His younger brother was more thoughtful.
The Emperor had not explicitly stated that Lin Zhenfan had to prostrate himself all the way from the palace gate to the study door. Thus, the brothers could make good use of the officials following them.
“Your Excellencies, the Great General of Zhennan fought against Southern Zhao in his early years, and the serious injuries he sustained left him with lingering ailments. His health has not been good. Today, he may require some assistance from all of you.”
The cunning Lin Zhenfan smiled as he looked at the officials. Several officials initially did not understand Lin Zhenfei’s intentions.
At this moment, one of the fifth-rank officials, surnamed Mei, seeking an opportunity to curry favor with the Lin brothers, immediately flattered them with a smile, “Duke of Qin, the Great General of Zhennan serves the Tianwu Kingdom. This is a righteous act. We, as officials of the Tianwu Kingdom, will do our best to help if we can.”
“Well said, Lord Mei. Our Tianwu Kingdom should have more officials like you, who command respect, serve His Majesty, help each other as colleagues, and bring fortune to the common people.”
Lin Zhenfei praised him without reservation. This Lord Mei had not yet realized that he had already fallen into the pit dug by the Lin brothers.
At this time, he was still basking in the glory of Lin Zhenfei’s praise.
“Duke Lin, these are all minor matters, not worth mentioning.” Lord Mei was still smug.
“If that is the case, then please, Your Excellencies, help the Great General of Zhennan by prostrating yourselves for his entire journey, from the palace gate all the way to the study door. I believe with the abilities of you eight officials, this small matter should not be difficult for you.”
Lin Zhenfei spoke with a smile, but a hint of cunning flashed in his narrow, fox-like eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over the officials.
Upon hearing this, the expressions that had been beaming on the faces of the officials instantly turned somber. So these two brothers had been setting a trap for them all along.
As for the Lord Mei who had just flattered Lin Zhenfei and Lin Zhenfan, he was now filled with regret.
Why had he been so eager to show off?
Now he had jumped into the pit dug by these two foxes.
He finally understood the purpose of Lin Zhenfei asking these minor officials to greet Lin Zhenfan. It was for them to take the punishment.
Just then, Jun Mo Yao also arrived at the palace gate.
“Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, what are you doing standing here? Why aren’t you going in?” Jun Mo Yao, unaware of the situation, asked curiously.
“This humble minister pays his respects to His Highness Prince Qing!” Seeing Jun Mo Yao approaching them, the Lin brothers slowly led the officials in bowing to him.
“Everyone, please rise!” Prince Qing, Jun Mo Yao, quickened his pace and came before the Lin Zhenfei and Lin Zhenfan brothers, helping them up.
“Your Highness Prince Qing, it’s like this. Because this humble minister returned to the capital early to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday without receiving His Majesty’s decree, I have angered His Majesty. His Majesty has ordered this humble minister to prostrate himself all the way from the palace gate to the study door before I can meet him. However, due to a severe waist injury sustained while campaigning in Southern Zhao years ago, this humble minister’s body cannot endure prolonged prostration. Therefore, entering the palace this time is somewhat difficult!” Lin Zhenfan said with a troubled expression and a look of helplessness.
“Alas, Zhenfan, you needn’t worry. Didn’t Lord Mei just say that they would be very happy to help you complete this arduous journey of prostration before meeting the Emperor?” Lin Zhenfei reminded him intentionally.
Lord Mei heard Lin Zhenfei’s words and immediately broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed the Lin brothers had no intention of abandoning their idea of having the officials substitute for Lin Zhenfan’s prostration. He really shouldn’t have spoken those words just now.
He regretted it now, but it was too late. His colleagues must have hated him to death.
As he had expected, the officials beside him were indeed gnashing their teeth with hatred for Lord Mei. They knew best how far it was from the palace gate to the study door. They were no longer young, and having them prostrate one after another to the study door would likely mean their knees and waists wouldn’t recover for a month.
“Lord Mei, since that’s the case, you shall start. The others will take turns, one after another. This King will have Zuo Qing help you measure the distance, to see how long each person needs to prostrate, so as to avoid unfairness,” Prince Qing, Jun Mo Han, said sternly, pointing at Lord Mei with his finger.
“Yes… Yes, this humble minister obeys!” Although Lord Mei was very unwilling to take punishment for others, they dared not complain in front of Prince Qing and the Lin brothers. He could only swallow his pride and endure the injustice.
Immediately, Lord Mei knelt down at the palace entrance and began to prostrate himself all the way. The other officials followed behind him. Prince Qing, however, sent someone to call for three sedan chairs from within the palace, allowing his eldest and second uncles to sit in the sedan chairs and watch these minor officials prostrate themselves to the study door.
Standing on the city wall not far away, dressed in a white robe, Prince Ning’s attire was gently blown by the soft, warm breeze, making him look ethereal.
He looked at the scene unfolding in the palace corridor with a mocking expression. He raised his hand and flicked his folding fan, then elegantly fanned himself twice. Afterwards, he used the opened fan in his hand to cover his handsome, sculpted, and sexy red lips, letting out a cold laugh. The corner of his mouth curled up dismissively.
After glancing at the scene in the palace below, Prince Ning suddenly turned around, placed one hand behind his back, and with his elegant and aloof gait, he hurried away.
Half an hour later, Prince Qing and the Lin brothers, with the help of the foolish officials like Lord Mei who were taking their punishment, finally arrived at the study door.
The Emperor already knew that Lin Zhenfan was exploiting loopholes and finding people to substitute for his prostration. At this moment, his heart was filled with rage.
“Your Majesty, Prince Qing, the Great General of Zhennan, and Duke Lin are waiting outside.”
Eunuch Li hurried in from outside, habitually flicking his horsetail whisk, and then said in a shrill, duck-like voice.
“Let the three of them in!” The Emperor spoke these words with a harsh tone, his face dark and angry, looking extremely terrifying.
“Yes, this servant will go invite the three of them in now.” Eunuch Li replied with his head bowed. Even though he did not see the Emperor’s expression, he could tell how angry the Emperor was just by the sound of his voice.
Eunuch Li turned and retreated. The Emperor immediately picked up the hot tea that the palace maids had just brewed and placed on the table, blew on it, and took a sip. Prince Qing and the Lin brothers walked in.
“Your humble subject (this humble minister) pays his respects to Father Emperor (Your Majesty). May Father Emperor (Your Majesty) live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand thousand years!” Prince Qing and the Lin brothers bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
“Lin Zhenfan, how dare you return to the capital without my decree,” the Emperor said gloomily.
After speaking, the Emperor raised his hand and threw the scalding teacup in his hand at Lin Zhenfan’s head.