Chapter 95 A solid kiss.
The next day, Lin Yan, sporting faint dark circles under his eyes and dressed in a neat crimson official robe, went to the palace with the impeachment draft he had stayed up all night to polish.
In the Taiyi Hall, officials stood solemnly in order, creating a dignified atmosphere.
Lin Yan stood in the line of Ministry of Revenue officials, his eyes lowered, seemingly calm, but in reality, he was calculating something rapidly in his mind.
He glanced furtively at the direction of the throne. Although he couldn't see Xiao Che's expression, he could sense a gaze lingering on him for a moment.
Hmph, my boyfriend is in position, the audience has entered, and the show is about to begin.
Li Defu was already prepared to cooperate with Lin Yan. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "I have something to report," and omitted the following sentence, "If there is nothing else, the court may adjourn."
Lin Yan stepped out of the ranks, holding his ceremonial tablet, and announced in a loud voice, "Your subject has something to report!"
This instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Many officials wondered to themselves: What is Vice Minister Lin going to report today? Isn't he busy?
Xiao Che, seated on the throne, spoke in a calm and unwavering voice: "Granted."
Lin Yan first gave a proper report on some worrying issues discovered during the recent investigation of the imperial clan's accounts. His tone was objective and his wording was precise, reflecting the perspective of a conscientious official from the Ministry of Revenue.
Then, the conversation subtly shifted.
"Your Majesty, during my investigation, I discovered that some accounts were chaotic and contained irregularities, which are often related to certain members of the imperial family and their associates. For example, the output of the imperial estates under the current Prince Rong's residence has been inconsistent with the actual output for three consecutive years, with huge discrepancies; another example is the frequent instances of inflated prices in palace purchases handled by Wang, the husband of the Princess Rongyang and the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; yet another example is the vague accounts for the auxiliary materials for the mausoleum under the supervision of the Prince Rong's heir, with the prices of materials and labor far exceeding market prices..."
Lin Yan spoke slowly but clearly, naming names for each issue and linking the problem to specific individuals. Moreover, all of these were things he had verified at the Ministry of Revenue during this period, and there was solid evidence to back them up.
He made no mention of the farce at the Lin residence yesterday, nor did he involve any personal grudges. All the impeachment points were precisely focused on "official business," "accounts," and "regulations."
Starting with the current Prince Rong, then the husband of the Princess Rongyang who rose to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices through nepotism, their son who held a sinecure in the Ministry of Works but always tried to skim money, their married daughter's in-laws in the Court of Imperial Stud, whose accounts for horse administration were a complete mess, and even their daughter-in-law's family, a minor official who bullied the locals by relying on kinship... Anyone related to the Princess Rongyang's branch of the family and whose accounts had been investigated by Lin Yan was included.
Each time Lin Yan named a name and listed a piece of evidence, the court became quieter.
The official whose name was called turned pale instantly and broke out in a cold sweat.
Those who weren't mentioned were secretly alarmed. Was Vice Minister Lin here to raid someone's home? The scope of the crackdown was too broad, and none of the accusations were unfounded.
Just as Lin Yan finished his report and bowed as he returned to the ranks, Zhang Houpu, the Minister of Revenue, immediately stepped forward and said in a booming voice, "Your Majesty, what Vice Minister Lin reported are all the long-standing problems we encountered in our recent audit of the accounts of the imperial clan. The facts are clear and the evidence is conclusive. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate and rectify the laws and regulations!"
Immediately afterward, Vice Minister Chu Ye stepped forward without hesitation: "I second that! Everyone in the Ministry of Revenue can testify that what Vice Minister Lin said is true!"
With these two bigwigs taking the lead, all the officials in the Ministry of Revenue who had participated in the investigation, regardless of their rank, knelt down in unison and shouted, "We second that proposal!"
This is no ordinary situation.
Following this, some officials who were on good terms with the Lin family, as well as Lin Yan's old friends and fellow scholars in the Hanlin Academy, also issued a list of their opinions in support.
They may not be fully aware of the inside story, but they trust Lin Yan's character and have sensed the emperor's intention to rectify the imperial clan.
In an instant, voices of agreement rose and fell throughout the Taiyi Hall, with seven or eight out of ten officials standing up.
Only a few officials who had close ties with Prince Rong's faction or were themselves corrupt remained, their faces pale and frozen in place, unsure whether to stand or kneel, wishing they could disappear into the ground. Those who had been impeached by Lin Yan were even more pale, their bodies trembling like fallen leaves in the autumn wind.
These people have two eyes, one with the word "heart" written on it, and the other with the word "emptiness".
On the dragon throne, Xiao Che took in everything, his expression calm and unreadable. Only after the voices of agreement subsided did he slowly speak.
"Since my ascension to the throne, I have repeatedly reprimanded officials to be honest and upright and members of the imperial family to abide by the law. However, there are always those who outwardly comply but inwardly defy, disregard the laws of the court, embezzle public funds, and harm the country. Today, Minister Lin's accusations are shocking. If true, they are major pests of the nation!"
Xiao Che's gaze swept across the ashen-faced impeached officials below, his eyes flashing like lightning: "What do you have to say?"
The officials who were named were terrified. They knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, incoherently shouting "Your Majesty, please forgive me!" and "I am innocent!" but they couldn't even utter a decent explanation.
The facts are undeniable, the evidence is conclusive, how can you try to deny it?
Xiao Che snorted coldly, no longer looking at them, and directly ordered: "Issue my decree that all those impeached by Lin Yan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, whether they are members of the imperial family, nobles, or officials appointed by the court, shall be suspended from their posts and confined to their residences from this day forward. Without my decree, they shall not leave even a step. Anyone who dares to disobey shall be regarded as defying the imperial decree, and the Imperial Guards may execute them first and report later!"
"Among them, the officials in charge of the cases in Lin Aiqing's memorial who provided conclusive evidence shall be punished with eighty strokes of the cane and escorted by the Imperial Guard to the gate of their residence for public execution as a warning to others!"
He was to be flogged eighty times, and the beating was done right in front of his house.
This was a double blow of torture and public execution. He would be bedridden for at least two or three months, and he had lost face throughout the entire capital.
"Your Majesty is wise!" the officials, led by Zhang Houpu and Lin Yan, shouted in unison.
Xiao Che nodded slightly, and finally said in a deep voice: "The imperial clan is not above the law. This investigation is the beginning of rectifying the discipline. I hope you will all behave yourselves well!"
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the Imperial Guards, who had been waiting outside the palace, immediately stepped forward and dragged the ashen-faced officials who had been impeached away like hawks seizing sparrows. The cries for mercy and the shouts of agony gradually faded away and eventually disappeared outside the palace walls.
The courtiers left the Taiyi Hall in complete silence, many of them with their backs soaked in cold sweat.
His Majesty was truly enraged this time, and his methods were so swift and ruthless that it was the first time since the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty that an emperor had raised a knife against a member of the imperial family.
For a time, private discussions about the emperor being "heartless and ungrateful" and "disregarding family ties" quietly began to emerge in some corners.
Of course, even if Xiao Che heard these voices, he would only scoff at them. What he cared about was the stability of the country and eliminating corrupt officials. What did a little bit of infamy matter?
Lin Yan followed the crowd out of the main hall, facing the rising sun, and let out a soft sigh of relief.
The start was smooth; the first spark burned brightly.
As for what happens next...
Lin Yan touched the draft of the impeachment document in his sleeve, and a smile curved his lips.
Accounts must be settled one by one.
And it seems that he and Xiao Che can add a new item to their "date" list—for example, going to see those guys who got punished.
Look at these parasites sucking blood from the people of Chongqing; do they even know what pain is?
Without hesitation, Lin Yan turned a corner and went to the Imperial Study to find Xiao Che.
Lin Yan strolled to the outside of the Imperial Study with practiced ease, and without needing any palace servants to announce his arrival, he went in with his hands tucked in.
Xiao Che had already removed his court robes. Seeing him enter, he smiled slightly and said, "Why didn't you go to the Ministry of Revenue after court? Why did you come here to see me?"
Lin Yan leaned closer and sat down on the edge of the desk without any hesitation, blinking his eyes: "I have a small suggestion, I wonder if Your Majesty would be interested?"
"Oh? Tell me about it." Xiao Che looked at him leisurely, and casually pushed the plate of delicate pastries on the table toward him.
Lin Yan picked up a piece of elm seed soup, took a bite, and mumbled, "Shall we go see what's going on?"
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow: "What's all the fuss about?"
"What else could it be?" Lin Yan swallowed a snack. "Of course, it's to see the Imperial Guards carry out His Majesty's wise decisions!"
Xiao Che almost burst out laughing when he heard Lin Yan's undisguised gloating tone.
His sincerity is truly endearing.
This slightly mischievous idea was exactly what Xiao Che wanted.
"As you wish." Xiao Che called out loudly, "Li Defu."
Li Defu entered in response.
"Prepare the carriage; Minister Lin and I are going out of the palace," Xiao Che ordered.
"This old servant obeys the order." Li Defu understood immediately and went to make the arrangements.
In less than a quarter of an hour, an inconspicuous blue-draped carriage quietly drove out of the side gate of the palace and blended into the bustling streets of the capital city that were gradually coming to life in the early morning.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Che and Lin Yan sat side by side, their hands clasped together beneath their wide sleeves. One was dignified and reserved, the other handsome and lively; they truly complemented each other perfectly.
The first destination was the residence of a certain Wang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
This Lord Wang is the husband of the Lady of Rongyang County. He has secured a lucrative but idle position by taking advantage of his wife's status as a member of the imperial clan, and he has made a lot of money off her.
The carriage stopped at the street corner, and from afar, one could see that a large crowd of onlookers had gathered at the gate of the mansion, pointing and discussing among themselves.
Several Jinwu Guard soldiers in bright armor stood expressionless at the door, while two executioners stood solemnly to the side, holding long water-and-fire clubs.
Lord Wang, escorted by two Imperial Guards, was ashen-faced and kept begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, have mercy! I know I was wrong! I will never dare to do it again!"
"Tsk, already chickened out?" Lin Yan watched with great interest through the crack in the car window. "The fight hasn't even started yet."
Xiao Che said calmly, "What backbone can those who rely on nepotism have?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the leader of the Imperial Guards gave the order: "Execute!"
The board slammed down, accompanied by Lord Wang's pig-like screams.
That scream was truly cathartic for the listener and a release for the angry soul.
The surrounding people's discussions grew louder, mostly filled with scorn and disdain.
"Serves you right!"
"Corrupt officials! All they know is how to embezzle our hard-earned money!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Lin Yan felt refreshed and turned to Xiao Che, saying, "See? His Majesty is the heart of the people."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Xiao Che's eyes.
How could an emperor not want to hear the people's praise?
After about ten strokes of the cane, Lord Wang's voice was hoarse from screaming, and his buttocks were torn and bleeding. Lin Yan felt that was enough, so he went to the next house.
Next is the Crown Prince Rong.
This young master was a bit tougher than his uncle. At first, he stubbornly shouted, "I am a member of the imperial family, how dare you!" But once the rod was applied, he started howling and began to explain that he had been misled by his subordinates and had acted foolishly. He begged His Majesty to spare him for the sake of his father, Prince Rong.
It's a pity, Xiao Che never gave face to Prince Rong, or even to his own father.
Lin Yan curled her lip upon hearing this: "Now you know to bring up your father? When you were greedy for money, did you not think about who you are? You are both stupid and wicked."
Xiao Che snorted coldly: "Members of the imperial family should be even more careful in their words and deeds, and set an example. Such behavior is an even greater crime."
I visited several companies, and the situations were all pretty much the same.
Some were cowards from the start, like Lord Wang; some were all bark and no bite, like the Crown Prince of Rong; and some were so scared they fainted.
Lin Yan went from being very enthusiastic at the beginning to gradually finding it rather boring.
He leaned against the carriage wall and sighed, “Your Majesty, I’ve come to understand. These people don’t really have the guts to do anything daring. They’ve just been indulged for too long, and the rules have become meaningless. Over time, they’ve started to take themselves seriously, thinking that everyone should revolve around them. Taking a little, occupying a little, and being greedy for a little are all justified. Once things get serious, they’ll all show their true colors.”
Give them a little sunshine and they'll shine; give them a little water and they'll overflow; give them a little color and they'll turn the world upside down.
Xiao Che turned his gaze to the bustling street outside the window: "The problems have been accumulating for a long time and have become too big to be controlled. When the late emperor was in power, he was very lenient with the imperial family and nobles. But he did not know that if the water is too turbid, it will not raise fish, but parasites that will gnaw at the dam."
Looking at Xiao Che's expression, Lin Yan's desire to watch the show completely vanished, replaced by deep heartache.
Being an emperor is too difficult. Not only do you have to outwit and outmaneuver the old foxes in the court, but you also have to deal with a whole bunch of troublesome relatives, and these relatives have a whole bunch of troublesome relatives in turn.
Lin Yan reached out and gently tugged at Xiao Che's sleeve: "Your Majesty, it's good to find the parasites and kill them, don't you think?"
Xiao Che grasped Lin Yan's hand that was tugging at his sleeve, and gently stroked the back of his hand with his fingertips: "Hmm, what you say is quite right, my dear minister."
Inside the carriage, the tense atmosphere that had been there when they were watching the spectacle was gradually replaced by warmth.
Xiao Che held Lin Yan's hand tightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking Lin Yan's knuckles as if they were some rare and precious jade.
"Do you think I'm being too harsh today?" Xiao Che suddenly asked in a low voice, his gaze falling on their clasped hands.
He knew that Lin Yan was soft-hearted. Although he hated evil, he might be moved if he saw the scene of caning.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan immediately shook his head: "How could that be? His Majesty is not being strict at all, but rather demonstrating his wisdom, might, and decisiveness!"
"I am very pleased that you think this way." Xiao Che's lips curved into a clear smile, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to gently rub Lin Yan's cheek with the back of his fingers. "But in the future, if you don't like such scenes, you don't need to go to see them."
No, not at all.
He genuinely went to watch the spectacle.
Xiao Che's smile deepened, and he nodded readily, "It is Minister Lin who has been conscientious in his duties and came to check the details. He is truly a model for all officials."
The teasing tone made Lin Yan glare at Xiao Che, but it only earned him a deeper smile in return.
Concealed by the wide sleeves, Xiao Che's hand quietly slid down, changing to an interlocking position with his fingers, palms touching, warmth passing between them.
The carriage swayed slightly, and the interior fell silent for a moment, with only the soft breathing of the passengers and the faint sounds of the bustling city outside the window.
This quiet intimacy is more touching than any words.
Lin Yan turned her head and looked at Xiao Che's beautiful profile, which flickered in and out of the light and shadow of the swaying carriage curtain. She felt a ticklish sensation in her heart, as if a feather had gently brushed against it.
Hmm... my boyfriend is really handsome. He's handsome when he's serious, handsome when he smiles, and even now, sitting quietly like this, he's so handsome that it makes me want to... do something naughty.
Perhaps because his gaze was too direct, Xiao Che seemed to sense something and turned his head, only to meet Lin Yan's restless eyes, which he hadn't had time to withdraw.
Their eyes met, Xiao Che's gaze darkened slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed.
Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, like a child caught doing something wrong. Her cheeks flushed red, and she instinctively wanted to look away, but she was also a little reluctant to.
Just as the ambiguous and tender atmosphere was about to heat up, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and Li Defu's low voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, Lord Lin, we have arrived at the Ministry of Revenue."
The enchanting atmosphere was instantly shattered.
Lin Yan snapped out of her daze, quickly sat up straight, and cleared her throat in an attempt to cover up her embarrassment: "Huh? We're here? So fast?"
A hint of regret flashed across Xiao Che's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, released his grip on her hand, and said gently, "Yes, we've arrived. The Ministry of Revenue must have a lot to do today. Go on."
"Oh, okay," Lin Yan replied, reaching out to push the car door, but his movements were a little hesitant.
Just as he was about to step out of the carriage, he suddenly pulled back, turned around quickly, and with lightning speed, leaned forward and gave Xiao Che a heavy kiss on the lips.
A solid kiss.
After the kiss, before Xiao Che could react, Lin Yan quickly jumped off the carriage, leaving behind only a cheerful "Goodbye, Your Majesty!" before running towards the Ministry of Revenue without looking back. His scarlet official robes fluttered in the spring breeze, creating a captivating arc.
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