Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Take a look at the contents.

Xiao Ye's expression instantly brightened.

This was indeed the governing strategy he desired.

He handed the book to Liu An to keep.

After finishing a hot pot meal, the emperor was full and satisfied.

"This meal... was good."

It was rare for the emperor to give such high praise.

"Go back and tell the imperial kitchen to prepare a copper pot as well."

Liu An's ears perked up, and he quickly made a mental note of it.

Gu Mingli cupped his hands in greeting and smiled calmly.

"I'm glad Your Majesty is pleased. Next time, I'll prepare a mushroom hot pot base for you; the umami flavor from the mountains will be a whole different experience."

King Qi stood beside him, gently waving his folding fan and smiling as he sized up Gu Mingli.

"Editor Gu is truly devoted to His Majesty."

His tone carried three parts admiration, three parts amusement, and four parts something unspeakable.

Gu Mingli's neck hairs stood on end slightly.

The way King Qi spoke was very much like those smiling bosses in the workplace.

They praise your dedication on the surface, but in reality, they put you under the spotlight, making everyone's eyes on you and putting you in a dilemma.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ye turned around, glanced at Prince Qi, and then turned his gaze to Gu Mingli.

Thoughtful.

Qi Wang slowly waved his fan, his gaze passing over the edge of the folding fan, and his eyes met Gu Mingli's.

"Don't be nervous, I was just saying it casually."

Gu Mingli could only chuckle.

Having spent his time in the Hanlin Academy, he had long understood one thing:

The more casually something is said, the greater its lasting impact.

really.

Xiao Ye suddenly spoke.

"Since you are so concerned, then come and serve before the Emperor after the flood is controlled."

After saying that, he went straight out the door.

The palace carriage was already waiting outside the gate, and Gu Debai led the entire household to respectfully see His Majesty off.

The night breeze blew in from the porch, carrying the humid heat of early summer.

The lanterns under the eaves swayed slightly in the wind, casting long and short shadows of orange-red light on the floor tiles.

Gu Mingli stood respectfully in place, watching the emperor's carriage depart.

On the surface, he remained calm, but in his heart, he cursed Xiao Jue a hundred and eighty times over.

He knew that this cunning Prince Qi was never a good person; the moment he waved his fan, something bad was bound to happen!

The imperial carriage drove out of the alley and disappeared around the street corner.

The sound of wheels rolling over the stone pavement grew fainter and fainter, eventually fading into the night.

Gu Debai straightened up.

He let out a long breath.

He turned around and looked at his son standing on the porch.

With a smug smile, he patted Gu Mingli on the shoulder twice.

"My son!"

"Your father has been navigating this officialdom for over twenty years. Civil officials, military generals, members of the imperial family, and nobles—so many people have racked their brains trying to invite His Majesty to a banquet, but they can't even get close enough to cross the threshold."

He gave a thumbs up, his tone filled with the exhilaration of surviving a close call.

"But you are the only one who can make His Majesty eat his fill at his subject's home."

"His Majesty actually appointed you to serve in the imperial court!"

"My son, you have truly caught the emperor's eye; your future is limitless!"

Gu Mingli looked at his father's excited face.

His lips twitched.

He didn't know if the future was limitless, but he knew that if he continued to mess things up like this, his future would definitely be in jeopardy.

……

Hanfang Palace.

Consort Mei, Zhou Ning, has an exquisite makeup look tonight.

A red-gold hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers swayed slightly with her movements, accentuating her graceful and gentle demeanor.

She carried a food box herself.

Standing at the entrance of the corridor leading from the Imperial Study to the Imperial Bedchamber.

This location was carefully chosen by her.

No matter which route the emperor took back, he would always pass through this place.

Footsteps came from afar.

Consort Mei immediately stepped forward, her posture dignified, her skirt trailing softly on the brick surface.

"Your Majesty~~"

She lowered her head slightly, revealing a section of her fair neck, and smiled gently.

"Your Majesty has had a busy day, so I made some snacks."

As she spoke, she opened the food box and took out a plate of exquisitely arranged osmanthus cake.

"The osmanthus honey was made by me, and the pastries are your favorite soft and fluffy treats. Please have a taste, Your Majesty."

Xiao Ye did not stop walking.

Ever since he learned that Consort Mei had secretly poisoned him, he has been highly vigilant towards the Chengen Marquis's family.

Although he didn't show it on his face, he didn't even glance at the plate of osmanthus cake.

"No need."

He walked past Consort Mei, his voice faint and tinged with weariness.

"I have already eaten and am quite full."

Consort Mei's smile froze for a moment.

She maintained the posture of holding the plate, her fingers tightening slightly at the edge of the porcelain plate.

"Did Your Majesty... dine out?"

Which slut used it on?!

Consort Mei's tone remained gentle, but there was a subtle hint of sarcasm in the last syllable.

"Your Majesty, you can tell me what you like to eat, and I will cook it for you."

"No need."

Xiao Ye had already stepped over the threshold of the palace gate.

Only one sentence remained, which floated out as the door closed.

"You didn't have a divine guide."

The palace doors closed.

The corridor fell silent.

The night breeze made the lanterns under the eaves slowly turn halfway around.

Consort Mei held the plate of osmanthus cake and stood in the middle of the empty corridor.

The warm light of the lanterns illuminated her exquisite makeup; her arched eyebrows were perfectly drawn, and her lipstick was the trendiest shade of begonia red.

But the gentle smile on her face was like tea being cooled inch by inch by the night breeze.

The corners of her lips slowly tightened.

The gentle tears in her almond-shaped eyes quickly faded.

What remained was a sinister glint in his eyes.

The personal maid behind him, Qiu Tang, kept her head down and dared not breathe.

A moment of silence.

Consort Mei handed out the plate of osmanthus cake and gave the order in a cold voice.

"Investigate. Find out where His Majesty dined tonight, with that vixen, and what he ate."

Qiu Tang took the plate with both hands and responded softly.

"besides……"

Consort Mei turned her head and whispered to Qiu Tang.

The candlelight in the corridor cut a sharp line of light and shadow across her profile.

"Deliver a letter to my mother's family."

"His Majesty seems to be starting to doubt me. Right Chancellor Gu Debai appears to be at the Marquis's residence. Tell Father to prepare early and find a way to shut up that father and son from the Gu family."

……

That evening, in a side room in the backyard of the Gu residence.

The brother and sister closed the doors and windows.

Gu Mingli pulled up a stool and sat down.

Eyes facing each other.

Gu Mingyue leaned against the table with her arms crossed and her chin slightly raised, looking like she was waiting to check her exam results.

Gu Mingli tapped his finger on the table anxiously.

He has done everything he could.

Whether the emperor will eat the pastries given by Consort Mei after returning to the palace depends on his behavior.

A moment later, the system panel popped up on time.

[Ding! Palace intrigue mission complete!]

[Task settlement in progress...]

The Emperor did not eat the osmanthus cakes and pastries prepared by Consort Mei tonight.

High-risk routes for disease transmission have been successfully blocked.

"It's done!"

Gu Mingli happily gave his sister a high five.

The data on the panel continued to fluctuate.

[Affection level change: -580 → -570 (Feeding task +5, Hot pot feast completed +5)]

[Rewards being distributed...]

[Customizable Reward x1 → Host Selection: Practical Supplies]

The system matches the optimal solution...

The custom reward has been added to your inventory.

Gu Mingli: "?"

What happened to the promised customization?

He hadn't even given a "definition," yet the system automatically matched rewards?