Ch 7: Aside From The Verbal Abuse..

Good heavens!

Is it possible to gain skill points just by earning money?

Moreover, one point for ten thousand taels of gold?

Lin Che froze for a moment, immediately putting down all three gold ingots:

“Help me exchange them for silver notes. Quickly!”

“Right away, Baron Jing’an, please wait a moment.”

These officials were also unsurprised; although gold ingots were valuable, their high denomination made transactions inconvenient.

Silver notes were still the most useful.

In a short while, they placed a stack of silver notes before Lin Che, exactly three hundred thousand taels of silver. If exchanged for gold, it would be thirty thousand taels.

Lin Che picked up the silver notes, but found no changes in the system.

Oh well.

It seems that my attempt to exploit a bug is impossible.

These thirty thousand taels of gold, regardless of the exchange method, are only three skill points.

He picked up the sword and the mansion’s deed, but the system still showed no prompts.

Could it be that only real currency works?

“By the way, gentlemen. If I want to exchange this sword, the silk and satin, all into silver notes and gold, is that possible?”

The officials were astonished; these were His Majesty’s rewards!

They could be exchanged?

Don’t they want their heads anymore?

“His Majesty’s rewards, no one dares to change a single thing.”

“Ah, alright. Then pack everything up, I will deliver it to my mansion after seeing His Majesty.”

Although they couldn’t be exchanged for gold, at least I know how to obtain skill points.

I won’t be leaving Tian Du for the next three months, so I’ll just work hard to make money.

Money is skill points.

Skill points are a means of survival.

Not long after, carts large and small, all the rewards were loaded onto the carts.

Even the maids and thirty guards were selected.

As long as I go to the Imperial Study to thank Her Majesty, I can go home.

Awesome!

It’s just that, this suddenly appearing fiancée, what is this all about?

……

Confucian Academy.

The afternoon sun shone in the Purple Bamboo Forest.

A group of Confucian scholars were discussing their studies. A gentle breeze blew, stirring their white garments, giving them a heroic feeling.

Several university students who had already cultivated Righteous Qi, simply released their Righteous Qi, unsurprisingly causing a lot of envious cheers from other students.

“Senior Sister Zhaoxue, how did you comprehend Righteous Qi? Could you give some guidance to your junior brothers and sisters?”

Among the crowd, a student bowed respectfully to a tall female student, politely asking for guidance.

This female student is Mo Zhaoxue, who is engaged to Lin Che.

She is tall and slender, with a beautiful oval face, an elegant demeanor, and her appearance is striking at first glance.

Because she also cultivated Righteous Qi, she has an inexplicable air of nobility.

Countless proud Confucian students felt ashamed when they saw her.

Mo Zhaoxue comes from the Mohist School, and her father is Mo Zhi Dong, one of the renowned Three Great Master Craftsmen.

But from a young age, she disliked the Mohist School’s mechanism techniques and preferred poetry and prose.

Since entering the Confucian Academy, she cultivated Righteous Qi in just seven years, further strengthening her confidence.

Seeing junior brothers and sisters asking for guidance, Mo Zhaoxue naturally did not hesitate to teach them.

“Since we read the Sage’s books, we must abandon those deceitful thoughts. Study earnestly, contemplate, and remain calm, and naturally you will cultivate Righteous Qi…”

“A while ago, the students in the academy had an exam. I happened to write a poem, and I would like to share it with you all. Let’s encourage each other!!”

The students immediately applauded and cheered.

Mo Zhaoxue was not only beautiful but also very knowledgeable, how could they not welcome her?

Mo Zhaoxue slowly began to speak:

“Morning light reveals the sound of reading, night moon hangs high, lamps brightly shine.”

“In the sea of ink, diligence is the pen, in the heart’s field, ambition is the plow.”

“Thousands of scrolls read, broaden the chest, ten thousand scrolls completed, spirit soars high.”

“Do not say the path ahead is fraught with danger, diligence alone will find a way.”

After reciting the poem, the students cheered.

“Good!”

“Excellent poem! It’s beautifully written.”

“Senior Sister Zhaoxue, this poem is simply our guiding light. In my opinion, the term ‘Three Great Talented Women’ in Tian Du should be changed. From now on, it should be ‘Four Great Talented Women’! Senior Sister Zhaoxue must be included!”

Listening to the praise from her junior brothers and sisters, Mo Zhaoxue proudly raised her head and calmly accepted it.

She even gave some guidance to a few familiar junior brothers.

“Not good, Senior Sister Zhaoxue, not good!”

At that moment, two students ran from afar, sweating profusely and looking panicked.

“What’s wrong? Why are you so flustered? Have you forgotten what the teacher taught us? Even if mountains crumble before you, your expression should not change.” Mo Zhaoxue couldn’t help but scold them.

“Senior Sister, Senior Brother Zhou Xianchun has been arrested by the Bright Mirror Department.”

“What? The Bright Mirror Department! Explain clearly.”

Mo Zhaoxue was also startled. The Bright Mirror Department arresting someone was no trifling matter.

“Because Senior Brother Zhou Xianchun stood up for you. He encountered your fiancé, Lin Che.”

“Why fiancé? I, I don’t have a fiancé? Don’t talk nonsense.”

Mo Zhaoxue was startled, and an angry expression appeared on her pretty face.

How could her unsullied reputation be defiled so casually?

“Senior Sister, it’s really your fiancé. The hostage from Zhen Guo Mansion… His Majesty even spoke about it in the Golden Throne Hall, asking for a speedy marriage.”

Immediately, the two students recounted what happened in the court in detail.

Such matters were not hidden, and gossip spreads quickly, especially regarding romantic jealousy. It had already spread throughout half of Tian Du.

After hearing this, the students’ expressions were strange, and they were also indignant, feeling that their academy’s goddess had been snatched away by an outsider?

It’s really unfair!

Even if she didn’t belong to the male students of their academy, she couldn’t belong to an outsider.

However, they had already heard some rumors that Mo Zhaoxue’s fiancé was the son of Duke Zhen Guo.

Not someone who could be easily provoked.

Muttering a few curses to vent their frustration is acceptable:

“This Lin Che… he, he is truly petty. He has done a lot of harm. He’s definitely not a good match!”

“Keep your voice down, he’s Baron Jing’an now. If these words reach His Majesty’s ears…”

“Humph! So what? Heaven and earth are vast, but reason is supreme. Have you all forgotten that when the Former Emperor made a mistake, Grand Scholar Shi Shangliu of our academy dared to rebuke him directly? We scholars only acknowledge reason. This Lin Che is truly tyrannical!”

Mo Zhaoxue also shook her head slightly.

This Lin Che really is her fiancé.

It was arranged by her family when she was young. However, now she is a university student at the Confucian Academy, a representative figure for many women.

She has met many more outstanding men.

This Lin Che, having been a hostage for ten years, is no longer worthy of her.

The lifelong partner she seeks must be a talented person who is both civil and martial, and will have a high status in the future…like Lin Yaoguang, the Crown Prince of Zhen Guo Mansion.

That would be more appropriate.

“Alas, after ten years, why has this Lin Che become so vengeful?”

Mo Zhaoxue gently shook her head and sighed. Senior Brother Zhou Xianchun is forthright and polite, how could he have used harsh words to insult Lin Che?

Setting aside the verbal insults, wasn’t Lin Che also at fault? Why would a gentleman like Zhou Xianchun specifically provoke and insult you? You must have done something wrong.

Even if we take a step back, wouldn’t Lin Che have retorted? Was it necessary to file an imperial complaint? This is an attempt to utterly ruin someone!

Such a narrow-minded and vengeful nature is absolutely not a good match.

Mo Zhaoxue raised her head and said: “Everyone, come with me to the Bright Mirror Department to find out the truth. This Lin Che has truly disappointed me.”

“Good, we’ll go with Senior Sister.”

“That’s right, I don’t believe it. The Bright Mirror Department dares to detain students from our Confucian Academy. Aren’t they afraid of being condemned for generations? Humph. Let’s go together!”

……

Lin Che received his rewards.

Respectfully waiting outside the Imperial Study.

Now he holds a Mysterious Grade Sword and carries three hundred thousand taels of silver notes, truly the peak of his life.

He waited until 1 PM, when the morning court finally ended.

Lin Che thought that he only needed to formally thank His Majesty for his grace to leave the palace and return home, but unexpectedly he was invited into the Imperial Study.

In the Imperial Study.

Jiang Li changed her clothes, and now she appeared even more cool and tall.

She had less of the Imperial Majesty she displayed in the Grand Hall, and more of a cold and heroic air, making her stunning features even more prominent.

Especially this attire, a waist-cinching outfit, showing off her ample figure, which was particularly eye-catching.

The Empress is truly an Empress, everything about her is bigger than others, bigger, bigger, bigger…

“So big——”

Lin Che’s gaze fell upon her, and he unconsciously blurted out.

“What did you say?” A cold light flashed in Jiang Li’s bright eyes.

Oh no.

Lin Che’s heart sank, wishing he could slap himself twice. Was he tired of living?

Could he really say such things?

He could think it, but he absolutely couldn’t say it out loud.

His gaze swept over to the crown on Jiang Li’s head, with a sparkling gem on top, like a star in the night sky.

“Your Majesty, what’s the origin of this gem on your crown? It’s so big, so beautiful.”

Lin Che spoke casually, exclaiming:

“Those who wish to wear the crown, must bear its weight!”

“Only Your Majesty, such a gifted woman, can wear such a crown. Only you can bear the weight of all the people of Daqian!”

Jiang Li listened quietly, her expression unreadable. Her voice was cold as she said:

“Baron Jing’an, please sit.”

“Your Humble Servant dares not, I’ll just stand.”

Lin Che secretly breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed he had narrowly avoided disaster.

Then he quickly wondered why the Empress summoned him alone.

Was it because of the Second Prince?

This time, I absolutely cannot speak carelessly.

“What is there to be afraid of? When you defied me in the Grand Hall, you didn’t seem so timid.” Jiang Li said in a sarcastic tone.

“Even with ten lives, Your Humble Servant wouldn’t dare to defy Your Majesty. It’s just that, Your Humble Servant is inherently kind and straightforward, and I don’t know how to speak carefully. Please forgive Your Majesty.”

Lin Che showed a look of fear and trembling, and sat down according to her command.

But in his heart, he was thinking:

Empress, if possible, Your Humble Servant really wouldn’t want to defy you in the Grand Hall! Your Humble Servant would like to defy you on the dragon bed~

“Were my rewards withheld from you?”

“Everything is accounted for, Your Majesty’s governance is excellent, rewards and punishments are clear, leading by example. Your Humble Servant’s rewards were naturally not withheld by anyone.” Lin Che seized the opportunity to flatter her.

Jiang Li smiled slightly, like thousands upon thousands of pear blossoms blooming.

So the Empress likes high-level flattery, then from now on Your Humble Servant will definitely flatter the Empress to her heart’s content.

Lin Che had a thought he’d never had before: Jiang Li possessed an aura unique to Emperors, capable of making almost all men feel ashamed, yet also arousing a strong desire to conquer in some strong individuals.

I want to break down her Imperial dignity, and see her unknown side.

This Empress is truly the best of the best.

Jiang Li slowly spoke:

“Life, is what I desire. Righteousness, is also what I desire.”

“If both cannot be obtained, I will only abandon life for righteousness!”

“Well said! I didn’t expect Baron Jing’an to be a Talented Man. Daqian having such a passionate man is truly Daqian’s fortune.”

When she said this, she raised her bright eyes, and Imperial Aura unconsciously emanated from her as she said:

“Before the Second Prince died, did he leave anything for you to bring back?”