Chapter 11 So fluffy!
Wu Haimin, Wang Jian, and seven or eight other officials from the Ministry of Rites were crammed into this not-so-spacious duty room.
The doors and windows were tightly shut, and two expressionless imperial guards stood at the entrance, their hands on their swords, like two menacing figures.
There were no seats inside; everyone had to stand or lean against the cold walls. The air was heavy and oppressive, filled with the smell of fear, sweat, and heavy breathing.
Wu Haimin slumped in the corner, his face ashen, sweat pouring down his face, his crimson official robe crumpled and clinging to his body, the collar of which he had unconsciously torn open.
His mind was in chaos. One moment he saw Zheng Jing's desperate eyes as he was dragged away, and the next he saw the benefits he had received over the years and the "flexible" official business he had handled... Every thought was like a dull knife, cutting into his nerves.
"Lord Wu... Lord Wu, what... what should we do?" Wang Jian, the head of the department, approached with a sob in his voice, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "Is His Majesty going to... to punish everyone involved?"
"Shut up! What's the panic!" Wu Haimin roared in a low voice, his tone weak and feeble. "We...we didn't do anything like Zheng Jing!" He seemed to be trying to convince others, but it was more like he was hypnotizing himself.
"But, but what about Lin Yuanwailang..." another official stammered, his eyes filled with uneasy speculation.
"Lin Yan?" Wu Haimin raised his voice suddenly, as if a cat had been stepped on, but then realized his situation and quickly lowered it, gritting his teeth as he said, "He is Zheng Jing's direct superior. If Zheng Jing has a problem, who else can His Majesty turn to if not him?"
A young organizer opened his mouth, as if to say, "Lord Wu, you are the Director of the Ministry of Rites, in charge of the entire Ministry of Rites," but ultimately he didn't speak.
Time ticked by in extreme agony.
No one spoke in the duty room anymore; only heavy, suppressed breathing and the occasional chattering of teeth in fear could be heard.
Wu Haimin felt like his bladder was about to explode, but looking at the two menacing figures at the door, he didn't even have the courage to ask to use the restroom. He could only curl up in the corner, his body convulsing slightly from fear and physical discomfort, his eyes unfocused, and only one thought remaining in his mind: Father, you have to save me...
Taiyi Hall Warm Pavilion.
Xiao Che was slowly flipping through Zheng Jing's confession from the Jinwu Guard's initial interrogation, as well as the files and resumes of relevant officials from the Ministry of Personnel.
Li Defu stood respectfully to one side with his hands at his sides.
"Your Majesty, apart from Xie Mingyuan, everyone else from the Ministry of Rites has arrived. As you instructed, Wu Haimin and the others are being held in their duty rooms, while Lin Yan is being housed in the side hall of Qingyi Pavilion," Li Defu reported in a low voice.
"Hmm." Xiao Che didn't even look up, his gaze lingering on Wu Haimin's resume for a moment, which clearly stated that his father was Wu Hongzhen, the Minister of Personnel.
A cold, sharp smile curved his lips as he tapped the name on the screen with his fingertip: “Have the Imperial Guards take Zheng Jing’s confession and these files to the duty rooms and question them one by one. Pay special attention to that Dr. Wu. Tell them that I want the truth, the absolute truth.”
"Yes, this old servant understands." Li Defu understood immediately.
This isn't a question; it's clearly a psychological attack, an attempt to exert pressure.
Especially for a pampered, cowardly playboy like Wu Haimin, in such a high-pressure and isolated environment, facing the fierce and ruthless Imperial Guards and an ambiguous confession, he would probably scare himself out of his wits and spill the beans before long.
Xiao Che finally looked up from the dossier, the coldness in his eyes instantly melting away, replaced by a hint of gentleness that was almost imperceptible, even to himself: "Let him stay here. Don't stop the refreshments and tea. Tell the servants not to disturb him, let him read or sleep as he pleases."
Just as Li Defu was about to accept the order and carry it out, Xiao Che stopped him: "Wait, he's bored by himself, send Aman over to him."
Li Defu's eyes widened in shock. Ah Man was His Majesty's cat! A royal cat!
"Yes." Li Defu bowed and withdrew, his mind now having a new assessment of the importance of that Assistant Minister Lin in His Majesty's heart.
Side hall of Qingyi Pavilion.
Lin Yan was holding the bowl of cool, sweet cheese, sipping it slowly.
The sweet aroma of osmanthus honey blends with the rich flavor of milk, melting on the tongue. At the bottom of the bowl, there are a few soft and tender lotus seeds, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, which perfectly balances the sweetness.
The hall was so quiet that only the faint sounds of his own chewing and the occasional chirping of birds from outside the window could be heard.
The afternoon tea at the palace is truly excellent.
The initial surprise and uncertainty have been completely replaced by satisfaction and confusion.
I'm full and have even felt a little sleepy.
Just as Lin Yan was about to lie down and sleep, Li Lianshun's fair and round face, with a standard smile, peeked in. Behind him were two eunuchs, who were carrying an object covered with bright yellow brocade.
The object was neither too big nor too small, square in shape, like a covered cage, with faint rustling sounds coming from inside.
"His Majesty's decree." Li Lianshun cleared his throat, his voice carrying a tone unique to the palace, "Minister Lin has been working hard these days, and I am deeply pleased. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you the imperial cat, Aman, to relieve your fatigue. So be it."
Royal Cat?
Lin Yan's mind went blank for a moment.
He thought that even if Xiao Che was a good boss, he would at most give him more food and drink, but he actually sent him a cat? A royal cat at that?
Lin Yan thanked him in a daze, watching as Li Lianshun gestured to the little eunuch to carefully place the brocade-covered object on his desk.
The thing wobbled slightly on the table, and the rustling sounds inside became clearer, like something scratching.
Li Lianshun smiled and lifted a corner of the brocade, revealing an exquisite gold-threaded cage.
Inside the cage, a cat, entirely white except for a few tufts of jet-black fur at the tips of its tail and ears, was lying lazily.
The cat wasn't large, but it had a well-proportioned frame and its fur shone like the finest silk. Its pair of emerald green eyes were like the purest glass, carrying a hint of arrogance as it slowly scanned its surroundings before finally settling on Lin Yan's face.
Haha!
Good heavens!
Absolutely gorgeous cat!
Fireworks exploded in Lin Yan's mind in an instant.
All that work, all that damn paperwork, all that Wu Haimin—it was all pushed to the back of the world by this fluffy, unbelievably beautiful cat.
They have imperial kitchens to eat in, tribute tea to drink, and now they even have cats!
Lin Yan's smile instantly switched from a professional fake smile to a heartfelt one: "Your subject Lin Yan kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your divine grace! Your Majesty's consideration is so meticulous that I am moved to tears and prostrate myself in gratitude!"
The sincerity in his tone was more genuine than if he had acted out a thousand acts of self-sacrifice in front of Wu Haimin.
Li Lianshun was clearly satisfied with Lin Yan's reaction. He smiled and nodded, then leaned closer and said in a very low voice, "Lord Lin, His Majesty also said that you should take good care of Aman, as it is delicate."
"Your humble servant understands! Your humble servant will certainly treat you like an ancestor!" Lin Yan nodded vigorously, his eyes glued to A Man.
As Li Lianshun finished her errand and was about to leave, Lin Yan's longing for freedom resurfaced.
He quickly took a small step forward: "Eunuch Li, um... may I ask if His Majesty has said when I may leave the palace?"
Li Lianshun's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes: "Lord Lin, this servant dares not presume to guess His Majesty's intentions, but..."
He glanced at Aman, who was already elegantly licking her paws in the cage: "Judging from Your Majesty's expression, perhaps it won't be easy for you to leave the palace today."
Lin Yan's smile froze for a moment.
What is that?
They won't let us leave?
Wouldn't his parents be worried to death?
Lin Yan immediately put on a worried expression: "Eunuch, could you please help me send a message home? Tell him that His Majesty has asked me to stay in the palace... uh, to discuss important matters? And tell my parents not to worry?" She almost blurted out "petting the cat".
Li Lianshun was truly in a dilemma this time. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Lord Lin, without His Majesty's explicit instructions, this servant really dares not make a decision on my own."
Sending messages to the homes of foreign officials? That's too much trouble.
Looking at Li Lianshun's "don't make things difficult for me" expression, Lin Yan felt a surge of frustration inside.
He glanced at the aloof Aman in the cage, then at Li Lianshun, his eyes filled with the longing of a corporate slave for the end of the workday.
Li Lianshun felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze, and gritted her teeth: "Well then, Lord Lin, please calm down. This servant will go to the Emperor's presence now and, if I may be so bold as to inquire about His Majesty's opinion." After all, His Majesty favors Lord Lin and should not be angry about this.
"Thank you so much, Father-in-law!" Lin Yan was so moved that she almost burst into tears.
Li Lianshun slipped away as fast as he could.
Taiyi Hall Warm Pavilion.
Xiao Che had just finished reviewing a memorial and was pinching his brow when Li Lianshun entered, bowing low.
"Your Majesty, the imperial cat has been delivered to Lord Lin. Lord Lin is overjoyed. When he kowtowed to thank the Emperor for his grace, his sincerity was so genuine...tsk tsk, even I felt my cheeks ache just watching him." Li Lianshun tried her best to describe Lin Yan's silly grin more vividly. "However, Lord Lin is worried about his parents at home and is afraid that they will be anxious. He asked me to pass on a message to his household. I dare not act on my own initiative, so I have come to ask Your Majesty for instructions."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Che tapped his fingertips lightly on the imperial desk. He felt that Lin Yan was quite good, as he even knew to care about his parents.
"Hmm." Xiao Che put down his hand, his tone casual. "Go to the Lin family and tell them that I'm keeping Lin Yan in the palace for a few days to discuss some minor matters of the Ministry of Rites. Tell them not to worry."
He paused, then added, "Take some more rewards with you, pick something substantial, like silk and satin, seasonal fruits, rice, flour, oil, and salt, whatever you think is appropriate."
Li Lianshun quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." But inwardly, she began to have doubts.
Discussing details? That reason... is only good for fooling outsiders, right? Staying for a few days? What is His Majesty up to?
After leaving, Li Lianshun still felt uneasy and went to find his godfather, Li Defu, with a belly full of questions.
Li Defu was leisurely pruning a potted Podocarpus macrophyllus. After listening to Li Lianshun's retelling, he didn't even lift his eyelids.
“Godfather, do you think His Majesty is being a little too harsh on Lord Lin…” Li Lianshun leaned closer, his voice extremely low.
"Too much what?" Li Defu trimmed an extra branch. "The Emperor's will is unique; how could you or I presume to fathom it?"
He put down the silver scissors, picked up a cloth to wipe his hands, and then looked up at his godson with a calm and unwavering gaze: "Whom His Majesty favors is His Majesty's will. We servants should keep our eyes open, work diligently, give him the respect due to him without fail, and do our work meticulously. As for anything else..."
Li Defu paused, then tapped his heart with his finger: "Just keep it in mind. Don't ask, don't think, and definitely don't spread it around. Remember, Lord Lin is a new face in His Majesty's eyes. We should respect, honor, and flatter him. Don't overthink it. If you overthink it, your livelihood will be in jeopardy."
Li Lianshun felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his back: "Yes, yes, I understand! Thank you for your guidance, Godfather!"
On the other side, Lin Yan received a message from Li Lianshun, knowing that everything had been arranged at home and that he had even received a reward for nothing. The last bit of anxiety in his heart disappeared.
He looked at the old man in the gilded cage and rubbed his hands together.
Haha! This feel!
So soft!
warm!
hairy!
A note from the author:
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No one can resist a fluffy little kitten [cat emoji]
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