freenovelworld Chapter 247 Handing over the account book to the emperor
Chapter 247 Handing over the account book to the emperor
Lin Jingyou smiled apologetically and explained, "It's not that I didn't tell you, but last night the Emperor repeatedly tested me, even using the matter of marrying the princess as a test. I had no choice but to be sent away."
"What? The emperor actually wants you to marry the princess? This is not possible, otherwise what will happen to Sister Wan Ning?" Yan Hui quickly stood up and said.
Marquis Zhongyong glared at him and said, "You look so anxious. You are not at all as mature and steady as Jingyou. Since the emperor did not issue an edict this morning, it means that he has given up this idea."
Yan Hui sat back on the stool and said, "That's good, that's good. Otherwise, I would be letting down my sister Wan Ning."
Lin Jingyou smiled and said, "Brother Yan, don't worry. Even if there are three thousand rivers, I will only drink from one. I will never let her down."
"Jingyou should be more careful when you go there. It's only been four months and three people on the list have died. With Huang Wei's ruthlessness, I'm afraid he will deal with you when he comes to his senses." The loyal and brave marquis said worriedly.
Lin Jingyou smiled. "I came here today to discuss this matter. Uncle Yan has been worried about Jingyou's safety, having troubled him to keep the account books for a few months. Now that I have safely met the Emperor, I am considering whether I can hand the account books over to the Emperor."
"This...Originally, we kept the account book for your safety, and secondly for your family. We originally wanted to wait until we caught Dai Yongcheng and then hand it over to the emperor. If we present the account book to the emperor now, aren't you worried that he will be desperate and hurt your family?" asked Marquis Zhongyong.
"I did have some concerns, but I've been in the capital for over a month now, and judging by General Huaihua's appearance, he seems unaware of this matter. Huang Wei went to great lengths to deal with the list in the account book, even more so to protect General Huaihua.
"So, I suspect that for General Huaihua, or more accurately, for the Eighth Prince's cause, he would rather accept the blame than risk his life and harm others. Furthermore, marrying a merchant's daughter, and having her as his only wife, is something that no one could possibly do, demonstrating his immense tolerance," Lin Jingyou analyzed.
Yan Hui nodded and agreed, "Brother Jingyou's analysis is not without reason. Besides, Brother Jingyou is about to take up his post in Fuzhou. It would be better to report Huang Wei before he takes office, so that he won't cause trouble for Brother Jingyou in the future."
The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery finally nodded and said, "Well, then I'll present this account book to the Emperor. However, I'm afraid Jingyou will have to go and do this."
"Uncle Yan is right. Only I can handle this matter. Without further delay, I will go to the palace now and report this matter to the emperor." Lin Jingyou responded.
"Okay, wait here for a moment. The account book is in my room. I'll get it for you." As he said that, Marquis Zhongyong got up and went back to his room to get the account book.
When the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery brought the account book and handed it to Lin Jingyou, Lin Jingyou immediately took the account book into the palace to meet the emperor.
"Your Majesty, when I was taking the imperial examination in Fuzhou, I accidentally got an account book. When I opened it, I found that it was the bribery account book of the Fuzhou governor. I knew that this matter was serious, so I specially brought the account book to see Your Majesty." Lin Jingyou bowed and handed the account book with both hands.
The emperor did not take the account book immediately, but asked, "Since you have already received the account book, why are you reporting it now?"
Lin Jingyou maintained his original posture and replied respectfully, "Until now, I have never had the opportunity to see Your Majesty. I did not bring the account book to the banquet yesterday for fear of alerting the enemy. It was not until today that I had the opportunity to bring the account book into the palace."
The emperor was skeptical. He took the account book and after looking through it, he was furious. His lips were tightly pursed, his nostrils were constricted, and you could even see his chest heaving violently.
"Good, very good! He actually accepted bribes without telling me, and the amount is so huge. Thirty million taels of silver and four million taels of gold. Is he trying to rebel?" The emperor said harshly.
Lin Jingyou lowered his head, not daring to say a word. The emperor was furious, and at this moment, he didn't want to be the emperor's punching bag.
The emperor paced back and forth in the imperial study, extremely angry.
After a while, the emperor looked up and saw Lin Jingyou was still there. He asked Lin Jingyou, "How did you get this account book?"
"When Uncle Zhong from the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion went to Fuzhou to pick up the Crown Prince, he accidentally rescued a young monk who was being hunted by men in black. The young monk was holding exactly this account book."
Lin Jingyou told the emperor what happened at that time. After all, if the emperor wanted to investigate, he could find out easily.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked again, "Since the account book was already discovered then, why didn't you give it to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery to bring back? Why did you only give it to me now?"
Lin Jingyou bowed and replied, "I dare not lie to Your Majesty. At the Luming Banquet, I had some unpleasant conversations with the Governor. I was selfish and worried that the Governor would harm me and my family. I had no choice but to hold the account book for my own safety. I am selfish and I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
After saying that, Lin Jingyou immediately knelt on the ground. The emperor was not someone who could be easily fooled. Every word he said had to be carefully considered.
The emperor snorted coldly, "You still know that you are selfish? Three people in this account book have already died. If all the people in this account book died, your sin would be great."
"Please punish me, Your Majesty." Lin Jingyou continued to apologize.
"Forget it, since you have made some contributions by discovering the account book, and the merits and demerits offset each other, I will not punish you. If it happens again, I will definitely punish you severely. Get up!" said the emperor.
Lin Jingyou stood up and took his place to the side. The emperor glanced at the account book, then at Lin Jingyou, and finally said, "You go back first. I will make the final decision on this matter. By the way, regarding Lin Dashan and Lin Jiang's waterwheel construction, you will take my order back to Daqing Village! Xiao Xiangzi has been running to Daqing Village non-stop, and now he has just returned, let him rest for a while."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." After Lin Jingyou thanked them on their behalf, he left with the two volumes of imperial edicts given by the emperor.
He went to the mansion of Marquis Zhongyong again, said goodbye to Marquis Zhongyong and Yan Hui, returned to the inn, packed up his things, and prepared to set off back to Fuzhou.
The next day, before daybreak, Yan Hui rode out on horseback to take Lin Jingyou back. This time, Lin Jingyou rode back on horseback, carrying some clothes and two scrolls of imperial edicts.
After arriving in the capital, Yan Hui always believed that he would definitely win the first place in the imperial examination. He said that the winner of the imperial examination must ride a horse in a parade. So when Lin Jingyou first arrived in the capital, Yan Hui found someone to teach him how to ride a horse.
The two men dismounted, and Yan Hui was reluctant to let them go. "Brother Jingyou, you've finally come to the capital, and now you're leaving again. I'm afraid the next time we meet will be three years later, when you return to the capital to report on your work."
"It's okay, three years will pass quickly. Besides, if you are free, you can come to Fuzhou to visit us." Lin Jingyou comforted.