books44 Chapter 246 Snowstorm
Chapter 246 Snowstorm
Lin Ziping readily agreed and sat down on the couch opposite the emperor.
"You seem not at all surprised that I know Lin Zhong?" The emperor asked, seemingly puzzled by Lin Ziping's composure, and suddenly brought up Lin Zhong.
“My uncle came from the palace, so it’s not surprising that His Majesty knows him,” Lin Ziping said.
"Uncle?!" the emperor sneered. "You call him so affectionately, but do you know if he's even worthy of being called 'uncle'?"
Lin Ziping tilted his head, looking puzzled: "Lin Zhong has been my uncle since I was a child. He raised me. Without my uncle, I wouldn't be where I am today. Does Your Majesty think there's something fishy about my background?"
"When..." The emperor stopped himself from speaking in time and laughed, "You have some cleverness, but unfortunately you've used it in the wrong place."
"Your Majesty flatters me. I dare not accept such praise," Lin Ziping said, lowering his eyes.
"It's not that I don't dare, but that I don't have the ability. These little tricks of yours are only good for showing off in front of me; they're just laughable to others."
As the emperor spoke, he picked up the pot on the small table and poured some into the cup in front of him. As the liquid flowed, a fragrant aroma of wine wafted over.
"I will heed Your Majesty's teachings." Lin Ziping replied casually, pursing his lips as he remarked that the wine smelled quite good.
The emperor picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and asked, "What did the Empress summon you for today?"
Lin Ziping's pupils widened slightly. He carefully considered his words and looked in the direction of the emperor, saying, "Today, Her Majesty the Empress arranged for Aunt Wanrong to take me to Yukun Palace. I met Consort Hui and several other consorts. Her Majesty the Empress then instructed me to accompany them on their journey home to visit their families."
"Is that so? The Empress and I are thinking the same thing. I originally intended for you to visit various households and get to know people, especially those who didn't go on the autumn hunt." The Emperor put his legs up on the edge of the couch, reclined on the couch, and patted his legs lightly as he instructed, "When you go, bring the tiger meat you killed on the autumn hunt with you, to show off the Emperor's boundless grace."
Tiger meat?!
It's been almost a month. The weather isn't hot, and we don't have refrigerators these days. How can it still be kept fresh for so long?
Moreover, the tiger was covered in mushroom powder. I wonder if it was contaminated with poison, and whether it might kill someone.
Lin Ziping thought of the scene of facing the tiger face to face during the autumn hunt, and countless ideas popped into his head.
Despite the myriad thoughts swirling in his mind, Lin Ziping remained outwardly composed, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
"You hunted down the tiger and saved me, and I haven't rewarded you yet. Now tell me, what do you want? Money, beautiful women, high-ranking official positions, or gold and silver jewelry?" the emperor said magnanimously.
Lin Ziping stole a glance at the emperor and saw that his eyes were closed and his face was flushed in the candlelight, and he seemed to be drunk.
A man who is three parts drunk can act so well that he can move people to tears.
Money and beautiful women, high-ranking official salaries—if they were going to be given, they would have been given long ago. As for rewards, they can't be given or asked about in public or in front of many people. Now, when there are only the parties involved and the other party, and not even a witness, are we asking if we want rewards?
The pie in the sky is too big to swallow.
Lin Ziping stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This is simply my duty, how could I possibly accept His Majesty's reward?"
"What a fine 'duty'!" The emperor slightly opened his eyes and said, "How many people still know their duty these days? Tell me what you want, and I will surely grant it to you!"
If we don't order something, this matter won't be resolved!
For some reason, Lin Ziping suddenly saw Li Qiongying's scarred shoulders.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to bestow upon me the best medicine in the palace for treating external injuries," Lin Ziping said, pursing his lips.
"Medicine for treating external injuries?" The emperor's voice was clearly surprised. "Are you sure you want me to bestow medicine upon you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please grant me the best medicine for my wounds." Lin Ziping clasped his hands in a salute again. "I have already received far more than I expected when I came to the capital, as I am only able to serve Your Majesty. How could I possibly ask for more!"
Lin Ziping looked up at the emperor and continued, "What this humble servant seeks is nothing more than to obtain a place of protection through my own efforts."
The emperor paused in his hand, which was lightly patting his leg: "Lin Ziping, do you know that those who enter the Xihe Academy do not refer to themselves as 'this humble servant'?"
Lin Ziping felt a pang of anxiety. Although the life of lying down was something to look forward to, he felt more at ease standing up when he had the choice.
"This humble servant is of lowly status, clumsy with words, and not particularly handsome. I know I cannot always bring a smile to Your Majesty's face." Lin Ziping paused and continued, "If Your Majesty requires it, this humble servant is willing to be Your Majesty's weapon, your pawn, and will go through fire and water without hesitation."
After saying this, Lin Ziping knelt down and kowtowed deeply.
The emperor remained silent, and Lin Ziping remained kneeling, as if time had stood still in the room.
After an unknown amount of time, the emperor sighed softly, "Very well, get up."
"Thank you for granting my request, Your Majesty!" Lin Ziping kowtowed and stood up.
"Tomorrow you will follow the Empress's decree to accompany Consort Hui to the Fang family for a visit, and then accompany the other consorts to the Wang, Li, Ji, and Zhou families," the Emperor said.
"Your subordinate obeys," Lin Ziping replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"This Xihe Courtyard has been idle for many years. After you return, you will be its owner." The emperor picked up his wine cup, took another sip, and said slowly, "I have also arranged for someone to buy your courtyard outside the palace. Go and take a look when you have time."
Lin Ziping's heart sank. Had no one discovered the buried box? He wondered if the gold inside was still usable!
"Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty. I will certainly live up to your expectations!" Lin Ziping knelt on one knee.
A verbal gift with conditions attached has no legal effect, but at least the promise has some substance.
Although you won't be able to register the house and won't have ownership after you get it, having the right to use a house similar to the Forbidden City or the inner ring road of the capital is something to look forward to. You'll have something to brag about in the future.
We're people who have owned houses in the palace!
The emperor waved his hand and said, "Step back and let Dongshan come in to serve you."
"Yes." Lin Ziping bowed and stepped back.
As I opened the door, Dongshan was already waiting outside.
"Sir." Lin Ziping called.
Dongshan didn't answer, glanced at Lin Ziping, and then pushed the door open and entered.
Soon, rustling voices could be heard inside the room. Lin Ziping instinctively listened, but he couldn't hear anything.
Snow began to fall from the sky at some unknown time. Some snowflakes landed on the rooftops and piled up in clusters, while others fluttered down onto his shoulders, instantly melting into puddles that soaked Lin Ziping's clothes, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
Lin Ziping withdrew his gaze, breathed on his hands a few times, rubbed his hands and arms, and stomped his feet. After his body was no longer so stiff, he plunged into the snow, hurriedly crossed the wind and snow, and returned to his house.
I picked up the tinderbox on the table and lit the candle. Only when the light filled the room did I feel the coldness in my body gradually subside.