Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The carriage halted at the entrance of Luoshi Village. Lin Ting stepped out, following closely behind Pei Xingjian.

The recent spell of clear weather had dried the muddy path leading into the village, though a faint scent of decaying vegetation still lingered in the air.

From a distance, a gathering of people, clad in purple, red, and green, could be seen waiting at the entrance.

Lin Ting observed them closely; there were quite a few. As they drew nearer, he discerned the expressions on their faces.

Though smiles graced every face, they seemed little more than forced grins.

Hah, as far as he knew, the emperor wasn't quite the monster they made him out to be.

At the forefront, Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Works, robed in purple, spotted the emperor's arrival and swiftly led the assembly forward to greet him.

“Your humble servants await Your Majesty’s presence,” Minister Zhao stated, his gaze cautiously assessing the emperor’s countenance.

Yet, the emperor’s face remained unreadable, his demeanor stern, betraying no hint of his thoughts.

Minister Zhao’s heart began to pound. Why had the emperor suddenly chosen to inspect Luoshi Village?

Pei Xingjian was escorted by Minister Zhao and the others to a pre-erected canopy.

As the emperor was visiting, ice blocks had been placed inside the canopy to cool the air. The moment Lin Ting stepped in, a refreshing coolness enveloped him.

He squinted his eyes in pleasant relief.

A few more steps led him to a large square table in the center, laden with various pastries and ice jelly.

He swallowed, suddenly feeling a pang of thirst.

Ice jelly—he craved it!

Pei Xingjian took the seat at the head of the table. Glancing back, he saw Lin Ting staring intently at the pastries, practically drooling.

Pei Xingjian had never cared for sweets since childhood, but at this moment, a sudden impulse struck him. Under Lin Ting’s longing gaze, he picked up a plum blossom cake, broke off a small piece, and placed it in his mouth.

The pastry melted on his tongue, its taste quite pleasant.

Lin Ting’s eyes followed Pei Xingjian’s movements, and he swallowed. He wondered about the pastry’s flavor and if it differed from those in the palace.

That clear gaze was too direct; Pei Xingjian found it hard to ignore.

Calmly, he picked up an entire plate and extended it towards Lin Ting, like tempting a cat. "Want some?"

Lin Ting nodded.

Pei Xingjian then had a small table set up beside him and moved all the pastries from the main table onto it.

“Eat,” Pei Xingjian stated flatly.

Lin Ting happily settled at the small square table, picked up a bowl of ice jelly, and took a loud, satisfying slurp, exhaling contentedly.

It tasted just like the ones from his university days.

Then he took a bite of pastry, sighing in blissful satisfaction.

Pei Xingjian observed Lin Ting’s every expression, noting his utter contentment, as if a mere snack could bring him complete happiness. He truly knew how to find joy in simple things.

The officials standing below, however, were in turmoil. They had heard rumors of the new Lord Lin being highly favored by the emperor, but had been skeptical. Now, seeing it firsthand, the rumors were undeniably true.

Envy flashed across their faces. If Lord Lin enjoyed such imperial favor, befriending him could prove immensely beneficial…

Pei Xingjian caught the ambitious glints in his ministers’ eyes and recalled the pile of gifts stacked at Lin Ting’s residence. A surge of nameless anger flared within him, and he snapped, “Bring me the construction blueprints!”

The stunned officials stiffened, quickly averting their gazes. They anxiously speculated on the emperor’s intentions, no longer having the leisure to focus on the leisurely Lord Lin beside them.

Half an hour later, Zhao Dehai presented the construction blueprints. Pei Xingjian took them and examined them carefully.

The officials below hardly dared to breathe.

After reviewing the blueprints, Pei Xingjian casually pointed at a low-ranking official in green robes. “You—come here.”

The young official had only recently taken office. His colleagues had warned him that the emperor was temperamental, unpredictable, and that a single misstep could cost him his life.

His face went deathly pale with terror, and his legs trembled as he stepped forward.

Lin Ting witnessed the entire scene unfold and couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the young official.

In truth, the emperor wasn't as terrifying as people imagined, but anyone called upon by their teacher would naturally feel nervous.

Pei Xingjian asked a few simple questions, but the young official was so nervous that his words stumbled out, barely coherent.

When he finished, the emperor’s expression remained unchanged.

The young official grew even more frightened, his face ashen. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees, trembling. “Your Majesty, spare my life!”

The air in the canopy turned to ice.

Pei Xingjian’s brow twitched as he suppressed his anger. “Did We say We would kill you? Why are you so eager to offer your life to Us?”

The green-robed official immediately stopped crying, stunned into silence.

Pei Xingjian waved a hand dismissively. “Dismissed.”

Zhao Dehai stepped forward and said to the young official, “Why are you still standing there, sir? You’ve passed the test.”

The young official couldn’t believe it. “I… I can leave?”

Zhao Dehai nodded.

The young official sagged in relief and was escorted out by the palace attendants.

Pei Xingjian then quizzed several other officials of varying ranks. Those who answered well were rewarded, while those who performed poorly were punished.

Within half an hour, every official in the canopy was drenched in cold sweat.

Finally, the emperor laid down the blueprints and called to Lin Ting, “Come, accompany Us for a walk.”

The ministers collectively breathed a sigh of relief. A walk was good—at least they wouldn’t be under scrutiny anymore.

Lin Ting had just finished a piece of snowflake pastry and hurriedly followed.

The old wooden houses in the village had been largely demolished. In the distance, workers could be seen carrying bricks and stones under the scorching sun, their dark faces glistening with sweat.

Lin Ting studied them briefly before drawing alongside Pei Xingjian. He said quietly, “Your Majesty, I have a suggestion.”

Pei Xingjian looked at him, gesturing for him to continue.

Lin Ting said, “Once spring passes, the weather will turn hot. These laborers work long hours outdoors without rest or water. Prolonged exposure could surely lead to heat-related illnesses.”

Just like in his previous world, where every summer brought news of workers suddenly dying on construction sites.

These were all people struggling to support their families. As their employer, the government should at least ensure their well-being.

Pei Xingjian stared at the workers for several breaths before replying, “We are aware.”

Upon returning to the shaded rest area, Pei Xingjian immediately summoned Minister Zhao. “Do the recruited laborers have any shaded areas for resting?”

The Minister of Works replied, “The Ministry has reserved two plots of land in Luoshi Village to build shelters. They will be completed by tomorrow.”

Pei Xingjian added, “Have the Ministry build a few more. Also, distribute three bowls of mung bean soup to them daily—funded from Our private treasury.”

Minister Zhao, who had been fretting over funds, looked up in shock. Though the emperor’s expression remained stern, a hint of gentleness softened it. “Understood,” he said, bowing gratefully before rushing off to carry out the orders.

As noon approached, the group prepared to depart.

Lin Ting boarded Pei Xingjian’s carriage again and sighed in contentment as he settled into the cushioned seat. The carriage was indeed far more comfortable.

When Pei Xingjian entered, he found Lin Ting leaning back with his eyes closed, completely relaxed.

The emperor rubbed his thumb and finger together and remarked, “Is Minister Lin exhausted today? Or did the snacks not fill you up earlier?”

Lin Ting opened his eyes, meeting Pei Xingjian’s scrutinizing gaze. Rubbing his stomach, he replied, “I’ve overdone it today. Just need… a little rest.”

As he spoke, his sleeve slid back, revealing a pale wrist that glistened in the thin sunlight filtering through the carriage curtains.

Pei Xingjian gave it a casual glance. “We recall Minister Lin walked less than half a mile.”

Lin Ting wriggled into a more comfortable position, momentarily forgetting proper manners as he rested his head against the carriage wall. “This subject also ate snacks… and pastries.”

Eating counted as exercise.

Pei Xingjian fell silent, puzzled by his thinking. He moved closer and advised, “Minister Lin should exercise more.”

Lin Ting nodded quickly, “Mhm, mhm,” though the words went in one ear and out the other.

The carriage made its way into the city.

Half-asleep, Lin Ting suddenly smelled something tasty.

He opened his eyes quickly. Though he had eaten pastries earlier, his stomach growled again.

Beside him, Pei Xingjian and Eunuch Zhao were resting with their eyes closed.

Lin Ting pursed his lips. It was already past noon—when would they get to eat?

Just as his thoughts wandered, a voice ordered, “Halt the carriage.”

The carriage jolted to a stop outside a restaurant.

Pei Xingjian swiftly rose to exit.

Lin Ting blinked and hurried after him.

Facing the bustling restaurant, his stomach let out a growl. He asked, “Your Majesty, are we here to eat?”

Pei Xingjian replied meaningfully, “What else? Minister Lin is so hungry he’s starving. If We delayed any longer, you’d eat the carriage.”

Lin Ting froze. Had he been that obvious?

A waiter hurried over. “Honored guests, what would you like to order?” He ushered them inside.

The ground floor was packed. Lin Ting scanned the room and noticed groups of men in simple blue robes huddled together, deep in discussion.

Listening in, he caught fragments of scholarly debates—complete gibberish.

Then he remembered: the Great Yong Metropolitan Examination was approaching. Candidates from across the country had likely gathered here.

The waiter boasted, “Though our establishment may not compare to the Ascending Immortal Pavilion, we have our own unique appeal. Recently, we’ve hosted poetry competitions, and many examinees have composed great poems here.”

Eunuch Zhao frowned at the noisy crowd and told the waiter, “We require a quiet private room.”

The waiter, sharp-eyed, recognized their high status—especially the older attendant holding a ceremonial whisk, who resembled a eunuch.

“Of course, honored guests,” he said respectfully, leading them to an upstairs chamber. “This is our quietest and most private room. Order freely—we guarantee swift and excellent service.”

Once seated, Lin Ting leaned by the window, observing the bustling streets below.

Pei Xingjian had already selected dishes and handed the order to the waiter, who hurried away.

The private room’s door swung open, allowing the noise from downstairs in. Cleverly designed, the upper floor concealed its occupants, yet they could observe everything below.

Eunuch Zhao stood. “This old servant will close the door.”

“No need,” Pei Xingjian raised a hand. “The candidates below are this year’s examinees. We wish to hear their poetry.”

Who knew the emperor liked watching?

Downstairs, the poetry contest reached its peak. A pale, slender scholar stepped onto the platform, brush in hand, and began composing on a poetry board.

As his brush moved, the crowd recited along.

Finally, someone announced, “A poem praising the court and His Majesty!”

Eunuch Zhao beamed. “It seems this year’s candidates hold the imperial court in high regard.”

Just then, a mocking laugh cut through the crowd.

“Since when did the Cui family’s whelp learn to flatter the emperor?”

Silence fell over the hall.

Lin Ting and Eunuch Zhao immediately looked down.

A disheveled man in patched blue robes staggered onto the stage, tilting a wine jar to his lips. When he lowered it, his cheeks were flushed with drunkenness.

Unfazed, he raised the jar and declared, “Who doesn’t know our current emperor is a negligent, tyrannical despot? And yet you lick his boots—how disappointing!”

“Wang Ya!” the Cui scholar snapped, face red with fury. “Spout such treason abroad, and you’ll land in prison!”

“Brothers Wang, Brother Cui,” a turbaned man interjected, trying to mediate. “We’re all here for the exams—no need for quarrels.”

Wang Ya spat. “Even if the emperor stood before me today, I wouldn’t fear him!”

*Crash!* The wine jar shattered on the floor, its contents splashing loudly in the dead silence.

Lin Ting’s pupils contracted as he whipped his head toward Pei Xingjian.

But the emperor merely arched a brow, lips curling in amusement.

“Bring them up,” he ordered.