Lin Xiangwu was so anxious he was pacing back and forth.

However, since they were in the palace, with countless eyes watching them at all times, Lin Wanyue had no way to use the spiritual incense to make Qi Sichen and the others see him.

Lin Xiangwu was anxious for a while before finally turning his gaze to Lin Wanyue. "Good Wanwan, you should quickly tell your godfather to retract his order. We can't let that brat of yours get any official position!"

"..." Lin Wanyue didn't speak, still holding the shrimp in her mouth, her big, blinking eyes looking at Lin Xiangwu, completely puzzled.

If Dad can become an official, then he'll have a salary.

Then her father and grandmother wouldn't have to worry about doing any business, and they would be able to support her and her brothers.

She had no idea that she would receive a stipend as a princess.

Seeing her like this, Lin Xiangwu quickly expressed his concerns.

“Good child, you know your father’s temperament. He’s not cut out for being an official. If he does something to offend someone, he might not be able to save himself even if he had many lives. It would be better for him to stay home and do some business honestly, so as not to get into trouble!”

"Moreover, although the Regent Prince seems to have immense power now, his path is also extremely dangerous. If he makes a mistake, who knows what will happen. Besides, although he has taken care of us, our family is not good either. If we don't cherish his reputation, this sudden promotion and title will only invite a lot of gossip and trouble. Why bother with all that..." Lin Xiangwu sighed.

Lin Wanyue truly didn't understand these convoluted arguments, but just as she was about to speak, she heard Liu Junlan say with equal trepidation, "Your Highness, if you are willing about Wanwan's matter, we can't say much. However, my foolish son is really useless, neither good at literature nor martial arts. If we just let him become an official and be granted a title, wouldn't that cause trouble? This matter is really inappropriate, so please, Your Highness, withdraw your order."

Hearing her mother-in-law belittle her husband like that, Xuefu opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but being reserved by nature, she didn't show it.

She couldn't understand why her mother-in-law didn't want Lin Weiming to become an official, but she knew that her mother-in-law was much more knowledgeable than her and would never really harm her own son.

Saying these self-deprecating things is probably for one's own good.

She stopped thinking about it and joined Liu Junlan in pleading with Qi Sichen to retract his decision.

Seeing that they were unwilling to serve as officials for him, Qi Sichen was not angry. Instead, he gently persuaded them, "Madam, what you said makes me feel ashamed. In fact, in this matter, it was the late emperor who wronged your family. Back then, General Lin served the country and the people, and wasn't he also doing it for my imperial brother?"

"Now that the general has died on the battlefield, it is you and Brother Weiming who have suffered. I didn't know before, but now that I know, how can I not make it up to you? These things were originally what you deserved."

“But…” Liu Junlan wanted to say something more, but then she heard Qi Sichen suddenly sigh deeply and look at Qi Yuan, who was staring blankly at Lin Wanyue, and say, “Alas, to be honest, my nephew and I have relied on each other for many years, but there are really not many people we can trust. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have encountered such a thing last time. But Brother Weiming is General Lin and Madam Lin’s son, and I truly treat him like my own brother. If he is willing to work for me, then I have no worries.”

Lin Xiangwu almost burst into tears while listening to what he said.

It would be good enough if he could gain the favor of the regent.

Moreover, the emperor was so pitiful, harmed by treacherous people hiding in the shadows, and had few people who could help him.

Now his son is finally considered one.

How could he... how could he disregard His Majesty's suffering for his own selfish gain?

Lin Xiangwu wiped away his tears and said to Lin Wanyue, "You should persuade your grandmother. Our family will agree to this. No matter how useful your father is, he can at least help out with some errands."

Lin Wanyue: "..."

Grandpa really looks down on her father!

Lin Wanyue always felt that her father was quite capable in both literature and martial arts, but his personality was just too carefree, though that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Grandma~" Lin Wanyue hugged Liu Junlan's arm and persuaded her, "Just agree, Grandpa already agreed."

Before Liu Junlan could speak, Qi Sichen's eyes lit up, and he said happily, "Madam, you see, General Lin is still as devoted to His Majesty as he was back then. Please... persuade Brother Weiming more."

The more pitiful he sounded, the more Lin Xiangwu felt sorry for him. He wished he had another body so he could continue to serve Qi Yuan, and he genuinely began to despise his own son for being useless.

Meanwhile, Lin Weiming, who was far away at home, suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose.

He frowned, wondering if his parents, wife, and children were missing him.

Neither Liu Junlan nor Xue Fu shared such loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and they remained somewhat hesitant.

They were afraid that their family, being powerless and without influence, would be drawn into these dangerous power struggles within the imperial court.

"Actually, I only made this decision hastily because of the children Zhongyuan, Zheyun, Ziqiu, and Zihan. There is a rule in our dynasty that only the children of officials of the third rank or above can enter the Imperial Academy to study, except for the children of those who have been granted titles and honors."

"I was thinking that Zhongyuan is a really good student, and I couldn't let him fall behind, so I decided to confer this title as soon as possible so that his studies wouldn't be delayed," Qi Sichen continued.

Liu Junlan understood this time.

If you want to send your children to the Imperial Academy, the best school in the Great Yan Kingdom, then the best option is to accept this title.

A look of confusion appeared in Lin Zhongyuan's eyes as he listened intently.

How did that old fox Qi Sichen end up getting involved with him in the middle of the conversation?

Is this tactic of using a hostage to command the feudal lords?

"At this moment..." Before he could finish his thought, Liu Junlan gritted her teeth and said, "I still can't make a decision on this matter right now. I need to discuss it with my son first..."

Qi Sichen acted as if he hadn't heard and continued, "And that kid Zheyun, he's been sparring and practicing with my guards all the way here, and the speed at which he's improving is making me envious."

"If he could practice more at the martial arts arena, our dynasty would probably have another General Lin. I have witnessed Ziqiu's acupuncture skills, which are extremely rare even in the Imperial Hospital. Zihan is still young, and although we can't see anything yet, he will probably be a dragon among men in the future."

"Alright! Your Highness, I'll go back and talk to my son. Who would turn down an official position that's offered to them? Don't worry." Liu Junlan finally couldn't resist and agreed.