Chapter 7

When they arrived at the court, Lin Mo quietly stood behind Minister Li, zoning out as usual.

The ministers began discussing state affairs, though it seemed that the National Protector General was absent today.

But that didn’t concern her—she was just a lowly assistant in charge of taking minutes. Her job was mostly just to stand there and daydream.

“Your Majesty, I have uncovered some clues regarding the National Protector General. He had close ties with King of Qi’s residence. I also found some things related to King of Qi’s time guarding the borders. I respectfully submit this report for Your Majesty’s review,” one of the officials said, handing a memorial to Eunuch Li, who passed it to the Emperor.

Even though they had already learned yesterday about the General’s connection to King of Qi’s residence, today’s findings revealed even more, and they were even more absurd!

It was almost laughable—the Emperor had been deceived by a dead man for so long. The one who actually fought in battles and earned merits was King of Xin, yet all the credit had been given to King of Qi.

“Your Majesty, King of Xin has endured injustice for many years. It is time to restore justice for him.”

Lin Mo’s mind was muddled—today’s case seemed to involve the very gossip she had heard about yesterday.

“System, didn’t you say that King of Xin’s leg was injured? Can his leg still be treated? He’s a war hero who fought for the country. If he’s left disabled, it would truly be a tragedy.”

Everyone immediately perked up their ears, thinking the same thing.

Since all the credit that had gone to King of Qi actually belonged to King of Xin, he was indeed a national treasure. It would be a great loss if someone of his caliber were left disabled.

System: “Of course, it can be treated. His leg issues stem from old injuries that were never properly healed. His leg wasn’t set correctly when it was broken, and since King of Qi treated him poorly, he didn’t receive proper medical care, which only worsened the situation.”

“Isn’t the Emperor responsible for his brother’s care? I remember the Emperor not being such a cold-hearted person.”

System: “The Emperor did care. He sent the best imperial physicians and searched for the finest medicinal herbs, but King of Qi hoarded them all. Even if King of Xin knew, he was powerless to do anything about it.”

“The imperial physician didn’t dare speak up either. He was just a physician—how could he oppose a prince? And at that time, King of Qi was at the height of his power, so dealing with a mere physician was nothing to him. The physician later retired and returned to his hometown.”

The Emperor clenched his fists. Although he hadn’t paid much attention to King of Xin, he was still his brother. When King of Xin was injured, the Emperor had personally sent the best doctors and medicines, only for them to be stolen by that dead scoundrel!

The other officials, especially the military commanders, were seething with anger. Imagining such a thing happening to themselves was enough to make them want to kill.

System: “Since the bone wasn’t set properly, it will have to be rebroken and reset. But this isn’t something to be taken lightly—it requires a highly skilled and experienced physician.”

Lin Mo sighed internally—good deeds really do go unrewarded.

King of Qi and his family had enjoyed wealth and power, while King of Xin had been oppressed for most of his life.

“Your Majesty! The Qi family has abused their power and committed countless crimes. I implore you to punish them severely, especially the heir of the Qi family!”

“We must right the wrongs suffered by King of Xin over all these years!”

The officials knelt in unison, and even those reluctant to kneel—those aligned with King of Qi’s faction—had no choice but to follow suit.

“Good thing I stuffed cotton on my knees, or else kneeling like this would have shattered them,” Lin Mo thought to herself.

Emperor Xuande tried his best to ignore Lin Mo’s presence, maintaining a stern expression as he said, “The matters concerning King of Qi’s residence and the National Protector General will be handled by the Court of Judicial Review. As for King of Xin, the years of injustice he’s endured cannot be rectified overnight. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

The Emperor felt a pang of guilt for his brother. If he hadn’t overlooked King of Qi’s actions, King of Xin wouldn’t have suffered so much.

He believed he had treated his brothers fairly—maybe not overly well, but certainly not poorly. They had their stipends, fiefdoms, and everything befitting a prince. But he had overlooked the influence of their maternal families. King of Qi’s mother had been favored, and her family was powerful. Meanwhile, King of Xin’s mother was a low-ranking consort who had died early, making his upbringing difficult and forcing him to adopt a more passive nature.

As Lin Mo knelt on the floor, she suddenly caught a whiff of something foul.

“Who farted? This smell is awful!”

The moment she said that, the sorrowful atmosphere that the Emperor had been carefully cultivating instantly dissipated.

This girl was a mood killer!

The officials kneeling in front of her exchanged strange looks. None of them had farted!

Whoever did it should own up and not drag the rest of them into it!

System: “It was the Deputy Minister of War. He ate a bunch of fried beans this morning, so naturally, his fart stinks.”

The Deputy Minister of War, who was kneeling at the front: …

If he had known, he would never have eaten those fried beans this morning!

Emperor Xuande discreetly covered his nose. Eating fried beans in the morning—no wonder the fart smelled so bad.

Lin Mo noticed the sudden silence. “Huh? Why isn’t anyone talking? Could it be that everyone smelled it too?”

Indeed, no one wanted to speak. With such a stench, opening their mouths would only let the foul air in.

System: “There’s some juicy gossip about the Deputy Minister of War. Want to hear it?”

“Yes!” Lin Mo immediately replied. Only a fool would pass up on good gossip.

The corners of the officials’ mouths curled up into slight smiles, and even the Emperor couldn’t help but show a hint of amusement.

Finally, after such heavy topics, they could indulge in some light-hearted gossip.

But the Deputy Minister of War was already cursing in his heart. He deeply regretted letting out that fart. If only he hadn’t, maybe he wouldn’t have caught the attention of this troublesome girl.

Emperor Xuande allowed everyone to stand up and then moved on to other matters. However, a part of their minds was still focused on the gossip.

System: “The Deputy Minister of War’s concubine had an affair with his steward!”

The news hit the Deputy Minister of War like a thunderbolt.

Everyone was secretly glancing at the Deputy Minister of War. Poor guy! What a misfortune!

Gossip about affairs and scandals was always the most tantalizing. Lin Mo’s interest was immediately piqued. “Tell me, tell me, how did they have the affair? Is the steward handsome? The Deputy Minister of War is quite a handsome uncle himself. Could the steward be better looking?”

The officials subtly began scrutinizing the Deputy Minister of War’s appearance, and even Emperor Xuande stroked his own face, thinking he was still more handsome than the Deputy Minister of War.