Chapter 56

Chapter 56

"Ah, this humble official—I just remembered something urgent," Prime Minister Yan stammered, hastily bending to retrieve the memorial. Gripping it tightly, he made to leave. "Your servant will return later."

"Wait," Lin Ting's instinct told him that if Prime Minister Yan left now, he'd never be able to explain himself. He extricated himself from Pei Xingjian's grasp. "Prime Minister, please wait."

Prime Minister Yan stiffened, dreading the sight of something he shouldn't. The memorial in his hand was nearly rolled into a tight scroll.

In contrast, Pei Xingjian remained utterly composed. Since the emperor stayed silent, Lin Ting had no choice but to speak up himself. "Prime Minister, it's not what you think. Please, turn around first."

That border report wasn't something to be casually taken in and out. How could Pei Xingjian let Prime Minister Yan leave with such an important document? What if it delayed military affairs?

He shot Pei Xingjian an accusing glare, only to find the man's lips slightly curved, his dark eyes fixed on him. A shiver ran down Lin Ting's spine.

He felt that staying here any longer would only make things worse. It wasn't Prime Minister Yan who should leave—it was he.

"Perhaps you two should discuss this first. I'll step out for some air." He turned to leave, but the moment he took a step, he was yanked back.

"Does Minister Lin mean to flee again?"

Lin Ting's fingers twitched. What did he mean by "again"? He hadn't planned to run.

Prime Minister Yan's eyes darted between the emperor and Minister Lin, keenly sensing the unusual tension between them. Suddenly, it all made sense—no wonder the emperor had been so resistant to expanding the imperial consorts. So this was the reason.

While the love of male companions wasn't uncommon in Great Yong, and several past emperors had indulged in it, the ruler's duty to produce heirs had always been paramount. No matter what, the court officials would insist on imperial consorts.

But if their emperor truly wished to remain sworn to a single companion for life, even if it meant no heirs—

Well, that wasn't entirely unacceptable.

They could always adopt a talented child from the imperial clan and raise them as the heir.

Yan Que reached this conclusion in mere seconds. Given the emperor's condition, which noble family would dare send their precious child into the palace?

Better Minister Lin than anyone else. At least with him around, the court could face the emperor with peace of mind. Since Minister Lin's arrival, how harmonious the court had become!

His whiskers trembled as he declared with sudden understanding, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This subject will keep this strictly confidential—not a single word shall leave my lips."

Lin Ting read something unsettling in that resolute gaze and wanted to explain, but Pei Xingjian spoke first.

"How fares the border?"

With the discussion turning to state affairs, Lin Ting could no longer interject. He quietly resumed his seat at the small desk beside the Imperial Desk.

Prime Minister Yan submitted the memorial. "Since the late emperor's reign, Great Yong has clashed with Yelang multiple times. Though Yelang sued for peace, in recent years, they've repeatedly harassed our border towns. This time, Duke Wei achieved a great victory against them." His voice trembled with excitement.

Pei Xingjian unfolded the memorial and spread it across the Imperial Desk. Seated beside him, Lin Ting had a clear view of its contents.

Since Pei Xingjian allowed it, Lin Ting didn't hesitate. He craned his neck to read, but after just a few lines, he withdrew.

Alas—he still struggled with the complex characters of Great Yong's official script. While he could recognize most characters, the more archaic ones eluded him, making the full meaning indecipherable.

Coupled with the overly formal language, it was taxing.

"Never mind. I won't read it."

Pei Xingjian remained silent.

"Did you understand what was written?" he asked.

Lin Ting shook his head honestly. "No."

Pei Xingjian's breathing grew heavier. After a pause, he with apparent resignation retrieved the memorial.

Silence lingered for two seconds before a deep voice resonated through the hall.

Lin Ting's eyes widened slightly. Pei Xingjian was actually reading the memorial aloud for him.

His steady pulse faltered.

"Herein, Yelang requests to send envoys to the capital, humbly requesting Your Majesty's approval..."

Once finished, Pei Xingjian closed the memorial. "Minister Lin, did you comprehend its meaning now?"

Lin Ting finally nodded. After years of studying classical texts in his past life, he had enough intuition to grasp the meaning.

Pei Xingjian's tone was characteristically calm. "What are your thoughts?"

Prime Minister Yan spoke firmly. "This subject urges Your Majesty to reconsider. Yelang has warred with our nation for years and is known for covert machinations. If they truly enter Great Yong, one cannot predict what disturbances they might stir."

Pei Xingjian listened without comment, then turned to Lin Ting.

Prime Minister Yan followed the emperor's gaze.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Lin Ting looked up. What? Was his opinion needed too?

A muscle in Pei Xingjian's jaw tensed.

Prime Minister Yan smiled. "Does Minister Lin have any insights?"

Ah, this was about Yelang's proposed diplomatic visit.

Lin Ting's slow-working mind recalled that in the previous course of events, Yelang had also sent envoys to Great Yong around this time. By the time they reached the capital, the imperial examinations would already be over.

Back then, as the emperor's headaches worsened, his temperament grew ever more capricious. Some newly appointed officials even openly accused him of tyranny, claiming he defied the will of heaven.

In the end, Pei Xingjian executed them all. The blood flowing down the steps of Taihe Hall lasted three days and nights.

Many officials even considered resigning and returning home. After all, poverty was preferable to meeting an untimely end.

It was during this chaos that Yelang's envoys arrived, seemingly heaven-sent, swaying numerous court officials to their side. Eventually, Yelang allied with the Marquis of Anding, forcibly entered the palace on fabricated charges, usurped the throne, and brought about Great Yong's downfall.

Lin Ting mused. With the Marquis of Anding dead, Pei Xingjian's headaches being managed, and the court's perception of the emperor softening, what could Yelang possibly achieve now? Still, to be safe, he thought it best to keep them out.

"This subject agrees with Prime Minister Yan."

Prime Minister Yan immediately straightened with pride.

Pei Xingjian, however, seemed intrigued. "Why does Minister Lin think so?"

Lin Ting answered unhurriedly. "The late emperor repeatedly defeated Yelang. Though they sued for peace, they've hardly honored their agreements, still scheming behind our backs. Their sudden request now suggests dubious motives."

He squinted thoughtfully, watching the fierce winds outside—portending coming turbulence. "Perhaps they aim to turn court officials to their cause, cultivating them for future use."

Behind the Imperial Desk, the emperor's expression grew somber. The hall fell into heavy silence.

Prime Minister Yan broke into a sheen of nervous perspiration. This new official was daring in his conjecture—suggesting court officials might commit treason!

After a long silence, Pei Xingjian closed the memorial and said calmly, "We'll meet soldiers with shields and floods with dams. We have never been daunted by such matters. Since Yelang wishes to send envoys to our country, let them come. We are rather curious about what they intend to do."

With the decision made, Prime Minister Yan withdrew from the throne room.

Only three people remained in the throne room.

With nothing better to do, Lin Ting heard Pei Xingjian ask, "Minister Lin, why do you think Yelang's arrival in the capital is meant to poach our officials?"

Lin Ting was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. He couldn't very well say he had seen an alternate reality where doing this might lead to Pei Xingjian's death.

He could only hedge, "Last night, I suddenly dreamed of this possibility, though I'm not certain if it's true."

"Oh? So Minister Lin's dreams can prophesy now?"

Lin Ting forced a laugh.

Zhao Dehai, cowering in the corner, was sweating bullets.

*Lord Lin, you'd better be careful,* he thought. *The Emperor only learned of the great victory at the border today, yet you dreamed of Yelang's envoys coming to our country last night. The timing seems awfully convenient, doesn't it?*

Fortunately, Pei Xingjian didn't seem to mind. He had them stay for lunch and a midday rest before letting them leave.

Lin Ting spent the entire afternoon at the Ministry of Revenue, handling various matters related to the imperial examination. By the time he finished, the dismissal bell had already rung.

As he packed his things and headed out, he saw Prime Minister Yan lingering at the palace gates, looking around as if searching for someone.

He thought it was quite a coincidence to run into Prime Minister Yan twice in one day—until the man approached him.

Lin Ting: ???

Prime Minister Yan stopped before him and smiled kindly. "Lord Lin, do you have a moment?"

Lin Ting tilted his head slightly. "Did you need something else?"

Prime Minister Yan's grandson was among the candidates in this year's imperial examination. By convention, the two of them ought to avoid each other to prevent any conflict of interest. After decades in court service, how could Prime Minister Yan not understand such etiquette?

So, if he was seeking Lin Ting out, it must be important?

Lin Ting followed Yan Que into the same carriage.

"Lord Lin, I just wanted to ask—just out of a little curiosity—" He pinched his thumb and forefinger together. "You and His Majesty... are you really in *that* kind of relationship?"

Lin Ting leaned forward slightly. "What kind of relationship?"

Prime Minister Yan's face flushed slightly as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "This kind of relationship."

Lin Ting's eyes widened instantly, and he recoiled until his back hit the carriage frame.

*I knew it,* he thought. *Those ambiguous gestures from Pei Xingjian would get me killed sooner or later.*

"No, Prime Minister Yan. Let me explain—my relationship with His Majesty is strictly professional."

Prime Minister Yan gave a knowing look. "Lord Lin, there's no need to be modest. Everyone in the court knows your relationship with His Majesty is... special."

Some time ago, the elder ministers had been discussing how the Emperor, now at marriageable age, still refused to take concubines. That was until they heard Lord Lin could come and go freely from His Majesty's Chonghua Palace—even more, the Emperor had prepared a side chamber in Xiangning Palace for Lord Lin to reside in.

During the late Emperor's reign, that side chamber had been where consorts rested while accompanying the Emperor during nighttime paperwork.

Today, when Prime Minister Yan saw them in Chonghua Palace, it went beyond mere favor—the Emperor had practically placed the memorial right in front of Lord Lin. He'd even read it aloud, worried Lord Lin might not want to read it himself.

*If that isn't love, what is?* Certain he'd discovered the truth, Prime Minister Yan returned to the front court and consulted with Grand Tutor Zhang and other elder ministers.

These veterans of court intrigue, having weathered countless storms, concluded—Lord Lin and the Emperor were meant for each other, and no one should dare come between them.

As Lin Ting listened to Prime Minister Yan recount how he'd gathered the others to speculate about them, he was stunned. Who would have thought men their age could be so fond of rumors?

After rambling on, Prime Minister Yan added with concern, "Serving the sovereign is like keeping company with a tiger. His Majesty has a short fuse. If Lord Lin encounters anything unclear, this old man is always here to help."

Lin Ting remained stunned all the way to the Lin residence.

Even after watching Prime Minister Yan's carriage disappear into the distance, Lin Ting was still reeling from the man's words. He stumbled home in a daze, ate dinner, washed up, and lay down in bed.

The imperial robe bestowed upon him hung on the clothing rack, gently swaying before his eyes. The memory of its smooth, dignified texture surfaced in his mind.

*If I stay in the capital... could it qualify as retirement?*

...

The night was cold and silent, yet the bed seemed strangely warm.

The candlelight flickered by the bedside. In the haze of dreams, Lin Ting felt as though he were sinking into a bed strewn with petals, limbs bound and immobile. A dark fabric obscured his vision, and a pair of large hands slowly crept up his waist.

The air around him seemed ignited by the candlelight, his breaths laced with ambiguity and heat.

"Lord Lin." "Lord Lin?"

Lin Ting jolted awake to the sound of insistent knocking outside his door.

"Lord Lin, if you don't get up now, you'll be late for the morning court."

Lin Ting shifted slightly—then froze.

He clenched his legs together, his entire body burning. "Prepare everything first. I'll be right out."

The figure outside the door departed.

Lin Ting lingered in bed for a while longer, changing out of his soiled trousers. Unsure where to discard them, he stuffed them under the pillow.

The dream had felt too real. Even after waking, the lingering sensations of intimacy clung to his skin.

By the time he finished preparing and stepped outside, Lin Ting had finally regained his senses.

As he boarded the carriage, he tried to convince himself that everything from last night had just been a dream—nothing more.

But the moment he entered Chonghua Palace and caught a distant glimpse of that black-robed figure at the center, scenes from the dream came rushing back uncontrollably.

Caresses, kisses, murmurs...

Lin Ting's entire body burned as if set aflame.

Pei Xingjian watched as Lin Ting went stiff as a board: ?