Then…
Nothing happened.
Sima Mingrui still had the same face. Not only did he not become more handsome, not even a single strand of hair changed.
The entire court fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared at the Third Prince, waiting for a miracle.
They waited for a long time—nothing at all.
Sima Mingrui’s palms were covered in sweat; he nearly couldn’t hold the mirror steady.
What was going on?
Just now, when Father Emperor looked into the mirror, golden light almost blinded everyone.
But when it came to him… not even a spark?
“I… I am unmatched under heaven!”
He gritted his teeth and tried again.
The mirror lay in his hand like scrap metal.
His face burned with embarrassment.
This feeling of being publicly humiliated was even worse than being slapped in the face.
“Third Brother, how about changing the words?”
Sima Mingyue was holding back laughter, her eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.
“Maybe your wording is wrong?”
“What words should I change to?”
Sima Mingrui panicked, his voice turning sharp.
“Am I not clear enough?”
The Ministry of Revenue official muttered quietly, “Could it be the mirror is tired? It already reflected so many people…”
“A mirror can get tired?”
The Ministry of Personnel official immediately retorted.
“When His Majesty used it earlier, the light nearly blinded me!”
The Minister of Rites stroked his beard. “Could there be some trick to this mirror?”
Hearing this, Sima Mingrui grew more and more uneasy.
Being rejected by a broken mirror in front of the entire court—did he still have any face left?
“Again!”
He stubbornly insisted, attacking the mirror nonstop:
“I am the peerless handsome man! A god descending to earth! Overwhelmingly beautiful! Elegant beyond comparison! Handsome like Pan An! …”
He spat out more than a dozen phrases in one breath, as if trying to use up every compliment in the world.
But the mirror still refused to respond. Not even the faint glow from before appeared.
The Crown Prince and the Third Princess exchanged a glance, barely holding back laughter.
Sima Juechen narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on?”
His voice carried a dangerous edge.
“Your Majesty, could this mirror have usage limits?” the Prime Minister hurriedly stepped in to ease the tension, already sweating.
“Maybe it was used too many times today?”
“Yes, yes!” Sima Mingrui grabbed this lifeline immediately. “It must be used up!”
【Oh wow! This mirror is picky about people?】
【System, what’s going on? Did the Third Prince get rejected?】
【Host, this mirror only works on people with kind hearts! The Third Prince has an impure mind, so it doesn’t respond to him.】
Fan Zexuan almost laughed out loud.
So this beauty filter can actually distinguish good from evil!
Now this is getting interesting.
Sima Juechen stared at the Third Prince, his gaze turning colder and colder.
So the mirror can actually judge people!
Looks like the Third Prince isn’t a good man.
The ministers in the court all sucked in cold breaths.
The Prince’s implication was… the mirror is fine, but the person is the problem!
So that means anyone who doesn’t trigger the mirror… has moral issues?
Some became excited, some felt guilty, and some began silently reflecting on themselves.
A few officials with questionable consciences even quietly stepped back, afraid of being called forward to test the mirror.
Everyone’s gaze toward Sima Mingrui changed.
Pity, contempt, amusement—everything was there.
A few young officials even began whispering:
“So the Third Prince…”
“Shh! Lower your voice!”
“No wonder I always felt something was off about him…”
“So it’s confirmed…”
Sima Mingrui felt those gazes and became extremely uncomfortable.
He still refused to give up, continuing to praise himself in front of the mirror:
“I am exceptionally handsome!”
No response.
“I am suave and elegant!”
Still no response.
“I am…”
“Enough!”
Sima Juechen shouted angrily. The entire hall trembled.
Sima Mingrui’s hand shook, nearly dropping the mirror.
“Father Emperor, I…”
His voice already carried tears.
“How long are you going to keep embarrassing yourself?”
Sima Juechen’s voice was icy, every word like shards of ice stabbing into him.
“Standing in front of the entire court like a clown!”
Sima Mingrui’s face turned pale, his lips trembling.
“I… I am unwell, I won’t try anymore.”
“If you’re unwell, go back and rest.”
Sima Juechen waved his hand impatiently, not even bothering to look at him anymore.
“Withdraw.”
“This son takes his leave.”
Sima Mingrui handed the mirror to Wang Dehai and left in disgrace, stumbling as he walked.
His back looked utterly miserable—like a rooster defeated in battle.
When he reached the doorway, he couldn’t help but look back.
That damned mirror was now glowing brightly in Wang Dehai’s hands!
【Hahaha! This is peak social death!】
【System, this mirror is basically a demon-revealing mirror!】
Sima Juechen now understood.
This mirror could not only beautify—it could also judge people.
From now on, who is loyal and who is corrupt in court… one look would tell.
What a pleasant surprise!
He glanced around and noticed several officials secretly wiping sweat, eyes avoiding his gaze.
Looks like there are quite a few guilty hearts in this court.
“Wang Dehai.”
Sima Juechen spoke calmly, but his imperial authority made it even more terrifying.
“This servant is here!”
Wang Dehai quickly stepped forward, carefully holding the mirror.
“Put it away. Tomorrow before court, let all officials who haven’t been tested look into it.”
“Yes!”
Sima Juechen’s lips curved slightly.
He wanted to see just how many people in this court could not pass the mirror.
The mirror matter was temporarily settled, and court discussions resumed.
Fan Zexuan was just about to close her eyes and catch a standing nap.
Then she saw the official standing in front of her suddenly sway and fall toward her direction.
She quickly stepped forward and caught him.
“Lord Li, what’s wrong?”
“I-I’m fine…”
The Minister of Personnel, Li Qingfeng, forced himself to stand straight, but cold sweat was already forming on his forehead.
Heavens, was he about to be targeted by the Northern Prince?
He had just witnessed the Third Prince’s downfall—if his own secrets were exposed…
He silently prayed: please don’t expose my gossip!
【Host, he’s just hungry!】
【Li Qingfeng only drank a bowl of porridge last night to save money!】
【Now he’s so hungry he’s practically collapsing!】
Li Qingfeng closed his eyes, utterly despairing.
So this day had finally come…
Fan Zexuan was curious: 【Is his family really that poor? He doesn’t look like it.】
【Host, he spends all his money on outer robes to maintain appearances.】
【His inner clothes are full of patches, worn for years, socks have over ten holes, and his toes are exposed.】
【Every morning he spends half an hour figuring out how to dress so the holes won’t show.】
【To save money, he hasn’t had a full meal in half a month!】
【Pfft! That’s so tragic! You really can’t judge a book by its cover!】
The entire court turned to look at him.
Li Qingfeng stood upright, his official robe neat, hair perfectly combed.
He looked extremely proper.
Who would have thought such a polished exterior hid such hardship?
Many officials showed sympathetic expressions.
Fan Zexuan saw him still swaying and stepped forward quietly.
From her spatial storage, she took out a pack of snacks and slipped it into his hands when no one was looking.
Li Qingfeng froze, turning to look at her.
She blinked at him and whispered, “Have something to eat.”
Tears almost fell from Li Qingfeng’s eyes.
He carefully hid the snacks and silently swore in his heart:
He would never forget the kindness of the Northern Prince for the rest of his life.
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