Chapter 189: The Palace is Full of Weasels

They didn’t know how long this phenomenon would last, but of course, they hoped it would be forever.

Today, even the ordinarily silent sixth-rank official, the Xuanfu Envoy, spoke up.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report. Last night, a deserted mansion on the south side of the capital collapsed.”

“Since it was a deserted mansion, I assume no one was injured.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

The Tyrant King said, “Then why report it?”

The Xuanfu Envoy was puzzled. He simply wanted to report something and show his face in front of the little princess, taking this opportunity to gather more useful information.

The Xuanfu Envoy certainly wouldn’t dare share his inner thoughts with the Tyrant King. He was deep in contemplation—

[Oh dear, Mr. Tian, you’re still concerned about reporting trivial matters while you don’t even know that your newly added concubine is right now—]

Everyone perked up their ears.

They were eager to hear what the little princess would think next. Ah Bao sneezed at just the right moment, probably from choking on a walnut.

The Tyrant King quickly grabbed a small water jug nearby. “Ah Bao, drink some water. Be careful with your throat.”

Ah Bao gulped down several sips of water.

The Xuanfu Envoy’s ears were practically standing up like donkey ears.

As expected, Ah Bao didn’t disappoint. While munching on walnuts, she looked at the Xuanfu Envoy with a smile, [Oh, what was I thinking just now?]

Thinking about what my concubine is doing in the manor right now.

The Xuanfu Envoy wished he could grow an extra set of lips just to speak up and remind the little princess.

But he didn’t dare.

He was already dealing with his own embarrassing situation. What if he asked a question and other officials found out?

[Oh, I remember now. Mr. Tian’s concubine is currently enjoying a wooden tub bath! In broad daylight, no less! His own concubine, who he paid for, is engaging in intimate activities with someone else. Tsk, I have to say, that’s quite thrilling!]

[Normally, I wouldn’t dwell on such matters, but today is so dull that I’m just looking for some gossip. From my calculations, tsk, this gossip is quite stimulating.]

Ah Bao looked up and met Mr. Tian’s face.

[Mr. Tian is under thirty this year and has already been promoted to a sixth-rank official, with a bright future ahead. His only vice is his fondness for beautiful women.

Well, who doesn’t like beautiful women? Mr. Tian is no exception, but the woman he likes is giving him a green hat, and one that can’t be removed.]

“Your Majesty.” Mr. Tian came back to his senses, his heart already in turmoil.

If the little princess’s insights were so accurate, he definitely couldn’t stay here, “Your Majesty, I have nothing to report. I… I have a stomachache.”

The Tyrant King cleared his throat, “Perhaps Mr. Tian should go to the restroom first?”

Even the Tyrant King, who usually didn’t enjoy gossip, found it more interesting than dealing with memorials.

“Your Majesty, I must go to the restroom. However, I have to hold it until I return to the manor.”

The Tyrant King:…

The crowd:…

The Tyrant King, thinking of Mr. Tian’s current situation in the courtyard, felt some sympathy. “Then you may leave for now.”

The Xuanfu Envoy felt like he had been granted amnesty, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave.”

Mr. Tian ran off as if his life depended on it.

[Ah Bao was getting into the gossip, but it’s a pity Mr. Tian left. This…] Ah Bao felt a bit disappointed, and the walnuts didn’t taste as good anymore.

[Maybe I should find Feng Zhuo. Feng Zhuo can take me to get more gossip. Haha.]

Ah Bao climbed down from the dragon throne, preparing to sneak off to find Feng Zhuo. Little did she know, her actions had everyone holding their breath.

They all wanted to join in the gossip.

Little Princess, could you find a way to bring us along too?

The usually wise court officials, now felt anxious. They were adept at handling state affairs, but at this moment, facing the little princess, they couldn’t come up with a reason to be included in her gossip.

It was truly frustrating.

Suddenly, the Great Uncle stood up. “Your Majesty, I have something to report!”

The Tyrant King was also troubled. At this moment, any trivial matter was less interesting than gossip. Finally, during the New Year, he wanted to enjoy some relaxation and gossip.

“Great Uncle, what is it?”

The Great Uncle bowed his head, “This morning, I encountered Mr. Tian. He told me he has been enthusiastically exercising lately and is in great shape. But now he’s claiming a stomachache at court. I believe Mr. Tian is lying and using this as an excuse to avoid attending the morning court.”

Good grief, the Tyrant King secretly gave the Great Uncle a thumbs up.

It seemed like what he wanted came true. The other officials also gave the Great Uncle thumbs up, praising his report.

The Tyrant King picked up Ah Bao. “This Mr. Tian dares to deceive the throne. Even during the New Year, I don’t want to make things difficult for him. I’ll visit the Tian Manor myself. Ah Bao, will you come with me?”

[Dad! My real dad! I’ll go. I’d even grow extra legs to run there.]

Ah Bao stretched out her little arms for the Tyrant King to hold. [New Year, new gossip. Haha.]

“If you have nothing else to do and want to come along, you may do so.” The Tyrant King glanced at the crowd. The officials were so excited that they seemed to believe the Tyrant King had intentionally given them a holiday to join in the fun.

So, Your Majesty, you can also hear the little princess’s thoughts, right?

The group set off for the Tian Manor.

When the Xuanfu Envoy saw the crowd, he was not only mentally overwhelmed but his face also went pale.

After years of being an official, he never expected such a large group to nearly trample his manor’s threshold!

“Xuanfu Envoy, you’re so bold to deceive the throne,” the Great Uncle quickly approached and whispered in his ear.

Xuanfu Envoy: ???

The Great Uncle said that he could hear the little princess’s thoughts and had used this excuse to visit the Tian Manor for gossip.

But he didn’t expect the emperor to come too!

The Great Uncle was known for his straightforwardness in court, and now, given the situation, he needed to clarify things to prevent any misunderstandings.

Though the Xuanfu Envoy was a low-ranking official, he had potential.

In officialdom, one shouldn’t easily undermine others in secret.

The Great Uncle knew this best.

“Sir…” The old steward, limping on one leg, hurriedly reported. Seeing so many people, especially the emperor in the bright yellow dragon robe, his other leg gave way, and he fell to his knees with a thud.

The Xuanfu Envoy quickly approached. “Old Yu, what’s the matter? Why the hurry?”

“Sir, you should go check the backyard. Oh—” The old steward hurriedly reported. He had broken his leg yesterday and hadn’t been able to keep a close eye on the manor in the past few days. The master had kindly given him two days off for the Lantern Festival.