At the sight, the commoners scattered like birds startled by a bowstring.
Only Shen Yuxi remained standing there alone.
Lu Song truly had not expected Shen Yuxi to stay here to watch the excitement too.
He stepped forward. "Lord Little Shen."
Lu Song greeted her politely.
"Lord Lu, hello!" Shen Yuxi waved awkwardly.
Hearing Shen Yuxi's voice, Liu Mengnuan and Jia Kun's son immediately fixed their eyes on her face.
She was the one who had spoken just now.
"What brings you here, Lord Little Shen?" Lu Song asked with a smile.
Can I say I stayed here specifically to eat melon? Shen Yuxi silently said to herself.
Hearing this, the corners of Lu Song's mouth twitched involuntarily.
Sure enough, no excitement in the capital ever passed without Lord Little Shen showing up.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Shen Yuxi, Lu Song turned toward Jia Kun's son.
Facing him, Lu Song's expression instantly turned cold.
His manner was no longer as gentle and warm as before, either.
"Jia Weihe, someone has accused you of oppressing the common people and abusing your wife. Come with us."
Jia Weihe's eyes suddenly widened, and a trace of panic abruptly appeared on his face.
He denied it. "My lord, where did you hear such rumors? There's no such thing. This is a frame-up, absolutely a frame-up!"
"I will determine for myself whether you've been framed."
Not wanting to waste any more words, Lu Song ordered coldly, "Take him away."
The officers of the Court of Judicial Review moved at his command, seizing Jia Weihe's arms on either side.
"Let go of me! My lord, my father is-"
"Gag him."
Since he was acting on imperial orders, it did not matter who Jia Weihe's father was.
The next moment, a wad of cloth was stuffed into Jia Weihe's mouth.
"Mmph, mmph-"
After Lu Song and the others left, Liu Mengnuan walked over to Shen Yuxi.
"Thank you for earlier."
Shen Yuxi was utterly confused. "Thank me?"
She and Liu Mengnuan were complete strangers. Why was she thanking her?
Liu Mengnuan smiled faintly, a little more wistfulness entering her eyes.
"Jia Weihe has only himself to blame for ending up like this. I'll gather evidence and tell Lord Lu everything Jia Weihe has done, without leaving out a single word, so he receives the punishment he deserves."
Shen Yuxi found Liu Mengnuan rather baffling, but still said, "Getting away from a bad person like Jia Weihe sooner rather than later is a good thing for you."
"The court officials have certainly become much more eager to attend court lately. Those who used to be sick or request leave now all attend on time, without a single one missing."
Eunuch Yang smiled. "That is all thanks to Lord Little Shen."
Emperor Xuanzhao gave a haughty little huff.
"My mind is as clear as a polished mirror. They're simply afraid the little girl will eat melon while they're absent and they'll miss the excitement. They're even more afraid she'll dig up their melons."
After spending time with Shen Yuxi, Emperor Xuanzhao had already become quite adept at saying "eat melon" instead of "gossip."
"A pack of crafty old things. Terrified that the little girl will expose their crimes, they fought tooth and nail to keep her from remaining at court. Even now, some ministers with no sense of the situation are still submitting memorials telling me it was improper to grant her an official post."
"The ministers still harbor concerns, especially after what happened to Lord Jia. Every one of them is apprehensive."
As Eunuch Yang helped Emperor Xuanzhao change, he said, "This servant has heard that the officials have been conducting very strict internal investigations in their households these past few days. They've rooted out quite a few younger family members who do nothing but eat and wait to die. Some have been confined, and others have been made to kneel in their ancestral halls."
"Rather than let the little girl bring it all out into the open, they might as well quietly deal with it in private first and spare me the vexation of hearing about it."
"But this will put Lord Little Shen in considerably greater danger." Eunuch Yang sounded somewhat worried.
Whether imperial relatives or scions of great families, they would all regard Lord Little Shen as a thorn in their eyes and a splinter in their flesh.
Because as long as Lord Little Shen remained at court, their secrets would have nowhere to hide.
A thoughtful look flashed through Emperor Xuanzhao's eyes.
It seemed he needed to send someone to protect the little girl in secret.
Although Minister Shen had said the little girl had the system's protection, there was no harm in an extra layer of security.
"This servant has another piece of happy news for Your Majesty."
"Oh?"
Seeing Eunuch Yang's barely concealed smile, Emperor Xuanzhao immediately grew interested.
"Stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me."
"A few days ago, His Highness the Fourth Prince personally visited the Shen residence and even delivered several carriage loads of gifts to Lord Little Shen."
Emperor Xuanzhao was slightly surprised. "What is Chen'er up to?"
"His Highness said he simply wished to thank Lord Little Shen for saving his life that day," Eunuch Yang said, unable to suppress a smile.
No one would believe that.
The Fourth Prince was aloof by nature, and after spending several years at the border, he had become even more unapproachable.
Sometimes, he even wore a cold expression when facing the emperor.
Given the Fourth Prince's way of doing things, even if he wished to express his gratitude, he would not visit personally. He would merely send his subordinates in his stead.
This gesture... the old drunkard's heart was not set on the wine.
"The little girl is lively and endearing. I like her too."
Emperor Xuanzhao raised an eyebrow slightly. "But I can tell that the little girl has no romantic interest in Chen'er. On the contrary, she seems unable to avoid him quickly enough."
She seemed rather unwilling to have contact with the imperial family.
For both public and personal reasons, Emperor Xuanzhao actually very much wanted Shen Yuxi and Mo Xuanchen to be together.
But how things ultimately turned out would depend on the bond of fate between the two children.
An unexpected person appeared at morning court that day.
Seated on the dragon throne, Emperor Xuanzhao looked surprised when he saw Mo Xuanchen below.
"Fourth, why are you here? Didn't I give you a month's leave?"
Hearing this, Mo Xuanchen replied, "My injuries have already healed. I dared not delay important affairs of state, so I returned to court early."
Holy crap, the Fourth Prince is way too dedicated.
Mo Xuanchen froze briefly, then returned to his place as though nothing had happened.
Shen Yuxi's inner voice continued, her eyes full of envy. If I were the Fourth Prince and had serious injuries as an excuse, forget a month-I could stay away from court for a whole year.
What's wrong with eating, drinking, and having fun? Yet he insists on finding work for himself instead of taking it easy. He's got a hole in his brain.
Mo Xuanchen, who had a hole in his brain: "..."
Mo Yao burst out laughing.
Mo Xuanchen turned his head and gave Mo Yao a cold sideways glance.
"Since you enjoy laughing so much, Second Brother, come to my residence after court. I'll make sure you have a good laugh."
Hearing this, Mo Yao immediately wiped the smile off his face.
He put on an expression that said nothing had happened.
After a few years at the border, his fourth brother had become increasingly frightening.
"Fourth Brother, I wasn't laughing at you on purpose. Shen Yuxi even said you had 'a hole in your brain.' Why don't you snap at her..."
Faced with Mo Xuanchen's threatening gaze, Mo Yao huffed and turned away.
That rotten fourth brother served different dishes depending on the guest.
All he knew was how to bully him.
"Crown Prince Brother..."
Mo Yao sidled up to Crown Prince Mo Jingyu, sniveling as he sought comfort.
His crown prince brother had the best temper and really knew how to soothe him.
This is probably the difference between a general and a soldier. Host, look how hardworking and ambitious the Fourth Prince is, while you spend all day thinking about lying flat.
Shen Yuxi retorted indignantly, I'm not lying flat. This is called stealing half a day of leisure from a fleeting life, enjoying each day as it comes.
It's the clearheadedness of choosing to live for yourself after seeing the rules for what they are.