mtl008 Chapter 32 Alright, this morning's court session is going to be quite interesting.
Chapter 32 Alright, this morning's court session is going to be quite interesting.
Lu Yuxi gave him an annoyed look. "Do I really need to make such a fuss?"
Lin Shiming said awkwardly, "Never mind what I said."
"Alright, I just wanted to explain to you why I was so firm in stopping you, so you wouldn't misunderstand and think I was scolding you without knowing the facts."
"Is that all?"
Lin Shiming immediately relaxed, took off his shoes, and sat cross-legged on the bed.
“I know why you stopped me. My brother already told me when he was scolding me. He said my method overestimated the intelligence of the people.”
"...Speak more politely."
That's certainly true.
"Okay, okay!" The words may be rough, but the meaning is sound. Why worry so much?
Lu Yuxi could tell from his nonchalant attitude that he didn't take it to heart.
Well, you can't expect someone who grew up in a military camp and spent years mingling with the world to have a gentle and refined temperament.
But, "If you already knew, why did you still urge Father to do it?"
Lin Shiming paused as he was taking off his clothes.
"I understand, you just want to cause some trouble."
Are you sleepy? Let's go to sleep.
"Lin Shiming, you can't..."
Lu Yuxi looked down and saw Lin Shiming holding his hand and placing it against his chest, then smiling brightly at him.
"Even if you use your body, it won't work, you..."
Lin Shiming grabbed his hand and moved it down.
"That's all."
Lu Yuxi pulled her hand away, which he had already moved down quite a bit, and looked away with her ears turning red.
"There's one more thing. I'll talk to you before I go to sleep."
"Oh."
Hahahaha, I knew you were a pure-hearted prince! This trick really works! Lin Shiming laughed silently, bending over backward.
Lu Yuxi was both angry and helpless. He could guess what kind of expression this ancestor was without even turning around. Really, shameless!
In a couple of days, I still need to consult my mother. I need to learn not only how to get along with my husband, but also how to control this unruly little rascal.
"Starting tomorrow, you will come with me to court."
"Gah?"
Lin Shiming was startled and let out a duck-like quack.
But he didn't care about losing face, and he crawled over to Lu Yuxi's side and put his arm around her shoulder.
"What do you mean? Why would I need to attend court for no reason?"
"You are a junior general in the Tingyun Army, a second-rank official. It was fine before you weren't in the capital, but now that you are, you have to attend court."
Lin Shiming took a few steps back and shook his head in horror.
The grand court assembly in Changping begins every three days at the beginning of Chenshi (7-9 AM), meaning he has to get up just after Maoshi (5-7 AM) every two days. Maoshi is five o'clock! In his previous life, he always got up at six in the military camp!
"I do not."
"Refusing is useless."
Lu Yuxi took off her clothes and then pulled the people who had escaped inside out.
"Aren't we going to sleep? Let's go to sleep early, and I'll wake you up at 5 a.m. tomorrow."
Do not!
Lin Shiming's silent shout was covered by Lu Yuxi's hand.
Feeling Lu Yuxi's movements on his body, Lin Shiming felt like crying but had no tears.
Waaah! If he had known he would have to get up early tomorrow, he would have preferred to be scolded rather than even think about selling his body!
*
February 5th, 5:15 AM.
It was still pitch black outside.
Lin Shiming clung to the blanket, refusing to get out of bed.
He can indeed relieve muscle soreness with his internal energy after he finishes, but that doesn't mean he can fall asleep in the middle of the night after being exhausted and wake up early in the morning.
"Get up quickly. Each court assembly lasts at least an hour. If you don't get up now, you won't have time for breakfast, and you'll be hungry for most of the morning."
Lin Shiming cried out in a ghostly wail.
But Lu Yuxi still pried his fingers off the blanket one by one without any mercy, and then he was pulled out of the bed.
Lin Shiming closed his eyes and pretended to be a corpse again.
The eunuch serving beside her handed the prepared clothes to Lu Yuxi, then quickly lowered his head and withdrew them, not daring to look again.
Lu Yuxi was very patient, dressing Lin Shiming piece by piece, and then dragging him to the dressing table and fixing his hair.
Only when he sat down in front of a table of steaming food did Lin Shiming finally take pity on him, lift his eyelids, and pick up his chopsticks.
People cannot live without eating.
Lu Yuxi couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth, "Eat up, it's all your favorites."
Although he had eaten a hot and fragrant breakfast, Lin Shiming's morning grumpiness returned as he sat swaying on the imperial carriage, looking out at the pitch-black sky.
There's no way around it; that's just how he is. He's usually quick to forgive and forget when he's angry, but his morning grumpiness is a different story. Just thinking about it makes his temper flare up. And he can't take it out on the eunuchs, since they're innocent. He can't take it out on Lu Yuxi either; he's afraid of being "retaliated against."
Ugh.
suffocated.
*
A quarter of an hour before dawn, Lu Yuxi and Lin Shiming's imperial carriage arrived at the entrance of the Taiji Hall.
To keep the ministers warm, the Taiji Hall would open early in winter and be lit with charcoal fires and floor heating.
So Lin Shiming and his entourage went straight into the main hall as soon as they got off the sedan chair.
As the eunuch announced their arrival, everyone paid their respects in turn. Lin Shiming immediately met the gaze of Lin Shihe, who was at the front bowing.
You have today too!
I immediately felt much better.
Lu Yuxi glanced at Lin Shiming, who was grinning from ear to ear, and sighed inwardly. Fine, as long as he stopped looking so sullen, sacrificing her brother-in-law wasn't a big deal.
Lu Yuxi woke everyone up and led Lin Shiming, who was still glaring at Lin Shihe, inside.
"Hey, hey, where am I supposed to stand?"
"Stand next to me."
"That wouldn't be right. My position is a second-rank official, and I'm a military officer. I can't side with the civil officials like you, can I?"
"Yes, you are not only a young general, but also the Crown Princess, a top-tier title."
Oh, so it depends on which identity he wants to use.
Lin Shiming raised an eyebrow and glanced at the ministers who had already taken their places. "So, where should I stand according to my position?"
"Your brother is the heir of the supreme-ranking Duke Zhenguo. Since the Duke is absent, he represents the Duke's mansion, standing in the first row of the military officers. If you go over there..."
Lu Yuxi made an estimate.
"It might be right behind him."
Tsk, wouldn't he get another subtle dig at his brother? But today's court meeting will definitely discuss yesterday's matter at the bookstore in the distance, so it would be difficult to make a good impression if he were with Lu Yuxi.
Lin Shiming thought about it again and still felt that his brother was easier to mess with.
"I'll go to the military officer's place first today, I'll accompany you next time."
After saying that, he turned and headed towards the military officer without looking back.
A group of rough men with shining eyes quickly made room for him.
"Good lad!" A burly general patted Lin Shiming's shoulder heavily, his rugged aura wafting over him. "Our military officers have always been considered ugly by those old fogies. Only your brother is somewhat handsome. Now that you're here, let's see how those old geezers can still bark like dogs!"
Lin Shihe, who had been the face of the store for several years, rolled his eyes silently.
Lin Shih-ming didn't mind at all; the joy of causing trouble helped him overcome his social anxiety.
He patted the general on the shoulder with great enthusiasm, "Just wait and see, I will definitely avenge my brothers today! I'll pluck their beards and make them into writing brushes!"
The surrounding military officers all perked up, praising Lin Shiming as worthy of being his father's son, for he truly had courage!
Lin Shihe, who was in front, sighed again in disdain.
It was clearly a lively scene here, with a group of people calling each other brothers. Lu Yuxi, a civil official, stood at the front, looking at Lin Shiming's comfortable demeanor with a bit of a headache.
"Oh, Your Highness," Prince An leaned closer again, still with that smug look on his face, "my new sister-in-law seems to be getting along with everyone, aren't you jealous?"
"roll."
"you--"
"The Emperor has arrived——"
"Long live my emperor."
Emperor Longyun strode up the steps, flicked his robes, and sat down on the dragon throne.
"Everyone is safe."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The crowd slowly rose, and Emperor Longyun habitually glanced around before his gaze settled on a new flower that had sprouted amidst the thriving weeds of the military generals.
Shin-Hwa Lin Shi-Ming noticed someone watching him, and when he looked up, he met the gaze of Emperor Long-Yun.
Lin Shiming grinned again, and Emperor Longyun choked when he saw the excited little flame in his eyes.
Well, this morning's court session is going to be interesting.