LOT – Chapter 199 The Harem Is on Fire

After court was dismissed, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review received everyone’s collective concern. Some even said they would send him medicine.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo happily followed the emperor back to the palace, and she didn’t forget to call out to her father and brother as she left.

“Father, Brother, remember to pick me up this afternoon! I’m going home later.”

The Lin family father and son: …

Watching the little tail trailing behind him, Emperor Xuande felt a headache coming on.

“Lin Mo, how about you go look around by yourself? You can visit the empress’ palace or the other consorts’ palaces. They’re all very curious about you.”

Better she go bother them than me. He had to get this little hell-raiser out of his sight first. As for the empress and the consorts… he firmly believed they could handle her.

Eunuch Li didn’t know what to say. Your Majesty, it was you who insisted on keeping her here in the first place. Now that you can’t manage her, you’re just throwing her at the empress and the other ladies? Truly ruthless!

Are you not afraid the empress will come after you with her abacus?

Lin Mo seriously thought about it and consulted Bai Xiao.

【Xiao Bai, is there anything fun in the harem?】

Bai Xiao considered. 【It’s alright. At least more entertaining than hanging around the emperor. You can go take a stroll.】

With that approval, Lin Mo happily headed toward the harem.

Emperor Xuande let out a very obvious sigh of relief as he watched her bouncing away.

“Hurry and notify the empress. Tell them all to prepare! And make sure they put away anything valuable. What if that little demon breaks something?”

His first concern was all the expensive items.

Eunuch Li calmly replied, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. Even if Little Lord Lin really breaks something, she can afford to pay for it. She seems to be wealthier than you.”

Emperor Xuande: … That hurt.

Lin Mo was warmly welcomed in the harem—mainly because these consorts were usually unable to leave the palace. They heard plenty of gossip but could never see anything firsthand.

So naturally, they were all increasingly curious about this legendary young woman.

“Come, come, Little Lord Lin! These pastries were made by me personally, and this chicken was raised by us too. Try some!”

Virtuous Consort even personally fed her. Even the Third Prince had never enjoyed such treatment when he was young.

All the other consorts looked at her with undisguised fondness.

Surrounded by beauties, Lin Mo practically felt like she had ascended to heaven. No wonder everyone wanted to be emperor.

Even so, she didn’t forget to save a portion for Bai Xiao, secretly slipping food into her sleeve as she ate.

【Xiao Bai, I think I’ve reached paradise. The consorts here are truly stunning—Her Majesty the Empress is dignified and elegant, Virtuous Consort graceful and seductive, Consort An pure and lovely… the others all have their unique charms! The harem may not have many women, but every type is represented!】

【His Majesty is really blessed! To say something treasonous—I feel like the emperor doesn’t deserve these beauties.】

The empress and the consorts, overhearing her thoughts, couldn’t help laughing. Honestly, they also felt the emperor didn’t deserve them.

He had been good-looking when young, and they had been quite fond of him then. But as he aged, he wasn’t as handsome as before—and he had become increasingly stingy.

Bai Xiao snorted. 【So he doesn’t deserve them but you do? Too bad you don’t meet the basic requirements.】

【Beautiful ladies are beautiful ladies, but don’t get lost in beauty. Don’t forget we’re going home today.】

Good thing this girl wasn’t a man—otherwise who knew how many innocent maidens she would ruin. She had a sweet mouth that never stopped, and with that face of hers, most people wouldn’t be able to resist.

Lin Mo had another question for Bai Xiao. 【The Third Prince is Virtuous Consort’s son, right? She has such seductive fox-eyes, and he also has fox-eyes, but why are hers alluring while his just look… silly?】

Virtuous Consort: … She also wanted to know.

Before entering the palace, she had been a famous beauty in the capital, with fox-eyes unmatched in charm. When her child was born with her eyes, she had initially been delighted.

But the older he got… the sillier he became.

He had a face that should look clever, yet he constantly did foolish things. Thankfully there was no cutthroat competition for royal heirs in this harem, or she’d have no idea how he would’ve survived.

And no matter how she tried to protect him, he always ran off to court death on his own.

Bai Xiao pondered seriously, then concluded: 【This must be a genetic mutation. Virtuous Consort has fox-eyes, but the Third Prince has fox-dog eyes.】

Lin Mo: … Uh. Is that a thing?

All morning, Lin Mo was so pampered she nearly forgot herself.

After finishing his business, Emperor Xuande planned to visit the harem. But the moment he entered the empress’ palace, he saw all his consorts gathered around Lin Mo, fussing over her with tenderness.

He had never received such treatment! Why?!

She had someone feeding her water, someone feeding her food, someone telling her jokes—and where were her hands placed?!

Seeing His Majesty’s increasingly dark expression, Eunuch Li silently stepped back two paces.

Tsk tsk tsk. The harem is on fire today. Who knew the consorts could be this gentle?

“You all seem to be having a wonderful time. Clearly I’ve come at the wrong moment.”

His sarcastic tone froze the room.

“Greetings to Your Majesty!”

Everyone quickly knelt. Emperor Xuande snorted and sat at the head seat.

“Rise. Do whatever you were doing.”

He assumed that after saying this, they would quiet down or at least gather around him.

But the moment he said “do whatever you were doing,” they all returned to crowding around Lin Mo.

“Little Lord Lin, this chicken soup is quite good, isn’t it? I’ll have two chickens prepared for you to take home later.”

Emperor Xuande: !!!

When I want chicken you all act reluctant—and now you’re giving her some to take home?!

“Little Lord Lin, you seem to like these pastries. I’ve packed two portions for you to eat later.”

Emperor Xuande: Why don’t you make food for ME?! I can’t even remember the last time you made pastries for me—yet you’re specially packing some for her to take home?!

Watching the emperor slowly lose his composure, the empress chuckled from the side.

“Calm down, calm down. Why are you competing with a little girl? Little Lord Lin is adorable.”

Emperor Xuande stared at his wife in disbelief. “Calm down? I’m already calm! My consorts have all been stolen by her!”