"Your Majesty, today the Prime Minister met with Young Master Zhen and several friends, and found that the capital is truly a wonderful place. The streets are filled with fine carriages and luxury cars, and noble ladies of the capital stroll between jewelry shops and cosmetic shops, with all kinds of beauties, one after another, dazzling the eyes."
As Lin Xiangzhi spoke, he observed Xiao Jingzhao's expression, his mind racing, trying to figure out how to pique the emperor's interest in beautiful women.
"You didn't go to a brothel, did you?"
"Ahem... Your Majesty, we're practically family. Do you think Your Majesty doesn't know whether the Prime Minister is that kind of person?"
Lin Xiangzhi nearly choked on his own saliva, looking at Xiao Jingzhao with a face full of grievance.
Xiao Jingzhao raised an eyebrow slightly, "Having been to such a refined place, I really don't know what kind of person you are. It's not a big deal for a few talented men to go to a brothel to listen to music. You don't need to rush to defend yourself."
"Injustice! Absolutely injustice! Among the men here today are many talented scholars, yet they are truly not romantic at all." Lin Xiangzhi was so anxious that sweat was almost dripping from his forehead. He hadn't even gotten to the point yet, and he had somehow gotten himself into the limelight.
Xiao Jingzhao suppressed a laugh and raised his chin. "Sit down and talk. I didn't say anything, but look how anxious you are."
Seeing that the chair was too far away, Lin Xiangzhi moved it to the opposite side of Xiao Jingzhao's desk.
After taking his seat, Xiao Jingzhao instructed Eunuch Ma to serve him a pot of tea.
"You've been drinking. Do you need some hangover soup?" Xiao Jingzhao noticed a faint redness at the corners of Lin Xiangzhi's eyes and knew he must have had a few drinks.
The tea on the table was scalding hot. Lin Xiangzhi picked up a piece of apple from the fruit plate, took a bite, and then recounted his gathering with people outside that day.
Before Lin Xiangzhi could get to the point, Xiao Jingzhao interjected, "Su Jin is a man worth befriending."
"Does Your Majesty know this person?" Prime Minister Lin asked anxiously, almost biting his tongue.
“The Su family’s daughter is engaged to my eldest brother. Do you think I know her?” Xiao Jingzhao said, glancing at Lin Xiangzhi.
Lin Xiangzhi left Yannan after gathering provisions, so he naturally didn't know about Xiao Kang's engagement.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiangzhi's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward slightly. "Your Majesty, since the Su family is already considered imperial relatives, why not strengthen the bond through marriage?"
Xiao Jingzhao asked, "What do you mean?"
"Such a simple matter as the marriage alliance between the Xiao and Su families, why does Your Majesty need to ask?"
"Xiangzhi, have you met with the Empress Dowager?"
Lin Xiangzhi didn't understand what Xiao Jingzhao meant, so he nodded honestly, "I've already paid my respects."
Xiao Jingzhao asked again, "Have you seen Yonghe?"
"No, how could Prime Minister Lin casually go to see the princess? Your Majesty, please don't go off on a tangent." Prime Minister Lin said with a serious expression, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
Xiao Jingzhao's expression suddenly turned serious. "Then why do you think Yonghe Su Jin is suitable?"
"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. I was not referring to Princess Yonghe. To be honest, when I escorted Young Master Su back to his residence today, I happened to meet Su Jin's cousin in front of the Jiang residence. Her beauty was truly breathtaking, a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Your Majesty's harem is empty, and when I saw such a beauty, the first person I thought of was Your Majesty!"
Xiao Jingzhao: "..."
Xiao Jingzhao stared at Lin Xiangzhi without saying a word.
Lin Xiangzhi blinked and said, "Your Majesty, did you understand? A beauty, a rare beauty!"
"Don't you have anything else to do today?" Xiao Jingzhao asked, glancing at the mountain of documents on his desk without answering.
Lin Xiangzhi, unsuspecting, shook his head and said, "It's alright. We'll just wait until the results are posted to see how far I am. If I don't get the position of Minister of Revenue, I hope Your Majesty won't blame me."
Xiao Jingzhao raised his chin. "It's alright. I don't follow the rules when it comes to hiring people. Even if someone is extremely talented, they might not be able to manage the Ministry of Revenue. Since you're alright, these are all the memorials from the Ministry of Revenue. Read them and then we can discuss them."
Lin Xiangzhi let out a wail, looking at the memorial towering above his head, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I recommended a beauty to you, but you refused to let me..."
Xiao Jingzhao raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Lin Xiangzhi with a half-smile, "You want me to become a tyrant?"
"No, Your Majesty, you must get married eventually. Even if it's for the sake of the country, you must have children and produce an heir!"
Xiao Jingzhao took a wolf-hair brush from the brush holder and handed it over, a pleased smile on his lips, and said, "I have a son even though I'm not married."
"Smack!"
Lin Xiangzhi's hand trembled, and the wolf-hair brush slipped from his grasp.
"Your Majesty, you..." Prime Minister Lin's mind raced. In a flash, he remembered the day he returned, when the wind blew up all the papers in the courtyard. He seemed to have caught a glimpse of a child on one of the papers.
The wind blew the paper up at one corner. Xiao Jingzhao moved too fast and glanced too hastily, so he didn't understand what he was seeing and thought he was seeing things.
Seeing Lin Xiangzhi staring at him in disbelief, Xiao Jingzhao pulled out a book of memorials and pushed it over, saying, "Don't ask so many questions. You'll know when the time comes."
"Your Majesty, no, when did this happen? We're often together, how come the Prime Minister didn't notice anything amiss? Who did you become involved with?"
Lin Xiangzhi took the memorial and, seeing that the emperor truly had no intention of telling him anything, could only lower his head and read the memorial.
The Minister of Revenue was absent for many days, and many matters that the Vice Minister of Revenue could not handle were reported.
The two dined in the Imperial Study. Lin Xiangzhi, who had freeloaded on the imperial meal, thought he could leave, but the Emperor said, "You will eventually have to go to the Ministry of Revenue to take charge of affairs. Why don't you familiarize yourself with the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue first?"
Lin Xiangzhi had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue helping to review the memorials.
Until three quarters past 9 PM, Lin Xiangzhi yawned several times in a row.
Xiao Jingzhao put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand and said, "That's all for today."
"The Prime Minister will take his leave now. Your Majesty, please rest as well. Your health is of utmost importance."
Lin Xiangzhi gave a perfunctory greeting and walked out.
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