Chapter 180: Since I entered the palace, I have been the sole recipient of the Empress’s favor!
“Your Majesty, why are you suddenly bestowing gifts upon this humble servant? I seem to have not accomplished anything!” Lin Beifan asked, bewildered.
“My dear official, you are unaware!” The Empress smiled and said, “Just now, I received good news. The Duke of Wuxi, in his quest to obtain the Slanted Moon Treasure, had a conflict with the other treasure hunters, resulting in 200,000 casualties and a significant loss of power. The Dayue Dynasty has also suffered from this, which is not a bad thing for our empire, right? I am very happy, so let us all rejoice!”
“Ah, I see!” The officials suddenly understood.
However, following that, their discontent grew even stronger. Why are you only happy for one person? Aren’t we all human beings too? They knew the Empress was biased, but she shouldn’t be so blatantly biased!
“Your Majesty, if we are all to celebrate together, then you can’t just reward the Mr. Principal alone. We are also your loyal subjects!” A senior official shouted, filled with dissatisfaction.
“We, the old officials, also need comforting, please understand, Your Majesty!” Another senior official exclaimed loudly.
“Your Majesty, everyone should share in the rewards!” One senior official said sourly.
Even Lin Beifan, unable to bear it in his heart, said, “Your Majesty, why not also reward them a little? The esteemed officials are also not living an easy life! Especially those in the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War, their homes are running out of oil!”
Officials from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War: “…”
You also know that it’s because of you, you damn fool?
Under the persuasion of the officials, the Empress finally relented, “What you all say is absolutely correct. I have overlooked it! Since we are all to rejoice together, I cannot only reward Principal Lin. Each and every one of you present here deserves a substantial reward!”
The civil and military officials’ eyes lit up. The Empress finally remembered them, which was no easy feat!
They couldn’t even remember the last time they received rewards!
Since Lin Beifan joined the court, it seemed like they had no connection to the rewards!
What would the Empress reward them with this time?
Gold and silver?
They didn’t lack those and didn’t need them.
What they most desired was the palace’s fine wine and delicacies…
Those were things that money couldn’t buy outside!
If they could taste a sip of the palace’s fine wine and have a bite of the palace’s delicacies, they would be content even if they were given an immortal!
As everyone thought about it, their excitement grew.
They stretched their necks, like ducklings eagerly awaiting food.
“During these days, you all, esteemed officials, have not only had hardships but also put in great efforts! Therefore, taking this rare opportunity, I will certainly generously reward you all and rejoice together!” The Empress said loudly.
“Your Majesty is wise!” The civil and military officials smiled.
“So, I will bestow upon each esteemed minister…” The Empress tenderly raised a finger, “100 taels of silver!”
The civil and military officials: “…”
Everyone was dumbfounded!
100 taels of silver?
What could they do with 100 taels of silver?
It wasn’t even enough for a good meal!
It wasn’t even enough for a good meal!
It would have been better not to give anything at all!
“Your Majesty, is there anything else?” someone asked unwillingly.
The Empress shook her head, “There is nothing else!”
“What about some wine as a reward?” someone else asked unwillingly.
“If you want to drink, go and buy it! Haven’t I given you money?” The Empress waved her hand impatiently, “Alright, that’s it. Let the morning court begin! Those with a petition can stay, while those without one, leave!”
The civil and military officials: “…”
In the evening, Lin Beifan returned with a group of eunuchs.
The eunuchs carried gold, silver, jewelry, silk, and other items.
Lin Beifan waved his hand, saying, “You come here so often, you know where to put things. I won’t remind you anymore!”
“Rest assured, Mr. Principal, we know where to put things!” they responded.
They skillfully placed these precious items into various rooms.
Li Yuxin arrived and found this scene to be quite strange.
Seeing Lin Beifan sighing, she became even more perplexed and asked with concern, “Mr. Principal, is there something troubling you? Why do you have such a worried expression?”
Lin Beifan nodded, “Indeed, I have encountered a distressing matter!”
“Mister, can you share it with this humble woman? Perhaps, I can share your burden!” Li Yuxin’s eyes were filled with care.
Lin Beifan seemed to have found someone to confide in and sighed, “Miss Yuxin, you don’t know! Since I entered the palace, I have been the sole recipient of the Empress’s favor! I advise Her Majesty to distribute rewards equally, but she insists on only rewarding me, over and over again.”
Lin Beifan sighed again, “Now, my house can no longer hold all the rewards. I’m worried!”
“Huh?” Li Yuxin’s eyes widened, stunned.
What kind of trouble was this? It was a situation that many desired but couldn’t obtain!
Why did he speak of it as if it were so painful?
Li Yuxin felt like she had been deceived!
She really wanted to punch him in the face!
“Keke!” Li Shi Shi chuckled as she approached gracefully, “Husban, you’re being mischievous again! Yuxin, don’t mind him! Sometimes my husband says things that don’t make sense, just joking around. You’ll get used to it!”
“Oh!” Li Yuxin nodded, still confused.
“However, there are indeed too many things that can’t fit, and many of them have not been stored properly!” Lin Beifan sighed, “For example, those shark fins and bird’s nest, they have gotten damp and are no longer edible. It’s a waste, and eating them would be too greasy. It’s so annoying!”
“I know a few medicinal recipes that use shark fins and bird’s nest as the main ingredients. Not only do they have a unique and fragrant taste, but they also nourish the body! If you don’t mind, I can make them into medicinal dishes!” Li Yuxin offered.
“You’re a guest, how can I let you do it?” Lin Beifan responded.
“Mr. Principal, why be so polite with this humble woman?” Li Yuxin replied.
“Husband, Yuxin is not a stranger!” Li Shi Shi pulled Li Yuxin’s hand and smiled, “Yuxin, let’s research medicinal dishes together. I’m interested in this aspect too!”
“Mistress, please!” Li Yuxin agreed.
The two women chatted and walked together.
Watching their retreating figures, Lin Beifan was a bit puzzled. When did their relationship become so good?
But after thinking about it, he understood.
Women need best friends, they need to make friends.
And when finding a best friend, they prefer someone similar.
Li Shi Shi was more traditional, didn’t venture out much, and had limited interactions with other women. The only ones she could truly connect with were the Little Princess, Mo Rushuang, and Xiao Cui…
After considering it, Li Yuxin was the closest in temperament.
It wasn’t difficult to understand why they became friends.
An hour later, the medicinal dishes were ready, and a rich fragrance filled the air.
A small figure suddenly rushed in, shouting excitedly, “It’s here! Good food, how could I miss out?”
It turned out to be the Little Princess, squatting in front of the large pot, her bright eyes widening, and drooling about to drip out.
Her little hands were itching, as if she was about to reach into the pot at any moment.
“When there’s food, you’re always so enthusiastic. Sit properly!” Lin Beifan pulled her to the table.
“No, let me have a taste first!” the Little Princess reluctantly said.
Everyone sat obediently, waiting for the delicious food to be served.
“This is the Medicinal Dish Golden Jade Banquet. It is made with abalone, sea cucumber, fish bones, and other ingredients, slowly stewed with medicinal herbs. Not only is it rich in nutrients, but it also has a wonderful taste. Please enjoy!” Lin Beifan explained.
Each person had a bowl, and everyone savored the flavorful dish.
Lin Beifan smiled and said, “This dish combines all the ingredients and medicinal herbs together, allowing their flavors to blend and create a unique taste. It is a supreme culinary pleasure! Delicious, it’s incredibly delicious! This reminds me of a dish called ‘Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.’”
“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?” The Little Princess, who was busy eating, raised her little head curiously and asked, “What kind of dish is that? Is it tasty?”
Everyone perked up their ears and listened attentively.
“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is made by slowly stewing various rare ingredients in a specific process. The taste is incredibly delicious and leaves a lasting impression! They say it’s so fragrant that even the Buddha can’t resist jumping over the wall to eat it, hence the name!”
Everyone became even more interested upon hearing this.
“However, this dish requires a lot of ingredients, and the process is very complicated and time-consuming, making it quite troublesome to make!”
“It’s not troublesome at all. Just tell me the recipe, and I’ll find someone to make it right away!” The Little Princess blinked her eyes, hinting eagerly.
“Don’t change your mind later. Go eat your own food!”
“Ah, so mean!”
During this meal, everyone enjoyed themselves as both hosts and guests.
After eating and drinking to their heart’s content, Lin Beifan lazily lay on a rocking chair, blissfully pondering about the Qinglong Mountain Range.
Now, various forces and experts have already gathered in the Qinglong Mountain Range.
For the sake of fighting for the slanted moon treasure, there have already been bloody conflicts, with the Wuxi Duke and the Dayue Dynasty suffering the most losses.
In the past half month, the Wuxi Duke has lost 200,000 soldiers and horses, while the Dayue Dynasty has lost 150,000. It can be said that the losses were disastrous.
… … …
In the upcoming period, their losses will continue to expand.
Moreover, after this battle, their strength will greatly diminish, and their cooperation will also be basically non-existent!
If they want to mobilize their forces, I’m afraid they’ll have to wait until next year!
At this time, the military strength of the Slanted Moon Dynasty has already grown strong enough to pose a significant threaty to them.
Everything is developing according to his expectations.
Just at this moment, Lin Beifan suddenly felt a bit ashamed.
His enemies are all on the frontlines, fighting and shedding blood for a treasure that may not even exist, while he is enjoying himself behind the scenes. It’s too decadent, too aimless. How can he bear it in his heart?
If they were to find out, wouldn’t they be infuriated?
Therefore, he must rise up!
He must pull himself together!
At the very least, he must pretend to be a little more capable!
Otherwise, his conscience will not be at ease!
