Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, beheading, confiscation, extermination of nine clans!!

While Jiang Yingcheng was still fretting over how to tell her handsome imperial father about this, a quick-witted minister had already offered an opening.

"Your Majesty," Chu Jiaxu, the Minister of Rites, suddenly spoke up, "the year's end is approaching, and envoys from the various nations will soon arrive in the capital. I propose that we intensify inspections of the surrounding towns to ensure the envoys' safety!"

Jiang Yingcheng's eyes lit up.

[Yes, yes, yes! Search thoroughly, search thoroughly!]

[That mountain wilderness happens to be fairly close to the Capital City, so search there too!]

The ministers who could hear the little girl's thoughts cast approving looks at Chu Jiaxu.

Their Little Highness was so considerate of them. They could hardly let her worry for too long!

Those who could not hear her looked bewildered.

Weren't they eating? How had they suddenly started discussing affairs of state?

One minister immediately objected. "Your Majesty, I believe that our court has not mobilized on such a scale in years. If we act rashly this year, it will inevitably put the surrounding nations on their guard."

The ministers looked thoughtful.

Although Xi Zimo had not said it outright, everyone knew that he meant Beiming, the nation they were about to go to war with.

If they really did put them on their guard...

[Pah, pah, pah! My imperial father is conducting patrols and arranging defenses on his own territory. What business is that of any other country?]

[It's not like he's drilling troops. Why would that put Beiming on its guard?!]

[Besides, couldn't the uncles be thoroughly searching the surrounding area because one of my handsome imperial father's consorts ran off with another man?] Jiang Yingcheng was furious, but she knew this was a serious discussion among adults and did not rashly interrupt.