Chapter 5: Leopard Print Underwear
Dongfang Yuning was so shocked by the words "There will be court tomorrow morning, remember to be on time" that he was petrified on the spot on the brocade cushion. He didn't even know when the emperor's brother-in-law left.
Grand Tutor Dongfang Yanru and his second son Dongfang Qichen no longer cared about the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects, or the rules of the court! The old father rushed forward, looking at his reborn, beautiful little daughter in front of him. The sadness, worry, and ecstasy that had accumulated over the past decade burst out in an instant. Tears streamed down his face, and he grabbed Dongfang Yuning's slightly cold little hand.
"Ning'er! My sweetheart Ning'er! You...you're really better! God has mercy on us! Daddy has finally waited for this day!"
His voice was choked and his whole body was shaking with excitement.
Dongfang Yuning was a little confused by the sudden shock wave of fatherly love. Looking at the handsome uncle in front of him, although his temples were slightly frosted, he had an elegant temperament. It was definitely a handsome uncle's true feelings, and a warm current surged in his heart.
She immediately switched to a soft and sweet mode, gently holding her father's big hand with her backhand, and said in a soft and obedient voice:
"Don't worry, Daddy, I'm fine! I'm really fine! Don't cry~"
The cry of "Daddy" melted Dongfang Yanru's heart, and his tears flowed even more fiercely. Dongfang Qichen, who was also excited beside him, looked at his sister's lively and lively appearance, and was about to open his mouth to test his doubts.
"Master Taifu, Master Shilang!"
Li Dequan, the chief eunuch beside the emperor, had come up to him without anyone noticing. He was smiling but with an unquestionable urgency.
"The Emperor has been waiting for you two in the Imperial Study for a long time. Oh, Miss Dongfang,"
He turned to Dongfang Yuning with a more respectful attitude.
"The Empress has prepared your favorite snacks in Fengyi Palace. The sedan chair is waiting outside the palace. Please move forward, young lady."
Dongfang Yanru and Dongfang Qichen could only suppress their thoughts, looking back every few steps, and reluctantly watched their little daughter (sister) being surrounded by palace maids and leaving the Golden Palace.
The worry in Dongfang Yanru's eyes almost overflowed:
[Ning'er's ability...blessings and disasters alike!]
The atmosphere in the imperial study was solemn.
Nangong Yu looked at his worried father-in-law and his second brother-in-law, who also had a complicated expression, sighed, and got straight to the point:
"You all heard what Ning'er said in the court today. It is of great importance. I have issued a strict order that no one may reveal even a single word. Violators will be executed along with their entire clan!
She is the lucky star of our Yan Nation, but also a sword hanging over the heads of corrupt officials in the court! I keep her in the palace for her safety, and also to clean up the mess!
Once I have arranged everything properly and cleared all obstacles, I will naturally allow her to return to the Taifu Mansion in glory."
Dongfang Yanru bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude and heaviness:
"I understand! Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking good care of my daughter! When I return home, I will strictly order everyone in the mansion to keep their mouths shut! I will never cause trouble for Your Majesty and Ning'er!"
Dongfang Qi Chen also saluted solemnly:
"Your humble servant obeys your order!"
Nangong Yu nodded in satisfaction. Almost simultaneously, countless secret decrees, stamped with the emperor's personal seal and worded with extreme severity, quietly reached the residences of all the ministers present today, like an invisible net. The core message was one and only one:
[Anyone who reveals Miss Dongfang's inner thoughts will have their entire clan executed! The entire family will be punished as well!]
For a time, all the major mansions in the capital were in a state of panic. The masters closed the door and gave instructions to their confidants, housekeepers, and even all the servants over and over again. The atmosphere was so tense that it almost froze.
In fact, during the three days when Dongfang Yuning was resting peacefully in Fengyi Palace, her conversation with System 118 about the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace Zhao Liangdi being a spy from the enemy country and her intention to assassinate the Crown Prince at his birthday banquet had already been heard clearly by the Emperor and the Crown Prince who came to visit him!
The father and son remained calm and secretly mobilized their most elite shadow guards to raid the residence of Zhao Liangdi in the Eastern Palace with lightning speed.
They caught her red-handed! They uncovered a large number of undestroyed secret letters, poison, and a specially crafted hairpin and sword used in assassination attempts! Zhao Liangdi was captured before she even had a chance to resist. She is now imprisoned in the deepest reaches of the Heavenly Prison, under strict guard and under secret interrogation by the Crown Prince's trusted aides.
The news that the eldest daughter of Minister of Revenue Zhao Zhengzhi was a spy from the enemy country was like a depth bomb. Although the emperor tried his best to suppress it, it had already caused a silent earthquake in the core circle.
The center of the storm, Dongfang Yuning, was completely unaware of this. She was now unrefinedly sprawled on the soft bed in Fengyi Palace, rolling around in her arms, her inner villain engaged in a heated rant with System 118:
[Tong! This class is not for humans! Getting up before dawn, even earlier than the chickens!]
[My brother-in-law is definitely the reincarnation of Zhou Paopi! He exploits child laborers who haven't even reached marriageable age! He's completely insane!]
[Wow wow wow… I'm still growing! Lack of sleep won't keep me taller! I'm already short, and now I'm going to be a dwarf! I won't accept this! I'm protesting! I'm going on strike!]
[Host, calm down! Think about your points! Think about the height-increasing elixirs in the mall! Think about the scratch-off lottery jackpot!]
[Height-increasing elixir?! Is it real?! How many points?! Show me now! ...Shh! So expensive! Brother-in-law! Give me a raise! I want compensation for mental damages! ...]
Queen Dongfang Qiwu sat aside, listening to her sister's energetic and modern-sounding inner tantrums, and then looking at her sister wrapping herself up like a silkworm, with only her beautiful little face showing as she slept peacefully. She couldn't help but cover her lips with her sleeves, laughing so hard that her shoulders shook.
This little ancestor is really... a funny guy!
The next day, at 3:30 pm, history always repeats itself.
Inside the Fengyi Palace's sleeping chambers, a battle for a "wake-up call" unfolded. The Empress herself was in charge, accompanied by a group of palace maids, all of whom were wary of the situation, using a combination of coaxing and persuasion, using both soft and hard tactics.
"Ning'er, be good, it's time to get up..."
"It will be too late if you don't get up soon..."
"The snacks are ready, including your favorite lotus cakes..."
"Wuwuwu... Sister... Let me sleep for five more minutes... Just five minutes..."
Dongfang Yuning closed his eyes and tucked his little head into the quilt. His voice was unclear and had a strong nasal tone. He was so soft and delicate that water could drip out of it.
However, the comments in her heart were like a torrential rain:
[Ahhh! My brother-in-law is no longer a human being! Zhou Paopi! Devil! I want to draw circles and curse him!]
[Five minutes! My five minutes! Woohoo… My beauty sleep! My dream of growing taller!]
[Tongzi! Do you have teleportation skills? Or invisibility? If that doesn't work, give me a substitute puppet! I'll pay you in installments with points!]
[Host, wake up! Double your points for the morning court session! Think about yesterday's big news! There might be an even bigger one today!]
[A bigger melon...]
Dongfang Yuning struggled internally for a while, but was finally tempted by the double points and the big melon. He sat up resignedly, with messy hair and confused eyes, and let the palace maids do whatever they wanted.
When she was once again stuffed into the warm sedan chair and carried to the palace gate, under the gazes of countless people who tried to pretend nothing was wrong but were actually alarmed, she walked towards the Golden Throne Hall with unsteady steps, and the wailing in her heart once again resounded through the sky:
[Wuwuwu… here we go again! This damned morning court! Brother-in-law, I hate you! Exploiting underage laborers is unjust! I demand labor arbitration! Wuwuwu… I won’t give in, I won’t give in…]
Officials: "..."
Although everyone lowered their heads, a picture emerged in their minds:
[The stunningly beautiful, seemingly frail orphan was lying on the ground, kicking her legs and throwing a tantrum, crying, “I won’t give in!”]
The scene was so beautiful that they dared not look at it! They lowered their heads even lower and stepped even more lightly, wishing they could turn into a wisp of smoke and float in.
Today! Absolutely! Absolutely! I can't attract this little ancestor's attention! Absolutely not! I can still vividly remember what happened to Liu Zhang yesterday, stripped to the point of leaving nothing but his underwear!
What's more, the spy daughter of Minister Zhao has just been arrested. Who knows whose shocking secrets this little ancestor will reveal today?
Nangong Yu sat high on the dragon throne, listening to the voice full of accusations and resentment, the corners of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
He glanced at the group of ministers below, who were like frightened quails, and felt inexplicably happy. He deliberately tilted his head and said gently to the Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian standing beside him:
"Go, help your aunt. The steps are slippery. Don't let her fall."
"Yes, Father."
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian, a mature young man with a handsome face and a calm demeanor, responded respectfully, then calmly descended the imperial steps. He approached Dongfang Yuning, who was struggling to fight off sleepiness and walking a bit unsteadily, and extended his slender, powerful arm. His voice was gentle and clear:
"Aunt, please be careful with your steps."
The movements were natural and smooth, with just the right amount of respect and concern.
[Wow! The prince's nephew is so handsome and sweet! Much better than his dad Zhou Baopi!]
Dongfang Yuning felt a little crazy inside.
"But... aunt? That sounds so old! Tongzi, I'm only fourteen! Fourteen!"
System 118: [Host, your generation is there, just accept your fate.]
Dongfang Yuning: [……]
She could only hold the prince's hand obediently, crying silently in her heart:
[This damn feudal hierarchy! ]
With the baptism of yesterday and the aftermath of the Zhao Liangdi incident, the atmosphere in today's court meeting was even more bizarre, like the dead silence before the storm.
The ministers spoke with extreme caution, speaking concisely and to the point, fearing that even a single extra word would bring about a sudden resurgence. The topic was border trade and the security of the trade.
Minister of Revenue Zhao Zhengzhi (Zhao Qianqian's father) forced himself to stay awake and tried to make his voice sound steady as he reported on the recent tax revenue from the mutual trade.
But the bruises under his eyes and the slight trembling of his hands betrayed his deep inner unease. The news that his eldest daughter had been captured as a spy for an enemy nation, though undisclosed, was enough to make him sit on pins and needles, like a frightened bird.
At this moment, Dongfang Yuning, who was sitting on a brocade cushion, propping up her beautiful face and seemingly bored and daydreaming, suddenly heard the excited notification tone of System 118 in her heart:
[Ding! Super high-calorie melon field detected! Host! Big melon! Guaranteed ripeness and authenticity! Target: Minister of Revenue Zhao Zhengzhi! Assistant Minister of War Zhang Wei!]
Dongfang Yuning perked up: [Zhao Zhengzhi? That old bastard? Who else? Zhang Wei?]
System 118: [That's right! Big news: Minister of Revenue Zhao Zhengzhi and Vice Minister of War Zhang Wei have already secretly defected to the enemy nation! They are your spy 'sister' Zhao Liangdi's accomplices in the court!]
The three of them colluded with each other, betrayed military secrets, embezzled military funds, and provided a large amount of intelligence and resources to the enemy country! Collaboration with the enemy and treason are extremely serious crimes!
[Damn it! Traitor!]
Dongfang Yuning was furious.
[Where's the evidence?! Tongzi! Quick! Give me the evidence to hammer them to death! These parasites don't deserve to live on the land of Yan Nation!]
System 118: [Host, please be patient! The ultimate evidence is here!]
[The secret letters and lists they exchanged with the enemy country were written on... by that self-righteous fool Zhang Wei using a special potion...]
[What's it written on?! Tell me! I'm so anxious!]
System 118's voice was filled with evil humor:
[Written on the inner layer of his favorite pair of… leopard-print silk panties! He believes the most dangerous place is the safest place!]
No one would have thought that the Minister of War would sew evidence of treason into his underwear! And today... he was wearing those leopard print underwear!
[Poof! ! ! !]
Dongfang Yuning erupted in his heart!
Leopard… leopard print underwear?! And they’re layered?! What kind of bizarre brain circuit is this?! Such perverted confidence! Isn’t he afraid of getting ripped in the wash?!
Hahaha! My brother-in-law hasn't even gotten rid of the green hat on his head (Shufei), and now here comes another one wearing leopard print underwear to collaborate with the enemy?! What kind of monsters are these court officials!]
The amount of information contained in this inner voice was too overwhelming and... bizarre! The Golden Throne Hall was completely silent!
When Zhao Zhengzhi heard the little ancestor's inner voice, his legs softened and he fell to his knees with a plop. The huge fear and shame made him tremble like a sieve! A hot liquid flowed uncontrollably down his trouser legs - he was scared to pee!
When Zhang Wei, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, heard the living ancestor talking about his underwear, it was as if he was struck by a thunderbolt! The last bit of strength was taken away from him, his face turned pale, his body swayed, and he could hardly stand.
"Witch! You... you are slandering me! You are talking nonsense! You are misleading me!"
Extreme fear and shame overwhelmed Zhang Wei's sanity. He suddenly raised his head with red eyes, pointed at Dongfang Yuning, who was sitting on the brocade cushion with an innocent and ignorant face, and roared at the top of his lungs!
He tried to cover up his guilt with anger. He completely forgot the emperor's previous strict order and Zhao Liangdi's fate.
However, he didn't finish his words!
"presumptuous!"
With a roar of anger, Nangong Yu, sitting high on the dragon throne, looked as cold as a knife. He picked up a heavy inkstone on the dragon table, which still had half a pool of ink in it. Without even looking at it, he smashed it down with a rage of thunder!
“Bang!”
A muffled sound!
The inkstone smashed into Zhang Wei's forehead with incredible precision! Ink splattered everywhere! Blood instantly mixed with the thick black ink, covering his face! Zhang Wei screamed, his vision went black, and he fell backwards!
"ah!"
A suppressed cry of surprise echoed in the hall. The ministers looked at Zhang Wei, whose face was black and red, like a ghost, and then looked at the emperor sitting on the dragon throne with a sullen face and murderous intent. They were so frightened that their souls were shattered and they were silent.
Nangong Yu didn't even look at Zhang Wei, who was lying unconscious on the ground. He gave the order in a cold voice:
"Prince!"
"Your son is here!"
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian immediately stepped forward.
"Zhang Wei was disrespectful in front of the palace, using foul language and offending the noble! Drag him away! Treat his injuries! Clean him thoroughly... inside and out! Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "inside and outside" and "cleaned up", his eyes sharp as an eagle.
"Your son obeys your order!"
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian understood what he meant and immediately ordered two burly guards to come forward and drag the unconscious Zhang Wei, whose face was covered in blood, out of the Golden Palace like a dead dog.
The action was clean and neat, and the goal was clear - go straight to Zhang Wei's official residence (or find a room nearby) and take off his pants!
The entire court fell into silence again. The only sounds left were the chattering of Zhao Zhengzhi's teeth and the ever-expanding puddle beneath him.
Not long after, Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian returned. His face was normal, his steps were steady, and in his hands was a tray covered with bright yellow brocade, which was held high above his head by a eunuch.
He walked to the front of the imperial steps, bowed, and said in a calm voice:
"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to clean up Minister Zhang's underwear. I found this suspicious item, so I am presenting it to you for your inspection."
He gestured.
The eunuch immediately stepped forward, kneeling a few steps away from the dragon table, and held the tray high. Another eunuch stepped forward, carefully pinching a corner of the brocade with the tips of only two fingers, and slowly opened it...
A pair of colorful, wildly patterned... leopard-print silk panties appeared on the tray! Against the backdrop of bright yellow brocade, they looked particularly dazzling and... absurd!
"puff……"
“Cough cough cough…”
The hall was filled with stifled laughter and coughs. The ministers looked at the exotic panties and thought about what they had just heard. Their expressions went completely haywire, their faces flushing red as they held back their anger.
Nangong Yu looked at the smelly evidence, his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain. He gestured to Li Dequan:
"Test!"
Gao Dehai endured the strong psychological discomfort, stepped forward to take the tray, and signaled the eunuch who had been prepared and was wearing special gloves (to prevent the potion from hurting his hands) to come forward to operate.
The eunuch carefully applied a special potion to the interlayer of the leopard print panties a few times, and soon, lines of clear handwriting appeared -
It's the secret letter and list of treasonous accomplices! It completely matches the information previously found from Zhao Liangdi! The evidence is irrefutable! The proof is as strong as a mountain!
Nangong Yu looked at the contents of the secret letter presented to him, his face gloomy and watery. He slammed the dragon table with a loud bang that shook the hall:
"Zhao Zhengzhi! Zhang Wei! The evidence of treason and collaborating with the enemy is irrefutable! This crime cannot be forgiven! Come! Throw Zhao Zhengzhi into the Sky Prison! Seal off the residences of the Minister of Revenue and the Vice Minister of War! Arrest all family members and servants! Conduct a joint trial by the Three Departments, and investigate all accomplices! I want to see how many corrupt officials are still in this court!"
As soon as the order was given, the guards rushed forward like wolves and tigers and dragged out Zhao Zhengzhi, who had already collapsed like mud and was covered in feces and urine.
Nangong Yu's gaze swept across the silent ministers below, and finally landed on Dongfang Yuning, who was sitting on a small stool and quietly rubbing his little face which was a little sore from holding it for too long.
His gaze softened slightly, but his tone held the coldness of an emperor: "As for that Zhao Qianqian who dared to murder my sister-in-law... Humph! Her father collaborated with the enemy, and her sister was a spy. She is absolutely ruthless! Arrest them all! Torture them severely! I want to see who gave her the courage!"
He deliberately emphasized the three words "sister-in-law", and the meaning was very clear:
[Dare to touch the people I protect? You're courting death!]
[Wow! My brother-in-law is so domineering and protective!]
Dongfang Yuning cheered in his heart,
[It's child labor exploitation, but this is a bonus! Tongzi! Points! Double the points! Hurry!]
System 118: [Ding! Congratulations to the host! Successfully detonated the Super S-Class Treasonous Giant Melon! Melon-eating points +5000! Double points have been received! The advanced area of the mall has been partially unlocked!]
Dongfang Yuning smiled instantly, and her beautiful little face was shining brightly, as if the resentful girl who had just complained in her heart that the emperor was Zhou Paopi was not her.
Nangong Yu looked at her face, which instantly lit up with the bonus points, and listened to her inner thoughts, his mouth twitching slightly. This money-grubber... never mind, considering she had done such a great service.
He cleared his throat: "Today... let's adjourn the court!"
"Long live our emperor!"
The sound of the ministers' salutes was filled with exhaustion after surviving a disaster and a deep, indescribable awe for the oriental lady who was sitting on the brocade cushion and smiling like a little sun.
This guy is a real ancestor! Don't mess with him! Absolutely don't mess with him! The next person to be exposed might be you!
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