Chapter 371: Bestowing Marriage on Lin Beifan and the Little Princess?
Following that, Prince Yunqing reported the situation.
Thinking that his younger daughter had lost her virtue to Lin Beifan under unknown circumstances, he had become angry and acted recklessly.
The Empress listened, and she was utterly speechless. “So, it was all a misunderstanding! Uncle Yunqing, you were too impulsive at the time, resorting to violence without clarifying the situation! Fortunately, Prime Minister Lin had a grandmaster protecting him, or else things could have taken a dire turn. I will spare you this time.”
“Yes, yes, I was indeed impulsive, and I’ve paid the price for it.” Prince Yunqing touched the wound on his face, grimacing. Grandmasters are truly extraordinary; even now, it still hurt.
“However, I understand your feelings. If your own daughter suddenly lost her virtue to someone else, you wouldn’t remain calm either.”
“Your wisdom, Your Majesty.” Prince Yunqing bowed.
“But if that person is Lin Beifan, it’s different!” The Empress smiled widely. “Both of them are unmarried, one is the current Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the military, while the other is my beloved Little Princess. They are well-matched in terms of background and have a good relationship, making them an ideal match!”
Prince Yunqing was utterly bewildered. “Your Majesty, what do you mean?”
“Uncle Yunqing, isn’t it obvious what I mean?” The Empress tapped the table. “My intention is clear: let these two young people continue their relationship! I’ve long seen that Yunying’s heart is already attached to Prime Minister Lin. She can’t accommodate anyone else, so it’s better to support their relationship and let her find her own happiness.”
“Prime Minister Lin is incredibly talented and can be compared to a celestial being in terms of ability. However, his temperament is uncertain, which worries me. If he establishes a family and career, he should mature quickly and be more dedicated to serving the court on my behalf. And you, Uncle, if this matter truly materializes, you’ll gain a top-tier son-in-law! Someone like Prime Minister Lin is hard to find even with a lantern. Don’t you agree?”
“This is simply a perfect scenario!” Prince Yunqing was completely baffled.
He had originally intended to separate them, but now the Empress wanted to support them? Prince Yunqing was terrified. “Your Majesty, this is absolutely not possible!”
The Empress frowned, “Why not?”
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Lin and Yunying are not a suitable match!”
The Empress’s frown deepened. “Why are they not suitable? In terms of status, age, and other aspects, they are a perfect match! I’ve searched the entire Great Wu, and I couldn’t find a better match than them.”
Prince Yunqing sweated profusely. “Your Majesty, this, uh…”
The Empress scolded, “Speak frankly, don’t beat around the bush!”
“Your Majesty, it’s like this.” Prince Yunqing bowed and explained, “Prime Minister Lin is indeed an outstanding son-in-law. However, he currently holds the prestigious positions of Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the military in the court. I, as a prince of the court, am also a high-ranking official. If the two families were to be united, their combined power would be too great. It might arouse suspicions and concerns. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”
The Empress smiled and shook her head. “What’s the problem with that? I don’t mind. Although high-ranking court officials should be discreet, if you look at it from a different perspective, this can strengthen the relationship between Prime Minister Lin and me. He won’t think about running away all the time.”
Prince Yunqing stammered, “Ah?”
“Cough, I misspoke earlier, Uncle. Don’t pay attention to that,” the Empress covered up.
“But, Your Majesty, Prime Minister Lin, this person… This person still…” Prince Yunqing hesitated.
The Empress inquired, “What about this person?”
“He…” Prince Yunqing gritted his teeth and said, “He is an incredibly greedy person! I’m worried that in the future, there will be serious consequences, and my daughter will suffer!”
The Empress shook her head once again and smiled. “Uncle, isn’t it just a little greed for money? In the entire court, who hasn’t been greedy at some point? Such matters can’t be completely eradicated; we have to turn a blind eye to some extent. As long as he wholeheartedly serves the court, works for the welfare of the people and the nation, I can tolerate it.”
“Your Majesty, it’s not just a little greed; he has amassed a vast amount of wealth. From what I know, the gold, silver, and precious jewels that Lin Beifan has embezzled over the years may even exceed the national treasury!”
However, Prince Yunqing was once again left speechless.
Because the Empress remained unperturbed, as if she were hearing about something ordinary. She waved her hand and said, “I’ve known about these matters for a long time; there’s no need to worry.”
At this moment, Prince Yunqing was truly shocked!
So, the Empress had known about all these corrupt activities from the beginning?
And she even tolerated them?
Embezzling millions of taels of silver was already severe, but the wealth he had embezzled had become equivalent to the national treasury! This undermined the very foundations of the country and harmed its stability. It was enough to warrant the extermination of nine generations!
At this moment, countless thoughts flooded Prince Yunqing’s mind. Had Lin Beifan been the Empress’s pawn all along? Did the Empress encourage his corruption to collect funds to punish corrupt officials?
Upon closer examination, although Lin Beifan had embezzled a significant amount of money, it seemed he hadn’t used much of it. So, what had happened to all that ill-gotten wealth?
At this moment, Prince Yunqing was drenched in sweat. Just then, the Empress’s gaze turned deep and carried a hint of warning. “Uncle, some things are better left unknown. Do not speak of them, or else… I won’t spare you!”
Prince Yunqing immediately assured her, “Yes, I will keep my mouth shut!”
“Not only should you keep it a secret, but also remember, Prime Minister Lin is of utmost importance to me, to the court, and to the Great Wu as a whole. Everyone else in the court can be replaced, but not him. Even if it means offending the entire world, I cannot offend him. To gain his loyalty, no matter the cost… it’s all worth it!”
Prince Yunqing was thoroughly astonished!
He had never expected that Lin Beifan held such a crucial position in the Empress’s heart!
Although Lin Beifan was indeed highly capable, it was still hard to imagine to this extent! Prince Yunqing suddenly felt that Lin Beifan might not be as simple as he appeared on the surface. Although he had achieved extraordinary success in less than two years, becoming the Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the entire country, unmatched by anyone in history, there was still much hidden beneath the surface.
Only the tip of the iceberg had been revealed. Prince Yunqing also felt that the Empress before him was concealing something profound.
Could it be that the Empress was hiding something as well? Why, despite all these years, did she still sit so securely on the throne, ruling the court’s destiny so calmly? At this moment, Prince Yunqing deeply understood the saying: “Accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger.”
“Yes, Your Majesty! I will remember,” Prince Yunqing lowered his head.
“So, let Prime Minister Lin and Yunying’s relationship develop naturally. Uncle, if you dare to interfere with them, I will punish you!” Prince Yunqing was filled with apprehension. “Your Majesty, I dare not!”
Just then, a eunuch’s voice came from outside. “Announcing Your Majesty, Princess Yunying requests an audience!”
Prince Yunqing’s face became somewhat awkward, filled with resignation. This mischievous little girl, she must be coming secretly to the palace to report something to the Empress.
“Yunying is here!” The Empress smiled. “Quickly, let her in!”
The little princess slipped in, saw her father, made a face, then ran to the Empress and said in a loud and aggrieved tone, “Empress Sister, I’ve come to file a complaint!”
The Empress was very surprised. “File a complaint? Who in the capital would dare to offend you?”
“It’s him, my father, Prince Yunqing!” The little princess pointed at her own father indignantly.
The Empress was even more surprised. “How did he offend you?”
The little princess, still in her aggrieved state, said, “Father won’t allow me to associate with Lin Beifan, so he locked me up! He even secretly knocked me out at the time. If I hadn’t been clever and devised a plan, I wouldn’t have escaped! Empress Sister, you must speak up for me!”
“I see!” The Empress was angry. “My dear good Uncle, you actually locked up my beloved little Yunying just because you didn’t want her to associate with Lin Beifan? What crime should you be charged with?”
The little princess, using her faux authority, added, “That’s right! What crime should you be charged with?”
Prince Yunqing gave a bitter smile. “Your Majesty, I made a momentary mistake. I won’t dare to do it again!”
“Will there even be a next time? It seems you haven’t learned your lesson yet,” the Empress said angrily.
The little princess continued her faux authority, “You still haven’t learned your lesson, have you?”
Prince Yunqing, filled with trepidation, bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty, I truly won’t dare to do it again. Please forgive me!”
“That’s more like it!” The Empress laughed gently and comforted the little princess, “Yunying, from now on, I’ll take care of your matters with Lin Beifan. Go ahead and pursue it without worry!”
The little princess blushed instantly and appeared very shy and bashful as she said, “Empress Sister, what could possibly happen between Lin Beifan and me? Don’t make unfounded claims…”
“Is that so? It seems I misunderstood!” The Empress teased, “Yunying, you prefer to take things slowly, then. Alright, I won’t pressure you.”
“No, Empress Sister, you’ve misunderstood my meaning!” The little princess’s face was practically as red as blood, and she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, “I feel like… it might not be impossible…”
The Empress: “…”
