Chapter 70 He quickly kissed Xiao Che's lips...
Happy Chinese New Year! The Chinese New Year is wonderful, but it also makes you want to sleep.
Starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Yan was forced to begin the "New Year's greeting torture" mode.
First, he followed his father, Lin Chengji, wearing an official robe wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and went from house to house to pay New Year's greetings to his superiors and mentors.
The thresholds of those high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Works were practically worn down by their constant stream of empty platitudes, like "New Year, New Look" and "Sharing His Majesty's Worries." Their faces were stiff with smiles, and they were at a loss for words when it came to auspicious greetings. They also had to be constantly on guard against being given a red envelope by some overly enthusiastic elder—that kind of thing was too hot to handle once accepted, and they would have to find a way to get their mothers to return it. It was exhausting.
Next was the social circle of the ladies from my mother Wen-yun's side.
Lin Yan was dragged to several mansions that were on good terms with the Wen family or were trying to curry favor with the Lin family, which was currently enjoying the emperor's favor.
The way those ladies looked at him was like that of hungry wolves eyeing a bone, so frightening that he wished he could disappear on the spot.
Fortunately, his mother was incredibly strong, deftly deflecting all his explicit and implicit suggestions, leaving him standing by like a smiling wooden statue.
Even staying at home to escape the hustle and bustle is impossible now, as colleagues and old friends are constantly visiting to offer New Year's greetings. Lin Yan has to put on the airs of the head of the Lin family, chatting and drinking tea with them, and dealing with those greetings that are either sincere or probing.
After a few days, I felt completely drained.
He shouldn't suffer from kidney deficiency because of this, right?
She didn't want to deal with all the guests, she wanted to see Xiao Che and go on a date with him.
The resentment festered in Lin Yan's heart and finally turned into action one afternoon.
He spread out the specially made patterned paper, picked up his pen and began to write his "Secret Report." He reported in a proper manner what he had seen and heard during the recent New Year's visits, the movements of various families, and that everything was normal. But as he wrote to the end, his pen couldn't help but carry his personal emotions, and he began to rant wildly. It was only natural to rant to his boyfriend, after all.
[…Furthermore, I have recently felt more exhausted from the holiday social obligations than from departmental duties. Every day I greet people with a smile, but my words are insincere. My body and mind are weary from running around. Thinking of our plans for the Lantern Festival, I feel like a traveler in the desert yearning for spring water. I only hope to escape this sea of suffering as soon as possible, to share in the joy of the people, and to experience the true spirit of everyday life. Your Majesty, residing deep within the palace, may not know the hardships we endure, but my resentment has become so strong it has solidified, lingering in my mind for three days straight.]
After finishing writing, Lin Yan blew the ink dry, skillfully stuffed it into the usual place, and felt a little more at ease.
Great, you've completed your work report while subtly expressing your "little complaint" about not being able to go on a date right away.
However, Lin Yan just wanted to complain; she couldn't very well have her boyfriend forbid people from visiting her for the New Year.
The next day, Kim Gu personally delivered a reply to Lin Yan.
The lanterns are as bright as day on the Lantern Festival; I will not fail my promise to you. Please be patient and calm.
No seal, no signature, extremely simple.
Lin Yan held the paper, looking at it over and over again, his lips curling up involuntarily.
Wow, is this what dating is like? So sweet!
Lin Yan devised a plan: she would chat with Xiao Che online every day through Jin Jiu. Although they never met, the atmosphere of romance was palpable.
Just two days after his mood brightened, a sudden message extinguished Lin Yan's little bit of expectation, like a bucket of ice water being poured over his head.
A letter arrived from my hometown.
The letter was delivered by someone who traveled day and night. When it reached Lin Chengji, his expression immediately turned serious after reading it.
He immediately called his whole family over.
"I just received a letter from my hometown," Lin Chengji's voice was somewhat heavy. "My grandmother is getting old, and her health has been poor since the beginning of winter. It seems... she might not make it through the spring. They want our family to go back as soon as possible to see her one last time."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Wen Yun's eyes immediately reddened. Although she hadn't seen her elderly grandmother many times since marrying into the family, she remembered the old woman's kindness.
Lin Mo also lowered her head, twisting her handkerchief in her small hands.
Although Lin Yan didn't have a deep affection for this great-grandmother, the weight of blood ties and the words "attending a funeral" instantly overwhelmed him.
This means they must set off immediately to return to their hometown.
"Father, is the news accurate?" Lin Yan asked.
"Hmm." Lin Chengji sighed, "Given the old man's age and the current weather... it's probably difficult. We need to set off as soon as possible. I've already planned to submit a memorial today to request leave for you and me, starting from the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, for twenty days. If we travel at full speed, we should be able to make it back and forth."
What about the Lantern Festival?
What should Xiao Che do?
Lin Yan was feeling quite overwhelmed, as if fate was playing a cruel joke on him.
With the matter settled, the Lin family immediately got busy, packing their belongings, arranging vehicles, and notifying everyone to cancel their New Year's visits.
Lin Yan felt a tightness in her chest, but she could only suppress all her emotions and help her parents with their affairs.
The request for leave was approved quickly, and Xiao Che even granted him a few extra days off, clearly knowing the inside story.
The day before his departure, Lin Yan thought about it and decided to go to the palace in person. For both official and personal reasons, he had to tell Xiao Che.
Moreover, he truly couldn't bear to part with Xiao Che.
The journey to the palace went smoothly. It seemed that Xiao Che had known he would come, and he met him directly at Qingyi Pavilion.
The room was warm and cozy, like springtime. Xiao Che dismissed his attendants, leaving only Li Defu to serve him from a distance.
Lin Yan bowed and looked at Xiao Che, momentarily at a loss for words. A sense of disappointment welled up inside him, and he said sullenly, "Your Majesty, I will be returning to my hometown with my family tomorrow."
"I know," Xiao Che's voice was gentler than usual. "Be careful on the road."
"Hmm." Lin Yan lowered his head, staring at the tips of his boots. "It's just... it's just that I can't go to the Lantern Festival as originally planned."
As he said this, his voice unconsciously carried a hint of guilt.
Xiao Che looked at him like this, remained silent for a moment, and said, "It's alright, business is more important. It is the duty of a son and grandson to see the old man one last time. We'll make an appointment later."
That's a reasonable and even considerate statement.
Lin Yan gave a muffled "hmm," still unhappy.
Looking at his dejected appearance, Xiao Che suddenly said, "The journey is long and I am worried. I will let Jin Jiu go back with you openly. There is no need to hide anymore. From now on, he will follow you and protect you. If you need anything, he can contact the Golden Shadow Guard's spies nearby."
Lin Yan was taken aback and looked up: "Let Jin Jiu come back with me?" He's just going back to his hometown, is it inappropriate to bring the emperor's secret guard with him?
"To be on the safe side," Xiao Che said calmly, but his tone left no room for refusal.
Before Lin Yan could fully process this arrangement, Xiao Che gestured to Li Defu. Li Defu immediately presented him with a heavy sandalwood box.
Xiao Che opened the box, and inside lay a black iron token, engraved with a ferocious dragon pattern and the character "御" (Yu, meaning imperial), next to which was a roll of bright yellow silk.
"What is this?" Lin Yan's eyes widened.
"This token can be used to mobilize troops stationed in prefectures and counties along the way. Receiving this order is as if I were personally present." Xiao Che took out the token and stuffed it into Lin Yan's hand. The cold touch and heavy weight made Lin Yan's hand tremble. "This blank imperial edict is stamped with my seal. If there is an extremely urgent matter that cannot be communicated, you can fill in the contents yourself and act accordingly."
Holding the token and the imperial edict, Lin Yan felt his hands burning and his mind buzzing.
The token representing the emperor himself, the blank imperial edict stamped with his seal—this was far too weighty.
Lin Yan declined, saying, "I'm just going back to my hometown. I probably won't need it. Your Majesty, why don't you take it back?"
"Take it." Xiao Che pressed his hand down. "It's better to be prepared. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Lin Yan looked into Xiao Che's deep eyes, which held undisguised worry and a kind of heaviness that he couldn't quite understand.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him, and an absurd thought popped into his head.
He blinked, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and asked half-jokingly and half-probingly, "Your Majesty, you've given me so many life-saving items, could it be that you actually want to come with me?"
That was a bold and presumptuous question.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Che's body stiffened.
He didn't answer immediately, but just looked at Lin Yan in silence, his eyes filled with complex emotions, including concern, helplessness, and even a hint of being caught off guard.
This silence is tantamount to tacit agreement!
Lin Yan was truly shocked this time; his mouth was slightly open and his eyes were wide open.
Holy crap! No way? You actually guessed right?
Xiao Che actually wants to go back to his hometown with him? Has he really bewitched the emperor to this extent?
Lin Yan was discovering for the first time that her charm was actually this great.
A tremendous shock struck Lin Yan's mind.
He looked at Xiao Che. At this moment, His Majesty the Emperor had shed his usual majesty and solemnity. Because of that moment of silence and the emotions revealed in his eyes, he seemed somewhat pitiful.
Like a large dog forced to stay at home and guard the house.
Lin Yan's heart melted instantly. She stepped forward, reached out, and gently embraced Xiao Che.
Xiao Che was clearly not expected him to do this so suddenly, and his body tensed up instantly.
Lin Yan ignored everything, hugged Xiao Che, and then tiptoed to quickly kiss him on the lips.
The soft and fleeting touch struck the two like a thunderbolt.
Lin Yan's face instantly turned bright red. She let go of his hand, took two steps back, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.
He didn't dare look at Xiao Che's expression, and stammered, "Your Majesty, rest assured! I will definitely come back soon! Wait for me!"
After saying that, Lin Yan practically fled in panic, clutching the token and imperial edict in his hand, and rushed out of Qingyi Pavilion without looking back, his steps so fast it was as if a wolf was chasing him.
Xiao Che was left standing there, frozen in the position of being ambushed. His fingers unconsciously touched his lips, which still felt warm from the previous attack. His eyes were filled with shock, disbelief, and a surging emotion that was spreading rapidly and almost overwhelming him.
Lin Yan kissed him again.
This time, it wasn't a kiss on the cheek, but a more intimate kiss on the lips.
Lin Yan's lips were warm and soft; if one could hold them and savor them, it would be wonderful to kiss.
The moment Lin Yan hugged him, Li Defu had already shrunk into the background, wishing he could evaporate on the spot.
Is this something he can see? He's just a eunuch, a eunuch!
Inside Qingyi Pavilion, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the occasional crackling of the underground charcoal fire and the sudden, uncontrolled pounding of an emperor's heart.
Lin Yan wasn't much better off. Although he took the initiative to flirt with Xiao Che, he was ultimately a novice in this area. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fled in panic but instead pulled Xiao Che to go a little deeper.
That was so exciting!
Lin Yan sat back in the carriage, his whole body radiating heat.
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Author's Note: Li Defu: Is anyone going to buy me peanuts?
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