LOT – Chapter 4 The Entire Court Eats Melon Together—Revealing the Secrets of the Protector General Who Guards the Nation!

The veins on the Protector General’s forehead were popping—he absolutely could not let her continue!

“Your Majesty! I—!”

Before he could finish his shout, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince each landed a punch—left hook, right hook—and knocked out his teeth on the spot.

The two brothers exchanged a glance—they were enjoying the drama way too much. No way were they going to let someone irrelevant interrupt!

The “irrelevant” Protector General on the floor: …

Everyone had been startled by the Protector General’s loud shout. If he managed to reveal that they could all hear Lin Mo’s words, they’d be in deep trouble!

Emperor Xuande gave his sons a look of appreciation—worthy sons indeed, quick to react!

The Third Prince, nearly shoved off his feet by his brothers: …

Couldn’t you at least give me a heads-up?! I nearly fell flat on my face!

Lin Mo thought she heard someone calling the emperor, so she looked up in confusion: [I think I just heard someone talking… Did I mishear?]

Everyone tensed up instantly. Have they been discovered?! It was all that Protector General’s fault—if they got found out, none of them would forgive him!

System: [Isn’t everyone talking? They’re discussing state affairs. Are you still eating melons or not?]

Everyone: Yes, yes, yes!!

Lin Mo: [Of course! Otherwise, standing here is super boring. Keep going about Prince Qi and the Protector General.]

Upon hearing her words, everyone sighed in relief. Phew! They hadn’t been exposed.

System: [After the Protector General started following Prince Qi, their relationship became very intimate—sweet as honey. The prince even started neglecting his consort for him.]

[But the good times didn’t last. The Prince Qi liked young and pretty faces, and the Protector General, having spent years in the harsh frontier, quickly lost his charm to newcomers.]

Serving with looks—how could that ever last? The way everyone looked at the Protector General now had a tinge of sympathy.

Such a pitiful man—fallen from favor. Even Emperor Xuande started to feel a little sorry for him.

Lin Mo asked curiously: [But if the Protector General lost favor, why is he still so loyal to Prince Qi? Don’t tell me he’s a love-brain!]

Love-brain? What kind of brain is that? It didn’t sound like a very good one.

Everyone was curious but didn’t dwell on it. What mattered most was hearing the rest of the story! Hurry up and spill it!

System continued: [Even though he was out of favor, the Prince Qi compensated him—promotions and even a wife. Though… that wife had also been with Prince Qi.]

Lin Mo: …

Everyone: …

The Protector General, his mouth covered and body restrained by two military officers, was practically dying of shame. His secrets were being spilled one after another by that damn system!

Emperor Xuande’s gaze toward the Protector General was complicated. Honestly, the man had a huge capacity for humiliation—he seemed to wear that enormous green hat very comfortably.

System: [The Protector General knew exactly how he got everything he had, so he remained loyal to Prince Qi. Most importantly, he still had feelings for him. Sometimes, the “couple” would serve Prince Qi together.]

[His wife’s two sons aren’t even his—they’re Prince Qi’s.]

Lin Mo gasped: [Is this guy seriously mentally sound?! Does he even know those kids aren’t his?!]

System: [Oh, he knows. He’s even proud! Because the kids resemble Prince Qi, he treats them as emotional anchors.]

Everyone: …

Emperor Xuande: …

This story was just too outrageous. The Protector General was truly a man among men… or maybe something else entirely.

The Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince all glanced meaningfully at the pinned-down Protector General.

The Protector General, his eyes rolling back in fury, was about to faint. A nearby imperial physician rushed in like an arrow and stabbed him with a needle—instantly bringing him back to consciousness.

The physician stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction: “Trying to pass out in front of me? No way! The story’s not over—you’re not fainting today!”

Protector General: ##

Meanwhile, the system and Lin Mo were still engrossed in their juicy gossip. Time flew by unnoticed, and before they knew it, court was over.

[Aw man, that was fast! I haven’t even finished the Protector General’s story yet!] Lin Mo had never felt time pass this quickly.

The other ministers silently nodded in agreement—yes, it was their first time feeling that a court session ended too soon.

System: [It’s fine. The Emperor, Protector General, and Prince Qi provided a lot of energy.]

[Anyway, Prince Qi is trash, the Protector General is trash, and your country is poor, right? Just confiscate their families’ properties and boom—instant money. I checked your laws, and with all the crimes they committed, you’ve got more than enough reason to do it.]

Emperor Xuande and the ministers were suddenly struck with realization. That’s right! Why hadn’t they thought of that?!

Lin Mo: [I’m just a lowly assistant. I have no say in these things. But since someone’s already submitted a memorial, I’m sure His Majesty will investigate thoroughly. Let’s just wait and enjoy the drama. I’m tired—let’s adjourn and go home.]

Everyone: Tired?! You’ve just been standing here gossiping!

They didn’t understand the term “eating melons” at first, but by now, they’d pretty much figured it out.

Emperor Xuande cleared his throat and announced the end of court—but kept behind a few ministers, including Minister Lin.

Minister Lin looked dazed and disoriented. Was this about to be a grand inquisition? It’s over for their family…

However, the Emperor didn’t mention Lin Mo’s disrespectful behavior at all. He only sternly instructed them all to keep their mouths shut.

His tone was harsh, but the ministers looked troubled.

This would be tough. With so many people who had heard everything, if even one slipped up…

“We obey, Your Majesty!”

Troubled or not, they had to comply.

The Emperor was kind and virtuous, but he also had plenty of ways to punish people. Anyone who sat on the throne was no fool.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo, sitting in the carriage, was waiting for her father—and dozed off before long.

Minister Lin returned to find his troublesome daughter sleeping soundly… butt in the air.

Minister Lin: …

Minister Lin let out a sigh, then expertly kicked the person inside. She didn’t know how to stand or sit properly—so annoying!

Lin Mo still hadn’t woken up even after they arrived home, so Minister Lin told Lin Qi to carry her in.

He then recounted everything that had happened in court to his wife and children. The more he talked, the darker his expression became.

“So, you’re saying Mo’er has already stepped onto the path of recognition, right?” Madam Lin was rather optimistic. Since the Emperor hadn’t blamed her, there was nothing to worry about.

Lin Qi and Lin Ran exchanged a glance, then sighed at the same time. Why did it feel like life was going to become even more chaotic from now on?

_{Oh it will be more than chaotic my friends.}