Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Li Mingxiao changed into casual clothes and took Lin Qing out of the palace to the largest restaurant in the capital, Yongfu Pavilion, where he ordered a full banquet.

Seeing dish after dish of chicken, duck, fish, and meat brought to the table, Lin Qing’s eyes nearly bulged with delight.

Li Mingxiao gently shook his folding fan, noticing Lin Qing’s wide, alert eyes—black and white clearly defined—like a cat spotting food. Having to deal with a court full of crafty old foxes every day, this lively cat was far more interesting.

He lowered his gaze to the braised carp on the table, snapped his fan shut with a soft clap, and nudged the dish toward her with the fan’s tip. “Eat.”

Lin Qing, famished to the point her chest pressed against her back, didn’t bother with formalities. Treating it as the boss’s treat, she grabbed a bowl and began to eat. In no time, the dishes were cleared, and she sighed with satisfaction, her stomach finally comfortable. Even the emperor seemed much kinder after such a meal.

Just then, a member of the Tianlu Guard hurried over and whispered a report: “Deputy Envoy Lin, just now officials from the Court of Justice came by, saying the Marquis of Yongning’s residence refuses to release their people. They claim it’s beyond their jurisdiction. Since this case involves the Minister of Revenue’s corruption, the switched infant case has been sent back to our Tianlu Division.”

Lin Qing cursed inwardly. She had disguised herself as a man just to infiltrate the Tianlu Division to avoid the female lead. Now what? Those old geezers at the Court of Justice—one day she’d tear them apart and hang them on the wall for a bunch of old ladies to admire.

Though grumbling, the task had to be done, especially under the emperor’s watchful eye.

Seeing the Tianlu Guard linger, Lin Qing suppressed her anger and asked, “Anything else?”

The new recruit glanced around nervously, as if unaccustomed to the emperor’s presence, then whispered, “Deputy Envoy Lin, when I arrived, I saw the Marquis of Yongning with his guards headed this way. They said... they want to settle accounts with you and clear his daughter’s name.”

Lin Qing was speechless.

At that moment, a commotion arose outside—the Marquis of Yongning had arrived.

Lin Qing quickly hung her long sword at her waist. “I’ll go see.”

Li Mingxiao nodded in agreement.

Lin Qing led the Tianlu Guard out of the private room. “Your name?”

The guard reported, “Subordinate Meng Jie, newly joined the Tianlu Guard this year.”

“Meng Jie?” Lin Qing found the name somewhat familiar. Studying his face carefully, she realized he had a simple, honest appearance, easy to overlook unless looked at closely. “You were the top scorer in the previous military examination?”

Meng Jie chuckled, “That’s me.”

Curious, Lin Qing asked, “Why would a top military scholar come to work in the Tianlu Division instead of the army?”

Meng Jie was silent for a moment. “The Ministry of Personnel assigned me here.”

Lin Qing understood—he must have offended someone and, lacking influence, was squeezed into this position. She comforted him, “The Tianlu Division isn’t under the Three Departments and Six Ministries; it reports directly to His Majesty. Work hard, and you’ll surely have a bright future.”

The Tianlu Division was notoriously disreputable; those who left rarely found other posts. Once in the division, one was bound to serve it for life. Best to drink the chicken soup—it was free and filling.

Meng Jie, clearly unaccustomed to such pep talk, immediately brightened with resolve, “Subordinate won’t disappoint Deputy Envoy Lin’s expectations!”

Lin Qing felt a bit embarrassed. “Well... good luck.”

Just then, the Marquis of Yongning stormed over with a dozen guards.

Though in his forties, Marquis Lin Hongqiu was a handsome, mature man, his anger blazing as he confronted Lin Qing.

Meng Jie stepped in front of her, swiftly drawing his long knife, blocking the Marquis’s advance.

A few broken whiskers drifted down as Lin Hongqiu took two startled steps back. “Lin Qing, my Yongning Marquis household has never offended you. How dare you slander my daughter’s reputation!”

Leaning casually against the doorframe, Lin Qing replied, “Marquis, you have a fondness for beauties—wives and concubines galore. Your daughters number over ten, many given as concubines to other families to secure alliances. Those in the know understand it’s about matching status; those who don’t might think you’re just paving the way by selling your daughters. Oh... by the way, which daughter do you mean?”

She counted on her fingers. “Is it the eighth concubine from Minister Zhang’s household? Or the elevated secondary wife from Marquis Wu’s family? Surely not the wife of that illegitimate son from Duke Cai’s household?”

Although the mealtime had passed, Yongfu Pavilion was still bustling with well-to-do patrons. When Lin Hongqiu and Lin Qing locked eyes, many onlookers had gathered from afar to watch the drama unfold. Lin Qing’s pointed words only added fuel to the fire.

Everyone in the capital knew the Marquis of Yongning’s household was a fallen noble, barely a marquis in name. The highest rank in the family was only fifth rank official. Fortunately, the many daughters were sent to the real powers in the capital like playthings, which helped preserve their status for now, but advancement was difficult.

If the Marquis had one daughter he could truly rely on, it was Lin Junrou—the capital’s foremost talented lady. The Marquis had pinned his hopes on her for a great future. But this morning, it was revealed that Lin Junrou was neither a true bloodline nor legitimate, but the child of a concubine. The Marquis’s dreams were shattered, explaining his furious attack on Lin Qing.

Lin Hongqiu was infuriated by Lin Qing’s nonchalant demeanor. His molars clenched hard. “I don’t know why you and Minister Wang are framing Junrou, but she is my daughter. There was no infant swapping. Lin Qing, if you want to keep a place in the capital, you’d better apologize to Junrou at once!”

Lin Qing chuckled lightly. “You don’t even know whether she’s your daughter. Instead of investigating, you come threatening me? Marquis, you really wield your official authority arrogantly.”

Lin Hongqiu snarled, “How could I not know the truth of my own daughter? If you restore Junrou’s honor, I might consider sparing your life. You’re young—don’t refuse a toast only to suffer a penalty. The nobles of this capital aren’t someone like you, Lin Qing, to offend.”

Lin Qing gave him a speechless glance. Was he trying to hint outright? Why not just say Lin Junrou was involved with Prince Rui? The Marquis’s desperate efforts were all to hold onto that powerful connection.

“I am Deputy Envoy of the Tianlu Division, acting on the emperor’s orders, loyal to the Great Yuan and His Majesty alone. Marquis, do you think those nobles you mention can overshadow the emperor himself and strip me of my rank?”

Though dull-witted, Lin Hongqiu knew some things were unspeakable. He swept his sleeve and snorted haughtily. “His Majesty is busy with state affairs, no time for trivial matters like this. The nobles need not overshadow everything; dealing with a lowly deputy envoy is just a few words.”

“Oh… just a few words…” Lin Qing’s gaze drifted toward the private room, suddenly curious about Li Mingxiao’s expression at that moment.

Following her gaze, Lin Hongqiu sneered mockingly, “Lin Qing, your monthly salary is only twenty taels. This meal at Yongfu Pavilion costs you half a month’s wages. If you’re not corruptly spending public funds on such extravagance, what else could it be but secret trysts with a lover?”

A lover...

Lin Qing gave him a strange look. Was this man seriously ill in the head? He only cared about women’s affairs, assuming everyone was like him?

Seeing her expression, Lin Hongqiu was certain he’d struck a nerve and grinned triumphantly. “Lin Qing, you’re young and inexperienced. If you truly liked her, you’d just marry her openly. Why sneak around? Could it be you can’t afford a bride price? If you apologize to my Junrou and restore her honor, I’ll pay the bride price for you. How about that?”

Lin Qing’s expression shifted slightly, casting a worried glance at the private room’s door. Her voice was sharp. “Who told you there’s a girl in there?”

“Not a girl?” Lin Hongqiu paused, then sneered darkly. “Didn’t expect you to be so promiscuous at your age, not loving women but men. I’m curious—what kind of beauty is your lover?”

With that, he and his guards tried to force their way inside.

Lin Qing dared not allow Lin Hongqiu in. Though curious to see his reaction to Li Mingxiao inside, she suppressed a smile. “Meng Jie, anyone who tries to break in, strike them down!”

Meng Jie drew his long knife with a swift motion.

Lin Hongqiu was startled by her boldness but only more convinced the lover was inside. He had to capture whoever was in there; otherwise, Junrou’s reputation would be ruined and his future lost. “Attack!”

The guards charged. Lin Qing kicked the first one flying, struck a few more, then nodded at Meng Jie.

Meng Jie understood immediately and relaxed his grip. Moments later, he was struck down and couldn’t get up.

Lin Qing dodged a guard’s punch, stepped aside, revealing half the door of the private room.

Lin Hongqiu grinned smugly. The guards he’d paid so much to train were indeed formidable.

He snorted and kicked the door open. The scene inside instantly came into view.

Li Mingxiao gently waved his folding fan, calm and composed like a floating cloud, but a closer look revealed veins bulging on his forehead.

Lin Hongqiu froze mid-kick, dumbfounded. “Y-Your Majesty?!”

Li Mingxiao fixed him with an intense, ink-black gaze. “Lover?”

Lin Hongqiu’s face drained of color. He collapsed to his knees. “Y-Your Majesty... please allow me to explain...”

A faint smile curved Li Mingxiao’s lips. “Beauty?”

Lin Hongqiu kowtowed frantically, trembling, unable to utter a word.

Li Mingxiao’s anger turned to bitter laughter. “And... bride price?”

“I am guilty. Please punish me, Your Majesty!” Lin Hongqiu finally managed to say, humbled and pitiful after his earlier arrogance.

Li Mingxiao rose and slowly approached him. With a sharp snap, he closed his fan. “Since you, Marquis, refuse to discuss these matters, perhaps you can tell me about those nobles who, with a few words, can imprison my faithful minister—those so-called powers who overshadow the heavens?”

Li Mingxiao’s voice was soft, but to Lin Hongqiu, it was as if the sky itself was collapsing.