Chapter 219
The towering palace looks like a huge black shadow at night, as if it can swallow people. There were shadows everywhere in the Yunfu Palace. After the eunuch brought Lin Shuge into the palace, he retreated quietly. Only Lin Shuge and Emperor Yongyuan were left in the palace.
Lin Shuge bowed and greeted as usual. Emperor Yongyuan sat at the top and looked at Lin Shuge quietly, his eyes falling on Lin Shuge as if they had substance.
He didn't speak, so Lin Shuge could only kneel there motionless. He felt waves of coolness coming from the cold ground. Lin Shuge straightened his back, lowered his eyes, and silently waited for Emperor Yongyuan to speak.
Finally, the voice of Emperor Yongyuan came from above, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"I don't know what Your Majesty wants me to say?" Lin Shuge replied.
"I want to ask you, there is something wrong with Chenji tiles, but what clues did you reveal?"
"yes."
"Liu Xiuning and Mu Wei fanned the flames in this matter. Did you also ask people to investigate it?"
"That's right."
Emperor Yongyuan's face was as dark as ink, and his voice was filled with anger. "You tried to spy on the emperor's will and acted on your own. Aren't you afraid that I will punish you?"
Lin Shuge continued to kneel and said, "Of course I am afraid, but I know that Your Majesty is a wise ruler. He will never wrongly accuse an innocent person, nor will he punish me because of a few rumors."
"Lin Huaiting, is this your way of being loyal to the emperor?" Emperor Yongyuan said sarcastically as he listened to him calling him a wise emperor and enlightened ruler.
Lin Shuge raised his head and met the eyes of Emperor Yongyuan. "Your Majesty, cultivating oneself and establishing virtues, assisting the government and pacifying the people, this is the way of a minister. I am not talented enough to compare myself with the virtuous people of previous generations. I can only fulfill my duty as a minister." He looked straight at Emperor Yongyuan. "The king treats his ministers with courtesy, and the ministers serve the king with loyalty. Your Majesty is diligent in government and loves the people. You treat the virtuous with respect, punish the treacherous and help the virtuous. How dare I be disloyal?"
Emperor Yongyuan snorted coldly, "How dare you be disloyal? If I had your courage, wouldn't you be rebellious?"
Lin Shuge felt cold all over, not knowing whether it was because the floor tiles beneath his knees were chilling or because the palace was icy cold before summer. He said, "Your Majesty summoned me here today to ask these questions? I have indeed been investigating this matter in secret, because now is the time when Great Yan is on an expedition against the Xiongnu, and we cannot allow such remarks to confuse the public, frame the virtuous, and endanger Great Yan."
"So, you did this all for Dayan?"
"I dare not deny that I have selfish motives. After all, this rumor concerns me. Naturally, I want to know who wants to alienate the relationship between me and Your Majesty." Lin Shuge said again.
"Lin Huaiting, you have been lying in wait, waiting for me to catch the instigator. You are really capable. Do you still have me, the emperor, in your eyes?" Emperor Yongyuan suddenly raised his voice.
"Your Majesty is the ruler of all people. How dare I disrespect Your Majesty? But I don't know whether Your Majesty wants obedient or loyal ministers?" Lin Shuge asked Emperor Yongyuan in a firm voice.
The moon rose quietly, making the entire palace even colder and colder. Emperor Yongyuan's eyes were dim, and he said in a calm voice: "What about obedient ministers? What about loyal ministers?"
"If I am just an obedient minister, I will naturally share your Majesty's worries and be happy with your Majesty. If there is someone your Majesty hates, I will naturally do my best to get rid of him, regardless of whether he is a good person or a bad person. If I am a loyal minister, if your Majesty does anything wrong, I will naturally speak frankly, even if the honest words are unpleasant to the ear." Lin Shuge said.
After Lin Shuge finished speaking, he silently waited for Emperor Yongyuan to get furious, but he didn't expect him to ask again: "So you want to be a loyal minister? What advice do you have, Lord Lin? Tell me."
Lin Shuge seemed not to hear the suppressed anger in Emperor Yongyuan's tone, and said directly: "Your Majesty, you know that suspicion will lead to disaster. If villains sow discord, it will definitely damage the relationship between the monarch and his subjects. When the monarch and his subjects quarrel, the court will be a party dispute."
"Lin Huaiting, are you blaming me?"
Lin Shuge smiled, his eyes were still clear and his back was as straight as a bamboo. "Your Majesty, isn't this the reason why you are suspicious of Captain Xie and me?"
Emperor Yongyuan looked disdainful with deep black pupils, and his whole body was hidden in the darkness.
"Your Majesty, Zhongxuan has traveled all the way from Yandu to the northwest, and has experienced countless battles, big and small, leaving scars all over his body. He has come to his current position step by step, and has never done anything crooked, all because of the principles of loyalty and patriotism that Xie Gong taught him. Whether it was the inducement of the Qiang people or the coercion of the Xiongnu, he dared not make a wrong move, fearing that he would be ashamed to face the Xie family in the future. Now he is leading the army to fight again, just for the safety of the border of Great Yan. Your Majesty, do you think he will have the heart of rebellion?"
"What I have done over the years is not to seek fame and fortune, but to have a clear conscience, to make the people happy, and to make the country prosperous. How could I have the heart to be disloyal?"
Emperor Yongyuan did not speak, so Lin Shuge continued, "Yes, we are indeed very close, and we are inseparable. But does Your Majesty really want to be suspicious of us because of a few half-truths? Or does Your Majesty already have doubts about us?"
With a "bang", the things on the table were swept to the ground by Emperor Yongyuan. An inkstone broke into pieces, and ink splashed everywhere, staining Lin Shuge's robe with a few drops of ink-like marks.
"Lin Huaiting, you are so brave."
Lin Shuge stared at the ink on his robe and turned a deaf ear to it, "When Your Majesty joined forces with us to overthrow the Ding family, did you ever doubt me and Captain Xie?"
This was almost like pointing fingers at Emperor Yongyuan and scolding him for breaking his promise. Emperor Yongyuan was so angry that his chest heaved violently and he paced back and forth. "Come here, suspend his post and take Lin Huaiting back to the palace. He is not allowed to come out without my order."
The soldiers walked into the hall and wanted to take Lin Shuge out.
The eunuchs outside were extremely anxious listening to the noise in the hall. Now they heard that Emperor Yongyuan wanted to punish Lin Shuge, so they naturally knew that he was being punished for offending the emperor.
Lin Shuge said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." He was about to stand up, but he had been kneeling for too long tonight and his legs had lost all feeling. As soon as he stood up, he knelt down again heavily.
The eunuch had been with Emperor Yongyuan since he was a child and was used to observing people's words and expressions. He secretly glanced at Emperor Yongyuan's expression and stepped forward to help Lin Shuge up.
"Thank you, but that's not necessary." Lin Shuge declined, and then limped out. "Your Majesty, the rumors this time are very strong, just like they were back then."
Emperor Yongyuan's expression froze, and he stared at his staggering back, feeling mixed emotions.
When Lin Shuge returned home, the twins had been waiting at home for a long time. Seeing that he walked slowly and seemed to be stagnant, Lin Xuan hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Brother, what's wrong with you? Is your leg injured?"
Lin Shuge shook his head. Before he could say anything, the soldiers surrounded the Lin Mansion. The weapons gave off a chill under the moonlight. "Doctor Lin, we are following the orders of His Majesty. We are sorry for the offense."
Lin Qingyuan said in panic: "Brother, they..."
Lin Shuge nodded at him, "Don't be afraid, let's go in first."
The two of them helped Lin Shuge into the lobby. Lin Xuan took out the medicinal wine and gently pulled up his trouser legs, only to see bruises and purple marks all over them. "Brother, what happened?"
"We shouldn't say too much about this matter. You must be careful with your words and actions during this period of time." Lin Shuge said softly.
The twins looked at each other, and together they helped Lin Shuge apply the medicine. They also brought in dinner. Seeing that his eyes were full of fatigue, they stopped disturbing him and let him rest.
Ruan Qingyun arrived early the next morning.
"What happened this time? Previously, rumors about you were spreading everywhere, and now you have been confined to the palace by His Majesty. As a result, all the court officials are wondering in their hearts how you angered His Majesty?" Ruan Qingyun asked after coming in.
"It's nothing, Lord Ruan, please don't get involved in this matter." Lin Shuge said.
"What happened? I asked His Majesty but he didn't tell me. I asked you but you didn't tell me either," Ruan Qingyun stamped his feet anxiously. "Erlang is still in the northwest. If he knew that something happened to you, I don't know what he would do."
"So I have to trouble Lord Ruan with a favor. I have a letter to give to Zhongxuan. Could you please help me send it to the northwest?" Lin Shuge took out a letter from his arms.
"Did you know I was coming?" Ruan Qingyun took the letter and said.
Lin Shuge did not answer yes or no, but said: "There will be turmoil in the court in the future. Your Excellency must advise His Majesty not to act too hastily."
"What do you mean? Lin Huaiting, do you have to play dumb with me today?" Seeing that he seemed unmoved, Ruan Qingyun said.
Lin Shuge sighed. Ruan Qingyun saw that he looked a little lonely, but he couldn't bear it. "I came here today to tell you something. The Northwest Army reported that the former Xiongnu Zuo Xian King's former subordinates rebelled and joined forces with You Guli King to rebel against Huerke. Erlang traveled all the way west to Jiwei Mountain. You Guli King led his subordinates to surrender to Dayan, and will personally meet Your Majesty in the Yan Dynasty soon."
Lin Shuge's eyes trembled slightly, and he opened his eyes very wide, and asked happily: "Master Ruan, is this true?"
"Of course, how could I lie to you?" Seeing his big reaction, Ruan Qingyun couldn't help but laugh. The man in front of him was stubborn, and only Erlang's affairs could affect him so much.
He couldn't help but think of the rumors from a few days ago. If the two of them were as close as brothers, they would be a good match.
The moon was above the willows and the weather was getting hotter and hotter. When it was time for dinner in the evening, Lin Shuge simply moved the dining table outside the house. The breeze blew by, adding a special charm.
"Wow, brother, why is the food so sumptuous tonight?" Lin Qingyuan said in surprise, looking at the table full of food in front of him.
"I'm in a good mood today. I cooked this myself. Come and eat it." Lin Shuge said with a smile.
"I haven't eaten the food cooked by my elder brother for a long time. Hmm, it's delicious." Lin Qingyuan used his chopsticks very quickly, with only the delicious food in his eyes.
Lin Xuan found that Lin Shuge was in a much better mood than yesterday, so she smiled and said, "Brother, is there any good news?"
"Well, Erlang won the battle. Since he's not here, let's have a good meal for him." Lin Shuge picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and gave each of the twins.
"Huh? I said Erlang was invincible. The Huns are just a small group, no problem at all." Lin Qingyuan put down his chopsticks and put his hands on his waist.
"Sit down and have a good meal." Lin Xuan glanced at him, "Brother, can you tell me what the battle situation is like now?"
Lin Shuge then told Ruan Qingyun the news he had brought today.
"So, we may see the Huns surrendering in the future..." Lin Qingyuan spoke without restraint, and only then did he remember that they couldn't go out now.
"Yes, King Youguli is one of the four corners of the Xiongnu royal court. If he truly surrenders, Your Majesty will surely reward him generously. If there were no Xiongnu invasions in the northwest, the people would live better." Lin Shuge said indifferently.
Lin Qingyuan said the wrong thing and echoed Lin Shuge's words. Lin Xuan seemed to be thinking about something, and the three of them had their own thoughts.
Lin Shuge pondered for a moment and said, "Let's not talk about this. I happen to be free now. Just order whatever you want to eat."
"OK."
Xie Chen had just dealt with all the matters concerning the surrender of King Youguli when Cai Xing came to report that there was a letter from Yandu.
Xie Chen took it impatiently, and it was indeed a letter from his brother.
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