LOT – Chapter 167 Untitled Draft

Seeing the two of them return with bundles upon bundles, the Lin family’s western servant was utterly speechless.

“What were you supposed to do—apologize—and yet you come back with all this? Did you go rob someone’s house?”

They had brought back more than what they took. Truly, he was at a loss for words.

Lin Mo defended herself: “Not at all! We went to sincerely apologize, and they forgave us. These were packed for us by the Lady Shaoqing; she really likes us, so she gave us all these treats.”

Bai Xiao nodded vigorously beside her. “Yes, yes! If we hadn’t taken them, she would’ve been upset!”

Lin Ran sighed beside them—he really couldn’t bear to look.

Just take a little as a courtesy, and yet they took so much.

Lin Shangshu rubbed his forehead irritably and waved his hand. “Fine, fine. Go back to your courtyard quickly and eat all these snacks in the next couple of days before they go bad.”

These two scatterbrains… but judging by their attitude, it was clear that Lady Shaoqing genuinely liked them; it wasn’t just politeness.

He hadn’t expected that a lady of such status would actually take a liking to these two, considering that everyone else in the capital tended to avoid them.

Early the next morning, Lin Mo was carried up by her older brother, still groggy and thinking about her snacks.

“Brother, bring me the snacks from my desk.”

Lin Qi: “…Snacks during court? Sleeping in court is one thing, but now you want to secretly eat?”

Still, he brought the snacks over. “Don’t sneak any during court. If the Emperor catches you, we won’t speak for you.”

Lin Mo, half-asleep, stuffed a snack in her mouth and nodded. “Mm-mm-mm, speak for me if I get punished.”

Lin Qi: “…I won’t speak for you. Wake up a little!”

Lin Mo’s mind was still fuzzy. Listening to her brother ramble on, she casually shoved a snack at him. Lin Qi, completely unprepared, nearly choked.

Lin Mo: “Ah, the world is finally peaceful.”

Bai Xiao: “Peaceful, yes… though you almost choked your brother.”

Once in the carriage, Lin Mo found a cozy corner with cushions and a blanket and nestled in comfortably.

Watching his youngest daughter sleep messily without concern for appearances, Lin Shangshu sighed and averted his gaze. Out of sight, out of mind.

Lin Ran gulped down several mouthfuls of water—the snacks were delicious, but they were also seriously dry.

During court, Lin Mo hid behind Minister Li like a little mouse, sneaking bites.

Bai Xiao, meanwhile, boldly hid snacks in her sleeves.

While the ministers discussed state affairs, these two were debating which snack was tastier.

Lin Mo: “This hibiscus cake is good, but the chestnut pastry is the best.”

Bai Xiao: “I like lotus pastries, but there are only a few. You can have them all.”

The ministers: “…Why are they getting hungrier just from talking about this?”

Even Emperor Xuande, seated above, licked his lips. Could these pastries really be that good?

Bai Xiao: “The Lady Shaoqing’s cooking is excellent. Should we visit other households too? The Crown Princess makes fruit wine so well—fragrant without being intoxicating, sweet without being cloying. Truly unmatched!”

Lin Mo: “!!! Really? It won’t get us drunk?”

Bai Xiao: “Really, why would I lie?”

The Crown Prince, suddenly hearing praise for his wife: “…Why bring up my household? But yes, my wife’s fruit wine is truly exceptional!”

The surrounding officials secretly glanced at the Crown Prince—they had no idea the Crown Princess possessed such skill.

Even Emperor Xuande didn’t know and shot the Crown Prince a glare. Truly unfilial!

The Crown Prince, surprised: ??? Why glare at me?

As everyone imagined the Crown Princess’s skill, Bai Xiao’s next words hit everyone like a thunderbolt.

“If we want to visit her household, we need to hurry. The Crown Princess is already three months pregnant. After the Crown Prince left today, she vomited while eating, and a physician confirmed she’s three months along. If we want fruit wine, we must act quickly—after this, she definitely won’t be able to make it.”

Crown Prince: !!! Pregnant! My wife is pregnant!

Emperor, seated above: !!! My eldest daughter-in-law is pregnant!

Second Prince: Hahaha! Finally pregnant! Finally pregnant! My son can finally have freedom!

Third Prince: Why is my sister-in-law pregnant but my wife isn’t? Could it still be my fault?

The Second Prince nearly lost his mind with joy—he was the first of the three brothers to have a child, and some chaotic people were apparently trying to ally with him.

Some even thought the Crown Princess couldn’t conceive and would have his son adopted elsewhere.

What a joke! Who would want to be emperor—exhausted, poor, and working before dawn and after dusk? Even if not so poor now, who wants that life? He certainly didn’t want it for himself, let alone his son. Now that the Crown Princess is finally pregnant, his son won’t be monitored constantly!

This news delighted everyone.

With heirs, the state would be more stable!

Some previously persistent people, hoping to place someone in the Crown Prince’s household, finally abandoned their plans. They thought that even if the Crown Prince and Princess were deeply in love, he wouldn’t lavish attention only on her—but this completely ended their hopes.

Lin Mo: “The Crown Princess is pregnant. This is truly wonderful! When the child is born and at the full month celebration, we should send gifts.”

Once she said this, everyone fell silent. Considering the gifts the little troublemaker had already given, none of them were exactly ordinary.

The Crown Prince even considered refusing the gift for his unborn child.

Forget the gift, whoever sent it—whether it was a monkey emperor or a black phoenix chicken—it was unacceptable.

Bai Xiao: “We must send gifts. And gifts for a child, especially the Crown Prince’s child, cannot be taken lightly. Don’t worry—you have your mother for that.”

Hearing Bai Xiao, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.