Chapter 15. Food and sex are human nature.

The news that Wu Haimin had been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail was like a bucket of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan, causing a stir throughout the officialdom of the capital.

The Golden Guards' movements were astonishingly fast.

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, soldiers clad in black armor pounced on the vermilion gate of the Martial Mansion like tigers and wolves. The heavy bolts groaned under the impact of the iron weapons and crashed open.

The usually bustling residence of the Minister of Personnel was instantly shrouded in an atmosphere of solemnity.

"By imperial decree, the property is to be searched! All personnel inside, remain in place and await orders! Anyone who moves without authorization will be killed without exception!"

The head of the Imperial Guards, a captain, spoke in an icy voice. The screams and cries of the servants and women in the mansion, and the steward's attempts to reason with them, were all silenced by this chilling command.

The entire Wu family fell from the heights of power to the depths of despair in the blink of an eye.

This is what happens under imperial power.

The raids by the Imperial Guards were as brutal as a locust plague.

The chests were roughly pried open, brocades and silks were carelessly scattered on the ground, precious jade artifacts were registered and then piled up haphazardly, and valuable calligraphy and paintings were rolled up and stuffed into sacks.

Wu Hongzhen, the former Minister of Personnel whose every stomp could shake the Six Ministries, now sat slumped in the grand chair in the main hall, his face ashen. He watched helplessly as the wealth and dignity he had built up over half a lifetime were trampled and inventoried. Several times he tried to get up, but was forced back down by the Jinwu Guard captain beside him, who held his sword hilt and whose eyes were like those of a hawk.

In the past, a mere captain of the Imperial Guard would not have been worth Wu Daren's attention, but things are different now.

"Father! Father, save me!" Wu Haimin's younger brother, Wu Haifeng, tried to rush over, but two Imperial Guards tied his arms behind his back and pressed him firmly to the ground, his cheek pressed against the cold floor tiles, letting out muffled cries.

Wu Hongzhen closed his eyes. If he had a way out, why would he be held captive here?

He wanted to help, but this huge martial arts academy was so large that not even a fly could escape.

On the surface, the Jinwu Guards had soldiers stationed every three steps and sentries every five steps, completely surrounding the huge mansion.

In the shadows, Wu Hongzhen could clearly feel the colder, more viscous gazes emanating from the darkness—the Golden Shadow Guards, like maggots clinging to his bones, omnipresent.

He used to think that as the Minister of Personnel, he could easily control the fate of many people and was very powerful. But as the Minister of Personnel, he was easily crushed in the face of imperial power.

What made Wu Hongzhen's vision go black was what the Imperial Guards had confiscated.

Besides the expected gold, silver, valuables, and land deeds, there were also several large boxes of extremely rich account books and letters, as well as... a box of beautifully bound and extremely boldly illustrated "Moonlight" picture books.

The box was opened in front of everyone by a naive young guard, and colorful picture books were scattered all over the ground. The "Moonlight Memorial Gameplay" on the box was so lifelike that it made several young soldiers blush, and Wu Hongzhen's old face turned ashen. He wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into on the spot.

It's over.

It's all over.

These things that cannot be brought to light are all death warrants.

The Wu family is now like fish on a chopping board, just waiting for the emperor's order so that the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review can come down and cut them up.

Side hall of Qingyi Pavilion.

Lin Yan was holding the imperial cat Aman, enjoying a rare moment of cat-petting time.

Grandpa Aman lay sprawled in his arms like a pancake, purring contentedly, his emerald green eyes half-closed, enjoying the pampering of his human.

Li Lianshun tiptoed in and whispered, "Lord Lin, His Majesty's decree."

Lin Yan quickly placed Aman on the soft cushion and got up to straighten his robes.

"This year's Double Ninth Festival activities, including climbing mountains and hosting banquets for officials, are all cancelled. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Sacrifices need not bother with these matters." Li Lianshun waved his whisk.

Lin Yan: "!!!"

He blinked, then blinked again, to make sure he hadn't misheard.

It's been cancelled?!

My goodness!

My dear mother and ancestors!

My lord!

Lin Yan felt as if she were floating on air, almost taking off from the spot.

He struggled to control his facial muscles, preventing his wide smile from becoming too obvious, and bowed deeply towards the direction of the Taiyi Hall: "Your subject obeys the decree, long live Your Majesty!"

His voice was loud and clear, and he was very sincere.

Startled by his loud movements, Aman meowed in annoyance, flicked her tail, and changed her position to continue sleeping.

After conveying the imperial decree, Li Lianshun withdrew. Lin Yan walked around the hall twice and felt that the air was much fresher.

Not long after, Li Defu came again in person to convey another imperial decree.

Given the wide-ranging nature of the Wu Haimin case and the long-standing problems within the Ministry of Rites that need to be addressed, Lin Yan is granted temporary permission to reside in the side hall of the Qingyi Pavilion in the palace, so that he can easily report to the emperor and handle departmental affairs. The official business that Lin Yan needs to handle in the Ministry of Rites will be organized by the newly appointed head, Xie Mingyuan, and then sent to the palace.

Lin Yan's first reaction upon hearing this was, "I don't have to get up early to commute anymore?"

My second thought was that there was plenty of food and drink in the palace!

My third reaction—there are cats too!

Lin Yan immediately bowed to accept the decree, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor! I will certainly perform my duties diligently and live up to your grace!"

So Lin Yan settled down temporarily in the side hall of Qingyi Pavilion.

Every day, Xie Mingyuan would deliver the case files and official documents that required his review or processing on time.

Lin Yan worked in this bright and clean side hall, filled with the elegant fragrance of pear blossoms.

When you're hungry, there are exquisite and delicious snacks and meals from the imperial kitchen; when you're thirsty, there's tribute tea and snow bud tea; and when you're tired, you can pet the imperial cat Aman and listen to its soothing purring.

Aside from the overly luxurious environment that occasionally made him feel a little disoriented, this working condition was far superior to that of the Ministry of Rites.

There was one thing that Lin Yan was a little confused about.

"Eunuch Li, His Majesty... has summoned me for dinner again?" Lin Yan looked at the smiling Li Lianshun in front of him and felt that this frequency was a bit excessive.

Why does Xiao Che summon him to dine with the emperor every day?

Is he so good-looking that he makes you want to eat more?

"Lord Lin, His Majesty is so considerate of your hard work. These imperial meals are a blessing that many people would rather die for!" Li Lianshun smiled broadly, but inwardly he was also quite puzzled.

His Majesty is paying too much attention to Lord Lin. Although Lord Lin has just been promoted and is involved in Wu Haimin's case and needs to be questioned, inviting him to dine with him every day seems a bit too intimate.

Let alone ministers, even the most favored concubines in the harem cannot dine with His Majesty every day.

Lin Yan had no choice but to follow Li Lianshun.

Upon arriving at the flower hall, the table was, as usual, laden with delicacies.

Xiao Che sat in the main seat, his expression unchanged.

"Lin Qing has arrived, please sit down." Xiao Che casually gestured to the seat below him. "The steamed river perch is very fresh today, please have a taste."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Yan sat down carefully and picked up his chopsticks.

Lin Yan couldn't help but wonder why Xiao Che invited him to every meal.

[Your Majesty, are you lonely eating alone?]

[Although it's delicious, eating like this every meal, and at the same table as you... my poor heart can't take it.]

Is this some kind of new workplace stress test? Am I going to be stuffed to death with royal food?

Is it really because I look so appetizing?

Lin Yan's mind was racing.

The thought flashed through Lin Yan's mind, and he immediately dismissed it, finding it absurd.

Xiao Che ate his meal elegantly, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yan's efforts to control his expression, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Food and sex are human nature.

Based on this, Lin Yan is indeed very good-looking.

...

Lin Yan guessed that Xiao Che was in a good mood because he had dealt with the corrupt officials in the court, and since his name was "Yan" (inkstone), he would reward him with a Duan inkstone.

It is said that Duan inkstones, which can store water without losing it and produce ink without damaging the brush, were once a tribute item in Chongqing.

The heavy feeling in his arms constantly reminded him how precious this thing was, so much so that he subconsciously walked with lighter steps, afraid of bumping or knocking over this "ancestor".

As soon as he reached the entrance of the hall, the sight before him made him pause, almost thinking he had gone to the wrong place.

The palace doors were open, and there were many figures inside, along with the faint sounds of objects being moved and low voices.

Who stole from the palace?

Lin Yan almost shuffled inside, and only after taking a closer look did her heart finally settle back into her stomach with a "plop".

Li Lianshun, along with several quick-witted eunuchs and palace maids, was busily arranging his room.

The once simple and elegant side hall was being transformed at a visible speed...

Wealth and status are overwhelming.

The old, worn-out desk by the window is gone, replaced by a large, heavy desk made of huanghuali wood with flowing, cloud-like grain. The tabletop is so smooth it reflects light and radiates a warm luster. The matching chair next to it has also been replaced with a grand master's chair made of the same material and covered with thick brocade cushions.

The bed curtains have been replaced with new ones, which look quite expensive, and the curtains are embroidered with exquisite bamboo patterns symbolizing peace.

Thick, soft Persian carpets were laid on the floor, and stepping on them felt like sinking into the clouds.

On the low table by the window, a brand-new celadon plum vase was placed, with several golden osmanthus blossoms in full bloom inside, their sweet fragrance wafting through the hall.

Even the low cabinet where he casually put things has been replaced with a rosewood display cabinet inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and several jade ornaments that look expensive are placed on it.

Li Lianshun was directing a young eunuch to carefully place the Four Treasures of the Study—a sandalwood brush holder, a jade brush washer, and an agate paperweight—on the brand-new huanghuali wood desk…

Lin Yan looked down at the Duan inkstone in his arms and silently placed it in the most conspicuous position.

"Eunuch Li... what is this?" Lin Yan looked at the upgraded renovation site, which was comparable to a five-star hotel suite, and was a little confused.

Hearing the voice, Li Lianshun turned around, and a smile that was even brighter than the golden osmanthus in the hall immediately appeared on her face. She quickly walked over and said, "Oh my, Lord Lin is back! Look, how is this place tidied up?"

As he spoke, he eagerly led Lin Yan inside, pointing to the newly acquired items as if they were his own treasures: "These were all personally ordered by His Majesty, who said that Lord Lin is now shouldering heavy responsibilities, dealing with the accumulated problems of the Ministry of Rites, and is temporarily residing in the palace, so his living conditions must not be compromised."

“Look at this desk, it’s made of Hainan rosewood, old material! It’s very heavy and stable! His Majesty said that you need a good desk to avoid the mental strain of reviewing official documents.” Li Lianshun patted the smooth surface of the desk, making a dull sound.

Lin Yan: Huh?

"The bed curtains are made of the finest brocade from the imperial workshops! Feel the fabric, the embroidery!" Li Lianshun lifted a corner of the curtain for Lin Yan to see. "His Majesty said that no matter how busy you are with official duties, you must get a good rest. This bed is thick and sturdy, I guarantee you will sleep soundly."

Lin Yan: Huh?

"This display cabinet, made of rosewood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, is perfect for displaying your favorite little trinkets. This plum vase, made of Ru ware, is a beautiful sky-blue color after rain—so elegant! Place a few sprigs of osmanthus in it, and the room will be filled with fragrance, refreshing and invigorating!"

Li Lianshun rattled off the origins, materials, and benefits of every new item added to the palace, as if reciting a menu. Finally, he leaned closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Lord Lin, His Majesty personally ordered that everything for you must be the best! There can be no compromise!"

Lin Yan was dumbfounded.

Is this the legendary sugar-coated bullet?

If so... could we have a little more of these sugar-coated bullets?

A note from the author:

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