Chapter 1447
Taking Down Li Wei
Chapter 1447 Taking Down Li Wei
The next day, Lin Hao took Li Wei, Su Shen, and the others to the mansion bestowed upon them by the new Chuanzhu.
After getting off the carriage, Li Wei looked at the mansion in front of her and asked with shining eyes, "This is the new residence?"
"Come on, let's go inside and take a look!" Lin Hao led Li Wei inside, introducing her as he went:
"His Majesty has decreed that after the establishment of the government next year, this courtyard will belong to us!"
"Us?" Li Wei looked at Lin Hao, who kept introducing himself, with a complicated expression.
As Lin Hao walked, he explained, "This room will serve as a study, and the side courtyard will be reserved for Song Wu!"
"Come on, let me show you the backyard!" Lin Hao said, pulling Li Wei to the backyard.
As soon as Li Wei entered the backyard, her eyes lit up, and a familiar feeling washed over her. She then excitedly exclaimed:
"This courtyard doesn't look like Shinkawa's; it looks more like Kirikawa's!"
"That's right!" Lin Hao said proudly, "I specially picked this out!"
Upon hearing this, Li Wei immediately became visibly lively, beaming as she said:
"This yard looks really unique. We can put some flowers and plants in it, and it will make it more lively!"
"Then let's do it your way!" Lin Hao said with a smile, looking at the excited Li Wei.
Li Wei said excitedly, "There's such a big area behind here! That pavilion can be used for entertainment, and we can add more lights to these roads so it'll be brighter at night!"
"The task of repairing the inner courtyard is now entrusted to you!"
"Then I'll be merciful and fix it for you!" Li Wei said confidently.
Seeing this, Lin Hao continued, "This mansion doesn't have a name yet, can you help me come up with one?"
"How about calling it Jingyuan?" Li Wei tentatively asked Lin Hao.
"In the Book of Songs you gave me, you circled the poem 'Bai Zhou,' which contains the line, 'Reflecting quietly, it suits you perfectly!'"
Lin Hao said with a smile, "My heart is not a stone, it cannot be turned; my heart is not a mat, it cannot be rolled up. Let's call it Jingyuan!"
Upon hearing this, Li Wei immediately understood the meaning behind Lin Hao's words, and her face turned bright red.
This phrase implies that no matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, my love for her will remain unwavering.
As night fell, the lights in the Young Master's Garden dimmed. Li Wei, recalling the time she spent with Lin Hao, unconsciously smiled slightly.
Thinking back to today at the new residence, Lin Hao's gentle gaze towards her was like a spring breeze and rain, silently seeping through all her defenses.
"My heart is not a stone, it cannot be turned. My heart is not a mat, it cannot be rolled up."
Li Wei closed the book, took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly.
"It's time to make a decision!" she whispered to herself, standing up to straighten her clothes before sitting down again and muttering to herself, "No, no, that's too forward!"
Stand up, sit down. Stand up, sit down again.
After repeating this three or four times, Li Wei finally gritted her teeth, pushed open the door, and went out.
The moonlight was beautiful in the courtyard, and the newly planted flowers and plants swayed gently in the night breeze. She walked all the way to the front door of the main house, but her steps suddenly slowed down.
The door was ajar, and warm yellow light shone from inside. Li Wei raised her hand, about to knock, but then withdrew it.
She looked down at herself—she had changed into clean clothes and combed her hair before coming, so she should... look alright, right?
She took a deep breath and was about to raise her hand again when the door opened from the inside.
Lin Hao stood at the door, smiling at her, and said, "Why are you standing at the door and not coming in?"
When Li Wei was asked this, her face immediately burned, and she stammered, "I... I was just passing by and wanted to see if you were asleep."
"Just passing by?" Lin Hao raised an eyebrow and glanced behind her. "There aren't any other houses in my yard!"
Upon hearing this, Li Wei wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Lin Hao didn't call her out on it. He stepped aside to let her in, his tone slightly mischievous: "Come in, it's chilly outside."
Li Wei walked in with her head down, unsure of where to look.
Lin Hao's room was tidy, with a book open on the table and a lamp beside it, indicating that he had just been reading.
Lin Hao poured her a cup of tea, and as he handed it to her, his fingertips inadvertently touched her hand.
Li Wei took it, sipped it, and then didn't know what to say.
Lin Hao sat opposite her, and couldn't help but laugh at her restless state.
"What's wrong? You were quite talkative during the day, but now you're mute?"
"Who's mute!" Li Wei raised her head defiantly, met his gaze, then lowered her head guiltily. "I just... I just..."
"What is it?"
Clutching her teacup, Li Wei mustered her courage and finally whispered, "I just... wanted to come see you!"
Lin Hao looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. His efforts had not been in vain. Then his gaze softened.
He reached out and took the teacup from her hand, placed it on the table, and then held her hand.
Li Wei flinched slightly but did not resist, letting Lin Hao play with her small hand.
He stopped smiling and looked at her seriously, saying:
“Li Wei, do you know that when you first arrived in Xinchuan, you set up a mourning hall for me, drew my portrait, and burned paper money? At that time, I thought, this girl must be a fool.”
Li Wei widened her eyes and retorted, "You're the idiot! That's a misunderstanding!"
"And then?" Lin Hao ignored her protests and continued:
"Later, you made sure I took my medicine every day and cooked all sorts of delicious food for me, making me plump and healthy!"
"I thought to myself, this girl may be silly, but she's kind of cute in her silliness."
"You're the idiot!" Li Wei said, puffing out her cheeks. "Who fattened you up like this!"
"And then!" Lin Hao gripped her hand tighter, his voice lowering, "You helped me persuade Third Brother to return to the palace, and accompanied me to Danchuan to persuade Shangguan Jing to come back!"
"Actually, you've been missing home for a long time, but you still stayed. I knew I couldn't leave you alone anymore!"
Li Wei's eyes suddenly felt a little hot. She lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "You found out again!"
"Of course I know!" Lin Hao reached out and gently lifted her chin, making her look at him, before solemnly saying:
"Li Wei, do you understand how I feel?"
Li Wei blinked, a little water glistening on her eyelashes. She didn't know why she was crying, even though she was happy, so happy it felt like it was about to overflow.
She sniffled and said in a tearful voice, "You're just good at saying nice things."
"So, do you like listening to it?"
Li Wei was taken aback by his question, blushed, turned her head away, and muttered softly, "...I like it."
"Li Wei!"
"Ok?"
"Don't leave again!" Li Wei looked into his eyes, which were so close to hers, reflecting the warm light of the lamp and her own shadow.
She nodded and said softly, "Okay, I'm not leaving!"
Lin Hao smiled. Now that things had come to this, how could he let her down? He lowered his head and kissed her.
So Lin Hao stood up, took her hand, and helped her up from the chair.
Then he pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered in her ear, "It's late, let's rest!"
Li Wei's heart was pounding, and her ears were burning red. She bit her lip and whispered, "Mmm!"
Seeing her shy yet stubborn expression, Lin Hao scooped her up in his arms and carried her towards the bedroom...
Next, Lin Hao handed over the arrangement of Jingyuan to Li Wei, who looked around with great interest and began to plan the layout.
On New Year's Eve, Lin Hao took Li Wei out of the palace and they ate at several local specialty restaurants in Xinchuan. She was so happy that she rewarded Lin Hao.
······
Soon, the day arrived for Lin Hao to attend court. After changing into his court robes, he and Su Shen had just arrived outside the door when they heard Li Wei calling out.
"My husband, today is your first day in court. Don't be nervous. You must believe in yourself and that you can do anything. You are the best."
Looking back at Li Wei's radiant smile in the distance, Lin Hao laughed and called out, "Got it!"
"Young Master, what do you know? You know?" Su Shen looked at Lin Hao in bewilderment.
"You mean I'm the best, Madam? I understand. Is there a problem?" Lin Hao asked back.
"No problem, no problem, Young Master is the best!"
"Well, let's go. It's not good to be late on the first day of court."
"Yes"
······
In the imperial court, the Grand Eunuch Liang Shi shouted.
"Look at the tablet!"
Lin Hao, along with the other court officials, placed the "scepter" flat in both hands, held it, and bowed in greeting.
"Hail!"
Next, stand the "scepter" upright, hold it with both hands, bow again, and shout "May the Lord be blessed with good health and peace."
"Be flat!"
Alright, the formalities are complete, let's begin the court session.
The eldest son, the second eldest, stepped forward first and said, "Reporting to the Lord, the first batch of debts owed to Jinchuan has been repaid!"
"But now all of Shinkawa's funds have gone to aid Dankawa. If Kinkawa presses too hard, we will have no choice but to have the three rivers discuss the matter together."
"Your Majesty, I think Xin Chuan~!" Lin Hao was about to say a few words when he was interrupted by two coughs.
Then, the fourth young master, Yin Jun, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that what the eldest son said is absolutely right. The flood in Danchuan was actually a sign of our compassion extending a helping hand!"
"Jin Chuan knew the situation perfectly well, yet he still made us continue to repay the money. If we just keep indulging him, where is the dignity of Xin Chuan, the head of Jiu Chuan? Where is the dignity of our lord?"
He spoke with such righteous indignation and passion.
"Interesting, so they can't wait to suppress me!" Lin Hao smiled knowingly.
These were all child's play to him; he was dispensable to the new governor of Sichuan.
Becoming the River Chief by following the plot is actually a good thing, but if there were other options, why wouldn't Lin Hao give way?
Whether he gets it or not, he won't care.
Seeing how ruthless the second and fourth brothers were, Lin Hao was very unhappy.
The ministers below began to whisper among themselves. The third brother, Yin An, gave Lin Hao a wink, and Lin Hao took the opportunity to leave.
He did it on purpose; he wanted to see just how many people were dissatisfied with him, so that he could eliminate them once he came to power.
Lin Hao naturally knew that he had offended many people when he went to collect debts a few days ago, and that he had to rely on their support.
The problem is, it was those people's fault to begin with, yet they have the nerve to refuse to pay back their debts?
The new leader of the Sichuan River looked at the scene before him without saying a word. He was an old fox, how could he not see that the second-in-command's faction was suppressing Lin Hao?
However, he didn't care too much. Yin Song was the next chief of the Sichuan region that he had chosen. As long as he didn't commit any heinous crimes, no one could shake his position.
As for Lin Hao, he only valued him slightly, since he still needed to use Lin Hao to motivate Yin Song!
After the court session, Lin Hao walked together with the second and fourth brothers.
The second brother had specifically called him over. Lin Hao could have ignored him, but he also wanted to hear what these two idiots were talking about, so he came over.
"Sixth Brother, it's a good thing that you don't dare to speak up since it's your first time in court. Just stay out of the way and your elder brothers will teach you properly. Don't be impatient!" Yin Song patted Lin Hao on the shoulder like a good older brother.
Upon hearing this, Lin Hao dodged to the side, patted his shoulder as if it were dusty, then glanced at the second brother indifferently and said:
"I'm grateful for the guidance from the eldest son, but suppressing me hasn't solved the problem. I wonder how the eldest son will explain this to the Lord!"
Lin Hao glanced at the two of them disdainfully before leaving.
"Second brother, don't be angry. What's the use of arguing with him? We'll just find another opportunity to teach him a lesson," the fourth brother, Yin Jun, advised from the side.
"That's true. He went to great lengths to get his father to promote him exceptionally, but once he entered court, it was still my domain!" Yin Song said with a smug smile.
Yin Jun chimed in, "Yes, what's the use of getting his father's approval? He's offended everyone while trying to pay off his debts. I'd like to see who will help him now."
The two were talking animatedly when they suddenly heard a familiar voice beside them. Yin Song smiled warmly and called out:
"Third brother!"
Yin An himself had no expression, but as soon as he heard the second brother call him, he immediately put on a smile and came to Yin Song, pretending to be very excited and shouting, "Second Brother!"
Hearing the third brother's respectful address, Yin Song once again put on the act of a good older brother, patted Yin An on the shoulder and said:
"I know, you were helping the sixth prince collect debts before because you wanted to make a good impression on Father so you could move out of the palace as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Second Brother, I've been cooped up in the palace for ages." Yin An was a seasoned businessman; what kind of heartless and treacherous people hadn't he seen?
Everyone says that the business world is like a battlefield, but what is the difference between the business world and the struggles in the imperial court?
It's nothing more than speaking human language to humans and ghost language to ghosts.
Yin Song, feigning concern for his brother, waved his hand and said, "It's alright, I understand. It's all in the past, isn't it?"
"I'll explain to everyone later that what you did was all because you were coerced by Lao Liu, and it wasn't your own intention!"
As expected, the second-in-command is the second-in-command. Lin Hao had just looked down on him, and now he was trying to trip Lin Hao up.
The fourth brother, Yin Jun, looked at Yin An meaningfully and said, "Third brother, if anything happens, it's more reliable to consult the eldest son, don't you think?"
Upon hearing this, Yin An adopted a subservient attitude towards Yin Song and respectfully said, "Of course, then I thank you in advance, Second Brother!"
After speaking, he was about to bow to Yin Song, but Yin Song quickly helped him up, saying in a very magnanimous manner, "We're all brothers, why be so polite?"
After saying that, he smiled and left with Yin Jun. As soon as he left, the smile on Yin An's face vanished instantly.