Finest Servant

Chapter 325 Princess Nishang

The room was filled with laughter, but Lin Wanrong's heart was filled with a chill. Being the only sober one in a room full of drunken people was indeed an uncomfortable feeling. He broke into a forced grin, which appeared more bitter than a cry.

The palace lady looked at Lin Wanrong with surprise, and gave him a gentle smile.

"Mr. Xu, I must ask a favor of you. Please plead on my behalf to the Emperor," Lin Wanrong beseeched Xu Wei, sighing, "I am not against spreading civilization to all corners of the world. I only hope that as they enjoy the fruits of civilization, they do not forget who dug the wells for them. We must sign this document; otherwise, we'll be mocked by future generations."

Lin San looked more solemn than ever before. Given his nature, asking for help was akin to a wild tale. Xu Wei did not know the circumstances, but judging from Lin San's demeanor, he had a gut feeling that Lin San was right. He nodded and said, "Lin San, you can rest assured. I support you. It's just a matter of signing a document, it won't be much trouble."

Xu Wei respectfully said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Lin San's concerns are not unfounded. It's akin to signing a document when borrowing something. This time, Goryeo wants to take away the essence of our great Chinese civilization, which is the crystallization of our ancestors' hard work. It's not excessive to ask them to attest to its origin."

Lin San's words alone would have been a laughing stock, but Xu Wei's support made a world of difference. The Emperor contemplated for a moment and said, "Prince Yi, we will grant you what you wish to borrow. However, you must sign the document as Lin San just mentioned. Are you willing?"

Prince Yi consulted with the Palace Lady Seo, who didn't raise any objections, and nodded in agreement. Thus, a unique agreement to borrow civilization was born.

Lin Wanrong heaved a sigh of relief. ‘I've done all I could. If future generations still claim that the Dragon Boat Festival originated from them, I would be truly helpless.’

The Palace Lady Seo quietly walked over and said, "Sir, what are you worried about? Could you tell me?"

Upon close inspection, she had rosy lips, pearly teeth, and skin as clear and translucent as a washed egg white. Her eyes were bright and lively, and her demeanor was quietly elegant. It was impossible to be angry at her.

‘At this time, Korea should not yet have popularized artificial beauties, right?’ This should be a natural beauty, her skin was excellent. Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, "I'm worried that you'll be robbed on the road with all these treasures, and forced to be the wife of a bandit leader. That would be terrible."

A flush crossed the Palace Lady Seo's face, as if a layer of blush was applied. She replied softly, "Sir, you jest. I always believe that culture does not recognize national boundaries. It belongs to all of us, and if one's selfishness impedes the spread of civilization, that would be inappropriate."

"You're right. I didn't prevent its spread, but merely made the path of civilization's dissemination clearer. Does the Palace Lady Seo think that asking you to sign the document was improper in any way?"

"No, no, thank you for your care." Palace Lady Seo quickly shook her head, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"---Geum, Come over here," said the older woman sitting next to Yi Seung-Jae. She called so quickly, Lin Wanrong wasn't paying much attention, and he didn't catch the name of the Palace Lady Seo. He only heard one word: "Geum."

"Senior Palace Lady Han is calling for me. Please excuse me," Palace Lady Seo hastily bowed to Lin Wanrong.

While they were speaking, Yi Seung-Jae was already making his second request to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, it is said that your youngest princess is of divine beauty and virtuous character. Although I have not yet had the honor of meeting her, I long for her day and night. I humbly ask that you grant her hand in marriage to Goryeo, forming an everlasting alliance between our two nations. Goryeo is willing to offer a thousand ginseng and ten thousand bolts of brocade as a betrothal gift to welcome the princess's arrival."

Lin Wanrong was so angry his nostrils flared. Did Yi Seung-Jae think he could trade his wife for a few roots of ginseng? He could dream on!

The envoy from the Turkic people, Ashile, who had been neglected for a long time, cried out, "Great Emperor of Great Hua, my Khan is willing to trade a thousand fine horses and a year-long ceasefire for the hand of your youngest princess."

The Emperor snorted, "The princesses of Great Hua are precious gems, not so easily married off. Even if you had a thousand war horses, even if you had ten thousand, or a hundred thousand, what is it to me, the Emperor of Great Hua? As for war and peace, when has Great Hua ever been afraid?"

As a Turkic envoy, Ashile was no fool. Seeing the Emperor's anger and remembering the recent example of the Dongyin envoy, Tsugumi Takeshita, who lost his opportunity due to his insults to Great Hua, Ashile feared he would also meet an unjust death. He toned down his arrogance and asked, "So, Your Majesty, what conditions must be met for a princess of your esteemed nation to be wed?"

"The conditions? Those will be determined by the princess herself," the Emperor replied. "Upon receiving marriage proposals from various nations, I informed the princess."

Ashile and Yi Seung-Jae simultaneously perked up, "What did the princess say?"

The Emperor glanced at the two men, then, seemingly with deliberate nonchalance, at Lin Wanrong, before smiling, "Apart from Tsugumi Takeshita of Japan, who lost his opportunity by insulting Great Hua, the rest of you have equal chances. If any of you can pass my princess's examination, I will grant her hand in marriage."

Yi Seung-Jae had come to Great Hua primarily to win the hand of a Great Hua princess. Upon hearing this, he eagerly asked, "What kind of examination? Your Majesty, please enlighten us."

The Emperor nodded at a eunuch nearby, who announced in a high-pitched voice, "Tomorrow morning, our Princess Nishang of Great Hua will hold a public groom selection outside the North Gate. Whoever passes her examination will become the prince consort."

Ashile and Yi Seung-Jae both showed joy on their faces. A public groom selection meant that they still had a chance. They had many wise counselors at their disposal; passing the examination should not be an issue.

Upon hearing the name Princess Nishang, Xu Wei frowned, seemingly puzzled. Lin Wanrong, however, was too concerned about the news. Princess Nishang - that had to be Qingxuan. He was anxious. What was Qingxuan playing at? She had her legitimate husband right here, yet she wanted to hold a public groom selection. Was she intentionally making things difficult for him?

"Lin San, Lin San," noticing Lin Wanrong's worried look, Xu Wei hurriedly pulled him aside and whispered, "Little brother Lin, Little brother Lin, the Emperor is calling for you!"

Lin Wanrong lifted his head to see the Emperor looking at him with a hint of a smile. "Lin San," the Emperor addressed him, "Did you hear clearly what I just said?" Both Ashile and Yi Seung-Jae curiously inspected him. The Palace Lady Seo, offered him a small smile, but only Su Mubai looked uncertain, a grimace pulling at his features.

"Oh, Your Majesty, were you calling me? I'm standing a bit far away and couldn't hear clearly," Lin Wanrong responded.

The Emperor chuckled heartily. "You, you're very good. You can say something like that, but it's quite honest. You must keep it up. I have asked you to accompany these two envoys on a tour around the capital. Did you take note of that?"

‘Eh? Wasn't it Su Mubai's task to accompany the envoys? Why was it handed over to me? No wonder that Su guy is looking at me like I stole his wife.’ Seeing his clueless reaction, Xu Wei, standing next to him, anxiously pulled at his sleeve. "Little brother Lin, what are you hesitating for? Express your gratitude, hurry!"

Lin Wanrong nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty. However, I'm a bit confused about one thing. Regarding today's excursion with these two envoys, who should I seek reimbursement from for the public expenses?"

At his words, everyone was left speechless. The Emperor suppressed a laugh and said, "The man next to you is Minister Xu from the Ministry of Revenue. Let him and the Ministry of Rites handle the expenses. Remember, treat these two envoys well and don't disgrace our Great Hua nation. You currently hold no official position and may face difficulties in carrying out your duties. Hence, I am giving you this gold medallion that I always carry with me. If you lose it again, I will not spare you."

As he was speaking, the eunuch Gao was already bringing the gold medallion on a tray. Lin Wanrong took it and saw that it was the same one Ning Yuxi had stolen that night. After a roundabout journey, it was back in his hands. He wondered what sort of agreement existed between Ning Yuxi and the Emperor. How did Ning Yuxi end up returning the gold medallion?

After the court session, Ashile and Yi Seung-Jae, each leading a large group of attendants, approached Lin Wanrong, asking, "Mr. Lin, where will you take us for sightseeing today?"

Lin Wanrong frowned, ‘I still have a backache, what sightseeing? If only there were footbath cities and sauna baths in this era. I'd take these two around for a spin, and I guarantee they would be worn out.’

He quickly whispered something into Xu Wei's ear. Xu Wei laughed, "Little brother Lin, I've lived half my life, but when it comes to scheming, I'm really not your match."

Lin Wanrong cheerfully clasped his hands in a salute, "Minister Xu, are you complimenting me or yourself? Please, go and greet Brother Hu quickly, I believe the two envoys will be there shortly."

Laughing, Xu Wei hurried off. As Yi Seung-Jae and Ashile rushed to Lin Wanrong's side, they saw him standing there with a mysterious smile. They both paused before asking, "Mr. Lin, where are you planning to take us?"

Seeing Palace Lady Seo and her entourage following Yi Seung-Jae, Lin Wanrong put on a mysterious smile and said, "Well, where we're going is certainly a good place. However, it might be a bit inconvenient if we take a lady along, Prince Yi, what do you think..."

With Princess Nishang's upcoming marriage selection, even if Yi Seung-Jae were given ten times the courage, he would not dare to let his thoughts wander along Lin San's suggestion. Who knew if Mr. Lin was a spy sent by the princess to investigate everyone's habits? He quickly waved his hands, "Sir, that won't work. My father has disciplined me strictly, absolutely forbidding any involvement in places of amusement. I'm afraid I will disappoint you."

‘Still playing innocent in front of me, I wonder where you were last night, up to who knows what.’ Lin Wanrong said with a ‘deep regret’, "If that's the case, then we better not go. Ah, I haven't been to the Eight Alleys (Great Eight Alleys/Hutongs) in a long time. I have eighteen sweethearts there, I'm not lying, really, eighteen..."

Ashile laughed heartily at this. Yi Seung-Jae couldn't help but chuckle, and the Palace Lady Seo turned red in the face from embarrassment.

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