HMAM CH 54 Lin Xiao Dun
Jing Ye almost fled back from the court. Upon entering the sleeping quarters, he saw Gu Hong, who was playing chess with himself under the window, looking up with a smile and saying, "This subject has heard that Your Majesty intends to appoint an empress?"
Jing Ye: "..."
He asked the palace maids to help him change out of his formal court attire while saying, “Zhen has appointed you to oversee the Qingyu Pavilion, is it so you could listen in on what zhen is doing every day?”
As the maids brought him a loose-fitting casual outfit, Jing Ye waited for them to hang the jade pendant at his waist before sitting down by the chessboard. Ye Mao brought over a cup of strong tea for him to refresh himself.
As Jing Ye sipped tea and watched Gu Hong play chess, he saw that the situation on the board had reached a deadlock—both sides were in a life-and-death struggle.
He often learned to play chess with Gu Hong and Lin Xiaosheng, but no matter how good the teacher is, they couldn’t save a hopeless student.
Finding the game interesting, Jing Ye couldn’t help but pick up a black piece and set it down on the board.
Gu Hong said, "If you play there, you'll lose."
Jing Ye replied, "Then I’ll play here."
Gu Hong continued, "You’ll still lose."
Jing Ye said, "Then I’ll change it to this one."
Gu Hong decisively stated, "You’ve lost."
Jing Ye: "…"
Silently, he tossed the piece back into the bowl. Gu Hong looked at him and placed a black piece on the board, and the two sides again fell into a standoff. He then remarked, "Lord Fang has made a suggestion that didn’t go well, and he will definitely bring it up again tomorrow. How will Your Majesty respond?"
Jing Ye replied irritably, "Instead of thinking about how to handle the floods and bandits, he comes to meddle in zhen's family affairs."
Gu Hong made another move and laughed lightly: "Has Your Majesty never considered that there might be a reason for this?"
Jing Ye had certainly thought of it. Lkrd Fang, the Minister of Personnel, had a leisurely job but had chosen to raise an issue in front of the emperor—he surely had something in mind.
Minister Fang was usually not one to speak boldly in court. He was not one to act without ulterior motives. If Jing Ye were truly to appoint an empress and chose a daughter from a certain family that had connections to Minister Fang...
Jing Ye snapped back to reality, sipping tea: "Has anything been uncovered in the pavilion?"
Gu Hong replied, "There are a few lines in the records. A relative of the Feng family from Jiangnan is indeed the maternal family of Madam Fang."
Jing Ye immediately understood—so Madam Fang and Madam Lin are cousins?
Alright, he got it.
Gu Hong smiled, "I believe Lin Gongzi will have something to say to Your Majesty soon."
Jing Ye fiddled with the teacup: "What could he possibly say? Is he going to offer zhen his sister to be the empress?"
Gu Hong reached out and touched the corner of Jing Ye's eye: "Your Majesty is not pleased?"
Jing Ye felt a slight tickle from his touch and involuntarily blinked, his eyelashes brushing against Gu Hong's fingers, making the act strangely ambiguous.
Gu Hong said, "Though everything in the palace is orderly and there really is no need for an additional empress, if Your Majesty wishes to choose someone from the harem, it’s still feasible."
Jing Ye, with a flat expression, locked eyes with Gu Hong, who was smiling like a spring breeze.
T__T Was this self-recommendation?
Regardless of any transaction, as long as Lady Feng was keen to conclude it, she would display her sincerity, no matter how much she hated the other party.
Upon returning to the Lin family’s residence in the capital, she immediately ordered someone to send the seal of Yanxi Pavilion into the palace.
The seal served merely as a symbol; once the deal was settled, they would proceed with the promised transfer.
The Lin family’s silk and embroidery business dominated both Jiangnan and Jiangbei, comprising almost thirty percent of the Lin family’s wealth. Giving away thirty percent of the family’s assets would inevitably tempt Lin Xiaosheng.
In fact, the Lin family had already split into two factions—one aligned with her, who inherited the family business, and the other to Lin Xiaosheng, who controlled the Qingyu Pavilion. Though she held a large estate, as the widow of old Mr. Lin, it would be difficult to command respect, while Lin Xiaosheng had the backing of imperial authority.
Thus, she aimed to send her daughter into the palace. Even if she couldn’t secure the position of empress, having her as a consort by the emperor's side would allow her to restrain Lin Xiaosheng’s actions.
She was not worried about her daughter failing in the palace; after all, the Qingyu Pavilion had survived thus far thanks to the immense financial resources of the Lin family.
The messenger soon returned, reporting that Lin Gongzi had accepted the seal but had one condition.
"Lin Gongzi said he heard that the mistress brought the young master to the capital and hopes she can send the young master into the palace to be raised by his side, with no need to return to the Lin family in the future."
Lady Feng raised an eyebrow, saying, "Did he say anything else?"
The messenger replied, "Nothing further."
Lady Feng said, "Then let's go along with his wishes. Tomorrow morning, send Dun'er into the palace."
Sitting beside her, Lin Xiaosheng's elder sister, Lin Min, asked, "Mother, are we really sending little fourth brother over like that?"
Lady Feng glanced at her: "What’s the problem? He’s not your biological brother. Trading him for your position as empress is quite worth it."
"Mother makes a good point." Lin Min nodded, the candlelight reflecting on her fair and delicate skin, truly highlighting her exquisite beauty famous in Jiangnan.
The next day during the morning court, the officials once again raised the matter of appointing an empress. Jing Ye withstood the discussion until it was time to dismiss the court; after deliberating, he ordered Ye Mao to take him to Lin Xiaosheng's quarters.
The palace attendants quickly relayed the message, and Jing Ye entered to find incense burning on the table, the pearl curtains slightly swaying, and the surroundings quiet with no one in sight.
Just as Jing Ye prepared to head deeper inside, someone suddenly called out from behind, "Your Majesty."
Startled, Jing Ye turned to see Lin Xiaosheng standing there, wearing the glasses he had given him, with a few strands of hair having loosened and falling down, giving him a more relaxed appearance than when outside.
Ye Mao instructed the palace attendants to bring tea. Lin Xiaosheng invited Jing Ye to sit on the couch he usually occupies, adjusted the incense in the burner, and added some calming fragrance.
Jing Ye sat watching Lin Xiaosheng as he added ingredients to the incense burner, feeling that this person seemed more lively than in their previous interactions.
When the tea was brought in, Jing Ye took a sip and placed it on a small table of fine wood, saying, "Zhen thought you had something to say to zhen."
Lin Xiaosheng replied, "Yes."
Jing Ye lightly snorted, "Then speak."
Lin Xiaosheng said, "This subject wants to raise a child in the palace, and hopes Your Majesty can grant me this favor."
Jing Ye exclaimed, "Ah?"
Lin Xiaosheng, "Does Your Majesty not allow this?"
Jing Ye said, "Ah... no, wait. Where did this child come from?"
Lin Xiaosheng replied, "This subject's youngest brother."
Jing Ye asked, "The child who came to the capital with Lady Feng?"
Lin Xiaosheng affirmed, "Yes. He is a son of a concubine; his birth mother once did me a favor, so I wish to take him out of the Lin residence to repay that kindness."
Jing Ye understood now. If this child were raised in the Lin family, with Lady Feng's cunning, he might end up sold off one day. But in the palace, being close to the emperor might grant him a brighter future.
Conversely, Lin Gongzi wasn't simply one to act out of kindness; thus his concern for this boy must stem from significant gratitude.
Jing Ye readily answered, "That’s perfectly fine. He can stay by Yun'er's side, and when he reaches the appropriate age for schooling, he can be a companion to the prince."
From an inconspicuous concubine’s child to the future crown prince's companion—this debt would certainly be repaid cleanly.
Lin Xiaosheng’s gaze softened: "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Jing Ye made a noncommittal sound, glancing at Lin Xiaosheng, mumbling, "Is there anything else?"
Lin Xiaosheng looked at him, a smile surfacing in his eyes: "Of course there is."
"What is it?"
"This subject heard that many officials have urged Your Majesty to appoint an empress soon." Lin Xiaosheng leaned closer, his hand resting on Jing Ye's waist, whispering, "This subject wants to ask Your Majesty, before appointing an empress, what sort of consort position will you grant this subject?"
Jing Ye: "…"
The young master of the Lin family, Lin Xiao Dun, had just moved into the residence shared by Jing Xiao Yun and Zhao Yue, when a commotion broke out.
Lin Xiao Dun, two years older than Jing Xiao Yun, was very curious about this delicate-looking boy and eagerly attempted to talk to him: "The palace maids said His Majesty is going to marry an empress!"
Jing Xiao Yun stared wide-eyed: "Empress? What's that?"
Lin Xiao Dun, eager to show off his knowledge, replied, "She’s His Majesty’s wife! She’ll give birth to many babies for His Majesty, and those will be your younger siblings!"
Jing Xiao Yun was filled with shock. In his mind, older brothers were likeable because they indulged him with good food and fun, but younger siblings were annoying, fighting with him over food, affection, and cuddles.
Having one Zhao Yue was enough; now there would be a whole bunch of younger brothers and sisters coming!
The more Jing Xiao Yun thought about it, the sadder he became, and he suddenly burst into tears.
Zhao Yue, who was lying on a cot beside him, saw his big brother crying. Although he was still a little baby who had just learned to crawl, he had mastered some baby fighting techniques. So with the rattle in his hands, he swung it fiercely at Lin Xiao Dun!
Lin Xiao Dun never expected to be struck by a tiny toddler, and he was filled with humiliation! Moreover… it really hurt!
Thus, Lin Xiao Dun began to sob loudly as well.
By the time the palace attendants heard the noise and rushed over, they found the two older boys sitting opposite each other, weeping heartily, while the youngest sat calmly in the little rocking cradle, looking quite composed.