Chapter 23 In an instant, Lin Qingdai felt a sweet warmth spread through her heart…
Lin Qingyu and Song Yunyan returned to the Lin residence.
Upon arrival, he went straight to see Lin Qingdai.
The little girl was feeling better then, sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun, holding a cup of tea in her hands.
It was called tea, but it was actually brewed with some kind of dried flower. The two young masters didn't know what kind of flower it was, but the aroma was really wonderful.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Song Yunyan exclaimed, "It smells so good!"
Perhaps due to a fever, Lin Qingdai's voice was lower and hoarse than usual. "Lancao, calm your nerves."
"Should we take some back to the palace for the Imperial Concubine?"
There were three low stools around her.
It's obvious that someone just left.
Lin Qingyu and Song Yunyan each picked a stool and sat down.
"Yes, I will."
"You have no idea how much she loves all those flowers and honey you put together."
Lin Qingdai chuckled, then called Mingyue to begin preparations.
He turned his head and asked the two of them again.
"You're back so soon?"
What was the result?
When this topic came up, Song Yunyan expressed his utmost admiration for Lin Qingdai.
"You've planned this far, how could it not succeed?"
"Dai Dai, tell Fourth Brother the truth, did you secretly take some kind of magic pill?"
Lin Qingdai: "?"
Lin Qingyu grinned from ear to ear, "It means I'm praising your intelligence."
After listening, Lin Qingdai smiled and said, "It's so-so."
"Just so-so? Our Dai Dai is anything but ordinary. Of course, I, Fourth Brother, am also quite extraordinary."
Hahahaha.
"Song Yunyan, can you please stop being so disgusting?"
"How dare you address me by my name!"
"..."
"Ha ha ha ha."
Amidst the commotion, Lin Qingdai felt her head wasn't hurting so much anymore.
When the laughter and noise subsided, Song Yunyan remembered the prescription that Ji Ci had mentioned.
"Lin Qingyu, quickly write down the prescription, what if you forget it later?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
In response, Lin Qingyu jumped up from the low stool and rushed into the house.
At Dai Dai's place, the one thing she has in abundance is paper and pens.
He quickly found paper and pen and wrote down the prescription from memory.
After finishing writing, he returned to Lin Qingdai's side.
After they were seated, he handed the prescription to Lin Qingdai, "Do you remember Ji Ci, whom you met at Mr. Yu Yong's place?"
Lin Qingdai's heart skipped a beat, but she feigned composure and said, "I remember."
"This is the prescription he gave me; it's a traditional remedy from Lingdong."
The unexpected turn of events left Lin Qingdai stunned, unable to immediately accept the prescription.
After a while, she finally found her voice, "Did you run into him today?"
Song Yunyan: "Yes, in the courtroom."
Lin Qingdai: "..." Ji Yujing, it's impossible to expect him to take the usual path.
She finally took the prescription and examined it carefully.
Song Yunyan's curiosity was written all over his face: "So? Was he just making it up, or is it really a secret recipe?"
Lin Qingdai: "Secret recipe."
Song Yunyan: "I didn't realize he knew anything about medicine."
Lin Qingdai then spoke up again, "It's just..."
"What is it?"
"There's one ingredient in this prescription that can't be bought in the capital."
"Which one? Let me see."
"Heavenly Star Grass Root".
"It is only found in Lingdong, but Ji and Jing, for some reason, have controlled its and several other medicinal herbs from leaving Lingdong."
Song Yunyan: "..."
He tried to hold back, but some words still escaped his lips: "Ji Yujing, if you make your wife suffer, be careful you don't get struck by lightning."
He shouted at the top of his lungs, as if he wanted his voice to resound throughout Lingdong.
Lin Qingdai was amused by his exaggerated reaction.
But this time, she really couldn't say anything on behalf of Ji Yujing.
Did this person not consider the issue of sourcing the ingredients when writing the prescription?
Or perhaps he thought that with the Lin family's capabilities, they could obtain any rare medicinal herb?
Lin Qingdai was destined never to know what Ji Yujing was thinking.
But none of that mattered to her. She was already very happy that Ji Yujing had given her the prescription.
After Song Yunyan's voice faded away, Lin Qingyu took the list away.
"Since it's useful, let the doctor slowly search for the medicinal materials."
Lin Qingdai nodded slightly in agreement.
The three then brought up the plan for public participation in politics again.
Song Yunyan asked Dai Dai, "Are there really so many women who have been harmed?"
Lin Qingdai: "Fourth Brother, it will only be more, not less."
Song Yunyan was well protected by the Imperial Concubine, and all he saw was filtered beauty.
"The investigation went down through the Zhu family, and the more they investigated, the more alarming it became, so they simply stopped investigating."
"Only by addressing the root cause can we solve the problem once and for all."
When Lin Qingdai said this, her voice was soft and her expression was calm.
But the strength it exudes is resilient and angular.
She wanted to fight back against the people behind the Angan Trading Company.
She wanted to rescue more than just the Zhu family girl.
Song Yunyan supported her as always, unconditionally, "Fourth brother will help you. I've long disliked that arrogant Zhao Jun."
Lin Qingyu asked curiously, "How do you plan to help? Things have progressed to this point; all that's missing is public participation."
Song Yunyan: "..."
Of the Lin family members, Lin Qingyu is the least popular.
After making a fuss, he glanced at Lin Qingyu indifferently, "With the participation of tens of thousands of people, I am bound to be one of them."
Lin Qingyu chuckled upon hearing this and gave Song Yunyan a thumbs up.
That's a huge help.
Around noon, the news that the "Public Deliberation Plan" had been launched reached the emperor, and the Left Chancellor Nie Hang personally went to report it.
Behind the large desk in the imperial study, the emperor's face was calm, his emotions difficult to discern.
"Twenty top-tier lawyers...who's behind them?"
Nie Hang hesitated for a few moments before reporting, "It's Miss Lin the Second."
A flicker of surprise crossed the emperor's eyes: "Dai Dai?"
After speaking, there was a brief silence, then the emperor laughed again.
"What a pity."
"If Dai Dai were a boy, she would surely be able to enter the court to discuss matters."
Nie Hang observed the emperor's expression and saw that he was not angry.
"Your Majesty, shall we let this continue?"
In Nie Hang's view, this should not be allowed to continue.
Once something is started, others will inevitably follow suit.
One day, this sharp blade will be pointed at someone in the court, or even His Majesty.
Without much thought, the emperor said, “I cannot intervene in this matter. This last clause in the legal code was originally intended by the founding emperor to restrain future generations.”
"If I were to call a halt, it would be tantamount to disobeying the late Emperor Taizu's last instructions, which would be unfilial."
Nie Hang: "But Your Majesty, the Angan Trading Company is too far-reaching. What if Consort Qi and the Third Prince..."
There are some things that even Nie Hang, as the head of a high-ranking official, dared not say outright.
There's no need for an emperor anymore. When Nie Hang mentioned the Angan Trading Company, he immediately knew it was related to Zhao Jun.
He sneered, "Using my power to destroy my empire is a heinous crime. Do you expect me to give them any face?"
"In my opinion, Dai Dai did an excellent job."
"If we don't teach them a lesson, they'll think this country is theirs and they can do whatever they want."
With this dialogue concluded, the launch of the "Public Participation in Governance" plan is now a certainty.
His Majesty had long harbored resentment towards Zhao Jun and his associates, but for various reasons, he had refrained from taking action against them. Now that Lin Qingdai had suddenly made this move, he chose to "go with the flow."
Later that evening, the news reached Consort Qi's palace, and the Third Prince, Song Yunhua, came to tell her personally.
Upon hearing this, Consort Qi became furious and berated her good-for-nothing brother for a long time. But no matter how much she scolded him, Zhao Jun was still her brother, the legitimate son of the family. She would never abandon him unless she was desperate.
Composing herself slightly, Consort Qi looked at Song Yunhua: "Yunhua, what do you think should be done about this?"
Song Yunhua didn't want anything to happen to her uncle either.
Aside from blood ties, few people know that he also had a stake in the Angan Trading Company.
He receives a substantial bonus every season.
However, his share was ostensibly registered under his uncle Zhao Jun's name.
With this money, his scope of action was greatly expanded.
On the way here, he had thought about many things.
"At this point, the only option left is to pay money to avoid further trouble."
Consort Qi: "How should we do it?"
Song Yunhua smiled, a very subtle curve: "Use money to make the public give up participating in this matter."
For the impoverished masses, obtaining some money is far more important than removing a heavy burden from others' shoulders. If they are quick enough to bribe these people before the tide turns, the "Popular Deliberation Plan" cannot be launched.
The case of the Zhu family suing Angan Trading Company could only be tried in accordance with the usual procedures.
In this way, both Angan Trading Company and the uncle will most likely be able to escape unscathed.
Leaving Consort Qi's palace, one would pass through several grand halls, one of which was named "Youle" (meaning "Hall of Joy"). That day, the Third Prince walked past Youle Hall as usual. Because he was preoccupied with something, he seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Meanwhile, the emperor was drinking tea at the highest point of the hall.
The opposite side is empty.
After the Third Prince had walked away, he suddenly called out to Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi bowed and replied, "This servant is here."
Unexpectedly, the emperor did not issue an order, but simply asked him.
"What do you think the third son wants to see his mother at this time?"
Xiao Qi smiled wryly upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, please don't make things difficult for this old servant."
The emperor glanced at him, muttered a disdainful curse, but ultimately did not make things difficult for him further.
"Summon Zhao Xinkuo to see me."
Soon, Zhao Xinkuo arrived before the emperor.
"sit."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhao Xinkuo sat down in the seat opposite the emperor.
Xiao Qi came over at the right moment and poured him a cup of tea. After doing so, he stepped aside.
"Try it, green pear Pu'er tea."
Zhao Xinkuo immediately picked up the cup and took two small sips.
The tea soup is slightly sweet, but the sweetness is overpowering and has a bitter aftertaste.
A cup of tea blends two distinctly different flavors, sweet and bitter, together without any sense of incongruity.
"This is fine tea. I really like the taste."
As he put down his teacup, Zhao Xinkuo smiled and said to the emperor.
The emperor said, "Since you like them, take some with you."
Zhao Xinkuo: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After some casual conversation, we finally got to the main topic, which was brought up by Zhao Xinkuo.
"Your Majesty summoned me here, is it because of the matter at the Hall of Nourishing Harmony?"
There has been no progress yet.
The Imperial Hospital is analyzing the ingredients of the sleeping drug and the antidote, but the unconscious guard has not yet woken up.
But their physical abilities did not decline; rather, they seemed to be under a spell and asleep.
The emperor said, "This matter ends here."
With Wu Ying's movements restricted and the Second Prince's marriage arranged, there was no need to delve deeper into this matter.
Zhao Xinkuo didn't quite understand this decision, but his years of ruthless discipline had made him unafraid to speak the truth.
"Your Majesty, if the force using these drugs is not brought to justice, your safety..."
The emperor chuckled upon hearing this, "Xin Kuo, huh?"
"In this imperial city, and further afield, across the entire Xun Kingdom, there are far too many people who wish to die alone."
"They can't be eradicated."
The scene depicted by the emperor's words was undoubtedly tragic and absurd.
But he was very relaxed, as if he wasn't the one at the center of the vortex.
"Your Majesty, please don't think that way."
"No matter what others do, I and Yan Sen will always be loyal to you."
Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery flashed in the emperor's eyes: "You and Yan Sen can no longer have a proper conversation. You take every casual remark seriously."
Zhao Xinkuo couldn't help but imagine Lin Yansen taking it seriously—he was incredibly cowardly, yet strangely amusing.
He couldn't help but laugh.
When a cup of green pear-shaped Pu'er tea was half empty, the emperor finally revealed his true intention in summoning Zhao Xinkuo.
"The public participation plan is about to be launched. You take some people out of the palace to maintain stability. As long as there is no open riot, let them be."
Zhao Xinkuo was astonished when he heard about this.
"Who has such great ability?"
The emperor smiled, "Your niece."
Zhao Xinkuo subconsciously replied, "Dai Dai?"
The emperor acquiesced.
Zhao Xinkuo: "He's different from Lao Lin."
The Emperor: "Indeed. As things have unfolded, even I have become somewhat curious."
They wanted to see just how far the little girl who grew up under their noses could go.
"During this time, don't interfere with what the third brother does; just silently record it."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xinkuo knew that the Third Prince was involved in the matter, and the smile on his face vanished instantly.
"Your Majesty, please do not grieve."
First the second prince, and now the third prince. In just two or three days, before the festive atmosphere of the Luhua Festival had even dissipated, the emperor's heart had already fallen into an ice cave.
The emperor slightly raised his right hand and waved it gently. "Go."
Zhao Xinkuo stood up, bowed, and strode away.
That evening, the Imperial Capital government had posted notices throughout the city announcing the launch of the public consultation plan.
On Baoshan Street alone, there were three or four posters.
When Ji, Jing, and the other two went over to look, a large crowd had already gathered in front of the notice board.
The villagers couldn't help but gossip.
"A plan for public participation in politics? I'd never even heard of it before today."
“It’s normal that you haven’t heard of it. I’ve only read a few books in total, let alone law books.”
"How can the public still participate in politics? Will they be retaliated against if they do? This time, the opponent is the Angan Trading Company."
"Yes. We can help others, but we can't risk our own and our families' lives."
Let's take another look.
"Yes, it's better to be cautious."
"Stop looking, go home and wait for your payout."
"What money?"
“My sister’s family lives on Yansan Street. An hour or two ago, some important people went to their place to give them money, as long as they didn’t participate in this public participation plan. She specifically ran home to tell her parents about it.”
"You get paid just by not participating?"
"Um."
"That's easy. Let's go home."
Just as Su Ming and Song Yunhua had predicted, many villagers felt it was best not to participate in the public participation plan.
They can barely take care of themselves, how can they manage others?
Other people's daughters have it tough, but don't they have it tough too? They have it tough too.
Furthermore, with the Angan Trading Company secretly distributing money, the public's political consultation plan, which has become known throughout the city, seems to have little chance of success.
Unexpectedly, at the beginning of the 5-7 PM, a high platform suddenly appeared outside Baoshan Street.
It took less than the time it takes to brew two cups of tea to create something from nothing.
Previously, the villagers were either eating dinner or gathering around the notice board, and not many people paid attention to this place. It wasn't until a series of magnificent carriages stopped nearby, and elegantly dressed young men and women alighted from them.
"Is there a stage set up over there for a theatrical performance?"
"So many distinguished guests have arrived!"
"Let's go, let's go take a look."
Someone took the lead, and people kept surging towards the platform. Ji and Jing followed the crowd.
Ye Xiao loved to join in the fun, his eyes brimming with excitement. "The capital is so much fun, there's something new every day."
"Brother, what kind of show do you think this is going on today?"
Ji Yujing: "Popularizing the law."
Ye Xiao didn't understand: "What?"
Ji Yujing ignored him, but at this moment his eyebrows were relaxed and his eyes were open, clearly in a good mood.
The gathering of people caught Zhao Xinkuo's attention, and he led his troops to guard the vicinity.
The Silver Shield Army soldiers were also filled with curiosity about the suddenly erected platform. "General, what do you think is going on? Are they really putting on a play?"
Zhao Xinkuo's lips curled up slightly. "It's opera, isn't it? But the person performing opera must be extraordinary."
The words came true.
When there were enough people, Su Ming, the most legendary ninth-level lawyer in Xun Kingdom, stood on this high platform.
When he first stood there, not many people recognized him.
But when he announced his name, everyone knew him.
The scene instantly became lively.
Su Ming smiled at the villagers below the stage, and brought the megaphone to his lips again, "Today I am standing here to talk to you about what the people's political participation plan is, and why villagers should actively participate in it."
Having explained the people's political participation plan and its necessity in the simplest and most understandable way, Su Ming then said to the villagers...
"Yes, today it is someone else's daughter who is being harmed. But who among you can guarantee that such infighting won't happen to you in the future?"
"Who dares?"
No one spoke up, because no one could.
Su Ming waited and waited, for a full sixty breaths.
When he spoke again, his voice was much softer: "It wasn't my business to begin with. I'm too old to meddle in other people's business anymore. But there was a sickly little girl who came looking for me for three days in a row. The first two times I turned her away, she stood outside the door for a full half hour without moving."
"It's none of her business. Even if the sky were to rot completely, she could still live a good life. But she insisted on getting involved in this mess. She told me that even if we failed, it wouldn't matter, because someone would eventually take charge of this matter in the new century."
She said: You should be a participant, not a witness.
"The emergence of new things always brings worry and fear, but that's okay, we're not fighting alone, right?"
"If you don't even fight for yourselves, who can you rely on?"
"I'd bet my honor as a ninth-level lawyer that if I lose this time, there will be no next time."
The common people are destined only to be humiliated.
The villagers' simple kindness and passion were stirred, but...
Some people expressed their concerns, asking, "Won't they really face retaliation?"
Li Fu, the magistrate of Jinque City, appeared beside the high platform at some unknown time. "Participating in the people's political discussions is the right of the villagers, and no one can restrict it. If anyone uses this as a pretext to retaliate, you can report it to the authorities at any time."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Sheng immediately called out, "Old Su and I have joined forces with sixty lawyers to provide free legal consultations for the villagers."
After him, a rich young man shouted, "We siblings will chip in to pay for the lawsuit."
"If needed, a joint lawyer application can be made."
"I'll offer five hundred taels."
Young Miss Zhou Jingxian: "Then I'll contribute five hundred taels to support Xiao Daidai in punishing evil and upholding justice."
Su Jia Silang and Lin Qingwu: "Two thousand taels."
Lin Qingyu: "Two thousand taels."
As more and more people joined in the donations, the villagers' concerns were gradually dispelled.
A brave person stepped out of the crowd and said, "I'll do it."
"I'll do it."
"I'll do it."
The voices were varied, including those of the old and the young, men and women.
At first, the intermittent sounds seemed out of place in the tranquil space.
Gradually, they merged into one.
"I'll do it."
Su Yu stepped forward.
Then there's Su Ming, Zhou Sheng, Zhang Yao (a notorious playboy in the capital), and Zhou Jingxian (an arrogant and domineering young lady)...
We are still far from reaching 10,000 people.
But the spark of hope has already been ignited—the will of the people.
It was a few lines left on the last page of the legal code, even though the Taizu Emperor knew it would be difficult to achieve.
As Shao Ning stepped toward the long table beside the platform, intending to leave his name.
Ji Yujing seemed to sense something, and he suddenly looked up at a simple teahouse diagonally opposite the high platform.
Lin Qingdai sat leaning against the window. The wind was strong today, constantly whipping her long hair. Combined with her flawless face, she looked almost unreal in the hazy night.
But Ji and Jing were certain that she was in this world.
She is the most vibrant color in this world.
The urge to go to her had never been stronger.
He did just that.
She was his wife from the start, and whether she wanted to marry him or not, she was his.
It must be his.
When Ji and Jing entered the teahouse through the window, they sat down in front of Lin Qingdai with an air of nonchalance, and she remained very calm.
His actions seemed unremarkable.
"Young Master Ji, thank you for your prescription."
She even took the initiative to speak, her tone warm and friendly.
"Would you like some tea? I brought it from home, lotus-shaped Pu'er."
When Ji Yujing entered, she could smell the faint fragrance of lotus flowers.
"Miss Lin likes lotus flowers so much?"
Lin Qingdai: "I quite like it, why?"
As she answered, she personally poured tea for Ji Yujing. It was an ordinary gesture, but when she did it, it seemed as if clouds and mist were flowing, displaying exquisite beauty.
“There are no lotus flowers in Lingdong, but there are many other flowers there.”
"Would you... try to like it?"
In short, Ji and Jing had to carefully consider their words before uttering them.
This was an extremely novel experience for him.
Lin Qingdai stared at him blankly for a while before answering, "Yes."
Ji Yujing, your world is not unfamiliar to me.
Liking them is as simple as liking you.
You don't need to worry.
Before her gentle thoughts had subsided, Lin Qingdai saw Ji Yujing smile.
"why are you laughing?"
Ji Yujing: "I'm leaving the capital tomorrow morning, we..."
See you again someday.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingdai smiled and said goodbye earnestly, "Ji Ci, see you again someday."
After saying goodbye, Ji Yujing got up and left.
This time, he came down the stairs.
His strides were long and fast, and soon he would disappear from Lin Qingdai's sight.
She thought this was the end of another chapter in their relationship.
Unexpectedly, before he completely disappeared from this space, his right hand suddenly rose, drawing a graceful and sharp arc.
A moment later, a packet of candy balls landed precisely on Lin Qingdai's tea table.
Judging from the packaging, it's from Deyuelou.
In an instant, Lin Qingdai felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
But instead of picking up the bag of candies immediately, she raised her finger and poked at its packaging, again and again.
It was as if they weren't poking a candy ball, but rather Ji Yujing's face.
"Are you trying to fool me like a child, Ji Yujing?"
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