Chapter 388: What I Want is a Gift, Not Impropriety!
“Lady Ziyue, these past eight months, this official has been doing very well! Now, I hold the position of the Prime Minister and the Supreme Commander of the Army, with an additional noble title. I can truly say I’m flourishing!” Lin Beifan boasted.
“It seems, Lord Lin, you have indeed been doing well these months,” Princess Ziyue quipped, “I wonder if you have the time now. I’d like to invite Lord Lin to the Warm Pavilion for a gathering and heartfelt conversation. I’ve also brought some gifts for you.”
“What kind of gifts?” Lin Beifan asked casually.
“It’s the gift you desire most,” Princess Ziyue replied.
Lin Beifan’s eyes lit up, “Lady Ziyue, let’s go quickly!” About half an incense stick’s worth of time later, Lin Beifan and Princess Ziyue returned to the loft where Princess Ziyue usually resided. Though it hadn’t been inhabited for a while, it was regularly cleaned, so it didn’t appear to have changed much.
As they entered the loft, before even starting to brew tea, Lin Beifan couldn’t help but say, “Princess, please give me the gift!”
“Strategist, you’re really impatient,” Princess Ziyue teased as she approached.
Sensing the delicate figure in his embrace, Lin Beifan’s mind was filled with confusion, “Princess, you’re taking advantage of me right away! What I want is a gift, not impropriety!”
Princess Ziyue sighed softly, “I’m giving myself to you, isn’t that the best gift?”
“This gift is too precious, can’t we skip it?”
“No, Strategist, don’t resist. Let me hold you for a while!”
“Oh my!”
After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, the two sat face to face. Lin Beifan accepted the handkerchief offered by Princess Ziyue and wiped away the strawberry marks on his face and neck, finally looking like a proper person.
Their conversation finally returned to a normal track.
“Strategist, please have some tea,” Princess Ziyue handed him a cup of light and fragrant Moonflower Tea specially brought from Dayue. It was incredibly sweet with a hint of bitterness, much like love, leaving a lingering taste.
Lin Beifan, eyeing the slightly bluish tea, was quite cautious, “There’s no poison in this, right?”
Princess Ziyue chuckled, covering her mouth, “Strategist, rest assured, I don’t like to play tricks. I prefer straightforwardness.”
“I’m relieved then,” Lin Beifan picked up the tea and sipped it slowly.
“Strategist, how does it taste?” Princess Ziyue asked.
“The taste is excellent; you have a good heart, Princess,” Lin Beifan replied with satisfaction, “Now, Princess, how is the situation in Dayue? I heard that many people died during this ice disaster, and the country’s power has severely declined, causing instability. How are your people faring? Have you safely weathered the ice disaster?”
Beforehand, when Lin Beifan sensed that the ice disaster was approaching, he had already informed Princess Ziyue of this through her spies in the capital, asking them to prepare.
To emphasize the importance of this matter, Lin Beifan even demanded more money!
As soon as money was mentioned, Princess Ziyue indeed paid great attention.
Without fighting, they prepared wholeheartedly for the disaster.
Now that the ice disaster had passed, Lin Beifan wanted to further understand the situation.
Gratefully, Princess Ziyue said, “Thank goodness for the strategist’s reminder, or this time we would have suffered unbearable losses. Due to timely and thorough preparations, our casualties were not significant.”
She stood up and gave Lin Beifan a bow, saying, “I represent Slanted Moon and express my gratitude to the strategist.”
Lin Beifan waved his hand, “Princess, as your strategist, this is what I should do, no need to be so polite.”
Princess Ziyue nodded with a smile, “The strategist is absolutely right. From now on, we’re like one family, no need for such formalities.”
Lin Beifan glanced back and felt that the princess’s words had some hidden meaning.
“I really didn’t expect this ice disaster to be so severe,” Princess Ziyue sighed, “Originally, Dayue had nearly 40 million citizens, a strong nation with the potential to threaten the dynasty! But in this ice disaster, due to lack of preparation, over ten thousand people died, and the population has decreased by nearly twenty-five percent!”
“Many villages were completely wiped out, turning into ghost towns. Even in larger cities, there were many deaths from freezing. It’s desolate everywhere, with mourning people and white mourning cloth covering the streets. It’s like a human purgatory.”
Lin Beifan spoke, “As far as I know, the death toll seems to be around 8 million…”
Princess Ziyue shook her head, “Strategist, your data is inaccurate. My people and horses have been operating in Dayue year-round, so I have more accurate data. It’s indeed close to 10 million.”
“That’s truly terrifying,” Lin Beifan shook his head in dismay.
“It’s indeed terrifying. No matter how strong a workforce is, it can’t do anything against natural disasters. After this, Dayue will definitely see a decline in national strength and face more difficulties. This is our opportunity as Slanted Moon rises and aims to dominate the world,” Princess Ziyue said confidently.
“Indeed, it seems even the heavens are helping you, Princess,” Lin Beifan replied. “What should we do next?” Princess Ziyue humbly sought his advice.
Lin Beifan smiled, “Princess, you don’t need my guidance for this. Just follow the previous path, steadily and surely. You will definitely achieve your grand ambitions.”
Princess Ziyue nodded with a smile, “The strategist is right.” In fact, this was your plan all along, but I want your confirmation to feel more assured.
“However, having just experienced the ice disaster, the people of Dayue are feeling hopeless. It’s the perfect time to rally the people. You can find some individuals to stand out, act mysteriously, or even incite rebellion, constantly causing chaos in Dayue, diverting their attention, and shaking their foundation. At the same time, continue silently developing and accumulating strength behind the scenes.”
Lin Beifan smiled and said, “If everything goes smoothly, we can hope to overthrow Dayue and restore the Slanted Moon Dynasty next year!”
Princess Ziyue’s eyes brightened as she raised her tea cup, saying, “Then I’ll toast to the strategist’s wise words! I’ll use tea instead of wine, to honor the strategist and to honor our Slanted Moon!”
“Princess, please,” Lin Beifan also raised his tea. They drank their tea like it was wine.
Next, they enthusiastically discussed more about the restoration of the dynasty, their spirits high.
It could be said that they were now on the path to success! Princess Ziyue became increasingly excited, never feeling that her dream was so close. If they followed the strategist’s plan, they had a chance to restore the dynasty by the end of next year! Isn’t that soon?
Not at all, because preparations are underway for the New Year, and after that, it’s the next year!
See, time is not long at all, right?
“Princess, when will you return?” Lin Beifan asked.
“I’ve been busy for over half a year, so I plan to stay here for a while and rest, then return after the New Year,” the princess replied.
“Stay here for the New Year?” Lin Beifan furrowed his brow, “Isn’t the New Year a time for family reunions? Princess, you…”
Princess Ziyue cast a seductive glance, “Strategist, look at what you’re saying. Aren’t you already a part of my family? So, who else should I be with if not you?”
Lin Beifan felt like he had just been trapped again! This woman really has no restraint! What if she can’t control herself in the future? Won’t I be in trouble? This woman can devour someone whole!
Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Beifan invited Princess Ziyue to return to his residence for dinner.
As soon as they arrived at Lin’s residence, the Little Princess stared at them, her hostility evident. She said, “Why is this enchantress here?”
Usually, the Little Princess didn’t get jealous or angry when she saw Lin Beifan talking and laughing with other women, but when she saw Princess Ziyue, it was different. It was as if she would steal her man.
It had to be said, the Little Princess’s instincts were spot on. Lin Beifan’s face changed, “Princess, how can you speak to a guest like that?”
The Little Princess smiled triumphantly, “You’re right, she’s a guest, and I shouldn’t be angry with her.”
“A guest?” Princess Ziyue lowered her head and glanced at the Little Princess with some disdain. “Aren’t we all guests?”
“I’m not!” The Little Princess raised her head proudly. “Let me tell you, I’ve already moved into Lin’s residence, so from now on, I’m the mistress of this house!”
“You’ve already moved in?” Princess Ziyue was surprised and gave Lin Beifan a resentful look, saying, “Lord Lin, you’re really enjoying yourself. The Little Princess has already pursued you!”
She leaned close to Lin Beifan’s ear and whispered softly, “No wonder you’ve been reluctant to leave the capital and follow me!”
“Well, I…!” Lin Beifan felt helpless.
“You don’t mind?” Princess Ziyue teased.
“Yes!” Lin Beifan said with a hint of grievance, looking at Princess Ziyue with dissatisfaction. “I don’t know if it’s because of you, but the Little Princess has become very aggressive and domineering. She often gets handsy with me! If she could be a bit more reserved, she wouldn’t be like this now.”
Princess Ziyue’s face turned slightly red, and she ordered her attendants to bring in a cart full of gifts, saying, “It’s been a while, and I’ve missed everyone so much! These are gifts I brought for you all. I want to wish you all a happy New Year in advance!”
Everyone was pleasantly surprised and gathered around.
“You brought gifts!”
“What kind of gifts are these?”
“Quick, open them, let me see!”
It had to be said that Princess Ziyue’s preparations were very thoughtful. They were all custom-made for Lin Beifan’s residence, and everyone was very happy.
Even the Little Princess received a gift.
The Little Princess turned her head and said, “I won’t accept gifts from this enchantress!”
“But this is specially brought for you, featuring specialty foods from Dayue and a few neighboring countries. Are you really not taking it?” Princess Ziyue held the gift and waved it in front of the Little Princess.
The Little Princess immediately turned her head back and extended her hands, saying, “Thank you!”
“Hahaha…” Princess Ziyue couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing everyone receiving gifts, Lin Beifan couldn’t help but look a little envious, “What about mine?”
Princess Ziyue pounced into Lin Beifan’s arms, shyly saying, “I’m right here!”
Lin Beifan: “….”
