IDWBE -Chapter 436 Inheritance System

As long as someone could respond, it was obvious—they must share a common language with him.

Then the two of them could freely chat about magical beasts, LOL, and reminisce about their adventures. No matter what joke he threw out, the other person would catch it.

Of course, it was best if it wasn’t a man.

Otherwise, getting too close, people would definitely suspect he had a “preference for men”!

If it was a woman, her age couldn’t be too old either!

Otherwise, chatting late at night by candlelight with an old lady—what kind of problem was that?

Even he, with all his thick skin, couldn’t endure that kind of public opinion!

But, these were just thoughts. After more than twenty years in this world, he hadn’t noticed any signs of a time traveler.

Maybe others were low-key, but he certainly wasn’t!

He had even helped his younger sister nearly finish copying the Three Hundred Tang Poems!

Poems like:

“Spring sleep unaware of dawn, everywhere I hear birds calling. Night comes with wind and rain, how many blossoms fall, I cannot tell.”

“The sun sets behind the mountains, the Huang River flows into the sea. To exhaust the view of a thousand miles, climb one more floor.”

These works alone earned Lin Ning the title of the top female talent in the current dynasty.

Later, when Minister Qin Tong suggested the princess marry off to the northern border, she said, “I go to serve the country safely, but how could I know where a general would be needed?”—embarrassing the entire court of officials!

Privately, many called his sister the “Poetry Immortal.”

Only an immortal could write such poetry.

So far, no time traveler had come seeking his sister.

Moreover, some time ago, he had published a book called The Super Son-in-Law under the pen name “Bai Xiaosheng.”

Once the book came out, Ankang City instantly bought out all the copies.

The name Bai Xiaosheng became known to everyone.

Anyone who was a time traveler reading it could spot many modern internet jokes hidden in the book.

Over the long years, many people had inquired about Bai Xiaosheng, but all were just book-related.

Not a single person seemed like a time traveler.

Perhaps he truly was the only time traveler in this world.

Having realized this, he stopped worrying about it.

“Your Highness,” Mingyue casually glanced at the princess, then looked at Lin Yi. “You must be tired. Let me take care of the princess for a while.”

“Just a quick greeting—this girl has plenty of fortune ahead. Her father is powerful, after all.”

Lin Yi handed the child to Mingyue and looked at Hu Miaoyi. “Did you understand what I just said?”

Hu Miaoyi whispered, “Your Highness dotes on the princess; it’s her blessing.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Good. She is my daughter. No one will be able to harm her. You also needn’t be suspicious.”

Even tigers don’t eat their cubs, let alone him.

Just then, Zixia whispered in his ear, “Your Highness, Lord Chen Desheng is waiting in the hall.”

Lin Yi smiled, “What’s wrong with him and He Jixiang? One early in the morning, one late at night—they really know how to pick their timing.”

Clapping his hands, he turned and walked toward the hall.

He thought he would command attention wherever he went, exuding strong aura—but the moment he saw Chen Desheng, his presence immediately seemed diminished.

Aura, charisma, temperament—these things were metaphysical.

Just like facing the Sixth Prince, Prince Dai. Dai already looked humiliated beyond measure.

Lin Yi was very satisfied with Dai’s demeanor. If he could be this submissive, what more could he do?

After all, they were brothers; he couldn’t go overboard.

The only dissatisfaction was that, despite being the Regent Prince, when standing before Prince Dai, his own aura still fell short—utterly lost!

The same applied to Chen Desheng. Since arriving in Ankang City to serve as Right Metropolitan Censor overseeing the Censorate, he had gradually grown plump. Dressed in official robes, with bushy eyebrows and gray hair, he exuded a natural authority.

Seeing him, Lin Yi naturally wasn’t intimidated. Who was he?

Regent Prince! Acting in place of the emperor!

If he tossed a stick, calling it the Imperial Sword, it would truly be the Imperial Sword—first strike, then report!

So, at most, he just felt a little uneasy.

After all, he had been surpassed.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Chen Desheng knelt, shouting, “Long live the Prince! Long live! A thousand, a thousand, a thousand years!”

“Rise,” Lin Yi sat down, picked up a teacup, and gestured to a nearby chair. “You’re no outsider here. Don’t be so formal. Come, have someone brew some fresh tea that the Wuyi Sect sent the other day for the old gentleman.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’ generosity,” Chen Desheng said, overwhelmed.

Lin Yi glanced at him sitting comfortably, holding a teacup casually, without a hint of fear, and said irritably, “In the middle of the night, not sleeping at home, coming here—what are you doing?”

Chen Desheng smiled, “I have no urgent matters.”

Lin Yi spoke earnestly, “If you’re really idle, you could stroll the entertainment district. If you like something, take it home. You’re the Right Metropolitan Censor—marry a wife, and no one will gossip. Even if you can’t have children, at least you’ll have companionship, instead of sleepless nights alone.”

Hearing this, Chen Desheng’s face turned red.

How old was he? Marry a concubine?

Moreover, as Right Metropolitan Censor, he shouldn’t be marrying a courtesan—what did that imply?

His skills weren’t high, barely third rank, but he could easily punch this unlearned fool in front of him without strain.

“Your Highness worries too much,” Chen Desheng forced a smile. “I am old, and have no intention of taking a concubine.”

“That’s a pity,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “If you like someone, just say so—I’ll help you buy her freedom.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Chen Desheng tried hard to keep his smile, worried he might not be able to later. After a pause, he said, “Your Highness, I have something to say.”

Lin Yi, curious, replied, “Speak freely. I haven’t stopped you.”

Chen Desheng laughed awkwardly, “I just don’t know whether it’s appropriate to say it.”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes. “One more word of nonsense, and I’ll have you shown out.”

“Understood,” Chen Desheng looked up seriously. “I heard Your Highness dotes on the princess, I couldn’t sleep all night.”

“Whether I dote or not, what does that have to do with your sleep?”

Lin Yi frowned. “Are you looking for trouble?”

Chen Desheng glanced at Mingyue and Zixia, then at Jiao Zhong at the door. Just as Lin Yi was about to scold him for dawdling, the three women had already left.

“Then speak quickly,” Lin Yi waved weakly. “They’ve served me longer than you. If I can’t trust them, who can I trust?”

“Your Highness is right,” Chen Desheng continued, “On the day the princess was born, Your Highness said before us, ‘Who says a woman cannot be emperor?’ We thought it a joke at the time.”

“And then?”

Seeing him stop, Lin Yi asked.

“Historically, succession favors the eldest, not the most capable; succession favors status, not age,” Chen Desheng said solemnly. “Since Your Highness dotes on the princess, doesn’t that endanger her future? I hope Your Highness considers carefully!”

“You think so far ahead,” Lin Yi laughed.

Traditionally, succession follows the eldest son.

Even his own father adhered to this rule publicly.

Even if the Crown Prince was imprisoned, he wasn’t easily deposed.

If Lin Yi ignored this, it would be like the Ottoman Empire—letting the strongest son inherit.

Chen Desheng was right: in that case, he could endanger his daughter.

Because theoretically, the most favored person is most likely to inherit.

Moreover, he had said women could be emperors—provocative words indeed.

“My loyalty is absolute. I hope Your Highness understands!”

Chen Desheng knelt and kowtowed again.

Lin Yi smiled, “I understand your meaning.”

How could he not? He was just sparring with the old men.

He recalled previous tactics—he wanted a window opened, they disagreed; he threatened to tear off the roof, then they agreed.

“Your Highness is wise!”

Chen Desheng almost cried with joy.

Was the Prince suddenly enlightened?

But looking at him, not really.

“Alright, anything else? Say it quickly—don’t waste time. Whale oil is expensive these days,”

Lin Yi sipped his tea leisurely. “Finish quickly, and I’ll deal with it.”

These lamps used whale oil delivered by Nie Youdao and Du Sanhe. Using other oil felt strange.

The only downside was the cost.

For a mansion like the Prince’s, it wasn’t huge, but at least a hundred taels a month on lamp oil.

Chen Desheng smiled awkwardly, “Your Highness is still so frugal.”

Lin Yi frowned, “Who’s frugal?”

Praising someone for frugality was like praising a eunuch for chastity—if you had money, why save?

Still poor, in other words.

Seeing Lin Yi’s displeasure, Chen Desheng quickly changed the topic. “I heard Your Highness sent Yuan Zhen to Chuanzhou?”

Lin Yi nodded. “Exactly.”

Even his mother had heard this, let alone Chen Desheng, Right Metropolitan Censor.

To Lin Yi’s surprise, Chen Desheng suddenly shouted, “Your Highness is wise! Yuan Zhen going to Chuanzhou is perfect!”

“Why?”

Lin Yi asked.

Chen Desheng lifted his head proudly, “The Chuanzhou commander, Yuan Shuo, is General Yuan Ang’s seventh son.”

“Damn!”

Lin Yi slapped his forehead, furious. “Careless!”

No wonder when he proposed Yuan Zhen oversee military affairs in Chuanzhou, He Jixiang had opposed but not strongly. When agreeing, he even had a faint smile.

He was joking, just to scare his mother.

But He Jixiang and the others were serious!

“Chuanzhou has long been isolated in the southwest, not under Your Highness’ command,” Chen Desheng said loudly, “Sending General Yuan Zhen to Chuanzhou to promote Your Highness’ virtue is just perfect.”

“Yes, Yuan Shuo is Yuan Zhen’s younger brother. How could he harm his own elder brother?”

Lin Yi also found it reasonable, smiling, “So the Consort knew as well?”

Chen Desheng smiled cautiously, “Of course, Your Highness.”

“Am I the only one unaware?”

Lin Yi frowned.

Chen Desheng had no idea what Lin Yi knew.

Lin Yi sighed. “Someone must have told me?”

He thought of He Hong? Or He Jixiang? They once told him about the Yuan family’s situation.

Of the seven sons, only three survived—the third, Yuan Qing; the fifth, Yuan Zhen; the seventh, Yuan Shuo.

Even the eldest branch was gone.

“Your Highness,” Chen Desheng, seeing Lin Yi’s puzzled expression, dared not speak.

“Even knowing, why oppose it?”

Lin Yi couldn’t understand his mother’s attitude.

Knowing Yuan Zhen’s trip to Chuanzhou was safe, why sulk?

“Your Highness,” Chen Desheng said bitterly, “The Consort is close to the Yuan family. Matters concerning them naturally concern her.”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes. “Stop hemming and hawing. Say it clearly.”

He immediately understood Chen Desheng’s meaning.

His mother wasn’t angry about sending Yuan Zhen.

She was angry because he didn’t notify her.

In short, it wasn’t what he did, but whether he consulted her.

It was a matter of attitude.

“Your Highness,” Chen Desheng said cautiously, “It’s late. I will take my leave.”

Lin Yi called out, “Someone.”

“Your Highness.”

Jiao Zhong appeared first.

Lin Yi waved, “It’s dark and slippery. Escort the old gentleman.”

“Yes,” Jiao Zhong gestured to Chen Desheng. “Please, sir.”

“Thank you, Commander Jiao.”

Chen Desheng stroked his beard and left the hall.

Jiao Zhong followed, escorting him to the gates of the Prince’s mansion. As the carriage moved away, he turned to see Fang Pi and Duan Liang standing there.

Duan Liang, expressionless, bowed. “Commander, long time no see.”

Jiao Zhong, using the lantern light, scrutinized Duan Liang bundled in his coat, then laughed. “Duan Liang, did you come from Sanhe?”

Duan Liang said, “Indeed. Lord Chen Xinzhu valued me, so I was summoned.”

Jiao Zhong, curious, asked, “Chen Xinzhu sent you?”

Fang Pi proudly said, “Recommended by Lord Chen Xinzhu, and by order of He Jixiang, Duan Liang takes office in the Governor’s Office, seventh rank!”

Ever since being mocked in the forest by Lei Kaishan and Tan Fei, he had grown increasingly resentful of the Prince’s guards—including Commander Jiao Zhong!

He had sworn to take revenge when the opportunity arose.

“A young age, bearing such responsibilities, Duan Liang, your future is boundless.”

Jiao Zhong felt uneasy. An orphan from a children’s home, and yet he could achieve seventh rank—what world was this?

“Commander, you’re too kind,” Duan Liang bowed again. “All for serving the Prince.”

Jiao Zhong laughed. “Then I wish you continuous promotion.”

“Salted fish survives thirst; thanks for your concern, Commander.”

Duan Liang pointed to the carriage behind. “I brought some specialties from Sanhe your Highness likes. I hope you accept them on my behalf. I won’t trouble you further.”

With a wave, his men placed two baskets from the carriage at the Prince’s mansion gate.