Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 152 The Emperor's Reward

Yasushi.

Commandery.

Lu Feng led Lin Xuan through several heavily guarded corridors. The deeper they went, the more tranquil and solemn the environment became, with even the footsteps of passersby barely audible.

Finally, they stopped in front of a grand hall deep within the Jingye Division.

Lu Feng led Lin Xuan straight into the main hall, stood in the center of the hall, and said in a deep voice, "My lord, Lin Xuan has arrived."

Lin Xuan glanced around and noticed that the layout of the main hall was surprisingly simple.

The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with various scrolls and classics. A faint scent of ink and an unknown cool fragrance permeated the air. Behind a large rosewood desk sat a middle-aged man dressed in black casual clothes.

He looked to be in his early forties, with a handsome face, a tall and straight posture, and an imposing presence. Lin Xuan sensed a very approachable aura emanating from him.

This feeling came from the Zhenyue True Qi within his body.

The middle-aged man did not look up; he was writing something on a file.

The man's identity was not hard to guess. Lin Xuan stepped forward, stood before the desk, bowed, and said in a clear and steady voice, "This humble servant, Lin Xuan, greets Commander."

The middle-aged man did not respond immediately. Only after finishing the last word did he slowly put down his pen, raise his head, and look at Lin Xuan.

His gaze was very peaceful, yet it carried an invisible pressure, as if it could see right through a person, inside and out.

Lin Xuan instantly felt a faint but incredibly pure spiritual energy sweep over him. He kept his aura concealed and maintained a respectful posture, allowing the energy to probe him.

A fourth-rank sorcerer can already control their mental energy at will.

Now, he has mastered all the spiritual cultivation techniques of the Jiuli tribe. As long as he doesn't reveal himself, even a third-rank expert can't see through his true cultivation level.

To the outside world, he only revealed his fifth-grade spiritual power.

Chen Bing stared at him for a long time, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips, and slowly said, "Lu Feng is right. You are indeed exceptionally gifted in spiritual power. With a sixth-grade cultivation level, you possess the spiritual power of a fifth-grade cultivator. No wonder the Jiuli Clan took a liking to you..."

After saying this, he let out a soft breath and spoke again: "Lin Xuan... His Majesty and I have been waiting for you for quite some time."

Lin Xuan knew this was referring to his delayed return to the capital, and was about to explain when Chen Bing waved his hand, interrupting him.

"You did a good job with the affairs in the Southwest."

He stepped out from behind his desk, hands behind his back, and said, "You presented the new salt law, infiltrated the Yang family alone, and eliminated this major threat to the court. What's even more remarkable is that you were able to establish close ties with a reclusive power like the Jiuli tribe. You have truly given me quite a few surprises..."

Lin Xuan clasped his hands and said, "It is my greatest honor to be able to serve the court and share His Majesty's burdens."

Chen Bing chuckled lightly, then changed the subject, asking with a smile, "This is your first time in the capital. What do you think of the capital compared to the southwest?"

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, then answered truthfully: "The capital is under the emperor's nose, and its grandeur is unparalleled, naturally incomparable to the southwestern border."

Chen Bing nodded slightly and said, "The reason I summoned you back this time is not just to hear your report. Now that the matter in the southwest is settled, with your status and ability, there is no need for you to stay there any longer. You can stay in the capital for now and await further orders. The court will arrange everything for you."

Lin Xuan was caught off guard and stood there stunned.

Wasn't it supposed to be a performance review? We haven't done it yet, so why can't we leave?
He had just escaped single life, and his honeymoon was only halfway over. He even thought that after finishing his report today, he would set off back to Bozhou tomorrow to continue conquering Youmeng and live a happy life with Qingluan. The commander's words completely disrupted his plans...

After a brief moment of surprise, Lin Xuan immediately clasped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Commander, the condition on which the Jiuli tribe agreed to help the imperial court break through the Yang family's nine-fold barrier was that I undergo a bloodline baptism to become a member of the Jiuli tribe and serve them from then on. I tried my best to persuade them to relax the conditions, but they also required me to stay in the Jiuli tribe for three months every year. If I break my oath, they will make me suffer the torment of ten thousand Gu poisons devouring my heart..."

The "Ten Thousand Gu Devouring the Heart" story was made up by Lin Xuan on the spot; he said it only to get the court to let him go back.

Chen Bing nodded slightly and said, "A person cannot stand without integrity. Since you promised the Jiuli tribe, you must naturally keep your word. Considering the round trip, the Commandery can grant you a four-month long vacation each year, which should be enough..."

"..."

Lin Xuan should have told Lu Feng six months ago.

But he was still unwilling to give up and spoke again: "Commander, I grew up in the southwest and am quite familiar with its affairs. I believe that I can play a more important role for the court in the southwest. The southwestern border is fragmented by local chieftains, and Nanzhao is eyeing it. I don't feel comfortable sending anyone else..."

Chen Bing smiled and said, "The Yang family is already destroyed, and the chieftains in the southwest are unlikely to cause any trouble for the time being. The Nanzhao Kingdom is undergoing a major upheaval, and the Secret Service is too busy to do anything else. They shouldn't have any intention of causing trouble in the short term. Staying in the southwest would be a waste of your abilities. The court has other places where they need you more..."

Having said all that, Lin Xuan could say nothing more.

I cannot leave the capital city for the time being.

He could only try to bring Qingluan over. Lin Xuan also wanted Youmeng to come along, but he didn't know if the High Priest would agree. She was always wary of Lin Xuan, worried that he would abduct the Holy Maiden...

As it turned out, her fears were justified.

Chen Bing looked at Lin Xuan and spoke again: "You should know that your ancestral home is in the capital, right?"

Lin Xuan nodded slightly and said, "I know."

Chen Bingdao said, "Your father was originally from the capital. You have given so much to the court. His Majesty originally ordered the Jingye Division to help you find your relatives in the capital, but after the investigation, it was found that your close relatives have all passed away in recent years, and there are some distant relatives. Would you be willing to see them again?"

Lin Xuan shook his head and said, "It's not necessary. Given my status, recognizing them wouldn't be good for them."

He was, after all, a soul from another world. He had never met the original owner's parents and had no feelings for them, let alone distant relatives.

It's better to avoid meeting them; it's kinder to them and saves him from feeling awkward.

Chen Bing seemed to have anticipated this outcome, so he did not continue the topic. He turned around, walked to a bookshelf behind him, took out a box, opened it, and handed one of the items to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan accepted it with both hands, and then asked, "Sir, this is... the Jing'an Medal?"

This is a metal medal the size of a baby's palm. In the center of the medal is a majestic and precipitous mountain relief, and the edges are engraved with intricate patterns. Its design is no different from the third-class Jing'an Medal that Lin Xuan received last time.

However, the medal Lin Xuan received last time was black, while this medal is a bright gold and extremely heavy, so it must be made of pure gold.

Lu Feng stepped forward and explained with a smile, "This is the First Class Jing'an Medal. This medal can absolve you of one death penalty, except for treason. Keep it safe; it's a family heirloom."

For Lin Xuan, if he cannot be exempted from the crime of treason, what difference is there between him and not being exempted at all?
However, he still looked excited and respectfully said, "Thank you, Commander!"

Chen Bing waved his hand and said, "No need to thank anyone. This is something you earned with your life. Compared to your contributions to the court, a Jing'an Medal is nothing. His Majesty has other rewards for you..."

As he spoke, he took out a brocade box from under the drawer of the table and handed it to Lin Xuan, saying, "In this box are three Qi Gathering Pills, which were bestowed upon you by His Majesty. Although you have been included in the Sixteen Guards, your martial arts strength is still insufficient. Use these three Qi Gathering Pills to quickly raise your cultivation to the fifth rank, so that you can rightfully secure this position and have more strength to protect yourself when carrying out missions in the future..."

Qi Gathering Pills are valuable items; just these three pills alone make this trip to the capital worthwhile.

Lin Xuan was about to bow and express his gratitude when Chen Bing said again, "Don't rush to express your gratitude. Your rewards are not yet complete. His Majesty has prepared a mansion for you in a prosperous area of ​​the inner city. All the maids and servants have been assigned to you, and their monthly allowances will be provided by the court. Your salary is thirty taels per month. If that's not enough, you can talk to Lu Feng again..."

Lin Xuan sighed inwardly, no wonder so many people from the Jingye Division were willing to die for the imperial court.

They gave so much.

Strength, status, power, money, beauty...

Aside from beautiful women, men can obtain almost everything they desire.

Taking a gamble with your life on the line could lead to a bright future.

Lin Xuan was stunned for a moment, and Chen Bing continued, "By the way, His Majesty has also found you a good marriage. The woman is beautiful and comes from a respectable family. She is a perfect match for you. You should get married as soon as possible and leave bloodlines for your Lin family. The court will vigorously cultivate the bloodlines of meritorious officials and make them the pillars of the next generation..."

Lin Xuan subconsciously said, "Thank you, Your Majesty... um?"

He suddenly looked up at Chen Bing and exclaimed in shock, "A marriage?"

Chen Bing nodded and said, "His Majesty personally bestowed the marriage upon us, and the Ministry of Rites is in charge of all the arrangements. You don't need to worry about any expenses..."

Lin Xuan hurriedly replied, "Commander, but I already have someone I love..."

Chen Bing asked, "Are you married?"

Lin Xuan said, "To be honest, our wedding date has been set. She is waiting for me to finish my duties so she can return to the southwest to get married..."

Chen Bing gently patted Lin Xuan's shoulder and said, "A ruler's word is law. His Majesty's decree has been issued and cannot be taken back. If you like, the Commandery can help you bring your beloved back to the capital. You can secretly keep her outside, and no one will care..."

Looking at the commander's expression, Lin Xuan knew that there was no room for negotiation.

He knew that one was often powerless in officialdom, but he never imagined he would be so powerless.

He had even guessed why they had arranged his marriage. A spy, a spy with no family and no ties, wasn't entirely a good thing for the court.

They hoped to have leverage over him, preferably with his wife and children in the capital, so that he would have to serve the court wholeheartedly no matter what. The so-called bestowed marriage was merely a process to achieve this goal.

Mandala had already taught him these things.

Chen Bing looked at Lu Feng and said, "Lin Xuan must be tired after his long journey. Lu Feng, take him back to the manor to rest first. Tomorrow, have someone show him around the capital..."

Lu Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Yes."

Then, he looked at Lin Xuan and said with a smile, "Let's go, Brother Lin, I'll take you to your new home in the capital..."

Led by Lu Feng, Lin Xuan walked out of the Jingye Division.

The hustle and bustle of the outside world and the oppressive atmosphere and coldness inside the Jingye Division seem like two different worlds.

The two mounted their horses and rode through several wide streets, eventually entering an extremely quiet and elegant area within the inner city.

The mansions here are clearly more imposing, with high walls and grand courtyards, and the passersby are dressed in fine clothes, clearly indicating that they are either rich or noble.

Lu Feng reined in his horse and stopped in front of a brand-new mansion.

Looking up, the vermilion gate was magnificent, with a stone lion on each side in front of it, and a plaque hanging above the gate with the two large characters "Chen Mansion" written in vigorous characters.

Lu Feng dismounted and said with a smile, "What do you think of this mansion? The two characters on this plaque were personally inscribed by His Majesty."

His Majesty rarely bestows calligraphy upon others, but this time he personally inscribed a message for Lin Xuan's residence, which shows His Majesty's recognition of his contributions.

No wonder, first he presented the new salt law, then he personally infiltrated the Yang family, and single-handedly sought the help of the Jiuli tribe, breaking through the Yang family's nine defenses. What he did alone was equivalent to a thousand troops, bringing back huge amounts of wealth for the court and relieving the financial crisis in several places...

Such a meritorious person deserves no reward whatsoever.

Upon seeing Lu Feng, the servants guarding the gatehouse hurriedly opened the middle gate and rushed inside to report.

Lin Xuan followed Lu Feng into the mansion, and the view suddenly opened up before her.

The entrance is marked by an ornately carved screen wall; passing the screen wall leads to a spacious front courtyard.

The courtyard is paved with bluestone slabs and lined with evergreen pines and cypresses. Passing through the hanging flower gate, you enter the main courtyard, which has a main hall and east and west wing rooms. With flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, although it is not extremely luxurious, it is exquisite and profound in every detail, and it is clear that it has been carefully arranged.

As soon as the two sat down in the main hall, an elderly man who looked like a steward led a dozen maids, servants, and old women to walk quickly over and stand in neat rows in front of the hall.

The steward stepped forward, bowed, and said in a loud and respectful voice, "This old servant, Chen Fu, along with everyone in the manor, respectfully welcomes Master back to the manor!"

The servants behind him knelt down in unison, their voices in perfect unison: "Welcome back to the manor, Master!"

This was the first time Lin Xuan had been addressed in this way. Looking at the sea of ​​heads in front of him, he couldn't help but feel a little strange.

He was very uncomfortable with this situation, raised his hand, and said, "Get up, everyone."

"Thank you, sir!"

Everyone then stood up and stood respectfully to the side.

Lu Feng looked at Lin Xuan and smiled, "Chen Fu is an old man from the Imperial Household Department. He knows the rules very well. You can rest assured that all the affairs in the mansion are handled by him. These servants have also been strictly screened and have clean backgrounds. You can use them with peace of mind."

Lin Xuan nodded and said to Lu Feng, "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Lu."

Lu Feng waved his hand and said, "We're brothers, no need to be so polite. You must be tired from your journey, so please rest. I won't bother you any longer. I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow and show you around the capital."

After saying that, he took his leave decisively.

Chen Fu stepped forward at the opportune moment, bowed slightly and said, "Master, you must be tired from your journey. Hot water and a change of clothes have been prepared, and the kitchen has also prepared some light meals. Would you like to have some?"

Lin Xuan said, "Let's wait until later. First, show me around the mansion."

The old man respectfully extended his hand: "Please, sir."

Under Chen Fu's guidance, Lin Xuan took a general tour of his mansion.

The mansion has three courtyards in total, with a sizable back garden complete with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and ponds. Although it is not as large as the Tian family's mansion in Bozhou, its price is enough to buy more than ten such mansions.

He stood on the small building in the backyard, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall. The surrounding mansions were equally magnificent, most of them larger and more grand than this one.

At this moment, Lin Xuan was unaware that from the moment he stepped into this mansion, discussions about it had never ceased in the surrounding courtyards.

In a courtyard, an elderly man dressed in fine clothes stroked his beard and asked, "Did you see clearly? That person was personally brought by Commander Lu of the Jingye Division, who opened the main gate to welcome him in?"

A young man beside him nodded and said, "I can't be wrong. I've had someone keeping an eye on him for the past two weeks. He looks very young, but I don't know who he is..."

The old man said leisurely, "His Majesty inscribed the calligraphy, and Commander Lu personally delivered it. This new neighbor is probably no ordinary person. In a couple of days, prepare a generous gift, pay him a visit, and find out his background to see if he's worth winning over..."

The young man replied, "Yes..."

In another mansion, several noble ladies were enjoying tea in an elegant pavilion in the inner courtyard.

A woman spoke up: "I heard that house has been vacant for a long time, and now it has been given away as a reward. The owner is quite young. I wonder which talented young man has moved in. I should inquire about it another day. If their families are of similar social standing, it might not be a bad match..."

The girl beside her gave a reproachful laugh, her cheeks flushing slightly, and said coquettishly, "Mother, please don't worry about things like this..."

Another noblewoman smiled and said, "It's too late. I heard from my husband that His Majesty has already bestowed a marriage upon the owner of that mansion, and the Ministry of Rites is personally overseeing the process. You'd better not try anything with them..."

"What? His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon us?"

"This is truly rare. In recent years, His Majesty has been focused on alchemy and has hardly bestowed any marriages upon anyone..."

"This person probably has a very bright future..."

……

There are no secrets in the capital. In less than half a day, the powerful and influential people in the area all knew that the vacant mansion had welcomed a new master who was personally escorted by Commander Lu of the Jingye Division and was deeply favored by the emperor.

In a short time, various speculations, curiosity, observation, and thoughts of befriending or being wary quietly arose among many wealthy and powerful families.

Lin Xuan stood in the courtyard, looking at the respectfully standing servants before him. Thinking of the marriage he couldn't refuse, he felt little joy. Instead, he felt as if he were in a huge cage.

Although Lu Feng said that these servants had clean backgrounds and that he could use them without worry.

But Lin Xuan knew without guessing that there must be people planted by the Jingye Division among them, who would be monitoring his every move on a daily basis.

Even knowing all this, there was nothing he could do.

His Majesty's generous rewards are both an honor and an invisible shackle.

Having finally managed to take control of his destiny, on his very first day in the capital, Lin Xuan felt as if he had been swept into a bottomless vortex by an invisible hand.

He returned to his room, took out a telescope from his bundle, and planned to report to Qingluan Youmeng first.

Thousands of miles away, Bozhou.

Tian Qingluan, Youmeng, and Aya stood guard beside a telescope, their eyes fixed on the mirror.

Soon, the cinnabar on the mirror began to form lines of writing.

Aya spoke excitedly.

"Big brother has arrived in the capital!"

He said the emperor had given him three Qi-gathering pills.

"They even rewarded him with a large mansion!"

……

A smile appeared on Tian Qingluan's face. After he finished his report, he should be back soon, right?
Looking through the telescope, Aya continued, "The emperor allowed him to stay in the capital and even arranged a marriage for him!"

Tian Qingluan was stunned for a moment, her smile freezing on her face.

(End of this chapter)