The moon was high above the treetops as Wu Jiping and Jiang Yuanxi quietly returned home.

..

During breakfast, Chen Xinwan looked curiously at her three sons.

“Did you all not sleep well last night?”

The three brothers exchanged glances and discreetly looked at their sister, who was busy eating.

Last night, after their sister returned, she kept pacing in the backyard.

Since their rooms were close to hers, they unintentionally overheard her muttering half the night:

[“Why hasn’t the male lead arrived yet?”]
[“Where exactly is he?”]
[“What kind of tricks is he up to?”]
[“Does he have a new love interest?”]
[“Something doesn’t feel right!”]

…

After listening to all this nonsense, they ended up staying awake all night.

During breakfast, Jiang Yuancheng kept nodding off, nearly face-planting into his bowl.

Jiang Yuansheng put down his chopsticks. “Mother, it’s nothing. It was just too hot last night, so we didn’t sleep well.”

Chen Xinwan frowned.

It was already October, the weather was cooling down, and they even needed extra blankets at night.

“Yuansheng, I heard that His Majesty is considering appointing you as the Crown Prince’s tutor. Is that true?”

Jiang Yuansheng wiped his mouth. “Mother, the Emperor only mentioned it in passing. Nothing has been decided yet.”

[Crown Prince’s Tutor?]

That would be an incredibly prestigious position.

His Imperial Majesty certainly had good taste.

“Big Brother, Third Brother, congratulations in advance! If this happens, our family will rise in status as well,” Jiang Yuanxuan said excitedly.

That would make his elder brother the Emperor’s Mentor!

After years of doing business, Jiang Yuanxuan deeply understood how important it was to have political backing.

If his big brother became the Emperor’s Mentor, and he himself was the mentor’s brother, plus their sister was a princess…

Who in the entire empire would dare to look down on the Jiang family?

Business would only get easier.

This was the power of having strong connections.

Jiang Yuansheng continued, “I also heard that the Emperor plans to grant Yuanxi the title of ‘Protector Princess.’”

“Protector Princess?”

Jiang Yuanxuan was puzzled. “Isn’t Yuanxi already a princess?”

Chen Xinwan put down her chopsticks. “Right now, Yuanxi is just an ordinary princess of the royal family, with a fiefdom of 3,000 households. If she becomes the ‘Protector Princess,’ her fiefdom will increase to over 10,000. Not only that, but whenever foreign tributes are presented, whatever the Emperor and Empress receive, Yuanxi will receive as well.”

Jiang Yuancheng’s mouth fell open in shock. “That’s amazing!”

His three brothers and even his little sister were all so accomplished.

Why should he even bother working hard?

With such powerful family backing, he might as well just lay back and enjoy life as a carefree noble.

Jiang Yuanxi, on the other hand, was practically drooling.

[Money! So much money!]

Promotion and wealth, all within reach!

Jiang Yuansheng hesitated before adding, “However, the court ministers will likely oppose these two appointments.”

Chen Xinwan nodded. “Your father and second brother are leading the military at the border, and you’re already in the imperial court. The ministers will surely be wary of our family gaining too much power.”

The Jiang family excelled in both civil and military affairs, which was bound to attract suspicion.

As for how the Emperor himself viewed this, she wasn’t sure.

To Jiang Yuanxi, however, this conversation translated to: The ministers are trying to cut off her source of wealth.

She absolutely couldn’t let that happen.

She was going to see who dared stand in the way of her fortune!

Jiang Yuansheng glanced at his sister. He wasn’t too worried about other matters.

What worried him more was that if his sister became the ‘Protector Princess,’ she would be deeply tied to the fate of the empire.

And when that happened…

…

Three hours before his classes started, the Imperial Academy was still closed. With no other choice, Jiang Yuansheng carried his sister with him to court.

Along the way, they encountered many ministers, all of whom glared at them with puffed cheeks and sharp eyes.

From an outsider’s perspective, one might think Jiang Yuansheng had desecrated their ancestors’ graves or something.

Jiang Yuanxi wasn’t intimidated in the slightest—she glared right back at them, even making faces at the grumpy old officials.

The ministers were furious, but what could they do? It wasn’t proper to argue with a child.

So, with a huff, they flicked their sleeves and walked away.

Jiang Yuansheng couldn’t help but smirk slightly.

..

Imperial Court

Duke Han was the first to speak. “Your Majesty, the army has reached the border, and war is imminent. The supply of provisions and military funds must be ensured, or it will impact the war effort.”

The Emperor frowned.

It was harvest season, so grain shouldn’t be an issue.

However, this year, various regions had suffered from floods and droughts, leading to a decline in tax revenue.

“Xing Yuan, this matter is in your hands. This battle must be won, and there must be no issues with provisions.”

Minister of Revenue Xing Yuan responded, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost.”

The Emperor continued, “I have another announcement. I intend to grant Yuanxi the title of ‘Protector Princess.’ Ministers, what are your thoughts?”

The court was in an uproar.

Jiang Yuanxi was barely over a year old—how could she bear such a title?

His Majesty’s favoritism toward the Jiang family was becoming excessive.

The Prime Minister was the first to oppose it.

“Your Majesty, Jiang Yuanxi is merely a child and has done nothing for the nation. She does not deserve the title of ‘Protector Princess.’”

Imperial Censor Zheng Guang also objected.

“Our dynasty has never had a ‘Protector Princess.’ If Your Majesty insists on this appointment, it may cause public discontent!”

“I second this motion!”

“Your Majesty, this is highly inappropriate! Scholars across the land will think our ruler acts on whim rather than wisdom!”

Zheng Guang was particularly ruthless in his criticism.

Among the ministers, he was known as ‘Zheng the Blunt’ for a reason.

The Emperor’s face darkened as he suppressed his anger.

These damn censors were insufferable.

But he couldn’t openly punish them—censors only cared about their historical legacy.

If he acted against them, it would only give them the fame they sought.

If they wanted to be remembered in history, they had to get past him first.

“Duke Han, what is your opinion?”

Duke Han stepped forward. “Your Majesty’s decision is final.”

“Your Majesty, I also disagree.”

Jiang Yuansheng stepped forward.

The Emperor was stunned.

Of all people, why was Jiang Yuansheng opposing this?

The ministers were equally puzzled.

Jiang Yuansheng placed his sister on the ground.

Still fast asleep, Jiang Yuanxi rolled over and continued napping.

“Yuanxi is too young and easily influenced. As the ‘Protector Princess,’ she represents the empire’s honor. I fear that she might be manipulated by ill-intentioned people.”

Jiang Yuanxi had no idea she had just been sabotaged by her own brother.

At that moment, the little black kitten in her arms flicked its tail at her face.

[Punishing my master feels great! If only I could do this more often.]

Jiang Yuanxi groggily opened her eyes—only to see everyone staring at her.

[Huh? What happened?]

Jiang Yuansheng quickly stepped back.

If Yuanxi found out he had opposed her appointment, her opinion of him would plummet.

But he had no choice.

Hopefully, the ministers would hold their ground.

Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous.

“Minister Chen, what do you think?” the Emperor asked.

Minister Chen, who had been dozing off, was suddenly called upon.

“Your Majesty, I…” He suddenly remembered his grandson’s warning. “I believe this matter is too important. Yuanxi is unfit for the title.”

[Hmph! Grandfather isn’t taking my side? I’m ignoring him from now on!]

Minister Chen turned around—

Oh no!

His little granddaughter was awake!

Now he was in trouble.

Duke Han smirked.

Now Minister Chen wouldn’t be able to fight him for the title.

After all, he was Yuanxi’s real grandfather!