“It has been verified. The clues about the massacre at the home of the Ministry of Justice official, Lord Fang, came from my youngest daughter. I secretly went to remind the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”
When the Emperor heard Fang Yelin’s words, he fell into deep thought.
“So what Miss Fang thinks is all true?”
“Over the years, everything she and that Gua Gua have talked about has turned out to be true, without exception.”
The Emperor thought for a moment and said, “Have your daughter come to court tomorrow to take a look.”
“What?” Fang Yelin wondered if he had misheard.
The Emperor looked up and saw the Deputy Minister of Revenue still standing there, puzzled. “Is there anything else, Minister Fang?”
Fang Yelin stared at the tyrant’s face, feeling he must have heard wrong. Was the Emperor really letting his family off just like that?
“Your servant, on behalf of my daughter…”
Fang Yelin knelt on the ground, trembling, waiting for the Emperor to pass judgment on his family.
Although he didn’t know what had happened, he was well aware of his youngest daughter’s true nature.
Outwardly, she appeared to be a proper young lady from an aristocratic family, but inwardly, she was filled with vulgar thoughts and lacked any semblance of refinement.
Every day, watching her wander around with a face identical to her mother’s, indulging in gossip, gave him heart palpitations.
“Alright, alright, you may go back first. Let me think…”
Seeing that the Emperor had no intention of punishing his family, Minister Fang quickly rose and hurried away, as if afraid the Emperor might change his mind the next second.
The Fang Family Residence.
Madam Fang and her children waited quietly, anticipating their family’s doom.
Before long, Minister Fang returned. Seeing their husband/father return safely, they all felt a slight sense of relief.
The eldest son, Fang Lingxing, looked at his father and asked, “Father, what did His Majesty say?”
Minister Fang looked at his family with an uncomfortable expression and said, “His Majesty wants Chu’er to attend court tomorrow.”
Everyone: “What?”
Even Fang Lingyan felt she must be going mad.
Minister Fang looked at his eldest daughter and asked, “What happened in the palace?”
Fang Lingyan replied with a headache, “His Majesty was cuckolded, and one of the princesses isn’t his biological child. His Majesty is an unlucky fellow.”
The further she spoke, the softer her voice became.
The more Minister Fang listened, the closer he felt his family was to death.
It seemed these things were true.
“I’ll go find Chu’er.”
And so, the scene from the beginning unfolded.
“Daddy, why didn’t His Majesty ask Sister or Brother to go? Why does it have to be me?”
Minister Fang was getting a headache from her voice.
“Don’t ask so many questions. Your clothes will be delivered shortly.”
Then he left.
Fang Lingchu said pitifully, [System, did Daddy just scold me and glare at me?]
The System’s large digital code flashed: [Did he?]
Fang Lingchu said firmly, [Yes, he definitely scolded me just now.]
The System thought for a moment and said, [Then it must be jealousy.]
Fang Lingchu was puzzled and asked, [Why would he be jealous of me?]
[You became an official because of a single poem, while your father studied diligently for ten years to achieve the same.]
Fang Lingchu thought about it, nodded, and said, [That makes sense. He’s just envious and jealous. Tsk, tsk, tsk, my father is so petty. I really am the smartest one in the family. There’s nothing he can do about his inner imbalance, hahaha.]
Fang Yelin, walking ahead, nearly stumbled.
Fang Lingchu continued talking as she followed her father.
They arrived at the main hall.
Fang Lingchu walked while chatting with the System.
Minister Fang ahead suddenly stopped, and Fang Lingchu bumped right into him.
“Ah!”
Rubbing her forehead, Fang Lingchu said unhappily, “Father, why did you stop all of a sudden?”
Minister Fang didn’t want to look at her and just walked over angrily to sit down.
Only after speaking did Fang Lingchu realize they had arrived at their destination. She giggled sheepishly and sat down.
But she couldn’t help complaining to the System: 【My father is so petty. It’s not like I insisted on becoming an official, yet he’s jealous of his own daughter.】
The System agreed: 【That’s right, your father is petty, jealous of his own daughter—how shameless.】
Minister Fang nearly spat out the soup he had just sipped, coughing violently.
Beside him, Madam Fang patted his back while giving her daughter an angry look.
Seeing her mother’s furious gaze, Fang Lingchu looked at her with a pitiful expression.
“Mother, why are you looking at me like that?”
Madam Fang glared at her again and said, “Eat properly, and don’t think about such nonsense.”
Fang Lingchu nodded reluctantly, then said: 【System, my mother doesn’t love me anymore. Wuwuwuwu.】
The System comforted her helplessly: 【It’s okay, Chuchu. You still have me. I still love you. Mwah.】
The System immediately burst out electronic flowers to cheer up Fang Lingchu.
【I knew the System is the best. Today, I’m just a little girl unloved by both her father and mother.】
Minister Fang’s face twitched. He clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and comforted himself inwardly: She’s my own flesh and blood, my own flesh and blood.
Fang Lingchu continued to whimper and whine with the System.
Hearing her inner thoughts, Madam Fang grew so annoyed that she could only serve Fang Lingchu her favorite braised pork knuckle, saying, “Eat properly, or you might choke.”
“Okay, Mother.”
Only then could everyone eat their meal in peace and quiet.
After the meal, Minister Fang looked at Fang Lingchu, who was still gnawing on her pork knuckle, and said, “Chu’er, come with me to the study later. I need to discuss the matters to note for court attendance with you.”
“Father, can I refuse to attend court?”
Everyone: “…”
Minister Fang said expressionlessly, “No.”
At this moment, the System reminded her: 【Host, didn’t you say that refusing an imperial decree would lead to the execution of the entire family? Why are you still asking?】
【I know, but I just want to vent my helpless rage.】
【Weren’t you quite happy about it at first? Why don’t you want to do it now? Besides, you’re the first Female Official in this dynasty.】
【So what? I was happy earlier because I could secure a position without effort, but I don’t want to work. My previous life’s lover worked 996, and now it’s 001. Who would like that?】
【In this life, I have no worries about food or clothing, my parents are loving, and my siblings dote on me. Why would I willingly suffer like that?】
【Your brother seems to enjoy it, though. Wasn’t his years of diligent study all for the sake of working? But don’t worry, I’ll give you plenty of gossip to keep you entertained.】
Hearing this, Fang Lingchu grew a little excited again. 【System, does that mean I’ll know many people’s little secrets? Hehehehe.】
Then she quickly finished her pork knuckle, stood up, and followed her father.
Study.
Minister Fang looked at his daughter, who appeared gentle and soft on the surface but was actually like a madwoman, spending her days gossiping with the System and bouncing around energetically.
She usually appears obedient and quiet, but her inner thoughts are incredibly lively.
“Chu’er, tomorrow at court, you must be quiet and serious. Speak less, observe less, and obediently follow the Chief Historian. Don’t let your mind wander.”