modern times? I might consider writing a side story about Xu Lie, no problem…

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Chapter 42 Identity Exposed

Chapter 42 Identity Exposed

Only Yang Yi and I remained in the imperial study. He looked at me with a smile, and I looked back at him expressionlessly. He gently flicked his sleeve and said in a mild tone, "Qin Luo, receive the decree."

I trembled, still staring at him. He was clearly smiling, but his gaze was incredibly sharp. I looked up at Zimo, who nodded helplessly. I gritted my teeth and had no choice but to kneel down with a thud.

"Since assisting me in ascending the throne, Prime Minister Qin Luo has worked tirelessly day and night, truly an indispensable right-hand man to me. In recognition of your hard work, I have betrothed my younger sister, Princess Yongle Jianing, to you as a reward. Princess Jianing and Lady Ningguo, Chu Yunyan, are equals, sisters, with no distinction of seniority."

I stared blankly up at him, and he looked back at me. A cold glint flashed in his deep, ocean-like eyes, but he quickly concealed it and smiled gently, saying, "As the saying goes, a good match is preordained, a perfect couple is made in heaven. Qin Luo, you should thank him."

"Your Majesty, I..."

"Lin Yu!" Yang Yi suddenly lowered his head, staring intently at me, and said in a low voice, "This is the last chance I'm giving you. Will you still betray it?"