Good news: the people in the magistrate's office couldn't hear the little one's thoughts.

Chu Zian turned back with a blank look, his gaze fixed firmly on the only little girl in the courtroom.

That voice was soft and sweet. He had heard it just moments ago, and he was certain he couldn't be mistaken.

But...

The indignation in his eyes gradually gave way to bewilderment.

Which Imperial Father?

The emperor of which country?!

Although news from Capital City had been kept tightly under wraps, a certain faction had lately been spreading word everywhere that Emperor Mingze had gone missing in Beiming.

-not entirely indiscriminately, either. Among local officials like them, it had long since ceased to be a secret.

With the court rocking in turmoil, Chu Zian wanted only to do his own job well, to make the little city of Xiyuan prosperous and its people healthy, so its residents could live in peace and contentment.

He had never expected to encounter such a thorny problem so soon after taking office-

If that "Imperial Father" belonged to Great Rui, he would have to find some way to silence all the wagging tongues in the courtroom. If that "Imperial Father" belonged to another country...

Then they couldn't blame him for showing no mercy!

Judging by this little one's party, they clearly didn't want to reveal their identities here. But the little girl was simply too young, obviously unable to govern her behavior as well as the adults, and had accidentally blurted out their most dangerous secret...

And ordinarily, foreign rulers who entered Great Rui under assumed identities were up to no good!!

Chu Zian composed himself, his unfocused gaze sharpening once more before settling back on the little girl's face.

He would see what else this little one could-

Wow-Uncle Chu really is a good official!!

Then Chengcheng doesn't have to be scared!

Jiang