Chapter 169: Hold On, Imperial Advisor! I, the Emperor, Have Recovered 6

Chapter 169: Wait, Imperial Preceptor! I'm Cured 6

"Of course I can treat it, but Your Majesty must be honest with me about your condition and specific symptoms so I can prescribe the right medicine."

Hearing Qin Hanyue say this, Lin Huaiqing had no choice but to reveal his secret to this man he did not fully trust.

He could only hope that Qin Hanyue truly had a solution.

"Actually, ever since I hit puberty, I..."

"Puberty?"

"After the age of twelve! Since that time, I realized I was different from ordinary men. It seems I've never had those worldly desires. Do you understand?"

"This... Your Majesty, please be more specific."

"I can't perform! Can you treat it?"

Even in the eyes of someone as aloof as Qin Hanyue, Lin Huaiqing could see a flash of disbelief.

After all, any man would sympathize with such a plight.

"Your Majesty, please wait. Allow me to take your pulse once more."

After roughly the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Qin Hanyue finally spoke with furrowed brows:

"Is it that Your Majesty can't, or that you're not able to? The difference between the two is quite significant."

"Well... I can't get it up, and I've never been with a woman, so I cannot answer that question."

For some reason, Lin Huaiqing thought he caught a glimmer of delight in Qin Hanyue's eyes, though it was quickly concealed.

"I see."

Lin Huaiqing felt inexplicably furious—how dare this man laugh at him?!

"I feel like the Imperial Preceptor seems rather pleased to learn my secret! This matter concerns the honor of the nation. If anyone else were to find out, I won't show any mercy!"

In truth, Lin Huaiqing was only trying to scare Qin Hanyue. What could he even do to a cultivator anyway?

"Rest assured, Your Majesty! Since Your Majesty trusts me so deeply, how could I disappoint you? I will certainly find a way to help Your Majesty."

Since that night, their relationship had gradually thawed.

In Lin Huaiqing's eyes, Qin Hanyue was still a sanctimonious fake and a real snake. But if he could use his skills to restore his manhood, that would be a good solution after all.

Before the morning court began, Lin Huaiqing finally spotted the man he had been looking for in the crowd.

Fortunately, his eyesight was sharp. From his dragon throne, Lin Huaiqing scanned all the officials from afar.

Finally, near the spot just outside the hall, he found Lin Cheng chatting with someone nearby.

Though Lin Cheng was no longer as dashing as when they first met, he had become more mature and steady. The allure of a mature man radiated from him effortlessly.

No wonder he was his eldest brother—standing out among a crowd of old geezers and becoming the youngest third-rank official in the court.

The more Lin Huaiqing looked, the warmer he felt toward his brother. He couldn't help stealing a few extra glances, but Lin Cheng noticed. He quickly looked away.

He turned his head to the other side, only to lock eyes with Qin Hanyue, who was standing in the corner staring at him with a cold, icy stare.

To his surprise, Qin Hanyue, who rarely attended court, had shown up today as well.

But unlike the other officials gathered together chatting, Qin Hanyue stood alone, still wearing that moon-white Daoist robe, standing out strikingly among the officials in their formal attire.

Did Qin Hanyue have no friends at court? Why was he all alone, with no one to talk to?

With this question lingering in his mind, the morning court officially began.

"Your Majesty! Recently, the border has been in turmoil. The enemy state has repeatedly sent troops to attack our border defenses. I beg Your Majesty to send troops to strike the Qiang Kingdom to pacify the border."

Lin Huaiqing didn't recognize the speaker, but he knew very well that this man was a stooge sent by Zhao Ge.

The Yue Kingdom was no longer what it had been during the late emperor's reign. Its national power was a shadow of its former self. Though the Qiang Kingdom frequently provoked, it was just testing the waters.

If he actually sent troops to attack the Qiang Kingdom, he would become a figurehead emperor with no army left. Zhao Ge could storm in and take his head at any moment.

He was merely lacking a pretext to start a war.

"Minister Zhao, what is your view on this matter?"

"Your Majesty! I believe what General Chen said has a point. If the border folk are restless, it's because our officials and generals are incompetent. For a small Western Region tribe like the Qiang Kingdom to push us around—no wonder General Chen is outraged. We civil officials feel the same way."

They all spoke so piously, and quite a few officials in court echoed their sentiments. This court was truly hopeless.

Lin Huaiqing smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. These officials were clearly setting a trap for him.

So this was what it meant to be a figurehead emperor. Called an emperor, but really just a pair of drawers—you have to catch whatever shit others drop.

From his elevated throne, Lin Huaiqing forced a smile but could only outwardly agree. "I understand your outrage, Prime Minister. And what does Minister Lin think?"

Lin Cheng, who had been standing in the very last row, jolted. He never imagined the emperor would actually ask for his opinion.

He was merely the Chief Justice of the Grand Court. If there were miscarriages of justice or major cases among the people, those were indeed his jurisdiction.

Though he attended court daily, aside from the period right after his promotion, the emperor rarely spoke to him more than a few times a year.

Why would such a national matter be asked of him?

Reminded by someone beside him, Lin Cheng snapped back to reality and walked somewhat hastily to the center of the hall.

In truth, his mind was completely blank. He tried to remember what they'd been talking about.

Something about attacking the Qiang Kingdom?

"I believe the Qiang Kingdom, though weak, is backed by the powerful Zheng Kingdom. If the Qiang Kingdom faces trouble, the Zheng Kingdom would likely jump at the chance to send troops. Moreover, Your Majesty has only just taken the throne, and the situation is unstable. Thus, it would be wise to be patient and bide our time."

Lin Cheng felt he had spoken well, but when he looked up, he saw Zhao Ge shooting him a glare from not far away.

Obviously somewhat displeased with him.

However, Lin Cheng didn't let it bother him. Since the emperor had actually asked for his opinion, he'd say what he thought.

"Hmm! Well said, Beloved Minister Lin. The Prime Minister has indeed groomed a truly capable talent for me!"

Lin Huaiqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. His brother was his brother—he'd never screw him over.

But Zhao Ge refused to let it go and pressed on:

"Your Majesty! Tingwei Lin is still young. He excels at cracking cases, but he knows very little about matters between nations. Your Majesty shouldn't take him at his word."

"Yes, Your Majesty! Chancellor Zhao Ge speaks the truth! The border folk are our Yue Kingdom's people too. They're suffering, and we ministers can't rest easy in good conscience!"

"We agree!"

So teaming up to set him up—that sits fine with their consciences?

Seeing this, Lin Cheng had long grown used to it. He quietly slipped back to his spot, trying to stay out of the spotlight.

In his view, it was only a matter of time before Zhao Ge made his move for the throne. He wasn't on his own anymore, so naturally, he had to plan for the future of himself and his wife and kids.