Chapter 40

Chapter 40

In the ensuing days, the student protests in the capital showed no signs of abating. As the Emperor had issued no clear directives, neither the Chongwen Hall nor the Jingzhao Prefecture dared to disperse them forcefully, allowing the demonstrations to continue at their gates.

Occasionally, when Lin Ting passed by, he would see the students tirelessly blockading the entrances, seemingly intent on a prolonged standoff with the court.

Lin Ting maintained his usual routine of preparing ink in Chonghua Hall. Each day, Tianxuan Guards reported on the situation outside the palace, yet Pei Xingjian showed no urgency, engrossed in reviewing petitions.

At times, Lin Ting couldn't help but inquire, “Your Majesty, how do you intend to handle this?”

Pei Xingjian would simply reply with two words: “Not yet.”

Initially, Lin Ting believed the Emperor had heeded his advice by expelling Prime Minister Yan and the Marquis of Anding. However, over the past few days, he realized the Emperor merely found their bickering bothersome and had seized an excuse to send them away.

Lin Ting couldn't quite fathom Pei Xingjian's true intentions. Yet, a vague suspicion lingered: perhaps the Emperor was awaiting a specific moment.

The turning point arrived five days later.

That day, as Lin Ting practiced calligraphy and prepared ink in Chonghua Hall as usual, Prime Minister Yan suddenly burst in.

“Your Majesty, a crisis!”

Pei Xingjian calmly set down his brush. “What is it?”

Beads of sweat glistened on Prime Minister Yan’s aged face as he exhaled heavily, struggling to speak. “Your Majesty, a riot has erupted at the Jingzhao Prefecture gates.”

Zhao Dehai offered him a cup of water.

Prime Minister Yan drained it in one gulp, then looked up to see the Emperor’s expression unchanged, as if he had anticipated this.

Yan Que composed himself slightly and continued, “Grand Tutor Zhang, childless his entire life, adopted several homeless children. Now, those children, having not seen him return for so long, learned he had been imprisoned. They have gathered at the prefecture gates, demanding answers.”

“However,” Yan Que’s face suddenly flushed with indignation, “the Marquis of Anding led the City Patrol to act with brutal disregard for human lives and arrested those children. This enraged the scholars at the prefecture gates, who swore to make the court pay. Several officials inside the yamen were even beaten.”

The scent of sandalwood incense curled through the chamber as Pei Xingjian rose and walked to the entrance of Chonghua Hall. Before him, palace attendants swept the grounds, while distant mountain ranges stretched across the horizon.

“I understand. You may withdraw for now.”

Yan Que couldn’t discern the Emperor’s intentions, but the urgency of the matter was too pressing to delay. He pleaded earnestly, “Your Majesty, the civil service examinations are approaching. If these protests continue, they will undoubtedly disrupt the proceedings.”

Yet the Emperor remained unmoved. In desperation, Yan Que shot Lin Ting a pleading glance: *Lord Lin, say something.*

Receiving the Prime Minister’s silent plea, Lin Ting paused for two breaths.

Over the past few days, he too had pondered why the Emperor hadn't dealt with those people, perhaps still waiting for something.

While turmoil raged outside, within the palace, all was tranquil.

Lin Ting set down the inkstone, carefully considering his words. He stepped forward. “Your Majesty, perhaps Prime Minister Yan and I could go survey the situation first and attempt to mediate.”

“Yes, yes,” Yan Que quickly agreed. “More force won't solve this. We should try persuasion first—it might work.”

Pei Xingjian turned, his gaze sweeping over them before finally relenting. “They’ve lost patience, it seems.” He then summoned the Tianxuan Guard. “With so many protesting scholars at the Jingzhao Prefecture, do not get dragged into the fray. Escort them safely.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two departed, rushing toward the Jingzhao Prefecture.

As their carriage turned a corner, they saw a massive crowd of scholars gathered before the prefecture gates, in a tense confrontation with the constables.

“The court must give us an answer!”

“On what grounds did the City Patrol arrest people?”

“Tyrant! Tyrant!”

Angry shouts came in waves.

The crowd was too dense, forcing their carriage to halt at the intersection.

But they were quickly spotted.

“It’s a court carriage!”

Someone’s shout drew the scholars’ attention, and they surged forward. “If we don’t get an answer today, I’d rather bash my head against these pillars!”

The Tianxuan Guard formed a defensive line in front of the carriage, swords held horizontally, warding off the advancing crowd.

Prime Minister Yan drew back the carriage curtain. Outside, the mob grew even more agitated at the sight of them. Some even tried to push past the Tianxuan Guard onto the carriage, only to be hauled back.

“Good lord, does Grand Tutor Zhang really have this much influence?” Lin Ting recoiled in the corner, startled by the uproar.

Prime Minister Yan sighed regretfully. “The Grand Tutor and I had been close friends, like-minded. Back then, he rescued His Majesty from the cold palace, where he was nearly starved to death, and personally tutored him. After His Majesty ascended the throne, the Grand Tutor held only an honorary post in court, opening a small private school outside the city to offer free schooling for impoverished scholars. Naturally, he is beloved by the people.”

Lin Ting had an epiphany. He hadn’t foreseen this development—it must not have happened in the original timeline. With the Prime Minister saved, the schemers had redirected their attacks toward Grand Tutor Zhang.

If Grand Tutor Zhang were imprisoned, it would inevitably provoke outrage among the scholars.

Now, with the imperial examination imminent, tens of thousands of scholars causing unrest in the capital was a disaster waiting to happen.

The clamor outside showed no sign of abating. Prime Minister Yan rose to step out, but the Tianxuan Guard at the door warned, “Prime Minister, it’s dangerous. Please stay inside.”

Yan Que waved a hand. “It’s fine. These scholars are just desperate—they haven’t committed any atrocities.”

Seeing the Prime Minister already stepping out, Lin Ting followed suit.

“Everyone,” Yan Que called from the carriage’s front, “may I have your attention?”

Some scholars recognized him and hushed their companions. “It’s Prime Minister Yan!”

The crowd gradually quieted.

Someone shouted, “Prime Minister Yan, we respect you, but why was Grand Tutor Zhang imprisoned?”

Yan Que faltered. Not only did the scholars not know—neither did he. He cast a pleading glance at Lord Lin.

Lin Ting stepped down from the carriage, abruptly receiving Yan Que’s silent plea. He debated whether to reveal the truth.

Grand Tutor Zhang was a revered figure. Scholars and literati valued reputation above all. If these fervent admirers learned their idol had conspired with a concubine, his image would be shattered.

“Everyone, please remain calm,” Lin Ting improvised. “Grand Tutor Zhang is safe. There are just some matters that require further investigation.”

“Investigate what?” one scholar retorted. “Corrupt officials go unchecked, yet you target an innocent man like Grand Tutor Zhang?”

*No, the Grand Tutor you admire is far from innocent—he’s bold beyond measure,* Lin Ting thought silently.

“Rest assured, the court does not arrest people without cause,” Yan Que reassured them again.

“Who says so? The three Zhang siblings were arrested by the City Patrol!” “Exactly! If not by the Emperor’s order, who else could command the City Patrol?”

Lin Ting experienced what it meant to suffer in silence. In the end, after all that, it all circled back to the emperor.

Pei Xingjian's road to clearing his name was not easy.

Suddenly, the group of scholars grew even more agitated, shoving desperately forward. The Tianxuan Guard resisted fiercely, but they were outnumbered and could only barricade with their scabbards, unwilling to harm anyone.

After a tense standoff of several seconds, the crowd burst through like floodwaters, breaking through the Tianxuan Guard's defense and rushing toward them.

Lin Ting immediately grabbed Chancellor Yan and pulled him toward the carriage. "Quick, get inside!" He struggled to help the less agile Yan Que into the carriage and was about to climb in himself when someone grabbed the hem of his robe from behind, dragging him back.

"Holy sh—" His startled cry was lost in the mob.

"Minister Lin! Minister Lin—!" Yan Que called out anxiously from the carriage. He was the one who had brought Minister Lin out—if anything happened to him, how could he ever explain it to His Majesty?

Lin Ting was pulled into the crowd, a sea of hands clawing at him from all directions. His ears buzzed, unable to make out anything clearly.

"Hel...p..."

With a sudden motion, a Tianxuan Guard leaped into the air, spotted Minister Lin in the crowd and wrenched him free with all his strength.

Lin Ting felt like a radish being pulled out of the soil.

Qing Shan hauled Minister Lin into the carriage.

"Huff... huff..." Lin Ting gasped for fresh air, collapsing onto the carriage floor, looking completely spent.

Yan Que hurried over to check on him, only to find Minister Lin disheveled, his sleeve torn, revealing a scraped patch of skin beneath. His hair was a mess—as if he had been put through the wringer.

Yan Que was deeply shaken and shouted, "Minister Lin, are you all right?"

Lin Ting zoned out for a moment before his thoughts gradually returned. Hearing the question, he weakly raised a hand and murmured, "Mm."

The Tianxuan Guard forced their way through ahead, struggling to drive the carriage forward.

"Minister Lin, you must hold on—we’ll reach the palace soon," Chancellor Yan urged, seeing Minister Lin limp and seemingly about to pass out. His heart nearly leaped out of his chest in fear, and he immediately called out to the outside, "Quick, inform His Majesty!"

Qing Shan rushed ahead to the palace.

Along the way, Yan Que crouched beside Lin Ting, babbling nonstop. When Minister Lin's eyes began to droop, he banged on the floorboards. "Minister Lin!"

A short while later, when Minister Lin seemed about to close his eyes again, he slapped the floor once more. "Minister Lin, you must hold on! What would I do without you?"

Lin Ting: "..." *Shut up. He just wanted to sleep.*

After being badgered the entire journey, the carriage finally entered the palace grounds.

By then, Qing Shan had already arrived at Chonghua Hall.

“Your Majesty, Minister Lin was attacked by scholars outside the Jingzhao Prefecture.”

The hall fell silent instantly. The emperor at the head of the room looked thunderous. “What is his condition now?”

Qing Shan recalled, “Your servant heard the Chancellor calling out to Minister Lin in distress, but Minister Lin did not respond. It seems his condition is not good.”

Zhao Dehai went white as a sheet. “What?” *He had already lost consciousness.* He turned abruptly to look at His Majesty, only to see the emperor rise and stride out, his face dark as a stormcloud.

“Summon the royal physicians.”

……

Lin Ting slowly sat up, peeked out through the carriage curtain.

Imperial guards lined both sides of the palace path, and palace servants hurried past carrying basins of water—as if responding to some urgent matter.

Upon closer inspection, weren’t those the servants from Chonghua Hall?

What was going on? Had something happened to the emperor?

He immediately knocked on the carriage wall, barking at the Tianxuan Guard holding the reins, "Hurry! Something’s happened at Chonghua Hall!"

The Tianxuan Guard up front heard this and cracked the whip, sending the carriage racing toward Chonghua Hall like a bat out of hell.

Thus, Pei Xingjian, standing at the entrance of Chonghua Hall, saw a carriage speeding toward him from afar.

The palace servants behind him also noticed. "The carriage is here!"

"Moving so fast—Minister Lin must be gravely injured!"

"Physicians! Where are the physicians? Come forward quickly!" The trailing royal physicians were pushed to the front.

The carriage arrived with a jarring stop, nearly making Lin Ting vomit from the jolt. He lifted the curtain, about to step down, when a wave of wailing erupted outside:

"Minister Liiin!!" "Minister Liiin~~"

Then the curtain was yanked open, and a stampede of people surged inside.

"Who—?" Lin Ting flinched, releasing the curtain. He found himself face-to-face with the physician who had piled in, staring wide-eyed.

Pointing at the medical kit, he asked, "What are you...?" Through the gap in the curtain, he saw a line of physicians crowding outside.

His hand trembled. *Just how bad was the emperor's condition that every royal physician in the palace had been summoned?*

Pei Xingjian had been standing at the entrance. Seeing that the physicians had gone up but not come down for a long time, Zhao Dehai was running around like a headless chicken. "Good heavens, how badly is Minister Lin injured? Why is there no sound at all?"

After a moment, movement finally came from inside the carriage.

The physicians who had rushed in earlier trickled out one by one, their medical kits clearly unopened, their expressions getting grimmer by the second. They hesitated, not daring to step forward and report.

Pei Xingjian's heart stopped, as if plunged into an icy abyss. His blood froze, and his mind buzzed.

*Could it be...?*

Then, a figure clad in crimson leaped down from the carriage and sprinted toward him, shouting, "Your Majesty!"

That dazzling figure was like a splash of color in the darkness, abruptly painting the world with vibrancy.

Pei Xingjian's jet-black eyes locked onto him. Only when his mind slowly began to function again did he seem to recognize the person before him—alive.

His lips parted, toneless. "Who are you?"

Lin Ting, who had just skidded to a halt in front of Pei Xingjian: "???"

*Wait—he just was out on duty, and now Pei Xingjian had gotten amnesia???*