ATPnovel Chapter 208 The Empress's Initiative
Chapter 208 The Empress's Initiative
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
When Lin Chen followed the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree into the room, Empress Zhao Lingyang was standing by the window with her back to him.
The Empress was not wearing her dragon robe today, but rather a plain white dress with her hair simply tied up. She looked less like an emperor and more like a lady with a refined elegance.
"Your subject Lin Chen greets Your Majesty." Lin Chen casually cupped his hands in greeting.
The empress turned around, her face expressionless, but her eyes held a complex look.
"No need for formalities, please have a seat."
Lin Chen didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the chair next to him, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Why did Your Majesty summon me in such a hurry? Do you not intend for me to go and behead someone again?"
The Empress walked behind the desk and sat down, saying calmly:
"Northern Shuo has been making frequent moves lately. Our secret guards have sent word that they are building a new elite army!"
"Oh?" Lin Chen took a sip of tea. "What army?"
"Call it 'Iron Pagoda'." The Empress pushed a document towards her.
"Using the resources of the entire nation, we will raise 10,000 heavily armored cavalry, with the minimum selection standard being a fifth-rank martial artist..."
Lin Chen glanced at it and smiled:
"Beishuo is preparing to take the elite route, what a pity! It's useless until you reach the first rank."
"So confident?"
"Of course!" Lin Chen put down his teacup. "Let them practice. Once they've mastered it, I'll break it and make them even more desperate."
The Empress looked at Lin Chen's nonchalant attitude with a hint of helplessness:
"Can't you be serious for once?"
"I'm perfectly serious," Lin Chen said, shrugging.
"Your Majesty, the Northern Shuo is now severely weakened and will not recover for at least ten years."
They're doing all this to stabilize the domestic situation and to put on a show for the nobles. If it really came to war, would they dare?
The Empress paused for a moment, then nodded:
"I think so too, but we must be wary of others. You need to be extra vigilant about the garrison in the north. Have Zhao Zilong and the Eight Vajras increase their patrols."
"Understood, I'll send a message." Lin Chen leaned back. "Is there anything else? It's not just about this, is it?"
"Not only that." The Empress looked at Lin Chen and said slowly:
"I want you to continue managing the Imperial City Guard."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "The capital has already been purged. I am the Prince of Zhenbei; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to also oversee the Imperial City Guard, would it?"
"What's inappropriate about it?" the Empress said calmly.
"The northern border is now secure, and there will be no war for several years."
You, the Prince of Zhenbei, can't possibly spend every day in the palace with your wife, can you?
"I need your help to rectify the problems within the territory of Dayan."
"What's the problem?"
"Many." The Empress picked up several memorials from her desk.
"During the floods in Shandong, relief funds were embezzled at every level; during the drought in the Northwest, local officials concealed the extent of the disaster."
Furthermore, various sects have become increasingly restless lately, frequently clashing with the government.
The Empress paused, looking at Lin Chen:
"I don't trust others to handle these matters."
"The Imperial City Guard is directly under my command, and you are in charge of it. This gives you a legitimate reason to inspect the areas, and to execute those who deserve to be executed and punish those who deserve to be punished."
Lin Chen stroked his chin and thought for a moment:
"His Majesty intends to make me the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
"Oh, it means... the head of a spy ring." Lin Chen waved his hand.
"Alright, I'm just idling around anyway, but Your Majesty, I have a condition."
"explain."
"I need to re-screen the Imperial City Guards." Lin Chen sat up straight.
"Although the last cleanup of the capital was quite effective, there are definitely still problems within the Imperial City Guard."
I want absolute control. I can decide who to use and who to remove.
The Empress answered without hesitation: "Granted."
"And another thing," Lin Chen continued:
"When I'm investigating a case, no matter who is involved, His Majesty has to back me up."
"Don't let me arrest someone and then have ministers come crying to you, and you soften your heart again."
The Empress's face turned cold: "When have I ever been soft-hearted?"
"That's hard to say," Lin Chen smiled.
"Those old ministers in the court, they all cry more pitifully than the last. What if His Majesty is moved by their tears..."
"No," the Empress interrupted Lin Chen. "Go ahead and do it. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility."
"Alright." Lin Chen stood up.
"Then I shall respectfully comply. Does Your Majesty have anything else to say? If not, I'll head back; I have a lot of people at home."
The Empress looked at Lin Chen and suddenly said, "Wait."
Lin Chen stopped in his tracks: "Is there anything else?"
The Empress stood up and walked to Lin Chen.
The two were very close, and Lin Chen could smell a faint fragrance emanating from the Empress. It wasn't a scent of incense, but rather a natural body odor.
"Lin Chen," the Empress's voice was soft, "what do you think of me?"
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly: "What, how?"
"As an emperor, as... a woman." The empress looked at Lin Chen, her eyes filled with something indescribable.
Lin Chen's lips curled slightly, and he chuckled softly:
"Is Your Majesty testing me? As an emperor, you are very competent, decisive in your actions, and have the world at heart. As a woman..."
Lin Chen paused, then looked the Empress up and down:
"She's number one on the beauty list, very attractive, but she always has a stern face, what a pity."
A blush flashed across the Empress's face, but she quickly regained her composure:
"The old ancestor Zhao came to see me again a few days ago, asking me to consider the matter of succession."
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless:
"Oh, what does Your Majesty think?"
"I've reached a crucial stage in my cultivation and don't want to be distracted." The Empress turned and looked out the window.
"But what the old ancestor said is also true, I will eventually have to choose a royal consort."
So lately I've been thinking... perhaps I should find someone trustworthy to temporarily share some of the burden.
Lin Chen understood.
It seems they've come to a realization and want to use a sperm donor.
He walked to the Empress's side and also looked out the window:
"Is His Majesty looking for a tool?"
"Not a tool." The Empress shook her head.
"A collaborator is needed. I need someone who is capable and powerful, who can help me stabilize the court and deter all sides."
And I can give him...what he wants.
"for example?"
"For example, power, status, and..." The Empress turned to look at Lin Chen, "...my trust."
Lin Chen shrugged. "Your Majesty, are you trying to do business with me?"
"That's one way to understand it," the Empress said calmly.
"In the imperial family, affection is a luxury. I can't give much, but at least I won't mistreat you."
Lin Chen looked at the Empress.
This woman is indeed clever; she is a ruthless person who, at the young age of twenty, wielded the power of the empire as a woman.
Using emotions as a bargaining chip, with a clear price tag, makes them easier for people to accept.
At least it's better than those who say they love you but secretly scheme against you.
"Your Majesty," Lin Chen suddenly leaned closer and whispered in the Empress's ear:
"Aren't you afraid that I might one day turn the tables and sideline you, the emperor,?"
The Empress stiffened slightly, but did not back away. "You won't."
"Are you so sure?"
"Hmm." The Empress nodded. "You're lazy. Being an emperor is too tiring. You'd rather be a carefree prince, and besides..."
She paused, her voice even lower:
"You prefer things to be like this, with me... obeying your orders, don't you?"
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.
This woman really sees right through him.
Indeed, he enjoys his current state more than he would as emperor.
Nominally subjects, they actually control the strongest military force in Dayan.
The Empress needs him, relies on him, and may even... like him a little.
This kind of relationship is much more interesting than being an emperor.
"Your Majesty," Lin Chen straightened up and smiled:
"You've got a pretty shrewd plan, but I accept it."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in the Empress's eyes, but she quickly concealed it:
"So you agree?"
"Promised what?" Lin Chen feigned ignorance. "Promised to help you manage the Imperial City Guard? That's already agreed to. As for the rest..."
He deliberately dragged out the sound, observing the Empress's slightly tense expression, before smiling and saying:
"Let nature take its course. We'll talk about it when Your Majesty has figured it out."
I'm not in a hurry; I have a bunch of wives at home to appease anyway.
The empress bit her lip, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed:
"Can't you...can't you be serious for once?"
"What did I do wrong?" Lin Chen asked innocently. "I was seriously discussing cooperation with His Majesty."
The Empress, unable to deal with Lin Chen, waved her hand:
"Alright, you may go back now. As for the Imperial City Guard, I will issue the decree today."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Chen cupped his hands in thanks, then turned back as he reached the door. "By the way, Your Majesty."
"Um?"
"You look great in this outfit today. Don't wear the dragon robe for future dates, unless there are special circumstances..."
After saying that, he turned and left with a grin.
The empress stood there, her face flushing red and then turning pale.
She understood the implication in Lin Chen's last words after a moment's thought.
This guy is really... incredibly audacious!
"This smutty animal..."
The empress murmured to herself, then walked to the bronze mirror and looked at herself in it.
Wearing a white robe and plain noodles, she faces the sky.
Indeed, she looks much gentler than when she wore the dragon robe.
"Azure Phoenix".
"This servant is here." Qingluan appeared from the shadows.
"Tell me, was I... too forward just now?"
Qingluan lowered her head: "Your Majesty has your own considerations."
"Though I am a woman," the Empress said softly.
"But he is still the emperor; he has to take a stand on certain matters!"
She paused, then asked, "Do you think Lin Chen will truly treat me well?"
Qingluan was silent for a moment: "Although the Prince of Zhenbei is unreliable, he values loyalty and righteousness. Your Majesty treats him with sincerity, and he will surely not let Your Majesty down."
"I hope so." The Empress turned around.
"Issue the imperial decree: From this day forward, all affairs of the Imperial City Guard shall be under the full authority of Prince Lin Chen of the North. If there are any objections in the court, let them come to me."
"Yes."