Chapter 292: Your Subject Lin Pei, Requests an Audience with Your Majesty

“Huh?”

Lin Xun was somewhat bewildered.

“Hmm?”

The civil and military officials in the court hall also looked up in confusion.

They felt something was strange, but couldn’t quite put their finger on what exactly was odd.

Wait!

It is indeed strange!

Has Your Majesty mistaken the main point?

We are discussing Lin Pei of Luo City’s corrupt personal morals, so why does it feel like Your Majesty is more concerned about who that Courtesan is?

What does that Courtesan have to do with anything?

“Your Majesty, who the Courtesan is bears no relation; our primary concern is Lin Pei being by Your Majesty’s side!”

Another Censor stepped forward and spoke.

“Minister Wang, that is not correct.”

Also noticing her own slight lapse in composure, the Empress sat back down on her Throne, her demeanor once again imposing and dignified.

“Isn’t it you scholars who enjoy frequenting the places of the Mortal World?

Who among those present here has never been?

What, now you want to bring this up to make a case? In that case, Minister Wang, perhaps you should all simply discard your Official Caps and return to your hometowns.

Furthermore, some of the improper paintings Mr. Lin has drawn and the improper novels he has written were done to supplement his family’s income.

This I am aware of.

It is indeed somewhat unsuited for refined company, but does it violate the laws of our Qian Kingdom?

If we follow this logic, when various ministers sometimes exploit their positions for personal gain, should I, your Emperor, settle accounts with them later?”

By the end, the Empress’s voice was nearly scolding.

Although after the Empress ascended the Throne, she gradually abolished the Kneeling Ritual.

Some of the old officials left over from the previous dynasty had already involuntarily knelt down.

And when some officials of the new dynasty saw the old officials kneeling with a clatter, it felt inappropriate not to kneel themselves.

After all, even if they hadn’t sought minor personal gains, they had visited the Mortal World, so they too followed suit and knelt.

In an instant, only Lin Xun remained standing out like a crane among chickens.

This rather left Lin Xun at a loss.

Wait, didn’t the Qian Kingdom abolish the Kneeling Ritual?

Should he kneel or not?

If it were anyone else, even a heavenly king, Lin Xun would not kneel.

Currently, Lin Xun had only knelt under two circumstances.

One was with Qinger in the room, and the other was kneeling on a washboard in the courtyard.

But the other party was Sister Mimi, who could be said to be one of the most important people in his life.

Kneeling wouldn’t be out of the question; it would be giving Sister Mimi some Face.

Back when he was half-paralyzed, Sister Mimi even knelt by the bedside to wash his feet.

Not kneeling was also fine, as he wasn’t the one being scolded anyway.

Just as Lin Xun was wrestling with this dilemma, he looked up and saw Sister Mimi playfully sticking out her rosy little tongue at him.

That charming little expression seemed to say: “How about that, I’m impressive now, don’t underestimate me.”

Lin Xun quickly lowered his head, pretending not to see.

“You Censors are a legacy from the previous dynasty and do have some use, but it is absolutely not for you to run amok all day.”

Xia Xiaomeng continued her reprimand.

“If you continue to make trouble out of nothing and waste my time, do not blame me.”

“We acknowledge our error,” the civil and military officials said in unison.

The Empress snorted coldly: “Alright, all rise. Let this matter rest. Are there any other matters to report?”

The officials all stood up, but no one spoke.

Since the Empress began her reign, she held court every morning, extremely diligent, so there weren’t necessarily many matters requiring court discussion daily.

Usually, the officials simply submitted Memorials.

“Since there is nothing, court is adjourned.”

Xia Xiaomeng gave Lin Xun a deep look, already impatient to return to the Inner Palace.

“The Draft Recorder is to come to my Imperial Study immediately. Do not think that with Qi Yu’s recommendation, the Draft Recorder can assume his post easily; I must thoroughly examine him!

Court Adjourned!”

“We respectfully see off Our Emperor.”

Amidst the officials’ unified voices, Xia Xiaomeng left the great hall.

The assembled officials also let out a deep sigh; unknowingly, cold sweat had already broken out on their foreheads.

Looking at them, Lin Xun slightly frowned.

Although Sister Mimi had reprimanded them, it wasn’t too severe, and they truly hadn’t committed any Capital offenses.

Therefore, there was no need for such panic.

Lin Xun felt that if his guess wasn’t wrong, Sister Mimi had already entered the Golden Core Realm.

According to ancient texts, the higher the Realm of the Immortal Emperor Body, the greater the Imperial Majesty.

Later on, even a single reprimand could stir the Wrath of Mountains and Rivers.

It seems he really needs to think of a good method to help Sister Mimi conceal her Immortal Emperor Body.

Otherwise, Sister Mimi would be like the brightest lamp in the night, attracting countless moths to fly toward the flame.

“Mr. Lin, please follow me.”

A Palace Maid approached to lead Lin Xun into the Inner Palace.

Only then did Lin Xun react.

Sister Mimi hasn’t reached the Nascent Soul stage yet; exposure of the Immortal Emperor Body would still take some time.

But right now, whether his own innocence can be preserved is hard to say!

“I trouble you to lead the way, miss.”

Lin Xun sighed inwardly and followed the maid toward the Inner Palace.

The Qian Kingdom’s Inner Palace was like a small city, a city within the Capital.

Pavilions and towers stood in rows, with red walls and high eaves, a vast lake, an Observatory Tower at the center, and even a real mountain.

To Lin Xun’s surprise, there were even small stalls, vendors, wine shops, and teahouses within the palace grounds!

However, whether they were pedestrians, customers, stall owners, or teahouse Storytellers,

Without exception, they were all women.

Some women were chasing each other on the streets.

Some young maidens walked hand in hand, strolling along the streets with candied haws on sticks.

The lively, melodious sounds of their voices were incessant, like the ringing of silver bells.

Only when Lin Xun stepped inside did he truly understand

why it was rumored that the Qian Kingdom’s imperial palace was called the “Kingdom of Women”!

Moreover, women entering the imperial palace must be of Pure, Untouched Status.

For any man, this was simply paradise!

Even more, the master of this city was not some decadent, lustful ruler, but the Empress of the Qian Kingdom, also its number one beauty.

Lin Xun strongly suspected that Sister Mimi wanted to use this Gentle, Alluring Place to erode his will!

When the women in the palace saw Lin Xun, they all seemed rather surprised, stopping to look.

Many of the young maidens who had been playing around quickly composed themselves, standing gracefully with slightly flushed cheeks, using slender hands to tidy their bangs and skirt hems.

A man! It really is a man!

So rare!

Lin Xun pretended not to see these gazes, merely walking forward, not daring to look at any particular woman for too long.

Otherwise, that woman he glanced at a little too long might be sent out of the palace the very next day.

“Her Majesty is in the Imperial Study. This Humble Maid will take her leave first.”

The Palace Maid curtsied slightly, bowed her head, and withdrew.

“I trouble you, miss.”

Lin Xun expressed his thanks.

Standing outside the Imperial Study, looking at the door, Lin Xun took a deep breath:

“Your subject Lin Pei, requests an audience with Your Majesty.”

“Hmm.”

From within the Imperial Study came the voice of a young woman, authoritative yet soft and tender.

“Enter by yourself.”