【Oh oh! A life-saving favor! Crown Grandson fell off a cliff, was seriously injured and had a fever, and was saved by Grace Quinn, who was just a peasant girl at the time. There were no men in Grace Quinn's family, so she had to take care of Crown Grandson herself. As she cared for him, one thing led to another, and the two ended up together.】

　　Minister of Ceremonies: Pah!

　　A look of disdain appeared on his face.

　　A life-saving favor, and you repay her by making her your mistress? Is your life worth only that much? At the very least, let her be a concubine!

　　Secretary of War shook his head.

　　Looks like the illness wasn’t that serious after all.

　　He had caught a chill and had a fever recently, so weak he couldn’t even get up, yet this Crown Grandson still had the energy to flirt with a peasant girl.

　　【Wait, wait! No way! Hiss—this really is...】

　　“Really is”—but after a long while, the “really is” still didn’t come out, making all the ministers so anxious their minds wandered.

　　“Really is” what! Just say it already!

　 If you cut a melon and only cut half, you’ll be a eunuch in the future!

　　【No wonder Grace Quinn entered the palace. Turns out Crown Grandson was arranging a marriage, and it was with Miss Dawson. When Grace Quinn found out, she ran away. Crown Grandson’s attitude toward her had always been ‘just a woman, a plaything,’ but when he realized she’d left, he suddenly woke up and chased after her, insisting he would marry no one but her...】

　　【“Miss Dawson is willful and unruly, without talent or virtue, and always clings to me, pestering endlessly. Even if she begged me to marry her, I wouldn’t, let alone when my heart holds only you.” Tsk tsk tsk, he really dares to say that. If he’s got the guts, let him say that in front of the Empress and see if the old Emperor doesn’t give him a slap.】

　　Swish, swish, swish—

　　Several glances drifted covertly toward the Prime Minister Charles Dawson. Chancellor Dawson's face was ashen.

　　The Dawson Family is the Empress’s family, and the Emperor and Empress are deeply affectionate. They really don’t need to get further entangled with the royal family, lest disaster strike. If not for the Empress wanting to strengthen the family ties, how would The Dawson Family have let their eldest legitimate granddaughter become Crown Princess?

　　If you truly have someone you love, it’s fine to ask the Empress to break off the engagement; the two families could still get along. But you refuse to break off the engagement, tying up The Dawson Family, while privately criticizing my daughter as talentless and without virtue?

　　Chancellor Dawson was so angry he felt dizzy, digging his nails into his palm to keep from fainting.

　　Break off the engagement!

　 It must be broken!!!

　　A son-in-law like this is too much for his daughter!

　　Secretary of War lowered his head slightly, raised his sleeve, and while wiping his sweat, secretly popped a piece of candy into his mouth under cover of his robe.

　　The sweet taste of honey spread through his mouth, making him almost hum a tune.

　　That was close, that was close. The old... ptooey, ptooey, ptooey, before Crown Grandson arranged marriage with The Dawson Family, His Majesty had his eye on his own youngest daughter. Luckily, later on, Her Majesty the Empress took a liking to Miss Dawson, and Chancellor Dawson gladly agreed.

　　Secretary of War looked at Chancellor Dawson: Thank you! Thank you so much! May good people have a peaceful life!

　　Minister of Ceremonies seemed uninterested in the turmoil outside, standing in place with his eyes half-closed, as if resting.

　　In reality, his ears were strained, and his heart was pounding so hard it almost leapt from his chest—

　　Hurry up! Evan Foster, get on with it! Are you useless or what! You’re holding a divine artifact, and you’re still dawdling over a royal romance! What happens next, what happens next! Crown Grandson said he’d marry no one but her, and then what! How did Grace Quinn end up in the palace?

　　【Ah!】

　　The faces of all the civil and military officials instantly lit up.

　　Here it comes, here it comes!

　　Evan Foster pulled out the remaining half of a steamed bun from his sleeve. Feeling the warmth of the bun’s skin and its slightly greasy texture, he couldn’t help but drool.

　　【I’m so dumb! The old Emperor isn’t here, so I can sneak a bite! I’m starving! It’s all Minister of Ceremonies’s fault, suddenly coming to talk to me so I didn’t get to finish eating.】

　　【Nom—】

　　【Wuwuwu, this shop’s steamed buns are so delicious, even when cold.】

　　It was as if a pair of hands suddenly grabbed his throat and squeezed...

　　All the officials: “……”

　　And... then...?

　　At least finish the story before you eat!

　　Minister of Ceremonies choked, coughing on his saliva: “Cough cough cough cough!”

　　“!!!”

　　Evan Foster jerked his head up, hurriedly swallowed the crispy, fragrant bun in his mouth, not caring about the grease, quickly stuffed it back into his sleeve, and looked around warily.

　　【The old Emperor is back?!】

　　At the same time, he gently patted his sleeve to make sure there were no traces left.

　　Minister of Ceremonies: “!!!” Instantly stopped coughing.

　　Chancellor Dawson: “!!!” Immediately forced out a smile.

　　Secretary of War: “Hiss—” Bit his tongue while hurriedly swallowing his candy.

　　The distracted officials quickly held their breath and composed themselves.

　　For a long while, there was no movement at all.

　　Someone bold looked up—there was no sign of the Emperor above.

　　“……”

　　Evan Foster turned his head and saw the official who had been crying earlier looking at him with a ghostly expression.

　　“You—” Faking an imperial edict?

　　Evan Foster was confused: “Hm?”

　　Official: “……”

　　Oh, right, he forgot—this person had no idea his inner thoughts could be heard by the court officials.

　　He looked at Evan Foster with a deep, resentful gaze.

　　You’re having a great time in your head, but we, forced to listen to your thoughts, are just short of preparing a coffin at home.

　　Are these things really for us to hear!

Chapter 3: Stunned! Vegetables in winter are treasures!