Ch 4: Your Majesty, You Smell Divine!
The next morning at five o’clock.
Before dawn, Lin Che followed Lin Pojun into the palace for an audience.
The Zhen Guo Mansion’s entry into the palace for the morning court was quite impressive.
A team of one hundred men, riding warhorses and pulling carriages, arrived in a flurry.
Lin Che sat in the carriage, looking out the window, and found that the carriage’s speed was very fast, and the surrounding scenery flashed by.
From the outer city to the inner city, and then to the palace walls, it was almost a mad dash.
Come to think of it, it’s strange.
This was permitted by Empress Jiang Li, and the reason was simple: the palace is too large, walking is too slow, and riding horses improves efficiency.
The Empress even allowed commoners to set up stalls outside the palace walls. At night, the area was bustling.
Of course, some veteran officials opposed it, fearing that it was unsafe and would lose the Imperial Family’s dignity.
But the Empress resolutely rejected the objections: This is about sharing joy with the people. Those in the palace are also allowed to leave; without contact with the people, how can they understand the suffering of the people and assist me in governing the world?
As for safety, that’s the Imperial Guard’s job. Should I even guard against my own subjects?
This Empress is truly unique.
“This time seeing the Empress, my life is entirely in her hands.”
Lin Che looked at the palace ahead, quickly calculating in his heart.
He and the Zhen Guo Mansion had completely fallen out; Lin Yaoguang would certainly kill him.
After seeing the Empress, upon returning to the Zhen Guo Mansion, what awaited him would surely be poisoning, slander, or even immediate execution by family law.
He could no longer enter the palace for an audience at any time.
This trump card of the Empress is gone after one use.
Therefore, not only could he not stay at the Zhen Guo Mansion, but he also could not stay in Tian Du.
“Besides the Empress who can protect me for a while, there’s only my system foster father.”
Lin Che had studied the system for half a day yesterday, but there were still some parts he didn’t understand.
He gently closed his eyes and summoned the Divine Machine Point Addition System.
【Host: Lin Che】
【Cultivation Realm: First-Rank Body Tempering Realm（Great Accomplishment）】
【Cultivation Technique: Blazing Sun Invincible Body（Sixth Layer）】
【Remaining Points: 0】
【Divine Machine Point Addition System: Can use remaining points to improve the host’s cultivation technique.】
Yesterday, Lin Che gambled and added all 5 points to the《Blazing Sun Invincible Body》.
He had instantly reached the sixth layer.
The cultivation speed was terrifying.
You know, this technique only has nine levels! How many martial artists need years, even over a decade, to cultivate their body tempering technique to the sixth layer?
Now, with the addition of points, not only was the deadly poison removed from his body, but he also directly entered the First-Rank Body Tempering Realm.
The realm stages are divided into Entry, Minor Accomplishment, Great Accomplishment, Perfection, and Great Perfection.
A breakthrough from Great Perfection would lead to the Qi Refinement Realm.
Now, having leaped to Great Accomplishment, this is a good start.
Now he can clearly feel the large muscles in his body, full and firm. The bones, flesh, tendons, and membranes are full of resilience and power.
“Rebellious Son System, tell me how to get points!”
Lin Che sighed; he had been studying the system for a long time, trying various methods.
But still, there were no hints.
The 5 reward points were used up; what exactly needs to be done to get more points?
I don’t know.
No prompt.
Can’t guess.
“Everyone dismount!”
At the front of the team, Lin Pojun gave an order, and the entire team stopped and dismounted.
Their movements were uniform and agile, and this single action alone demonstrated their discipline.
Lin Che also got off the carriage.
The first thing he saw was the magnificent Imperial Palace, and his body trembled involuntarily.
Above that majestic palace, there was a soaring light, like a pillar of heaven piercing the clouds, purple energy coming from the east, inspiring awe.
Lin Che only looked twice before his eyes began to hurt; he quickly closed his eyes and rubbed them.
When he opened his eyes again, he found that the soaring light and the purple energy were gone.
It seemed he had just been hallucinating.
“Could this be the legendary Imperial Fortune?”
Lin Che muttered to himself, and no matter how many times he closed and opened his eyes, he could no longer see it.
“What are you dawdling for? Catch up!”
Ahead, Lin Pojun turned and shouted coldly.
Lin Che knew he was being called; he immediately followed and walked up the long stairs.
The hundred-man team naturally remained where they were and could not follow.
“When the Empress questions you, say what you should say and keep quiet about what you shouldn’t. Don’t ruin the reputation of my Zhen Guo Mansion. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand perfectly.”
I understand your old man.
Does the Zhen Guo Mansion’s reputation have anything to do with me?
Walking up the long stairs, two maids led Lin Che into a side hall.
There were many people inside, men and women, all waiting to be summoned by the Empress.
Lin Pojun went alone to the Golden Throne Hall ahead. As Duke Zhen Guo, he had to participate in the entire political discussion during the morning court.
Not long after.
Lin Che heard an extremely loud prostration coming from the Golden Throne Hall ahead:
“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years of life to the Emperor!”
Hearing this sound, everyone waiting in the side hall also respectfully paid their respects to the Golden Throne Hall.
Some even knelt down and performed a great bow.
Lin Che remained unmoved. Why do these people always like to prostrate themselves?
The Empress can’t see.
Moreover, a true man born between Heaven and Earth should not kneel at will.
“Are you the hostage, Lin Che?”
At this time, several men walked in front of Lin Che. They were dressed in Confucian scholar’s white robes, appearing elegant and refined.
“No.”
Lin Che shook his head. “But I do know Lin Che. Who are you? What do you want with him?”
Damn it, could there be an assassination attempt before seeing the Empress?
Who would be so bold?
“Full of lies, can you fool me? You are Lin Che! I clearly saw you enter the palace with Duke Zhen Guo.”
A long-haired man among them flicked his folding fan, with an arrogant demeanor:
“Someone like you, with such poor character, doesn’t even dare to admit who you are. If it weren’t for a marriage contract, you wouldn’t even be worthy of Mo Zhaoxue’s embroidered shoes. Do you think you can marry her? Daydreaming.”
Lin Che blinked, his heart settling down. It turned out to be Confucian students here to compete for love.
As for this Mo Zhaoxue, Lin Che had some impression.
This was a marriage between the Zhen Guo Mansion and the Mohist School, a betrothal arranged in childhood.
He had met her a few times as a child, but he hadn’t seen her in ten years, and he didn’t even know what she looked like anymore.
He had been back at the Zhen Guo Mansion for three months, and this Mo Zhaoxue had never come to visit.
It seemed there was no affection between them.
Lin Che calmly asked, “Who are you?”
“Hmph, you’re not worthy of knowing my name,” the long-haired man said coldly.
“Oh, so you’re just like me, you don’t dare to admit who you are either. How could the Confucian Academy teach such a sneaky fellow?”
“You… you’re quick-witted, hmph. I am Zhou Xianchun!”
“Okay, Da Chun, right? I remember you.”
“It’s not Da Chun, my name is Zhou Xianchun!”
“Okay, so you’re not called Da Chun, you’re called Chun.”
Lin Che nodded. This self-righteous idiot was seeking attention in front of me.
I’ll file an imperial complaint soon and definitely bring you down.
I will ruin this brain-dead idiot; let’s see who dares to provoke me in the future.
A student next to him pulled Zhou Xianchun away: “Young Master Zhou, why bother arguing with this kind of person? It’s not worth it.”
“I just can’t stand seeing Miss Zhaoxue entangled with this kind of person. You know, our Confucian Academy produced twelve university students this year, proficient in poetry, prose, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Miss Zhaoxue is one of those twelve university students. What a talent! Hmph, is he worthy?” Zhou Xianchun looked indignant.
Lin Che just listened quietly without saying anything.
Young man, you will pay for your actions.
Soon, an eunuch came to summon him:
“Young Master Lin Che of the Zhen Guo Mansion. Her Majesty summons you—please come with me.”
Lin Che thanked him and followed the eunuch out of the side hall, up the steps, and directly to the Golden Throne Hall.
Upon entering the main gate, he immediately felt an unprecedented pressure.
Countless gazes fell upon him. Whether it was official authority or the Empress’s dignity, it made Lin Che feel uncomfortable.
This was not an illusion, but a real existence.
In this Golden Throne Hall, Legalist officials’ words carried weight, with inherent oppressive pressure; Confucian Grand Scholars cultivated righteous Qi, also inspiring awe; Military Generals focused on killing and their killing intent was hard to hide.
It can be said that the Hundred Schools of Thought each had their own abilities.
Not to mention Her Imperial Majesty, who embodies the Imperial Fortune of Daqian.
“Minister, Lin Che. I pay my respects to Your Majesty—”
Lin Che did not hesitate, and with a thud, he knelt down.
A true man can bend and stretch! It’s nothing!
“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years of life to the Emperor!”
Empress.
As long as you can protect my life, forget about kneeling; even if you ask me to give my life to you, I’m willing.
Lin Che was still in a kneeling posture when he suddenly saw a pair of exquisite golden silk cloud slippers appear in front of him.
“Minister Lin, you have suffered these ten years. Come, get up.”
A very pleasant voice came, and then a fair hand reached down, grabbing Lin Che’s forearm and helping him up.
Lin Che glanced at it; the hand was fair and smooth, with slender and beautiful fingers.
At this distance, he could even see the faint veins on the back of her hand.
Is this the current Empress?
A faint fragrance came, entering his nostrils, refreshing his heart.
Empress, you smell so good~
Lin Che stood up, and only when he looked up did he finally see the Empress’s appearance for the first time.
Beautiful, too beautiful.
Lin Che used to think that “Nature’s Masterpiece” was an exaggerated description of scenery.
But the moment he saw Empress Jiang Li, he instinctively thought that “Nature’s Masterpiece” must have been created for Jiang Li.
A stunning face, bright eyes and white teeth; her every glance was radiant; her tender pink lips seemed to be dripping with water; her every move was full of heroic spirit; her waist was slender and graceful; she was a beauty who could topple a country and a city.
One glance would make it impossible to look away; it seemed as if, in the next instant, this Empress would ascend to the heavens.
“The safe return of the hostage is fortunate for our Daqian.”
“Issue an order, beat the drums! Welcome the meritorious official of our Daqian!!”
Jiang Li’s voice was clear and forceful as she issued the order.
As for Lin Che’s current dumbfounded expression, Jiang Li seemed to be used to it.
Dong dong dong!!
Outside the palace, drummers who were already prepared began to beat drums, and drummers on the city walls in the distance were also ready and began playing together.
The war drums sounded, playing the triumphant return of Daqian《Triumphant Return》.
Suddenly, the entire palace was filled with uniform war drum sounds.
The court officials listened quietly; this palace music was an extremely high honor.
Amidst the drumbeats, Lin Che recovered.
The Empress is beautiful, but my life is more important.
I can’t forget the important matter…
After the drum music ended, Jiang Li announced:
“Issue an edict: Minister Lin’s safe return is a fortunate event for the country, and Daqian will celebrate for three days.”
The ministers bowed:
“Your Majesty is wise—”
Jiang Li stood before Lin Che, gently raising her exquisite and unparalleled face, with skin as delicate as if it could be blown away. Her bright eyes looked directly at Lin Che and asked:
“Minister Lin, what reward do you want? Tell me!”
Lin Che stepped back, clasped his hands in a salute, his voice loud and echoing throughout the Golden Throne Hall:
“I implore Your Majesty to grant me death!!”
