mtlumby2d Chapter 210 Extra (1) Parallel World 15
Chapter 210 Extra (1) Parallel World 15
Chapter 210 Extra (1) Parallel World 15
As evening fell, Chonghua Palace was brightly lit.
Since Lu Yuxi's injury had not yet healed and she could not sit in a chair, the two of them simply had their dinner on the tatami mat. By replacing the small table in the middle, they created a temporary dining table that could hold more than a dozen plates.
The palace maids laid out the dishes one by one. Looking at them, they were all top-notch delicacies and rare delicacies prepared by the imperial chefs. Even the ignorant little country bumpkin Lin Shiming's eyes lit up.
Lu Yuxi was almost amused by the way he looked so eager that he was practically drooling. He picked up the serving chopsticks and first added a piece of braised deer tendon to Lin Shiming's bowl.
"Eat up, don't be shy. It's just the two of us, so there are no formalities."
Since you've put it that way, I can't very well refuse, can I?
Lin Shiming hesitated for a second, then immediately abandoned all restraint, picking up the unknown dish from the bowl and putting it in his mouth.
Oh oh oh!
What is this? It tastes so good! It's so smooth and tender!
Having grown up in the rough and tumble Zhenguo Duke's mansion and the military camp where all that mattered was filling one's stomach, he had never tasted such exquisite food before.
Tears of emotion filled my mouth.
"This is braised deer tendon." Lu Yuxi, who had been paying close attention to Lin Shiming, kindly explained to him, "It's made from carefully selected sika deer and has been stewed for several hours."
Sika deer!!
Animal protection! No wonder I never ate them in my past life!
A wave of guilt washed over Lin Shiming, making him sadly pick up another bite to comfort himself. "We've already killed them, we can't waste them, can we?"
Although he often hunted in the mountains throughout his life, due to the rudimentary conditions, he usually only ate simple roasted venison and had never heard of such a way of eating it!
"You eat so well every day, (chewing)?"
Lu Yuxi chuckled, "No. Like the Lin family, the Lu family has never forgotten the reasons for the downfall of the previous dynasty, and diligence and frugality are also family precepts. Although we are royalty, we only eat such elaborate and expensive dishes a few times a day."
These dishes were specially prepared by the imperial kitchen for your banquet. They are just ordinary, everyday meals served in the palace.
Lin Shiming nodded like a chick pecking at rice, and then ordered some more stir-fried chicken tongues.
Seeing that he was enjoying his meal, Lu Yuxi felt a little relieved. She picked up her chopsticks, ate a few bites to fill her stomach, and then personally poured two cups of Osmanthus Dew and placed them in front of the two of them.
“We are still young and not old enough to drink alcohol. This is the Osmanthus Dew that was presented as tribute a few days ago, and it tastes quite good.”
Lu Yuxi picked up the cup and held it up in the middle of the table with both hands.
"This cup is to thank you for saving my royal brother."
"No problem, no problem!" Lin Shiming swallowed the food in his mouth and raised his cup to clink glasses with the cup.
"Father originally intended to issue an edict to reward you, but a few days ago your elder brother specifically instructed that you do not like fame, so he had to give up the idea. He thought that he would bestow the reward on you when you come of age. Your elder brother also wanted to thank you in person, but he has been too busy these days and could only entrust it to me."
Lu Yuxu, who was bored in the Eastern Palace and playing with his son, suddenly sneezed twice and felt a chill down his spine, as if someone was chirping at him.
Unfortunately, Lin Shiming knew nothing about it.
He downed the dew in his cup in one gulp, casually uttered "It's nothing to worry about," and then buried himself in his rice.
"It was just a small favor for you, merely saving someone on a whim, but for me, for my father and mother, and for Changping, it was a great kindness."
Lu Yuxi put down her cup and began to serve Lin Shiming the dishes.
"You may not know this, but although this matter seems to have been settled simply now, if my brother were really gone, things would be very different."
Lin Shiming chewed like a hamster, occasionally raising his head to glance at Lu Yuxi.
"If my elder brother were to pass away, my father and mother would be devastated upon hearing the news and would not be able to retaliate immediately. I would then become my mother's only remaining child, and for the sake of the future, I would certainly not dare to gamble with my reputation and kill without restraint."
They won so easily now precisely because Lu Yuxu returned unharmed. Therefore, they wouldn't miss the opportunity due to grief, which allowed Lu Yuxu and Lin Shihe to act decisively and eliminate the Qin family before the court assembly, bypassing the court and factional entanglements to put an end to everything.
Lu Yuxi no longer needs to worry about her reputation, and can act more freely, even daring to take action despite the charge of overstepping her authority.
"If it weren't for that, and if we could drag it out for a few days until Father and Mother came to their senses and the matter was brought to the court, then Empress Dowager Qin would surely be able to use her position as Empress Dowager to coerce the court officials into letting the matter drop by appealing to filial piety."
Just like some things, if you keep putting them off, they'll just disappear.
"By then, we will have suffered a complete defeat. Even if we are able to get revenge in the end, it will likely come at a great cost and take many years."
Lin Shiming slowed down his chewing.
He put down his chopsticks, reached for his teacup, and took a sip.
"No, surely it can't be that bad? His Majesty holds great power and military authority; surely he can keep Empress Dowager Qin and the court officials in check?"
“Why not?” Lu Yuxi shook her head. “There is a big difference between when the Emperor is here and when he is not. He is the eldest son with a good reputation, and he is the most rightful and popular choice to be the Crown Prince. Only he can completely suppress the other princes.”
Once he's gone, my brothers will inevitably rise up, forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. The court will inevitably descend into a power struggle and intricate web of interests, which cannot be completely suppressed by simple military power.
The principle of primogeniture dictates that the power of a second son born of the principal wife is inevitably less than that of the legitimate eldest son. This is similar to the case of the crown prince during the Kangxi era.
Lin Shiming wasn't truly an ignorant fool. Putting himself in Lu Yuxi's shoes, he easily imagined the chaotic consequences she had described.
"No wonder the Qin family dared to take such a great risk to kill your royal brother."
High risk, high reward; if successful, the Qin family might just be able to turn the tide.
"So I'm really grateful to you. Your rescue saved many people."
In the imperial court, even the slightest mistake can lead to drastic changes. The interpersonal relationships and intrigues are incredibly complex, and a single misstep can result in death or even the destruction of one's entire family. Therefore, no one who grows up in such an environment can be as lively as Lin Shiming.
Lu Yuxi lowered her eyes and sighed softly.
Fortunately, none of this has happened.
He still has his elder brother to shelter him from the wind and rain, and he can leave this oppressive and painful place with Lin Shiming.
His future is bright and promising. He doesn't have to confine himself to the cage of power; he can be unrestrained, lively, and experience all sorts of new things.
Children who are loved are different.
Lu Yuxi was lost in her own thoughts for a moment.
Lin Shiming bit his chopsticks and stared at him for a while, feeling that this person might be in an emotional state. He decisively and kindly changed the subject.
"Um—I heard from my brother that His Majesty has been very depressed these days, and it was the Empress who persuaded him to come back. What exactly happened? Tell me!"