The tea was fragrant, the pastries sweet.
Jiang Yingcheng sat on the daybed, two plump cushions propped behind her back.
She swung her little feet leisurely while eating and drinking, listening as her handsome Father Emperor discussed state affairs with several ministers.
With 007 constantly telling her stories about these uncles, she didn’t find the scene dull or tedious at all.
On the contrary, it was quite entertaining.
[Wow, this uncle doesn’t accept bribes or form cliques for personal gain. What a good official!]
Jiang Yan Chuan’s gaze subtly shifted toward the person the little one was staring at, adding his name to the mental whitelist in his heart.
Lu Yao had entered the palace early this morning to report, confirming that the Ministry of Works had indeed used Cooked Soil for river embankment repairs. The credibility of the little one’s inner thoughts rose another level in his mind.
If he could further prove that Liu Zhengqing was truly selling official positions, then his subsequent plans could proceed accordingly.
[Huh?]
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard the little one burst into cheerful laughter as if she’d heard something hilarious.
[Hahahahaha, really? Is it true this uncle is really that pitiful?]
The familiar tone piqued Jiang Yan Chuan’s interest slightly.
It must be that “Tong Ge” had dug up some official’s secret and was entertaining the little one with it.
[This uncle really got banished to sleep in his study because he couldn’t afford to buy his wife a nice bracelet?]
[Hmm… Doesn’t Father Emperor pay this uncle’s salary?]
Jiang Yan Chuan: “…”
Though he didn’t know what she meant by “salary,” it likely referred to official stipends.
This official’s rank wasn’t high, but his stipend wasn’t particularly low either—he shouldn’t be unable to afford a bracelet.
The little one’s inner thoughts soon resolved his confusion.
[Oh? This uncle used all his salary to pay tuition for his youngest child? Hey, this uncle’s child has to go to school so early, how pitiful…]
Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister Hu Hongyuan was still speaking eloquently when Jiang Yan Chuan slowly rotated his teacup, finally realizing what was amiss.
The little one seemed genuinely convinced that attending school was something worthy of pity.
Although a princess’s literary accomplishments weren’t as crucial as a prince’s, he still wanted this little one to grow into the cultured and refined image he envisioned.
“Your Majesty?” Hu Hongyuan had been speaking fluently, but when he looked up, he noticed the Mingze Emperor’s attention didn’t seem to be on him.
Jiang Yan Chuan slightly lowered his gaze, the jade-green tea surface reflecting the depth in his eyes: “Continue.”
Hu Hongyuan paused. He had already reported everything he needed to say and momentarily didn’t know what to continue with.
Fortunately, Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Pu Yuanzhou calmly took over the conversation: “Your Majesty, regarding the New Year’s…”
Hu Hongyuan secretly cast him a grateful glance.
The New Year was the most celebratory day of the year, when envoys from various nations would come to offer congratulations. It was indeed an extremely important occasion, but such celebrations were held annually. The Ministry of Rites was already thoroughly familiar with all procedures—in previous years, they would never have been summoned before the emperor for personal inquiry.
Much less with a princess remaining present, eating and drinking during the summons.
Hu Hongyuan couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
Although the princess was still young, still…
While Hu Hongyuan was lost in thought, he happened to meet the Little Princess’s gaze. She gave him a generous smile, nearly spilling the mouthful of pastries she’d been stuffing herself with, and hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand.
Hmm, the Little Princess was so adorable that he couldn’t help but think of his own daughter when she was young.
How could someone as young as the Little Princess decide where she ought to appear?
Even if her presence today was improper according to etiquette, it certainly wasn’t her fault!
Hu Hongyuan thought to himself.
The next moment—
[Hehehe, this uncle also finds what the other uncle is saying as boring as Chengcheng does! So it’s not just Chengcheng who thinks so!]
Hu Hongyuan: ????
If he remembered correctly, the Eleventh Princess of the Mingze Emperor had the character “Cheng” in her name.
But the Little Princess hadn’t spoken at all?
Could it be that he hadn’t slept well last night and was now hearing things?
Uncertain, he needed to observe further.
He lowered his head, seemingly listening attentively to the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister’s report, but in reality, he kept stealing glances at the Little Princess’s face.
More precisely, at her mouth.
The milky, soft voice continued to drift over.
[It’s just that Tong Ge, your gossip isn’t interesting enough.]
[Oh? You have something even more exciting? I want to hear it! I want to hear it!]
Hu Hongyuan’s eyes widened in shock.
The Little Princess’s mouth indeed remained closed, yet her voice kept coming, one phrase after another.
What was this?
Before he could fully process his astonishment, the Little Princess’s inner thoughts delivered another heavy blow.
[Ah! This uncle named Pu Yuanzhou is using procurement as an excuse to secretly buy clothes and toys for his illegitimate child?]
[And he’s contacted the Libu Shangshu to try to buy an official position for his eldest illegitimate son?]
Hu Hongyuan’s pupils contracted sharply, and he sucked in a sharp, startled breath.
“Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough…”
He choked on that breath and broke into a fit of coughing.
When he finally managed to stop, the Mingze Emperor’s voice, tinged with amusement, came from above him. “Are you alright, Minister?”
“Cough… I’m fine now, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”
Hu Hongyuan silently glanced at Pu Yuanzhou, who was looking at him with genuine concern, and thought to himself how deceptive appearances could be.
Although this man was older, he had always been known in the court for his enduring devotion. He and his wife, Madam Zhang, were a harmonious couple, and he had only ever taken this one official wife, never any concubines. Because of this, he had earned quite a reputation for his virtue.
But the Little Princess’s inner thoughts were truly deadly.
Any one of the things she had just mentioned, if proven true, would be enough to cost him his head!
Literally deadly.
[Huh!]
Hu Hongyuan quickly pushed aside his wandering thoughts.
So shocking?
Could there be even more horrifying news?
Jiang Yingcheng struggled to swallow the pastry in her mouth, afraid of repeating the earlier near-accident of almost dropping it.
[He, he’s actually so bold as to keep his outer chamber in Chunyin Lane, just two alleys away from his own residence!]
Jiang Yingcheng’s chubby little face was full of indignation.
Jiang Yan Chuan tapped his knuckles rhythmically on the table, the soft thuds unusually clear in the silent room.
Hu Hongyuan’s gaze turned resolute. He had made up his mind to personally investigate Chunyin Lane in the coming days to verify whether the contents of the Little Princess’s inner thoughts were true.
The other officials, observing the suddenly tense and strange atmosphere, felt uneasy and uncertain.
Having just finished reporting the ceremony procedures, Pu Yuanzhou grew even more alarmed and bewildered.
Could there have been some mistake in his report?
Jiang Yingcheng suddenly rose from her couch.
[“You villain! Treating the outer chamber’s child so well, yet coming home to abuse the child born of your lawful wife! Villain!”]
Jiang Yingcheng grabbed a pastry from beside her and was about to hurl it at Pu Yuanzhou, but at the last moment before releasing it, she abruptly checked her motion.
Hesitantly, she glanced at the plate on the table that she had unknowingly reduced to a single pastry, her face wrestling with conflicting expressions for a long moment before she finally stuffed the pastry into her own mouth with fierce determination.
[“Mmph… I’ll find something else to hit you with later!”]
Jiang Yan Chuan: “…”
Hu Hongyuan: “…”
Pu Yuanzhou: ???