Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The courtiers paused briefly but resumed their movements, albeit at a pace akin to a springtime stroll. However, Xu Yanmiao didn’t notice this.

—Too busy eating melons!*

[“Let me see, let me see.”]

The gossip system couldn’t hear what others were thinking but could pick up what they said aloud—not every word, but anything related to gossip…

[“Ungrateful wretch! He thinks the Crown Princess giving him 3,000 taels for disaster relief was deliberately meant to offend the Emperor!”]

Huh? What kind of logic is that?

The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard pondered this, trying to force his common sense to fit the situation.

Could it be that the Crown Princess, outwardly perfect toward the Crown Grandson, was secretly planning to destroy him with flattery?

“Hiss—”

Then again, it didn’t seem likely. But if Xu Yanmiao calls him an ungrateful wretch, there’s a chance Xu Yanmiao is mistaken too!

At that moment, the Emperor suddenly recalled something and urgently summoned someone: “Mao Zheng!”

The Commander immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor gave his orders: “Personally take people to investigate King Jibei and his heir. Find evidence of their treason!”

The Commander: “…”

Honestly, I’d rather hear more about this drama. I really want to know whether the Crown Princess was secretly tormenting the Crown Grandson, or if he truly is an ungrateful wretch.

But orders are orders.

The Commander quickly complied, resisting the urge to look back as he left to carry out the task.

…Drat, but I really want to know what’s going on! Curse that King Jibei!

The Emperor resumed listening to Xu Yanmiao’s thoughts.

[“Oh wow! Because the Emperor also donated 3,000 taels for disaster relief, the Crown Grandson felt the Crown Princess was trying to make him equal to the Emperor and set him up. So, he secretly kept 500 taels for himself!”]

The Crown Prince, who also donated 3,000 taels: “???”

That was worth worrying about?

The Princess Xiangyang, who emptied her savings to donate 5,000 taels: “???”

If donating 3,000 taels means you’re equal to the Emperor, does donating 5,000 taels mean I’m trampling over him?

The Emperor was already questioning his parenting skills.

—The Crown Grandson was raised in the palace to highlight the Crown Prince’s favor. Yet this mindset… Neither the Emperor nor the Empress could claim credit for it.

[“Oh, wow! He even told his subordinates, ‘Grandfather favors me the most, that’s why I was raised in the palace. It’s also thanks to me that my father’s position is so secure.'”]

The Crown Prince: “Wow!”

The courtiers inwardly echoed: Wow!

Their eyes gleamed with satisfaction at the unfolding drama.

The Crown Grandson: “Father?”

Why are you making that weird sound?

The Crown Prince turned around. “You should call me that more often.”

The Crown Grandson: “?”

The Crown Prince spoke sincerely: “After today, you might not get another chance.”

He wasn’t going to let someone who resented the Crown Princess stay in the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Grandson looked utterly baffled, clueless as to what was happening, and why he was being excluded from it all.

At the Wuying Hall, the Emperor convened an impromptu court meeting. Officials stood in their ranks, while Xu Yanmiao, the palace maid, and the Crown Grandson stood in the center, awaiting questioning.

Though it was called a questioning, the omnipresent Embroidered Uniform Guards whispered a few words to the Emperor, who immediately revealed the truth:

“Gao Qisheng, what grievance do you hold against Xu Yanmiao to concoct such a venomous plot to frame him on New Year’s Eve?”

The Emperor’s decree was final; the matter was settled.

The palace maid gazed at the Crown Grandson with dazed longing, but the one she served never spared her a glance. Instead, he stepped forward, outraged:

“Grandfather! Why are you so protective of this person?!”

The courtiers: Well, of course, it’s because…

“Is it because of his looks? I get it now! Did he seduce you with his beauty?!”

The courtiers: Huh?!

Their eyes instinctively turned toward Xu Yanmiao’s face, then couldn’t help but agree. Well, the face was exceptionally beautiful. But this was Xu Yanmiao! Looking good was a given, wasn’t it?

The purely straight Emperor’s face turned green.

“Gao Qisheng! I’m 63 years old! Also, I have your grandmother!”

And Xu Yanmiao! Why are you glaring at me like that? Why so wary? I have no such preferences! I like women over seven feet tall! You don’t qualify!

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao was furiously flipping through the Emperor’s romantic history. As the mental recounting of the Emperor’s past lovers filled the air, the Crown Grandson snapped and glared at the Emperor.

“Grandfather!”

“Do you know he cheated on the imperial exams?!”

*Eating melons = a Chinese slang term meaning to spectate drama or gossip.

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