"Your Majesty," said Lin Qingge, "it's not surprising that the late Emperor knew about Mo'er's existence, but was it really necessary to write a personal decree?"
In response to Lin Qingge's question, the new Emperor cast a meaningful glance at her and said softly,
"Would you believe me if I told you this was all at your brother Lin Jingxing's fervent urging?"
"I believe you."
If the new Emperor had said it was for Lin Zimo, Lin Qingge might not have believed him, but upon hearing her nominal brother's name, she inexplicably did.
"Your brother Lin Jingxing's condition for agreeing to foster Mo'er was that I must obtain a personal decree from the late Emperor proving Lin Zimo's royal identity.
I asked him for his reasons, but each time he brushed it off lightly.
At that time, Concubine Ruan, the late Emperor's favorite, was trying to persuade him to depose me as Crown Prince and install the Fourth Prince instead.
Although Concubine Ruan's maternal family, the Duke of Zhenguo, was influential, they were not as powerful as my mother's family.
The late Emperor himself had experienced struggles for the throne. Even with his favoritism towards Concubine Ruan, he would not do something as foolish as arbitrarily changing the heir apparent, inviting criticism from posterity.
Moreover, the late Emperor knew better than anyone that while the Fourth Prince might be a good son, he might not be a good emperor.
So, when I approached him, he proposed an exchange: after his passing, once I ascended the throne, he would spare Concubine Ruan and her son, ensuring their financial security for the rest of their lives."
At the end of his words, a mocking curve formed on the new Emperor's lips.
"From beginning to end, besides the throne and the Great Xia empire, all he cared about were that mother and son..."
"Your Majesty, the deceased are gone. Why dwell on those who are of no consequence?"
One referred to their 'Imperial Father' as the late Emperor with a distant tone, while the other directly called him an inconsequential person.
It was clear that both of them held reservations about the late Emperor.
However, Lin Qingge was not interested in other people's family affairs. She was curious about her nominal brother's intentions.
Sometimes, she even suspected that her nominal brother possessed some kind of foresight.
Otherwise, how could her nominal brother, a mere student coming to the capital, have so coincidentally saved the Crown Prince's flesh and blood?
As Lin Qingge pondered this to no avail, the new Emperor issued an order:
"Rong San, the decree is hidden in a secret place within the Eastern Palace. You will retrieve it personally later."
"Yes~"
"Also, expedite the collection of disaster relief funds. Remember to allocate some from my private treasury as well."
"Your Majesty, Feng Si and I have made a rough estimate. Thanks to your grace, the disaster relief funds are not only sufficient but will also have twenty percent left over. Therefore, there is no need to draw from your private treasury~"
"No, one thing is one thing.
Besides, I am not lacking in funds."
"If Your Majesty is not lacking, you can gift them to this humble servant!"
Lin Qingge interjected again. Just as the new Emperor was about to roll his eyes, the Empress walked over.
"I have the money, and I can give it to you."
Leng Ningyue, who had inherited her family fortune and was now a wealthy woman, stated truthfully. However, Lin Qingge, uncharacteristically, shook her head:
"Madam, you and I are one. Please keep that money for yourself.
But His Majesty is different.
No matter how much effort he puts in, or how he schemed and plundered, he is ultimately an outsider.
Is taking money from an outsider the same as taking our own money?"
"Lin-Qing-ge!"
The new Emperor, his eyes red with anger and veins bulging on his forehead, called out his full name.
It was as if the name, squeezed out from between his teeth, was not a name at all, but flesh and blood being chewed and spat out.
Sensing that the new Emperor's gaze towards her was a little too fierce, Lin Qingge was about to say something to add fuel to the fire—no, to offer words of praise and flattery—when Feng Qingchen beat her to it.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble minister believes that General Zhang Ziliang is the most suitable official to escort the disaster relief funds.
Firstly, General Zhang Ziliang has experience in escorting disaster relief funds. Secondly, General Zhang Ziliang is loyal and brave. Thirdly, General Zhang Ziliang has had little contact with Lord Lin.
As long as Lord Lin remains in the capital, there will not be any major disruptions."
Lin Qingge: ???
"Escorting the disaster relief funds is one matter, but the flood control is also urgent.
In addition to the originally appointed personnel, I propose that Xu Siyun accompany the team south in his capacity as Supervising Censor~"
"Rong San, I admit that Xu Siyun is indeed excellent.
However, is it not a bit inappropriate to have a newly appointed Zhuangyuan, fresh out of the academy, directly manage flood control?"
"Feng Si, have you forgotten? Xu Siyun's father, Lord Xu Changling, was repeatedly dispatched by the late Emperor to manage flood control outside the capital~"
"Well, this is clearly a case of the drunkard's intention not being wine.
I knew why you insisted on keeping Xu Siyun; you're actually trying to scheme against his father!"
"Feng Si, how can this be called scheming~
It should be called making the best use of resources~"
Lin Qingge, thinking that Hua Jinrong was quite suitable for the position of Prime Minister in a certain aspect, exchanged glances with Leng Ningyue.
The two did not stay in the palace but insisted on taking Lin Zimo back to the Lin mansion.
However, before Leng Ningyue could retrieve Lin Zimo from the rear hall, Princess Yongning arrived.
"My lord, I've finally found you!
Oh, and brother-emperor is here too!"
Princess Yongning offered a perfunctory bow before rushing to Lin Qingge and saying anxiously,
"My lord, I haven't been able to find that fellow Zhou Zeli for several days.
Just now, the person I sent brought back news that Zhou Zeli hasn't returned to the academy in three days.
My lord, do you think Zhou Zeli has been involved in some case and cannot extricate himself, or perhaps..."
As she trailed off, Princess Yongning became distraught.
"It's all my fault. Why did I get angry with that blockhead?
It's not like I witnessed the entire process of him being rejected when he confessed his love to Siyun!
If he doesn't like me, then he doesn't like me. Siyun doesn't like him either, so it balances out.
Why did I have to be so stupid back then and go up to mock him?
Then I was too proud to apologize, and that's why it took me so long to realize he was missing!
It's over. He was already dejected from missing the imperial examinations. My lord, do you think he might do something rash and take his own life?"
...
Finding the thought processes of today's young people extremely peculiar, Lin Qingge, while speechless, had to offer words of comfort:
"Princess Yongning, please calm down first.
Brother Zhou is prudent in his actions and doesn't seem like someone who would take his own life.
How about this? I happen to be free. Tomorrow, I will accompany you to the Hanlin Academy to see if Brother Zhou has left any letters or clues."
However, as soon as Lin Qingge finished speaking, An Ling suddenly appeared in the hall.
He whispered a few words into Feng Qingchen's ear, and Feng Qingchen's expression immediately changed drastically.
"Your Majesty, great trouble! King Wu Cheng has escaped!"