Chapter 24: Fine, Consider It My Meddling

In the small kitchen of the Shoukang Palace, the Empress Dowager paced back and forth with Lin Yue, hoping to see when she would offer her that nutritional solution. Yet, after pacing until she was dizzy and lightheaded, there was still no sign of action from Lin Yue.

Exhausted, the Empress Dowager sat down, her lips pressed together in a weak, parched expression. Seeing this, Lin Yue hurried to pour her a cup of tea. The Empress Dowager gazed at her with eager, pleading eyes.

*“Go on, add a bottle of that nutritional solution! I’ve been pacing with you until my head is spinning like a millstone, and you still won't give me any.”*

Misinterpreting the Empress Dowager’s intent, Lin Yue brought the tea directly to her lips. The Empress Dowager felt like crying but had to resort to hints. "I am old now, and my health is not what it used to be. In the past, I could still leave the palace to offer incense at the Huguo Temple. Speaking of which, I haven’t even been to the Prince of Ding’s residence to visit. How is Huaiqing treating you? Have the misunderstandings between you been resolved yet?"

Lin Yue replied, "He is a grown man with a wife to manage him; it is not my place to worry. As for me, I have my mother-in-law and the Empress to look after me, so I don’t worry about him causing me trouble. We simply mind our own business and wait for the Prince to return."

The Empress Dowager sighed and took Lin Yue’s hand. "Jingyun is a good child; he has always been one to favor reason over kinship. Huaiqing was never close to him growing up. Jingyun originally wanted to keep him by his side, but eventually, his heart grew cold, and he left on his own. I once wanted him to stay in the capital and stop fighting wars, but he told me he is a Prince. If he does not fight these wars, he would have to use political power to secure peace, and he never wanted the blade meant for foreign enemies to end up pointed at the imperial court. He said that once he returns to the capital, he will hand over the military seal to the Crown Prince so he can live a quiet life with me. They are both my sons, yet I must prioritize the Emperor and constantly urge him to yield. I owe him so much, which is why I sometimes can’t help but dote on him. The Emperor knows he is devoted to the Great Wei dynasty and refuses to let outsiders spread rumors, which brings me some comfort. I have no other wishes now; I only hope to live long enough to see him return safely."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager dabbed the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. Lin Yue felt conflicted inwardly: *“I originally intended to give you the nutritional solution late at night when it was quiet. After all, if you suddenly turn from grey-haired to youthful in front of everyone, looking as radiant as if you’d taken some miracle drug, I won’t be able to explain it.”*

Thinking this, Lin Yue hardened her heart and said, "Don't worry, Mother Empress, you will certainly live to a hundred."

*“As for the nutritional solution, I’ll give it to you tonight. You’re going to outlive the Emperor and Empress anyway; you aren’t dying anytime soon.”*

The Emperor and Empress, who had just walked over to join them, froze: "..."

The Empress Dowager’s mouth twitched, and she resignedly took the tea and drank it. Meanwhile, the Emperor and Empress were also coveting the nutritional solution, though they kept it to themselves.

They were even more concerned about whether the Grandson’s health had fully recovered. They decided to have Imperial Physician Lin examine him behind Lin Yue’s back later; if he were truly healed, the debt of gratitude would be immense.

The Emperor suddenly thought he could repay this favor to the Lin family. He immediately said, "Sister-in-law, your eldest brother, Lin Yan, has been in the Ministry of Works for three years now. It is time for a change. Has he mentioned where he would like to go?"

Lin Yue was surprised. "Is Your Majesty planning to promote him?"

The Emperor coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, just a change of scenery."

Lin Yue replied, "Let’s leave it be. My brother is a bit simple-minded; he’s doing just fine doing real work in the Ministry of Works. Let’s not move him. He doesn’t understand the ways of officialdom. He is very interested in the mechanical designs at the Ministry and wants to improve them, so let him stay there."

*“Besides, it’s not easy to move him. Before long, the Minister of Revenue will be exposed for corruption. My father was supposed to fill that position, but he was dragged down by the Ministry of War Minister, Tan Jian, who played dirty. Speaking of which, Mu Lixin’s audacity is inseparable from his father-in-law, Tan Jian, and Lady Tan in the Eastern Palace is their mole. The royal family is still in such a mess; it’s not something that can be sorted out overnight.”*

Lin Yue sighed inwardly. Hearing these thoughts, the Emperor was instantly furious. That old scoundrel Tan Jian was two-faced, to say the least. During the selection years ago, he had wanted to dismiss the Tan daughter, but the Empress had refused. *Hmph!* Look at the result now—he had essentially raised a wolf in his own son’s inner circle.

The Empress was also panicked; Lady Tan had always been so filial, thinking of her whenever there was a delicacy. To think she was a spy in disguise! When she returned, she would certainly deal with her.

The Emperor said, "Then I shall promote your father. Someone impeached the Minister of Revenue, Fu Bowen, a few days ago, and I have already ordered an investigation. Once the results are in, I will promote your father." *If no one impeaches him, I’ll find someone who will. In any case, that old man must be kicked out.*

Lin Yue asked, "Shouldn't you ask the Crown Prince if he has any candidates to recommend?"

"No need to ask. The person I recommend is indeed Minister Lin." The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess arrived, beaming as if they had just finished some intimate moment somewhere.

Seeing this, Lin Yue smiled. "In that case, I will not decline. I thank the Emperor and the Crown Prince on behalf of my father."

The Empress Dowager said, "Why thank us? We are family. Jingyun is still at the border."

The Emperor added, "Indeed, he has been gone for three years. It has been hard on him."

The atmosphere fell silent again. Lin Yue subconsciously touched the Mirror of Hearts, thinking, *“Three years, indeed. Even a domestic horse would turn feral; it’s only natural not to miss home. Once I save him, we can just divorce if it comes to that.”*

The Empress Dowager exclaimed, "Absolutely not!"

Lin Yue looked at her in surprise. "What did you say, Mother Empress?"

*“Could it be that the Empress Dowager can hear my thoughts?”*

The Empress Dowager blushed and nervously held her teacup. "I meant... I am not thirsty and don't want any more tea. Let’s head back inside to rest; it’s almost time for the meal."

Lin Yue remained suspicious, but as she followed, she thought, *“I hope she really can’t hear my thoughts. Otherwise, given the methods of the royal family, wouldn’t they just serve me a cup of poisoned wine? Thinking about it, maybe it would be better not to save the Crown Prince after all?”*

Everyone else: "..."

It seemed Lin Yue was unaware of the secret of her own inner voice, so they had to keep it well-hidden. If she found out, she would surely run away. Looking at her, their gazes became increasingly gentle.

Lin Yue: "..." *Why does it suddenly feel so chilly?*

*“System, I just realized a problem. I saved the little Grandson, so where is the merit?”*

System: *“No merit detected regarding the little Grandson.”*

Lin Yue deflated. *“How is that possible? The little Grandson becomes Emperor later; he’s a key figure affecting the big picture. How could there be no merit at all?”*

The System remained silent.

Lin Yue muttered to herself, *“Is it possible that because the Grandson’s fortune lies in the future, there is no merit increase yet?”*

System: *“Possible. But is there another possibility—that the little Grandson was only weak, not actually on the verge of death...?”*

Lin Yue: "..." *“Fine, consider it my meddling.”*

The System asked, feeling unsure, *“The Crown Prince’s situation is very similar. Have you decided? Do you want to save him?”*

Lin Yue sighed. *“Save him, let’s just save him first. Xiao Jingyun likes this nephew very much and has always wanted to support his ascension. He is fighting so hard at the border precisely so his nephew won't be manipulated when he eventually takes the throne. If I don't help him, he’ll be too pitiful.”*

The royal family members, having heard her thoughts, instantly lowered their heads in embarrassment. At the same time, the Mirror of Hearts hidden in Lin Yue’s clothes flickered, though she did not notice. Far away at the border, Xiao Jingyun seemed to sense something and took out his own small mirror.