Hou Mingyuan: Since His Majesty has assigned this girl to the task, if there are no results in the end, even if Li Xiaocheng protects her, she will still suffer.

Ji Qiulin: With the Regent Prince accompanying her, there shouldn’t be any major trouble.

Other officials: With the Regent Prince present, even if they have objections, they wouldn’t dare to voice them!

“Since everyone has no objections, Li Xiaocheng, Lin Yuxin, why haven’t you two accepted the decree yet?”

The emperor looked directly at the two clueless individuals, signaling for them to be more self-aware.

“We humbly accept the decree!”

Li Xiaocheng stepped forward, respectfully bowing to receive the decree.

“I accept the decree…”

Lin Yuxin accepted it reluctantly, barely managing a proper bow.

【These ministers are truly useless. They can’t even handle such a trivial matter. Looks like they have quite a few hidden agendas!】

“But Your Majesty! This humble girl has a request!”

Lin Yuxin hesitated for a moment before speaking, feigning reluctance.

“Speak!”

The emperor asked with amusement. This girl’s intentions were written all over her face.

“Your Majesty, I am just a weak woman suddenly entrusted with such a critical mission. Surely, there will be many who refuse to obey my orders. If someone defies me or interferes, and the disaster cannot be controlled, you cannot blame me. But I will do my best.”

Lin Yuxin put on the appearance of a helpless young woman, as if she were at the mercy of others.

The emperor shot her a glare.

This girl was quite the actress.

If she were truly someone who let others walk all over her, he would be surprised. But she had a point—it would be best not to let random people interfere.

After thinking for a moment, the emperor spoke:

“I understand your concerns. In that case, I shall grant you the Imperial Sword of Authority. With it, you have the power to execute corrupt officials and those who disobey orders. If anyone causes trouble, just deal with them accordingly.”

This was exactly what Lin Yuxin was waiting for. She was instantly delighted.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity!”

【Haha, the emperor is truly sensible. Now, if anyone dares to challenge her, she can just deal with them directly.】

The ministers had mixed feelings about this, but they were all well aware—this newly titled Princess Pingning was going to be favored by the emperor.

She was not someone they could afford to offend.

“That settles it. You may all leave now!”

Seeing that the discussion was over, the emperor started dismissing them.

“Your subject takes his leave!”

“Your subject takes his leave!”

The ministers all bowed and left.

Lin Yuxin and Lin Chenglie were also about to leave when Lin Yuxin suddenly paused mid-bow.

【Wait, wasn’t she summoned to receive a reward? Where’s the reward?】

“Your Majesty, didn’t you summon me here to grant me a reward?”

Lin Yuxin cautiously asked.

“Yes! And you already received it just now.”

The emperor responded with a straight face.

“Huh?”

Now it was Lin Yuxin’s turn to be dumbfounded. Her gold and silver jewelry were gone just like that?

【Wuwuwu! My gold and silver are gone, and instead, I got stuck with a difficult task. Why am I so unlucky?!】

Lin Yuxin was on the verge of tears. She felt like the emperor had tricked her, but she had no proof.

“What? Are you dissatisfied with my reward?”

The emperor raised an eyebrow at the nearly-crying Lin Yuxin.

【Ha! Finally found a way to suppress this little troublemaker. That’s what you get for cursing me in your head!】

“I’m satisfied! Very satisfied!”

Lin Yuxin forced an awkward smile.

“Alright, you’re all dismissed!”

Now in a good mood, the emperor waved his hand, allowing them to leave.

“Your subject takes his leave.”

“Your humble servant takes her leave.”

Lin Yuxin and her brother Lin Chenglie bowed and exited.

Standing outside the imperial study, Lin Yuxin felt her heart bleeding. She decided she would go home and have a feast to cheer herself up.

“Sister, you should head back first. I need to visit the Ministry of War.”

Lin Chenglie was heading to collect his new appointment order.

Due to his recent military success in suppressing bandits, the emperor had promoted him to a centurion, though no official decree had been issued yet.

“Alright, brother, go ahead! I can return on my own.”

Lin Yuxin waved nonchalantly. If she got lost, she could always ask a eunuch for directions.

“I shall escort Princess Pingning back. We can also discuss the drought situation in the north along the way.”

Li Xiaocheng suddenly spoke up.

Hearing his words, Lin Yuxin couldn’t find a way to refuse.

After all, he was offering to discuss official matters—he probably had no ulterior motives, right?

Lin Yuxin felt uneasy but had no choice.

She suddenly realized she could no longer stay calm when facing Li Xiaocheng alone.

“Then I’ll trouble Your Highness!”

“Sister, don’t speak carelessly, alright? Brother is leaving now.”

“Your Highness, I shall take my leave.”

Lin Chenglie, seeing that Li Xiaocheng was accompanying his sister, thanked him before reminding Lin Yuxin not to speak recklessly.

Lin Yuxin pouted as she watched her brother leave.

Why did everyone keep telling her not to speak carelessly? What had she even said?!

At that moment, Eunuch Liu, one of the emperor’s attendants, approached with a long box in his hands.

“Congratulations, Princess Pingning. This is the Imperial Sword of Authority, bestowed upon you by His Majesty. Please keep it safe. Also, the decree officially granting you the title of Princess will be delivered to your residence soon. Please take it seriously.”

Eunuch Liu spoke respectfully with a warm smile.

Ever since the imperial banquet, he had known that Lin Yuxin was destined to become one of the emperor’s trusted favorites.

Sure enough, in just a few days, she was granted a noble title and entrusted with a major responsibility.

Clearly, the emperor trusted her greatly.

How could Eunuch Liu not show his respect?

“Thank you, Eunuch Liu. Here is a small token of appreciation—please accept it.”

Lin Yuxin accepted the Imperial Sword and secretly slipped a pouch full of silver into Eunuch Liu’s hands.

Feeling the heavy pouch, Eunuch Liu’s smile grew even brighter.

Princess Pingning was quite tactful.

The pouch was packed full—surely, it contained a generous amount.

“Princess, you are too kind. This old servant shall take his leave now.”

“Take care, Eunuch Liu.”

Lin Yuxin watched as Eunuch Liu entered the imperial study before retracting her gaze.

【Sigh! This trip to the palace was a huge loss. I gained nothing, and I even had to give away a big pouch of silver. It seems like this palace and I are just incompatible. Last time, I ran into an assassination attempt, and this time, I lost money.】

【Wait! Isn’t there still the Imperial Sword? Hah! What use is it? I can’t sell it, can’t eat it. It’s just a decorative piece at home. At most, I can use it to scare off troublemakers. Gold is way more practical.】

Lin Yuxin remained expressionless, but deep down, she was already complaining.

Li Xiaocheng quietly watched her internal struggle and found it rather amusing.

“Princess, let’s go. I will escort you.”

Li Xiaocheng said calmly.

“Huh? Oh! Alright, thank you, Your Highness!”

Snapped out of her thoughts, Lin Yuxin awkwardly thanked him.

The two of them walked in silence to the palace gates.

Seeing Li Xiaocheng standing by the carriage, Lin Yuxin quickly said, “Your Highness, please board first!”

Li Xiaocheng looked at her flattering expression and was speechless. What kind of attitude was this?

Still, he got into the carriage first.

Just as Lin Yuxin was about to follow, a voice called out from behind her.

“Princess Pingning! Princess Pingning!”