My Sword Immortal Wife Has Gone Berserk - Chapter 30:

Chapter 30: Properly Greeted

Qin Shizhong earned his title as Duke of the Empire through military merit and was inherently a rough man. Now, watching him use silver needles to test the food bestowed by the Emperor for poison was downright ridiculous. Even several servants were helping poke the food with silver needles, closely observing any reaction.

The scene was almost laughable.

Lin Ce didn’t know what to say, but his heart grew heavy. It seemed Qin Shizhong held some fear toward His Majesty.

“Eh? Nephew, you’re here.” Qin Shizhong noticed Lin Ce and walked over with a cheerful smile. He casually threw away the silver needle in his hand, wiped his grease-stained hands randomly on his clothes, and as he placed a hand on Lin Ce’s shoulder, he deliberately rubbed it twice.

“Greetings, Uncle.” Lin Ce instinctively stepped back half a step to avoid being used as a rag.

“Hehe, sit quickly,” Qin Shizhong said, handing over a piece of pastry. “Here, try this. It’s from the Emperor. We already tested it earlier, no poison.”

Lin Ce’s mouth twitched.

In his past life, he had little knowledge of the Emperor—only that he was said to be temperamental. Other than that, there wasn’t much contact.

“Uncle, it’s the Emperor’s gift. Why do you still test it first? Do you really think His Majesty would harm you?” Lin Ce spoke directly. Qin Shizhong was straightforward; there was no need to beat around the bush with him.

Qin Shizhong shook his head and spoke solemnly, “As the saying goes, ‘Serving a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.’ Our Emperor’s temperament is odd and unpredictable.”

“Recently, I’ve been pushing to increase rations and pay for the Border Army. It’s stirred a lot of discontent in court. Besides those of us from the military faction, every civil official sees me as a thorn in the side. Even the Emperor himself has voiced some disapproval.”

“My biggest fear is that one day, His Majesty might bestow me a cup of poisoned wine and expect me to quietly end it all.”

He sighed bitterly after speaking.

He had devoted himself entirely to the Great Zhou Empire. Back then, he carved out half the empire’s territory with his sword on horseback. Now that it was finally time to enjoy life, he still had to live in fear.

Compared to the carefree days of roaming the martial world, being entrenched in the political halls was far more suffocating.

Lin Ce frowned, recalling the events from his past life.

The northern border of the Great Zhou Empire had long suffered harassment by the northern barbarians, leaving the people in misery. Based on past events, within three years the northern barbarians would launch a full-scale invasion, plunging the region into devastation.

Qin Shizhong’s insight was impressive—his suggestion to increase rations and reinforce the border was a sound one.

But unfortunately, those stationed at the border weren’t decent people.

“I haven’t entered officialdom yet, so I can’t help you resolve these issues,” Lin Ce said with a smile, choosing not to get involved in the topic.

Sometimes, people may share confidential matters with you, but that doesn’t mean you should entangle yourself in them—especially when it concerned the Emperor. Lin Ce remained cautious and would never recklessly take sides.

Hearing this, Qin Shizhong waved a hand boldly, “Don’t worry, nephew. Li Jingchun has already started working on your behalf.”

“I heard you want to enter the Imperial Library Pavilion? That’s easy. I’ve already made the arrangements. You just need to go in directly.”

“Your uncle may be a man of martial background, but I still have some influence. Your uncle-in-law thinks he handled it, but honestly, if I hadn’t stepped in, who would’ve given that bad-tempered brother-in-law of yours any face?”

Qin Shizhong beamed proudly after speaking.

Li Jingchun always insisted on following formal procedures. He had hoped to recommend Lin Ce first and wait for the Imperial Library Pavilion to conduct an inspection before letting him in smoothly.

Qin Shizhong, however, did things simply and roughly. He flashed the Duke of the Empire’s title, greased some palms along the way, and effortlessly cleared the path.

Lin Ce smiled. Clearly, Qin Shizhong was very attentive to his affairs.

With both Li Jingchun and Qin Shizhong working in tandem, his entry into the Imperial Library Pavilion was now secure.

“By the way, I still don’t get why you insist on going to the Imperial Library Pavilion. Even if you want to pursue a civil path, I could arrange something better for you,” Qin Shizhong said while patting Lin Ce’s shoulder. He truly couldn’t understand Lin Ce’s intentions.

Normally, people would rather join one of the Six Ministries than go to the Imperial Library Pavilion. While the upper ranks there held power, the lower levels were like beasts of burden. There were even rumors of intense workplace bullying, with subordinates serving tea and water to superiors.

As the saying went, one trip through the Imperial Library Pavilion could turn a soldier into a maid.

“My grandfather once worked there. He eventually became Prime Minister. I want to follow in his footsteps.” Lin Ce smiled.

His reason for entering the Imperial Library Pavilion was simple. First, it was the department closest to the Emperor. Second, it held someone he must eliminate in this lifetime.

Last time, he acted hastily and unprepared, and failed.

This time, with careful planning, there might be a chance to use someone else’s hand to finish the task.

“Fine, do as you wish.” Qin Shizhong waved dismissively. He had no interest in meddling further. He’d already done his part—what happened next was up to Lin Ce.

“Right, tonight is the full moon of the fifteenth. I heard some rumors… your health isn’t quite right?”

“Stay at the residence tonight. I’ll prepare everything you need.”

Seeing Qin Shizhong being so thoughtful, Lin Ce felt a touch of warmth in his heart.

Just as he was about to express his thanks, two white-robed youths entered from outside.

“Greetings, Duke of the Empire.”

Led by Xu Rong, a man and a woman stepped inside.

The man had a radiant face and handsome features. He wore a purple-gold crown, his hair tied with a silver clasp. Two locks of hair hung neatly beside his ears, and his white robe with gold trim was embroidered with deep cloud patterns—extraordinary in appearance. A token hung at his waist engraved with the characters “Qintian.”

The woman, on the other hand, looked rather unkempt. Though she also wore a white robe with gold trim, it was messy. Her long hair was wild with strands sticking out everywhere. Her long bangs covered half her face, making her features hard to see.

But like the man, she also bore a token of the Celestial Observatory.

“Celestial Observatory!” Lin Ce’s pupils contracted as he looked at them. A name instantly surfaced in his mind.

The man was Lu Dingsheng, the eldest disciple of the Celestial Observatory and the Chief Astrologer’s top protégé. He was a famed prodigy in Bianjing, only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, yet already had the cultivation of ‘Hall Entry’ within the Heart-Knocking Realm.

In martial cultivation, while realms are divided broadly, each major realm further splits into four stages: Core, Threshold, Hall Entry, and Barrier Breaking.

Even Su Nanqiao, hailed as the number one sword talent of the Great Zhou Empire, was only at the Threshold stage of the Heart-Knocking Realm.

Lu Dingsheng truly lived up to the title of genius.

As for the woman beside him, Lin Ce also knew her, though not well.

Her name was Fang Yun, ranked fourth in the Celestial Observatory. She was known to be obsessed with researching heavenly laws and alchemy, but little else was known about her.

“You’re finally here. Perfect timing—help me calculate my son’s fate. I don’t want any more surprises.” Qin Shizhong beamed with joy upon seeing them.