Chapter 661: Chapter 647: Let’s Make a Bet—I’ll Advance to Fourth Rank Tomorrow (Part 2)
He was greatly comforted, and stood up!
"Sir!" Qing Ying hurried over from the outer perimeter: "A major event has occurred, coinciding with your retreat, Qing Ying dared not disturb you."
"What is it?"
"Last night, in the Heavenly Prison, the former Crown Prince, Hong Ding, committed suicide out of fear!" Qing Ying took a deep breath.
Lin Xiaosu stopped his footsteps.
His gaze slowly lifted.
Qing Ying took a deep breath: "Two days ago, you said that Hong Ding would not survive ten days. Qing Ying was skeptical, but now it seems your assessment of the situation was impressively accurate, and I am deeply impressed!"
Lin Xiaosu gently exhaled: "Have Hong’er bring the meal over!"
Turning around, he returned to the Red Pavilion.
The wind blew, slightly cool.
In the summer, it was especially pleasant.
Yet Lin Xiaosu’s heart felt slightly cold.
Two days ago, he discussed the life and death of Crown Prince Hong Ding with Qing Ying.
He indeed made a judgment that, sooner in two days, later in ten, the Crown Prince would surely die.
This heavy judgment was based on his assessment of Your Majesty.
At the time, it was merely a judgment, but now, it has become a reality.
The Crown Prince’s "suicide out of fear" is merely for the public to see.
In reality, was there any suicide?
It was one hundred percent Your Majesty who killed him!
The purpose was singular: use the cause and effect mistake’s characteristic of decrease to increase, to inversely seize the Crown Prince’s youthful life, fulfilling Your Majesty’s eternal rule.
This is a father’s cruelty, and an emperor’s heartlessness!
This step was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was well-planned.
The far-reaching plan is evident in one detail: he imprisoned the Crown Prince in Cold Prison, not Heavenly Prison.
Cold Prison is equivalent to Cold Palace, conveying to the world that he wouldn’t kill the Crown Prince, only letting him cool off.
However, just when the wind was spreading far and wide, reaching everyone, he struck and killed the Crown Prince.
The reputation for mercy, he claimed it!
Life force, he seized it too!
A truly heartless king...
Footsteps sounded again outside...
The steward rushed over: "Family Head, the Gate Attendant has arrived, bringing Your Majesty’s reward!"
Pride was written all over his face.
Fully reflecting a steward’s attitude of sharing honor and disgrace with the Family Head.
Lin Xiaosu showed excitement on his face, quickly stepping out.
To welcome the Imperial Palace envoy.
The envoy today was the same as the one who rewarded a house last time, both envoys smiling: "Mr. Li, receive Your Majesty’s decree!"
Lin Xiaosu straightened his attire, about to receive the decree, the yellow-clad attendant smiled and said, "Your Majesty says, Mr. Li may stand to receive the decree."
Lin Xiaosu stood bowed.
The yellow-clad attendant said: "Your Majesty decrees, Inspection Envoy Li Chengnian has uncovered the major case of Wenhua Pavilion, with great merit and effort, and My heart is greatly comforted, specially rewarding ten thousand Desert Gold as commendation!"
As the voice fell, a team of people streamed in from outside, all yellow-clad attendants.
Each holding a tray, upon which glistening Desert Gold lay.
Desert Gold, a currency for upper-class use, with extremely astonishing purchasing power, Lin Xiaosu has verified that at Zuo Zhi Lake, one piece of Desert Gold can buy a Swallow Boat.
As for the lower class, they cannot afford Desert Gold; they mostly use copper coins.
However today, the Imperial Family’s reward is ten thousand pieces of Desert Gold, equivalent to at least ten thousand taels of silver in a feudal society.
"Your Majesty’s grand grace, I am infinitely grateful!" Lin Xiaosu bowed deeply.
The steward hurried over, presenting two gifts to Lin Xiaosu, his hands trembling.
He is considered well-informed, but he has never seen such a huge reward of ten thousand Desert Gold.
Thus, this time, the gifts he prepared are unprecedented, each containing fifty pieces of Desert Gold.
The gifts were handed to the yellow-clad attendants, who smiled: "Mr. Li is indeed rarely favored by Your Majesty, and our family congratulates you on a bright official career ahead!"
"Thank you, Eunuch Xie!"
The attendants left Li Mansion, Lin Xiaosu escorted them to the gate.
Not until their silhouettes disappeared around the corner of Vermilion Bird Street did he turn back slowly, seeing behind him each person’s face flushed with red.
"Family Head, Your Majesty’s favor towards you is truly unparalleled; even though I’ve served three families, I’ve never seen such a bountiful favor from Your Majesty." The steward’s voice trembled.
Lin Xiaosu smiled: "Steward, give three thousand to Qing Ying, and keep the remaining seven thousand for household expenses. From this month, the servants will receive monthly wages, three Desert Gold per person each month! You yourself will receive five Desert Gold monthly."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtyard was shocked into silence.
All eyes widened in disbelief.
Even the steward had his mouth half open...
"What? Is it too little? If it’s too little, I’ll add more!"
"No...that’s not it!" The steward said: "Family Head, entering your household, you neither scold nor beat us, giving us a meal is already a great grace; how can we ask for wages? This is simply unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable."
"Indeed, Family Head!" Little Qing suddenly kneeled: "The maids here are mostly the offspring of condemned officials, originally like floating weeds on the wind, without your sheltering, we would all fall into brothels and the streets, tasting the world’s bitterness. To allow us refuge, is already a heavenly grace, but granting wages, there’s no precedent, please..."
"No precedent, is it?" Lin Xiaosu interrupted: "Then let me set this precedent! Do as I say!"
He turned, leisurely heading to the rear courtyard.
The little maids, the servants, all looked at each other.
The steward watched Lin Xiaosu’s back longingly, took a deep breath: "Such benevolence from the Family Head, how can we reject his goodwill? Everyone, come and claim your monthly silver, although living here doesn’t warrant such, once you’ve claimed it, send it to your families, tell the elders we’ve been fortunate to find such a kind Family Head!"