HLnovel Chapter 164 Xiao Feng is an upright man and does not produce fake seals.
Chapter 164 Xiao Feng is an upright man and does not produce fake seals.
Lin Shiming's cooperation was clearly within Emperor Longyun's expectations.
"You flatter me." Emperor Longyun smiled amiably. "Don't underestimate Shi Ming just because he's young. He's very methodical in his work. From the provincial examination to the current revision of laws by the Ministry of Justice, and the recent imperial examination, which one wasn't handled beautifully and perfectly?"
"Having such a wonderful daughter-in-law is a blessing for me!" After this flattery, the cunning Emperor Longyun finally revealed his true colors. "Just now he was helping me solve my problems, recommending you, my dear minister, to stabilize the court, maintain the security of the capital, and implement new laws!"
"Indeed, I recommend the virtuous without regard to kinship. I also believe that you, my dear minister, are exceptionally capable and will surely be able to accomplish these tasks for me!"
Lin Shiming's smug expression immediately froze on his face.
"Oh?" Lin Shihe's gaze, which held a half-smile, shifted to Lin Shiming's face. "Is that so, Shiming?"
"I...I didn't, I didn't..."
"Indeed! Shi Ming was still making excuses." Emperor Longyun pressed his advantage, giving Lin Shi Ming no chance to protest. "If you don't believe me, ask the Grand Prince Consort. Just now, Shi Ming didn't make any excuses for you. Otherwise, why would I disregard your wishes to spend time with your wife and children and force you to be so busy that you can't even go home?"
Xiao Feng's calm gaze met Emperor Longyun's, who silently mouthed to him, "Lou Yunsu."
Xiao Feng calmly gave false testimony: "That's exactly right."
It's not entirely a lie; Lin Shiming really didn't try to stop them seriously just now.
Lin Shiming was struck by lightning.
He was betrayed!
"You believe Xiao Feng's words, don't you?"
Xiao Feng was an upright man who never told lies.
Lin Shihe understood. He gave Lin Shiming a friendly, fake smile.
"I really didn't! You can ask Lu Yuxi and my elder sister if you don't believe me!"
Lin Shiming was in a desperate struggle and was about to seek help from Princess Heyou and Lu Yuxi, but Emperor Longyun, with his cunning and shrewdness, cut off his escape route.
"Of course we have to ask. The Crown Prince and He You have always been on Shi Ming's side, so shouldn't they praise him properly this time?"
This time, Emperor Longyun's implied meaning was so clear that even Lin Shiming understood it. The Crown Prince and Princess Heyou were on his side, therefore their words were unreliable.
This sentence immediately shut down Lu Yuxi's defense of Lin Shiming. Princess Heyou, who was unaware of the relationship between the Lin brothers, was even more bewildered, not understanding what was so interesting about discussing such a trivial matter.
As a result, Lin Shiming could only receive Princess Heyou's puzzled expression and Lu Yuxi's helpless yet pitying gaze.
It's over.
Lin Shiming wanted to cry but had no tears.
With the evidence irrefutable, Lin Shihe was already planning how to deal with his younger brother.
"It seems that Shi Ming is still thinking about the joke I made with him a few days ago."
Lin Shihe even automatically filled in Lin Shiming's motive for committing the crime—holding a grudge against him for his words that had been directed at him a few days earlier.
With his death over, Lin Shih-ming accepted his fate.
"I will naturally discuss this matter with Ming later," Lin Shihe steered the conversation back on track. "But I wonder what Your Majesty's current plans are?"
Emperor Longyun, who had perfectly framed Lin Shiming, was in a great mood, his joy was palpable, and even the melancholy of temporarily parting with Bai Qiongzhu had faded considerably.
"Imperial Physician Li took my pulse and administered acupuncture. He said that I was overwhelmed with grief and could not bear it, which is why I suddenly fainted."
Lin Shihe understood. "Then how does Your Majesty plan to treat the illness?"
"I also want to cheer up, but alas, I am old! My heart is willing but my strength is insufficient. The imperial physician suggested that I change my environment and recuperate. I have no choice but to accept my age and prepare to 'rest' for a few days in Xuanzheng Hall. Once I am 'clear-headed,' I will go to the temporary palace to recuperate as scheduled."
After saying this, Emperor Longyun, true to his word, added fuel to the fire, saying, "The stability of the court can only be temporarily entrusted to you, my dear minister! I feel so bad for you having to work so hard."
"Your Majesty, I will obey your will."
Emperor Longyun was very satisfied, feeling exceptionally relaxed both physically and mentally. He happily tossed the memorials in his hand onto the makeshift table beside him, intending to enjoy a little wine while carefully reading the thick letter Bai Qiongzhu had left him before administering his last dose of medicine.
"Alright, you can all go about your own business now." Get out of here!
"no!"
Having been tricked, Lin Shiming jumped out just in time and began his revenge with ill intentions, saying, "Since Father is ill, how can we leave Father alone in the Xuanzheng Hall?"
“Your Highness the Crown Princess is right.” Although she didn’t know what evil scheme Lin Shiming was plotting, the filial Princess Heyou still chimed in, “Your subject will naturally stay and personally serve Father Emperor.”
This time, Emperor Longyun's smile gradually disappeared.
“No need for you to trouble yourself, Your Majesty!” Lin Shiming, who had ulterior motives, volunteered. “Father just praised me for being capable. Now that you are ‘ill,’ as your daughter-in-law, I should serve you diligently and attentively to show my filial piety.”
Let me show you what it means to take advantage of someone's weakness to kill them.
Emperor Longyun naturally did not want to die.
"No need. The Crown Princess has important matters to attend to; don't waste your time on me."
"Serving Father Emperor is the most important thing!"
"The nation and its people are of paramount importance, while the ruler is of lesser importance. How can I alone stand against the court and the entire country?"
"Don't we still have my elder brother? We won't be missing another son—"
"Enough." Lin Shihe's temple throbbed with anger. "The Crown Princess should accompany me to handle state affairs. As for His Majesty..."
“Your subject will stay,” Princess Heyou stepped forward. “After all, your subject is more careful as a woman.”
"It's settled then," Emperor Longyun quickly approved.
Lin Shihe glared at him, suppressing Lin Shiming's attempt to argue.
Lin Shiming was furious at failing to achieve his goal and gave Xiao Feng a resentful look.
Xiao Feng remained unfazed. This was perfect; with the princess no longer his protector, he could now free up his hands to deal with the "internal strife" at home.
Several people, each with their own thoughts, happily reached an agreement, leaving only Lin Shiming unwilling but not daring to object.
*
The doors of Xuanzheng Hall slowly opened, and Lu Yuxi led Lin Shiming out of the hall first.
Just as he reached a secluded corner, poor Lin Shiming was grabbed by the neck from behind.
"Brother! It hurts!"
Lin Shiming brandished his claws and claws, but he couldn't escape from Lin Shihe's grasp no matter what.
"Weren't you happy when you betrayed me? Why are you chickening out now?"
"No, it really wasn't me who recommended you. Would I be stupid enough to do something so obvious? I was framed!"
Seeing this, Lu Yuxi quickly explained, trying to rescue his Crown Princess from Lin Shihe's clutches, "Brother, it really wasn't Shiming who brought this up; he wanted to stand up for you..."
"Oh! You weren't the one who suggested it, so you were thinking of helping me, right?"
Lin Shiming nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
"Do you think I'd believe that?" Lin Shi and his men persisted. "I know His Majesty isn't exactly a respectable person, and Xiao Feng's words might be exaggerated, but when it comes to truth and falsehood, do you really dare to pat your chest and tell me that you're genuinely 'earnestly and diligently' standing up for me?"
"I can tell what you're up to just by blinking! You probably think you can get away with something by just saying a few empty words?"
Lin Shihe understands Lin Shiming better than Lin Shiming himself.
"Hmm? Why aren't you making excuses anymore? Feeling guilty?"
"Brother, spare me this time... Lu Yuxi, save me!"