mtl008 Chapter 81 This is not good. Your grandfather said that what you are doing is called 'using you
Chapter 81 This is not good. Your grandfather said that what you are doing is called 'using you
"..."
Lin Shiming shifted his head and rolled his eyes at Lu Yuxi.
"Do I have to divorce you before I can do what I want?"
Lu Yuxi realized she might have been being overly sensitive, and gave Lin Shiming an embarrassed smile, "I... I was just thinking that if you marry me, our future seems to consist only of what I just mentioned."
He was immersed in government affairs and palace matters every day, managing the affairs of the country day after day, until Lu Tingsong grew up to the point where he could shoulder the responsibility of the country.
Thinking about it this way, their future does indeed seem incredibly monotonous.
“Broaden your horizons a bit.” Lin Shiming patted Lu Yuxi, who had been somewhat silent, on the chest. “I mean, what can I do for this country in the future? Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—there are so many things. I can choose one to focus on and help our dynasty flourish. Just like it says in that book, ‘A Letter to You,’ reform and innovation are the source of vitality!”
Is that sentence in it?
Lu Yuxi didn't dare to refute.
"...You're right. So, have you decided what you're going to do?"
"No!" Lin Shiming impatiently turned over to make himself more comfortable. "What's the rush? Let's get the current matter done first."
He has plenty of time to do these things and there's no rush.
For example, what I want to do most right now is to get to the palace as soon as possible and get a good night's sleep to recover from the physical labor and the dream of arguing last night.
*
Just before noon, they finally arrived at the imperial palace and checked directly into Zhushan Lake View, where Lu Yuxi usually stayed.
Zhushan Lake Reflection is situated on a small island in the middle of a tranquil lake, planted with lush bamboo. Even the buildings on the island make extensive use of bamboo, making it a truly virtuous place.
But Lin Shiming had to find fault with it.
He looked around, wrinkling his nose in disapproval.
"Bamboo is sturdy, but it is too brittle and easily broken. I prefer to use jade to describe a gentleman rather than bamboo. It is warm and lustrous, as if it has been carved and polished. Moreover, when it breaks, it leaves behind countless sharp edges."
With a refined appearance and a hidden sharpness within, this is the kind of gentleman Lin Shiming admires most, and this is also how he sees Lu Yuxi.
"Moreover, this bamboo forest is very cold, with no temperature at all."
Unlike His Highness the Crown Prince, who can scald people to death when he goes berserk at night.
However, Lin Shiming only dared to think these lewd remarks in his heart. If he were to say them out loud, who knows how His Highness the Crown Prince would "educate" him!
Lin Shiming strolled leisurely around this "secluded" island, while Lu Tingsong, who had just woken up, followed behind him with his short legs.
Lu Tingsong, a child, was naturally confused and only vaguely understood Lin Shiming's words of "praising one and belittling another." He reached out and grabbed the hem of Lin Shiming's clothes.
"So, Uncle likes houses made of jade? Tingsong will make one for Uncle in the future!"
This guy, as expected of the eldest grandson of the emperor, immediately suggested using jade to build a house, which is nothing like his stingy father!
Lin Shiming smiled broadly, bent down and picked up Lu Tingsong, "Little brat, don't you think about it? Who has so many jade houses? They can probably only make a jade cage!"
"What does Uncle mean? Tingsong doesn't understand!"
Lin Shiming was pondering how to explain this profound question to him when Lu Yuxi, who had finished arranging for the luggage to be packed, walked over slowly. He pinched Lu Tingsong's little face, "Your uncle is using jade as a metaphor for people, not referring to the house."
Lu Tingsong blinked, "A person made of jade?"
Lu Yuxi chuckled, "He's like jade."
A person who resembles jade?
Lu Tingsong still didn't understand, but that didn't stop his divergent thinking. "Then this person's skin must be very white and smooth. Uncle, you like that kind of skin!"
As he spoke, Lu Tingsong struggled a few times in Lin Shiming's arms. Under the confused and unguarded gazes of Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi, he struggled to pull down Lu Yuxi's collar, revealing a patch of fair and smooth neck.
Then he reached out his wicked little paw and touched it.
Lu Yuxi: "!"
In public! He quickly grabbed Lu Tingsong's small hand, straightened his collar, and looked him over from all sides.
Fortunately, from this angle, only the three of them could be seen; others could only hear the voices. Otherwise, wouldn't he be impure? Besides, Lin Shiming couldn't resist yesterday and left marks on it. It would be terrible if a child saw that!
Unfortunately, Lu Tingsong was completely oblivious to his uncle's shyness and anxiety; his focus remained on "the person who resembled jade."
Wow! Uncle really is like that!
Lu Tingsong waved his little hands excitedly, "So white and smooth, just like jade!"
Lu Yuxi, who was teased by her own nephew: This is not right.
Lin Shiming stared blankly at the whole thing.
Don't you have a husband yourself? Why are you taking advantage of my husband?
He was just about to give Lu Tingsong a proper lesson on sex education when he saw the little brat suddenly remember something and become serious.
"Uncle, so that's how you won over Uncle. That's not good. Grandfather said that this is called 'using your looks to please others,' and you'll be abandoned when you get old and your looks fade!"
The eunuchs present: "!" Is this something that can be said?
Lin Shiming: "Hahahahahahaha!"
Lu Tingsong's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing straight into Lu Yuxi's heart, who was already somewhat insecure.
What is Father Emperor teaching Tingsong all day long?
The eunuchs following behind all lowered their heads, suppressing their laughter, their bodies trembling so much that they almost resonated with the bamboo swaying in the breeze around them.
Lin Shiming, always straightforward, was laughing so hard he could hardly breathe, almost dropping Lu Tingsong from his arms.
Lu Tingsong tilted his head in confusion, "Is what Tingsong said wrong?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Tingsong... Uncle's good eldest son, you are such a talkative little darling!"
Lu Yuxi used her looks to please him, but in the future, her beauty will fade and his love will wane. This is truly the funniest joke he's heard recently! Tomorrow he'll send a message to his brother and mother so everyone can have a laugh!
Lu Yuxi, ridiculed by everyone: "... ..."
He took a few deep breaths, his somewhat profound gaze sweeping over those behind him. The eunuchs, who were still suppressing their laughter, instantly straightened up, bowed deeply, and slowly retreated.
In the space in front of the hall, only swathes of bamboo remained, watching over the family of three.
Lu Yuxi spoke with a deep expression, concerned for Lin Shiming, who was still laughing heartily, "Shiming, slow down your laughter. You haven't recovered from last night's... right? Be careful not to strain yourself."
Lin Shih-ming: "Hahahaha...hiccup."
It seems a bit dangerous.
Lu Yuxi chuckled and took Lu Tingsong from his arms. "Tingsong, you can't say that next time. Your uncle isn't the kind of person who lusts after youth and beauty. How could he do something like 'love wanes as beauty fades'?"
He gave Lin Shiming, who had obediently shut up, a meaningful look, and said, "Don't you think so?"
"...Of course!"
"Of course what?"
Lin Shiming smiled ingratiatingly, "Of course I'll love you for a lifetime." (?? 3(???c))
*
Having learned his lesson, Lin Shiming was finally able to sit down and eat properly.
What are our plans for the next few days?
Lu Yuxi swallowed the food in her mouth. "You must have been tired yesterday, so take a good nap this afternoon. I'll go keep Tingsong company while he studies and practices calligraphy. Once you've had a good sleep, we'll go for a barbecue tonight."
"As for the next few days, I'll just stroll around the garden every day and do whatever I want."
The point of going out to have fun is to make yourself feel good, so Lu Yuxi wouldn't come up with any kind of plan that would restrict you.
"But there's one thing. Tingsong's two-hour daily lessons can't be missed, and so can you. Before we set off, Father specifically instructed you to study the law these few days, so you won't be clueless when asked questions and then be unable to command others."
These were minor matters, and Lin Shiming readily agreed, "No problem!"
But, "Did Father really give us so many days off?"
This is unlike the style of an emperor who was stingy in everything he did!
"This time, Father really wants us to stay away for a while longer to avoid the matter of Prince An. He's afraid it will damage our reputation."
Lu Yuxi picked up a piece of fish and started picking out the bones. "So, let's have some fun, so you can conserve your energy and give the Empress Dowager a good scolding when she comes back."
"Didn't you send someone to Buddha Mountain to deliver a message last time?"
Lin Shiming immediately perked up.
There's a punching bag delivered right to your door!
Looking forward to it.JPG