LOT – Chapter 14 The Lin Family Goes Gossip-Hunting While Minister Lin Guards the House Alone

The one who lost the most face during this morning’s court session was none other than the Third Prince.

As the court dispersed, many officials gave him strange, indescribable looks that left him feeling utterly stifled.

“Why are they all looking at me like that? What’s so wrong with using a bit of strategy to win over a wife?”

The Third Prince was clearly displeased with the way people looked at him—he truly believed he’d done nothing wrong.

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince opened their mouths as if wanting to say something, but in the end, they could only pat him on the shoulder.

As long as you’re happy, I guess.

After returning home from court, Lin Mo flopped straight onto her bed.

“I’m done, I need a nap. Don’t wake me up until it’s time to eat.”

System: [Why nap again? Why don’t we go out for a bit? There’s plenty of juicy gossip in the capital too, you know.]

Lin Ran, who had just come by to check on her sister, immediately froze in place.

The system continued: [Honestly, the gossip out in the capital might be even spicier than what’s going on in court. Let’s head out—it’ll also help me recharge my energy. And it’s not like you’ve done anything tiring today, you’ve just been standing there. What’s so exhausting about that?]

Lin Mo immediately felt offended. [Excuse me? Gossip hunting takes a lot of brainpower, okay?]

[Just let me sleep for a bit. After lunch, I’ll take you out for a stroll. I’ll bring my eldest sister too—she goes to banquets all the time. We’ll see which household has one this afternoon and head there to poke around.]

The system instantly cheered up: [Yay! Banquets are prime hotspots for drama! More gossip, here we come!]

Outside, Lin Ran: …

What do you mean banquets are “accident-prone areas”? I’ve attended so many over the years, and nothing major ever happened—

Well… okay, maybe there was a bit of stuff. Secret affairs, people falling into ponds, framing, poisoning…

Wait a minute. The more she thought about it, the more she realized… quite a lot had actually happened.

“What?! You’re saying she’s going out this afternoon?!”

When Minister Lin and Lady Lin heard that Lin Mo was planning to go out, their emotions were a chaotic mess.

“No way. Absolutely not. She cannot go out alone. We don’t even know how many people in the capital want her dead right now. A lot of corrupt officials are terrified she’ll expose their crimes, so they’re bound to be looking for a chance to take her out.”

“Even though His Majesty said he’s already assigned people to protect her from the shadows, there’s no such thing as a plan without flaws.”

As troublesome as their youngest daughter was, she was still their child. No matter how much trouble she caused, they absolutely wouldn’t let her be put in danger.

At home, there was at least some guarantee of safety. The emperor had assigned shadow guards, and they themselves had household guards as well—ordinary people wouldn’t be able to get in.

But once she stepped outside, it was another story.

Lin Ran, knowing full well her parents wouldn’t agree, looked troubled. “Then how am I supposed to refuse her later? I can’t just suddenly stop her from going out—at the very least I need a decent excuse.”

The three of them sat there racking their brains for a convincing excuse, and when Lin Qi came back from his studies, he was roped into the discussion too.

Seeing the whole family nearly pulling their hair out, the shadow guard hiding nearby couldn’t help but step out.

“Uh, Minister Lin, Madam Lin—we’ve already tested it. The system attached to Young Miss Lin has a built-in defense mechanism. It can protect her—actually, even we can’t get too close to her, so you really don’t need to worry.”

The Lin family: … Then why didn’t you say something earlier? Just wanted to watch us suffer, huh?

At lunchtime, Lin Mo was eating while chatting with the system about where they should go out to have some fun.

[We don’t have to go to the banquet. I could take you for a stroll through the streets—sometimes the gossip you hear from regular families is just as juicy.]

System: [Why not do both? Let’s go to the banquet first, and then swing by the streets on the way back. Best of both worlds!]

Lin Mo: [That’s doable. I think today’s banquet is being hosted by the daughter of the Marquis of Changning, right? I’m not super close with her, but she and my eldest sister get along pretty well.]

The other members of the Lin family listened to this one-human-one-system conversation with completely numb expressions by now.

Then suddenly, the system cried out: [Host! I just detected a huge scoop! It’s about the Marquis of Changning’s daughter! She’s hosting this banquet with a purpose!]

Lin Mo quickly asked: [What purpose? Spill it now!]

Everyone else perked up their ears. The system had genuinely piqued their curiosity.

System: [It’s not really the right time to explain—once we’re at the banquet, I’ll tell you in detail. Talking about it in front of the person involved gives more energy, and it’ll feel more immersive for you too.]

Lin Mo thought about it and figured that made sense. Waiting a bit wouldn’t hurt anyway.

Meanwhile, Minister Lin, Madam Lin, and Lin Qi were silently screaming in their hearts: We want to know too! You’re going to the banquet—we’re not!

Lin Qi looked at his two younger sisters, and in the end, curiosity got the better of him.

“You two girls shouldn’t be going out alone like that. What if something happens at the banquet? How about I go with you?”

He spoke righteously, as if he were genuinely concerned for their safety.

Minister Lin and Madam Lin looked at their son with expressions of disbelief, not even sure what to say anymore.

Seriously? Since when did you get this shameless? Don’t you have afternoon studies?

Lin Ran also gave her big brother a complicated look—So this is the kind of person you are. Gossip over studies, huh?

Lin Mo, on the other hand, didn’t really care. One more person, one less person—it didn’t matter, as long as it didn’t get in the way of her gossip hunting.

“Sure, big brother can come with us.”

Madam Lin quickly added, “Why don’t I come along too? I happen to know the Marchioness of Changning, and a lot of ladies will be attending. I’d be bored at home by myself anyway—might as well go and socialize.”

Minister Lin stared at his wife in shock. So you’re all just going to leave me here alone, huh? What am I supposed to do?!

As a dignified court official, there was no way he could attend a back courtyard banquet. Those events were mainly for the ladies of noble households and their unmarried sons—an important matchmaking opportunity. Many noble sons were even dragged there by their mothers.

It was practically unheard of for the head of the household to show up. A grown man like him would stick out like a sore thumb among that crowd.

And so, in the end, only Minister Lin was left at home, watching the backs of his wife, son, and daughters as they headed out, tears of bitterness welling up in his heart.

He wanted to join in on the fun too!

On the carriage to the Marquis of Changning’s residence, Lin Mo was unexpectedly excited.

She usually avoided such banquets, not fond of socializing with noble ladies. She much preferred mingling among common folk, listening to their petty dramas and gossip.

She never expected that her first real interaction with noblewomen would be for the express purpose of digging up juicy scandals.