diymy Chapter 39 I appointed you as an official, but you want to frequent brothels?
Chapter 39 I appointed you as an official, but you want to frequent brothels?
The Imperial Palace, the West Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Qingluan led Lin Chen through many palace gates to an elegant pavilion.
This place is not as majestic as the main hall, but more like a study, with sandalwood bookshelves surrounding the walls, a zither stand by the window, and incense smoke curling from the burner.
Empress Zhao Lingyang was not wearing a dragon robe today, but rather a moon-white casual dress, her black hair loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, as she sat at her desk reviewing memorials.
When Lin Chen entered, she looked up at him, her eyes clear as a spring, yet deep and unfathomable.
"Your subject Lin Chen greets Your Majesty."
Lin Chen bowed respectfully. Now that he was about to inherit the title, although he had not been formally conferred the title, he could already refer to himself as "your subject".
"Rise." The Empress put down her vermilion brush and gestured to the embroidered stool below her. "Sit down. Qingluan, serve tea."
After Qingluan served fragrant tea, she retreated to the door, leaving only the emperor and his minister inside the warm pavilion.
Lin Chen picked up the teacup; it was a fine pre-rain Longjing tea, with a refreshing aroma.
He took a small sip, his mind racing:
Given the Empress's attire and the location, it's clear this isn't a formal audience, but rather... a private conversation.
"Lin Qing," the Empress began, her voice calm.
"You handled the Cui family matter very well. There are both witnesses and physical evidence, which has shaken the court and the public."
The second prince, Zhao Cheng, has been stripped of his princely title and placed under house arrest in the Imperial Clan Court.
After a joint trial by the three judicial authorities, Cui Yongnian, Liu Kun, Wang Chongming, and others were either executed or exiled as appropriate.
She paused, then looked at Lin Chen: "You have made invaluable contributions by clearing the names of your father and brothers and eliminating traitors for the Great Yan."
Lin Chen put down his teacup and said seriously:
"This is my duty. My father and elder brother suffered injustice for three years, but now that the truth has come to light, their spirits in heaven can finally rest in peace."
The Empress nodded and picked up a bright yellow scroll from the table:
"According to custom, you should have inherited the title after your coming-of-age ceremony. But I have made a special decree to do so ahead of schedule, considering your outstanding achievements."
From this day forward, you are the Duke of Zhenguo, receiving a first-rank salary, and are entitled to establish your own residence and advisory body, and to participate in the administration of state affairs.
She handed over the scroll: "This is the imperial edict of investiture."
Lin Chen took it, unfolded it, and saw that it was indeed an official edict of investiture, stamped with the imperial seal.
His heart stirred slightly, but he said respectfully, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
"Don't thank me yet." A hint of a smile flashed in the Empress's eyes. "I have more rewards to bestow."
She then took out another document:
"Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard, a third-rank official, responsible for assisting in maintaining order in the capital and supervising all officials. I'm reserving this position for you."
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat.
Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard!
This was a powerful and important position. Although it was a deputy position, the Imperial City Guard was directly under the emperor and had immense power.
More importantly... these are the Empress's personal eyes and ears!
"Your Majesty," Lin Chen feigned reluctance, "I am young and lack virtue, and I fear I am not up to the task..."
"What?" The Empress raised an eyebrow.
"With the ability to devise a plan to capture the Second Prince and Cui Yongnian, to mobilize half-step Celestial Realm experts, and to command three hundred elite first-rank cavalry in armor to surround the mansion—such abilities, how could they not qualify as a Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard?"
There's more to that than meets the eye.
Lin Chen understood that the Empress wanted to keep him tied to the Imperial City Guard, both to give him an important position and to keep him under surveillance.
After all, no one would feel at ease leaving a young and ambitious Duke who commands a large army, has a half-step Celestial under his command, and is still full of vigor.
"Your Majesty, I am deeply apprehensive." Lin Chen quickly rose to his feet.
"Those were all coincidences. Mr. Yuan is a descendant of my father's old friend, and he came to help out of gratitude for past kindness."
As for those cavalrymen, they were private soldiers secretly raised by the Duke's mansion over the years. According to regulations, the Duke's mansion could have three hundred cavalrymen...
"I know." The Empress waved her hand. "According to the laws of Dayan, the Duke's Mansion does indeed have the power to maintain three hundred private soldiers. I will not interfere—as long as they are loyal to Dayan."
She looked at Lin Chen with deep eyes:
"Lin Chen, I give you real power and status because I value your talent."
The court needs fresh blood, the northern border needs capable generals, and the Great Yan needs loyal ministers. Are you willing to share my burdens?
These words were spoken with such sincerity that any ordinary young official would likely be filled with fervor and vow to serve them to the death.
But who is Lin Chen?
Having been a seasoned veteran in the workplace for many years before the time travel, he wouldn't fall for this "pie in the sky" rhetoric.
He hesitated for a moment, then rubbed his hands together and said:
"Your Majesty's favor is deeply appreciated. However... I have neglected state affairs since childhood, only knowing how to eat, drink, and have fun. I am afraid I am not qualified to be the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard."
How about... Your Majesty grants me a sinecure? Perhaps in charge of the Imperial Horse Administration, or... the Music Bureau?
The Jiaofangsi was the government office in charge of court music and dance; to put it bluntly, it was in charge of singing and dancing girls.
The empress was taken aback, then laughed in anger:
"Lin Chen! I appointed you as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard, and you want to go to the Music Bureau?!"
"I believe that a person should have self-awareness," Lin Chen said sincerely.
"I am skilled at eating, drinking, having fun, listening to music in brothels, and appreciating beautiful women."
Sending me to supervise officials, investigate cases, and arrest people would only delay important matters!
"You..." The Empress was speechless, choked by his twisted logic.
The warm pavilion fell silent for a moment.
Outside the door, Qingluan's lips twitched as she listened, but she managed to suppress a laugh.
After a long while, the Empress took a deep breath and sat down again:
"Very well, a fine 'skilled in eating, drinking, and having fun' indeed. Then let me ask you—since you only know how to have fun, how did you uncover the Cui family's crimes and devise a plan to capture the Second Prince?"
"Well..." Lin Chen blinked, "Mr. Yuan did most of the work, and I just ran errands."
Besides, those people in the Cui family are too stupid; they don't even know how to hide their account books properly.
The second prince was even more foolish; he actually stepped forward himself—wasn't that just handing them ammunition?
He spoke of it so casually, as if it were all just luck.
The Empress stared at him for a long while, then suddenly asked, "The Heavenly Secrets Ranking was released today. Have you seen it?"
"I've looked at it!" Lin Chen perked up.
"Your Majesty, you are the top beauty on the list! I said it before, the Heavenly Mystery Academy has good taste. With Your Majesty's looks and bearing, it would be an injustice if you weren't ranked first!"
He paused, then added:
"Of course, third place on the Earth Ranking is well-deserved. A mid-stage Grandmaster at the age of twenty-four, with a true dragon protecting him—there are very few like him throughout history!"
This flattery was both direct and natural.
The Empress's expression softened slightly, but the scrutinizing look in her eyes remained:
"Do you know that Yuan Tiangang is ranked first on the Earthly Ranking, marked as 'capable of fighting celestial beings'?"
"I know!" Lin Chen laughed.
"I even said at the time, 'The Heavenly Mystery Institute has finally done something worthwhile. With Mr. Yuan's strength, defeating an ordinary Celestial Being is definitely not a problem!'"
"And what about you?" the Empress suddenly asked. "Since you can command the loyalty of a master like Yuan Tiangang, your own strength must be considerable, right?"
Here we go, to the main topic.
Lin Chen understood, but an embarrassed expression appeared on his face:
"Your Majesty, please understand, I...I am truly a dissolute playboy."
My cultivation level is so-so; I just broke through to the sixth rank a few days ago.
A sixth-rank official isn't bad among the younger generation in the capital, but it's certainly not outstanding either.
The Empress clearly didn't believe it: "Sixth rank? Lin Chen, do you take me for a three-year-old child?"
"Your subject dares not!" Lin Chen protested. "If I were truly capable, I would have taken the martial arts exam long ago. Why would I spend my days wandering around brothels?"
"It's just that... I have limited talent and don't like to endure hardship. My father used to beat me a lot when he was alive, but I just can't seem to improve!"
He spoke with such sincerity, and coupled with his "I'm hopeless" expression, he actually seemed somewhat believable.
The Empress paused for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject: "How are your seven sisters-in-law doing lately?"
"Great, excellent!" Lin Chen immediately beamed.
"The eldest sister-in-law is skilled in swordsmanship, the second sister-in-law is a superb doctor, the third sister-in-law is an excellent accountant, the fourth sister-in-law is skilled in light footwork, the fifth sister-in-law is good at making money, the sixth sister-in-law is well-informed, and the seventh sister-in-law is good at diplomacy."
With them around, I can finally relax and be a hands-off manager!
His words were half true and half false, but they cleverly highlighted the talents of all seven of his sisters-in-law, both showing off and concealing their shortcomings.
The Empress smiled enigmatically: "I heard the Old Madam intended for you to 'shoulder the responsibilities of eight households,' but you declined?"