Chapter 269 Taking Office
"Miss Lin, I'll just call you my niece for now. It's really not easy for my niece and my Lang'er to get to where we are today! I can't imagine how you got through life in the countryside. You've suffered so much!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand to the side, and an attendant walked forward respectfully with a plate in his hand.
Prince He took it, placed the plate on the table, lifted the silk cloth, and revealed five silver ingots.
Lin Shiqi took a glance and thought that one should be ten taels, a total of fifty taels.
Prince He waved his hand again, asking his followers to leave, and then said:
"Please accept this little bit of silver. I know it can't make up for your losses, but it's just a token of my appreciation. It's not worth mentioning, so please don't refuse it."
Lin Shiqi really declined.
"Your Majesty, we are not short of money. We have received your kindness, but you should take the money back."
She wouldn't take a mere fifty taels seriously.
A prince, the scene is set, but it’s just like this, a bit funny.
Of course, no matter how much it was, she wouldn't take it.
Prince He's face looked unhappy.
As a prince, he doesn't have much property and doesn't have enough money, but it's not that he is stingy.
However, although fifty taels is not a lot, he is a father. What difference does it make if it is more or less?
Prince He was speechless and the scene became awkward for a moment.
Mrs. He quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Well, Seventeen, do you have any other difficulties? Tell us and we will help you if we can."
Lin Shiqi smiled and said:
"Madam, we don't have any difficulties. We have everything we need. Don't worry. Madam, you can come and visit us when you are free. You don't need any gifts. Of course, if you have any difficulties, you can tell us. We will definitely help you if we can."
Putting the matter back on track, Mrs. He could only express her gratitude.
Prince He felt uncomfortable after hearing this, because it was obvious that only Madam He was welcome, and no one else, including him, was welcome.
After sitting for a while, Zhou Lang still didn't come back, and Lin Shiqi didn't ask to keep them for dinner. Prince He couldn't sit still anymore, and finally said goodbye.
On the way, Prince He couldn't help but complain to Mrs. He. People said they would help when they were in trouble, so why didn't you take the opportunity to get closer to them or ask for some benefits?
If he is given any information about Tianxuan Pavilion, he can take action and there is a great chance that he can find a good job for his son.
Mrs. He remained silent.
Prince He said a few words and then lost interest in continuing to question.
"Forget it, forget it. Tianxuan Pavilion is a civilian organization after all. It is not orthodox and cannot be put on the stage. No matter how powerful they are, they are limited. If they are not careful, they may even cause disaster! I wonder how long they can be so proud, humph!"
If you don't give him face, he won't wish them well.
After seeing Prince He off, Lin Shiqi felt no ripples in his heart.
If Mrs. He came alone, she could also call Mrs. Zhou over to chat with her.
As for a snob like Prince He, the sooner he leaves, the better!
…
The next day, Lin Shiqi took office.
The official uniform was delivered yesterday. It was an indigo round-necked silk shirt, a leather belt embroidered with silver cloud and wild goose patterns, and an eight-piece lilac-colored pleated skirt. Her hair was tied into a three-fold cloud bun with a plain silver vine-patterned hairpin inserted diagonally between her hair. Her neck was decorated with a gauze collar, and there was a faint scent of agarwood between her sleeves. She had the solemnity of an official appointed by the court, but also revealed the unique elegance of a woman.
Lin Shiqi was quite satisfied.
However, a word from Zhou Lang, who was traveling with her, shifted her focus from clothes to another aspect.
"You need to pay more attention to today's court meeting. I heard that the old emperor is going to announce the crown prince."
Lin Shiqi was a little surprised.
"Didn't they say the old emperor was in a semi-comatose state? Is he well again? Can he attend court?"
"I can't say he's in good shape. He still wakes up occasionally. Maybe he's accumulating strength in his coma. Hehe, the whole world belongs to him. How can I bear to leave without explaining it to him properly?"
Zhou Lang said half-jokingly.
“So, who will he choose?”
Lin Shiqi asked.
Zhou Lang shook his head.
"That's not clear. But according to gossip, there are two people who are more likely to take the throne: the old emperor's second brother Yu Qisheng, and the eldest grandson of the emperor Yu Changheng."
Lin Shiqi felt a little strange.
"If I remember correctly, Yu Changheng seems to be the son of the former crown prince, right? Didn't they say he was deposed? Is there still hope for his son?"
Zhou Lang:
"I heard that the old emperor regretted it later, but I don't know the details. Who cares? As long as it doesn't affect us, it's fine."
Lin Shiqi was speechless.
"He's going to be the emperor, how can it not affect us?"
Zhou Lang said:
"That's not necessarily true! Since the old emperor was too stubborn and never appointed another crown prince, the reputations of these two people are not high and it's hard for them to convince the public. The old emperor can push them to the throne, but what about after that? If they want to secure their throne, they have to win over the important officials in the court. At least for a long time, they won't make any radical moves. This period of time is enough for us to make some moves."
Arriving at the court, Lin Shiqi saw many high-ranking officials, but only a handful of female officials. She thought most people would look down on her, but surprisingly, that was not the case. Almost everyone smiled at her, and some even came up to greet her.
She understood as soon as she thought about it. Could it be because of Tianxuan Pavilion?
Could it be that these people who greeted me have something to hide?
Humph.
Prince Gong was also there. When he saw Lin Shiqi and the others, he snorted heavily and said:
"You have also accepted people who associate with thieves like this. You have made our great Dayu Dynasty a mess!"
He said this to Duke Cui.
"Prince Gong, you are only qualified to make suggestions on state affairs, not to make decisions. There is no need to ask for your opinion when we appoint anyone!"
Duke Cui did not give him any face at all.
Prince Gong gritted his teeth in hatred, but thinking that today's matter was very important, he didn't want to cause any trouble, so he had to swallow his anger for the time being.
The ministers waited for a long time before the old emperor, supported by two eunuchs on his left and right, sat tremblingly on the dragon throne.
Lin Shiqi's position was not high, and he was quite far away, so I couldn't see him clearly, but from his general body shape, I knew he was in poor health.
This is how it is described as being old and frail.
The old emperor did not speak a word. The imperial edict was read out by the eunuch. The gist of it was that the former crown prince was wronged and now he was rehabilitated. His legitimate son Yu Changheng would succeed him as crown prince.
The old emperor didn't say a word from the beginning, but just by sitting there, he made it all clear. All the ministers shouted that the emperor was wise and congratulated the new prince.
Lin Shiqi rolled his eyes when he heard this. He even executed the entire family, and yet he still called himself wise.
The emperor was too careless in his work. He just said it was an injustice and that was it. I wonder what the former prince would feel in the underworld.
As for the new prince,
Lin Shiqi looked and saw that it was a child in his teens, wearing a nine-feathered crown on his head, which covered most of his face. It was far away and he couldn't see clearly.
Of course, there are many cases in history where children became emperors, so she didn't take it seriously.
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