LOT -Chapter 340 Extra: The Royal Struggle

During the few months they were gone, only three days passed in this world.

Those three days happened to fall right on a break when there was no court session, and Lin Mo was also on her marriage leave. So even though they had been gone for months, to the people of the capital it truly felt like nothing much had happened.

Peacock and the Pretty Fool were being forced to study. They were already of age and could take the imperial examinations.

And the two of them weren’t stupid either—their literary talent was quite good. It was just that their personalities were a bit too simple.

When Lin Mo returned, it felt as if a lifetime had passed. Looking at her room, looking at the familiar straw bedding and wooden furnishings, she nearly cried.

“I’m finally back! Finally, I don’t have to keep studying anymore!”

What she hated most over those past few months was studying every single day. Her parents, brothers, and sisters could go out and have fun, but she had no time at all—school in the morning, home only at night.

And even though she already had a husband, she still couldn’t be intimate with him, because high school students doing that was illegal. In that world, they weren’t adults yet.

Bai Xiao was more familiar with this world, so after coming back he also let out a sigh of relief.

The others were still a little dazed. Truthfully, they quite liked that other world—everything was convenient, and they didn’t have to deal with matters of state.

Compared to governing a country, handling company affairs was really much simpler.

“Ah, happy times are always so short. Since we’re back, we’re back. Let’s just treat it as having had a dream.”

Minister Lin stroked his familiar long hair, feeling rather nostalgic. He did like that other world, but he still preferred his current appearance.

While everyone else was still in a daze, Lin Mo and Bai Xiao recovered the fastest.

They took some money, went out for a big meal, and then went to find their two little companions to hang out.

As for Lin Mo and Bai Xiao getting married, Peacock and the Pretty Fool still found it hard to accept.

Although the entire capital knew the two of them were a couple, this sudden marriage still caught them completely off guard.

“I say, how did you two get married so quickly? You haven’t even played enough yet. The moment you two got married, we had to start studying. Why couldn’t you two hold out a bit longer?”

Peacock was full of resentment. He was smart, but he genuinely hated studying.

Lin Mo leaned happily into Bai Xiao’s arms and said with a grin, “That’s just envy, jealousy, and hatred—envy that I found someone this good.”

“But honestly, the two of you really should mature a bit. Your families only have you as children. You’re not as lucky as me—I’ve got older brothers, sisters-in-law, an elder sister and brother-in-law. Even if the sky falls, it won’t land on my head. But you two are different. You have to bring glory to your families!”

Peacock and the Pretty Fool replied, “But our parents are pregnant too! We’ll have younger brothers or sisters later. Let them bring glory to the family!”

Yes—during this time, both the families of the Minister of Justice and the Vice Minister of Personnel announced good news one after the other.

After attending Lin Mo’s wedding banquet, both madams felt a bit unwell. Once they summoned a doctor, they discovered they were pregnant.

Their sons were already grown, yet they were pregnant again—even they themselves were surprised.

But more than anything, they were happy. After all, many children and grandchildren were a blessing.

Lin Mo looked at Bai Xiao: [Is that so? How did I not know about this?]

When did those two madams get pregnant? She, the ultimate gossip queen, hadn’t known at all—wasn’t that a blow to her reputation?

Bai Xiao stuffed a piece of dried meat into her mouth and said helplessly: [I knew, but I didn’t have time to tell you.]

Indeed, the two of them had just returned and hadn’t had time to worry about so many things.

Still, this was a good thing. But whether in this era or the modern one, pregnancy and childbirth at this age counted as advanced maternal age—it was probably quite risky.

Lin Mo was genuinely worried: [Bai Xiao, advanced maternal age is dangerous, right? Giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell for women. When they’re older, it’s even more dangerous. I’m a bit worried.]

Peacock and the Pretty Fool had been happy at first, but hearing this, fear immediately crept into their hearts.

They knew childbirth was like passing through the gates of hell, but they thought their mothers had already given birth once. The doctors had said that women who had given birth before would have an easier time next time and that it wouldn’t be too dangerous.

Why was what Lin Mo said different from what the doctors said? And they trusted Lin Mo more—after all, she had the all-knowing system Bai Xiao by her side.

Qin Zheng’s palms were sweating. If there really was danger, he would rather his mother not give birth to this child.

Bai Xiao said: [You don’t need to worry too much. Both madams are in very good health; there shouldn’t be any accidents. And I have some books on obstetrics and gynecology. I’ll copy them out and spread them—consider it benefiting the common people.]

Lin Mo nodded in agreement in their group chat.

Peacock and the Pretty Fool finally relaxed a little. If the system said it was fine, then it should be fine.

Still, after returning home, they told their parents about it. The Minister of Justice and the Vice Minister of Personnel almost decided on the spot not to keep the child.

“Father, don’t get agitated. Bai Xiao said Mother’s health is quite good and there shouldn’t be any major problems. He also said he’ll copy out some books on women’s medicine and spread them. Don’t worry—nothing will happen.”

This matter quickly became known among all the civil and military officials, and Emperor Xuande was the happiest of all.

What emperor wouldn’t be happy about something that benefited the people? That little system was really becoming more and more sensible.

It was just a pity that its identity couldn’t be exposed—otherwise, he would even give it an official position and have it attend court.

Lin Mo after marriage was exactly the same as before marriage: refusing to get up in the morning, nodding off during court—no different at all.

In the mornings, Bai Xiao would help put Lin Mo onto the carriage, then find an opportunity to shrink himself and secretly follow along. The two of them continued gossiping in court as usual.

Bai Xiao said: [Smell that? The Crown Prince reeks of milk. The Crown Princess gave birth to twins, and now the Crown Prince takes care of the children every day—just like your father back then.]

Lin Mo even deliberately leaned over to sniff. The Crown Prince: …Do you have any manners?

Lin Mo replied: [The smell really is strong, and it’s kind of sour. Feels like it’s gone bad—like fermented milk. Doesn’t he tidy himself up in the morning? When my dad was taking care of me, he still cleaned himself up.]

The Emperor also glanced sideways at the Crown Prince, while the Second and Third Princes leaned in to smell their eldest brother.

Mm, there really was a sour smell—but it wasn’t stinky.

Crown Prince: …That’s sweat mixed with milk smell! I don’t have time to tidy myself up in the morning!

Taking care of one child was already hard enough—he had to take care of two!

He pitied the Crown Princess for being weak after childbirth, and he worried others wouldn’t take good care of the children, so he usually kept them by his side and watched them himself.

The two children were quite well-behaved, but when they fussed, it was truly intense!

Speaking of which, after court ended, could he ask Minister Lin for advice?

Raising one Lin Mo had to be harder than raising his twins—Minister Lin must have methods!

The Emperor and Empress did like their grandchildren, but only to a certain extent.

Occasionally holding them to play was fine, letting them stay for a day or two was fine—but raising them long-term? They couldn’t handle that.

They had finally become Emperor and Empress, reached this age and status, and had money in the treasury. They didn’t want to start raising children all over again. They had raised enough kids already.

This stage of life was for enjoying themselves, not being held hostage by children and forced to be grandparents raising kids every day.

If there was time, the children could be sent into the palace to play. After all, there were plenty of grandmothers in the harem.

After sniffing the Crown Prince, Lin Mo started sniffing everyone else, fully committing to being shameless.

Official Li, standing beside her, wore a look of utter despair.

Why did it feel like after getting married, Lord Lin had become even more unrestrained?

Once court finally ended, the Crown Prince immediately pulled Minister Lin aside.

Looking at the haggard Crown Prince, Minister Lin felt as if he were seeing his younger self from many years ago.

“Your Highness, you don’t actually need to do everything personally. My little rascal simply refused to let anyone else hold her, so I had no choice but to carry her myself. The two little imperial grandsons shouldn’t be like that, right?”

The Crown Prince smiled awkwardly. “That’s true. Mine can be held by others. I’m just… not at ease.”

He had heard that all three Lin children were raised by Minister Lin himself—especially the youngest, Lord Lin.

And all three Lin children were outstanding. Naturally, the Crown Prince wanted to learn as well—he just didn’t expect learning this way to be so exhausting.

Minister Lin shook his head and sighed. “You need to let go appropriately. It’s fine to let the servants take care of them. When you have time, spend more time with the children. And don’t spoil them too much—look at mine, she was spoiled far too much.”

The two of them simultaneously looked toward Lin Mo.

Lin Mo was happily spinning in circles, entertaining herself.

Crown Prince, Minister Lin: …

Yes—spoiling too much was indeed bad. This really looked a bit… abnormal.

The Crown Prince took this advice to heart, and his mental state improved somewhat.

The Crown Princess, on the other hand, had far fewer worries.

She had married the right man. Her pregnancy had been smooth, and aside from some suffering during childbirth, everything afterward went well.

The Crown Prince still treated her just as well as ever. After all these years, nothing had changed.

People used to say her position was unstable because she had no children, but now these two children directly silenced all criticism.

Twins—what an auspicious sign.

With the birth of the twins, aside from the Crown Prince’s family, the happiest were the Second Prince’s family.

They were still immersed in joy.

“Hahahaha! My son is finally safe! At last, he won’t have to inherit that damned throne!”

During the Crown Princess’s pregnancy, all kinds of good things were sent to the Eastern Palace from the Second Prince’s residence as if money were nothing. The Second Prince’s consort and his two side consorts were practically ready to personally serve the Crown Princess hand in hand.

They were used to this leisurely life and had no desire for their children to become emperor in the future. That would be far too exhausting.

They had seen what their father’s life was like over the years. Even before knowing how poor he truly was, they knew he wasn’t well-off.

After learning just how poor he was, they wanted the throne even less.

Too much pressure, poor sleep, and even if there was a bit of money, the treasury couldn’t handle it—you’d still have to subsidize it. Look at how their mother and concubines had been forced into it—growing vegetables, raising chickens and ducks, mastering everything.

They were all born into noble families. Back then, knowing music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and embroidery was enough. Yet later on, they were forced to master all kinds of farming and breeding techniques.

Now even the Minister of Agriculture sometimes had to consult the palace ladies—after all, their experience was truly abundant.

And they seemed to enjoy it now.

“Stop laughing already. Hurry and send these things to the Eastern Palace. Children’s items must be chosen carefully. And this book—this is the experience I wrote down when I was pregnant with two children. Send all of it to the Eastern Palace.”

The Second Prince’s consort was so busy that if she had time, she would have gone herself.

The little heir and little princess watched their mother and two aunts bustling about, completely unaware of what was going on.

They only knew they had younger siblings now, not realizing that their own fate had also been secured.

Looking at all the things sent over, the Crown Prince’s face darkened.

The Crown Princess, however, was quite happy. Holding the children’s items, she kept comparing them against the twins.

“The second brother and sister-in-law are really thoughtful. Their whole family has been extremely attentive lately, sending all kinds of good things. I almost think they’ve emptied the Second Prince’s residence.”

The Crown Prince sneered and rolled his eyes. “Don’t be fooled by them. Don’t think I don’t know what they’re thinking—they believe that now that we have heirs, their two children are safe.”

“Tell me, all the other brothers wish their children could ascend the throne. Why are they completely different?”

As soon as he said this, the Crown Princess fell silent.

Looking at the puzzled Crown Prince, she said very seriously, “You should know the answer to that yourself.”

Crown Prince: …Fine. The throne really is exhausting.

Sometimes he even wondered why his father and mother hadn’t given him an elder brother.

He envied his younger brothers’ lives. While he was busy, the two of them lived comfortably.

When trouble came, he bore it. When good things came, those two bastards showed up.

Looking at the beautiful Crown Princess, the Crown Prince felt some comfort.

Although the Crown Prince’s life was tiring, he had still married the woman he loved. His father had settled everything for him, and even after ascending the throne, he could still spend his life together with the one he loved.

In the early days, before the ministers knew how poor Emperor Xuande truly was, they constantly urged him to expand the harem and produce more heirs, saying three princes were too few and that all the princesses were already married off.

But the Emperor rejected them all.

Later, once everyone found out how poor the Emperor really was, no one urged him anymore.

Previously, some had also urged the Crown Prince to take side consorts—but that stopped too.

The royal family was already this poor. If he married more wives, were you going to help raise them?

As long as there were heirs, that was enough. No one was picky anymore.