LOT – Chapter 136 – What a Truly Unlucky Guy!

The next morning during court assembly, the Third Prince hobbled in, limping pitifully.

The moment Lin Mo saw his appearance, she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Your Highness, your walking posture is quite unique—very novel and very eye-catching,” Lin Mo said while giving him a big thumbs-up.

Honestly, the way he walked looked just like Tom the cat, sticking his rear out and moving in that oddly soulful way.

The Third Prince gave a stiff, embarrassed smile, clearly not in the mood to talk.

Bai Xiao eagerly explained the situation to Lin Mo:

【The Third Prince got beaten. Yesterday, His Majesty checked his homework, and he failed miserably. The emperor took off his shoe and smacked him into that state.】

【When he left the palace last night, his backside was already swollen. It’s impressive that he even showed up for morning court today.】

Hearing this, Lin Mo cast a sympathetic glance at the poor prince.

So tragic—truly too tragic. Not only did he have to study, but he also had to endure parental “progress checks.” Being a prince clearly wasn’t as easy as it looked!

Under Lin Mo’s pitying gaze, the Third Prince felt even more aggrieved.

Finally, someone understood how pitiful he was! He genuinely thought so himself too.

Among the three princes, he had been beaten the most since childhood. Not everyone liked studying, right? Among the three of them, he was the best at martial arts (even if it was originally just to impress girls). In terms of skill, his brothers couldn’t beat him!

Why couldn’t the imperial tests be about martial arts instead of book learning? Then he’d never get hit!

The emperor sitting on the throne and the ministers standing below were all speechless.

The officials looked at the Third Prince with expressions of helpless disappointment.

He had always been like this—never committing great crimes, but constantly stirring up small trouble.

Lin Mo, unaware of everyone’s inner thoughts, instantly felt her own life was blissful by comparison.

【Ah, life like mine is so much more comfortable. I was never good at studying either. Those dry essays—ugh, I can’t even read through them.】

Bai Xiao: 【You’re telling me.】

Third Prince: Great minds think alike!

There were quite a few important issues to discuss in court that day. Summer had arrived, which meant the rainy season was here, and with it came the risk of floods.

Lin Mo originally wanted to contribute her knowledge to help solve the issue. After all, she was a patriotic citizen—if she enjoyed the court’s salary, she should at least do something for the country.

But to her surprise, everything she could think of had already been addressed.

There were dams.

There were irrigation canals.

Basically, they had everything covered.

【Didn’t I tell you not to worry? This country is overflowing with talent. Otherwise, how could it be so wealthy and powerful? You could even say the only poor person here is the emperor.】

Back when Bai Xiao was still at headquarters, he’d studied the records of other senior systems. Those seniors and their hosts had accomplished incredible feats—contributing to national reforms and great causes for the people.

But this dynasty was… different.

It was rich. It was strong. Most officials were young and competent. And the emperor—well, he was an exceptionally clear-minded ruler (just rather poor).

So yes, this dynasty was actually doing great. Even during the previous emperor’s reign, when luxury and indulgence flourished, it hadn’t weakened the state. The late emperor might’ve loved extravagance, but he’d never neglected governance.

The more Bai Xiao thought about it, the more impressed he became with Lin Mo’s reincarnation luck.

【I swear, your reincarnation luck is ridiculous! A powerful country, a wealthy family, loving parents, harmonious siblings—it’s perfection!】

Lin Mo instantly puffed up with pride.

【Of course! My luck’s top-tier, unbeatable!】

Hearing her praise the country made Emperor Xuande and the ministers feel extremely pleased.

After all, who doesn’t like hearing good things about their nation?

Just as everyone was basking in this flattery, Lin Mo’s next words dragged them straight back to reality.

【Ahem, off topic! Since national affairs don’t concern us—and anything we can think of, the others already have—let’s get back to gossip!】

She was just an ordinary person who’d gotten lucky by retaining memories from her past life. She wasn’t like those overpowered protagonists in novels who were omniscient and invincible. There were plenty of people smarter than her here. If others could already think of what she could, then really, there wasn’t much she needed to do.

Everyone: …Truly you, through and through.

Bai Xiao then began picking the next “unlucky target.” He tugged at Lin Mo’s sleeve and whispered:

【See that guy next to your brother? That’s Wei Hanlin. He’s got a big piece of gossip!】

Wei Hanlin: !!! What on earth?!

Lin Qi glanced at the man beside him, then quietly shuffled two steps away.

Seeing that, Wei Hanlin was practically fuming. How could a dignified, upright man like him possibly have any shady gossip?!

Lin Mo looked him over and agreed—he did look righteous. His temperament was serious, and if she remembered right, he had passed the imperial exam the same year as her brother.

【No way. He looks decent enough. I think he placed seventh, right?】

Indeed, that made him an unlucky one. Scoring seventh in the imperial exam was the epitome of bad luck.

Now, everyone’s curiosity was fixed on Wei Hanlin. Since even the system claimed there was a huge piece of gossip about him, it had to be something major!

Bai Xiao said with dramatic suspense:

【I never said he was a bad person. He’s just unlucky. He placed seventh in the exam, and now he’s been framed for something he didn’t do.】

Lin Mo smacked Bai Xiao lightly.

【Hurry up and spill it! Stop dragging it out or I’ll strangle you!】

That little thing—she could crush one with a single hand!

The eavesdroppers were all equally anxious. What “framed” situation? Was someone plotting against him? Did it involve a state matter?

Bai Xiao:【Alright, alright! So this Wei Qin has a twin brother named Wei Yi. Wei Qin is upright and honest, but his brother? Not so much.】

【They look identical. Lately, that brother has been impersonating Wei Qin to get close to a rich merchant’s daughter. The two are already so close they’re about to have a child! Tell me, isn’t that a massive scandal? The poor man’s not even married yet and he’s about to have a baby!】

After hearing that explanation, Lin Mo felt a surge of sympathy for the guy. Everyone else thought the same—having such a brother was just pure misfortune.

Wei Qin turned pale as a sheet and almost collapsed, prompting Imperial Physician Zhao to sigh and skillfully jab him with an acupuncture needle.