Tears welled in Lei Zhixin's eyes, and he closed them in anguish.
Thank you, Little Princess.
I don't want to be a court official in my next life. Might I ask whether your imperial father plans to have another Imperial Prince?
I'd like to time my reincarnation just right.
I can't stand another day in this court!
When Lei Zhixin failed to offer another rebuttal for some time, Miao Xinrong, convinced he had won this round, let out a heavy snort. "Does General Lei have anything else to say?"
If not, hurry up and step back. My head's already getting dizzy, and I haven't finished airing my grievances to Emperor Mingze yet!
Lei Zhixin gritted his teeth and retreated bitterly.
Satisfied, Miao Xinrong turned back and continued lecturing Emperor Mingze on the importance of attending the Academy. "Since the Little Highness has embarked upon her studies, she ought to cultivate the virtue of diligence from this very moment..."
Jiang Yingcheng, who possessed not a shred of that virtue, continued digging through gossip about the Uncles who had failed to speak up for her.
[Huh?!] Jiang Yingcheng unearthed another explosive piece of gossip, and her inner voice grew louder. [T-to keep the funding for the river repairs from being as pitiful as it was for previous projects, Uncle Ran actually-]
Jiang Yingcheng sucked in a breath, her eyes filled with shock.
Ran Hongyi suddenly darted out from behind a colleague. "Minister Miao-mmph!"
Another figure darted out from behind a different colleague right after him, rushed forward, and clamped a hand tightly over Ran Hongyi's mouth.
"Lord Ran!" the man whispered. "Minister Miao is still presenting his case to His Majesty, Lord Ran. If you interrupt him now, he'll hold a grudge against you!"
Ran Hongyi tugged hard at his colleague's hand.