Chapter 33 My Future Is Not a Dream. ...
The palace gates were wide open.
Civil and military officials filed in, dressed in scarlet, blue, red, and purple robes, standing solemnly according to their rank.
Lin Yan mingled in the Ministry of Rites' queue, feeling as if he were walking on cotton, stumbling and unsteady on his feet.
Last night I dreamt that I not only left the tedious Ministry of Rites, but also made a fortune that I could never spend in several lifetimes. I'm still reminiscing about it now.
When I woke up this morning, I recalled what Xiao Che said yesterday: dreams and reality intertwined, and I felt lightheaded.
It's not a dream.
My future is not a dream.
After a lengthy procession, Xiao Che ascended the throne.
“I have something to report—” Li Defu’s distinctive high-pitched voice dragged out the tone.
Several ministers stepped forward and reported on some routine government affairs. Xiao Che either nodded or asked questions, his voice steady and revealing no emotion.
Lin Yan listened intently, but his mind was already far away.
A Hanlin Academician… I heard their office is right in the palace, very close to His Majesty? Does that mean they can get to eat even more luxurious food from the Imperial Kitchen? And maybe even get to pet Ah Man!
Just as he was lost in thought and almost started planning his cat-petting route, Xiao Che on the throne suddenly cleared his throat.
The entire hall instantly became even more silent; you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes were involuntarily drawn to the dragon throne.
Here it comes!
Lin Yan's heart tightened, and she subconsciously held her breath.
Xiao Che's gaze swept calmly across the crowd below, finally settling on the front of the Ministry of Rites' ranks. His voice was clear and steady: "Lin Yan, the Director of the Department of Rites and Sacrifices, is diligent and capable of great things. Effective immediately, he is promoted to Academician of the Hanlin Academy and will participate in state affairs."
Without warning or any preparation, it just came crashing down.
Like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, it instantly creates a thousand waves.
With a "buzz," the deathly silence below was broken.
Despite his best efforts to suppress it, the invisible unease spread rapidly like ripples on water.
Countless gazes suddenly fixed on Lin Yan.
Shock, astonishment, disbelief, inquiry, jealousy... a variety of emotions intertwined and collided amidst the gasps of breath.
Hanlin Academician!
That's a Hanlin Academician!
Being in charge of drafting imperial edicts, serving as an advisor, and participating in confidential matters is the ladder to advancement to the cabinet!
How old is Lin Yan? He's only been in the court for a few years. He was just promoted to Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rites not long ago, right? And he's already jumped straight to the Hanlin Academy as a scholar?
What about Wei Hongwen? The top scholar personally selected by the late emperor, now a Hanlin Academician?
Everyone instinctively looked to find Wei Hongwen, who was standing at the front of the Hanlin Academy's line, his face ashen, his body swaying almost imperceptibly, his head bowed low as if he wanted to shrink into the ground.
It's over.
This is Wei Hongwen's heartfelt sentiment, and it is also the shared sentiment of everyone at this moment.
Wei Hongwen has completely lost the emperor's favor.
Although I was mentally prepared, hearing the imperial decree in person at this solemn and dignified court assembly still shocked me to my core.
Lin Yan, almost instinctively, stepped forward and knelt down with a thud: "Your subject Lin Yan obeys the decree, long live Your Majesty!"
[I've been promoted! I've really been promoted! To Hanlin Academician! Hahaha! I, Lin Yan, have finally achieved something like this!]
[Your Majesty is mighty! Your Majesty is awe-inspiring!]
Xiao Che sat upright on his throne, his crown tassels drooping, obscuring his expression. He only nodded slightly, his voice still steady: "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Yan kowtowed again before scrambling to his feet, his limbs trembling, and returned to the ranks.
The gazes around him grew even more intense, almost burning holes in Lin Yan's body.
Before everyone could recover from the initial shock, Xiao Che's voice rang out again, still in that unquestionable tone: "Former Hanlin Academician Wei Hongwen is hereby transferred to the position of Education Commissioner of Jiangzhou State School. He shall take up his post immediately without delay."
really.
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines again.
Jiangzhou? That's a remote, malarial land in the south, far from the capital.
The title of "Prefectural Education Commissioner" sounds prestigious, but in reality, the position represents complete marginalization. The fall from being a close advisor to the emperor to a local education official is like falling from the clouds into the mud.
Wei Hongwen's body trembled violently. He suddenly raised his head, his face drained of color, his lips trembling as if he wanted to say something. But when he met Xiao Che's cold eyes, all the words stuck in his throat, finally turning into a very weak sob. He lowered his head deeply and said, "Your subject... obeys the decree."
His voice was dry and hoarse, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
Several officials who had a past relationship with Wei Hongwen or belonged to the same faction looked reluctant, but none of them dared to speak up and plead for him.
His Majesty's actions make his stance crystal clear.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Che issued a third decree: "Bai Che, the former Prefect of Lizhou, is promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Sacrifices, and shall take up his post immediately."
Bai Che? Who is that? I've never heard of him.
The crowd murmured amongst themselves, exchanging bewildered glances.
Lizhou Sima? That's a local official, right? How come he was suddenly transferred back to the capital and directly took over Lin Yan's vacancy, becoming the powerful Director of the Ministry of Rites?
Who is this Bai Che? How could he possibly win His Majesty's favor?
Lin Yan, who is quite favored by the emperor, is not enough. Why has another one, Bai Che, suddenly appeared?
Before everyone could process this, Xiao Che's gaze returned to Lin Yan. His tone seemed to have softened slightly, but it still carried the majesty of an emperor: "Now that Minister Lin has entered the Hanlin Academy, he will often travel in the palace and participate in important matters. The Lin family residence is a bit far from the palace, making it inconvenient for him to travel back and forth."
He paused, then continued casually, as if it were just a casual remark: "I bestow upon you a residence in Xixingfang, Xicheng, so that you may be more convenient for your future duties."
Anxingfang?!
Now, even the ministers who had been barely able to maintain their composure had their expressions completely change.
What kind of place is Anxingfang?
Right next to the capital!
The street was inhabited by members of the imperial family, princes, dukes, nobles, and at the very least, high-ranking officials of the third rank or above. The houses there were so valuable that money couldn't buy them; they symbolized status and imperial favor.
His Majesty just bestowed it upon Lin Yan like that?
A newly promoted fifth-rank Hanlin Academician?!
This favor...
The entire Taiyi Hall was eerily quiet, with only heavy, suppressed breathing sounds remaining.
Lin Yan felt as if he had been hit on the head by a huge pie, making him see stars and feel dizzy.
A house in Anxingfang?!
That's one of the most luxurious residential areas in Beijing!
His Majesty has even prepared a house for him?
Shouldn't he kowtow to His Majesty on the spot?
Lin Yan stepped forward again, almost simultaneously, saying, "Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your divine grace!"
[A mansion! A large mansion! And it's in Anxingfang!]
Your Majesty! How can you be so kind?
[This treatment! This level of treatment! I, Lin Yan, will be His Majesty's person in life and in death!]
As Xiao Che listened to the incoherent, almost frantic thoughts in his ear, his eyes under his crown curved upwards very slightly.
"Hmm, get up." His voice was calm and even, as if he were simply offering a cup of tea. "I hope that Minister Lin will be diligent in his duties and live up to my expectations."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will gladly give my life, even unto death!" Lin Yan's voice was loud and clear, every word coming from the bottom of his heart.
The bell finally rang to signal the end of the court session.
The officials bowed stiffly, like puppets on strings, and left the Taiyi Hall one by one.
Everyone's face still showed immense shock and disbelief, their gazes sweeping over the young upstart standing in the queue with mixed emotions.
Lin Yan felt as if his feet were floating, as if he were walking on clouds, and the whispers and prying eyes of his colleagues around him seemed to be separated by a membrane.
The world has become somewhat unreal.
It wasn't until he stepped out of the palace gates and was hit by a cold wind that he suddenly shivered and came back to his senses.
A hand slapped him hard on the shoulder.
Looking back, I saw my father, Lin Chengji.
The old father's face was a mixture of immense joy, worry, and horror. He lowered his voice and said, "Yan'er, you didn't mention yesterday that His Majesty had also bestowed a house upon you."
Lin Yan smiled shyly: "To be honest, Father, I only learned today that His Majesty would also bestow a house upon me."
“Yan’er, the Emperor’s grace is boundless. His Majesty has a deep affection for you. This is a blessing that the Lin family has accumulated over generations. Your father…” His voice choked with emotion as he patted Lin Yan’s arm forcefully. “Nothing could bring glory to our ancestors like this.”
Looking at his father's slightly reddened eyes, Lin Yan felt a surge of warmth and responsibility welling up inside him: "Father..."
"But, Yan'er, you must not let this overwhelming favor go to your head." Lin Chengji's tone suddenly became serious, his gaze sweeping warily over the subtle glances cast his way. "The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. What you have achieved today is a position that many people would never dare to dream of in their entire lives, a favor that many people would strive for their whole lives but could never attain. You have risen so quickly and been rewarded so generously. How many eyes are watching all the officials and civil servants? Some are envious, some are jealous, and they probably wish they could immediately find fault with you, pull you down from this cloud, and trample you into the mud."
Lin Chengji recalled Wei Hongwen's deathly pale and swaying figure, and felt lingering fear: "You saw what happened to Scholar Wei today. For a close minister of the emperor, one step is heaven, one step is hell. His Majesty can elevate you to the heavens in an instant, and naturally he can also... From now on, in the Hanlin Academy and before the emperor, you must be extremely careful with your words and actions, especially with your sometimes impulsive nature. You must rein it in. There are no trivial matters before the emperor, understand?"
Seeing the genuine worry in his father's eyes, Lin Yan nodded solemnly: "Father's teachings are correct, I have remembered them. I will always be careful in my words and deeds, work diligently, live up to the Emperor's grace, and not cause Father any worry."
Seeing that he had taken his words to heart, Lin Chengji felt somewhat comforted and added, "The houses in Anxingfang are even more conspicuous. They are all run by the rich and powerful, and the neighbors are all prominent. After you move in, you must be careful in your social interactions, neither appearing arrogant nor overly humble. Just follow the proper etiquette. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to ask me. But I can always offer some advice."
"Yes, son understands." Lin Yan replied, already calculating in his mind what to furnish the new house and how much it would cost—although His Majesty had bestowed the house upon him, the expenses for its furnishings would probably be considerable.
Lin Chengji gave his final instructions: "You're going to the Hanlin Academy today to hand over documents and familiarize yourself with the affairs. Go and get busy."
"Your son takes his leave." Lin Yan bowed and then looked up. His eyes were much clearer. Although he was still overjoyed at the prospect of promotion and wealth, his expression was much more composed.
He turned and headed towards the Hanlin Academy inside the imperial city, his steps becoming much more steady.
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Author's Note: There will be a clip tomorrow, so the update won't be until 11 PM. [shy]
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