A Scummy Alpha Emperor Transmigrated and Marked the Powerful Prime Minister - Chapter 3

Lin Jiayue stood rooted to the spot. Wei Jinming stepped forward cautiously. “Your Majesty, shall I serve breakfast?”

“Yes.”

Wei Jinming felt that something was different about the young Emperor—specifically, she didn’t seem as easy to fool anymore. It had only been one night; could her intuition be wrong?

Wei Jinming bowed even lower, waving a hand behind her back. Immediately, someone went to carry out the order.

Previously, the eunuchs and maids of Daming Palace had been warned by Wei Jinming not to come out. Now, looking around, a massive crowd of people waiting to serve had appeared—at least twenty or so in a single glance. Daming Palace housed two to three thousand people. Although Lin Jiayue hadn’t taken full power and could only issue orders within the palace, she was essentially the CEO of a medium-to-large enterprise.

From student to CEO—it was a literal “one step to heaven” situation. She just didn’t know how many of these thousands of people harbored ill intentions.

After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, breakfast was served, and the imperial physician arrived. The physician was the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. He likely assumed the Emperor was unwell and came personally. When he saw that the one who was unwell was Lu Siling, he became even more respectful.

Wei Jinming explained from the side, “The Grand Chancellor came to give Her Majesty a lesson this morning. The sky wasn’t bright yet, and the road was slippery, so she accidentally took a fall.”

Lu Siling often stayed overnight in the palace to ensure she didn’t miss the young Emperor’s lessons after handling state affairs late into the night. However, she stayed in the outer court and never entered Daming Palace. If it were known that Lu Siling had stayed in Daming Palace last night, it would be a total catastrophe. Once the Empress Dowager found out, there would be no end to it.

“Yes, yes, of course.” The Head Physician carefully examined Lu Siling. It was indeed a fall injury, but the Grand Chancellor’s complexion was far too weak. As he reached out to take her pulse, Lu Siling subtly withdrew her hand. “No need.”

“This…” The physician looked at Lin Jiayue in a bind. Was he supposed to treat the patient or not?

Lin Jiayue was currently stuffing a beef bun into her mouth. Seeing everyone’s eyes on her, she coughed lightly and took a sip of tea to swallow. “Listen to the Grand Chancellor.” She thought for a moment and added, “Use the best medicine in the palace for her. Do not leave any scars.”

“Understood.”

Lin Jiayue began fiddling with the physician’s medical chest. In her undergraduate years, she had studied integrated Chinese and Western medicine. In this ancient setting, not much of her Western medical knowledge could be used. She was curious, however, about how ancient imperial doctors practiced.

The Head Physician handed a medicinal ointment to Guang Wei and was about to pick up his chest to take his leave when Lin Jiayue coughed again. “Leave the chest.”

Head Physician: “?” He came to treat a patient and was having his “tools of the trade” confiscated?

Lin Jiayue acted perfectly serious, as if she had just made a casual remark. Wei Jinming immediately barked a reminder: “Physician Zhang!”

“Understood.”

Lin Jiayue wasn’t one to take things for free. “Wei Jinming, bestow a reward.”

When Physician Zhang received the reward, two more wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes from his smile. The reward was enough to buy ten such medical chests. Why does the Emperor want this? Surely not to study medicine.

As soon as the physician left, Lin Jiayue gave an order: “In a moment, use my imperial palanquin to escort the Grand Chancellor to the Grand Secretariat.”

She had called the physician not only to treat Lu Siling’s injuries but also to establish a “legitimate reason.” Having watched so many novels and dramas, she wasn’t stupid.

Lu Siling suddenly raised her eyes. Amidst her suppressed emotions, there was a flash of surprise. By bringing the physician and having Wei Jinming frame the narrative as a simple fall, Lin Jiayue had created a valid reason for her to leave in the imperial palanquin. If she had struggled out of Daming Palace in her current state, the court officials would have been in an uproar within a day, and the Empress Dowager would have seized the chance to attack.

Attacking the young Emperor wouldn’t matter much, but they would use it to say Lu Siling was “bewitching the young sovereign,” directly or indirectly sabotaging the reforms. Perhaps Lin Jiayue had done this solely to give her a logical reason to sit in the palanquin.

Lu Siling thought further; her first instinct was that the reforms were safe. If Wei Jinming hadn’t spoken, she would have had Guang Wei speak. Nothing was more important to her than the reforms; she would sacrifice anything for them.

Lin Jiayue was the Emperor, but also a tool. If a tool isn’t handy, it can be replaced, but until a better one is found, this one had to be kept. However, the fact that the young Emperor could think this through showed she clearly had a brain. Otherwise, if the Empress Dowager’s people found out through secret whispers, they would be even more suspicious.

Still, Lin Jiayue was too green; the Empress Dowager and the outer court officials were not easily fooled. But the fall was real, so for a short time, the outer court might not react.

Lu Siling’s lips pressed into a cold line. She glanced at Guang Wei.

Guang Wei immediately spoke up, “Your Majesty, the Grand Chancellor is seriously injured. I will take her back now.”

“Wait.”

The moment Lin Jiayue spoke, Lu Siling’s gaze became vigilant. Her icy, predatory eyes indicated her patience was reaching its breaking point.

Lin Jiayue ignored the look and pulled a bottle of medicinal powder from the chest. “This one is better.”

She had seen through Physician Zhang’s little scheme. The ointment he provided could treat the wound, but it would make it heal slower than normal. In that moment, she knew Zhang had someone backing him, and it wasn’t Lu Siling. After four years of undergrad and two years of online classes—she might not be a master, but she knew the basics and had even done an internship. As long as it wasn’t a mix of dozens of herbs, she could identify the ingredients by smell.

Rewarding Zhang and keeping the chest was meant to confirm her suspicions and lay the groundwork for what she needed to do later.

Lu Siling looked at the powder placed on the table and said nothing. The charcoal fires in Penglai Hall were burning bright, and Lu Siling’s body had warmed up. She rose to leave.

Lin Jiayue gave a forced smile. After their long entanglement, she was exhausted both physically and mentally. She looked at the breakfast on the table and suddenly said, “Pack this breakfast up for Teacher Lu to eat on the way.”

Lu Siling: “…”

Wei Jinming’s eyes widened, but she followed orders. She didn’t know why the Emperor was doing this, but as a servant, being obedient was enough.

As Lu Siling passed by Lin Jiayue, she paused and looked her in the eye. In her clear pupils was an unfathomable ice. Lu Siling stood straight, showing no reverence for the Emperor, and without a word, she walked straight out.

So she’s afraid of me being a power-hungry official? Fine, then a power-hungry official I shall be!

Lin Jiayue said nothing, while Wei Jinming looked like she was holding back a world of thoughts. Assisted by Guang Wei, Lu Siling walked out. Wei Jinming gritted her teeth. “Your Majesty, you showed her such respect, yet she doesn’t hold you in her eyes at all.”

Lin Jiayue narrowed her eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”

Wei Jinming was stunned. Usually, if Lu Siling’s tone was even slightly harsh during a lesson, the young Emperor would return to Penglai Hall in a fury, lashing out at everyone nearby. The maids serving her all had scars. The young Emperor was violent, arrogant, and desperate for power—she only listened to what she wanted to hear. To see her this calm now was truly bizarre.

In the next second, a shrill voice rang out from outside: “The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

Wei Jinming’s face froze. Why was the Empress Dowager here? She had helped the Emperor with those things—the Empress Dowager must not find out!

Lu Siling’s body also paused. Her cool gaze grew even deeper and colder, her sharp eyes retracting the moment she looked up.

The Empress Dowager’s palanquin lowered before them. A graceful, middle-aged woman adorned in expensive gold jewelry and a deep green robe looked down at everyone with disdain.

Lin Jiayue frowned but stepped forward to meet her, bowing slightly alongside Lu Siling. “Empress Dowager.”

In the Great Zhou, one did not need to kowtow except on major occasions, especially since she was the Emperor. As the Grand Chancellor, Lu Siling didn’t need to kneel either. Only people like Wei Jinming had to.

“Your Majesty, I heard the Grand Chancellor was injured. Have you been naughty again?” As expected of the Empress Dowager—she started with a heavy accusation.

Lin Jiayue snorted inwardly. Someone who didn’t know better would think she had pushed Lu Siling down. The original owner always tried to please the Empress Dowager, thinking that flattery would win her over. She sucked up to the wrong person. It made sense; once the Emperor took full power, the Empress Dowager would lose her authority to “rule from behind the curtain.” A powerful official wouldn’t just step down easily.

“Empress Dowager, it was I who failed to have the snow cleared, leading to the Grand Chancellor’s fall. It is my fault.”

At this point, Lu Siling had to step in. “It was my own carelessness, not Your Majesty’s fault.”

Hearing them, the Empress Dowager snorted in her heart: If it’s not your fault, is it mine? You two seem quite fond of each other.

“Very well.” The Empress Dowager turned to Wei Jinming. “Wei Jinming, the Emperor is young, and yet you join her in these antics. Go and receive a flogging.”

The Empress Dowager was determined to slap Lin Jiayue’s face. This wasn’t the first time she had punished the Emperor’s people right in front of her. This way, more and more people would stop taking the young Emperor seriously.

Wei Jinming bit her lip. The young Emperor had already said it was her own fault, yet she still had to be flogged. “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, it was this servant’s negligence. I will go receive punishment now.”

Lu Siling watched the scene with annoyance. Her body was already weak; standing for even this long made her dizzy. If she stood any longer, she might fall again. Guang Wei was still kneeling; no one dared to get up while the Empress Dowager was silent.

Lu Siling swayed, looking as though she might collapse. In the next second, Lin Jiayue stood behind her. As the familiar scent entered her nose, she instinctively tensed up.

Lin Jiayue’s gentle voice rang out by her ear. “The weather is freezing and the snow is heavy. The servants have to start cleaning at the start of the Yin hour (3 AM). I saw that several of them had frostbitten hands and couldn’t bear it, so I told Wei Jinming to have them start later. If I was wrong, the Empress Dowager can punish me. This has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“Or perhaps, as the Emperor, I cannot even decide whether or not to clear the snow in Daming Palace.”

Lin Jiayue’s voice was filled with a hurt melancholy, as if she couldn’t understand why she was being punished for an act of kindness. Her heart felt as refreshed as drinking iced green tea, but her face remained mournfully staged.

Lin Jiayue’s hand supported Lu Siling’s wrist, her tone growing even softer. “Grand Chancellor, being the Emperor is too boring. Why don’t we let the Empress Dowager choose a new one? How about Huaijin? Huaijin is the Empress Dowager’s own son; surely she would be satisfied.”

These words cut deep. Lin Huaijin was only a few months younger than her, but the throne had fallen to her. The Empress Dowager was nearly dead from rage over it. Lin Jiayue said this on purpose. If she really said Huaijin was filial and should be Emperor, it would be an “official certification” from the current monarch. If anything happened to her, Huaijin really could become Emperor. By pointing this out directly, word would spread that the Empress Dowager was plotting to steal the throne for her own son.

Lu Siling looked down at the hand on her arm but ultimately refrained from making any obvious moves in front of the Empress Dowager. A Qianyuan and a Kunze should keep their distance, but as Lin Jiayue approached Lu Siling, no one found it out of place. To this day, no one viewed the Emperor as an adult—to put it bluntly, they “infantilized the sovereign.”

Most Alphas Lin Jiayue’s age were already married, yet she didn’t even have a fiancée. It wasn’t that she wanted one, but she found it illogical. It meant someone was suppressing it. After all, a grand wedding meant taking full power. The imperial power was currently divided; once the Emperor ruled, she would inevitably take it back. Would those who held power in their hands ever give it up?

The Empress Dowager, Empress Xining, and… Lu Siling.

In the novel, once the original owner took power, Lu Siling defeated the Empress Dowager but still didn’t return the imperial authority. For this, she was impeached for usurping power.

Lin Jiayue lowered her eyes, looking aggrieved, but she kept one hand around Lu Siling’s back and the other supporting her arm. “Grand Chancellor, please rest well. There is no rush for lessons. I will never fail your expectations.”

When Lin Jiayue had held Lu Siling this morning, she could feel how slender she was. That thin body carried the weight of the entire Great Zhou. In the early stages, Lu Siling still cared about etiquette and reputation; later on, she didn’t care at all—everything had to make way for the reforms. Whoever stood in her way—the court, the Empress Dowager, or the young Emperor—would be demoted or killed.

At least Lin Jiayue could be certain of one thing: Lu Siling and the Empress Dowager were not on the same side. She could sense Lu Siling’s rejection as she got close. It didn’t matter. While the Empress Dowager was still stuck in her “Green Tea” act, she had to get Lu Siling out of there.

As Lu Siling sat in the palanquin, her eyes were calm and deep. In the depths of that gaze was loathing for Lin Jiayue’s touch.

“Very well, I didn’t say anything much. Why is Your Majesty speaking like that?” The Empress Dowager broke the icy tension. She then said to Wei Jinming, “Serve the Emperor well. I won’t punish you this time.”

Wei Jinming’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly knelt to kowtow. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Empress Dowager.” By thanking the Emperor first, it showed Wei Jinming knew where her loyalty lay.

Just as Lin Jiayue was about to speak, a cold flash caught her eye. she spun around to dodge—the eunuch carrying the palanquin had pulled out a dagger. After she dodged, the dagger went straight for Lu Siling.

Damn, it’s for Lu Siling!

Faster than thought, Lin Jiayue twisted her body in a strange pose to jump in front of Lu Siling. She reached out without hesitation to grab the blade.

Sharp pain instantly flooded her brain, and tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes. She was just an ordinary person who was afraid of pain and loved eating and playing. She had suddenly transmigrated and somehow marked the female lead. Lin Jiayue only realized she was into women in college; she had been a study-holic and never dated. Since it was a niche orientation and she was “deep in the closet,” then busy with grad school, she remained single. Now she had come here and gotten intimate with a semi-stranger—even if they were fully clothed, she had bitten Lu Siling’s neck like a vampire.

When in Rome—since she bit her, she had to take responsibility.

But now, Lin Jiayue felt like her hand was dying. This was her hand! A lesbian’s hand! What if there was poison on the blade?

How hateful! She couldn’t believe she might die after only one day as Emperor.