Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1203 - 112 is her (third watch)

Chapter 1203: 112 is her (third watch)

This was Lin Yuan’s first visit to the palace, but when meeting the Emperor, she constantly remembered Sister Chang’s teachings, offering her salutations to the Emperor alongside Xia Zheng with such impeccable motion that the Emperor couldn’t help but praise her repeatedly.

"Lady Lin Yuan pays her respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long long live!"

The Emperor pursed his lips and did not immediately allow Lin Yuan to rise, but instead turned his head to glance at Xia Zheng. As expected, he received a gaze from Xia Zheng that was both pained and mildly reproachful.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, feeling that today was the most delightful day he had had in years. It turned out that this brat Xia Zheng also had his weaknesses, and moreover, these weaknesses seemed quite within his grasp to control.

Turning back to look at Lin Yuan, the Emperor recalled the investigation he had once secretly ordered. They said this woman was fierce in temperament, and though her martial arts skills were rudimentary, she had tremendous courage, even having used a knife to stab someone. However, her culinary skills were extraordinary; even Old Man Zhen, known for his picky taste, had been subdued by her cooking.

The Emperor, clearly interested, tapped his fingers on the table and involuntarily a shallow smile appeared on his lips. This woman in front of him appeared so docile, where was even a hint of ferocity? It seemed the Hidden Guard’s information wasn’t so reliable after all!

As the Emperor scrutinized Lin Yuan, she too was secretly wondering. Although Xia Zheng had already told her that today’s palace visit was for the matter of movable-type printing, the sight of so many people in the room still made her a bit nervous. After all, this was her first time meeting the Emperor in her two lifetimes!

But nerves aside, she hadn’t forgotten the dignity and rituals that were due. Today, she represented not just herself, but also the honor of Lin Jiaxin and Lady Liu, as well as Princess Anle and the Third Prince, and even more so, Xia Zheng. She would not let anyone look down on her, nor would she allow anyone to feel she was unworthy of Xia Zheng.

Steadily kneeling on the ground for quite a while, she did not hear the Emperor dismiss the formality, and Lin Yuan didn’t so much as flutter her eyelids.

Xia Zheng was nearly as antsy as an ant on a hot pan, wishing he could promptly go forward, pull Lin Yuan up, and massage her sore knees.

Just when Xia Zheng was about to run out of patience, the Emperor finally spoke, "Are you Lin Yuan?"

Lin Yuan lowered her eyes, "Indeed, Your Majesty."

The Emperor smiled faintly and raised his hand to let her stand, "Rise!"

Seeing the Emperor’s keen interest, many officials who were out of the loop shook their heads, guessing that this woman was indeed a beauty selected by the Second Young Master Xia for the Emperor. Look how pleased His Majesty was when he beheld her, just like one would watch their own beloved daughter. Eh, wait—that didn’t seem right. Why was it like watching his own daughter?

Some officials exchanged glances with each other, conceiving doubts. Could it be this woman was not a beauty presented by Young Master Xia?

Looking at Lin Yuan’s radiant face, Ma Junying couldn’t help but turn his head to glance at her, his eyes indisputably filled with admiration and longing.

Lin Yuan was, of course, aware of the array of gazes cast upon her, be they filled with doubt or infatuation, indulgence or hostility. The indulgent ones naturally came from Elder Zhao Hongde, and she understood to whom the admiring gazes belonged; but her heart had long been with Xia Zheng, so naturally, she could not respond to this admiration.

As for the hostile gazes, Lin Yuan slightly turned her head and saw an older man staring intensely at her, his fiery eyes like a poisoned dagger scraping across her face.

Lin Yuan slightly frowned, not remembering when she had offended such an old man. However, upon observing his position and attire, her heart understood; this man was none other than Su Qiuyu’s father, the Prime Minister Su, who loved his daughter dearly. No wonder he was looking at her like that.

Having realized the old man’s identity, Lin Yuan let go of her concern, for she and his daughter were rivals in love, and by extension, he was no friend of hers.

The Emperor, of course, knew the purpose of Xia Zheng bringing Lin Yuan today, but others did not. Zhao Hongsheng glanced at Su Zhe and, thinking himself clever, directed the conversation toward Lin Yuan.

He laughed and said, "Isn’t this Miss Lin from the Fuman Building? I didn’t expect Xia Zheng to bring you into the palace today. Could it be that today’s merit award ceremony is related to you?"

Such an obvious hint, how could Su Zhe not understand? He clenched his fists in secret, ready to prevent Xia Zheng from requesting the Emperor’s decree for marriage.

While Zhao Hongsheng excitedly watched Xia Zheng, a voice in his heart cried out: Hurry and ask for the decree, hurry! I will definitely speak on your behalf!

To his disappointment, Xia Zheng had no intention of requesting the decree. Instead, with a mocking glance, he said, "The Second Prince has finally shown a glimpse of intelligence. Indeed, today’s matter does indeed involve Yuanyuan."

Having been praised but covertly belittled, Zhao Hongsheng’s face paled slightly, and his tone grew colder by three degrees, "Oh, what relation is that? Surely you, Xia Zheng, aren’t thinking of seizing the opportunity at the merit award ceremony to ask the Emperor to grant a marriage?"

Finally, the topic of a marriage award was brought up, and the other officials present were somewhat confused. It was only then that they recalled the rumors in the capital and realized in a flash that this woman was the village girl Xia Zheng had brought from the countryside. But she didn’t look like that at all; she looked just like a lady from a reclusive, prestigious family!

While everyone was puzzled, Su Zhe was the first to rebuke, "The Imperial Study Room is for discussing state affairs. How can we tolerate childish nonsense here? What marriage award? Stop talking nonsense!"

Zhao Hongsheng’s lips slightly curled, knowing that Prime Minister Su had always disliked him, but thinking that he might have to call him father-in-law in the future, he let it slide.

Zhao Hongde, who had been silent, finally spoke, "Second brother, Prime Minister Su, do not be agitated. Xia Zheng hasn’t yet explained the whole affair. Why should we make wild guesses here?"

After finishing his statement, his smiling eyes lingered on Lin Yuan for a moment before turning to Xia Zheng, "Didn’t you say you were bringing the person who conceived the movable-type printing method to receive a reward today? Could it be that Miss Lin is the very person you spoke of?"

Though it was but a guess, it was enough to astonish all the officials present. The movable-type printing method might not be extremely complicated, but coming up with it was not something just anyone could do. Let alone a woman, even those who had been in the Royal Forest Garden for years or even decades couldn’t think of it. How could this young woman have come up with it?

Many people privately shook their heads, thinking the Third Prince was overestimating the woman. Such words didn’t seem to be very well-thought-out.

However, just as everyone was shaking their heads in disbelief, a statement from Xia Zheng nearly made them all drop their jaws in shock.

He said with a casual smile, "Yes, Yuanyuan is the person who came up with this method. That’s why I brought her here today. Didn’t I say it? Without her, none of the political affairs discussed today would be resolved."