Chapter 390: Is the Empress Coming to the Lin Residence for New Year’s Greetings?
The grand court gathering had concluded amidst celebration. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Beifan had no leisure because officials and military personnel from the entire court came to offer New Year’s greetings to him.
The first to arrive was Gao Tianyao, the Minister of Personnel.
Among all the civil and military officials, his relationship with Lin Beifan was the worst. They had been in conflict since Lin Beifan entered the officialdom, and this feud persisted even now. Knowing that Lin Beifan had become the Prime Minister, he only paused for a moment.
However, even if their relationship was strained, and even if he was reluctant, he had to come and offer New Year’s greetings. It was an unspoken rule in the officialdom. If you didn’t do it, it meant you didn’t understand the ways of the world and might incur displeasure, or even lead to Lin Beifan making things difficult for you.
Gao Tianyao led officials from the Personnel Ministry and they all came to pay their respects.
“May Prime Minister Lin have a prosperous New Year, and may all your endeavors be successful!” Lin Beifan bowed and smiled, saying, “Colleagues, there’s no need to be so formal. I also wish you all health, success, and advancement in the new year.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister!” the officials from the Personnel Ministry echoed once again.
Next came officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, the Six Doors, the officials of the Capital City, and teachers from the Imperial Academy, and so on.
They all came to pay their respects one after another, in an unending stream.
In addition to the officials, some prominent clans, well-known merchants, and renowned scholars also came to offer New Year’s greetings to Lin Beifan.
The threshold of the Lin residence was practically flattened. Of course, Lin Beifan received an overwhelming number of gifts. Several rooms had to be emptied just to store the New Year gifts, and it still wasn’t enough.
Lin Beifan remained busy until the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. He couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh, “Celebrating the New Year is truly exhausting, even more so than handling state affairs and official documents!”
“Husband, who can be blamed when you’re currently the Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the Empire?” Li Shi Shi teased, covering her mouth with a smile.
“Yes, all of this is part of the formalities; it can’t be avoided,” Mo Rushuang added with a smile.
Lin Beifan comfortably reclined in his rocking chair, creaking it back and forth, and hummed, “I don’t care about anything anymore! It’s a rare holiday, and I’m going to take a few days to relax. Whoever comes, accept their gifts and send them away for me!”
But at that moment, a sharp voice pierced through, “The Empress has arrived!”
“The Empress is here?” Lin Beifan immediately jumped up from his rocking chair. Li Shi Shi and Mo Rushuang exchanged surprised glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.
“My dear, there’s no need for such formalities!” The Empress reached out her hand gracefully, her beautiful face carrying a faint smile. She seemed to be in a good mood.
Lin Beifan asked in confusion, “Your Majesty, how did you come here?”
The Empress sighed, “During the New Year and holidays, I was all alone in the palace, feeling quite lonely. So, I specially came out for a walk, to offer New Year’s greetings to you, my dear, and seek some good luck.”
Everyone was astonished! The Emperor had come to offer New Year’s greetings to the officials; this was truly an unprecedented event! What did it signify? It showed that the Emperor held Lin Beifan in high favor!
The whole court was in a stir! Lin Beifan was even more surprised and said, “Your Majesty’s visit is an honor, but it’s quite sudden, and I’m completely unprepared! I apologize for the lack of readiness; how can I make amends?”
“Where do you need to prepare?” The Empress retorted impatiently. “My dear, you’re always finding ways to be lazy and use all sorts of tricks to show disrespect to me. Have I not noticed that?”
Lin Beifan was greatly embarrassed! How could he bring up such a matter? It’s so embarrassing!
Lin Beifan quickly changed the subject, saying, “Your Majesty, it’s quite cold outside. Let’s go inside!”
“Very well!” The Empress gave a slight smile and dismissed those accompanying her, leaving only a eunuch and a palace maid by her side.
With Lin Beifan leading the way, the Empress entered the house, looked around, and said with a smile, “My dear, it’s been nearly two years. You’ve now become the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal of the military, a highly ranked noble. But you still have so few people here! You’re not short of money, so why don’t you hire more staff?”
“Yes, Empress Sister! Lin Beifan is quite thrifty. He hasn’t hired anyone in these two years! Living here, many times he has to do things himself. It doesn’t feel like the home of a high-ranking official!” the little princess complained.
The Empress nodded in agreement, somewhat reproachful, and said, “Indeed, among all the civil and military officials in the court, Prime Minister Lin holds the highest position but lives the most modestly. It’s hard for me to watch.”
Lin Beifan chuckled, “Your Majesty, because I can handle many things on my own, there’s no need to hire more people.”
The Empress sneered inwardly, “Handle them on your own? Isn’t it because you want to be able to leave at any time? I don’t believe you’d leave so easily!”
“However, Empress Sister, I’ve found there are advantages to this!” the little princess chimed in.
“What advantages?” the Empress asked with a smile.
“Because everyone living here is family, there aren’t as many formalities. We all get along on equal terms, which makes it very pleasant. I feel much more relaxed and comfortable here than at the royal palace. I really love it here!” the little princess grinned.
The Empress contemplated for a moment and said, “That’s true! Just like my palace, everyone follows strict rules, and the hierarchy is rigid. Although there are many people, I often feel lonely. It seems that you gain something while losing something!”
The Empress looked around again and said to Lin Beifan with a smile, “My dear, even though you haven’t hired many people, it’s become livelier here!”
The Empress walked up to Li Shi Shi and praised her loudly, “Miss Shi Shi, I heard that you’ve been managing the Lin residence from top to bottom for the past two years! Prime Minister Lin can focus on state affairs thanks to you. You’ve done a great job! Thank you for your hard work!”
Li Shi Shi was pleasantly surprised, “Your Majesty, it’s my duty.”
“You’ve done very well. When you officially enter the family, I have a gift for you to resolve your identity background issue, allowing you to marry into the Lin family with honor!” the Empress said with a smile.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Li Shi Shi was overjoyed.
All this time, her biggest concern had been her background, which often made her feel unworthy of Lin Beifan.
If the Empress helped resolve it, the burden in her heart could finally be lifted.
The Empress came to the second woman and said with a smile, “Miss Rushuang, I know about you too! For these past two years, you’ve been guarding Prime Minister Lin closely, thwarting many dangers. Thank you for your hard work, on behalf of the court.”
Mo Rushuang was also pleasantly surprised!
She was just an ordinary martial artist from the Jianghu, yet the Empress remembered her and publicly thanked her!
“Your Majesty, this is what a commoner should do, and I haven’t felt it was hard at all!”
The Empress teased, “I understand very well, for the sake of love, one can go to great lengths, right?”
Mo Rushuang blushed deeply.
The Empress approached the third person and said sincerely, “Master Jing Tai, for the past two years, you have faithfully guarded the Lin residence without complaint, allowing Prime Minister Lin to focus wholeheartedly on serving the country. Your contributions are significant.”
The old monk put his hands together and said compassionately, “Amitabha, Your Majesty’s praise is excessive. This humble monk only wishes to protect the Buddha’s teachings. My master, is like a Buddha in my heart.”
“He is a Buddha, and you are also a Buddha!” the Empress said.
Next, the Empress went on to express her gratitude to each person one by one.
What was extremely surprising was that the Empress recognized every single person in the Lin residence.
Not only did she recognize them, but she could also describe their characteristics and contributions. Among all the civil and military officials, only Lin Beifan received such an honor.
Next, the Empress rewarded everyone with some benefits to win their hearts.
Everyone was delighted and the atmosphere was harmonious. Just then, a rich fragrance wafted in.
The Empress perked up, “That smells delicious; it must be the aroma of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!”
The little princess laughed, “Empress Sister, your nose is really sensitive. We are indeed making Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and preparing to serve it! When it’s time for dinner, you must stay and enjoy!”
The Empress glanced over, “That depends on whether Prime Minister Lin welcomes it or not.”
“Very welcome!” Lin Beifan smiled and said, “It’s an honor for me that Your Majesty has come to dine at the Lin residence. Besides, I’ve been enjoying royal feasts in the palace these days, and I feel a bit guilty. It’s time to repay Your Majesty!”
Dinner time arrived quickly, and everyone took their seats. The Empress, as the ruler of the empire, naturally sat at the main table. Lin Beifan, as the head of the Lin household, had the obligation to accompany her at the main table. They sat side by side, with Lin Beifan on the left and the Empress on the right.
The interesting part came next.
The little princess also sat at the main table, but on the right side of the Empress. Li Shi Shi, as the first woman of Lin Beifan, also sat at the main table, on the left side of Lin Beifan.
Mo Rushuang, as the second woman of Lin Beifan, was also at the main table, to the left of Li Shi Shi.
This table was filled with women, except for Lin Beifan.
Li Yuxin also came but felt her status was low and her relationship with Lin Beifan wasn’t confirmed, so she quietly sat at the second table with Dali, Xiao Cui, and others.
At this moment, the Empress pointed to the seat next to the little princess and said with a smile, “Miss Yuxin, you should sit here!”
Li Yuxin was instantly flattered, “Your Majesty, this… isn’t it inappropriate?”
The Empress waved her hand, “Come over, anyway, you’ll sit here sooner or later. Do you want to defy my decree?”
“I dare not!” Li Yuxin sat down carefully, not daring to raise her head.
Lin Beifan looked around, feeling bewildered. All these women seemed to have some unclear connection with him! How did the Empress arrange this so ingeniously? A chill ran down his spine. Could it be that she’s targeting me, this little fresh meat?
Lin Beifan shivered with fear!
The Empress chuckled, “Today is a friendly banquet; there’s no need to be formal. Just treat me as an ordinary guest! How we usually interact, continue the same way now!”
“Yes, just treat Empress Sister as you normally do. She’s very easygoing!” the little princess urged.
Encouraged by the little princess’s words, everyone finally relaxed a bit.
Just as things were getting relaxed, a woman in purple walked in gracefully. Seeing the scene, she was taken aback and stammered, “I… perhaps I came… at the wrong time?”
“No, you’ve come at just the right time!” The Empress looked at her with a seemingly nonchalant gaze.
