The cook prepared some snacks to go with the wine, knowing that the Regent would drink a few sips of it during every meal. Xiao Fu smelled the rice porridge and said it was fragrant, and then he buried his head in drinking the porridge cooked by Lin Zikui.
Seeing that Yuwen Yan had eaten too much sweet potato, he was still unhappy: "Why do you want to snatch food from the emperor father?"
Yuwen Yan glanced at him and silently gave him the roasted sweet potato: "Well, give it to your father."
Xiao Fu was satisfied then: "It's good that you know how to be filial. You should not only be filial to me, but also to you, Master Lin."
"Xun'er knows..."
Xiao Fu learned that Lin Zikui had won the top spot in the imperial examination. However, seeing that he looked a little absent-minded, he seemed happy, but the joy was not that strong.
After dinner, Lin Zikui packed up and was about to leave, saying, "The teacher doesn't know the news yet, I'll go and tell him the good news."
"It's so easy to report the good news. Just let Mo Liu go. Do you think there's no news from Prince Shuo's Mansion? They have better news than you. Don't go."
Xiao Fu pulled him back, pulled him into his arms and asked, "You won the first place in the imperial examination. Why are you not happy? I told you that I didn't interfere with your winning the first place. It was because you spoke frankly that the young emperor was impressed and chose you. Does Lin Lang doubt his own talent?"
He had some stubble on his face, which would rub against his forehead whenever Lin Zikui raised his head, and he looked back into Xiao Fu's dark eyes.
Xiao Fu: “Hmm?”
Lin Zikui just said: "I don't doubt my own talent. If I didn't have talent, how could I be harmed by Xu's party and prevented from taking the exam in every possible way? But I originally wanted to pass the exam and give you the top scorer as a birthday gift."
Now Lin Zikui suddenly felt that his winning the championship seemed meaningless to Xiao Fu. What kind of gift was this?
Xiao Fu suddenly realized that it was for this reason: "Your passing the imperial examination is a gift, and roasted sweet potatoes are also a gift. I don't mind. Besides, Lin Lang said himself that when you pass the imperial examination, it will be a gift on your wedding night. "
Lin Zikui looked up, his eyes a little hesitant: "I never said that, it was you who said it."
"But you promised."
"When have you ever..."
"You didn't say anything, so I took it as your acquiescence and agreement." Xiao Fu bent down slightly, put his head on his shoulder, and put some of his weight on him to hug Lin Zikui. "You should know that you have heard about me. I am only a little bit nicer to you. I have never touched you for such a long time since we got married. Do you think I am a saint, a gentleman, or a monk's companion?"
"You, you..." Lin Zikui was shocked by his shamelessness. He remembered all the absurd things that happened on the bed. Xiao Fu had done and said things that he had never dared to think about before. Now he was acting like a rogue.
"You never touched me, then, then...what is that called!"
"That's called playing. Did it hurt you?" Xiao Fu let go of him a little and looked down at his expression.
Lin Zikui's face was indeed filled with shame, and he said softly, "It didn't hurt, but I can't say you didn't touch me."
Before the imperial examination, Xiao Fu came back twice in a month. One time they just slept in each other's arms, and another time they were almost in, but Xiao Fu felt uncomfortable just using his hand, so the relationship ended.
Now that I think about it, Xiao Fu, with his background and personality, was really patient with me. He never forced me. They were all traps, but I was willing to fall into them... I knew it was a trap, but I still jumped.
Lin Zikui also regretted himself.
He wondered what he should do if Xiao Zhaoling was still lying to him. He also wondered if he could really deny his feelings because of this.
Xiao Fu left the matter of reviewing memorials to the little emperor. He couldn't stay in the palace today no matter what. He had to coax Lin Zikui first.
Lin Zikui couldn't concentrate on reading. He wondered what to do when he went to court the next day. This was his first time, and he was afraid of making a mistake, so he took out the imperial edict and read it carefully.
But the imperial edict was not written.
Xiao Fu picked up the champion's crown and robes: "Put them on and let me see them."
"I just tried it on, it fits." It seemed as if it was tailor-made for him in advance. The material was luxurious enough, not like a brocade robe for the top scholar, but rather like the material used by royal relatives.
There is a reason why Lin Zikui's doubts are deep-rooted.
Xiao Fu: "Change it, I haven't seen it yet."
"...Okay, I'll change." Lin Zikui had no choice but to take the clothes and turned around and said, "You..."
Xiao Fu stared at him: "What?"
"Nothing." Lin Zikui sat on the bed, lowered the curtains and changed clothes. Even though they had been married for a long time, he was still not used to changing clothes in the light and under his direct gaze.
Xiao Zhaoling lifted the curtain with one finger.
Lin Zikui had just taken off a layer of clothes and sat up to look at him: "Don't look at me, I won't change anymore."
Xiao Fu's silhouette was lit up by the midday sun, and even his eyelashes were clearly visible, "Then don't change, take off your clothes."
Lin Zikui was pushed to the corner of the bed by him, and his clothes were taken off in a few seconds. His ears turned red and his brows furrowed, "How can you indulge in lust in broad daylight..."
"You want to ask what to do when we go to court tomorrow? I'll tell you what to do. The eunuchs from the Duzhijian will lead you into the palace. All the scholars will go to the palace to thank the emperor. You are the top scholar, so you should walk in front. You must wear your hat well. There are many steps in the palace and you may fall. I'll let Yuanqing follow you to prevent you from walking unsteadily..."
Lin Zikui is now unstable, and his legs are shaking.
"Your official position was decided by the young emperor. I won't interfere, so you won't criticize me."
He bit his lip and kept silent, his toes curling up unconsciously.
Xiao Fu whispered in his ear, "You have to kneel for a while, but I will let the Jinshi stand up, and you can get up quickly. It will be boring to go to court tomorrow. You just have to stand and listen to the list of names. I will ask the eunuchs to read faster so you don't have to stand too long. After you leave the palace, you will ride a horse through the streets. The Ministry of Rites will send someone to send the news of your winning the top spot back to Huainan, and your neighbors will know that Lin Zikui from the Lin family is the top spot." Xiao Fu thought that he was under a lot of pressure from the exam, so he wanted to help him relieve it. Just as he had explained the words clearly, Lin Zikui buried his face in his arms and didn't move, gasping for breath, his heart beating violently.
Xiao Fu wiped his hands and pinched his ears: "Do you feel better? Are you happy? Did I serve you well?"
Lin Zikui just buried his face and said nothing. He hadn't come back to his senses yet and his expression was in a daze.
He came to this matter faster, but also forgot all his worries in a quick moment. Now there was only each other in the semi-transparent tent. Lin Zikui silently reached out and hugged Xiao Zhaoling tightly. His head was lowered and he did not raise it, so the expression on his face could not be seen clearly.
Xiao Fu was stunned for a moment, then hugged him back, stroking his back very gently, his palms were calloused, and said, "Zikui, don't be angry. Do you want to punish me to kneel, or beat me, or let me kneel and serve you? It's up to you."
Lin Zikui shook his head: "No more punishment, I won't be angry for the time being. If... you do it next time, if you hide something big from me..."
Lin Zikui paused. At this point, he actually didn't know what to do.
What should I do? Go to another place to handle the case, away from Jinling and Xiao Fu?
Xiao Fu agreed and hugged him: "Okay, okay, there won't be a next time." Xiao Fu thought about it carefully and realized that there really wouldn't be a next time.
Also, Yuwen Tai was killed by himself, and he killed Xu Ge Lao's entire family, so this doesn't seem to be a big deal.
Lin Zikui did not get a good rest last night, so he let Xiao Fu kiss him and relieve him. The tent was filled with smell, which made Lin Zikui feel a little uncomfortable. He got up and changed his underwear before he slept more peacefully.
The next morning, Xiao Fu and Lin Zikui left the palace one after the other. Xiao Fu brought the Fourth Prince back to the palace and told the governor not to embarrass the Jinshi. He also reminded Liang Hong, "Today, I want to leave the court early. You can do whatever you want. If you are late, I will hold you accountable."
Liang Hong trembled: "...Yes, my lord, I know."
Xiao Fu looked through the results of the discussion between the young emperor and Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Personnel. There were vacancies in official positions, and a large number of court officials were promoted. The vacant positions were replaced by new scholars.
The official position that the young emperor arranged for Lin Zikui was neither high nor low.
Xiao Fu: "Why was the number one scholar sent to the Hanlin Academy?"
Minister Zhou said: "The number one scholar has talent, but his temper needs to be tempered. He will become more calm after a year or two at the Hanlin Academy."
Xiao Fu: "He is calm enough. The positions in the Hanlin Academy are all for reading and editing books. If you keep reading, you will become pedantic."
But the Hanlin Academy does not have much work to do, so Lin Zikui will not be too busy, it will just be tiring for his eyes.
Minister Zhou observed his expression and said, "Then...what do you think, Your Majesty? I think it would be fine to transfer him to the Ministry of Revenue."
The Ministry of Revenue is the most important of the Six Ministries. The fact that the new number one scholar was directly admitted to the Ministry of Revenue shows that he is favored and valued.
Xiao Fu: "Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace, give it to him."
Minister Zhou: “……?”
Minister Zhou was greatly shocked: "Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace, this, this is directly serving in front of the emperor. This newly crowned champion has little experience. How can he draft edicts, approve memorials, and discuss government affairs for His Majesty and His Majesty?"
What's more, it's Wuying Palace, which is the closest place to the Thousand Years' and Ten Thousand Years' Honors. Your Majesty has to stay here on fasting days. The Regent even lives here occasionally, and ministers are summoned here in Wuying Palace! Even the Minister of Personnel was not qualified to join the cabinet. In previous years, only new Jinshi candidates had to pass the examination for Shujishi before they could enter the cabinet as a junior scholar.
Xiao Fu explained: "If there are things he doesn't know, I'll have someone teach him slowly. I think he's young and promising, and he speaks his mind and expresses his opinions directly. If I don't keep a person like him by my side, where else should I keep him?"
It was because of Lin Zikui's matter that he explained it this way to avoid the Minister of Personnel from worrying too much.
Minister Zhou really understood what he heard: "That's... OK, I'll do as your Majesty says. I'll draft the transfer order right away."
At three quarters past the hour of Mao, Lin Zikui's carriage arrived outside Fengtian Gate, and another carriage followed behind.
"Master Lin! Master Lin!"
Hearing the voice, Lin Zikui turned around and saw the old servant beside the prime minister calling him from the carriage.
Lin Zikui got out of the car immediately: "Why is the teacher here?"
The carriage stopped, and the bamboo curtain was opened, revealing Xue Xiang's smiling but old face. He said, "I should have come to congratulate you yesterday after reading the imperial list, but your kid asked me to wait a while. You are going to enter the palace today, and I am here to see you off, Huaifu." His expression suddenly became serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Once you enter this palace, there is no turning back. Once you enter, don't look back, ever."
"Teacher..." Lin Zikui was a little stunned.
"That's all I have to say. Now, go to the palace. It will be too late if you are any later." He waved his hand and let Lin Zikui go.
Lin Zikui turned around to look at him, and the Prime Minister was still waving and smiling.
Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back.
Lin Zikui was wearing a scarlet crown and robes for the top scholar, and a peach blossom hairpin made of rice paper on his black gauze hat. He walked into the palace gate step by step, following the eunuch's footsteps, and each step was slow, heavy and unwavering. The palace walls stood tall and the wind blew past his ears on both sides, but Lin Zikui never looked back once.
His official career has just begun, and the new Daye Dynasty will also turn a new page from now on!
The deafening sound of bells lingered in his ears, and Lin Zikui knelt down in salute in the heavy Fengtian Hall.
The young emperor said, "My dear ministers, please stand up. All of you Jinshi are talented people in our dynasty. I am very pleased to have you assist us in the Daye Dynasty."
Lin Zikui raised his head this time.
Yuwen Xuan finally saw the appearance of the top scholar. His expression froze for a moment and he subconsciously turned his head to look at his father.
The expression on the emperor's face was gentler than usual, even the arc of his eyes was more curved, and his gaze was fixed on the number one scholar.
Isn't this Master Lin whom the Emperor's father brought him to see that day?
Lin Zikui's appearance is not so easy to forget. When he put on the top scholar's uniform, he looked even more dignified and graceful. His temperament had changed, but his face had not changed.
Yuwen Xuan thought about it and was very surprised, but didn't ask anything.
It seems that Master Lin is someone close to the emperor, and he was specially allowed to enter the palace.
The ministers in the court also secretly glanced at the group of Jinshi, and the top scorer was naturally the most eye-catching. As soon as I saw the face of this top scholar, I couldn't help but doubt: He is so young, handsome and weak, and doesn't look like a capable person. Could it be that the little emperor chose him based on his appearance?
Liang Hong then read out a series of imperial edicts, some of which were promotions, some of which were transfers. Most of them were those that Xiao Fu had observed and considered before. Xiao Huang was suddenly promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He was flattered and knelt down immediately to receive the edict, but could not help but secretly turned his head to glance at the number one scholar standing nearby.
Lin Zikui!
Xiao Huang has been too busy these days to check the Ministry of Rites' list, but today when he attended court he found out that the top scorer was actually Lin Zikui! Lin Huaifu, who was supposed to be his son-in-law, actually became the top scholar! I was surprised and delighted, and kept peeking at it.
But Lin Zikui never looked around, no matter how curious he was.
He watched his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose. Occasionally, when he met Xiao Fu's gaze, he would quietly raise his head and glance at him. Their eyes would quickly meet. Lin Zikui would also quickly lower his head to hold back his heart that was about to jump out.
Why does he always look at himself...
Aren't you afraid of being seen?
While muttering to himself, he could clearly hear the shrill voice of Eunuch Liang standing high up.
"The new champion Lin Zikui was named Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace of the Cabinet, the new runner-up Gu Yuanyou was named Doctor of the Ministry of Revenue, and the new third place winner..."
No one behind could hear clearly. All the civil and military officials in the court were in disbelief. The Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace - they had never seen anyone become a fourth-rank Grand Secretary so quickly! This is the Wuying Palace closest to the emperor! The new top scholar and the emperor's close minister, how favored and honored he is by the emperor!
Lin Zikui's ears were buzzing, as if he could hear what others were talking about in their hearts.
He couldn't help but purse his lips and looked up at the regent in a high position.
Even when attending court, Xiao Fu was not so proper. He sat lazily leaning against the crowd of civil and military officials, his chin supported by his hand. In front of his face was a swaying jade bead curtain, half covering his breathtakingly handsome face.
The Regent King raised his eyebrows slightly and his eyes were curved.
Lin Zikui shook his head and lowered his eyes. He couldn't help but close his eyes. It was ridiculous, really ridiculous. Does the imperial power allow him to be so partial and partial?
The author has something to say:
#The Regent's Secret Romance in the Office#
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
