Shangguan Sui sat on the dragon throne, swinging her little legs as she complained wildly in her heart.
【This Marquis of Zhenbei is anything but simple. He’s practically obsessed with becoming emperor—he’s even had seven or eight dragon robes made at home.】
【Two years from now, the Marquis of Zhenbei will raise a rebellion. Father—this tyrant daddy of mine—will also be stabbed by a spy planted at his side…】
【Although the war will eventually be suppressed, Father’s health will deteriorate significantly. His temper will grow increasingly violent, and he’ll become the tyrant despised by everyone.】
【The Great Yue Kingdom will gradually fall into misery. Officials will become cruel and oppressive—how pitiful…】
【My foolish daddy still hasn’t discovered the Marquis of Zhenbei’s true nature!】
【Sigh, although the Marquis of Zhenbei fails, ten years later the male lead, Xiao Ziyuan, will succeed and establish a new dynasty.】
Hearing this, Shangguan Lin was deeply shaken.
So the event Sui Sui mentioned about two years later was the Marquis of Zhenbei’s rebellion!
He had never imagined that the Marquis would actually betray him.
The Marquis of Zhenbei had rendered outstanding military service, helping him pacify the northwest. Shangguan Lin had truly trusted him.
He had never wanted to emulate the emperors of previous dynasties who discarded their loyal ministers once their usefulness ended.
The Marquis had always shown him respect, yet who would have thought…
All that trust and sincerity had been fed to a dog!
“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live!”
The Marquis of Zhenbei entered the hall and, as usual, knelt to pay his respects.
While prostrating himself, he suddenly sensed an extremely cold gaze upon him.
When he looked up and met Shangguan Lin’s icy eyes, cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
Why was the emperor looking at him like this?
Had his intention to rebel been discovered?
That shouldn’t be possible—his plans were flawless. How could they have been exposed?
Perhaps the emperor was simply in a bad mood today.
“Rise,” Shangguan Lin said, striving to restrain his emotions. Now was not the time to alert the enemy.
Hearing this, the Marquis felt the tension in his heart ease.
He knew it—the emperor had not discovered anything and was treating him as usual.
The Marquis cupped his hands and stated the purpose of his visit.
“Your Majesty, the army’s provisions are insufficient and urgently need replenishment.”
Shangguan Lin did not respond immediately; he wanted to hear Sui Sui’s thoughts first.
Sure enough, as soon as the Marquis finished speaking, Shangguan Sui began ranting in her heart again.
【What a load of nonsense! You’re lying without even drafting a script! Those provisions were clearly embezzled by you!】
【Not only did you embezzle military supplies, you also seized the common people’s farmland and used imperial funds to train a secret guard!】
【None of that money ever reached the soldiers!】
If not for the fact that she was currently in the body of a three-year-old, Shangguan Sui would have rushed forward and slapped the Marquis.
Someone like him simply did not deserve to be a general!
He cared neither for the people nor for his soldiers—he only cared about himself.
Shangguan Lin tightened his grip on the jade prayer beads in his hand, veins bulging.
This Marquis of Zhenbei truly deserved death!
If not for Sui Sui, he might not have discovered the truth until two years later—that he had been deceived all along.
In a deep voice, Shangguan Lin said, “I am aware of the matter concerning the provisions. However, the national treasury is currently strained, and there are no surplus funds to allocate to the army for the time being.”
The Marquis of Zhenbei was stunned.
What? The emperor actually refused him?
Previously, whatever he requested had always been granted.
His mind became muddled, and he began to stammer. “Your Majesty… but the army… the soldiers truly cannot wait.”
Shangguan Lin’s gaze sharpened. “Marquis of Zhenbei, I recall that a large batch of provisions was delivered to you not long ago. How could it have been used up so quickly?”
“Could it be… that you embezzled it?”
The Marquis immediately fell to his knees. “Your Majesty, I would never dare! I would never dare! I absolutely would not!”
【Heh, ‘wouldn’t dare’? You’re far bolder than that!】
【Every time the court allocates provisions, you embezzle half of them. Any soldier who tries to expose the truth is killed by you!】
【Still, Tyrant Daddy is even more impressive—he noticed something was wrong so quickly!】
Now that he had recognized the Marquis’s suspicious behavior and could stop the losses in time, the story would surely not unfold as it had in the original novel. After all, before the rebellion, he had always been a wise ruler.
Shangguan Lin’s voice was icy. “Since the provisions have been depleted so quickly, there must be a problem with you as the general. You are fined one year’s salary. Return and reflect on your actions!”
The Marquis stared in shock.
What? Not only had he failed to obtain provisions, but he was also fined?!
He attempted to speak again, but Shangguan Lin cut him off directly.
“Leave. I do not wish to see you.”
Daring not to resist, the Marquis slunk away like a beaten dog.
【Woohoo! Tyrant Daddy is amazing!】
【At this rate, the rebellion two years from now might even be avoided!】
【Alright, alright—I won’t call you a tyrant anymore!】
Hearing Shangguan Sui’s thoughts, Shangguan Lin’s lips curved into a smile.
Wonderful. Sui Sui would no longer call him a tyrant—he had no desire to be one.
As long as the Marquis of Zhenbei could be dealt with now, the rebellion in two years would never occur, and he would not become the tyrant Sui Sui despised.
As for the rebellion ten years later mentioned by Sui Sui, led by Xiao Ziyuan, it could be ignored for the time being…
After all, he did not even know who Xiao Ziyuan was.
The name sounded somewhat familiar, yet he could not recall where he had heard it.
Shangguan Lin picked up the teacup on the table and took a relaxed sip.
It seemed that bringing Sui Sui to the Imperial Study had been the right decision.
She truly was his little lucky star, a precious treasure bestowed by heaven.
Turning to look at Shangguan Sui beside him, his gaze softened.
Shangguan Sui blinked, somewhat puzzled, but she still gave Shangguan Lin a sweet smile, revealing two adorable dimples.
Seeing her smile, Shangguan Lin felt his heart melt.
His little daughter was simply too adorable.
He picked up a piece of pastry from the table and personally fed it to her.
“Sui Sui, have a taste. This is osmanthus cake newly prepared by the Imperial Kitchen. See if you like it.”
After taking a bite, Shangguan Sui’s eyes immediately lit up, and she nodded vigorously.
【Delicious! It’s really delicious! This is the best osmanthus cake I’ve ever tasted!】
Shangguan Lin’s lips curled upward. Just as he was about to feed her another piece, Eunuch Chen’s voice sounded within the hall.
“Your Majesty, the Eldest Prince requests an audience outside the hall.”
“Let him enter.”
After feeding her the remaining pastry, Shangguan Lin lifted his gaze, once again resuming the solemn demeanor of an emperor.
Soon, a handsome young man dressed in white robes entered the hall.
Shangguan Jue resembled Shangguan Lin by about sixty percent—sharp brows, dark eyes, and a straight nose. However, his complexion was paler, and his lips lacked color, giving him a frail appearance.
Despite this, his posture remained as upright as a pine or bamboo—noble and aloof.
Entering the hall, Shangguan Jue knelt and paid his respects.
“Your son greets Father Emperor.”
Shangguan Lin waved his hand. “Rise.”
Just as Shangguan Jue stood upright, a crisp, childish voice suddenly echoed in his ears.
【Eh~ Is this my eldest brother?】
【Like a doorframe struck by a gust of wind—so handsome it makes a resounding impression!】
【Hugging big brother! I love handsome men the most in this lifetime!】
Shangguan Lin, who heard everything: …
Why does everyone else get three compliments, while he only gets one? How vexing…
Shangguan Jue, on the other hand, froze in place.
What was that voice?!
It called him “big brother,” and it sounded so childish.
Could it be…?
He raised his head and met the gaze of a pair of beautiful, wide eyes behind the desk.
This was… his Fifth Sister?