CH 42

Chapter 42: Is there no justice left? Is there no law?

Lin Beifan was dumbfounded!

The Empress had actually given him food from the Imperial kitchen to eat?

This was too considerate of her, wasn’t it?

You see, what kind of place was the Imperial kitchen?

It was the place where the Emperor’s meals were prepared!

The chefs there were the best in the country, and so were the ingredients. Everything there was of the highest quality!

When it came to food, no one could match the Empress!

And many of the ingredients were specially provided, things you couldn’t even buy if you wanted to!

Lin Beifan was thrilled. He immediately said loudly, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!”

Looking up, he saw that the courtiers were all looking at him enviously.

To be honest, these officials had been in the system for most of their lives. What kind of rare and delicious foods hadn’t they tasted?

But what they missed most was the food from the Imperial kitchen!

That was the real top-notch luxury, something you couldn’t even buy with money!

But who, besides the Empress and some members of the royal family, could eat food from the Imperial kitchen every day?

What kind of virtues and abilities did this guy have to be so favored?

The Empress saw Lin Beifan’s happy expression and smiled too.

“Lin my dear, do you drink?” the Empress asked again.

“In response to Your Majesty, drinking impairs judgment, so I usually don’t drink!” Lin Beifan bowed and said.

“Not drinking is good, but sometimes you have to drink in the officialdom! How about this…” The Empress pondered for a moment. “In my wine cellar, there’s a special wine called Hundred Flowers Brew! It’s made from the petals of a hundred flowers and is deliciously sweet with a lingering aftertaste. You won’t get drunk even if you drink a lot! I’ll give you 10 barrels!”

The courtiers were dumbfounded again!

Not only was she rewarding him with food, but also with drinks?

And it was the most top-notch palace wine – Hundred Flowers Brew!

You see, this was a wine specially brewed for the Emperor, using petals from more than a hundred flowers!

As the Empress had said, the wine was deliciously sweet with a lingering aftertaste and wouldn’t get you drunk even if you drank a lot!

This wine was produced in very limited quantities, only 50 barrels a year, and it had already been priced sky-high outside the palace, but it was not for sale!

Because, basically, only the Emperor drank it.

If the Emperor didn’t drink it, it would be stored away and rarely given as gifts.

And yet, it was awarded to this jerk!

And 10 barrels at that!

The courtiers’ eyes turned green with envy!

Lin Beifan obviously knew how rare this wine was, so he quickly thanked her loudly. “Thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty! I will do my best to repay your kindness!”

“Hmm!” The Empress nodded in satisfaction.

Now she realized how enjoyable it was to give rewards!

Things that she owned and valued should be shared with those who appreciated them.

So, not only the other person is happy, but oneself is also happy! Double happiness! Unlike before, when giving gifts, it was always these corrupt officials.

Every time she gave something, it was like cutting into her heart. The other person is happy, but oneself feels doubly sad!

So, the empress couldn’t help but speak again: “In addition, reward 10,000 taels of silver!”

Damn! She’s still giving money? The officials were bewildered and then angry!

You reward food, I can tolerate it! You reward drinks, I can also tolerate it! But this time… I absolutely can’t tolerate it! This greedy giant has so much money, how can he still receive money? Is there any justice? Is there any law? Even if I’m a corrupt official, I can’t stand it!

So, the officials stood up one after another. “Your Majesty, you can’t reward anymore. You’ve already shown him enough favor, too much is too much!”

“Your Majesty, the national treasury is heavy with silver, and it is related to the livelihood and stability of the people. It cannot be used lightly! Director Lin has no merits, and it is unreasonable to reward him rashly. The officials and the people do not agree!”

“Please revoke the decree, Your Majesty!”

“Please revoke the decree, Your Majesty!”

… The officials kowtowed. The empress was unhappy: “I used the money from my private treasury!”

The officials kowtowed again. “Your Majesty, you can’t just give out money from your private treasury!”

“You are the ruler of a country, representing the majesty of the Great Wu. Every word and action is related to the country’s foundation! Please pay attention to your words and actions, don’t be capricious and let officials and the people laugh at you!”

“Please revoke the decree, Your Majesty!”

“Please revoke the decree, Your Majesty!”

… The empress was so angry that her eyes were red. I just want to compensate Lin Beifan well, why is it so difficult? You traitorous officials and thieves! One day, I will eliminate all of you! Not a single one left!

Under the pressure of the officials, the empress had to revoke the decree, feeling guilty and saying, “Lin my dear, I’m so sorry!”

“Your Majesty, it’s not your fault. I understand very well!” Lin Beifan said loudly.

“Thank you very much for your understanding, sir Lin!” The empress was moved. The officials once again fawned over her!

Can’t they stop doing this? They sound like they are not a part of it!

They can’t help but shake their head.

What a foolish ruler!