Третий учёный династии Сун

Глава 7

Zhao Zhongxiang immediately said excitedly, "Thank you so much, young master. The people of Shenzhou can never repay your great kindness." Si Junxing couldn't stand such things, so he waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, just a small favor. Besides, I also benefited from it."

His eyes glanced at Lin Suyang intentionally or unintentionally, but Lin Suyang pretended not to notice and said to Zhao Zhongxiang, who was still thanking him, "Lord Zhao, please send someone to take the supplies down and make arrangements. We still need to hurry up and fill the breach in the dike."

Zhao Zhongxiang nodded in agreement, but when he looked up, he saw Qin Yu standing next to Lin Suyang. Lin Suyang quickly introduced him, "This is my friend from Yundu, Young Master Yu. You can just call the other one Young Master Si." Young Master Si, what a dead young master? Lin Suyang was right. Si Junxing could only smile bitterly to himself.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Zhongxiang hurried off to assign tasks.

Three days later, the torrential rain arrived just as Lin Suyang had predicted. Fortunately, all the breaches in the Gejiang River had been filled, and the temporary flood diversion channels that had been dug earlier were now in use. Thus, the Gejiang River and Shenzhou were saved. However, Lin Suyang was not relieved at all; instead, he became even more worried because his worst fears had finally come true.

That day, he took advantage of the rain stopping to inspect the refugee huts at the city gate. After asking about the situation of several people, he suddenly found an old man in tattered clothes unconscious in a corner of the hut. He called the doctor who was with him to take a look at the old man.

After examining the patient for a while, the doctor's face turned deathly pale. Lin Suyang noticed the doctor's unusual expression and quickly asked, "Dr. Zhang, what exactly is wrong with this old man?"

Doctor Zhang said tremblingly, "Your Excellency, I'm afraid... I'm afraid it's an epidemic."

The germs brought by the flood could easily cause highly contagious diseases. Lin Suyang had anticipated this before coming to Shenzhou, which was also a major reason why the other ministers were unwilling to come to control the flood. Therefore, he prepared a lot of medicinal herbs before leaving Yundu for any eventuality. However, this epidemic was fierce and unusual, and his herbs were not suitable for the disease and were of little use. To make matters worse, the heavy rain may have already spread the germs to other places, and he didn't know how many people in Shenzhou were now infected.

Lin Suyang acted decisively, ordering the city to be sealed off, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving Shenzhou, with violators to be immediately imprisoned. He then ordered all the officers and soldiers in the city to guard the city gates, and had all the soldiers accompanying him wear simple cotton masks, fully armed, to cordon off the refugee shelters, preventing anyone inside from entering the city. To appease the panicked populace, Lin Suyang entrusted Zhao Zhongxiang with all matters in the city, while he himself remained in the refugee shelters, constantly monitoring the symptoms of those infected with the disease.

Lacking disinfectant, he ordered all the city's liquor to be collected. Most of it was distributed equally among the people of Shenzhou and transported to refugee camps for disinfection; the remainder was kept for future use. He also instructed the city's inhabitants to drink boiled water and avoid eating unclean food. Furthermore, he sent a message to Qin Yu, telling her to stay at the Zhao residence and not to go out, and to find Si Junxing to help find medicine to treat the epidemic.

After everything was arranged, Lin Suyang spent his days following Doctor Zhang to examine the patient's condition and try out different herbs. All he could do now was wait for Doctor Zhang to prepare the medicine, or more precisely, he was waiting for news from Si Junxing, because he believed that Si Junxing had the ability to do so.

Volume One, Peach Blossoms, Chapter Twenty: When the Roof Leaks, the Rain Falls

In the Jinhe Hall, Emperor Shun read the memorial from Shenzhou, then looked expressionlessly at the assembled ministers and asked, "My dear ministers, what are your thoughts?"

After a long while, someone in the audience suggested, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the most urgent task is to immediately send people to transport medicinal herbs to Shenzhou."

"Hmm, I also have this intention, but I wonder which of my ministers is willing to go to Shenzhou?" Emperor Shun squinted as he scanned the crowd, finally fixing his gaze on Right Chancellor Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng felt a jolt run through him, wondering if the Emperor wanted him to go. Just as he was racking his brains for an excuse, Lin Cheng, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go." After all, a father and son are of one heart; how could he, as a father, be at ease knowing that his son's life was in danger there?

Wang Cheng chuckled inwardly, thinking, "Perfect, someone's taking my place." Unexpectedly, Qin Hao, who had been standing silently in front, also stepped forward and said, "Father, Minister Lin is too old for a long journey. Let me go instead."

Emperor Shun glanced at Qin Hao. This son was the most outstanding of all the princes, and also the one he was most satisfied with, which was why he had given him the title of Crown Prince so early on. Qin Hao's composure and dignified presence were quite similar to his own when he was still the Crown Prince. In recent years, Emperor Shun had intensified his efforts to teach him the ways of the emperor. Now, Qin Hao was well-versed in court affairs, and with his help, he was gradually gaining control over the entire Great Yang. This trip to Shenzhou was undoubtedly a good opportunity for him to establish a good impression among the people.

Emperor Shun then said, "Very well. I hereby order you to take five hundred elite soldiers and several imperial physicians and proceed to Shenzhou immediately." After saying this, he gave Qin Hao a deep look. Qin Hao would never forget the complex emotions contained in that look: a father's love, an emperor's expectation, and a friend's encouragement.

In his eyes, Emperor Shun had always played the role of a strict father with high expectations for him. In order to please Emperor Shun, he worked hard and became more and more stoic and ruthless. But he never complained because he always remembered what Emperor Shun said when he made him crown prince: "I entrust this country to you. You can lose yourself, you can lose everything, but you must not lose the hundreds of years of Qin dynasty's rule!"

Before leaving, Lin Ziyan rushed to Chaoyang Gate to wait. He saw Qin Hao's convoy approaching in the distance and couldn't wait any longer, so he ran over. Qin Hao had already seen him in plain clothes, leading a horse alone, and knew what he was up to.

"No." Before Lin Ziyan could speak, Qin Hao refused. "Why not? That's my brother!" Lin Ziyan raised her voice.

Qin Hao said, "I know you're worried about your brother. My sister is there too. How could I not be worried? Go back immediately. Do you know how many people you'll implicate if you leave your post without permission and get caught?" Lin Ziyan knew he was wrong, but when he learned that his older brother, Lin Suyang, was still in Shenzhou, where the epidemic was raging, he felt an unprecedented panic. What would happen to their father if something happened to Lin Suyang? Or what would he do?

Lin Ziyan shook his head. His expression was determined. "No. I must go. I'm willing to bear all the consequences. I... don't want anything to happen to him. Please... Your Highness, grant my request." With that, he knelt on one knee before Qin Hao.

Qin Hao immediately dismounted and helped him up. He said seriously, "Ziyan, you can't act rashly. Ninth Imperial Uncle has led troops to the border. General Xin is also getting old and his strength is failing. Now, the only person I can trust to ensure the safety of the capital is you. If you leave, how can I be at ease? Even if it's not for my sake, you must think of the people of Yundu. Protect the capital well. I assure you in the name of the Crown Prince of the Great Yang Kingdom that I will bring your brother back unharmed."

Lin Ziyan looked at Qin Hao for a long time before slowly saying, "I will stay. I hope Your Highness will keep your promise." Qin Hao nodded solemnly.

Lin Ziyan stood upright beside his horse, watching Qin Hao's convoy depart. Only after the last trace of them had disappeared from sight did he mount his horse, whip his horse, and ride away.

Qin Ke clutched a piece of paper tightly. Veins bulged on his hands. His face was extremely grim. Anyone could tell how badly this Grand General was in his mood. Several officers beside him lowered their heads, afraid to speak, lest they utter a single word provoke his rage. Qin Ke tightened his grip again. When he unfolded the paper, it had already crumbled into pieces. In the dim light, the word "illness" was faintly visible.

He turned around and asked his subordinate, who was not far from him, in a deep voice, "What's the situation in Yan and Liao?"

A bearded general clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to the General, according to our scouts, the eldest prince of Yan and Liao, Han Zu, has rebelled. The fourth prince, Han Yufeng, has defeated Han Zu's army and forced them to our border."

Another general continued, "Our army has also discovered that one of the two groups of unidentified men on the border is a remnant of the Hanzu Army. Therefore, it seems that the other group of men in black must be the Fourth Prince's men."

Qin Ke pondered for a moment, then sneered, "I've heard that this Fourth Prince has been frail for many years and was sent to the deep mountains for treatment more than ten years ago. He only recently returned to Yanliao. To be able to seize military power and defeat the Hanzu army in such a short time shows that he is no ordinary man. Hmph, what a clever scheme to use someone else to do his dirty work. Han Yufeng has forced the remnants of Hanzu's army to the border of our Great Yang. Our army will surely mistake them for enemy forces and annihilate them. At that time, he will not only eliminate a major threat but also find an excuse to attack Great Yang. It's a good plan, but unfortunately, I, the general, will not do as he wishes. You all, listen to my orders."

"Your subordinate is here."

"I hereby order you to lead your troops to capture all the Yan and Liao people who have invaded our territory, and then imprison them in the prison camp. I will handle the matter myself."

"This subordinate obeys the order."

After they left, Qin Ke looked at the scraps of paper on the ground, then suddenly turned around, walked to the table, picked up a pen, wrote a letter, and then called in a soldier, handing him the letter and saying, "Send this to Shenzhou immediately by fast horse." The soldier bowed and withdrew. Qin Ke slowly walked out of the tent, put his hands behind his back, and looked blankly at the dark, cloud-covered sky to the northeast.

Lin Suyang washed his hands with wine, then carefully placed the medicinal herbs selected by Doctor Zhang into the medicine stove. Just then, an official wearing a white mask rushed in and said to him, "Lord Lin, something terrible has happened! Young Master Qin..."

Lin Suyang's heart sank, and she hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with her?"

"He...contracted the plague."

"What?" Lin Suyang's bamboo basket slipped from his hand, scattering herbs all over the ground. He didn't care about anything else, immediately changed his clothes and rushed to the Zhao residence.

The room was quiet. Qin Yu lay unconscious on the bed, running a high fever, with Yun Shuihan and Qiao Sheng silently watching over him. Lin Suyang looked at Yun Shuihan and asked, "How is he?"

Yun Shuihan replied, "These symptoms only appeared recently. The doctor said it was fortunate that it was discovered in time. We are currently using medication to suppress the condition, and we just hope to find a cure as soon as possible."

Lin Suyang walked over and sat on the stool by the bed, quietly watching Qin Yu. Her delicate and pretty face was somewhat pale, and the black hair at her temples clung to her face due to sweat. Lin Suyang gently brushed her hair aside, rolled up her sleeve, and carefully wiped her forehead.

Qiao Sheng, choking back tears, said, "Ever since the young master ordered the city sealed off and the princess forbidden from leaving, she was very worried. Later, the princess said she should do something for the people of Shenzhou and her husband, so she asked to help us transport wine and medicine to each household. That day, the princess and I arrived at a household in the north of the city and accidentally discovered that someone there was showing symptoms of the plague. So the princess told me to hurry back and call a doctor. I didn't think much of it at the time, but who would have thought that the princess would also..."

Lin Suyang comforted him, "Alright, Qiao Sheng, this has nothing to do with you, don't blame yourself too much. You should all go out quickly, this epidemic is very contagious." Qiao Sheng didn't want to cause any more trouble for the young master, so he nodded, wiped his tears with his sleeve, and went out.

Seeing that Yun Shuihan was still standing there, Lin Suyang asked again, "Where is Si Junxing?"

Yun Shuihan said, "I've gone out to find medicine. It's been a few days already." Lin Suyang nodded, "Guard Yun, you should go out too. I can handle things here."

"I am a martial artist and my body is stronger than the average person, so you don't need to worry, sir. I will stand guard outside the door. If you have any orders, just call me."

"Well, thank you, Guard Yun."

After hearing the door close, Lin Suyang removed Qin Yu's clothes, leaving her only in her undergarments. She then got up, took the wine from the table, and gently wiped Qin Yu's neck and armpits with a towel to cool her down. After doing this, she dressed her again and covered her with a blanket. Sitting on the stool, Lin Suyang held Qin Yu's hand tightly, murmuring, "Yu'er, Yu'er..."

Lin Suyang knew that Qin Yu would vomit incessantly after a high fever, until he was completely exhausted but still unconscious. He had witnessed this suffering in the refugee camp, so seeing Qin Yu like this made him feel terrible, wishing he were the one who had contracted the disease. He couldn't imagine what he would do if he saw Qin Yu suffer unbearable pain because of him.

Lin Suyang placed her hand on his face, a light mist obscuring his eyes: "Yu'er, what have I, Lin Suyang, done to deserve such devotion from you? Yu'er, Yu'er, wake up..." His vision went black and he lost consciousness.

Volume One, Peach Blossoms, Chapter Twenty-One: Finally Returning Home

When Lin Suyang woke up, his head was still throbbing. He looked around and realized he was in a guest room at the Zhao residence. He raised his hand to his forehead and suddenly remembered Qin Yu, who was still ill. He quickly got out of bed and was about to open the door to leave when, not knowing how long he had been lying there, he was still very weak and stumbled as he walked. Just as he reached the door, it opened by itself, and Si Junxing stood there with a bowl of medicine. He was taken aback when he saw Lin Suyang, then walked into the room, put down the bowl, and said, "The doctor said you fainted because you were overworked. Why did you get up instead of resting?" He then went over and helped Lin Suyang inside.

Unable to break free, Lin Suyang grabbed his hand and asked in a hoarse voice, "How is Qin Yu?"

Seeing that he was only thinking of Qin Yu and disregarding his own health, Si Junxing felt a surge of anger, but seeing his weak appearance, she couldn't bear to get angry. So she softened her voice and said, "Don't worry, I've already retrieved the medicine to treat the plague. She'll recover after taking the medicine and resting for a day or two. Besides, her brother, the Crown Prince, is here and knows how to take care of her. As for you, you've been working non-stop for days. Even an iron man couldn't withstand such exhaustion, and you still have to worry about that useless princess. You..."

“You’re not allowed to talk about her like that,” Lin Suyang frowned. “If it weren’t for me, how could she have contracted the disease? Please remember, she is my wife, and I know how to treat her.”

"Alright, alright, it was my fault, okay? Go to bed and lie down, otherwise how will you have the energy to deal with things here?" Lin Suyang was relieved to know that Qin Yu was alright and that the medicine had been found. She didn't refuse Si Junxing's kindness and lay back down on the bed.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he called out to Si Junxing, who had turned to get the medicine, and asked, "You just said that the Crown Prince is here too?"

"Yes, you were so tired back then that you couldn't wake up. He told you not to disturb you and to rest more. He's probably still handling the remaining matters in Shenzhou. It seems he still cares about you, his 'brother-in-law'."

When Si Junxing saw Qin Hao's worried expression because Lin Suyang was sick, his face turned extremely sour, as if someone owed him money. Lin Suyang, however, was slow to react and didn't pick up on the sour tone in his words. Si Junxing sighed, told him to drink his medicine, and then left the room dejectedly, gently closing the door behind him.

Perhaps even Si Junxing never imagined that one day he would be so helpless and subservient to someone, especially one who had always been cold and distant towards him. Perhaps, back in that season of blooming peach blossoms, it was already destined that everything he would do for "him" without complaint would come to pass.

Qin Yu lay beside Lin Suyang, her eyes fixed on him, as if afraid she would lose him in the blink of an eye. Qin Yu didn't know if it was an inescapable dependence on him or if she had truly fallen deeply in love; she only knew that when she fell into a coma due to a high fever, the image that appeared in her mind was Lin Suyang's alluring smiling face, and the fear of that moment would never be forgotten. The first thing she did upon opening her eyes and realizing she was alright was to see Lin Suyang.

She knew he was exhausted, so exhausted that he had fainted beside her bed, so she simply lay quietly beside him. Just being able to look at him and listen to his steady breathing made her feel content and at peace. She raised her hand and gently stroked his face, just like the cool feeling she had in her dreams when she was sick—cold, yet tender.

Outside the door, a figure stood for a long time, gazing at the heartwarming scene inside. A pang of pain surged within him. He clutched his clothes tightly, as if the agony threatened to tear him apart. "It shouldn't be like this. It shouldn't be like this..." He shook his head, then staggered away.

Unexpectedly, the matter in Shenzhou ended just like that. Lin Suyang stood on the official road, looking at Si Junxing riding on horseback, and said, "Thank you so much this time. I owe you a debt of gratitude, and I will definitely repay it."

Si Junxing stared intently at him. A dazzling smile suddenly appeared on his charming face. "You don't need to repay me. Because I will come looking for you again. You can't escape now, Lin Suyang." Without waiting for a reply, he turned his horse around and rode away. Lin Suyang watched his retreating figure, frowned, then sighed and walked towards the carriage waiting not far away.

Zhao Zhongxiang stood at the city gate, watching the two figures who had already separated. He muttered unconsciously, "They... must have been a couple." Equally alluring and stunningly beautiful. Equally indifferent and aloof towards those they didn't care about.

He snapped out of his daze, startled by his own sudden thought: "How foolish of me. How could two grown men be a couple?" he chuckled to himself. He looked up and watched the convoy drive away.

From beginning to end, Qin Hao and Lin Suyang didn't exchange a single word beyond their usual greetings. Qin Hao knew he had so much he wanted to say to Lin Suyang. Like asking how he was feeling. Like asking if he needed anything. Like… so much he wanted to say. But he couldn't say it. Every time he saw him and Yu'er chatting and laughing, leaning on each other, he felt as if his heart had been pierced by needles. It hurt. It healed. Then it hurt again. He knew he couldn't be like this. He refused to admit he had homosexual tendencies. So he tried to avoid him, tried to forget his breathtakingly beautiful smile when he was with Qin Yu, and the faint fragrance that made him unconsciously intoxicated.

Qin Yu sat in the carriage, gently leaning against Lin Suyang, and held his slightly cold hand, saying, "We're going home."

Lin Suyang smiled and said, "Yes, I'm home."

Having returned safely to Yundu, Emperor Shun was overjoyed to learn that the floods in Shenzhou had been contained. He rewarded the officials and bestowed upon Lin Suyang the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, a third-rank official, placing him among the Three Dukes. This imperial edict caused an uproar in the court. The ministers below wore varied expressions, none of them knowing what the unpredictable Emperor Shun truly intended. Lin Suyang was merely a newly appointed top scholar, yet his official rank had risen so rapidly in just over a year. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Emperor Shun's attitude towards him was extraordinary. Of course, many astute individuals vaguely guessed the underlying reasons.

Wang Cheng lowered his head, concealing the glint of shrewdness in his eyes, and when he looked up again, it was another fawning, fake smile.

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Shun slowly stopped reviewing the memorials and looked up at Qin Hao standing in the hall. "Do you know why I've been so eager to promote Lin Suyang?"

Qin Hao lowered his head and said, "Your subject does not know."

Emperor Shun put down his vermilion brush, stood up, and slowly walked to the closed doors of the main hall. As he passed Qin Hao, the bright yellow dragon robe flashed across his eyes like a dazzling light.

"Lin Suyang is a rare talent. I have long recognized that he is no ordinary person. If he were to be employed by me, he would surely benefit my Great Yang. Moreover," Emperor Shun paused, then said, "you also know quite a bit about Lin Cheng's affairs, don't you?" Qin Hao's heart skipped a beat, recalling the information he had seen in the secret register after becoming Crown Prince. The secret register was a collection of biographies of various ministers compiled by the imperial court, recording everything they had done since assuming office. Because it involved the ministers' privacy and some important intelligence, only the current emperor and the crown prince could view the secret register.

Lin Cheng, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the first year of the Shunli reign (the year Emperor Shun ascended the throne), rose through the ranks from a seventh-rank county magistrate to his current position as Minister of Rites thanks to his exceptional talent and ability. Emperor Shun had expected him to continue striving for advancement, but Lin Cheng, upon reaching this position, concealed his brilliance and maintained a low profile. Others might have assumed that Lin Cheng had lost his edge and that his abilities were merely at this level, but few knew that Lin Cheng's protégés were already widespread throughout the court and infiltrated various institutions of the Great Yang Kingdom, his influence comparable to that of the powerful Prince Yin and the influential Right Chancellor Wang Cheng.

"Lin Cheng is no simple man. He knows when to restrain himself, how to deal with powerful opponents, and how to deceive others. Such a person is terrifying. To this day, I still cannot understand him. I don't know if he is truly uninterested in vying for power, or if he harbors greater ambitions." Emperor Shun turned around, his gaze towards Qin Hao instantly turning sharp.

“No matter what his purpose is, Lin Suyang will be his weakness, and also a talisman for us. As for whether it is a protective talisman or a command talisman, it depends on what he does in the future.” Qin Hao’s breath hitched, and his stiff body trembled slightly.

Emperor Shun walked over, patted his shoulder, and sighed, "Hao'er, your father knows you will face many difficulties, but this is all I can do for you. The future of the Great Yang depends on you. Remember, as an emperor, never trust anyone, not even your closest person."

In August of the 42nd year of the Shunli reign, the General Zhenguo investigated the enemy's situation and learned that the enemy's people intended to trade and make peace with our people, but a misunderstanding had occurred. Now that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, the alliance between the two sides was still valid, so he returned safely.

In October of the same year, the old emperor of Yanliao Kingdom passed away, and the fourth prince, Hanyu Feng, ascended the throne, taking the title of Emperor Shenghan. After taking office, the new emperor immediately carried out sweeping reforms throughout the country. Traitorous officials in Yanliao were executed, and inappropriate laws were abolished. For a time, the people talked about it with great interest and praised him highly.

Volume One, Peach Blossoms, Chapter Twenty-Two: Taking Office

Winter seemed to have arrived exceptionally early this year; just after October, heavy snow began to fall in Yundu. Lin Suyang stood by the window, wearing a thick fur coat. The shimmering silver light outside reflected on his face, giving him a cold and silent, aloof beauty.

Since becoming Grand Tutor, he no longer needed to rush to the Hanlin Academy every day. Apart from the daily court sessions, he spent most of his time in the Imperial Study, accompanying the Crown Prince in processing memorials and reading historical records of various countries. Emperor Shun seemed to have completely entrusted everything to Qin Hao. Lin Suyang only visited the Imperial Study on his first day in office and hadn't appeared there since. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before a new emperor ruled the country.

Qin Yu opened the door and saw him staring blankly at the artificial rockery across the street covered with icicles. She went over and closed the window. "It's so cold in the wind, you'll easily catch a cold if you stay out for too long." Qin Yu turned around and gently pulled his slightly open collar up, saying, "The carriage is ready, go quickly."

Lin Suyang hugged her and said, "Okay. Wait for me at home." "Okay."

The carriage slowly pulled up to the palace gate and stopped. Lin Suyang lifted the curtain, and a eunuch was already waiting in front of the carriage. Lin Suyang gently touched the carriage door, stepped down, and then smiled at the person in front of him, saying, "Good morning, Eunuch An."

An Zhen, having served as a eunuch for decades and seen countless people, had never met anyone who could compare to this young Grand Tutor who had only recently taken office. In terms of literary talent, he was the best in Yundu, perhaps even the best in the entire Great Central Plains. In terms of courage, he went to Shenzhou alone, took on the responsibility of flood control that no one in the court was willing to accept. In terms of appearance... An Zhen found that those smiling, bright black eyes were like a poison blooming in the height of summer, both cold and hot, yet making people fall into them without realizing it.

"Good morning, Grand Tutor Lin. It's so cold today. Please come with me to the Imperial Study." Being older and more composed, An Zhen quickly regained his composure.

"Then thank you very much, sir."

An Zhen nodded, flicked his whisk, and led the way.

Lin Suyang had actually been to the Imperial Study several times before, so he wouldn't get lost. However, according to palace rules, he always had to be led by a palace servant. Lin Suyang didn't mind at all, but Qin Yu often complained at home, "He's supposed to be a consort, why are they so distant?" At this point, Lin Suyang would joke, "Who told me I'm only your consort?" Qin Yu would always chuckle to himself, "That's right, you're mine now, of course they're outsiders."

Lin Suyang smiled unconsciously as he recalled Qin Yu's words. Looking up, he realized they were already outside the Imperial Study.

An Zhen opened the door. Turning back to him, she said, "Please ask Grand Tutor Lin to rest in the Imperial Study for a moment. This old servant will go and inform His Highness the Crown Prince immediately."

Lin Suyang bowed and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law."

The Imperial Study, lacking the grandeur of other palaces, exuded an air of simplicity. On a rosewood desk, a tall stack of unapproved memorials lay on the left. On the right, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were neatly arranged. A sealed scroll lay atop a sheet of pristine white Xuan paper. In a corner not far away, a censer of Luohe sandalwood incense emitted a warm, subtle fragrance, dispelling some of the surrounding chill.