LOT – Chapter 20 The Western Region Princess Brings Her Child to Register Household Status

The laughter had completely brainwashed everyone in the imperial court—including the Emperor himself.

Maybe it was just that contagious. A number of officials couldn’t help but let a mysterious smile tug at the corners of their lips.

Emperor Xuande gave a light cough, and everyone instantly snapped back to attention, quickly re-immersing themselves in the discussion.

Standing beside the Prime Minister were the Crown Prince and the two other imperial princes. All three of them turned in unison to stare directly at the Prime Minister’s mouth, frozen in place.

The Prime Minister: …What’s wrong with you three?! Is it polite to stare at someone’s mouth like that?!

This had to be karmic retribution. In all his years, he’d never experienced such a bizarre situation—being scrutinized by three grown men. And the worst part? He couldn’t even complain, couldn’t even scold them—these three all held higher status than he did!

“Prime Minister, why don’t you open your mouth and let us have a look?” the Second Prince suggested in a low voice, his face full of mischievous glee.

“That way, we can tell you exactly where that vegetable leaf is stuck.”

Prime Minister: “…No need, thank you, Your Highness.”

Then, one official shifted the topic back to business: “Your Majesty, the Western Region is seeking our protection and has sent a princess for a marriage alliance. I believe it is inappropriate for a foreign woman to marry into the royal family.”

This was a recent development. The Western Region had been unusually active of late, with frequent skirmishes and internal conflicts. Hoping for protection, they had decided to offer up a princess—reportedly the most beautiful woman in their entire land—for a political marriage.

Lin Mo’s attention was instantly drawn to it: [The legendary beauty from the Western Regions! System, did you hear that? A beauty from the Western Regions is coming! ]

Everyone: …Excuse us, are you really a girl? Why does your inner voice sound so pervy?!

Minister Lin had already pulled up his sleeve to cover his face. Truly a disgrace to the family, an utter disgrace!

Even the system was excited: [Western beauties are all great singers and dancers! Most of them are mixed-race too—big eyes, high nose bridges, and long curly hair, totally gorgeous! And this time they’re sending the number one beauty from the Western Regions!]

It spoke with the same giddy, pervy tone—clearly, like master, like system.

The officials had originally approached the topic with caution, but after this ridiculous exchange, they suddenly felt like sending over a woman wasn’t that big a deal.

[But this beauty isn’t just here for a marriage alliance—she’s here to cuckold the Emperor!]

The system’s tone was practically giddy. In stark contrast, the Emperor’s face had darkened considerably, and the expressions of the ministers grew increasingly complex.

Lin Mo hadn’t noticed the change in their expressions—she was too curious about what the system meant by cuckolding the Emperor.

[Come, come, tell me in detail—what’s this about putting a green hat on His Majesty? What juicy scandal is the top beauty of the Western Regions hiding?]

Everyone subtly leaned in to listen. Even the Emperor perked up—this melon involved him, after all.

The system did a quick scan, then explained the entire backstory: [She came over pregnant! And the child’s father is her own half-brother!]

Lin Mo gasped sharply: [Incest!]

Everyone present also gasped: Incest?!

The system continued: [She’s on a mission. Since she’s so beautiful, the Western Region planned to gift her to your Emperor. Even if he doesn’t take the bait, they’ve got a special drug—just a whiff, and His Majesty would lose all reason. Once that happens, she can register the baby under his name!]

Lin Mo suddenly wanted to crack open the Western King’s skull and take a look inside. You’re here asking for protection, and you dare try to scheme against the Emperor? Are you sure you’re okay in the head?

[Does that Western king actually have a brain? Is he here for protection or to make enemies?]

The officials silently nodded—this was definitely a mission to make enemies. What kind of “protection” involves giving the Emperor a green hat?

The Emperor’s thoughts were a mess—so complex he didn’t even know how to describe them.

The system added: [The Western King didn’t know she was pregnant. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t have sent her. He really does want help.]

[But this princess and her royal brother have been… involved… for quite a while.]

[Once she realized she was pregnant, she kept it hidden. When she heard she was being sent for a marriage alliance, she actually breathed a sigh of relief. She’s even planning to register the child here.]

Everyone understood that “registering” meant official household registration—in this context, citizenship and legitimacy.

Emperor Xuande gently touched his crown. Hmm. Still yellow, not green.

The Crown Prince and two imperial princes also looked conflicted. If this princess actually succeeded in registering the child here… 

Would that mean they’d gain a random “brother” with no blood relation whatsoever?

Lin Mo wasn’t aware of everyone else’s thoughts—she just felt that the Emperor was rather pitiful: [Sigh, taking in beautiful women requires caution. Doesn’t the Western Region have lots of good stuff? They should send those instead.]

[Things like chili peppers, sweet potatoes, broad beans, sesame, cotton—those are all worth having! Way more useful than some princess.]

Lord Li quickly jotted everything down beside her.

The officials and Emperor’s expressions changed. Those… all sounded like food.

The system chimed in: [Exactly! Have them send more of those things. We’ll plant the seeds across the land. Tsk tsk, that’ll do far more for the people than any beauty ever could!]

Lord Li’s brush was nearly smoking from how fast he was writing. The Emperor looked like he could barely sit still.

After the court session ended, the Emperor immediately summoned a few key ministers.

“You all heard what happened today, didn’t you? Follow exactly what Lin Mo and that system said. That so-called princess? Send her back the way she came! How dare she try to put a green hat on me!”

“As for everything Lin Mo and the system mentioned—record it all and tell the Western envoy. We’ll give them protection, but they must send those goods over. Send a few people along and make sure they bring back seeds for anything we don’t have here!”

Neither Lin Mo nor the system realized just how much their casual conversation had shaken the court to its core.

After the meeting, Minister Lin returned home to find his daughter grinning like an idiot over a novel.

He didn’t even know how to describe his feelings at that moment.

You say she’s useless, but sometimes she’s really helpful. You say she’s helpful, but just look at her now—does this look like a useful person to you?!

Lin Mo sensed a gaze on her and looked up, locking eyes with her father. She flashed a wide, toothy smile: “Dad, why are you staring at me? Is it because you think your daughter looks especially stunning today?”

Minister Lin was speechless. He flung his sleeve and walked off.

Why did he even bother looking at her for another second? What a waste of time!