Jiang Yan Chuan’s sudden rise to his feet thoroughly startled everyone present.
Especially Liu Zhengqing, the Libu Shangshu who had just finished his report. His heartbeat quickened and intensified with Jiang Yan Chuan’s movement, becoming particularly audible in the hushed atmosphere where everyone else instinctively held their breath. It felt as though his heart might burst from his chest, his breathing growing increasingly ragged.
No one dared look up, but the Mingze Emperor’s footsteps drew nearer until his figure entered their downcast line of sight.
The contents of their recent reports replayed repeatedly in their minds. Each worried that some unknown error had occurred in their assigned tasks, meticulously reviewing every word and sentence.
After a long moment, the Mingze Emperor’s hand came to rest on Liu Zhengqing’s shoulder. Giving two light pats, he spoke in a tone tinged with amusement, “My esteemed official has worked hard.”
A collective sigh of relief swept through the group.
Liu Zhengqing responded with a few appropriately humble and polished phrases, and the atmosphere became harmonious once more.
Only the little milk-like voice continued to fume: [What’s so hard about his work?!]
[These past few years, he’s embezzled so much money by selling official titles and ranks, eating and drinking lavishly every day. It’s not hard at all!]
[H-he even eats better than Chengcheng does in the palace, waaahhhh.]
The genuine grievance in this inner voice was so palpable that Changshun, feeling a pang of heartache, shot a covert glance at the Mingze Emperor.
What must the Little Princess’s life in the palace be like for her to say such a thing? This Father Emperor was truly failing in his duties!
Jiang Yan Chuan: “…”
The previous coincidences had only aroused his suspicion, but now he was utterly certain—Changshun could also hear the little one’s inner thoughts.
However, he still hadn’t figured out what triggered this phenomenon.
Suppressing his inner doubts, Jiang Yan Chuan decided to dismiss the officials first. This would allow him to arrange for trusted subordinates to discreetly investigate whether the claims in that inner voice held any truth.
If they were all true, then he had indeed stumbled upon an unparalleled treasure.
This ability to know the past and foresee the future was incredibly useful. If applied to court affairs, it could undoubtedly save him considerable effort.
The thought lifted his spirits, a slight curve gracing his eyes and brows, completely unperturbed by the matter of Liu Zhengqing’s embezzlement.
Once the crimes were confirmed, he could always confiscate the ill-gotten gains through a house raid. After that—
[Oh! It’s the uncle with no private savings!]
The soft, sticky voice interrupted his train of thought once more.
Jiang Yan Chuan turned at the sound, just in time to see Tan Songsheng hastily retracting his arm.
[This uncle is such a good person!]
[Even though he has no pastries left for himself, he still thinks of giving some to me. Waaah, Chengcheng likes him too!]
Jiang Yan Chuan’s gaze slowly shifted to the low table placed beside the couch.
The several tea cakes that should have been on the plate had vanished. Tan Songsheng wore an awkward expression, while Jiang Yingcheng had both her little hands tucked behind her back, her eyes darting guiltily from side to side, steadfastly refusing to meet his gaze.
[There are still quite a few pastries in the room next to Father Emperor’s. I wonder if this uncle would be willing to help Chengcheng sneak out two more pieces.]
The little one’s evasive eyes had caught sight of the pastries in the adjacent room, and she was already scheming how to pilfer two more pieces. She completely failed to notice Tan Songsheng’s abrupt look up, his face filled with sheer astonishment.
【Why hasn’t Father Emperor turned back yet?】
Jiang Yingcheng’s short little legs dangled from the edge of the couch, kicking rhythmically in midair while she kept chattering inwardly to 007.
Jiang Yan Chuan’s thoughtful gaze fell upon Tan Songsheng, his eyes swirling with inscrutable, complex emotions.
This person had also heard the little one’s inner thoughts.
Suddenly, he recalled what he’d heard earlier—
【He even took the initiative to call the Imperial Physician for Chengcheng earlier—Chengcheng likes him!】
Suddenly, Jiang Yingcheng slid off the couch again. After landing, she scurried on her short legs toward Jiang Xingran’s direction.
Only then did Jiang Yan Chuan remember there was such a person in the room.
He slightly furrowed his brows.
Too quiet.
Just like on their way here—Jiang Yingcheng had been trying hard to make conversation with him the entire journey, while Jiang Xingran stubbornly kept his head down without uttering a word.
As Jiang Yan Chuan fell silent, everyone in the room unconsciously followed that small figure with their eyes, watching her slow, gradual movement.
Until Jiang Yingcheng stopped in front of Jiang Xingran.
Like presenting a treasure, she pulled out the small pastries she’d just obtained from behind her back, stood on tiptoe, and offered them to Jiang Xingran with both hands. Even without speaking, her intention was perfectly clear.
Yet Jiang Xingran remained motionless for a long while, his face cold, eyes filled with suspicion and scrutiny—as if trying to discern whether this person had devised some new method to torment him.
Seeing that he wasn’t accepting her goodwill, Jiang Yingcheng cautiously glanced back. Noticing everyone expressionlessly staring at the empty space before them, she completely relaxed.
The others, who had just turned their heads back, also breathed a sigh of relief.
They themselves didn’t know why they’d instinctively acted that way.
Jiang Yingcheng rose higher on her toes, stretching her hands forward more forcefully, almost reaching the other’s waist—
She was too short; even on tiptoes, this was her maximum reach.
In a thief-like hushed tone, her urging voice still soft: “Here, take it!”
【Quick, put it away! Otherwise, Father Emperor will find out soon!】
Jiang Yan Chuan: “……”
Changshun: “……”
Tan Songsheng: “……”
They’d already discovered it long ago!
Changshun watched anxiously.
The Little Princess was so small and soft, her entire appearance delicate and tiny. She was trying so hard to offer pastries to the seated Seventh Brother—how could he remain completely unmoved?
Hurry up and take it, you little rascal!
After flickering uncertainty in his eyes for a long moment, Jiang Xingran finally accepted the pastries from Jiang Yingcheng’s palm.
He hadn’t wanted to accept them initially, but just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered his mother deep within the palace.
His mother held low status, and the palace servants attended to her half-heartedly. Often, they could only eat leftover meals from other palaces. Delicate-looking pastries like these—neither of them had ever tasted such things before.
He wanted to bring them back for his mother to try.
Jiang Xingran secretly pulled over a piece of Xuan Paper from the couch, carefully wrapped the pastries, and tucked them into his robe. After completing this, he finally offered Jiang Yingcheng an extremely faint, shallow smile.
Jiang Yingcheng’s eyes suddenly blazed with brilliant light.
【Ahhhhhhhhh! Tong Ge, did you see that?!】
【Seventh Brother smiled at me!!!】
Like a little bird spreading its wings, Jiang Yingcheng threw open her arms and began spinning joyfully in that small patch of empty space.
“Oh oh oh, Seventh Brother is paying attention to me!”
“He finally acknowledged me!!!”
Changshun and Tan Songsheng exchanged benevolent smiles.
At least you know what’s good for you!
Yet Jiang Yan Chuan and Jiang Xingran raised their eyebrows almost simultaneously.
It seemed things weren’t quite as they had initially thought.