Chapter 13, Chapter 13, are you kidding me?

Lin Yan felt like a shrimp that had just been pulled out of the water and put directly on a fire to roast.

He was disoriented as Li Defu personally led him through numerous palace gates and around corridors and halls.

As dusk settled, the palace lanterns lit up one after another, casting long and strange shadows of the eaves and brackets onto the smooth, mirror-like golden brick ground, resembling a giant beast baring its fangs and claws.

The air was filled with a mixture of agarwood fragrance and mouthwatering aromas wafting from the imperial kitchen, creating a dizzying sense of royal grandeur.

I'm so nervous!

Lin Yan's mind was still replaying the scene from earlier: Li Defu's old face was smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum, and his high-pitched voice carried an undeniable penetrating power—

"Minister Lin, His Majesty, out of consideration for your hard work, has specially granted you permission to dine with him! Come quickly with me, lest His Majesty remain waiting!"

Now, standing in this warm and inviting flower hall filled with the delicate fragrance of pear blossoms, he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.

The flower hall was not large, but it was decorated very elegantly. In the center was a round table made of rosewood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, on which bowls and plates were already set.

The palace maids and eunuchs serving at the table stood with their hands at their sides, eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings, like lifeless, exquisite decorations.

Xiao Che sat in the main seat, having changed into a casual dark blue brocade robe with cloud patterns, his hair tied up with a jade hairpin. He looked less imposing and dignified than he did in the court, and more refined and leisurely.

He was slowly and deliberately wiping his fingers with a snow-white silk handkerchief, his movements elegant and composed.

"Sit." Xiao Che raised his chin, gesturing for Lin Yan to sit in the seat below him, his tone as casual as if he were greeting a close friend.

Lin Yan pointed to himself: "Your Majesty... are you asking me to sit?"

Xiao Che smiled and said, "I summoned you for a meal, and you're not sitting down? Are you planning to eat standing up?"

Lin Yan stiffly moved over, his buttocks touching the edge of the sandalwood round stool covered with thick brocade cushions. He only dared to sit on one-third of the stool, his back straight, his hands neatly placed on his knees, his eyes downcast, trying his best to shrink himself into a quail.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty." The voice was dry and lifeless.

[My goodness! Wu Haimin just went in, the Imperial Guards just surrounded the Wu family, and now they're asking me to have dinner with them? Is this really appropriate?]

Xiao Che heard Lin Yan's thoughts and the corners of his lips curled up.

Li Defu began announcing the dishes: "Your Majesty, tonight's dinner at the Imperial Kitchen includes steamed shad and crab meat lion's head meatballs..."

Steamed shad? This fish looks expensive, its scales are practically glowing! Will eating it shorten my lifespan?

[Is that a crab meat lion's head meatball over there? It's as big as a fist! How many crabs would it take to make that? Is this even edible for me?]

Xiao Che picked up his jade chopsticks, seemingly oblivious to the overwhelming thoughts in his mind, and calmly picked up a piece of the fattest shad belly.

The fish meat was snow-white and delicate, soaked in a clear amber broth, exuding an irresistible fresh aroma.

"Is Lin Qing doing well in the Ministry of Rites?" Xiao Che put the fish into his mouth with elegant movements, but his gaze was fixed on Lin Yan's tightly clenched face.

Lin Yan felt a chill run down his spine: "Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, everything is well."

[Waaaaah, Your Majesty! I'm not good, I'm not good at all!]

[For as long as I worked in the Ministry of Rites, I suffered the oppression of Wu Haimin!]

【That bastard Wu Haimin threatened me with his father! He's not human!】

Xiao Che thought to himself that Lin Yan's report could hardly be considered a complaint. Wu Haimin's excessive actions towards Lin Yan were not limited to this Double Ninth Festival.

"I have already imprisoned Wu Haimin." Xiao Che gave up his teasing of Lin Yan and even put a piece of shad on Lin Yan's plate.

Huh?

Lin Yan's attention was completely focused on what Xiao Che said, and she even forgot to thank him.

"Why did His Majesty imprison Lord Wu?" Lin Yan trembled. It couldn't be because of his complaint, could it?

Xiao Che remained calm: "Wu Haimin has committed numerous evils, and he brought this upon himself."

Lin Yan swallowed hard and asked cautiously, "Then how does Your Majesty intend to deal with Wu... Wu Haimin?"

Xiao Che's eyes sharpened: "Kill him."

Lin Yan nearly fell off the stool.

What serious crime did Wu Haimin commit that His Majesty is willing to execute him?

Wait a minute! Wu Haimin is gone, so doesn't that mean the Chongyang Festival duties naturally fall to me? Before, I was helping Wu Haimin, but now I have to do it myself?

Judging from today's situation, Xie Mingyuan and I are the only ones in the entire Ministry of Rites who are unharmed. If the Ministry of Rites collapses, will Xie Mingyuan and I be left to do all the work of the entire Ministry?

Lin Yan was completely flustered, and even felt like laughing out loud and going out the door.

That's crazy.

Xiao Che took in Lin Yan's utterly devastated expression, which greatly satisfied his mischievous sense of humor.

"Lin Qing seems... to be quite sentimental about Wu Haimin's whereabouts?" Xiao Che's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible mockery, as if he knew the answer already.

Lin Yan jolted awake, instantly snapping back to reality. He forcibly straightened his distorted features back to a "respectful and obedient" tone, his voice dry: "Your Majesty, I was only shocked upon hearing this. Wu Haimin deserved his punishment. Your Majesty's wisdom and insight have removed a scourge from the court, which is truly a fortunate event!" His flattery was utterly devoid of any soul.

Xiao Che's lips curved upwards slightly. He put down his jade chopsticks, picked up a silk handkerchief, and elegantly dabbed his lips, as if he were contemplating a serious national policy.

"With Wu Haimin executed, the position of Director of the Ministry of Rites will be vacant." Xiao Che's gaze fell on Lin Yan's face, which was trying to appear calm. "This position is crucial and cannot remain vacant for long. I will select a capable official from among the Six Ministries as soon as possible to fill the vacancy."

A faint glimmer of hope had just risen in Lin Yan's heart—the big boss was going to send someone to take over the fire pit?

Xiao Che changed the subject, his deep phoenix eyes filled with inquiry as he looked directly at Lin Yan: "Minister Lin has served in the Ministry of Rites for many years, working diligently and possessing a deep understanding of its affairs. I observe that you act with composure and method..."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, before posing the question that sent shivers down Lin Yan's spine: "Is Minister Lin interested in the position of Director of the Ministry of Rites?"

Lin Yan felt the string of reason in his mind snap.

Interests?! I dare not have any, I really dare not have any.

He was afraid that he might accidentally become the next Wu Haimin.

Lin Yan's inner self was already kneeling and kowtowing, frantically shouting, "I am unworthy! I dare not! I only want to lie down!"

However, reality is cruel.

Lin Yan took a deep breath, forcing a "thankful tears" expression that was more like crying on his face. He stood up straight and spoke with a voice full of unwavering loyalty: "Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming... Your Majesty is terrified."

He lowered his head, avoiding Xiao Che's gaze, which seemed to pierce through people's hearts.

"I am of limited talent and experience, and I am afraid I am not up to the task. The position of Langzhong is related to the important rituals of the Ministry of Rites, and only a mature, prudent, and experienced minister can be competent for it."

Xiao Che listened quietly to Lin Yan's "heartfelt" refusal, his fingertips tapping lightly on the smooth rosewood table.

This person was truly terrified by the mess left behind by Wu Haimin.

"Oh?" Xiao Che drawled, looking at Lin Yan who seemed to want to bury his head in the lion's head, his smile almost overflowing. "Lin Qing is indeed... modest."

[Humble my foot! I'm afraid of dying! Afraid of working myself to death! Your Majesty, why did you have to promote me now of all times?]

"Very well." Xiao Che sighed with a hint of regret, finally showing mercy, "Since Lin Qingzhi is not interested in this, I will not force him."

Lin Yan's tense nerves relaxed instantly, and he felt the cold sweat on his back almost soaking through his inner garment. He quickly shouted, "Your Majesty is wise! Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your compassion!"

[We're saved! Thank God! Thank Your Majesty for sparing our lives!]

[Your Majesty, quickly find a reliable person to do the work!]

“However,” Xiao Che changed the subject again, and Lin Yan’s heart, which had just been put down, instantly jumped to his throat again, “Wu Haimin left behind many problems. Before the new doctor takes office, the daily operation of the Ministry of Rites will require Lin Qing’s great care.”

Lin Yan: "???" Is this reasonable?

[Your Majesty, you can't do this! I'm just a lowly official!]

Xiao Che cleared his throat lightly and decided to let Lin Yan go: "Alright, Minister Lin, I still prefer you to be the Director of the Ministry of Rites."

Lin Yan: "..."

Are you kidding me?

Lin Yan rose, knelt down, and performed a grand salute: "Your subject obeys the decree."

On the bright side, a doctor is a fifth-rank official, so his salary is higher.

Lin Yan was quite good at comforting herself.

"Yes, that's good." Xiao Che picked up his chopsticks again and picked up the plate of clear shad. "Minister Lin, please eat more. Only when you are full will you have the strength to share my burdens."

Looking at the piece of shad belly that His Majesty had personally picked up on the plate, and the huge crab meat lion's head, Lin Yan felt that they exuded a tragic yet tempting aroma.

He steeled his resolve, closed his eyes, and reached out with his chopsticks.

eat!

Why not eat it if it's free!

Even if I have to work overtime until the end of time tomorrow, I have to make the most of this imperial meal today!

A note from the author:

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This guy just knows how to tease his wife. [doge emoji]