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The Imperial Clan Court
This was the institution responsible for handling the affairs of Da Xia’s royal family.
It managed all communications between the royal family and feudal lords, dealt with internal matters involving the royal family, educated royal and Vassal family descendants, and detained royal relatives involved in crimes.
Because most of its elders were senior royal uncles from the previous generation, it held significant power and often ignored the Emperor’s authority.
When the Emperor arrived here, he was immediately mocked by one of the older royal uncles on duty. “Your Majesty, this prince has heard that all living creatures instinctively protect their young. It’s the first time I’ve seen a prince who’s been sent to the Imperial Clan Court three times in a single month for minor mistakes.”
The Emperor looked slightly embarrassed. “Second Uncle, there are reasons for this.”
The Second Uncle snorted coldly. Seeing the officials accompanying the Emperor, he refrained from making further sarcastic remarks. Instead, he said, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. After all, he is my own nephew. We’ve treated him well.”
Yuan Ruan curiously leaned forward to look and whispered to the system:
【It’s the first time I’ve seen Brother behave so obediently. What is this old man’s status?】
The Second Uncle: ?
What was that sound?
Before he could question it, the Emperor discreetly handed him a small note.
The Second Uncle brought the note closer to read it. After finishing, he found it utterly absurd: “Little National Fortune? Those ranked sixth grade or higher are able to hear her inner thoughts? Keep this confidential?”
He was about to refute, thinking his eyes were not so old and failing that he’d believe such nonsense, but—
System: 【That’s him! He was the late Emperor’s most trusted brother. In his youth, he was a strong and valiant general. However, he was severely injured while rescuing the late Emperor, who had just suffered a major defeat, and his health deteriorated. After that, he left the battlefield and became the late Emperor’s strategist. It could be said that without him, the late Emperor wouldn’t have been able to put a knife to the former Crown Prince’s neck and usurp the throne.】
The Emperor: !!!
What?! Father became Emperor like that?
The officials staggered: What?! That really happened?! Ah! They didn’t want to hear this! Could they just pretend they didn’t?
“Cough, cough, cough!” The Second Uncle coughed repeatedly.
He was now somewhat inclined to believe the Emperor’s claim. After all, the records of the late Emperor’s usurpation had been privately destroyed. Most importantly, the detail about “the late Emperor threatening the former Crown Prince with a knife to his neck” was known only to him. Everyone else who was present that day, apart from him and the late Emperor, had died.
Yuan Ruan clicked her tongue twice:
【Dynastic transitions are truly bloody. This incident must have been buried, right?】
System: 【Indeed. They forced the historians to rewrite the records overnight, claiming that the former Crown Prince voluntarily abdicated the throne to his brother due to being overwhelmed. Sigh, the truth of history was buried just like that.】
Everyone: …
It’s not buried—it’s just been dug up by you and heard by everyone present!
The Second Uncle suddenly glared viciously at the officials outside.
The officials felt a chill run down their spines.
The Emperor quickly waved at the Second Uncle, signaling him to let it go.
The Second Uncle paused for a moment before turning his attention back.
Yuan Ruan was utterly confused:
【Why isn’t anyone talking? Are they performing a silent play?】
System: 【Not sure. Maybe it’s some kind of welcoming ritual?】
The officials wiped their sweat: Yes, yes, a welcoming ritual that nearly sent them to hell.
The Second Uncle glanced deeply at Yuan Ruan, then strode into the hall. However, he hadn’t gone far before the faint sound of music and drunken voices echoed from within: “Come, drink up!” “Cheers! Fill my cup!”
When everyone turned the corner, they saw a fair-skinned, lavishly dressed man. He was using chopsticks to tap a bowl in one hand while holding a wine cup in the other, pouring wine into his mouth. Six lightly dressed dancers twirled gracefully before him.
“Cough, cough!” The Second Uncle coughed several times.
The musicians stopped playing, and the dancers quickly retreated.
The Emperor cast a deep look at the Second Uncle and said, “Uncle, I sent the Second Prince here to reflect on his actions.”
The Second Uncle awkwardly stroked his beard.
The previously drunk Second Prince suddenly began to sob. He crawled toward the Emperor, kowtowing as he wailed, “Father, Father, I’m your biological son too! Why are you so cruel to me? Why has the Empress sent me to the Imperial Clan Court three times in a row? What did I do wrong?”
The Emperor’s face darkened. You had an affair with the Crown Prince’s consort and even fathered a child! How dare you ask what you did wrong?!
The Second Uncle, upon hearing this, softened again and said, “Emperor, you’ve already established the Empress’s legitimate son as the Crown Prince. You shouldn’t be so biased.”
He then turned to the Crown Prince, advising patiently, “You’re the Crown Prince. You should be more tolerant of your brothers. Da Xia is surrounded by enemies. Only by uniting the royal brothers and feudal lords can we face all threats.”
The Crown Prince’s expression soured. But he couldn’t share the shocking things he had overheard from Yuan Ruan.
The Second Uncle earnestly spoke up for the Second Prince. Meanwhile, the Second Prince, still slightly drunk, chimed in, “Since Grandfather passed, Second Granduncle, you… you’ve been the kindest to me.”
Hearing this, the Second Uncle’s heart softened further. Seeing the Emperor’s cold expression, he couldn’t help but say, “Emperor, this is your own son!”
The Emperor kept a stern face. “The empire must come first.”
At this moment, Yuan Ruan lifted her small face:
【Why does the Second Uncle protect the Second Prince so much? It can’t just be because they’re both ‘Second.’ System, could they actually be father and son?!】
The officials: !!!
Whoa! Little Nation Preceptor, that’s a bold statement!
But with strength in numbers, they weren’t afraid. They’d keep listening. Today was truly worth it.
The Emperor and the Crown Prince both panicked: !!!
Ah Ruan, don’t speculate recklessly! That’s absolutely impossible!
The Second Uncle: !!!
What nonsense! I would never dishonor my brother like that! Don’t slander me!
The slightly drunk Second Prince was confused: ???
What’s that sound?
System: 【No, no, that’s not it! The Second Uncle and Second Prince are not related like that.】
The officials’ faces showed a hint of disappointment.
The Emperor, Crown Prince, and Second Uncle all breathed a sigh of relief.
However, in the next moment, their relief turned to stiffened expressions as the system’s inner voice dropped another bombshell.
System: 【Strictly speaking, the Second Prince has a better relationship with the Second Uncle’s consort.】
Yuan Ruan: 【Hiss. Don’t tell me… the two of them…】
Everyone: !!!
Their ears perked up instantly.
System: 【No, no. The Second Uncle feels guilt and a bit of fear toward his consort. He’s somewhat henpecked.】
The Second Uncle: Nonsense! I’m perfectly fine! Stop talking about this nonsense!
Others couldn’t help but steal glances at the Second Uncle. At his age, it must have been difficult to have such a beautiful consort at home.
System: 【The Second Prince has a sweet tongue. Every time he visits the Second Uncle, he flatters the consort, making her happy and preventing family conflicts.】
The officials sighed in disappointment. Such an ordinary plot—they weren’t interested.
The Second Uncle, recovering from his embarrassment, seemed to take Yuan Ruan’s words as proof and smugly told the Emperor, “Your Majesty, your second son is so filial! If you truly dislike him, I’m willing to take him in.” After speaking, he patted the Second Prince on the shoulder.
The drunk Second Prince nervously tugged at his clothes, forcing a dry laugh. “Second Granduncle, I… I think I’m hearing things.”
The Second Uncle leaned in and whispered the details to the Second Prince.
The Second Prince’s brow twitched incessantly. Especially after hearing “Little Nation Preceptor” and “mind-reading,” a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
System: 【Haha, filial! Too filial! The Second Prince not only appeases the Second Uncle’s consort’s anger but also her other needs. He often hires opera troupes for her, and she adores the young male leads.】
The Second Uncle froze.
The Emperor: …
I knew bringing Yuan Ruan here was a mistake. Our own family’s drama is suffocating.
The Crown Prince: !!!
Is Second Brother handing out green hats wholesale?! Not only does he use them himself, but he introduces others to wear them too!
The officials: !!!
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Did they just hear that the Second Prince was introducing opera performers to sleep with the Second Uncle’s consort?!
Someone murmured, “Isn’t that a bit too filial?”
No sooner had they spoken than the enraged Second Uncle glared at them, scaring the man into stumbling and falling to the ground.
Yuan Ruan covered her little face, about to complain to the system about how bizarre the world was, when a thunderous roar resounded:
“If not for… the Emperor informing me, I wouldn’t have known you were so vile! Is this how you treat me?!”
The Emperor: ?
Why was the blame shifted to me?
Yuan Ruan turned her head just in time to see the Second Uncle grab the Second Prince and punch him with a fist as big as a sandbag.
Yuan Ruan: ?
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Dreamy Land[Translator]
Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying what I'm translating. As an unemployed adult with way too much time on my hands and a borderline unhealthy obsession with novels, I’m here to share one of my all-time favorites. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into this story together—because I’ve got nothing better to do!