Finest Servant

Chapter 417 The Empress?

When Lin Wanrong, led Du Xiuyuan and others down the mountain, even though it was already late in the evening, countless onlookers had gathered. Soldiers held aloft torches, lighting up the night as if it were day. Before tonight was over, news of Lord Lin's bombardment of "Jade Virtue Fairy Hall" would spread throughout the Great Hua, and no one knew what kind of reaction it would provoke. Du Xiuyuan and the others secretly wiped their sweat for General Lin, but he alone seemed carefree, smiling and joking with everyone.

"General," Du Xiuyuan, who had been scouting ahead, hurried back with an unusually grave face, "Several people have blocked our army's path ahead. It is—" He paused, lowering his voice, "it's Minister Ye from the Ministry of Personnel, Minister Liang from the Ministry of Rites, and various officials and scholars from the Three Pavilions and Six Ministries, as well as Prince Cheng—"

Lin Wanrong was surprised but laughed twice, "No harm, no harm. Perhaps these honorable gentlemen are here to present a plaque to praise me. Brother Du, let's go forward and take a look."

Seeing Lin Wanrong's lack of surprise, as if he didn't take these influential figures seriously, Du Xiuyuan admired him secretly. A man who dared to speak, act, and take responsibility, truly an extraordinary person!

As Lin Wanrong was about to move forward, Miss Xiao poked her head out of her sedan, asking, "My Dear, what's happening up ahead?"

Lin Wanrong smiled, "Some people have come to visit me. Qingxuan, you and your junior sister stay here and rest for a while. I'll be back soon."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled softly, taking out a golden waist token from her bosom. After gazing at it with a faint mist in her eyes, full of reminiscence and longing, she beckoned him and whispered, "My Dear, come here, I have something to tell you."

When Lin Wanrong approached, Xiao Qingxuan handed the token to him and said softly, "Take this. If anyone dares to trouble you, show them this, and no one will dare touch a single hair on my husband."

The gold token was heavy in his hand, carved with a lifelike phoenix. Lin Wanrong laughed, "This token is quite similar to the gold token bestowed by the Emperor in my hand. It's like a union of the dragon and the phoenix; we have nothing to fear in all the world."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled sweetly, "Don't waste time talking, hurry up and settle this so we can return home soon."

Ahead, the soldiers had already stopped, and noisy shouts were heard, with faint cries of "Lin San, come out!" "Lin San, come out and answer!"

Lin Wanrong, accompanied by Du Xiuyuan, looked around and saw many familiar faces from the morning court. More than half of them had come, and standing in front, coldly sneering, was Prince Cheng, followed by two senior officials from the Ministries of Personnel and Rites, along with dozens of scholars and officials. Everyone was in high spirits, shouting loudly.

"I, Little Brother Lin San, pay my respects to His Highness, and to all the honorable gentlemen," Lin Wanrong laughed, feigning surprise on his face, "It's so late, and all of you have collectively come to inspect the people's conditions? Such dedication to the nation, I am truly in awe."

The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Ye, barked, "Lin San, cease your absurd ravings! We are here to question you about your crimes."

"Crimes? What crimes?" Lin Wanrong asked in confusion. "I have always obeyed the law, paid my taxes as required; where are these crimes you speak of?"

Lord Ye angrily retorted, "Do you dare to deny your own actions? What were you doing on this mountain? Do you think the whole world is filled with fools?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I was simply enjoying the mountain scenery and, in a moment of inspiration, fired a couple of shots. Lord Ye, this matter doesn't seem to be under your jurisdiction."

Lord Ye's beard quivered with rage, and he pointed at Lin Wanrong, his voice filled with fury, "Fired a couple of shots? You make it sound so trivial! Do you know what place this is? The 'Jade Virtue Fairy Hall' is a sacred place that scholars all over the world yearn for. Many great scholars have emerged from there, making enormous contributions to our great nation. Even the Founding Emperor granted a plaque to this place, and everyone in the court takes pride in coming from the sacred place. Your reckless behavior here shows utter lawlessness and arrogance. The Prince, I, and my colleagues are here to bring you to justice. You'd better surrender and await your fate."

Lin Wanrong smiled nonchalantly, "Jade Virtue Fairy Hall? A nice name, but unfortunately, I've never heard of it. I received information that someone was feeding armed forces on this mountain, holding illegal gatherings, privately creating laws, restricting personal freedom, misinterpreting the Founding Emperor's edicts, confusing young people, and even claiming to be equal to Heaven, attempting to break away from our great nation. Their numerous crimes have angered both gods and men. Only by resolutely banning such illegal terrorist organizations can we preserve our country's eternal prosperity. Lord Ye, is there anything wrong with this?"

Lin San's eloquent words left Lord Ye dazed. Lin San was the only one in the world who could categorize the "Jade Virtue Fairy Hall" as a terrorist organization.

"You, you, you're talking nonsense!" Lord Ye's beard shook in anger as he pointed at Lin Wanrong's nose, "The name of the Fairy Hall is revered all over the world, and countless eminent scholars have come from there. They are the backbone of our great nation. How can you label it as some terrorist organization?"

"Whether it's a terrorist organization or not, Lord Ye, neither your word nor mine will decide. Here, I have some confessions and statements, all written by the deceived scholars on the mountain," Lin Wanrong extended his hand, and Du Xiuyuan brought the confessions. Lin Wanrong said with a beaming smile, "Whether it's a terrorist organization or not, Lord Ye, please read, and you'll know at a glance."

Lord Ye hadn't expected Lin San to be so cunning. In just a few hours, he had destroyed the Fairy Hall and even prepared the confessions. It seemed impossible to find fault with him.

"Lin San," Prince Cheng, who had been silently watching, suddenly spoke, "You led the soldiers to the mountain, brandished swords at people, so obtaining however many confessions you wanted was not difficult. These confessions, coerced through intimidation, cannot be counted as evidence. Even before the Emperor, you cannot escape the suspicion of forced confessions."

"Right, right, the Prince has keen eyes. This is coercion, all these confessions, they cannot be taken as truth." Hearing Prince Cheng's words, Lord Ye revived in spirit, shouting loudly. The scholars behind them also joined in, yelling, "Coercion, this is coercion!"

Du Xiuyuan's heart was a bit tense, and he hastily glanced at Lin Wanrong, who appeared as usual, chuckling: “Capturing criminals and taking confessions is a universal method of case-solving. If we were to follow Prince's reasoning, wouldn't all the yamen officials be suspect of forced confessions? Wouldn’t such a statement coming from Prince chill the hearts of all officials?”

Prince Cheng laughed, his eyes flashing, and nodded: “Well said. Whether the testimony is true or false, ‘Jade Virtue Fairy Hall’ is a sacred place inscribed by the Founding Emperor himself, and it enjoys the reputation of being ‘Equal to Heaven.’ How dare you be so reckless in this sacred place, disregarding the Founding Emperor?”

“Equal to Heaven?” Lin Wanrong grinned and waved his hand. Two soldiers brought out the Founding Emperor's inscription: “Prince, are you referring to this?”

Prince Cheng took a quick look and immediately knelt to the ground, expressing sincere fear: “Unfilial descendant Zhao Mingcheng, beholding the true handwriting of the Founding Emperor.” The officials including Minister Ye also hurriedly knelt, crying out: “Beholding the true handwriting of the Founding Emperor.” Lin Wanrong stood in place, receiving everyone's homage before hypocritically helping Prince Cheng: “Prince, please rise!”

Prince Cheng and the others performed three prostrations and nine kowtows before respectfully rising. He looked at Lin Wanrong and said: “Lin San, you are quite bold, knowing full well that ‘Equal to Heaven’ was inscribed by the Founding Emperor, yet you dared to fire the cannon. Do you intend to rebel?”

“Prince, you can mess around with food, but words should not be spoken carelessly,” Lin Wanrong solemnly said. “This inscription of the Founding Emperor is the clear proof of Jade Virtue Fairy Hall's false edict. I am planning to present it to the Emperor myself.”

“How dare you! I, being a descendant of the Founding Emperor, have long admired the handwriting of ‘Equal to Heaven.’ It's undoubtedly inscribed by the Founding Emperor, so how can you speak of false edicts?” Prince Cheng angrily said. “You dare be so insolent before the Founding Emperor's handwriting, do you think I cannot deal with you? I already have evidence of your involvement with the Holy Mother of the White Lotus Sect. Tomorrow I will report this to the Emperor, and you will be punished.”

Damn, Prince Cheng was ready to completely fall out with him, even dragging his Sister An's issue into it, thinking he had a handle on him. Lin Wanrong laughed: “Prince, what White Lotus Holy Mother, what conspiracies? Even though you are a royal relative, I can sue you for defamation. I am upright and clean, indifferent to beauty, and respected by all in the capital. If I've done anything wrong, please feel free to report me to the Emperor.”

Prince Cheng sneered: “I won't waste words with you. The handwriting of the Founding Emperor is before us, and the sacred place's reputation is justified. What else can you say?”

Lin Wanrong said disdainfully: “What justified reputation? The Founding Emperor was benevolent and wise, foreseeing the affairs of later generations a hundred years ago. Being a descendant of the Founding Emperor, how do you not recognize his treasures? Bring the Founding Emperor's treasure to Prince and the officials, and let's see what these three characters are.”

“Yes!” Two soldiers stepped forward holding the inscription. Prince Cheng, being closest, took a careful look at the scroll and his face changed dramatically. Minister Ye stared for a moment and murmured: “Equal to Man? How... how could this be?”

"Master Ye has good eyesight," Lin Wanrong chuckled. "Founding Emperor's grand vision and foresight were apparent a hundred years ago. His inscription, these three characters 'Equal to Man', was meant to instruct the people of Jade Virtue Fairy Hall to learn from the masses, to go among the people, and to love the people. Little did he know that this Hall harbored wicked intentions, exploiting a slight difference in two characters to claim equality with Heaven, confusing right and wrong, misleading the populace, and going so far as to enact private laws, restricting others, and absurdly trying to turn this mountain into a country within the country."

Prince Cheng's face changed, and he shouted angrily, "Founding Emperor's inscription has been passed down for a thousand years and is well-known. How could it be wrong? Lin San, it must be your doing."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, his voice resounding through the sky, "Your Highness is correct. Founding Emperor's inscription has been passed down for a thousand years, known to all. But may I ask, who has heard the Founding Emperor himself pronounce the words 'Equal to Heaven'? Or has it ever been recorded that the Founding Emperor personally bestowed this title? All of you are learned scholars; who among you has heard or seen this?"

Everyone fell silent. Though the words "Equal to Heaven" were circulated with great detail, no Emperor would ever say such words. "Heaven" represented the supreme authority; no Emperor would be foolish enough to equate someone else with himself.

Seeing that these once-ardent officials dared not speak, Lin Wanrong was filled with pride and said to the two soldiers, "Quickly take care of Founding Emperor's true relic and present it to His Majesty tomorrow."

The ministers, all looking to Prince Cheng, lowered their heads in silence when they saw he did not speak. Prince Cheng gave Master Ye a glance and sneered at the sedan behind Lin Wanrong. Master Ye instantly became energized and shouted, "How eloquently you speak, Lin San! But do you think the real truth is unknown to me? I've received a petition stating that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Lin San, set his eyes on a female disciple of the sacred place and tried to seize her by force. When she resisted, you angrily sent soldiers to snatch her. The petition is here; dare you deny it?"

He pulled out a paper filled with writing from his sleeve and proudly displayed it. The officials were indignant, cursing Lin San as a disgrace to the officialdom.

Damn, this works too? It seems my skin is not thick enough! Lin Wanrong grinned, "Master Ye, your eyes are indeed sharp, uncovering even this matter. I admire you."

Seeing signs of Lin San's submission, Master Ye was overjoyed and said with pride, "I am upright and impartial, kind to the people. Even if you, Lin San, have all the power, I will handle this fairly and justly, ensuring justice. Bailiffs, where are you—"

The bailiffs behind him quickly responded, "Please instruct us, Master."

Master Ye pointed at the sedan where Miss Xiao was sitting, his face full of righteousness, "The common girl who was forcibly taken by Lin San is in that sedan. You must take her quickly and protect her properly. There must be no mistakes."

The bailiffs looked at one another. Lin San was surrounded by soldiers, and to snatch someone from these ferocious troops would be courting death. Lin Wanrong smiled mysteriously and whispered to Master Ye, "Minister Ye, may I speak with you privately? I have something to show you."

"Don't try to bribe me," Lord Ye sternly refused, about to add another feather to his cap, when he noticed Lin San holding up a shiny golden waist badge with a half-smile. "Lord Ye, take a good look. The young lady in the sedan chair wanted me to show you this waist badge."

"What waist badge?" Lord Ye glanced at it disdainfully, only to have his mouth drop open as if he'd seen a ghost, and found himself unable to speak.

"Lord Ye, Lord Ye—" Prince Cheng tried to get his attention but became impatient as Lord Ye remained still. He kicked Lord Ye's leg, demanding, "What's the matter with you?"

Lord Ye turned around, his face pale and stammering, "Prince, it's the Empr, Empr, Empr—"

"Emperor what?" Prince Cheng pushed him aside, catching sight of the waist badge. His face turned pale, and after stuttering for a moment, he knelt down, "Your humble servant, Zhao Mingcheng, pays homage to Her Majesty the Empress. Long live the Empress, long live, long live a thousand times!"

The officials were all taken aback. Today truly was a bizarre day. They had come to apprehend Lin San, but now even the Empress had appeared? Seeing Prince Cheng kneel, they all hurried to kneel as well, chanting the Empress's longevity.

The Empress? Lin Wanrong's head was spinning. Qingxuan was the Empress? Was he going to fight with the Emperor over a woman?

The declaration of "Her Majesty the Empress" had a more profound effect on Lin Wanrong than on the other officials, who were simply stunned. Lin Wanrong stood there, feeling empty, unsure of what to say.

Prince Cheng and the others knelt on the ground, waiting in silence for someone to speak. Lin San looked thoughtful and didn't say a word. "Her Majesty the Empress" remained silent, and nobody dared to make a sound.

Lord Ye, who had accused Lin San earlier, was trembling like a leaf. Lin San's "forcibly seized" common girl turned out to be "Her Majesty the Empress"? This was utterly absurd, not just to others, but even to himself! He feared the Empress's wrath could lead to the extermination of his entire clan.

"You may all rise," came a youthful female voice from the sedan chair. It was the junior sister, Li Xiangjun: "You have twisted facts and deceived others, making me angry. If you want leniency, write a detailed report about today's incident and present it to the Emperor. Her Majesty the Empress will deal with it."

Hearing this young girl's voice and realizing it wasn't the Empress who mothered the nation, Prince Cheng was puzzled. But the waist badge was genuine, so he had no choice but to comply. Lord Ye's face turned pale; he knew his position as Minister of Personnel would be lost.

"You may leave," Li Xiangjun's voice, although youthful, carried an air of authority. No one dared linger, and they all hurried away. Prince Cheng glanced back at the sedan chair, his eyes filled with doubt.

"My Dear, My Dear—" Miss Xiao's delicate call rang in Lin Wanrong's ears, and the little girl Li Xiangjun chuckled, "Senior Sister, your Husband Lin was scared silly by you."

Lin Wanrong came to his senses and quickly grabbed Xiao Qingxuan's little hand, "Qingxuan, what's going on? How can you be Her Majesty the Empress? Oh my, I've never contended with the Emperor over a woman before, and now it seems I'll have to attack the Imperial Palace."

Li Xiangjun burst into laughter, "Big Brother Lin, you're quite bold to speak such treasonous words. When you attack the Imperial Palace, be sure to call on me as well."

Seeing Lord Lin's somewhat foolish expression, Xiao Qingxuan covered her lips with a smile, her eyes filled with affection, "Pay no attention to Xiangjun's nonsense. My Dear, my identity is not important. I, Xiao Qingxuan, am your wife. In life, I am a member of the Lin family; in death, I am a ghost of the Lin family. I will be with you forever and ever!"

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