Chapter 22. Lin Yan was in a great hurry, so much so that he became known as the "Hurry-Hurry Kingdom"...
After he finished reciting, the room fell silent.
Lin Yan's heart was in turmoil. Oh no, oh no, does the boss think the implication is too blatant?
Suddenly, he heard a very soft, low chuckle.
It sounded like it was coming from the nose, carrying a somewhat indescribable meaning.
Lin Yan secretly glanced up and saw that Xiao Che had turned around and was still looking out the window, but his back seemed more relaxed than before.
"The Marquis of Changping's mansion..." Xiao Che's voice rang out slowly, revealing no emotion, "They certainly know how to enjoy life."
He paused, then said, "Your poem is quite good."
Lin Yan: "???"
That's it?
That's all?
What does "well written" mean? Is it praising his writing skills or scolding him for being a troublemaker?
Lin Yan was still in a daze when he heard Xiao Che say calmly, "Since you're here, have a simple meal with me."
After saying that, Xiao Che took the lead and walked outside.
Lin Yan quickly followed.
"No, Your Majesty, I've come to seek your protection and support, not to freeload!"
Did you even understand what I meant?
Those spendthrift kids are just burning money!
Are you going to do anything about this?
Lin Yan was in a great hurry, so much so that he became known as the "Hurry King".
However, Xiao Che had already gone far away, so Lin Yan could only swallow back all his words and follow after him with a bitter face.
The boss's thoughts are indeed more difficult to understand than the official documents of the Ministry of Rites.
As Lin Yan followed the eunuch into the flower hall, the extravagant scene of chrysanthemums roasting in a silver charcoal brazier at the Changping Marquis's mansion was still buzzing in his mind, mixed with the crisp sound of jade pendants clinking at the waists of aristocratic young men and their feigned composure and laughter.
The flower hall was warm and inviting, and the aroma of dinner was already wafting through the air.
Xiao Che sat in the main seat, his dark robes making his face appear even more handsome under the lamplight. However, there was a faint trace of weariness between his brows, as if he had just finished dealing with some thorny political affairs.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects." Lin Yan composed himself and bowed respectfully.
"Hmm, sit down." Xiao Che's voice was devoid of emotion, his gaze lingering for a moment on the man's worn, rain-washed sky-blue robe. "Although the palace is not as cold as outside, you are dressed rather thinly."
Lin Yan thanked the emperor and sat down on the edge of the embroidered stool: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am not cold."
The clothes his mother made must have been warm, just not fancy.
It's not that I'm cold, it's just that my heart is cold.
The charcoal fire at the Marquis of Changping's residence burns like it's free. The charcoal they use for one meal could probably fuel a family in the outskirts of Beijing for a whole winter.
And those chrysanthemums, can't they just bloom peacefully? Why do they have to put them on a charcoal brazier to dry them? It's like they're wasting their money...
Lin Yan's mind began to race uncontrollably: the jadeite of excellent quality at the waist of the Marquis of Changping, the rhinoceros horn cup from overseas that a certain young master boasted about, the so-called exquisite jade marrow soup on the table made by simmering more than a dozen chickens and ducks, and taking only a small cup of it... Every frame of the picture exuded the extravagance of the wealthy and powerful.
Xiao Che picked up his jade chopsticks, about to pick up some food, when he paused almost imperceptibly.
He looked up and saw Lin Yan struggling with a bowl of glistening rice.
This person, after going to the Marquis of Changping's residence, has become so thoughtful.
[And then there are those scions of noble families, each one vying with the others. One young master boasts of acquiring a magnificent Ferghana horse, pure white and worth a thousand gold pieces, while another brags about how his father just hired a retired Hanlin scholar to tutor him in literature… This isn't a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet; it's clearly a contest of flaunting wealth and showing off.]
[Your Majesty, are you aware that the scale of their meal is far more extravagant than your own imperial cuisine?]
Lin Yan ate his rice with gusto, trying to suppress the surging complaints in his heart with the food.
Xiao Che picked up a piece of the fattest belly of a steamed shad; the meat was snow-white and the broth was clear.
He casually remarked, "The Changping Marquis's residence is quite lively today. Are the chrysanthemums pleasing to the eye?"
Lin Yan almost choked on his rice, quickly swallowed it, and bowed his head respectfully to reply, "Your Majesty, the chrysanthemums at the Marquis of Changping's residence are in full bloom, with a wide variety of species. This has broadened my horizons."
[So extravagant! Absolutely extravagant! Each flower is served in four silver-wire charcoal braziers! Like they're being treated like royalty!]
[How much rent do they actually collect? How can they be so rich? They even use the finest silver charcoal to roast chrysanthemums!]
Those scions of noble families seemed completely unconcerned about Your Majesty's decree this morning regarding the cold wave; they probably didn't take it to heart at all!
The more Lin Yan thought about it, the more indignant she became.
Xiao Che put the fish into his mouth, and the delicate and sweet taste melted on his tongue. He chewed slowly, his gaze fixed on the void, as if he was savoring the fish, or perhaps savoring something else entirely.
Ah, the Marquis of Changping's residence.
Chrysanthemums roasted in a silver wire charcoal brazier?
He had just issued strict orders to monitor the prices of charcoal and firewood in various regions to prevent hoarding and speculation, and the nobles he relied on were already doing the same thing in their own backyard.
Okay, that's really great.
And those scions of noble families... It seems his methods have been too lenient lately, making them forget the meaning of "both thunder and rain are the emperor's grace."
Lin Yan ate the meal without tasting it, his mind filled with thoughts of charcoal and chrysanthemums.
Xiao Che used it more slowly than usual, occasionally asking Lin Yan a few unimportant questions, which made Lin Yan's mind race with complaints about the extravagance of the Changping Marquis's mansion and the ostentatious nature of the noble families.
After the dining table was cleared away, palace servants served tea to rinse the mouth.
Xiao Che washed his hands and slowly wiped his fingertips with a snow-white silk handkerchief. Suddenly, he said, "Lin Qing, come and serve me the brush and ink."
Lin Yan was taken aback, and quickly put down his teacup: "Yes."
He was familiar with this job; he had done it several times when he lived in the palace.
He followed Xiao Che to the imperial desk and began grinding ink with practiced ease, his movements fluid and his pressure even, clearly showing he was a seasoned expert.
Xiao Che spread out a bright yellow silk cloth, the texture of which Lin Yan recognized; it was specially used for writing imperial edicts.
Lin Yan muttered to himself.
[Is this some kind of imperial edict? What kind of imperial edict would be written so late at night? Who is it for?]
Xiao Che picked up the imperial brush, dipped it in ink, and held the tip above the silk, seemingly pondering before putting pen to paper.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the curiosity that was almost overflowing in Lin Yan's eyes, like a child trying to peek into an adult's secret, wanting to see but not daring to look openly. His anxious and restless expression was truly amusing.
Xiao Che found it amusing, but he didn't show it on his face. He simply spoke casually, as if he were saying that the weather was nice today: "Look if you want to, it's not a secret."
Lin Yan muttered under his breath, "This isn't a good idea," but immediately took a small step forward, leaned his head out, and stared wide-eyed.
As the steady and powerful imperial brush fell, familiar characters appeared one by one.
"...The Marquis of Changping has received the Emperor's favor for generations and should be diligent and frugal, setting an example for meritorious officials and relatives. However, he has become extravagant and disregarded the people's welfare, which has greatly disappointed me...I hereby order the reduction of his fiefdom from 700 households to 350 households and his permanent estate from 2,500 mu to 1,000 mu. This is my decree."
Lin Yan stared at the ink-stained words, his eyes widening, and he held his breath.
Half of it was cut off?!
Both the fiefdom and the permanent land grants are being cut in half?!
After writing the last character, Xiao Che placed the imperial brush back on the brush holder: "Li Defu".
Li Defu immediately stepped forward: "This old servant is here."
"Send word immediately to proclaim the decree; there must be no delay."
"Yes." Li Defu held the newly written imperial edict, the ink still wet, with both hands, bowed and retreated, his steps quick and steady.
Lin Yan was still standing there, staring at the empty imperial desk, as if he could still see the murderous words on the imperial edict.
The imperial decree has already been issued?
Your Majesty's efficiency is just too high!
Why?
It couldn't be because he came to complain, could it?
No, no, His Majesty would have someone keep an eye on the Ministry of Rites, and he would certainly have someone else keep an eye on the Changping Marquis's residence as well. His Majesty probably already knew about what happened at the Changping Marquis's residence today, long before I went to the palace to complain.
Thinking of this, Lin Yan gasped.
Sure enough, he underestimated the big boss.
Xiao Che showed no mercy when dealing with Wu Haimin and others, so he naturally wouldn't be any less ruthless towards the Marquis of Changping's mansion.
An indescribable feeling of comfort welled up from the bottom of his heart like a hot spring, and Lin Yan felt secretly pleased.
[Your Majesty is mighty! Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty did a wonderful job! Let these parasites flaunt their wealth! Let them roast chrysanthemums over charcoal! Let's see if they're still so smug now! Their fiefdoms have been halved, their land holdings have shrunk—they'll feel the pinch!]
As Xiao Che listened to the chaotic, purely joyful jubilation in his ears, the corners of his lips curved upwards.
He raised his hand, picked up the warm teacup beside him, and gently blew away the foam.
Hmm, this tea tastes very good today.
Lin Yan was still immersed in immense joy, his lips curving upwards in a wild smile, yet he tried hard to suppress it, his facial expressions almost out of control.
The inner demon within him had already taken out his gongs and drums, started banging them and setting off firecrackers, and was playing "Long live the Emperor" on a loop.
I really want to see the expression on the Changping Marquis's face when they receive the imperial decree!
[It's going to be amazing!]
It's such a pity we couldn't see it live! What a shame!
Xiao Che slowly sipped his tea, his eyelashes lowered slightly, concealing the fleeting understanding in his eyes.
He put down his teacup, as if suddenly remembering something, and spoke softly to the empty corner of the hall: "Jin Jiu."
A dark figure, like a drop of water merging into the night, silently coalesced and took shape, bowing and clasping its hands: "Your subordinate is here."
"Go to the Marquis of Changping's residence in person, watch the imperial decree being read, and see what happens." Xiao Che's tone was calm, as if he were merely instructing someone on a trivial matter. "If anything happens, come back and report to me."
Kim Gu: "Yes."
Xiao Che paused, as if only then noticing Lin Yan beside him, whose ears were perked up and whose eyes had lit up. He casually added, his voice devoid of emotion, "By the way, take Lin Qing with you, so he can see it too."
Lin Yan: "!!!"
He looked up, his eyes widening even more than when he had read the imperial edict, his face screaming, "Really? Can I do this? Is there really such a good thing?"
[Your Majesty! You are my own Emperor! You are truly wise, powerful, resourceful, and considerate!]
A very subtle hint of surprise seemed to flash across Jin Jiu's perpetually unchanging face, but he quickly regained his composure and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your subordinate obeys."
Xiao Che waved his hand, picked up another memorial, as if he had just arranged a trivial matter: "Go, keep it low-key."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor!" Lin Yan quickly bowed, his voice trembling with excitement.
He followed Kim Gu, practically floating out of the flower hall, his steps so light he could take off on the spot.
The moonlight was cool and clear.
Kim Gu's figure appeared ahead like a ghost, silent and stealthy.
Lin Yan followed Jin Jiu furtively like a dog.
Your Majesty is wonderful! Your Majesty is brilliant!
A note from the author:
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[doge emoji]
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