The fallen official reacted swiftly, flattening himself against the floor and pretending to be drunk. The people around him soon helped him into a corner to rest.
His colleagues watched him sitting in the corner, still trembling every so often. Even as they privately judged him far too fainthearted, they pitied their own wretched lot.
However much they loved juicy gossip, they did not dare listen to something as deadly as an imperial consort having her heart set on a prince!
Desolation filled Jiao Hongmiao's eyes as he reached a brief truce with Ran Hongyi beside him. "I hear the owner of a coffin shop in East City does excellent work. I'll pass his details along later."
Ran Hongyi said, "...Thanks."
Jiao Hongmiao waved a weary hand.
He had made his peace with it.
When death drew near, all grudges could be cast aside.
But-
The officials soon recovered from their despondency.
They had already heard it, and Emperor Mingze knew they had heard it...
Since that was the case, they might as well hear their fill in one sitting!
Noble Consort Rou had been in love with Prince Jing, and then what?
Why had she later entered the palace as a consort??
Had the two of them subsequently-
Wait!
The officials sucked in a breath of cold air.
They suddenly remembered that the Fourth Imperial Prince's personal name seemed to be...
Whoa-
Was it really this scandalous?!
Their eyes burned with anticipation. After waiting as eagerly as if they were longing for the stars and moon, they finally saw the little girl look away from the "drunken" official and fix her gaze on the small patch of empty space before her-her signature pose when enjoying gossip.
One impatient official rubbed his hands together.
Here it came, here it came!