LOT – Chapter 143 Someone Wants to Kidnap Minister Lin as Her Husband!

The next day, when the emperor heard the gossip spreading about himself, he became even more heartbroken.

In utter disbelief, he said to Eunuch Li, “Are they out of their minds? Weren’t they supposed to be gossiping about Wei Qin? How did it end up involving me!”

Eunuch Li, being questioned so aggressively, didn’t even know how to answer. How should I know, Your Majesty? Besides, back in your younger days, you really were like that — among all the princes, you were the most shameless.

While the other princes were busy scheming, building alliances, and vying for power, you were busy trying to make money — and not even making much of it!

His Majesty’s mother had held a low rank, and her family wasn’t influential either — in fact, they’d long since declined. So back when he was still a prince, he was the poorest among them all, and the most neglected one.

While the other princes were busy plotting and sabotaging one another, he spent every day thinking about how to earn money and live a better life — and most importantly, how to find himself a wife.

Ironically, that was exactly why he caught the late emperor’s eye.

The previous emperor thought his other sons were all too cunning and cruel, while this one was the only one who cried the hardest when his father fell ill.

But in reality, when the current emperor was still a prince, he hadn’t been moved by genuine affection.

The reason he cried so miserably was simple — as long as the old man was still alive, he could still trick a little money out of him from time to time. Life wouldn’t be that bad.

But if his father died and one of his brothers took the throne, life would definitely become much harder.

Later, when the ministers grew tired of all the infighting, they saw how frugal he was and decided he’d make a good ruler. So one by one, they inexplicably sided with him.

Honestly, when everyone suddenly rallied behind him, the emperor had been completely bewildered. His frugality wasn’t a virtue — it was simply because he had no money!

And after ascending the throne… he was still poor!

Seeing the emperor on the verge of a breakdown, Eunuch Li tried to comfort him kindly.

“Your Majesty, please don’t be so upset. It’s nothing shameful. Besides, that was in your youth — who hasn’t done a few strange things when they were young?”

Emperor Xuande gave a huff. Indeed, he had been reckless in his youth — but now, he was absolutely mature and steady. (At least, that’s what he believed.)

“How are the preparations for the Empress’s birthday banquet going? We’ll be departing for the suburban palace in a couple of days. Are all the consorts ready?”

The Empress’s birthday was no small matter — it was a huge event. Most importantly, it was a great opportunity to collect a mountain of gifts!

Every year, the gifts sent to the Empress were more numerous and far more valuable than his own. The presents he received were always “tokens of respect” or “expressions of talent,” but the Empress received real gold and silver!

He could never understand what those people were thinking — wasn’t that blatant favoritism?!

Eunuch Li reported respectfully, “Your Majesty, everything has been prepared. The ministers will bring their families along. Should we assign someone to keep an extra eye on Lord Lin?”

This little ancestor was the one who required the most attention. And her gift to the Empress… well, everyone was quite curious about it — she still hadn’t revealed what it was.

At the thought of that dark, smudged face, Emperor Xuande felt a sudden twitch of pain at his temple.

He waved his hand impatiently. “No need. What trouble could that little girl possibly cause? She’ll just be busy watching other people’s drama. Even if danger does arise, it’ll be someone else’s problem, not ours.”

At this point, that little girl’s reputation in the capital was terrifying. Those with guilty consciences avoided her like the plague, while even the innocent feared she might somehow expose their private embarrassments.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo and Bai Xiao were staring blankly at the blackened phoenix they’d prepared as a gift for the Empress.

Bai Xiao studied it seriously and asked, “Do you really think this looks like a phoenix? Because it honestly looks more like… a black chicken.”

It was already plump like a rooster, and now it was painted pitch-black!

“Wouldn’t it have been better to just carve it out of black jade? Why did you have to paint white jade black?”

Lin Mo sighed helplessly. “How was I supposed to know it’d turn out like this? I didn’t mean to make it black! I wanted to paint a colorful phoenix — that’s why I didn’t use black jade!”

Then she rubbed her own face. “At least the color on my face has started to fade. It shouldn’t be long before it returns to normal. Hopefully, I’ll look a bit fairer by the time of the birthday banquet.”

Her face had been so dark for so long that she’d almost forgotten what her handsome face used to look like. Every day, she could only gaze at her father’s face in envy.

After all, their faces were about 80% alike — since hers was currently unpresentable, she had to admire her beauty through him instead.

(Minister Lin: …Are you serious right now?)

When the day came to depart for the suburban palace, the entire palace was lively and festive.

Lin Mo clung to her father’s side and refused to leave him.

Minister Lin looked helplessly at the dark-faced girl beside him. “Can’t you and Xiao Bai go play somewhere else?”

For some reason, this girl had been glued to his side since they left home, following him around like a shadow.

Lin Mo shook her head firmly. “No, no! I have to be prepared in advance!”

Prepared in advance? What kind of “preparation” was that supposed to be? Something about that sounded suspiciously like gossip.

Everyone began sneaking curious glances their way — but after saying that, Lin Mo fell completely silent, not even revealing her inner thoughts.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiao happily munched on snacks as she rode on Lin Mo’s pig-shaped carriage.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Lin Mo whispered in her mind, 【They should be here soon, right?】

Bai Xiao replied, 【Just about. The people on the mountain are already in position.】

Everyone around them: ??? What are you two even talking about?!

The Empress and her consorts couldn’t help poking their heads out to look. They’d long been curious about this “Little Lord Lin,” and had heard she closely resembled Minister Lin.

But when they saw that blackened face today, they couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.

As everyone watched in confusion, Lin Mo finally spoke again in her mind: 【Honestly, why does my dad attract so many women? There’s even a female bandit who wants to kidnap him to be her husband! He already has kids — can’t that mountain queen go after someone younger instead? Like me, for example.】

Everyone: …What kind of nonsense is that?!

At first, everyone was shocked by the first half of her words. But after hearing the second half, they could only fall into speechless silence.

Couldn’t she be serious for even one second?!