The officials whipped their heads around to look at the birthmarked version of "Ao Qi," still kneeling on the ground. The shock in their eyes almost took physical form.
"You-mmph, mmph!!" You dared deceive the emperor?!
You dared deceive Emperor Mingze right to his face, when that face practically had "overbearing majesty" written all over it?!!
How did you dare?!!!
Jiao Hongmiao, the Minister of Revenue, pointed a trembling finger at him. He had barely shouted a single syllable before Lu Yao, beside him, swiftly clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Ao Qi" looked up in confusion at the high-ranking official from the Capital who had just made that noise.
Lu Yao's expression changed. He switched from covering Jiao Hongmiao's mouth to patting him, thumping his back twice and saying in an exaggerated tone, "Oh, Lord Jiao, I know you're hungry! We only have two commoners' cases left to judge. Just hold on a little longer, a little longer!"
Jiao Hongmiao: "..."
Jiao Hongmiao shifted his gaze and stared steadily at Lu Yao for a while. Although he found that excuse rather hard to accept, it did at least help him calm down.
He offered a smile that never reached his eyes and spoke just as loudly. "Very well, then I'll hold on a little longer!"
"Ao Qi" let his strange gaze linger on Jiao Hongmiao's slightly bulging belly for a moment, then said guiltily, "This humble commoner has delayed your meal, my lord..."
Jiao Hongmiao: "..."
What was that look supposed to mean?
Tell me, what was that look supposed to mean?!
I'll kill you! Aaaah!!
Jiang Yingcheng was actually a little hungry too. Not just hungry, but a little tired as well.
After eating lunch at noon, they had rested only briefly before returning here. While dispensing justice