"Brother, why have you come?"
Yongning first exclaimed in surprise, then rushed to the 'uninvited guest' like a bird.
Yan Tinghao, looking surprised, rubbed his hands awkwardly, "Cousin?"
And the one Yongning called 'Brother' and Yan Tinghao called 'Cousin', apart from Lin Moyuan who had returned to the capital on business, who else could it be!
"Mhm."
Lin Moyuan, who suddenly appeared at the mountain stronghold, seemed even more aloof than before. He slightly nodded at Yan Tinghao, acknowledging him.
Yan Tinghao, on the other hand, looked overwhelmed with flattery.
At this moment, Lin Moyuan noticed Lin Qingge standing at the doorway and nodded, saying, "Lord Lin, have you been well?"
"Heh, this official is doing very well!"
With a sarcastic cold snort, Lin Qingge, whose temper was flaring, strode over. Instead of attacking Lin Moyuan, he pulled Hua Jinrong, who was fanning herself behind Lin Moyuan, to a deserted corner.
"Sir, in broad daylight, you and your student are alone together. It's a small matter if my reputation is tarnished, but if Madam Lin sees this, my life might be forfeit~"
"Better forfeit! Speak, was it you?"
"What did this student do?"
Seeing the person feigning ignorance before him, Lin Qingge, who was seething with anger, grabbed a broom from the corner and swung it.
"I found it strange, why haven't I seen you these past few days.
Good heavens!
So you traveled thousands of miles to pick someone up!
Aren't you usually useless at everything except slacking off?
Why are you so diligent this time?
From here to the capital and back, even at a gallop without sleep, it would still take three to four days!
You're so hardworking!
It seems I haven't assigned you enough tasks usually?"
Hua Jinrong dodged and weaved, offering a fawning smile, "Please don't be angry, sir. This student is merely fulfilling a request from someone."
Lin Qingge, who had been hitting nothing but air, grew even angrier. He simply cupped his hands and shouted, "Ling Han, Yan Tinghao!"
Seeing his lord calling for reinforcements, Hua Jinrong quickly conceded, "Sir, you're being a bit unfair~
How about I stand here motionless and let you hit me a few times to vent your anger?"
But Lin Qingge replied sinisterly with two words: "Too late!"
At the same time.
Miles away, Feng Qingchen, aside from Lin Qingge, stared at the empty imperial study and was equally furious, wanting to tear his hair out.
"Damn Rong San!
I waited and waited, wishing on stars and moon for that guy to return, but who knew that the little brat, upon returning, didn't even show his face and instead whisked away the person behind the dragon desk!
What about the promise to reform the court?
What about the promise to implement new policies?
What about the enthronement ceremony?
All of it was bullshit!
No!
Whoever wants it, I quit!"
"My lord, mind your words!"
Even though he was sure no one else was in the room, the attendant couldn't help but glance around.
"Mind my words my ass! Not only am I quitting, but I'm going to empty the national treasury, leaving them nothing!"
Feng Qingchen declared with conviction, as An Ling appeared like a gust of wind.
"Reporting, my lord, Prime Minister Shangguan requests an audience. He is currently near the Imperial Garden."
"What?!"
"My lord, Prime Minister Shangguan submitted his request to enter the palace early this morning, saying he had an important matter to report to His Majesty.
It seems the guards at the palace gate have also been bought off, as they directly let him in.
My lord, what should we do now?"
Feng Qingchen narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, "Old fox Shangguan Hong has always claimed illness and refused to attend court. Today, his behavior is so abnormal. Someone in the palace must have leaked the news..."
Saying this, Feng Qingchen slapped his forehead in frustration.
"Damn—
I've been tricked again!"
Seeing his lord transition from a state of manic rage to self-flagellation, the attendant couldn't help but call out worriedly, "My lord?"
"Damn it!
A few days ago, His Majesty said he would reorganize the palace before the enthronement ceremony. So he packed his bags and left, leaving me to do the reorganizing?"
"My lord, isn't this because His Majesty trusts you?
As long as the spies within the palace are not removed, His Majesty cannot sleep soundly."
Hearing the attendant's words, Feng Qingchen was amused by the absurdity, "I'm so busy every day that I don't even have time to sleep. Who cares if I sleep well?"
The attendant flinched at the scolding, but the next moment, he heard his lord issue a fierce command, "An Ling, go invite Eunuch Cai.
Also, inform the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Zhang Ziliang, of this matter, and have him use this as a clue to track down those rats who are secretly passing information outside the palace!"
"Yes!"
An Ling acknowledged and hurried off to find the person without any delay.
Meanwhile, Feng Qingchen directly paced into the imperial study and familiarized himself with searching the wardrobe behind the screen.
When the attendant saw his lord pulling out a dragon robe from the wardrobe and putting it on himself, he finally lost his composure.
"My lord, please don't be agitated!
If it's really that bad, we can just resign!
Wearing the dragon robe in private is punishable by death!"
But Feng Qingchen was unfazed, "Why are you shouting nonsense? Hurry up and lend a hand. This dragon robe is a bit different from the Crown Prince's attire, it's a bit difficult to put on."
"Oh, oh."
"Hurry up, that old scoundrel Shangguan Hong will be here soon!"
"Yes, my lord!"
The attendant eagerly stepped forward, unable to suppress his confusion, "My lord, you're already quitting, so why bother with Prime Minister Shangguan?"
"This official may be quitting, but I won't let outsiders make a mockery of us, especially that old scoundrel Shangguan Hong who's always up to no good!"
"I see."
The attendant nodded, as if understanding, but still felt a sense of unease watching his lord put on the dragon robe.
Only when Eunuch Cai entered with a box, took out something like a piece of human skin, and pasted it onto his lord's grumpy face, then smeared and painted it, did his lord miraculously transform into His Majesty's appearance!
Of course, upon closer inspection, there were slight differences. After all, His Majesty was the supreme ruler, while his lord was merely a common shrew wearing the guise of a scholar.
But how many people dared to look directly at the imperial countenance?
And his lord's physique and voice, referring to his normal voice, were quite close to His Majesty's.
Thus, he watched as his lord, with a deliberately disguised voice, berated Prime Minister Shangguan to no end.
This... was quite satisfying.
At the same time, he somewhat understood why His Majesty could leave so unceremoniously and on a whim...
On the other side.
After Lin Qingge, along with Yan Tinghao and Ling Han, dealt with Hua Jinrong quite thoroughly, they returned to the courtyard and saw the 'uninvited guest' shamelessly striking up a conversation with his wife.
"Madam Lin, it has been a long time. Have you been well recently?"
Leng Ningyue remained silent, but Lin Zimo, with his short legs, ran over and greeted with a smile, "Hello Uncle Lin. After not seeing you for a while, you've become more mature and steady."
"In Mo'er's eyes, is Uncle Lin really that old?"
Lin Zimo heard this and shook his little head like a rattle drum, "Not old, not old. Uncle Lin, you are just a tiny bit younger than Uncle Wang, the magician next door to Mo'er's old home."
Lin Moyuan: ...