LOT – Chapter 19 Is the Prime Minister Planning to Save That Leaf Stuck on His Tooth for Lunch?

During the three-day break, Lin Mo had only gone out once that afternoon. The rest of the time, she stayed holed up in her room reading romance storybooks.

Even the system had been roped in and was starting to enjoy reading them.

[Hey, is this young lady out of her mind or something? Why does she insist on running off with a poor scholar? The guy doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities. He’s been studying for years and is still just a xiucai (entry-level scholar). What does he have that makes such a pretty girl like him?!]

The system was practically furious with this story. It was one of those classic tales where a noble lady or princess falls for a poor scholar—the kind that were everywhere.

Lin Mo looked up from a particularly risqué illustrated book, her face full of mischievous glee as she answered, [Because most of these storybooks are written by scholars. They write in all the things they long for most, which is why the plots always turn out this way.]

[Tch, ridiculous. I’d rather go back to watching drama unfold in real life!] the system huffed.

[Anyway, aren’t you going to sleep? You’ve got work again tomorrow—you’ll have to get up early.]

The system was completely exasperated watching Lin Mo’s eyes practically glued to the pages of that explicit artbook.

[Seriously, what kind of young lady likes reading this kind of nonsense? Just read regular storybooks! Why are you looking at those kinds of illustrations?!]

In this era, such artbooks were typically only glanced at on a wedding night. Proper young women weren’t supposed to touch them otherwise.

Lin Mo slurped a bit of drool back and replied with conviction, [You just don’t get it. Besides, it’s totally normal to enjoy a bit of beauty. You have no idea how spicy these illustrations are! The artwork is gorgeous—the women look charming and seductive, and the men are dashing and elegant. Yeah, it’s a bit racy, but it still has an actual plot! Honestly, I think it’s way better than those boring romance novels.]

They were really good! There was plot, there was story, there was eye candy, and most importantly—meat! Delicious, juicy meat!

Back in the modern world, there were way too many restrictions—so much content would get censored online.

But in this era? No such worries. These illustrations could completely overturn your worldview with each page. And the steamy novels? One word: perfection.

The system looked at her drooling expression and had basically given up on her.

[Just make sure you hide that stuff well after you’re done. If your parents, brother, or sister find it… there’s no way you’re escaping a beating.]

Lin Mo really had a knack for digging her own grave. Eating melon (gossiping) was one thing, but no, she just had to personally jump into the mess—actively and irreversibly. The system was utterly helpless in the face of her repeated antics.

At this point, Lin Mo was completely engrossed in her picture book, casually brushing off the system’s nagging. [Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’ll sleep after I finish this volume.]

The next morning, Lord Lin didn’t even bother waking her up properly. He directly ordered someone to carry Lin Mo out—and she was still fast asleep when they hauled her away.

Looking at this troublemaking daughter, Lord Lin felt nothing but calm, utterly numb. “Just stuff her into the carriage for me.”

The maids, barely holding back their laughter, crammed Lin Mo into the carriage.

Honestly, who went to court like this? All other officials showed up properly dressed, energetic, and dignified. Only their family’s Second Miss arrived each morning groggy and half-asleep—if not entirely unconscious.

At the palace, all the officials were eagerly craning their necks, looking out for that petite little figure.

Even Prince Xin had come to court in a wheelchair, just to catch a glimpse of the famed Second Miss of the Lin family—Little Lord Lin.

“Your Highness, your leg still isn’t fully healed. Why insist on attending court? Although the imperial physician managed to set your bones back, without proper rest, there might be lingering side effects.”

“That’s right, Your Highness. There’s no rush. You’ll have plenty of chances in the future. What’s important now is to take care of your health.”

Prince Xin was of the gentle and refined sort. In his thirties—arguably the peak of a man’s charm—but years of illness and living in constant fear had made him look older than he was.

He smiled gently and said, “My leg’s no big deal anymore. Besides, I’m just sitting in a wheelchair—I don’t even have to move. I really just want to see this legendary Little Lord Lin. You’ve all described her like some mythical creature. My curiosity’s already burning. If I don’t see her for myself, I doubt I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

And speak of the devil.

Just as he finished speaking, two figures approached from the distance—one was the very familiar Lord Lin, and the other… was dangling from his hand. Yes, dangling, as in being carried by the collar like a sack. There was no need to guess who it was.

The system was frantically whispering: [Wake up! Wake up! We’re at the palace already!]

Lord Lin carried Lin Mo expressionlessly, completely ignoring all the eyes darting toward them.

Prince Xin, watching this unfold: …This Little Lord Lin really is something else. She even dares to sleep all the way into the palace.

Finally, Lin Mo woke up just as Eunuch Li came to announce the beginning of the morning court session.

The first half of court was just as boring as ever. The Emperor checked in on Prince Xin and then went into the usual routine.

Before long, the entire hall of civil and military officials erupted in an argument.

[Why do these court officials arguing feel exactly like the shrews fighting on the streets? All that’s missing is hair-pulling.]

Lin Mo’s inner thoughts were sharp.

The officials nearly choked on their own saliva.

Like street shrews?! They were discussing state affairs, thank you very much—not some trivial household squabbles!

The system chimed in: [Honestly, I feel the same. And look at the Prime Minister’s teeth—tsk tsk—he’s still got a piece of vegetable stuck there. Is he planning to save it for lunch?]

“Pfft!”

Lord Li, the official recording notes beside Lin Mo, nearly lost it. He struggled to suppress his laughter with every fiber of his being. His hands were shaking so much, he could barely write.

The Emperor even craned his neck trying to sneak a look at the Prime Minister’s mouth. Tsk, turn around already! Who wants to see the back of your head?!

The Prime Minister had been in a heated debate with another official, but the second he heard that remark, he immediately clamped his mouth shut.

The opposing official, who had just been glaring with righteous fury, couldn’t hold it anymore after hearing the system’s comment.

He’d wondered why the Prime Minister’s teeth looked a bit green—he’d thought maybe the man had embedded a jade tooth. Turns out… it was just a leaf.

And so, one by one, every official’s gaze subtly shifted toward the Prime Minister’s mouth. The man began furiously scraping his teeth with his tongue.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo burst into a full-on 3D surround-sound laugh. She didn’t even move her lips, but her contagious laughter rang clearly in everyone’s ears.

Every single “hahaha” smashed right into the Prime Minister’s already fragile heart.