After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 685 The Desperate Rabbit

"Is that all the grit you've got? You think you can hide forever? Believe it or not, there are people waiting outside your house right now!"

Are you planning to stay in the palace permanently? I'll provide plenty of food, but whether your wife will feel at ease is another matter.

Minister Lin felt a headache coming on when he thought of his wife.

It wasn't that he was afraid his wife wouldn't trust him, but rather that he worried she might overthink things and feel that he was in danger.

It would be bad if they took their son Lin Qi on an adventure and did something drastic.

He, as the husband and father, knew best about his wife's and son's skills.

While he might not be able to defeat a thousand troops, he could easily take on a hundred or so men.

If someone impulsively comes to the palace demanding someone back, that would be incredibly embarrassing.

"Sigh, does that mean I really have to bite the bullet and deal with those people?"

"Hmm, if you don't go to deal with it, am I supposed to? Now that Minister Wu has returned to his hometown, you're the only confidant I have left. If you don't go, who will?"

Minister Lin knew the emperor was joking. A confidant? He was merely a "target" set up by His Majesty in public.

How could a ruler of a country have only one or two trusted confidants?

However, he still appeared flattered and surprised, saying, "Oh, this is my good fortune. Your Majesty has ordered me to go east, how could I dare to go west?"

"But if they inquire about the imperial edict, I wonder to what extent I should reveal it?"

The emperor put down the book he was holding and looked at Minister Lin.

"How to say it and how much to say it are all up to you. Also, have your people keep a close eye on all places. Those who want to take advantage of the situation should be arrested or dealt with accordingly."

Every year so many capable young people emerge; it's time to give them a chance and let the older generation make room.

!!!

The emperor spoke these words lightly, but Minister Lin felt as if they weighed a ton.

Is this His Majesty's decree, ordering me to take drastic measures?

Oh my, why am I feeling a little excited?

"Yes, Your Majesty! I know what to do next."

Only the two of them understood what the emperor and his minister were saying. Although Eunuch Wang seemed to understand a little, he would never admit it.

A eunuch may have political sensitivity in his mind, but he cannot show it openly, especially not in front of the emperor's trusted ministers.

You can be a mouthpiece, a tool, but you can't be a thoughtful and insightful person.

The emperor was surrounded by wise men, so why should a mere eunuch try to squeeze into a race that was not his own?

After accepting the order, Minister Lin thought about taking his leave, knowing he would have to face it sooner or later.

Even if I linger a bit longer before going out, I'll only encounter more people, not fewer.

Those who received the news late or live far away will likely arrive one after another.

Just as he was about to take his leave, the eunuchs came in carrying food boxes containing the imperial meal.

"Alright, have lunch with me first, there's no rush. Don't they like to ambush people? Let them stand here in the snow this winter to sober up."

Let this snow chill their brains. Whose salary are they receiving? And to whom should they be loyal?

"Hehe, then I shall humbly accept your offer. I was in such a hurry this morning, I'm really hungry~"

The emperor and his minister sat one above the other, warming themselves by the fire and enjoying a delicious lunch.

The ministers outside the palace gates stamped their feet, put their hands in their pockets, and some were even pacing back and forth, making the snow under their feet even more compact.

The Fifth Prince was quite clever for staying in the carriage without getting off, since there was a small charcoal brazier inside where he could warm himself.

The young eunuch poured him another cup of hot tea, not daring to ask his master if he wanted to get out of the carriage.

Why did it stop at the palace gate? The horse's hooves were practically flying when it came over.

I don't understand, I really don't understand it.

"Has Minister Lin not come out yet?"

"Uh, no, if I came out, I would definitely be surrounded by these adults. It can't be this quiet."

The eunuch knew without even looking that Minister Lin hadn't come out, so the Fifth Prince was just asking a question he already knew the answer to.

So Your Highness is talking to yourself again?

"Okay, let's go back."

"Huh? Go back?"

The young eunuch didn't react for a moment, but he quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly told the coachman to head back home.

"Sigh~ I shouldn't have come today. The fourth brother didn't come. Does that make me seem anxious?"

"Your Highness, the carriage we are riding in today is the same as the officials', without any markings. You did not get off the carriage, and neither did this servant."

No one will know you came; at most, they'll just think you're an old man who's afraid of the cold, sitting in your car waiting for news.

The coachman we brought this time is also a complete stranger. Not only do the officials outside not recognize him, but the soldiers and eunuchs at the palace gates are unlikely to recognize him either.”

Whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement by the eunuch, he specifically chose unfamiliar faces for this trip out of the mansion, and even changed the carriage at the last minute.

"You did a great job, you'll be rewarded when you get back."

"It's all just the duty of a servant."

The Fifth Prince felt that his actions today were somewhat ridiculous, but fortunately, his subordinates were clear-headed.

He suddenly realized that after hearing the news this morning, he felt like a rabbit with bloodshot eyes, unable to wait a moment longer, and rushed over immediately.

But what can you do after you get here? Go and question your father about who he has chosen as the crown prince?

Looking back now, this is quite strange. Since the edict establishing the heir apparent was written, why was it suppressed and not issued?

Was it just something he wrote for fun? Is Father Emperor really that bored?

Moreover, although the Emperor's health was not as good as before, he still personally reviewed the memorials and never asked any of the princes to participate in them.

If one is truly going to establish an heir apparent, shouldn't one bring the future heir under their wing to train and mentor them?

However, as far as he knew, all the memorials were reviewed by his father alone, and were never delegated to anyone else.

So why did the news of this edict establishing an heir come out?

The little eunuch tapped his fingers on the low table in the carriage. Knowing that his master was thinking, he didn't dare to make a sound, and even slowed his breathing.

Silence fell over the carriage, and the Fifth Prince grew even more somber.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped abruptly, and the little eunuch stumbled and almost fell.

"What's going on?" The Fifth Prince frowned.

"Your Highness, it seems to be one of the Fourth Prince's men," the young eunuch quickly reported after peeking out to check.

"Heh, I wasn't the only one who couldn't sit still. Look, here comes another one."

The Fifth Prince seemed to have suddenly resolved his inner conflict, and even laughed out loud.

After all, I wasn't the only one who was anxious, and this feeling was much better than when I was awkwardly standing outside the palace gates.

The Fifth Prince even found the Fourth Prince much more agreeable all of a sudden.

"Let him go first!"