Lord Wei saw everyone's reactions. Although he had expected this to happen and was waiting to see them get their comeuppance, seeing his fellow officials in this state still filled him with a strange sense of sorrow.

Whether these are loyal ministers or treacherous officials, those who can stand here at this moment are no incompetent people.

Without knowing anything, this is what they were thinking?

Fortunately, not all the people present were like that; although they were only a small minority, they cannot represent everyone.

At this moment, the expressions on the faces of several people who came out from the side hall changed when they saw Lord Wei.

"Your Excellency, His Majesty has decreed that Minister Wei of the Ministry of Personnel will be bringing an interpreter today. Surely it won't be the one beside him?" Shen Baixuan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, whispered.

Upon hearing this, Minister of Rites Mo Qiyan frowned slightly and led several of his subordinates to greet them.

"Xiao Duo, come here, let me introduce you. This is Minister Mo of the Ministry of Rites." Seeing the serious expression on the other party's face, Minister Wei knew that he was also full of uncertainty and doubt, so he smiled and said to Xiao Duo.

"Lord Mo, my name is Hong Xiaoduo." Hong Xiaoduo was unfamiliar with the etiquette of official meetings and had not intended to ask Uncle Wei for guidance or to brush up on it before coming.

I figured I was just here to help out, not to ask for anything from them, so I figured as long as it was passable, there was no need to put too much thought into it.

Upon hearing Lord Wei's introduction, Minister Mo's heart skipped a beat. He didn't respond to Hong Xiaoduo, but instead looked directly at the person who made the introduction, trying to keep his voice steady: "She is?"

Lord Wei smiled and nodded slightly.

Upon receiving confirmation, Minister Mo could no longer remain calm. He gestured for Wei to speak from this side, and after Wei followed him to the side, he immediately whispered, "Lord Wei, I was asking about the translator, the one His Majesty mentioned."

"Yes, this is the one." Lord Wei replied with a smile, raising his left arm and smoothing out his sleeve.

The affirmative response silenced Minister Mo, leaving him feeling as if a firecracker had been thrown into his body, causing him to feel short of breath, his heart to race, and his mind to go blank.

His hands clenched into fists under his sleeves, his nails digging into his palms, wishing he were in a nightmare.

After all, the night before last, his subordinate translator Shi Rong arrived with his entourage. He knelt down as soon as he saw him, his voice so hoarse that it was impossible to understand what he was saying. It was the servant who came with him who explained that his master's voice had suddenly become like this. He had seen a doctor, but they couldn't determine the cause. The medicine had been prepared, but there was no guarantee that it would be effective. He was told to take it for three days, and if it didn't work, they would change the prescription.

When Minister Mo heard what the servant said, he truly felt as if the sky was about to fall.

It wasn't that he cared so much about this interpreter subordinate, but rather the subordinate's current importance—the foreign mission was about to arrive, and yet his throat was like this!

Not too early, not too late, but at this crucial juncture! The worst part is that, in preparation for this kind of thing, he had the interpreter in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs train a deputy years ago, and what was the result?

When it really matters, they can't be relied upon!

With this foreign delegation arriving, the situation at the Ministry of Rites is so dire that, in front of His Majesty, the one who has failed in his duty is none other than the Minister of Rites.

Anxiety and stress can easily lead to nightmares!

However, the distinct pain in his palm cruelly reminded Minister Mo that this was not a nightmare!

At the same time, the pain quickly brought him back to his senses.

I didn't say it was absurd to Lord Wei, because we had served in the same court for many years and he was not an absurd person.

He tried to calm himself down, trying to think positively. So what if this temporary interpreter was young? So what if she was a woman? His Majesty dared to use her, and that was enough!

Judging from the situation, this young lady should have been introduced to His Majesty by Lord Wei, but that's not the issue we need to worry about now.

"Kaiyang, pay your respects to Lord Mo."

"Lord Mo, this is my grandson." Seeing that Minister Mo seemed to have digested the matter, Lord Wei spoke up again, without explaining why he brought his grandson to the palace. In any case, no matter what he said, it wouldn't be the most reasonable reason, so it was better not to say anything.

Upon hearing his grandfather's words, Kaiyang immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and offered a tender greeting.

Minister Mo was stunned for a moment. His attention had been focused on the young woman dressed as a man, but why had Lord Wei brought his grandson along?

Mo Shangshu's subordinates all looked as if they had been struck by lightning twice in a row. What had happened to Lord Wei? Had he gone mad?

Introducing such a young woman to His Majesty, translator? And on such an important occasion, bringing along a grandson who's only seven or eight years old?

Is it possible that Lord Wei has lost his will to serve as an official and has gone mad, wanting to make a big fuss so that all the civil and military officials, foreign powers, and even the entire country will remember him?

Minister Mo tried his best to regain his composure and looked at the child in front of him. Not just anyone could enter the palace. The fact that this child was standing here meant that the Emperor had given his permission. After all, the Imperial Guards guarding the palace gates would not let anyone in just because of any official's face.

Nothing serious happened; I might just lose my job, my livelihood.

If something goes wrong, it could mean the extermination of your entire family!

"Not bad, not bad. Lord Wei's grandson is quite handsome. With proper upbringing, he will surely have a bright future and become a pillar of the nation. Lord Wei has a worthy successor. Congratulations!" Minister Mo, having regained his composure, praised him resignedly.

At this moment, an eunuch trotted over and said to Minister Mo and the others, "My lords, Prime Minister Dong and Prince Mu have received the delegation and are almost at the palace gate."

Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo realized that they had gone to pick up people; no wonder she hadn't seen the two of them.

Ministers Wei and Mo gestured for Hong Xiaoduo and Kaiyang to follow them toward the main hall, and the other officials waiting outside also followed them inside.

Once inside, Hong Xiaoduo instinctively followed Lord Wei, and Kaiyang naturally stayed close to her.

As soon as Hong Xiaoduo stood up, she turned her head and saw Minister Mo looking at her. He then gestured with his eyes, "Oh, I understand. I'm temporarily under the Ministry of Rites today."

After realizing what was happening, Hong Xiaoduo walked over to Minister Mo.

Hmm, this girl isn't too stupid. Minister Mo just breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes widening a little. Why is this girl coming over with that little tail?

Seeing Hong Xiaoduo holding Kaiyang's hand, Minister Mo quickly looked at Minister Wei and said with his eyes, "This is your grandson. You brought him in but didn't keep him by your side to watch over him properly. What kind of behavior is it to stand on the side of my Ministry of Rites?"

Lord Wei understood, but he simply shrugged and said, "Sorry, whether you believe it or not, this really has nothing to do with me!"

His grandson is indeed his grandson, but as long as this girl is around, he, as her grandfather, can only rank after her.

The other civil and military officials, upon entering the main hall, immediately fell silent, straightened their official hats and robes, and stood in formation, waiting for the emperor and the foreign delegations, while their gazes frequently drifted toward the Ministry of Rites.

The people from the Ministry of Rites are the most nervous and anxious today, at this very moment...