mtl008 Is it okay to just say this in Chapter 146?
Is it okay to just say this in Chapter 146?
Lin Shihe was right; in just half a day, Lin Shiming had caused him another mess. But what could be done? Lu Yuxi couldn't just ignore it; she still had to clean up the mess for her Crown Princess.
Lu Yuxi closed her eyes, trying to block out and forget the ambiguous moans in her ears, and spoke to the scene in front of her.
"I would be grateful if Senior Lin You would come out and meet me. I have something I would like to say to you."
As Lu Yuxi finished speaking, the ambiguous moans in his ear gradually faded away. A voice came from not far away.
"Looks like you're not stupid after all; you've figured out what's going on, haven't you?"
Lu Yuxi immediately opened her eyes. The stimulating and erotic scene from the previous night had disappeared, and what greeted her was the young Taoist priest from last night.
He quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "Lu Yuxi greets senior."
"You're actually more polite than that little bastard Lin Shiming." Lin You circled around Lu Yuxi. "I'm just wondering, how did you two, with such different personalities, get together?"
Lu Yuxi withdrew her hand, lowered her head and smiled reservedly, "My meeting with him was a matter of fate. I really like his free and lively personality."
Even when they become lively, they are extremely lethal and do not distinguish between friend and foe.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
Lin You's gaze towards Lu Yuxi became strange. He was speechless when he recalled hearing Lu Yuxi say that Lin Shiming was "young and ignorant" during the sacrificial ceremony earlier that day.
"'Still free and lively', it's probably a free and lively Indian missile. Once launched, the whole world will be terrified."
"What are you talking about, Senior?"
"It's okay, you must have misheard."
Lin You casually waved his hand, and the surrounding scenery transformed back into that simple, unpretentious courtyard. He leisurely walked to the stone bench, sat down, and pulled out a tea set from somewhere to start drinking tea.
"Didn't you have something to say to me? Go ahead and say it."
The astonishing change before his eyes amazed Lu Yuxi, but he did not show it and remained calm and composed as he spoke.
"This junior would like to ask the senior what reward Shi Ming agreed to when he asked you for help? Shi Ming asked the senior for help because of my mother, so the reward should naturally be paid by this junior."
"Oh, then you pay." Lin You took a sip of tea, then pulled a piece of candied fruit from his sleeve and popped it into his mouth, surprisingly easygoing and agreeable. "He promised to tell me about the details of your relationship, and he also agreed to let me ask him ten questions."
As he spoke, Lin You gave him a malicious smile.
Lu Yuxi was shocked.
No wonder Lin Shiming always said that his ancestor was unreliable, and even made Lin Shiming, who is always a man of his word and dares to take responsibility, renege on his debts. So that's why!
Even Lin Shiming felt ashamed of this, so Lu Yuxi, being so conservative, blushed just thinking about it and felt so ashamed she wanted to crawl into the ground.
After much deliberation, he decided to try and find a more acceptable form of compensation.
"...Senior, how about I hold another memorial service for you and give you some gifts? Whatever you want, I will do my best to fulfill it."
Unfortunately, Lin You didn't take the bait. He spoke his mind directly: "Hold it again? With pear blossom wine that's been diluted with half a jar of water? Or are you just going to keep mentally screaming that I can't do anything to him?"
Lu Yuxi: "... ..."
Case solved.
No wonder he always felt that Lin Shiming was guilty, but he couldn't figure out what was wrong. This guy is a master at causing trouble; he really knows how to cover things up.
However, Lu Yuxi wouldn't join others in speaking ill of Lin Shiming. She just sighed inwardly and tried her best to explain and smooth things over, "Shiming... is a bit naughty. I will definitely teach him well in the future. Please don't be angry with him, senior."
"I'm going to have him." Lin You smiled brightly, completely unmoved by Lu Yuxi's act. "If I don't teach him a lesson, he'll really think I can't handle him!"
"Either you learn all those techniques and use them on him in the future, or you pay the fee and we'll call it even. Choose one, hurry up! It's exhausting for me to even appear in your dreams!"
Neither option was ideal, but given their guilty conscience, they had no choice but to make this decision. They had to give Lin You an explanation, didn't they? Otherwise, receiving his painstaking help and then not giving anything in return was not something Lu Yuxi would do.
Not to mention that Lin Shiming not only reneged on his debt, but also took advantage of the situation and bragged about it in front of others. He couldn't let it go, so he had to appease Lin You.
Lu Yuxi pondered, beginning to weigh the acceptability of the two options. Clearly, in Lu Yuxi's mind, compared to Lin Shiming, his own pride and sense of shame were worthless.
Aside from matters of national importance, Lin Shiming would undoubtedly be his top priority.
Lu Yuxi lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before finally sighing and slowly speaking.
*
It's a new day, the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).
The sky was already beginning to lighten. Zhao Lei tiptoed into the main hall and knocked on the door both inside and outside.
"Your Highness, it's time to get up."
The sound, neither too loud nor too soft, made Lin Shiming frown and turn over, but he didn't wake up. Instead, he raised his hand and buried himself in the blanket to continue sleeping soundly.
Lu Yuxi, who was beside her, slowly woke up, but did not respond to Zhao Lei outside in time. Instead, she stared blankly at the bed curtains above her head, looking quite withdrawn.
Last night, in order to save his Crown Princess, Lu Yuxi used up all the shame he had ever felt in his life, completely exposing all his memories, before Lin You was satisfied and agreed to let them go, leaving the matter behind.
He really couldn't understand how a Taoist priest could be so gossipy. He even asked about the details of their wedding night, and almost made him write a passionate inner monologue.
After that night, Lu Yuxi couldn't muster any interest in doing anything for a while.
"Your Highness?" Zhao Lei called out again after a long silence, "We have to attend the morning court session today. If we don't get up soon, we might be late."
Lu Yuxi glanced at the "big drum" beside her, while Lin Shiming hid himself completely under the covers.
"I'm up. Go and prepare the water."
"Yes."
Zhao Lei tiptoed out, and Lu Yuxi breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart. She lifted the blanket and looked at Lin Shiming, who was sleeping soundly inside.
Last night, Lin You's last words kept echoing in his mind during his dream.
"Since you've been so obedient and polite, I'll give you a piece of information, absolutely true! Your 'lively and adorable' Crown Princess is plotting how to... bully you instead."
Lin You had a wicked grin on his face at the time, and his sneaky look was creepy.
"You'd better watch out, or one day that little brat will turn the tables and become the master, or you'll lose all your dignity and face."
After saying that, Lin You patted Lu Yuxi's shoulder meaningfully before stepping back and dispelling the dream.
This news was a far greater shock to Lu Yuxi than any reward.
Lu Yuxi raised her hand and gently pinched Lin Shiming's chin, her thumb rubbing it continuously. Judging from Lin Shiming's usual personality, this was most likely true.
Who would have thought he had such "lofty ambitions"?
As her thoughts drifted away, Lu Yuxi unconsciously tightened her grip, waking Lin Shiming from his sleep.
"What are you doing so early in the morning!" Lin Shiming impatiently slapped his hand away and pulled the blanket tighter around himself. "If you're angry, figure out how to calm yourself down!"
Lu Yuxi's expression remained unchanged as she gazed intently at Lin Shiming, who was still yawning.
"Shi Ming, if you suddenly found out that someone wanted to attack you, would you try to strike first?"
Lin Shiming, with his eyes closed, casually replied, "That's obvious! I, a dignified young general, will certainly not suffer any injustice!"
"Okay." Lu Yuxi smiled gently. "I'll do as you say."
*
With the Sixth Prince's wedding over, there are no occasions in the near future where Bai Qiongzhu will need to attend.
To make things more plausible, Nan Gu began administering memory-erasing drugs to Bai Qiongzhu, and also spread rumors that Bai Qiongzhu's condition was worsening and that he was nearing the end of his life.
Over the years, everyone had been aware of and prepared for Bai Qiongzhu's situation, so when they heard the news, no one doubted anything; they just felt it was natural and not surprising at all.
But the sixth prince and his newlywed princess were very interested in it.
The moment the news spread, the two hurriedly submitted their petitions to Lin Shiming, insisting on entering the palace to attend to their ailing mother. Lin Shiming refused several times, but they wouldn't give up; they even went directly to the Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, please allow me to attend to my ailing mother and fulfill my filial duty!"
Lin Shiming had already said it all before, and he weakly propped his head up as he explained again, "The Empress Dowager said that she doesn't like having people to take care of her when she's sick, and she just wants to be alone."
"But, but..." Cui Yin looked like she was about to cry, "How can I pretend that nothing is wrong? Your Highness, please call me."
"...Can't you understand what I'm saying?" Lin Shiming's temper finally flared up. "Why do you insist on going to Fengyi Palace? If you want to show filial piety, you can stay home and copy scriptures and pray for blessings. Why do you have to take care of the sick?"
Cui Yin's anxious demeanor clashed drastically with her aloof expression. "Your Majesty..."
"If you don't tell me, I'll see you out." I really don't have time to waste chatting with you; I have a lot of things to do for the imperial examinations!
"Your Highness!" Cui Yin stood up anxiously, bit her lip and hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and said, "This matter is due to my own selfish reasons."
"Your Majesty, I am just worried that since I have just married into the family, Your Majesty has already... I am also afraid that someone will use this matter to spread rumors that I am cursed to bring misfortune to my family. I am not really worried, at most people will say a few words, it will be nothing serious."
"But I have sisters in my family. I can't bear to see them suffer because of me, as it will affect their marriages. That's why I was thinking about how I could serve my mother wholeheartedly, so that I could at least leave a good reputation and not implicate my sisters."
Cui Yin kept her head down as she explained the reason, and after a long while, she suddenly raised her head and looked at Lin Shiming with tears in her eyes.
"Your Highness, please rest assured. I may have my own selfish reasons, but my filial piety towards my mother is genuine. As long as Your Highness allows me to serve my mother during her illness, I will personally take care of everything, day and night, without the slightest slackening!"
I understand. She's afraid that if something happens to her stepmother right after she gets married, people will spread rumors and label her as having an unlucky fate. So she plans to use "filial piety" as a way to save herself.
This idea is perfectly reasonable, and the means of self-rescue are also logical and quite ingenious. However, it is a pity that Bai Qiongzhu's condition is indeed not suitable for having someone to take care of her, and her current physical condition cannot be disclosed.
But he couldn't ignore Cui Yin's concerns. After all, she hadn't done anything wrong; she simply wanted to protect herself through her own efforts and hadn't done anything immoral. He couldn't just stop her without giving her any explanation.
Lin Shiming pondered for a moment before replying, "The Empress Dowager's health has been showing signs for some time now, and it's not that everyone is unaware of it. It's just that this day is finally approaching, which is expected and has nothing to do with your fate."
"As for attending to the sick, there is really no need. The Empress Dowager does not wish for anyone else to serve her, and there will be a clear decree tomorrow. At that time, you can copy scriptures and pray for blessings in your own residence. If you are sincere and earnest, and the matter is known to the public, it will be considered as fulfilling your filial duty."
With the imperial decree in place, Cui Yin's prayers and copying of scriptures were sufficient. Once the matter was settled, praising her for her "thoughtful efforts" would be a simple matter.
"If anyone uses the Empress Dowager as a scapegoat to attack others, report it to the Crown Prince's Palace, and I will punish them accordingly."
Therefore, no one dared to use Bai Qiongzhu's "death" as an excuse to cause trouble.
“You are the daughter of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but you don’t need to be so timid and cautious.”
Cui Yin understood the implication and finally breathed a sigh of relief. She gracefully bowed and said, "Your Highness, I thank you."
"No need to be so polite." Lin Shiming waved his hand, serving tea to see the guest out.
*
Lin Shiming acted quickly and went to Fengyi Palace that same day.
Bai Qiongzhu's memories would be suppressed day by day, so things that could be dealt with as soon as possible should be dealt with as soon as possible. Perhaps it was good luck, but when he arrived, Bai Qiongzhu happened to be lucid, and the matter was handled immediately after being explained.
As the hour of Shen (3-5 PM) passed, an imperial edict was issued from Fengyi Palace. This time, it wasn't issued by Lin Shiming, but by Empress Bai Qiongzhu, the empress herself.
Although the matter wasn't of paramount importance, it concerned Bai Qiongzhu, so Lin Shiming, as her "daughter-in-law," naturally couldn't issue the decree himself. Only Bai Qiongzhu could issue the decree personally to avoid controversy.
Lin Shiming made the request, and Bai Qiongzhu readily issued the decree. Bai Qiongzhu, seemingly in a good mood recently, even teased Lin Shiming with great interest.
"There's no need to elaborate on the matter of attending to the sick; you can simply draft the decree, and I'll make a copy. But there's one more thing I'd like to add to it as well."
"Mother, please speak."
“I faked my death. Although a funeral will be held for the public, there is no need for mourning.”
Lin Shiming looked completely bewildered. "Huh?"
Bai Qiongzhu covered her mouth and laughed, "In principle, when the Empress Dowager dies, you children should observe three years of mourning. During the mourning period, you should wear plain clothes, refrain from banquets and drinking, stop singing and dancing, eat vegetarian meals, postpone marriages... There are many rules and strict etiquette. One of them is that husband and wife are not allowed to have sex."
"You and Yu Xi are young and impetuous. You are not allowed to... Don't let yourselves get too stifled, or it will be your mother's fault."
Lin Shiming's face flushed red. He jumped up and stammered for a long time before finally managing to get the words out.
"What are you saying, Mother?"
Bai Qiongzhu smiled even more broadly, "Did Mother say something wrong? Three years, twenty-seven months, seems like quite a long time!"
"Mother!"
"Don't worry, Mother is not the kind of person who doesn't care about her children. In a little while, Mother will prepare a 'last will' that will instruct you to observe mourning for one month, using days instead of months."
"Do not..."
"You are not allowed to refuse, this is the Empress Dowager's decree. Even if I faked my death this time, and even if I really die in the future, you do not need to be so filial. Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important, and it is the heart that matters, not the actions. I know your intentions, so you don't need to let me affect your lives anymore."
Finally, just as Lin Shiming was feeling emotional and his emotions were surging, Bai Qiongzhu added, "The Empress Dowager is reasonable and doesn't act like a bad person. You can do whatever you want with eating meat and having sex."
Lin Shiming's brain was about to explode.
Being teased like that by his elders made him so angry that he wished he could just disappear on the spot.
Is it okay to say this directly?