Lin Prime Minister felt his heartbeat hammering like a war drum when he heard that tomorrow’s birthday banquet might involve a “major case.”
A major case?
Could it be that someone was planning to stir trouble at his grandson’s first-birthday celebration?
Meanwhile, once the civil and military officials of the court heard that there would be “gossip to eat” at the Prime Minister’s residence tomorrow, their minds immediately came alive.
Those who had received invitations were already rolling up their sleeves in excitement. Those who hadn’t were already thinking about how to sneak in.
The Minister of Revenue, Lord Li, began calculating privately: My useless son is the same age as the Lin family’s second grandson. I’ll take him along under the excuse of making friends—while also casually discussing funding allocations…
The Minister of Works, Lord Zhang, rolled his eyes rapidly: The Prime Minister renovated his residence two years ago using our finest timber. That connection must be maintained! Visiting tomorrow is perfectly reasonable!
The Minister of War, Lord Yu, stroked his beard: I’ll be patrolling the western city tomorrow anyway. Passing by the Lin residence for a visit? Completely logical!
Imperial Academician Wu, who had just “come back from the dead” thanks to Feng Zexuan’s chaos, looked unusually rosy—like a man twenty years younger.
He decided that tomorrow, under the excuse of “recovered from illness,” he would bring his wife to the Lin estate to “report that he is safe and sound.”
Not only could he watch the drama, he could also show off his affectionate marriage—perfect!
The more he thought about it, the more brilliant it seemed. His beard practically curled upward with pride.
Lin Prime Minister looked at his colleagues, all of them eager and scheming, and felt his heart sink.
It was over. Tomorrow would definitely be flooded with uninvited guests.
These old foxes all looked dignified and proper on the surface—but in reality, none of them could resist gossip.
He immediately made a decision: double the banquet preparations when he got home!
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough food.
“Report matters if there are any. If not, court is dismissed!”
The eunuch’s sharp voice rang out, and the officials scattered like birds and beasts.
Emperor Xiao Juechen hurried back to the imperial study and summoned the head of the secret guards.
“Commander Chen, prepare plain clothes for me. Tomorrow I will blend into the Lin residence to observe the situation among the people.”
Commander Chen blinked. “Your Majesty… are you going there to eat gossip?”
“Nonsense! It is called a discreet inspection!”
Emperor Xiao Juechen waved his hand solemnly.
“Remember, tomorrow I am just an ordinary merchant surnamed Xiao. Call me… Xiao Shangren.”
“Xiao… Shangren?”
Commander Chen nearly bit his tongue off.
That naming sense was truly something else.
“Correct. Prepare another outfit for the Crown Prince. He will be Xiao Gongzi.”
Commander Chen: “……”
Forget it. As long as the Emperor is happy.
The Next Day — Lin Residence First-Birthday Banquet
Lin Prime Minister’s estate was bustling from dawn.
The steward watched the endless stream of gifts with twitching eyelids.
Normally, the estate hosted at most twenty to thirty guests.
Today? Easily over a hundred.
“Steward! More guests have arrived!” a servant shouted, out of breath.
“Which family?”
“They… said they were just passing by.”
The steward rolled his eyes.
Passing by my foot. This is already the eighteenth wave of “passing by.”
Officials from every department in the capital arrived one after another—each one a seasoned drama performer.
“Ah, Lord Lin! Congratulations! Congratulations on your grandson’s first birthday!”
One official greeted enthusiastically, smiling so widely you could see every tooth.
“My son happens to be the same age as your grandson. I brought him to broaden his horizons!”
Another official dragged his child along, acting like a devoted father.
“Brother Lin! Our Ministry of Works has deep ties with your estate. We must maintain this friendship!”
The Minister of Works, Lord Zhang, was so enthusiastic he looked like he wanted to become sworn brothers on the spot.
Lin Prime Minister smiled on the surface, but inside he was cursing.
His smile was starting to freeze on his face.
These people were obviously here for drama.
Normally, they were all cold and formal in court. Now suddenly so warm? No one would believe that.
At that moment, Emperor Xiao Juechen, disguised as “Xiao Shangren,” entered the crowd dressed as a merchant, bringing along the Crown Prince.
He picked a corner and pretended to sip tea, while his eyes darted around.
Crown Prince Xiao Mingxuan lowered his voice: “Father… are we really here to watch gossip? What if we get recognized?”
“Shh! Call me Uncle Xiao!”
The Emperor hissed.
“Today we are ordinary merchants. Understand?”
The Crown Prince suppressed his laughter. “Yes… Uncle Xiao.”
The Banquet Begins
The estate was decorated with lanterns and red silk, guests filling every corner.
It felt like New Year’s Eve.
Servants hurried back and forth, overwhelmed.
Just as everyone was clinking cups and chatting merrily, General Chu Tiankuo arrived late—carrying a beautifully chubby baby.
Chu Tiankuo immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“Huh? Why is General Chu holding a child?”
“Is that his illegitimate son?”
“Maybe a relative’s child?”
Everyone whispered and speculated.
Lin Zhengyan looked at the baby and felt a strange sense of familiarity rising in his heart.
That face… those eyes… why did they look so familiar?
Chu Tiankuo walked up to Lin Zhengyan with a mischievous smile.
“Lord Lin, I came to congratulate your grandson’s first birthday!”
He lifted the baby slightly so everyone could see.
“This is my adopted son, Chu Xingyan. I brought him here to share in the joy.”
Lin Zhengyan stared at the baby’s face, his heartbeat inexplicably accelerating.
This child… the more he looked, the more familiar he felt…
At that moment, Lin Eldest Son walked out from the inner courtyard holding another baby.
The crowd erupted.
“My heavens! General Chu’s adopted son looks exactly like Lord Lin’s eldest son!”
“It’s uncanny! The eyes, the nose—like they were carved from the same mold!”
“Could there be a blood relation?”
Lin Zhengyan froze completely.
He looked at the child in his arms… then at Chu Tiankuo’s child.
A terrifying suspicion began forming in his mind.
Could it be… could it be…?
Chu Tiankuo, not helping at all, added fuel to the fire:
“Lord Lin and your son truly share a deep father-son resemblance. It’s almost identical.”
Someone misunderstood and immediately agreed:
“Exactly! The resemblance is obvious! Blood relations are clear at a glance!”
Lin Zhengyan’s mouth twitched violently.
His internal panic grew.
If the child in Chu Tiankuo’s arms was his son… then the one in his arms…
At that moment, Feng Zexuan arrived with her father and brother.
Feng Zexuan immediately spotted the “Xiao Shangren” in the corner.
That posture, that aura, those familiar eyes…
Hahaha! The Emperor’s disguise… if not for those eyes, I almost wouldn’t have recognized him!
The officials followed her gaze.
The Emperor is here?!
And in disguise?!
Emperor Xiao Juechen felt his face heat up as everyone stared.
He cursed internally: How is this girl’s eyesight so sharp?! I clearly disguised myself well!
Just as everyone prepared to greet Feng Zexuan, commotion erupted outside.
The steward rushed in, panting.
“Master! A group of monks has arrived!”
“What monks?”
Lin Prime Minister suddenly felt a bad premonition.
“Master Tongtian has arrived!”
“Master Shentong has arrived!”
“Master Yuan Tong has arrived!”
“Master Zhong Tong has arrived!”
“Master Yunduo has arrived!”
“Master Youzheng has arrived!”
“Master Extreme Rabbit has arrived!”
A series of announcements echoed through the courtyard.
Everyone froze.
What… the hell?
Lin Prime Minister’s face turned deathly pale.
These monks actually came?!
And just like that—another disaster began to arrive at the banquet.
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