Chapter 4

The veins on the National Protector General’s face were bulging—he absolutely couldn’t let her continue talking!

“Your Majesty! I—”

But before he could finish, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince each delivered a punch, one from the left and one from the right, knocking out the General’s teeth.

The two brothers exchanged glances, both enjoying the juicy gossip. They couldn’t let an irrelevant person interrupt them now.

The ‘irrelevant’ General on the ground: …

Everyone was startled by the General’s outburst. If he revealed that they could all hear Lin Mo’s words, it would be a disaster!

Emperor Xuande shot his sons a look of approval—those were his boys, quick to react!

The Third Prince, nearly shoved aside by his older brothers: …

You could have given me a heads-up! I almost ended up face-planting on the ground!

Lin Mo, sensing that someone had called out to the emperor, looked up in confusion: “I think I just heard someone talking—did I imagine it?”

Everyone tensed up instantly. Could they have been discovered? It’s all the General’s fault—if they were found out, they wouldn’t let him off!

The system responded, “Everyone’s talking, they’re discussing national affairs. Now, do you want to keep listening to the gossip or not?”

Everyone: Yes, yes, yes!

Lin Mo: “Of course! Otherwise, standing here would be so boring. Go on, continue with the story about King of Qi and the General.”

Hearing Lin Mo’s response, everyone finally relaxed. Phew, they hadn’t been found out.

The system continued, “After the General started following King of Qi, their relationship became very close, like honey dripping from a spoon. King of Qi even neglected his wife for the General.”

“But it didn’t last long. King of Qi liked young and attractive people, and after spending so much time on the frontier, the General’s looks couldn’t compete with the newcomers.”

Serving someone with your looks never lasts long, everyone thought, and their gazes towards the General now carried a hint of pity.

He was just another pitiful person who had fallen out of favor. Even Emperor Xuande felt a bit sorry for the General.

Lin Mo asked in confusion, “But if the General lost favor, why is he still so protective of King of Qi? Could he be, like, totally in love?”

Everyone wondered what this “totally in love” brain was, but it didn’t sound like anything good.

They were curious but didn’t dwell on it—they were more eager to hear what happened next! Hurry up and keep going!

The system continued, “Even though he fell out of favor, King of Qi compensated him—he kept promoting the General and even arranged a marriage for him, though the wife was someone King of Qi had already slept with.”

Lin Mo: …

Everyone: …

The General, his mouth covered and restrained by two soldiers, was nearly dying of shame and anger. His deepest secrets were being completely exposed by the system!

Emperor Xuande’s gaze towards the General grew more complicated. He couldn’t deny it—the General had a remarkable tolerance, wearing such a ‘green hat’ (being cuckolded) and seemingly wearing it quite comfortably.

“The General knows how he got everything he has, so he’s always been respectful to King of Qi. Most importantly, he still has feelings for King of Qi. Sometimes, he and his wife even served King of Qi together.”

“Neither of the two children his wife bore are his—they’re both King of Qi’s.”

Lin Mo gasped, “Is this guy out of his mind? Does he know the kids aren’t his?”

The system replied, “He knows, and he’s thrilled about it. Because the kids resemble King of Qi so much, it gives him a renewed sense of affection.”

Everyone: …

Emperor Xuande: …

This was simply too outrageous! The General truly was an extraordinary man!

The Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince exchanged a meaningful glance at the National Protector General, who was now being held down on the ground.

The General, infuriated to the point of rolling his eyes, was on the verge of passing out. A nearby imperial physician swiftly rushed over and jabbed him with a needle, instantly reviving him.

The physician stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction: “Fainting in front of me? Not a chance! The story isn’t over yet, you’re not allowed to pass out!”

The General: ##

Meanwhile, the system and Lin Mo continued their conversation, completely absorbed in it, and before anyone realized, it was already time to end the court session.

“Wow, that was quick! We didn’t even finish with the General’s gossip,” Lin Mo remarked, for the first time feeling that time had flown by so fast.

The other ministers silently agreed—they too felt that today’s court session had passed unusually quickly.

The system added, “It’s alright. I’ve collected plenty of energy from the gossip about the Emperor, the General, and King of Qi.”

“Anyway, King of Qi isn’t a good person, and neither is the General. Your country is short on funds, right? Just confiscate their estates! I checked your country’s laws, and they’ve committed enough crimes to justify it.”

Emperor Xuande and the ministers were suddenly enlightened—why hadn’t they thought of that?

Lin Mo said, “I’m just a small assistant, I can’t get involved in such matters. But since someone has already submitted a memorial, I’m sure the Emperor will order a proper investigation. Let’s just wait and see what happens. I’m tired, let’s wrap up and go home.”

The ministers: Tired? All you did was stand there and listen to gossip!

At first, they didn’t understand what “listening to gossip” meant, but now they had a good idea, and they all found that they enjoyed it quite a bit!

Emperor Xuande cleared his throat and announced the end of the court session, but he kept a few ministers back, including Minister Lin.

Minister Lin was starting to feel dizzy—was this going to be a reckoning? It’s over! Their family is finished!

“Minister Lin, your daughter performed well today, but I need you to keep it a secret that we can all hear her thoughts.”

Minister Lin: ???

“Your Majesty, do you mean we should just pretend we don’t know?”

That might be a bit difficult! After all, so many people could hear it—what if someone accidentally lets it slip?

Emperor Xuande had thought of that. “I will issue an edict ordering everyone to keep their mouths shut. If anyone dares to leak this, they’ll face my wrath!”

Emperor Xuande’s gaze hardened, and the ministers quickly lowered their heads in fear.

The Emperor was known for his benevolence and wisdom, but he was also skilled in punishing those who crossed him. No one who ascends to the throne lacks a sharp mind.

Soon after, Emperor Xuande had the message sent to the homes of all the ministers, instructing them to remain silent and to warn their families to do the same.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo had fallen asleep in the carriage while waiting for her father.

When Minister Lin returned, he saw his troublesome daughter sleeping, her butt sticking up in the air: …

Minister Lin sighed, then expertly nudged her further inside the carriage—she couldn’t stand or sit properly, and she was just a handful!

Even after they arrived home, Lin Mo remained asleep. Minister Lin had Lin Qi carry her inside.

He then recounted everything that had happened in court to his wife and children, his expression growing darker with each detail.

“So, we can all hear Mo’er’s thoughts now,” remarked Lady Lin, remaining optimistic. “As long as the Emperor isn’t upset, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Lin Qi and Lin Ran exchanged a glance, then sighed in unison—why did they have a feeling that life was about to get even more chaotic?