The atmosphere of the banquet shifted. The sharp arguments became mundane, and the tense ambiance relaxed.
Kang Rui felt a pang of panic. Perhaps… the Empress Dowager was genuinely unwell. As people age, they become prone to illness.
The Emperor’s expression turned cold. These were his ministers—no, they weren’t even his ministers, but the Empress Dowager’s.
If even Kang Rui could sense it, how could the Emperor fail to notice?
Yet Kang Rui also adjusted the direction of his policy discussions. The Emperor was not in power now, nor would he be in the future. Why waste time on him?
…
Outside Cian Palace.
The imposing An Guo Gong, Song Chengyi, with his long beard and rigid posture, glared coldly at Lin Qingyuan beside him. What did his daughter see in him? A pretty face? A weakling who couldn’t lift a hand or carry a load—so frail he could be crushed with one hand! Utterly useless.
The more An Guo Gong looked at Lin Qingyuan, the more displeased he became. His attire… Hah, he certainly knew how to dress. It must have been chosen by his daughter.
The only thing saving him from utter foolishness was that he hadn’t signed a contract of servitude with the Cao family. Otherwise, An Guo Gong would have disposed of him first. "Wait here."
Lin Qingyuan replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Grace."
The Empress Dowager glanced behind Song Chengyi. "Where is he?"
Before Song Chengyi could finish his bow, he straightened at her words.
"Enough. Bring him in. If you couldn’t stand him, you wouldn’t have brought him. Since you did, why put on airs?"
Song Chengyi disagreed. "It’s not the same!" When he first heard, he had wanted to kill the boy himself. But his daughter wasn’t weeping and insisting on marrying him—she merely wanted them to evaluate him.
Moreover, his investigations revealed that the boy and his daughter had no improper relations.
More importantly, after keeping the boy by his side for a few days, he found him tolerable: quiet, hardworking, not putting on scholarly airs in the military camp, able to chat with anyone. He rather suited Song Chengyi’s temperament, though he was still unfit for high society, mingling best with commoners. "He’s far from worthy of Chuyu."
"Who isn’t far from worthy of Chuyu? Summon him in." She valued more the recent changes in Chuyu—no longer ignorant of court affairs, with long-term plans for her ships. Compared to finding a man to rely on, she hoped Chuyu would stand on her own.
—"Summon Lin Qingyuan for an audience!"—
Lin Qingyuan knelt in the hall.
The Empress Dowager spoke softly with her maid.
Lin Qingyuan remained kneeling.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
The Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Lin Qingyuan.
Lin Qingyuan placed his hands forward and kowtowed.
"You are Lin Qingyuan."
"Your Majesty, this humble commoner is he."
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Has the Princess approached you?"
Lin Qingyuan could not help but feel nervous, but he suppressed it completely. "Your Majesty, I am grateful for the opportunity Her Highness has granted me."
"What if you betray the Princess?"
Lin Qingyuan straightened his back, his gaze fixed on the teacup in the Empress Dowager’s hand. "Your Majesty, with you and His Grace here, how could I betray the Princess?"
"What if Ai and the Duke are no longer here?"
The Duke made to speak but was silenced by the Empress Dowager.
Lin Qingyuan kowtowed again. "Your Majesty and His Grace could take me with you first."
"That won’t be necessary. However, if the Princess marries, she may have little time for household trivialities. And since she would be marrying beneath her station, if she appears in public too often, it might harm your reputation."
"Your Majesty, the Princess oversees the palace affairs. How could there be trivial household matters? It is only natural that her duties are complex. This commoner's reputation is indeed important to me, but reputation is the path I have walked myself. When embarking on this journey, one should know what lies ahead and where the destination lies. Those who walk alongside are both companions and friends. The world of my friends, even if unrecognized by others, remains my world and my breadth—an unavoidable truth. Once on this path, we all seek to broaden it, not narrow it. Those who criticize from the roadside are merely where they belong, as is fitting. I too have stood on my own path and criticized others' ways. Yet, while criticism may reach our ears, it should not deter our steps. Therefore, there is nothing unacceptable about criticism—freedom of speech."
The Empress Dowager glanced at him, finding this young man somewhat intriguing: "What is your view on my governance?"
The Duke stiffened, about to rise.
The Empress Dowager shot him a look—why the haste? Did he think she would have the man executed?
Lin Qingyuan appeared perplexed: "Your Majesty, you assumed responsibility in times of crisis. What thoughts should this commoner have?" Naturally, governance was simply governance.
"Have I not yet returned authority to the Emperor?"
"The concept of a nation is vast and weighty, bearing the responsibility for the common people, protecting all living beings, and placating officials—all resting on one person's shoulders. Awake, it is the sprawling land; in dreams, it is external threats and internal urgencies. One contemplates the state of the territory yet manages the struggles among close advisors. Coincidentally, the disasters across the three rivers and nine tributaries are too severe. This humble commoner, lacking talent, has detoured around such matters. Thus, I dare not recklessly discuss state affairs." Meaning, rather than idle away time pondering this, both would be better off focusing on practical matters.
"Audacious!" The Duke stood up, ready to seize him.
"Enough, enough. Who are you putting on a show for? Southern disasters have been thus through the ages—not something resolved overnight. They will pass in due course."
Lin Qingyuan fell silent. He saw no need to reason with those in power: "Your Majesty speaks wisely."
"Live well with Chuyu from now on. Additionally, report to the Ministry of Works to fill a vacancy." His status was unsightly.
Lin Qingyuan stared blankly, then promptly kowtowed: "This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your grace! May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
Song Chengyi withdrew his foot, which had been poised to kick him—the boy knew his place.