Seeing that Madam Zhao was angry, Jiutian clapped his hands and took a lotus leaf to put on his head.

She grinned and pulled down her pants to cover her eyes, saying, "Uncle won't recognize me."

Mrs. Zhao chuckled to herself; the five-year-old child was truly innocent and adorable.

"Princess, Your Majesty, his face..."

"Um?"

Why is he wearing a mask? Is there something obstructing his view?

"It's nothing, my uncle just likes to wear masks."

"Oh, Princess, may I see what you look like? Why are you wearing a mask?"

“If you want to see my face, you can trade it for grain,” Jiutian said. “The prime minister of Yulong Kingdom glanced at me, just once, and gave me 500,000 shi of fine grain.”

Lady Zhao was shocked. Even the Jade Dragon Kingdom had to offer 500,000 shi of fine grain just to see Princess Longxiang!

She looked at the earnest little child and felt that what the child said was true, because the child seemed to take it all for granted.

Forget it, I'd better not look. One glance and I've got 500,000 shi of fine grain.

Wearing a lotus leaf on his head, Jiutian ran all the way to the council hall where Yin Jin'an and Prefect Zhao were, and called out with a grin, "Second Uncle, can you still see me?"

Yin Jin'an found it amusing and deliberately said, "Who is this? Why does his voice sound like my Long Xiang's?"

“It’s me!” Jiutian lifted the lotus leaf and looked at Yin Jin’an with a grin.

Yin Jin'an pinched her little nose and said in a cooperative tone, "So you're our little princess!"

Pulling the person close, Jiutian simply climbed onto his lap, sat on his legs, and nestled in his arms, listening obediently to their conversation.

Zhao Qiaoqiao and Cuiyu were in the next room of the council chamber, looking at the people in the chamber through holes in the wall, feeling a mix of emotions.

She looked at Jiutian with a mixture of envy and jealousy, wishing she were the one sitting in his arms, so that she could see his true face under the mask with a simple gesture.

Just now, Jiutian went out to play with Madam Zhao, and she took the opportunity to enter the council hall several times.

The first time she served tea, she and Zhao Song had already discussed it and added something to the tea.

Yin Jin'an has been on the throne for less than half a year, and has not yet established an empress or even a concubine. Such an exceptional man is rare in the world.

But legend has it that he is the most handsome man in the world today.

However, for some reason, he was only three steps away from Yin Jin'an, and could not take another step forward.

Undeterred, she sent more snacks, but she couldn't make any progress, even when she used her internal energy.

"Cuiyu, do you think his martial arts have reached the pinnacle? Can he control everything around him, even the air?" Zhao Qiaoqiao had always been confident in her martial arts skills, but now she had some doubts.

Cuiyu said, "He's amazing, and Miss is amazing too! You two are such a perfect match! It's just a pity..."

"I have no regrets. I've fallen for him, and it has to be him."

She never saw the true face of the Heavenly Emperor, but his mother's beauty still amazes her father, who says that such a face could only belong to a fairy descended to earth.

How could Wei Mu's son not be good-looking?

Zhao Qiaoqiao slowly strolled back to the study, where she encountered Zhao Situ's wife, Song Yuanzhi.

Song Yuanzhi is the eldest daughter of the Song family in Zejin City, and the most outstanding young lady in Zejin City.

"Greetings to my sister-in-law." Zhao Qiaoqiao's voice was as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song.

Song Yuanzhi said, "Sister, I have heard that His Majesty is unparalleled in appearance, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and also virtuous and self-disciplined. Not to mention having a wife, he doesn't even have a maidservant. If you could marry His Majesty, your life would be complete."

Zhao Qiaoqiao didn't mince words and said directly, "Sister-in-law, I just tested him. His Majesty remained calm and composed, and was not moved by my looks."

“He is His Majesty, so naturally he wouldn’t be arrogant. Isn’t that what you value in him, sister?” Song Yuanzhi said. “I heard from Mother that Father has already discussed the matter of entering the palace with His Majesty. Sister, just wait for good news.”

“Sister-in-law, I think His Majesty can’t get close to any other woman except Princess Longxiang.”

"Sister, be careful what you say," Song Yuanzhi said, looking around. "Why don't you invite Princess Longxiang out and treat her properly?"

“Sister-in-law, all women in the world, regardless of age, are jealous of each other when it comes to men. How can anyone be willing to help another man?”

I admire Your Majesty, so I will bravely pursue you. Even when trying to please those around him, it can only be a man.

For example, General Gu Bahuang, bodyguard Yang Hanfeng, and even centurion Zhang Xiangshan are all better than trying to please Princess Longxiang.

"Princess Longxiang is only His Majesty's nephew, and the princess is only five years old. Sister, please be careful with your words."

“Sister-in-law, I’ll make a bet with you. Don’t underestimate the princess just because she’s only five years old. Her possessiveness toward His Majesty surpasses that of any other woman.”

Song Yuanzhi no longer wanted to talk to her. These rebellious words, spoken carelessly by her younger sister, would bring trouble sooner or later.

She was a lady from a respectable family, and it's a mystery how the Zhao family could raise such an ill-mannered young lady.

She smiled faintly, offered no further reminders, and went to Madam Zhao's courtyard.

Madam Zhao was in a daze when she saw Song Yuanzhi coming over, and immediately went to greet her.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Song Yuanzhi said, "Mother, I have a few words to discuss with you."

Madam Zhao immediately dismissed all the maids and servants around her, saying, "Young Madam, please speak."

Song Yuanzhi said that she had just seen the eldest daughter, Zhao Qiaoqiao, eavesdropping on the conversation between the eunuch and His Majesty in the next room of the council hall, and that she was determined to win His Majesty's favor, which might bring trouble to the Zhao family.

“Mother, although we are on the border, all land under heaven belongs to the king; all people within the borders are his subjects. We are facing the king of a country. Although he is young, he is not to be trifled with or treated lightly.”

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!