Chapter 1420
Jin Yue 21
Chapter 1420 Jin Yue 21
Cheng Sui declined the palace servants' help, got up on his own, and patted the dust off his knees in a serious manner: "Your Majesty, Yun-ge'er is my nickname."
Xiao Zhaomin beckoned to Cheng Sui: "Yun-ge'er, come to my side."
Cheng Sui calmly walked towards Xiao Zhaomin and stopped a step away. There was no fear or timidity on his face; to him, Xiao Zhaomin was just an ordinary person.
Xiao Zhaomin pinched Cheng Sui's body: "Yun-ge'er, why aren't you afraid of me?"
Cheng Sui immediately launched into flattery: "You are the ruler of all people, the most just, benevolent, and tolerant person in the world. Why should Brother Yun be afraid of you?"
Xiao Zhaomin's expression softened slightly. He glanced at the restless Cheng Kun and Cheng Qian, assuming that Cheng Sui had been instructed to say these words by them beforehand.
"Where did Brother Yun learn all this from? Or did someone tell you about it?"
Cheng Sui looked up, his eyes full of confusion: "No one told Yun-ge'er these things, Yun-ge'er saw them himself."
Xiao Zhaomin asked in confusion, "Did you see that yourself?"
Cheng Sui began counting on her fingers: "There was a nanny on my mother's estate who fled from the Northwest a few years ago. She didn't have enough to eat along the way, but when she arrived in the capital, her child survived."
"Because there was porridge being distributed at the city gate, it gave them hope to survive."
"Two young masters were riding wildly down the main street a couple of days ago, and I heard they were punished by being sent to guard the city gates."
“These are all facts, everyone can see them, there’s no need for anyone to tell Brother Yun.”
Xiao Zhaomin's smile returned, and he said leisurely, "You talked about kindness and justice, but what about tolerance?"
Cheng Sui smiled and said, "If Yun-ge'er says anything wrong, Your Majesty, you certainly won't hold it against him, right?"
Xiao Zhaomin was taken aback when Cheng Sui outmaneuvered him. He then feigned displeasure and said, "If I were to hold a grudge against you, would that mean I am unforgiving?"
Cheng Qian hurriedly knelt down to plead for mercy, but Cheng Sui said like a little adult, "Of course not, my father said that both thunder and rain are the emperor's grace."
"If Your Majesty intends to punish Yun-ge'er, then it must be because Yun-ge'er has done something wrong."
Cheng Sui couldn't possibly mention Tan You at this time; to take the blame, he would definitely have to bring up the tool's father.
Xiao Zhaomin could no longer suppress his smile. He stroked Cheng Sui's head and said, "Cheng Qian, your son is truly remarkable. Such an outstanding prodigy, I would want him myself."
Cheng Sui blinked; those words sounded rather harsh. He glanced at the few young boys standing on one side of the study; two of them already had strange expressions on their faces.
He certainly couldn't let himself become the target of everyone's attacks, so Cheng Sui immediately said crisply, "Brother Yun heard from Father that His Highness the Crown Prince was literate at the age of three and skilled in martial arts at the age of five, and is already assisting the Emperor in handling state affairs."
"The Second Prince is a prolific writer, while the Third and Fourth Princes are skilled in archery and horsemanship."
“But Yun-ge’er is neither good at literature nor martial arts. He’s only just started his education and hasn’t even read the basic classics. He’s also very mischievous and has caused his parents a lot of worry. Unlike His Highness the Crown Prince and the other princes, who can share your burdens.”
“My father always says that other people’s children are better. In my father’s and the ministers’ hearts, His Highness the Crown Prince is the most outstanding.” Xiao Zhaomin was delighted by Cheng Sui’s flattery. He pulled off the jade pendant from his waist: “What a wonderful saying that other people’s children are better. Of course, my offspring are not bad either.”
Cheng Sui held up the jade pendant: "Yun-ge'er thanks His Majesty for the gift. His Majesty is the most benevolent and tolerant person in the world."
Xiao Zhaomin was in a great mood. He waved to the Crown Prince and said, "Chen Yu, take Yun Ge'er to play somewhere else."
Xiao Chenyu walked over and bowed respectfully. He looked at the three-headed Cheng Sui with gentle eyes and said, "Yes, Yun-ge'er, I'll take you to the side hall for some snacks?"
Cheng Sui carefully put the jade pendant into his bag, then knelt before Xiao Zhaomin before leaving with Xiao Chenyu. At the same time, the other princes also left in a hurry, and the imperial study immediately returned to silence.
Cheng Qian's heart finally settled. His own father had been utterly useless during this audience with the emperor; it was all thanks to this little brat. He had managed to completely win over the emperor and the crown prince with his silver tongue.
No wonder she was personally taught by the little monster; her ability to bewitch people is truly remarkable.
After Cheng Sui's outburst, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study calmed down. Soon it was time for the palace banquet, and the officials headed towards the main hall.
To demonstrate his benevolence, Xiao Zhaomin waived the formalities after taking his seat. Cheng Qian had initially worried that if Tan You bowed, the Emperor's throne might become unstable.
Now that he didn't have to kneel, Cheng Qian couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief for Xiao Zhaomin. If something had happened to the dragon throne in front of everyone, it would have been unsettling.
Cheng Sui sat between Tan You and Cheng Qian. As the palace servants served dishes one after another, the palace banquet officially began. In the very center of the main hall was a traditional arts performance—a song and dance show.
On either side of the main hall sat court officials and their families, but hardly anyone touched the dishes on the table.
After several rounds of drinks, an official began praising Xiao Zhaomin's achievements, and the hall immediately erupted in agreement. Tan You, with her aloof gaze, had been sitting in a high position for so long, constantly flattered by her subordinates; it was hard for her not to become complacent.
Cheng Qian whispered to Tan You about Cheng Sui's performance in the Imperial Study that afternoon. Tan You squeezed Cheng Sui's hand and said, "I know, Yun-ge'er did very well."
Cheng Sui pursed her lips, a little embarrassed: "I followed what my mother always taught me: to be neither humble nor arrogant, not to make enemies, and to make many friends."
Tan You chuckled and took a sip of tea, her gaze subtly sweeping over the Lin family members at the far end of the opposite side.
She had to think of a way to deal with the original owner's family. Lin Yuan had spent his whole life striving and scheming, and what he valued most was the family's legacy. She had to find a way to cut off Lin Yuan's path to advancement; she had to make him stay in the fifth-rank official position until his death.
Tan You lowered her eyes. Qi Shi and Lin Jinzhu had treated the original owner so harshly, and in order to curry favor with the new imperial family, they had joined forces to push the original owner into the Cheng family's pit of fire.
The Lin family benefited greatly, not only successfully securing their position in the struggle for the throne, but also establishing a close relationship with the Pei family of Jiangnan through Lin Jinzhu, thus firmly establishing their foothold in the court.
The entire Lin family lived on the blood and tears of the original owner. They all lived a life of luxury and prestige, but what about the original owner? The original owner was tormented to death in the Duke's mansion.
Not only the original owner of this body, but also the child Cheng Sui, did not survive the New Year.
This is not fair.
Therefore, the Lin family no longer has any reason to exist. Every member of the Lin family carries sins within them.
Who should start? Tan You finally raised his eyes. He glanced at Qi Shi, who was chatting and laughing with the officials' wives next to him, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.