Chapter 47: Lin Yuanzhi (Respected Mentor Lin Zhaozhao)

Oh no, oh no!

The Emperor’s inscrutable tone and expressionless face sent chills down everyone's spine. Not a single soul dared to breathe heavily, and even Lin Zhaozhao felt her knees go weak.

In the original novel, the Emperor was a smiling tiger. Gentle in appearance, but what was he really like?

At the age of seven, he outwitted and executed the imperial uncle who had usurped power; at thirteen, he quelled the rebellion in the north... To say nothing of patricide and fratricide, he would execute even his closest confidantes and bedfellows without a second thought!

Every single deed bore testimony to his ruthless and iron-fisted rule!

Many people used to think time-traveling was fun, but once you actually landed in a feudal dynasty like this—facing tens of thousands of imperial guards in the distance and these rigid, dogmatic rules—Lin Zhaozhao's life or death was entirely at the mercy of a casual remark from him.

Taking two steps forward, she imitated the posture her mother had previously taught her, crossed her hands, and bowed. "Your humble subject, Lin Zhaozhao, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

At that moment, the Emperor, clad in his dragon robe, lowered his gaze to look at Lin Zhaozhao kneeling obediently on the ground. Word by word, he asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

[I don't get it! And you're supposed to be the Supreme Ruler of All!]

[The butcher holds the knife, and I am the fish on the chopping board, old man! Isn't that a stupid question? Why don't you trade places with me and kneel here to see if you're afraid or not?!]

Lady Bai, "!!!"

Lin Yuanzhi, "!!!"

Oh dear mother in heaven!

Did she say that out loud?!

Let me open my eyes wide and check—did her lips even move?!

You better just keep that in your head, my little ancestor!

If you accidentally say that out voice, the whole family will be dragged down to hell with you!

Fortunately, Lin Zhaozhao specialized in having one face on the surface, another in her heart, and yet a third one behind the scenes.

Licking her lips, she replied, "No, Your Majesty is a wise ruler of a generation. Your subject is not afraid; rather, it is my first time seeing the Son of Heaven, and I merely feel the majesty of the imperial house, which cannot be offended."

"A wise ruler?" The Emperor stared at Lin Zhaozhao. "Then tell me, why do you consider me a wise ruler of a generation?"

Lin Zhaozhao, "!"

How am I supposed to answer this!

Since ancient times, there has been a rule that the inner palace must not interfere in state affairs. A country bumpkin just brought back from the countryside barely had enough brains to flatter the Emperor as a wise ruler, hoping to muddle through the situation. But clearly, the Emperor wasn't letting it go and was instead probing for the root of it.

A bead of sweat suddenly rolled down the forehead of Lin Qingci, who was kneeling behind.

After all, he had grown up in the Marquis of Qingyuan's estate. Although usually a bit unruly, his grasp of the current political situation was quite clear.

As everyone knew, the Duke of Zhenguo's estate had always been the Emperor's favored pets. Today, Lin Zhaozhao had made Zhao Wuyan fall from his horse and break his leg, provoked Zhao Ruyan, and forced them to fulfill a bet. There was no guarantee the Emperor wouldn't vent his anger on behalf of the Duke of Zhenguo's estate.

Especially since their Marquis of Qingyuan's estate had just stirred up a scandal of deceiving the ruler...

If the Emperor was unsatisfied with Lin Zhaozhao's answer, failing to keep her title as a princess would be a minor issue; what if the Emperor declared her arrogant and tyrannical instead?

At the thought of this possibility, Lin Qingci swallowed nervously, hurriedly supported his aching legs, and crawled forward two steps. "Presenting myself to Your Majesty! Answering Your Majesty, that Your Majesty is a wise ruler is a matter well known to all—"

"I asked her!" The Emperor looked at Lin Zhaozhao. "Is this so difficult to answer? Or does the Princess consort truly believe in her heart that I am not a wise ruler?"

Lin Zhaozhao, "!!!'

Stop trying to pass the buck to me!

Lin Zhaozhao's brain raced at top speed.

Parricide and regicide, locking his own uncle in the Imperial Clan Court for investigation for thirteen years? No, no, no!

Sending imperial guards to slaughter five thousand scholars spreading previous-dynasty revolutionary literature? No, no, no!

Being filial to the current Empress Dowager by personally sending her away to practice Buddhism in a temple? Oh, please...

Put any of these deeds here, which one of them wasn't something a tyrant would do!

If Lin Zhaozhao were to name even one, the Emperor might just invite her to taste his tiger-head guillotine!

Zhao Ruyan and Zhao Wuyan exchanged glances and sneered.

Let alone Lin Zhaozhao, even if they were asked, they wouldn't be able to come up with an example on the spur of the moment to prove the Emperor was a wise ruler!

"Hmm?" Seeing the Emperor growing impatient.

A flash of inspiration struck Lin Zhaozhao, and she hurriedly recited, "Pity the Qin Emperor and Han Wu, lacking somewhat in literary grace; Tang Zong and Song Zu, slightly deficient in romantic flair. A proud son of heaven, Genghis Khan, knew only how to draw his bow to shoot eagles. All these are past and gone; to find truly romantic figures, look to the present!"

Silence!

A silence so profound a falling needle could be heard.

As soon as Lin Zhaozhao finished speaking, the scene fell into a stillness like a dead chicken!

"What a wonderful line: *To find truly romantic figures, look to the present!*"

The Emperor, whose face had been tense just moments before, suddenly burst into hearty laughter. He said to Lin Yuanzhi, "My dear official, not only has your daughter's horsemanship and archery given me a refreshing surprise, but even her poetry and literary compositions show profound insight!"

With the Emperor's laugh, the oppressive atmosphere in the area seemed to vanish into thin air.

Everyone immediately put on professional fake smiles and chimed in, "What a brilliant line about the Qin Emperor and Han Wu! As expected of Miss Lin, her literary talent is truly extraordinary!"

"If you ask this official, it is entirely due to Your Majesty's grand achievements that Miss Lin has such praise to offer!"

"..."

Lin Zhaozhao naturally breathed a sigh of relief. [Phew! Thank goodness I paid attention in class back in school! *Qinyuanchun*, white hair sorrowing over high mirrors in bright chambers, raising my head to gaze at the bright moon—all those mandatory ancient poems for time-travelers are deeply engraved in my heart! They really can save my dog's life at a critical moment!]

[Chairman Mao, I didn't mean to use your esteemed poetry, but I had no choice and inspiration just struck!]

Lin Yuanzhi wiped the sweat from his forehead, deeply versed in the ways of officialdom. "Your Majesty flatters her. My foolish daughter was raised in the countryside since childhood and understands nothing of poetry or song. She was merely moved by the moment and spoke a few facts as she saw them. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your profound favor!"

"Reward!" The Emperor waved his hand grandly. "Is there anything you desire?"

Lin Zhaozhao hurriedly bowed and said, "Earlier, Your Majesty bestowed upon this subject the title of Princess, for which I am endlessly grateful. I truly dare not ask for any further rewards from Your Majesty. However, one must not refuse a gift from an elder. Since Your Majesty has spoken, perhaps you could casually bestow some gold and silver."

Lin Zhaozhao had no other hobbies; she simply loved money.

Originally, the Emperor's impression of Lin Zhaozhao was that she knew medicine yet was a fool, and since she could have her credit stolen, she naturally wasn't worthy of his son.

But looking at her now!

Brave and resourceful on the horse track, and her flattery was uniquely original. He simply declared, "Reward her with ten thousand taels of silver!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lin Zhaozhao was practically glowing with joy.

This made Zhao Ruyan so angry she could have burst!

She had originally thought that with Lin Zhaozhao acting so arrogant and despotic, the Emperor would surely find an excuse to punish her!

And yet?

This attitude!

Forget about punishment!

It was abundantly clear he liked her!

The Emperor even went so far as to say, "There have been many rumors in the capital that you are unlettered, but as I see it now, that is not the case at all. As it happens, my eighth princess needs a companion to study with. In half a month, enter the palace directly and study alongside her!"

Oh, ho!

Studying with a princess!

One must know that the current Emperor had a total of thirteen sons.

Aside from those who had died young, most of the princes and princesses studied at the imperial academy within the palace.

Being a princess's study companion didn't sound like a particularly prestigious position.

In reality, however, the Eighth Princess was the Emperor's most beloved daughter, born of the late Empress. If anyone could establish a good relationship with the Eighth Princess, it would be like a sparrow flying up a branch to become a phoenix.

Moreover, the imperial academy didn't just have the Eighth Princess; all the other princes studied there as well.

As the saying goes, proximity to water gets the moonlight first. Who knew whether one might manage to snag a prince consort or even ascend to the position of Empress in the future?

And now, this prime piece of pie had actually been handed to Lin Zhaozhao!

Lin Zhaozhao was practically dumbfounded. "What the hell? A study companion!"

[Doesn't that mean—]

Lin Yuanzhi thought excitedly: *Doesn't that mean when one achieves the Dao, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven?! As long as my girl puts in some effort and the Eighth Princess likes her, whenever anyone mentions us in front of the Emperor in the future, who won't refer to me as: Lin Yuanzhi (mentor of Lin Zhaozhao)!*

While Lin Yuanzhi was rejoicing, Lin Zhaozhao felt as though she had been struck by a bolt from the blue!

[Doesn't this mean I'll never be able to sleep in again? Will I be back to the painful routine of early mornings and late evenings, monthly exams, going home to memorize texts, pop quizzes in class, being punished by teachers to write lines, and the agonizing daily life of getting caught sneaking snacks?!]

[Oh heavens, why do you treat me so unfairly?!]

Lin Zhaozhao let out a wail and burst into tears.

The Emperor was momentarily stunned. "Are you really this moved?"

Lin Zhaozhao... "Your subject feels as though... *hearing celestial music temporarily clears the ears!*"

Lin Wanyue, standing to the side, thought, "!"

Damn it, what a total bootlicker Lin Zhaozhao is!