For a moment, the Painted Pleasure Boat was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
The courtiers who could not hear the little one's thoughts were still watching the drama unfolding before them with great interest.
As for those who could...
Their expressions were considerably more colorful.
Lu Yao, who had successfully wheedled two biscuits out of the little one, lost control midway through chewing and accidentally bit his tongue. Tears streamed down his face on the spot.
Duke Wang, who had been moved by Ding Ruihan's tragically miserable circumstances only moments earlier, drew a breath wrong. As he coughed and choked, both his cheeks flushed crimson.
Even so, their eyes all honestly drifted toward Jiang Lifeng.
Steal... the Official Seal?
The Prince of Nanyang's Official Seal?!!
Thank goodness they had learned the truth from the little one's thoughts first. Otherwise, they would probably have already trussed him up right there and escorted him back!
The Upright Officials each wore a spectacular expression, but none drew as much attention as Jiang Lifeng's reaction.
After that hurried glance when he first boarded the boat, he finally gathered his courage and shot Emperor Mingze a resentful glare. "Did... did someone tell you something?!" he demanded shrilly.
The target of those words was far too obvious. The ministers' varied reactions came to an abrupt halt, and they all looked oddly at Jiang Lifeng, who stood in the middle of the scene.
Hold on, who did you think you were glaring at?!
Had stealing the Prince of Nanyang's Official Seal emboldened you so much that you dared glare at His Majesty now?!
Ding Ruihan gave a quiet sob.
In an instant, that sob set Jiang Lifeng's lovesick brain and coward's courage ablaze. He raised his head in indignation and glared straight toward the