Marrying Gold and Jade

It is said that the palace banquet on the eve of the Chinese New Year in the imperial capital is the second largest banquet after the emperor's birthday. All the important figures in the court will attend, and even the unknown ones can join in the fun and have a drink, or find an opportunity to show themselves.

Lin Ji came to the capital in the name of reporting on his work. He had stayed there for many days and was accustomed to the scenes of feasting and revelry. Even though the hall in front of him today was particularly magnificent, the music of stringed instruments was particularly elegant, and the dancers' figures were particularly graceful, they could not cause the slightest ripple in his heart.

His eyes were fixed on the palace gate, trying to find the figure he had been thinking about day and night among the people coming and going.

I don't know whether she has lost weight or gained weight.

If she is fatter, it means she is living well here and perhaps doesn't miss me; if she is thinner, it means she is not living well.

Neither of them was what Lin Ji wanted to see.

The seats at the top were gradually filled up. Lin Jiyin was in the crowd and saw two familiar faces.

They were dressed in gorgeous clothes, which made them look even more majestic and much more respectable than myself.

But beside any of them, Lin Ji didn't see the girl he wanted to see.

Until a voice rang out in the palace: "Your Majesty has arrived - the Queen has arrived -"

As he bowed, he looked up and saw her behind the emperor.

She had a high bun that had never been seen before, and her head was full of gold hairpins, making her as gorgeous as a little princess.

"Be flat."

Lin Yu sat down in the seat that originally belonged to Pingyao, which made the Queen unable to help but glance at him.

Not only did he instigate his own daughter to escape, he even dared to occupy the seat that should have belonged to the princess.

Lin Yu sat at ease because it was Emperor Xianzhen who had given the order in advance.

At an occasion like today, all the court officials were present, and since she had no engagement, it was not convenient for her to sit next to anyone.

However, Lin Yu did not expect that Emperor Xianzhen would let her take Pingyao's place and give her such gorgeous clothes.

If the people below don’t look carefully, they might think they are Pingyao.

"The old year is coming to an end. You have all worked hard. I offer you a toast."

The moment the emperor raised the wine cup in his hand, the officials below stood up one after another, holding their cups respectfully and saying, "We ministers have done our work sincerely and dare not take credit for it."

As the warm wine went down the throat, the sound of stringed instruments began to play again, and the atmosphere became lively.

Occasionally someone would stand up to toast and say a few nice words.

Some people even specially prepared talents and they bravely stepped forward to perform at this time.

Lin Yu found it interesting at first, but after hearing those words over and over again, they gradually lost their meaning.

Seeing that she was distracted, Emperor Xianzhen turned his eyes and said, "Little girl, so many people have stood here, and you don't respect me?"

Lin Yu had often been by the emperor's side these days and knew that the emperor liked her with the kind of love that a younger generation has for a younger generation.

So she took the wine glass obediently, stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. I wish your Majesty peace and happiness, and that you can settle the northwest as soon as possible."

The emperor dragged out a long “hmm” and said in a low voice, “That person just now said the same thing.”

She wouldn't even come up with a few nice words!

Lin Yu just blinked lightly. Although she felt a little guilty, she still smiled and said, "What a coincidence, he and I have the same wish."

The emperor was amused and did not pursue her imitation of others' words. He drank the wine in the cup.

It was a time for everyone to have fun, but there was suddenly a commotion off the field, which drew Lin Yu's attention.

"You are the top scholar, but what a crap poem you wrote!"

The noise was quite loud and everyone around stopped what they were doing and looked towards the person.

Xu Jinxuan and Mingyuan were sitting in the prince's seats, and only then did they realize that Lin Ji was there too.

Mingyuan looked at the person next to Lin Ji, remained calm, and took a sip of the wine in front of him.

The troublemaker was Minister Qian of the Ministry of Works, who was over sixty years old and had a notorious bad temper. He had taken the imperial examination ten times and it took him nearly thirty years to pass. After his promotion, he especially liked to make things difficult for the newly-appointed Jinshi.

A young and successful top scholar like Lin Ji, who won three first prizes in a row, is a thorn in his eyes and a thorn in his flesh. If he doesn't make things difficult for him, he will probably not be able to sleep tonight.

Lin Ji didn't know the past of Minister Qian, and he didn't make friends with him after entering the capital. Countless eyes were looking at him. He tightened his fingertips and said in a low voice, "I'm a humble official with little knowledge and talent. Please forgive me."

Minister Qian refused to let him go. Maybe he was drunk or something, he snorted and said, "Minister Lu had a great-grandson a while ago. Didn't you do well in the minister's house?"

"What... 'All the merits and honors of the ages gathered in one place', what 'Wenchang blesses the young man of the Lu family', when it comes to me, it's all nonsense! Could it be that you think my position is too low and unworthy of you, the top scholar, to condescend to me?"

More and more eyes were looking at him from all around, and Lin Ji closed his eyes, almost in despair.

Those lyrics were indeed written by himself, and he wrote them to please Lu Yusheng.

At this moment, he didn't dare open his eyes and look at anyone again.

Because Lin Yu is here.

He was afraid that Lin Yu was also looking at him.

He sat too far away from others, otherwise he would definitely say to them: Ayu, don't look.

The noises from the people around him were getting louder and louder, and just when Lin Ji thought he was going to be tortured to death by this farce, a voice saved him.

"Minister Qian is very talented in writing. Why don't you offer a poem to please His Majesty?"

Lin Ji opened his eyes and, like everyone else, turned his gaze to the person who had spoken.

It’s Master Shen.

He sat in the upper seat with a smile on his face, and with just a few casual words, he got out of the predicament.

As soon as he opened his mouth, someone immediately chimed in, saying, "Yes, since Minister Qian thinks others' work is not good enough, why not write a poem yourself!"

"This is a wonderful thing. Grand Master Shen personally invited you, and Brother Qian still hasn't shown off his skills!"

Amid the jeers, the white-haired man had to stand up with the help of the palace maid.

He must have drunk too much, or maybe he was too old, because his hands were shaking when he saluted and his body was about to fall over.

He glanced up at Master Shen again and saw that he was staring at him with no intention of letting him go. He was really embarrassed and could only bite the bullet and say, "New Year, New Year..."

Lin Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I had no intention of listening to him reciting the limerick. Since I had spotted Lin Ji, my eyes were always on him.

But didn't Lin Ji see her? She wanted to stare a hole in him, but Lin Ji kept his eyes down and didn't even turn his head towards her, leaving her alone to worry.

Just as I was getting anxious, the queen suddenly said, "I am a little tired."

The emperor was sitting next to her and said, "Then go down and have a rest."

The queen nodded, but then looked at Lin Yu: "Since you are sitting in the seat of my daughter, please help me go back."

Lin Yu turned around in surprise and his eyes met with the person's. Only then did he realize that the words were spoken to him.

After exchanging glances with Emperor Xianzhen, and seeing him nod slightly, Lin Yu stood up and said, "Yes."