Prime Minister Fang quickly had Fang Ruotang stand at the back of the officials. Just as he returned to his seat, the master of ceremonies announced, "The Emperor has arrived."
Everyone knelt down.
Fang Ruotang obediently knelt down, subconsciously thinking...
My grandfather said that the Imperial Diarist was an official responsible for recording the emperor's daily words and actions, but I'm standing outside the hall, so I can't hear what the emperor is saying at all!
[Oh no! I forgot my pen and ink. Tsk, Grandfather is hopeless! Is this my first day as an official, or is it his too? He didn't even remind me.]
Prime Minister Fang, standing at the head of all officials, twitched his face.
The Emperor's intention in bestowing an official title upon Fang Ruotang was quite obvious; he certainly wouldn't actually let her do any work on her first day.
After a moment of silence in the hall, the eunuch announced the Emperor's decree: "Lord Fang, the Imperial Diarist, please step forward and give your reply."
It was Fang Ruotang's first time attending the morning court session, and she wasn't very familiar with the procedures. It was only after an official in front of her reminded her that she obediently took small, quick steps forward.
Standing in the middle, I hesitated, lost in thought.
Should I kneel to answer? My grandfather didn't say anything! Never mind, I'll just kneel first! Kneeling can't hurt.
Just as Fang Ruotang was about to bend her knees, she heard an elderly yet authoritative voice from above, "Minister Fang, you may reply while standing."
Fang Ruotang straightened her legs in an instant.
Wow, I'm so outstanding! I became a high-ranking official on my very first day. Your Majesty has such excellent taste!
Of course, otherwise why would I appoint you to an official position?
【Too. 】
Fang Ruotang chatted with Xiao Jingzi for a couple of minutes as if no one else was around. The Prime Minister, who was standing at the head of the table, couldn't stand it anymore and winked at her to remind her.
Fang Ruotang glanced at it and said, "Hmm, I don't understand."
Fortunately, the Emperor spoke up and ordered her to stand next to the former court attendant and learn from him.
Fang Ruotang stood up without much thought, and the morning court session instantly returned to order.
How about it? Standing here, don't you feel a surge of responsibility, a desire to strive and fight for the people?
【Hmm...no!】
Fang Ruotang slowly replied in her mind, glancing at the diary recorder's notebook, which seemed easy to read.
How could there not be?
【No, not at all! As the youngest legitimate daughter, I have an elder sister to support the family and an outstanding half-sister. I can just relax and enjoy life! Besides, I'm in poor health, and my parents have said since I was little that they will support me for life and won't let me get married.】
[As for you, since you're already here, why don't you just bind yourself to the Emperor? I think with the Emperor's status, he can sleep with whomever he wants, completing the mission will be quick.]
After Fang Ruotang finished speaking, she even nodded slightly.
The little mirror answered in Fang Ruotang's mind, whimpering.
"That won't work! I can only bind you; no one else can complete the task. Besides, your emperor will die in less than a year."
There's nothing we can do about it.
Fang Ruotang, looking like a bachelor, indicated that he couldn't help her.
It took him a couple of moments to realize what was happening.
Is the Emperor going to die?
Fang Ruotang didn't notice that the entire hall had become quiet ever since she started talking to the little mirror.
Especially after Xiao Jingzi said that the Emperor's life was nearing its end, no one dared to breathe loudly. The entire court would glance at the Emperor's gloomy face and then at Fang Ruotang, who looked innocent and naive.
[Yes! The Emperor's health is severely deteriorated; he can only hold on for a year at most. Do you want to save him? This would be a great achievement, and you might even be able to get a noble title.]
【In no mood. 】
[Think about it again, you're not at a loss. Look up ahead, the fifth person after your grandfather, that most handsome young man is Minister Ye. Don't you find him attractive? Don't you like his looks?]
Fang Ruotang looked up curiously and met Ye Shilang's gaze.
Minister Ye was not old, looking to be around twenty years old. He had bright eyes and sparse eyebrows, and his features were delicate but gentle, the kind of handsome face that was not aggressive.
It looks good! But don't even think about tricking me into making a mistake.
[Wait a minute! The Emperor is seriously ill, and instead of advising me to sleep with the Crown Prince to save his father, you're advising me to sleep with Minister Ye?]
Little Mirror spoke in a soft, sweet voice, trying to act like a mature adult.
"Are you stupid?! The Emperor is dead, and the Crown Prince will ascend the throne. Why would he sacrifice himself to save the Emperor? Besides, the Crown Prince lives in the Eastern Palace; it's too difficult to sleep with him! But it's easy to sleep with Minister Ye. You can find an opportunity to sleep with him later."
[You didn't say that yesterday. You said that if I slept with him, I would be forcibly taken by the Crown Prince and his men.]
"It's alright, just don't marry Minister Ye. As long as you don't marry, they'll feel they have a chance and definitely won't go crazy."
[...]
Forget it, stop talking. I still feel like you're treating me like a fool and trying to scam me.
[How boring! Is the morning court session really this boring? Even a quarrel between two families' nephews requires the Emperor's judgment. Do you have any gossip to share?]
Another day where Xiao Jingzi failed to convince Fang Ruotang.
He didn't give up.
What gossip do you want to know?
[Just some random thoughts.]
The little mirror excitedly told Fang Ruotang.
Minister Chen of the Ministry of Revenue owns a golden house, and he has a peculiar habit: he sleeps with gold bricks in his arms every night.
Is he really that rich?
Yes! He embezzled a lot of money. The Jiangnan River Dam, which was funded by the Ministry of Revenue last year, is now on the verge of collapse. If it collapses, tens of thousands of families downstream will be left homeless.
Minister Chen suddenly prostrated himself on the ground, a movement so dramatic that even Fang Ruotang, who was daydreaming, noticed it.
What's wrong with him? Did he say anything just now?
No, I don't know, but there's a heavy downpour in Jiangnan right now, and the riverbank could collapse tonight, resulting in over ten thousand deaths and injuries.
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