Attending Court

These tricks had never failed him before when performed before the ignorant common folk, so once the Daoist finished his performance, he assumed he would rake in a hefty sum in incense offerings.

Yet what happened that day took him completely by surprise.

First, a scholar turned up to make trouble. The Daoist thought little of him at first, only for the scholar to explain every secret behind his supposed magic in perfect detail.

What infuriated him even more was that almost all the onlookers believed the scholar!

Seeing that the commoners had come to their senses, with some even pelting him with rotten eggs and vegetable leaves, the Daoist hurriedly packed his belongings and tried to slink away.

But the crowd immediately blocked his path, and someone shouted, "Take him to the yamen!"

Another chimed in, "Yes! He might be a fake Daoist! The court even offers rewards for catching fake Daoists. Let's go!"

Hearing that they intended to turn him over to the authorities, the Daoist began struggling frantically. But the commoners joined forces and escorted him to the yamen.

Chu Siqing stood off to one side, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Princess Yu could not help praising the emperor. "His Majesty used the People's Gazette to enlighten the people. How wise he is."

Chu Siqing secretly gloated upon hearing that.

Mother definitely doesn't know this was all my doing!

Beaming with delight, Chu Siqing pulled Princess Yu along as they returned to the residence. Her little legs could now carry her quite a distance.

Before she fell asleep, the system spoke.

[Host, you have successfully made a major contribution to combating folk scams in Chu. Points +10,000]

Chu Siqing immediately broke into a delighted smile. Lately, she felt as though her luck was bursting at the seams, and her points kept shooting up.

Feigning distress, she told the system, [Oh, A-Tong, even though I'm just a salted fish who wants to laze around, there's simply no stopping good luck once it comes knocking.]

The system: ...

Meanwhile, Emperor Chu Ming's decrees spread from the capital to towns and villages throughout Great Chu.

As these policies were implemented, folk scams gradually dwindled. The sorcerers and spirit mediums who made their living selling talismans and elixirs had no choice but to find other ways to put food on the table.

Before long, local officials began submitting memorials to the court, reporting the results of their crackdowns on folk scams.

Quite a few also flattered Emperor Chu Ming. "Your Majesty has purged the realm of wickedness and led the people out of ignorance. Truly, you are a sovereign of unparalleled wisdom."

Emperor Chu Ming was so pleased by their flattery that he immediately made an announcement. "Effective immediately, the Holy Maiden shall accompany the Imperial Preceptor to court to attend the proceedings."

The imperial decree left every minister at court stunned.

Most of the princes, nobles, and ministers who had accompanied Emperor Chu Ming to the ceremony honoring Heaven and attended the Holy Maiden's investiture had heard her inner voice.

It was through the Holy Maiden's thoughts that Lu Dahai, the former Left Vice Minister of Rites who had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, had been exposed.

For a time, the court officials were each occupied with their own thoughts.

When the decree reached Prince Yu's Residence, Chu Hongle nearly jumped out of his skin.

My daughter is still so little, and she's already expected to attend court? Has my imperial brother lost his mind?!

Emperor Chu Ming had anticipated that his younger brother would likely fly into a rage, so he had specifically sent Feng Zhonglin, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Presence, to deliver the decree in person.

Seeing that Prince Yu was about to lose his temper, Eunuch Feng quickly stepped forward and whispered into his ear.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has granted the Holy Maiden special permission to eat and nap at court. Besides, this means you can carry her to court every day."

Chu Hongle had been furious, but upon hearing that he could "carry his daughter to court every day," he suddenly found the idea tempting.

Hmm, if that's the case, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad?

Eunuch Feng watched Prince Yu's expression shift from hair-raising fury to conflicted hesitation, then finally to barely concealed delight. He could not help marveling inwardly.

His Majesty truly knows his younger brother well.

After mulling it over, Chu Hongle finally agreed.

He also realized that his imperial brother probably wanted to hear his daughter's thoughts at court, using them to distinguish loyal ministers from treacherous ones and handle affairs of state more effectively.

As the Holy Maiden of Great Chu, his daughter was duty-bound to help.

Princess Yu was even less likely to defy an imperial decree. All she could do was stroke her daughter's little cheek and say, "You poor thing."

Only Chu Siqing was completely baffled-and vehemently opposed.

She complained to the system, [Heavens, does this dynasty even have human rights? They're exploiting a child laborer as tiny as me! Imperial Uncle is utterly black-hearted!]

The system consoled her.

[Host, His Majesty already said you can eat and sleep as usual during court. It won't really affect you.]

Chu Siqing's eyes widened. [A-Tong, what kind of savage nonsense is that?! The ministers argue so fiercely at court. How am I supposed to sleep soundly?]

The system had a flash of inspiration.

[Host, you can feast on gossip! You don't meet many people at the residence, so there's hardly any juicy gossip. Court will be an entirely different story!]

Chu Siqing's eyes lit up. [That does sound right!]

Her innate love of gossip suddenly made her feel less resistant to the life awaiting her.

Yet early the next morning, Chu Siqing regretted it.

How could going to court compare with my warm, soft, welcoming bed?

Before Chu Siqing had even opened her eyes, her own father hauled her out from under the covers. Then came the full sequence of getting dressed, washing up, eating, and entering the palace.

But all I want right now is to stay cuddled up with my bed and never, ever part!

With resentment practically clouding her head, Chu Siqing followed her father into the palace. Not even the novelty of attending court for the first time could dispel her grumpiness at being dragged out of bed.

Chu Hongle, on the other hand, could hardly bear to put his daughter down. His heart blossomed with joy as he held her.

I finally get to hold my daughter a little longer again! Hahaha!

Yet after entering the palace, Chu Hongle discovered that his imperial brother had tricked him once more!

He had indeed carried his daughter into the palace to attend court. But once the morning session began, Chu Siqing, as the Holy Maiden, had to stay beside the Imperial Preceptor!

Thus, that morning, Emperor Chu Ming was the first to feel wave after wave of reproachful looks from his younger brother.

Emperor Chu Ming could not help shivering. He gave a light cough and tried hard not to look at his brother's expression.

Standing below the throne in the Golden Throne Hall, Eunuch Feng flicked his horsetail whisk and called out, "Present your matters if you have any. If not, court is adjourned!"

With that, the morning court session formally began.

Since this was the Holy Maiden's first appearance at court, all the ministers opposed to her attending the proceedings stepped forward.

The Left Censor-in-Chief was the first to speak. "Your Majesty, this humble minister has a matter to report."

"Though the Holy Maiden holds an exalted position, she is still merely a yellow-beaked fledgling of a child. Is it not too early for her to attend court?"

His beard bristled and his eyes bulged as he declared, "Allowing a mere child to attend court alongside us ministers makes a farce of the proceedings!"

Chu Siqing had been dozing off at court, but that booming voice startled her so badly that she could no longer sleep. She immediately grew annoyed.

She spoke to the system in her mind. [A-Tong, who is this? Got any juicy gossip we can dig up for a laugh?]

After speaking for a while, the Left Censor-in-Chief was just about to conclude that the Holy Maiden could not yet attend court when a babyish voice suddenly rang out.

At the same time, Emperor Chu Ming and the princes, nobles, and ministers present all clearly heard what that babyish voice said.

[So the Left Censor-in-Chief has such a foul temper because he suffers from this embarrassing ailment. Tsk, tsk. That explains it.]