klisemfg Chapter 194 We've really been robbed.
Chapter 194 We've really been robbed.
"Father thought that Senior Lin You was very powerful, so his words could be trusted. Therefore, he came here to see you every year during the Ghost Festival. He originally planned to continue like this until his own time was coming to an end, but last year your mother saw you, who had been reincarnated, in her dream."
"That's good. As parents, what we all hope for is that you will live in peace and safety for generations to come."
"The only pity is that you may not be able to see the scene of taking down the Qin family here last year. But your father has finally given you an explanation. In the future, no one will have to go through the pain you suffered."
"Tingsong is doing well. He spends all his time hanging out with your good brother's son, just like you and Lin Shihe did back then. Yu Xi and that little brat from the Lin family have taught him quite well. I think he'll be able to stand on his own in another ten years or so."
"As for your younger brother, he's always thinking about running off with his wife, and he keeps urging Tingsong to grow up quickly. If you can appear in my dream again, remember to scold him in your dream!"
"Your mother has forgotten you, don't blame her. It was your father's idea, we have to make sure your mother lives a good life. But don't be afraid, the doctor said she will remember you someday."
In the desolate hall, Emperor Longyun would occasionally add a few sheets of paper to the brazier, muttering to himself intermittently.
"Yuxu, your father is old and tired. I no longer want to watch the drama in the capital. In a few days, I will go to find your mother. The world is vast, and I can live a carefree life."
At this point, Emperor Longyun suddenly couldn't help but chuckle, "Perhaps, your father is still vigorous in his old age and can give you another younger brother or sister."
……
"Yu Xu, you should have a new beginning now. We both need to let go of the past to live better lives. Forget about what happened here..."
"...This should be the last time your father comes to the Star-Picking Palace to see you, my child. Your father and mother wish you a smooth and peaceful new life..."
The flickering candlelight danced on and off. Inside the Star-Picking Hall, with its doors and windows tightly shut, the flames in the brazier rose on their own without wind, swirling upwards, their sparks flashing and shimmering, as if an old friend were coming on the wind.
Emperor Longyun stood frozen in astonishment, the firelight clearly reflected in his eyes.
After a long while, the flames finally subsided.
Emperor Longyun wiped the moisture from the corner of his eyes, lowered his head, and revealed a smile.
"Goodbye, my child."
*
On July 20th, the new emperor ascended the throne.
Amidst solemn music and the bowing of the officials, and the barely suppressed joy in Emperor Longyun's eyes, Lu Yuxi sat on the dragon throne in the Taiji Hall.
"...The reign title was changed to Anhe, and the birth mother, Lady Bai, was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager. The Crown Princess, Lady Lin, was made Empress, and the Crown Prince's grandson, Lu Tingsong, was made Crown Prince..."
Lu Yuxi only had Lin Shiming as his crown princess, and in order to show his respect and affection for Lin Shiming, he combined the enthronement ceremony and the empress conferment ceremony into one.
Lu Tingsong was all alone, waiting for the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony a few months later.
Sitting next to him, Emperor Longyun patted the new crown prince on the shoulder, gloatingly comforting him, "Don't be sad, they'll bully you a lot more often in the future, this is nothing!"
Having lived in the Eastern Palace for over a year, Lu Tingsong, who had long since grown accustomed to it, remained unfazed and ignored Emperor Longyun's mockery.
Emperor Longyun, enraged by his failed attempt to bully the child, yelled, "Hey you little brat, instead of learning something good, you're just copying your uncle's boring gentlemanly manners! You're so boring!"
Lu Tingsong accepted the compliment without flinching, saying, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
Emperor Longyun: "..."
Emperor Longyun: "You might as well learn from Lin Shiming!"
*
The day after the solemn coronation and empress-bestowing ceremony, Emperor Longyun, who had been prepared, couldn't wait to pack his things and load them onto the carriage.
Lin Shiming lay on the couch with his legs crossed, eating dried fruit, leisurely watching Emperor Longyun point out the state of the country and speak eloquently to the eunuchs and palace maids coming and going.
"Take this with me! Take this with you!"
"Watch your hands and feet, you damned servant! That vase was a gift from Zitong to me! If you knock it over or damage it, I'll skin you alive!"
"And there are Huizhou inkstones, Zihao brushes... and pillows! The pillows were sewn for me personally by Zitong! Take them all!"
"Yes, yes, yes! The bed curtains, made of fine silk from Jiangnan, cost two thousand taels of gold per bolt! Take them down and take them with me! We absolutely cannot let those two brats get them!"
The brat Lin Shiming complained, "Father, aren't you being too stingy? You didn't even leave any bed curtains?"
"Shut up! My things cannot be left for you two to ruin! You've already benefited from this!" Emperor Longyun retorted verbally, but his hand still pointed and gestured, "Take that one too!"
Lin Shiming: "..."
Lin Shiming sat up and looked around the Xuanzheng Hall, which had been almost completely emptied and was now just an empty shell. His mind was buzzing.
"Father, could you at least leave us a table and chairs?"
Emperor Longyun thought for a moment, then turned to look at Lin Shiming. "Stand up. The cushion you're lying on was also purchased from my private treasury. It's a tribute from the south, and I'm taking it with me!"
Lin Shiming: "..."
"And that plate of candied fruit you're holding, it's very expensive! Bring it to me!"
The plate in Lin Shiming's hand was snatched away by Emperor Longyun, and the dried fruit also ended up in Emperor Longyun's stomach.
You bandits! You ransacked even more homes than I did!
With a melancholy expression, Lin Shiming left the palace and gazed at the sky.
"What's wrong? Weren't you helping Father pack his things? Why are you out here?" Lu Yuxi, who had just finished court, strolled over and took Lin Shiming's hand.
Lin Shiming said weakly, "I'm afraid that if Father gets excited, he'll pack me in a box and take me away too."
Lu Yuxi: ?
*
Dozens of people worked tirelessly for an entire morning under the command of Emperor Longyun, finally looting the Xuanzheng Hall completely.
"Go! Put the red boxes in the front carriage, and the black ones in the back!" Emperor Longyun shouted as he took a sip of water. "Don't get them mixed up!"
The guards below were busy, carrying huge boxes onto the carriages without stopping. The carriages lined up one after another, stretching far beyond the gates of the Huangji Palace, with no end in sight.
Lin Shiming leaned against a pillar and sighed, "Isn't this more than my dowry?"
Lu Yuxi smiled and said, "It's still a bit lacking. Half of Father's private treasury was left to me and Tingsong."
Lin Shiming clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Your Majesty, it's getting late, it's time to serve lunch." Zhao Lei, who had been promoted to Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Guard, hurried over and bowed to ask for permission.
Lu Yuxi asked, puzzled, "Then just set it up? Why are you asking?"
Zhao Lei paused for a moment, then pointed to an open window in the Xuanzheng Hall.
Lu Yuxi glanced around and saw that the side hall, which was usually used for dining, was completely empty. There were no tables or chairs left, not even a single hair.
We've really been robbed.
“…Never mind.” Lu Yuxi pinched the bridge of her nose. “Put them all in the East Palace first. The Emperor Emeritus, the Empress, and I will go there in a bit.”
Zhao Lei accepted the order and left, while Lin Shiming slapped his thigh and laughed silently.