Is the image in Chapter 4 really that... bad?
Looking at Lin Yan, who was sitting upright with a respectful expression below, Xiao Che decided to stop beating around the bush.
He lowered his hand from his temple, leaned forward slightly, and the dark gold dragon pattern on his black robe flowed with a low-key pressure under the soft light in the hall. His voice was still clear and calm, but it carried an unquestionable tone: "Minister Lin, I have summoned you here today for an important matter."
Lin Yan's heart tightened. Here it comes, the ultimate client is finally about to issue the task.
He immediately straightened his back, moved his buttocks half an inch closer to the edge of the embroidered stool, and adopted a posture of listening attentively: "Your Majesty, please give your orders, and I will gladly die for you."
Here it comes! The ultimate nightmare for office workers—the boss personally setting KPIs!
[I'd rather die a thousand deaths than die even once! I just want to get off work... no, I want to leave the palace alive!]
Xiao Che's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He tried to ignore the background noise in his mind and maintain the dignity befitting an emperor: "The Ministry of Rites is in charge of the most important national rites, sacrifices, and tributes. Its position is crucial. However, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. I need a pair of eyes to keep an eye on the Ministry of Rites for me."
He looked at Lin Yan with a calm gaze: "I observe that Minister Lin is meticulous and conscientious, and being in the midst of this situation makes him the most suitable candidate. Therefore, I have appointed you as a secret guard, specifically to monitor the daily words and deeds of officials in the Ministry of Rites, to check for any mistakes or omissions, especially... to be vigilant against those who are corrupt, abuse their power, or form cliques for personal gain. No matter how small the matter, you may report it to me in secret."
Lin Yan felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, even more chilling than the cold wind outside the hall earlier.
[Supervision? Supervising whom? Wu Haimin? And that whole room full of masters of slacking off and shifting blame?]
[The Ministry of Rites is overflowing with work! Just fabricating auspicious omens like crows and squeezing out the budget for sacrificial rites has already drained my lifespan!]
Now you want me to be a 24/7 monitor for my colleagues? Even the donkeys in the production team wouldn't dare to be ordered around like that!
[Boss, are you trying to boil me down into lamp oil to light the Taiyi Palace?]
While inwardly cursing, Lin Yan maintained the highest level of composure on his face. He took a deep breath, using all his acting skills to make his voice sound like it was filled with trepidation and gratitude: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty trusts me so much, this humble subject... this humble subject..."
He paused at the right moment, as if he was too excited to speak, but in reality he was choked by the huge resentment in his heart and couldn't say a word.
Trust? The price of this trust is far too heavy!
This job doesn't sound like it offers overtime pay...
[Working for free? Do you think I, Lin Yan, am the kind of person who would work for free? Does my family expect me to not repay the rent? My mother has to think twice before buying new jewelry or fabric, my younger sister needs money to study at my uncle's girls' school, and her dowry can't be too meager, can it?]
My father and I barely make ends meet on our meager salaries in Beijing. We can't even afford to live closer to work to save on commuting time.
[Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you look so radiant in your imperial robes, surely you don't have to be so stingy? How about a little compensation for your hard work? One tael? Two taels? If that's not possible… even half a tael will do! Every little bit helps!]
Xiao Che's fingers, resting on the imperial desk, gently tapped the smooth surface, producing a soft "tap-tap" sound.
He watched Lin Yan, who was "so excited he was about to faint," and listened to the incredibly precise and worldly calculations running through his mind.
From rent money to mother's jewelry, from sister's dowry to the pain of commuting, each and every one of these is filled with the anxieties of office workers about life and their complaints about their stingy bosses.
Xiao Che: "..."
He, the mighty Emperor of Dayu, possessing wealth across the four seas, has such a... bad image in the eyes of this lowly official?
Does he really look like an emperor who would make his subordinates work for free?
Xiao Che suddenly felt a little speechless, yet also a little amused.
"Ahem." Xiao Che cleared his throat, interrupting Lin Yan's inner monologue, which was almost calculating "how many kilograms of rice can half a tael of silver buy." "Although the position of the secret guard is a confidential one, I am not a harsh and ungrateful ruler."
Lin Yan's inner thoughts froze for a moment: "???"
Xiao Che picked up his teacup and took a slow sip, as if he were talking about something trivial: "Monthly salary, one tael of silver."
Lin Yan felt like a dazzling firework had exploded in his mind! Not from anger, but from joy!
One or two ounces?!
[You have money?!]
[It wasn't all for nothing! His Majesty is magnanimous! His Majesty is mighty! Long live His Majesty!]
Overwhelmed by joy, Lin Yan's rationality crumbled. He abruptly stood up from the embroidered stool, his movements so swift it was as if springs were attached to his bottom. The feigned fear on his face was instantly replaced by immense joy, and his voice rose a octave, radiating heartfelt delight: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor! Your Majesty's kindness is something I will gladly dedicate myself to, doing my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust!"
This time, he pronounced "I would die ten thousand times over" clearly and forcefully, full of boundless enthusiasm.
Xiao Che's hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air as he looked down at Lin Yan, who had instantly recovered from his "dead corporate slave" state and whose eyes were shining brightly because of a tael of silver. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Are you... that happy?
Xiao Che put down his teacup, waved his hand, and said with a hint of helplessness at being interrupted, "Alright, someone will teach you how to proceed. Go now."
Today's "fun" is a bit too noisy.
Li Lianshun led Lin Yan outside. The palace road was still long, but Lin Yan's mood was completely different.
One tael! One tael a month! That's twelve taels a year!
With my salary included, it seems... I can save a little bit?
How about we get Mother a new hairpin first? She stared at that one on the street for ages last time.
My sister's writing implements need to be replaced.
Living closer... well, I'll have to save up for that later.
Listening to the young official behind him almost humming a tune, and looking at his slightly brisk steps due to excitement, Li Lianshun couldn't help but wonder: This Lord Lin, coming out to meet the emperor, is acting like he's found a gold ingot.
What exactly did His Majesty say to him?
Li Lianshun did not send the person out of the palace, but handed him over to the secret guard Jin Yi.
Xiao Che's secret guards are called the Golden Shadow Guards. The guards take Jin as their surname and are named after their numbers. Jin Yi is clearly the best among them.
"Lord Lin, you will now follow Jin Yi. He will explain everything to you in detail," Li Lianshun instructed.
Li Lianshun's figure disappeared into the depths of the palace gate, leaving Lin Yan facing a figure that seemed to have materialized directly from the shadows.
This man was dressed in a plain blue outfit, his figure was as straight as a pine tree, and his face was so ordinary that he would disappear in a crowd in an instant. Only his eyes were calm and sharp, without the slightest emotion.
He is Kim Il.
"Lord Lin." Jin Yi's voice was flat and even, as if reading an official document, "Your subordinate Jin Yi, by order of His Majesty, is here to report to you on the duties of the secret guards."
Lin Yan immediately suppressed the lightheartedness that had almost led him to hum a tune, and put on a serious face: "Please speak, Lord Jin."
"Firstly, the records cover all officials of the Ministry of Rites, including their daily words and deeds, whether they have committed dereliction of duty, slackness, disputes, or unusual behavior, their financial transactions, whether there are any obvious discrepancies in their salaries, their social interactions, and whether they have had frequent secret meetings with specific individuals or passed on unidentified items."
He paused, then added, "The time, place, people, and key points of the dialogue must be detailed."
Lin Yan nodded. It was similar to meeting minutes; not difficult.
"Secondly, the report," Jin Yi continued. "I will send Jin Jiu to the locust tree behind the Lin residence. You only need to place the recorded secret report in the crack in the stone, and Jin Jiu will take it away. You do not need to show your face."
Right outside his house? That's nice.
"Thirdly, it's urgent." Jin Yi took out a black token from his pocket that was neither gold nor wood and had a cool touch. The front of the token had an ancient character "Shadow" engraved on it. He handed it to Lin Yan and said, "If there is anything that endangers the court or His Majesty and requires an immediate audience with the Emperor, take this token to the east corner gate of the palace and show it. Someone will then lead you into the palace. Unless it is an extremely urgent matter, it must not be used without authorization."
Lin Yan accepted the heavy token with both hands, feeling as if he had received a hot potato.
However, given the people in the Ministry of Rites, there shouldn't be any emergency.
“The duties are clear. Does Your Excellency have any further questions?” Jin Yi finished speaking, looking at Lin Yan with his eyes still calm and unwavering.
Lin Yan quickly shook his head: "No, no, Lord Jin explained very clearly." He carefully put the token into the deepest hidden pocket in his bosom, afraid that it would fall out.
"In that case, Lord Lin, please leave the palace." Jin Yi clasped his hands in a crisp gesture, and with a swift movement, like a drop of water merging into the shadows, he disappeared silently around the corner of the palace wall, leaving Lin Yan standing there somewhat bewildered.
I've finally finished explaining.
Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his tense nerves relax, followed by immense fatigue and hunger.
After a long day of fussing, I didn't even have breakfast.
He rubbed his deflated stomach, wanting nothing more than to go home immediately, snuggle into his warm bed, and enjoy his mother's cooking.
He lifted his foot and walked towards his own "old dog" carriage outside the palace gate, his steps a little unsteady.
He had only taken a few steps when a slightly panting voice called out from behind, "Lord Lin! Lord Lin, please wait!"
Lin Yan froze, turning around with a chill running down his spine.
Li Lianshun jogged up to catch up, followed by two eunuchs carrying large vermilion food boxes.
Seriously? Another job coming up?
Lin Yan's heart leaped into his throat, and he forced a stiff smile: "Eunuch Li? Does His Majesty have any further instructions?"
Li Lianshun ran up to him, catching his breath, and put on a smile three times brighter than before: "Lord Lin, you've misunderstood! His Majesty, out of consideration for your hard work, has specially bestowed upon you some newly made snacks from the Imperial Kitchen so that you can take them back to fill your stomach on the way, and also... so that your household can have a taste."
He turned to the side, gesturing for the young eunuch to hand over the two heavy food boxes that emitted an enticing aroma of food.
Lin Yan stared at the two exquisitely carved food boxes, her mind a little blank.
Two large boxes of fresh, delicious food from the Emperor's kitchen were delivered to him.
Lin Yan suspected that the imperial kitchen might have prepared too much food today, and the emperor couldn't finish it all by himself.
However, Lin Yan did not forget to express his gratitude, and bowed in the direction he had just walked: "Your subject Lin Yan thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
"Please rise, my lord. This is a small token of His Majesty's appreciation." Li Lianshun said with a smile, "Please take care, my lord."
"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law! Please take care!" Lin Yan, carrying two precious food boxes, felt his back and legs were no longer sore, and his steps were so light that he could take off on the spot. He ran towards his carriage in two steps at a time.
Old Zhang was taken aback when he saw his young master enter with a beaming smile, carrying two large, ornate food boxes. "Young master, what's this...?"
"Old Zhang, let's go home!" Lin Yan carefully placed the food box in the carriage, squeezed in himself, and urged, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement, "His Majesty bestowed these upon us! Pastries from the Imperial Kitchen! We're in for a treat today!"
The carriage began to rumble and turn.
Inside the carriage, Lin Yan carefully lifted the lid of one of the food boxes a crack, and a rich and tempting aroma instantly filled the entire space.
He took a deep, satisfied breath of the aroma, then quickly closed the lid, as if afraid the fragrance would escape.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the carriage curtain, falling on the vermilion food box and casting a warm glow.
In Taiyi Hall.
Xiao Che, who was reviewing memorials, paused slightly at the tip of his pen.
He could almost see clearly the figure holding the food box, grinning foolishly in the carriage, and the surging heartfelt words filled with the aroma of food and the thought, "Your Majesty is so kind."
He picked up his teacup, and beneath the rim, a faint yet genuinely joyful smile curved his lips.
Well, today's "fun" ended well.
A note from the author:
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He's already started to pamper his wife. [doge emoji]
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