LOT – Chapter 46 Minister Lin’s Irresistible Charm—Lin Mo Is Glad She Didn’t End Up with a Male Concubine

Uncle Wang must be about sixty this year, right? Honestly, no one knows when he’s planning to pay back that money.

Just thinking about that sum he borrowed made the Emperor’s heart ache.

The national treasury was already tight, and the royal family wasn’t exactly swimming in wealth. Yet when Uncle Wang left, he took a chunk of it with him. Who does that?!

No one knew whether the Third Prince of the Western Regions took any money with him when he eloped, but given how that region is rich in gems and jade, he probably didn’t leave empty-handed.

As soon as Emperor Xuande thought about how wealthy others were while he was this broke, his mood took a nosedive.

Even though the treasury had gotten a boost recently thanks to confiscating a few corrupt officials’ estates, there were still tons of places that needed funding!

Lin Mo, unaware of the Emperor’s inner turmoil, was more curious about what kind of man could seduce that Third Prince into eloping with him.

Lin Mo, in her mind: [System, what does the man who ran off with the Third Prince of the Western Regions look like? He must be pretty good-looking, right? Otherwise, why would a prince run away with him?]

The system scanned the court officials and replied:

System: [That man is also from Dayong. He’s the gentle and refined type—similar to your father, actually. But your dad is even better looking and has a colder temperament. If your father smiled more, he’d resemble that man by maybe twenty percent.]

Minister Lin: …Thanks a lot, I guess.

All of a sudden, the civil and military officials couldn’t help but sneak glances at Minister Lin’s face. Mhm, the system had complimented his looks more than once. No wonder he used to be the top-ranked tanhuá scholar in his youth!

Lin Mo had no idea her father was feeling deeply conflicted. In fact, she felt pretty proud.

Lin Mo, smugly: [Hahaha, that’s my dad for you! Good thing that Third Prince didn’t come to our country. Otherwise, I’d worry he’d fall for my dad at first sight. I mean, he likes this type, and my dad’s even better-looking than the guy he ran off with!]

System: [Exactly! And what if he really did fall for your dad and wanted a political marriage? Insisted on marrying him? Then boom—you’d have a male concubine as a new stepmom!]

The lips of every official present started twitching uncontrollably. Minister Lin’s whole body began trembling with rage.

Minister Lin: You unfilial daughter! Misfortune upon my house!

As ridiculous as Lin Mo and the system’s conversation sounded, there was an odd sort of logic to it. The more everyone thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

Emperor Xuande’s mouth twitched as he struggled not to laugh.

Hold it in, hold it in! I’m the Emperor! I must remain dignified and majestic!

Even though this Lin girl was undeniably entertaining, she was absolutely driving her father to an early grave.

It wasn’t easy for Minister Lin to live this long with his health intact. Fortunately, this girl wasn’t his daughter—otherwise, she might’ve angered him to death already.

Watching other people’s families become laughingstocks was amusing—but heaven forbid the joke be on your own household.

Just in case Minister Lin fainted on the spot from rage, the imperial physician had already walked up next to him, silver needles at the ready.

Lately, his acupuncture skills had greatly improved. What had once plateaued was now a fully honed craft, practiced to perfection.

“One Needle and All Your Pain Will Vanish—Fast, Ruthless, Precise!”

The imperial physician stood ready beside him, silver needle in hand, eyes gleaming with determination.

Looking at the physician prepared to stab him at any moment, Minister Lin: … Seriously?

After morning court ended, Lin Mo had originally planned to stroll around the streets for a bit of fun. Unfortunately, she was dragged straight home by Minister Lin.

Not long after, wails and cries started echoing from her courtyard.

“Dad, you’re being unreasonable! You’re hitting me for no reason again! What did I even do wrong?!”

Lin Mo’s cries rang out pitifully from inside.

Minister Lin, fuming: “Do I need to pick a special day to hit you?! If I don’t give you a beating, you’ll flip the roof over one day!”

Lady Lin, along with Lin Qi and Lin Ran, had been summoned over.

Lady Lin sighed.

“Looks like your little sister’s stirred up trouble again. Our whole family’s become the talk of the capital now.”

Every time she left the house, someone would stop her to gossip about that outrageous girl—or pester her for the latest updates.

Lin Qi shook his head in helplessness.

“We’re actually doing fine, but I think Dad has it the worst. After all, he has to attend court with our little sister every single day.”

Lin Ran added,

“I’ve noticed it too. Dad’s been getting more and more irritable lately. Sometimes he just sits there chuckling coldly to himself. Mom, you might want to talk to him now and then—if this keeps up, I’m seriously worried about his mental health.”

Lady Lin: …

That night, Lin Mo lay sprawled on her bed, still complaining endlessly to the system.

The system comforted her like it was soothing a spoiled child:

System: [Come on now, what kid hasn’t been smacked around a little by their parents? Besides, your dad didn’t even hit you that hard. If he had, would you still be this full of energy?]

Lin Mo: [You call that not hard?! He used a rattan cane!]

System: [Rattan canes only cause superficial injuries. Rest for a day or two and you’ll be fine. If you’re feeling down, tomorrow’s your day off, right? Go out for a walk—I’ll dig up some fresh gossip for you.]

That did the trick—Lin Mo immediately brightened up.

There’s no sorrow that can’t be cured by juicy gossip!

The next morning, before the sun even rose, she jumped out of bed—full of life. Just yesterday she’d been wailing in bed like she was on the brink of death.

System: … I knew you were faking it.

The capital was livelier than ever, and while Lin Mo wandered the bustling streets, she unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.

“Peacock Boy!”

Wei Zheng’an had been leisurely enjoying his stroll when he suddenly heard that devil’s voice calling out.

The young servant next to him stiffened.

“…Young Master! Should we run?!”

Wei Zheng’an and his servant exchanged a glance—

—then turned around and bolted.

Behind Them, Lin Mo: …

Lin Mo, grumbling: [Why are they running?! It’s not like I’m going to eat them! Is he seriously worried I’ll go to their house for food again? I brought money this time, okay?]

She was extremely displeased with Wei Zheng’an’s reaction. How dare that peacock look down on her!

Though, to be fair, Peacock Boy’s outfit today was actually quite nice—none of the flashy, garish colors he usually wore. He had on a pale blue robe that, she had to admit, gave him a gentle, refined air like that of an elegant noble son.

Well, except for the part where he was fleeing in sheer panic.

System: [Maybe you really did traumatize him last time. You did ride on his shoulders all the way home and treated him like a personal mount. That kind of thing leaves lifelong scars, you know.]

Wei Zheng’an didn’t stop running until he reached the gates of his house.

“Oh my god! Why did I have to run into that little demon on the street?! Scared me half to death!”

Clutching his chest, Wei Zheng’an looked utterly terrified.