The emperor had no desire to argue with these old ministers.

Court officials—always a hassle.

Yuanxi donated silver to the national treasury—enough for soldiers to withstand the harsh winter, enough to keep them fed and clothed.

How could they not be worthy of the title “Protector of the Nation”?

“Cao Cheng, announce the decree!” The emperor didn’t want to hear their bickering any longer.

Cao Cheng unrolled the bright yellow imperial edict.

“The Jiang family’s daughter, Jiang Yuanxi… is hereby granted the title of Protector Princess!”

The ministers hadn’t expected His Majesty to disregard their opposition and issue the decree outright.

A decision made before discussion—why had the emperor started playing this game?

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“Your Majesty, we implore you to take back the decree!”

“Your Majesty, you cannot treat the empire so lightly!”

“If Your Majesty insists on this, this old minister would rather die by striking my head against the pillar to meet the late emperor!”

With a great rustling sound, a wave of ministers dropped to their knees.

Even the Emperor’s brother-in-law was no exception.

State affairs were state affairs, and personal matters were personal matters.

Even if he had to kneel at home as punishment from his wife, he was willing.

This matter absolutely could not be allowed!

Amidst the kneeling crowd, only a few remained standing—Duke Han, the elder Lord Chen, Jiang Yuansheng, and surprisingly, Minister Feng.

“Why aren’t you kneeling?” one official whispered, tugging at Minister Feng’s sleeve.

Minister Feng rolled his eyes and yanked his robe back.

Was he crazy?

Why would he dare provoke someone as untouchable as the Protector Princess?

Besides, the princess had just cured his son.

The Feng family owed her a great debt.

Whatever the princess said, the Feng family would support.

These fools—if they angered the princess, they were just asking for misery.

Jiang Yuansheng wanted to kneel, but he dared not.

He lifted his gaze and suddenly saw a golden light flash across the “Righteous and Glorious” plaque above.

His heart skipped a beat.

The thing he feared most… had still happened.

[Cutting off a person’s wealth is like killing their parents. I’d like to see who dares stand in my way!]

The officials who had been clamoring about slamming their heads into pillars suddenly fell silent.

“Who said that?!”

Who was speaking?!

The ministers, still prostrated, exchanged bewildered looks.

Zheng Guang felt the voice was familiar.

“Did you hear someone talking?”

“Yes, did you?”

“I heard it too.”

Sensing something amiss, the emperor abruptly stood up and looked to Cao Cheng.

“Did you hear a voice?”

Cao Cheng nodded. “Your Majesty, it seemed to be the princess’s voice.”

But… the princess hadn’t even opened her mouth.

Where had the voice come from?

The emperor’s heart sank.

If even Cao Cheng could hear it, then surely…

Jiang Yuanxi’s gaze swept over the kneeling officials one by one.

[Zheng Guang, Minister Zheng.]

Zheng Guang suddenly remembered who the voice belonged to—Jiang Fengyuan’s daughter, Jiang Yuanxi.

[Minister Zheng, you weren’t exactly a saint in your younger days.]

Just as the ministers were about to submit a petition, they heard this statement and immediately paused.

Petitioning could wait.

But gossip like this? You might never get another chance to hear it!

Zheng Guang scoffed.

He had lived righteously and had nothing to fear. What could this little girl possibly expose?

[When Minister Zheng was young, he climbed walls at night to woo his wife and ended up getting chased by his father-in-law for three whole streets.]

Zheng Guang panicked.

Damn it, how did this little menace know about that?!

Zheng Guang scrambled to stop her, but was immediately held down and gagged.

Countless officials in the court had been reprimanded by Zheng Guang before.

If they could hear some dirt on him today, it would be worth it—even if they died laughing.

Pinned down by three men, Zheng Guang was utterly immobilized.

[And Minister Zheng used to wet the bed. Not only that, but he liked to sniff his own stinky feet. His wife was absolutely disgusted by it.]

Bed-wetting?!

Liking to sniff his own feet?!

The ministers’ eyes lit up in excitement. Who would have thought that the ever-righteous, ever-critical Minister Zheng had such bizarre habits?

Minister Rong Dazhan, of the Ministry of Works, grinned so widely he nearly rolled on the floor.

[Speaking of which, Minister Zheng wet the bed during his time at Tianshan Academy. To cover it up, he swapped blankets with Minister Rong. Minister Rong ended up getting punished instead.]

…Damn it all!

Rong Dazhan’s laughter froze.

Because of that incident, his blanket had been displayed at the academy’s entrance for an entire month.

To this day, his colleagues still brought it up to mock him.

And all this time, the real culprit was Zheng Guang?! He had carried the shame all these years for nothing!

Two ministers immediately restrained Zheng Guang even harder.

Zheng Guang’s face turned crimson.

He was on the verge of dropping to his knees before Jiang Yuanxi.

Please, ancestor, stop talking.

Who cared about leaving a legacy in history?

To hell with it all.

He just prayed that history books wouldn’t record Zheng Guang’s bed-wetting and foot-sniffing habits.

The emperor’s expression eased, feeling utterly satisfied.

Perhaps letting these old fools hear Yuanxi’s thoughts wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Jiang Yuanxi’s gaze now fell on the Emperor’s brother-in-law.

The man shivered.

No way—was she coming for him next?!

He hadn’t done anything too terrible in his life, right?

Had he?

Now that he thought about it, he wasn’t so sure…

[Uncle!]

The Emperor’s brother-in-law, Wang Tiangong, trembled.

The ministers perked up their ears.

[Uncle’s recent daughter was only possible thanks to a pretty lady. If it weren’t for her help with his health, he’d have been done for years ago.]

Wang Tiangong’s eyes widened in horror.

Duke Han patted his shoulder. “Stay strong.”

In his youth, Wang Tiangong had been a reckless playboy—drinking, gambling, and indulging in every vice, to the point of ruining his own health.

Fortunately, he had married a good wife.

For years, she had nursed him back to health without complaint.

Now, having recently fathered a daughter, he fancied himself fully recovered and spent his days indulging with his concubines again.

[Should I remind Wang Hanqi? Otherwise, if he loses his father too soon, what will he do?]

Wang Tiangong slumped over, defeated.

He had been wrong.

It was his wife who had kept him alive all these years.

He should have listened to her.

The ministers cast him looks of pity—along with a few glances downward.

He wasn’t that old. How had he already… lost function?

[Anyone else dare to stop me from becoming Protector Princess?]

Jiang Yuanxi swept her gaze across the room.

The ministers she locked eyes with quickly lowered their heads.

Elder Lord Chen chuckled.

His granddaughter was remarkable—singlehandedly taking down the entire court.

[Grandfather!]

Elder Lord Chen tensed.

Was she about to turn on her own?

[If I recall correctly, Grandfather was also against me becoming Protector Princess just now.]

Elder Lord Chen immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, my granddaughter is bright and capable! How could she not be worthy? I reject these old fools’ objections!”

Duke Han snorted. Old fox.

[Grandfather changed his stance fast. Fine, I won’t expose my own.]

Elder Lord Chen wiped his sweat.

That was close.