Chapter 365 The Imperial Edict Has Arrived
Daiyu was really exhausted, and she slept until the sun was high in the sky.
Yuan Hongqu had always indulged Daiyu in sleeping in late, and had always taught Daiyu that good sleep was the best way to nourish the body.
Therefore, in Daiyu's mind, sleep was the most important thing.
The eunuch who came to the Lin family to deliver the imperial edict had never encountered such a situation before: the person who was to receive the edict had not yet gotten up.
However, the eunuch Bai, who came to the Lin family to deliver the imperial decree, showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever.
The head steward of the Lin family personally received him. From the time the white eunuch entered the Lin family's reception room until now, only an hour had passed. The Lin family's private snacks and various fruits were served four times, with eight different kinds each time, and none of them were repeated.
The moment the white eunuch stepped into the Lin family's gate, Steward Lin's mind was already racing with various information. This was the head eunuch, second only to the Grand Eunuch. He used to work in the Imperial Kitchen. Although his position had risen higher and higher, he always had a hobby that was unknown to outsiders.
Eunuch Bai was gluttonous and extremely picky about food; he couldn't stomach anything ordinary.
He wasn't greedy for money, nor did he have any desire for power; he just loved having a good meal.
The emperor trusted him completely.
Although Eunuch Bai had this hobby, he was an extremely restrained person, so very few people knew about it.
But unfortunately, Xiangtao knew.
Xiangtao was in charge of the academy's pastry shop. By chance, she discussed the recipe for lotus flower pastries with the eunuch Bai and inadvertently learned about Bai's little hobby.
This information was quickly stored in the original red lotus table.
When Yuan Hongqu saw that the person who came to deliver the imperial decree was Eunuch Bai, she wondered why Eunuch Chen Li, who often came to their house, hadn't come today. Then she saw Eunuch Bai greet Xiangtao as if she were seeing a relative.
Xiangtao only came from the estate last night.
The academy is on holiday, and the academy's pastry shop is also closed.
Xiangtao had finally managed to get some rest, and immediately returned to the estate.
In the village of E'er, Wu Tian and Xiang Ling have already gotten married. Some time ago, they found out about Zhen Shiyin and went to a small Taoist temple in the south to bring him back.
Xiangtao took this opportunity to go to the estate and pay her respects to her godfather.
Yesterday, upon learning that Yuan Hongqu had returned to the capital, she immediately returned with the people from the estate, only to unexpectedly encounter Eunuch Bai early this morning.
Princess Lin had not yet gotten up, and Lord Yuan had said that no one was allowed to disturb the young lady while she was sleeping.
They could only keep the eunuch in check and wait for the princess to get up before receiving the imperial decree.
Fortunately, it was just an imperial decree of reward, nothing important, and a short delay wouldn't matter.
Eunuch Bai got this task today. He had heard that the Lin family's pastries were exceptional, so he shamelessly asked Eunuch Chen for the task of delivering the imperial decree.
When he arrived, Chen Li repeatedly reminded him not to neglect Princess Lin.
Chen Li would never have allowed Eunuch Bai to come to the Lin family if he didn't have other important matters to attend to.
When Eunuch Bai arrived at the Lin family, he heard that Princess Lin was still getting ready, so he was led into the reception room by Steward Lin, and an hour passed.
The Lin family served a total of 32 kinds of snacks and fruits four times, and also served different kinds of tea four times.
Eunuch Bai felt that he shouldn't have eaten breakfast, otherwise he could have enjoyed a few more dishes.
However, eating any more would be inappropriate, so he refrained from reaching for the snacks on the table.
"Princess Lin, is your dressing up not finished yet? I have to go back to the palace to report, so I'm afraid I can't stay any longer."
The eunuch Bai was bound to be polite to those who fed him, and although he had only been given this one job, it would be quite troublesome if he didn't return to the palace to report for a long time.
Butler Lin smiled obsequiously and said, "The princess is young and frail. Our master and Lord Yuan have always doted on her and never allowed her to get up early. She came back too late last night, so she got up a little later today."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Bai recalled a rumor and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Steward Lin, I heard that if Princess Lin doesn't go to school, Lord Yuan won't go to the academy either. Is that true?"
Steward Lin didn't know what Eunuch Bai meant by asking this question. The matter was indeed true, and he didn't explain any secrets. But if he gave a definite answer, wouldn't it cause trouble for Lord Yuan?
As Butler Lin was carefully choosing his words, he suddenly heard a clear and gentle voice coming from outside the door.
"Yes, that's true. If I can't go to the academy, I can't do without an adult at home. My father isn't home either, so it's just that Lady Yuan is here to keep me company. But she's not idle either; she works from home and never misses a moment's time."
Daiyu walked in, smiling gently.
"I've kept Eunuch Bai waiting."
Then, her tone shifted abruptly, and her face turned serious.
"Eunuch Bai, I wonder who's saying such things again. If you hear it again another day, I'll have to trouble you to defend my husband. My husband doesn't like arguing with people, and so many people outside are talking nonsense. It makes me feel bad for him..."
As she spoke, Daiyu touched the corner of her eye with her handkerchief, her expression turning somewhat somber.
The eunuch Bai hurriedly said,
“Princess Lin, there’s no need to be upset. If I hear this again, I will definitely go and explain on behalf of Lord Yuan.”
This wasn't the first time Eunuch Bai had seen Daiyu, but each time he saw her, he felt that she had changed somewhat from before.
This time, perhaps it was because he knew that during the bandit suppression, Princess Lin had remained fearless in the face of danger and had shot several bandits with her crossbow.
Princess Lin, who was originally seen as gentle and weak by Eunuch Bai and walked like a willow in the wind, suddenly transformed into a heroic female general.
At this moment, Princess Lin once again stood up for Lord Yuan. Originally, many people in the court were denouncing that Yuan Hongqu was not worthy of being the head of the academy and that he acted entirely on a whim.
However, after Princess Lin's explanation, Eunuch Bai understood.
No family would feel comfortable leaving such a young girl alone at home; there must be an adult present!
Lord Lin Ruhai is far away in Jiangnan and cannot return to the capital. The young lady only has Yuan Hongqu, who has taken care of her since she was a child. Besides, even if she is at home, she has not neglected her work!
After exchanging a few casual words, Eunuch Bai suddenly remembered that he had important business to attend to.
He hurriedly issued the imperial edict and presented the palace rewards.
After finishing his business, Eunuch Bai realized it was getting late and it was time to leave.
Steward Lin did not try to stop him. Eunuch Bai was still regretful, wondering when he would be able to come to the Lin family again and taste their pastries.
But then he noticed a food box had appeared on the carriage. When he opened it, he was surprised to find the pastries he hadn't tasted that day, as well as some other things he hadn't seen before.
Upon seeing this, Eunuch Bai couldn't help but sigh.
The Lin family, from top to bottom, are all capable of getting things done!
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