After the business with Director Li was settled, discussions of the Crown Prince's wedding went remarkably smoothly.
With Little Treasure the home confiscator presiding, whatever Dantai Mo said went. Almost no one dared object.
Once they left the Imperial Study, Dantai Mo asked, "Nan Nan, shall we sit for a while at the Eastern Palace?"
Jian Ruonan stretched. "All right."
Dantai Mo ordered a sedan chair prepared to carry her back to the Eastern Palace. Jian Ruonan sat in it while he walked alongside, signaling the palace attendants to lower it a little so that their eyes were level.
"I never imagined Director Li's forecasts relied on a once-broken, rheumatic arm."
Jian Ruonan turned to look at him. "How did you know?"
[How did that fellow Old Pei recommend his cook nephew with rheumatic legs to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?]
[And the old emperor didn't even think it was outrageous?!]
Dantai Mo smiled without answering.
He couldn't tell her the truth, and beep, beep, beep wasn't particularly elegant.
[Did the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate?]
Dantai Mo said, "Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn't know everything."
Jian Ruonan lowered her eyes. What was going on today?
Whatever she thought, Xiaosi seemed able to pick up the thread immediately.
[Surely he hasn't installed some mind-reading device to read my thoughts just so he can pretend he understands me?]
[The more I think about it, the more terrifying it gets!]
Dantai Mo remained silent.
He couldn't utter a single word about her inner voice.
"Too many people at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau occupy posts without doing their jobs. Director Li can retire early," Dantai Mo said. "The court doesn't need people eating its rice for free."
Jian Ruonan nodded in agreement. "Let him find a physician and have that rheumatic arm properly examined."