Chapter 270: Emperor's Last Words

"Not in Dazhen?"

Xiao Ling was momentarily stunned. However, in most surrounding countries, even as far as the distant Tianbao Kingdom, provinces are referred to by similar names. Only a few barbarian regions use tribal designations. If it were just another foreign country, this immortal wouldn't have said it that way, would he?

He wanted to ask more questions, but Ji Yuan spoke again, cutting him off.

"Young Master Xiao, don't concern yourself with those distant, otherworldly matters. Don't forget, I am here today to collect a debt."

Although only a short time had passed, a lot had happened. If Ji Yuan hadn't mentioned it, Xiao Ling would have almost forgotten about it, or perhaps he still thought the debt referred to the River Goddess incident.

Hearing the immortal in front of him speak of the debt, Xiao Ling thought for a moment and then asked for confirmation.

"Five hundred taels of gold?"

"Precisely, five hundred taels of gold. Young Master Xiao, you wouldn't tell me you can't produce it, would you?"

Ji Yuan knew the Xiao family well. While Xiao Ling's father was an upright official, he wasn't entirely above reproach. Yet, after years of accumulated salary, he could certainly afford five hundred taels of gold.

"Alright, Master. Will you return home with me, or do you have other plans?"

Ji Yuan shook his head.

"There's no need. Young Master Xiao, please return to your residence yourself, retrieve the gold, and then bring it back. We will wait for you here."

Xiao Ling looked at Duan Muwan.

"What about Wan'er then?"

Ji Yuan understood the meaning behind his question, but he had no intention of restricting their freedom.

"Both of you are free to do as you please."

Hearing this, Xiao Ling felt somewhat relieved. After bidding farewell to Ji Yuan and the dragon children, he led Duan Muwan out of the restaurant and departed into the night.

Ji Yuan had already returned to his seat at the table, while the dragon son only sat down after watching the two disappear into the distance through the window.

"Heh heh heh… Since this young man was fortunate enough to meet Uncle Ji and leave such an impression, it's truly ironic that if he had relied on his own efforts, their reunion years later could have been a fortunate encounter."

Ying Ruoli nodded in strong agreement. Both she and her elder brother had come to understand Uncle Ji's temperament quite well.

While the siblings were expressing their thoughts, Ji Yuan had already taken out three pairs of new chopsticks, handing one pair each to the dragon son and dragon daughter.

"There's still a table of food and wine. Don't waste it."

There were at least seven or eight substantial dishes on the table. Xiao Ling and Duan Muwan certainly wouldn't be eating them tonight, so Ji Yuan made himself comfortable.

As soon as Ji Yuan began eating, the dragon son and daughter, even if just for show, had to accompany their elder. Naturally, they picked up their chopsticks and started as well.

It was about half an hour later when Xiao Ling returned. He came back to the private room carrying a small box; Duan Muwan did not accompany him.

He could have used banknotes, but Xiao Ling felt the other party wanted actual gold, so he decided not to complicate things and brought real gold directly.

"Master Ji, five hundred taels of gold, not a single speck less!"

Xiao Ling placed the small box on the corner of the table and opened the wooden lid, revealing neatly arranged gold ingots inside.

The box was about the size of an infant's shoebox from Ji Yuan's previous life. If the five hundred taels of gold inside were melted down, they certainly wouldn't be bigger than a single brick.

Yet, this small box contained a hefty five hundred taels. Xiao Ling was quite weak at the moment, and despite his impressive martial arts, carrying the box for so long left him sweating and panting.

Ji Yuan merely glanced at the gleaming gold inside the box, then nodded and said.

"Good, very good. Young Master Xiao, you and I are now even."

As he finished speaking, Ji Yuan flicked his sleeve. The box on the table, as if by magic, spun around and disappeared into his sleeve.

Having collected the debt and understood what the white fox had done, Ji Yuan saw no need to prolong the interaction with Xiao Ling. After completing everything and exchanging polite farewells, he directly departed with the dragon son and daughter.

From the private room, Xiao Ling peered through the window, trying to see the direction they had gone, but within just a dozen steps, the three had vanished into the night.

"Uncle Ji, that Xiao family, are they descendants of Xiao Jing?"

As they walked, the dragon daughter suddenly asked this. Ji Yuan looked at her and nodded.

"That's right. I wasn't sure before, but after seeing Xiao Ling and observing his aura, I can confirm he is indeed a descendant of Xiao Jing."

Ji Yuan knew that the dragon daughter had been watching Wang Li write his book on the boat earlier, and she had generally reviewed the entire work, especially the concluding summary. It was no surprise she knew about Xiao Jing.

This, however, piqued the dragon son's curiosity.

"Ruoli, what's with the riddles between you and Uncle Ji? Who is Xiao Jing? Why do you know and I don't? I've spent much more time with Uncle Ji than you have!"

Ji Yuan couldn't be bothered to explain to him. He gave the dragon daughter a wink and walked on ahead, leaving the siblings to discuss it amongst themselves.

After all, the dragon daughter was still a River Goddess. She had left just a few days after the Xiao family matter was resolved due to other commitments. The dragon son, however, had stubbornly stayed for half a month before Ji Yuan finally sent him away.

Time passed, crossing summer and entering autumn once more. Ji Yuan had been in the capital prefecture alone for over two months.

During this period, Ji Yuan had come to understand certain things. The situation in the capital was naturally tense, but whether it was intrigue or covert schemes, none of it affected him.

In his free time, Ji Yuan spent most of his days observing others playing chess in various chess halls around the capital. He also made a special trip to the Ghost City of the Underworld to visit the White Deer and her husband.

Apart from this, what was noteworthy to Ji Yuan was Yin Qing's imperial examination results.

The results of this spring's imperial examination had been announced back in the season when apricot blossoms bloomed. Yin Qing, who had already qualified by passing the provincial exams, had also participated in the metropolitan and palace examinations.

His score wasn't high enough to claim the top three positions—Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, or Tanhua—but it wasn't terrible either, placing him towards the end of the second-class scholars. However, because his father, Yin Zhaoxian, was so brilliant, Yin Qing's results were ironically seen as poor by others.

This was quite interesting. Ji Yuan couldn't speak for others, but he had some understanding of Yin Qing's scholarly talent.

While positions like Xieyuan, Huiyuan, and Zhuangyuan certainly required some luck, and it was normal not to achieve them, Yin Qing had the ability to contend for one of the top three places in the Palace Examination, and his chances weren't small.

Yet, Yin Qing's results were precisely at the very end of the second class, barely avoiding dropping into the third class, which made it quite intriguing.

Rigging the results was naturally impossible. Even though Yin Zhaoxian had offended many people, no one dared to do such a thing. It could only mean that Ji Yuan's "Little Yin Qing" was deliberately hiding his true abilities.

Ji Yuan could even guess Yin Qing's thoughts: essentially, to merely meet the requirements for officialdom, then subtly leverage some connections to secure a suitable position where he could be effective without being too conspicuous for the time being.

Just as many respected Yin Zhaoxian, many also feared him. However, while Yin Zhaoxian was indeed a capable and brilliant official, at heart he was more of a scholar. The truly sharp-witted Yin Qing was the one who deserved more attention, but who knew this besides those close to him?

On this day, Yin Zhaoxian, who had toiled for years in Wanzhou, was summoned to the capital to report on his duties.

All high-ranking officials, including Yin Zhaoxian, were well aware that the current Emperor's time was running out.

After all, whether they respected, feared, or even resented Yin Zhaoxian, everyone in the court—from civil and military officials to princes and nobles—knew very well that Yin Zhaoxian was a capable, virtuous, and above all, loyal minister of Dazhen.

In these years, many in the court often felt insecure. Perhaps only a pitiful one and a half officials truly held the trust and immense favor of Emperor Yuande: one was Yin Zhaoxian, and the "half" was Taichangshi Yan Chang, who had genuinely found immortal opportunities for the emperor on several occasions.

Governor Yin Zhaoxian's hurried journey to the capital carried an even greater symbolic meaning this time.

At this moment, outside the Emperor's inner chambers deep within the palace, an old eunuch, taking small, quick steps, entered the sleeping quarters and approached the Emperor's bed. He bowed and whispered into the bed curtains.

"Your Majesty, Governor Yin Zhaoxian of Wanzhou has arrived in the capital. He is waiting outside the palace."

"Yin... Beloved Minister Yin has arrived? How long has it been?"

The old eunuch, having served the Emperor for a long time, knew what he was asking.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it's only been a little over a month since the imperial decree was issued. Yunbo Prefecture in Wanzhou is far from the capital. Master Yin truly lives up to his reputation as a loyal and patriotic pillar of the state, traveling day and night for over ten days, exhausting several fine horses…"

"Ho… Enough, enough… Summon him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Loud noises were forbidden in the imperial bedchamber now. Shortly after the old eunuch withdrew, he led the dust-covered Yin Zhaoxian to the side of the bed.

"Yin Zhaoxian, Governor of Wanzhou, greets Your Majesty!"

Yin Zhaoxian performed a deep bow.

"Beloved Minister Yin… come closer, let… let Us see you…"

Yin Zhaoxian glanced at the old eunuch beside him, then without hesitation, took five steps forward and knelt on one knee, lowering his face slightly below the bed. The old eunuch moved to the emperor's bed and pulled back the curtains a little.

The old Emperor's face was gaunt and sickly, which caused Yin Zhaoxian to momentarily freeze. He hadn't been to the capital in years, and his impression of the Emperor was still from when he had passed the imperial examination, so he hadn't expected such a stark change.

However, his surprise lasted only an instant. Yin Zhaoxian quickly bowed his head in respect.

"Your Majesty!"

In the old Emperor's eyes, seeing Yin Zhaoxian evoked a completely different feeling than seeing other ministers. It was as if Yin Zhaoxian radiated a greater brightness, while in comparison, other parts of the bedchamber appeared deceptively dim.

"Beloved Minister Yin, We once heard rumors, from the common folk, from scholars… many, many people rumored that you, our beloved minister, possess a profound uprightness, and are indeed, indeed a pillar of state for all ages…"

"This humble servant dares not accept such praise!"

The old Emperor smiled and, with the help of several eunuchs who arranged pillows and other supports, sat up in bed.

"Grant him a seat."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

A eunuch brought a small stool, and after expressing his gratitude, Yin Zhaoxian sat down calmly.

"Heh heh heh… We originally thought it was, merely common gossip… but seeing Our beloved minister today… We are inclined to believe it somewhat!"

"This humble servant is deeply humbled!"

"Hahaha… Others would truly be humbled, but you are not!"

This time, Yin Zhaoxian genuinely panicked and quickly bowed.

"This humble servant dares not!"

The old Emperor waved his hand.

"We have already met with the high officials of the Three Departments and Six Ministries, some of them individually. You, Yin Zhaoxian, are merely a Governor, yet in court, no one dares to overlook you. We originally intended to speak of other matters, but, suddenly, We feel compelled to ask you another question…"

Yin Zhaoxian bowed slightly.

"Please ask, Your Majesty. This humble servant will speak freely!"

The old Emperor nodded, and his expression suddenly became serious.

"Yin Zhaoxian, in your opinion, between Prince Jin and Prince Wu, who is capable of bearing a great responsibility?"

The old eunuch, who was just bringing tea, trembled and almost dropped the tea tray.