Chapter 361: Chapter 359 Relax
In summary, throughout the entire court assembly, it was almost as if the young Emperor was performing a solo act.
Lin Yi, in particular, became the star in everyone’s eyes.
Every person was unconsciously watching this young eunuch, unable to imagine him achieving such feats.
Many policies were established during this morning court session.
These policies, if proposed previously, would have certainly been met with vehement opposition, even if uttered by the Emperor.
But not today; following Lin Yi’s great victory, it was as if no one dared to object even in the slightest.
It nearly became an echo chamber for the Emperor’s words alone.
Currently, the Sixth Prince was in a precarious situation, fearing this incident might implicate him, so he didn’t attend the morning assembly at all.
He stated that he remained at the outskirts under the pretext of reorganizing the troops.
As for the only remaining influential Prince in court, that was the Fourth Prince.
But now, even the Fourth Prince was keeping a terribly low profile, fearful of getting involved and giving the young Emperor something to hold against him and his Eighth Brother.
At the moment, he could only place all his hopes on his Eighth Brother, who truly held military power in his hands.
Of course, the Fourth Prince was currently calculating a small plan in his heart.
That is, by any means necessary, to obtain the peculiar weapon Lin Yi and his men used today.
That thing could emit a deafening crackling noise and kill an enemy from a hundred steps away.
Not only could it threaten the barbarians, but it could also deter them.
If the Eighth Brother were to rebel, the first problem he would encounter would be Lin Yi’s Nanshan Guards.
If he could possess that weapon, then perhaps the chance of success would be even greater.
For this reason, the Fourth Prince was contemplating whether he should take the opportunity to make contact with Lin Yi.
Or perhaps, he should curry favor with the Emperor, or even directly offer up some of his own powers.
He might concede some insignificant departments to the young Emperor to win favor.
As for Lin Yi, after this trial, he was promoted directly to Second Grade.
This was not a mere positional change.
A more tangible effect would be the expansion of his private army, the Nanshan Guards, from 3000 to 6000 soldiers.
Now, Lin Yi was essentially an Assistant General.
At this time, he was no longer limited to commanding just a thousand-man guard; his new rank gave him command over six guards!
This means that the current 3000 troops can be directly expanded to 6000.
And this increase would be completely legitimate – the 6000 men would all receive military provisions!
In other words, the entire livelihood and expenses of these 6000 men would be provided by the court, funded by the Ministry of Revenue.
Although Lin Yi, through those workshops, had already earned the Emperor countless Silver.
But a private army is entirely different from a regular army in name.
Considering the strength demonstrated by Lin Yi’s Nanshan Guards,
A mere 500 men displayed such scale and combat ability. If expanded to 6000 men, how terrifying would their presence be?
Although everyone harbored fear and trepidation in their hearts, no one dared to stop it.
After the assembly, the young Emperor returned to the Imperial Study Room with an excited face, followed by Lin Yi.
Lin Yi remained dressed in his Bright Silver Armor at the time.
Walking around the Harem was awe-inspiring!
Every Palace Maid who saw Lin Yi could not help but blush slightly.
Under different circumstances, if the Emperor wasn’t beside him, Lin Yi might have had trouble resisting the urge to whistle or do something else to them.
After all, Lin Yi presents one demeanor to outsiders, but within the Harem, he relaxes as if he’s at home.
“Haha, well done. Today you really made me proud,” the Emperor said once they were in the Imperial Study Room, the seriousness previously etched on her face now absent.
Instead, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
In her excitement, she even threw herself into Lin Yi’s arms.
Although Lin Yi’s armor was cold, the Emperor felt an unprecedented warmth from him.
This sense of security was exceptionally comforting to the Emperor, and even as she laughed, she fell asleep in Lin Yi’s arms.
Feeling the gradually relaxing body in his embrace, Lin Yi knew this young girl was simply too tired.
Yet, he dared not move for fear of waking her.
She bore too much of what she should not have at her age.
Women of her years should be enjoying carefree days, but she had none of it.
Not only did she have to disguise herself as a man, but she also shouldered the heavy responsibility of the entire world; it was a testament to the young Emperor’s extraordinary resilience.
Years of suppressed emotions now burst forth, allowing the Emperor to completely relax.
Indeed, whether it was the defeat of the barbarians or her dominance in court, it brought an unprecedented ease to the Emperor’s heart, turning the tables for her.
This relaxation made her extremely exhausted.
And so, Lin Yi stood still, cradling her lower back with his hands, not daring to stir and disrupt her rare moment of rest.
Meanwhile, Ying Yi, perched on the beam above, watched this scene, her eyes misting over.
It had been many years since she had seen the Emperor laugh so heartily.
In her hands was a tiny grasshopper fashioned from a strand of grass, gently twirling it around.
Beneath that sheer veil, her beautiful face also silently bloomed with a smile.
As time slipped by, an hour swiftly passed.
In the Imperial Study Room, Lin Yi was still standing quietly in the same spot.
The Emperor had fully leaned onto him.
Lin Yi’s hands cradled her, just like holding a child.
Even Ying Yi was stunned by the tender side Lin Yi displayed at this moment.
Where was the ruthlessness and decisiveness he displayed on the battlefield?
…End of this chapter…