The moment the Emperor said, "You will become my blade"—
The entire court went silent.
Silent like a grave.
Lei Hua knelt on the cold floor, her head completely blank.
(*Blade… did he just call me a weapon… I'm not even a kitchen knife—I'm a spoon at best—*)
The Emperor leaned back lazily.
"Do you know what that means?"
Lei Hua shook her head slowly.
"No, Your Majesty…"
The Emperor smiled.
"You will expose corruption for me."
Lei Hua's heart cracked.
(*So I am a walking lie detector for the royal family now… mother… I have made it to government work…*)
Zhen Wu watched her quietly.
Zhen Ruo lowered his eyes, hiding the flicker of hostility.
Lei Yue stood calm and unmoved, as if this scene had nothing to do with her.
The Emperor lifted a finger.
"Today, I test you."
Lei Hua's stomach dropped.
(*I AM NOT PREPARED FOR A TEST. I STUDIED ACCOUNTING IN MY PAST LIFE—*)
A minister stepped forward.
Tall. Fat. Smiling too sweetly.
Minister Qian of Grain Supplies.
"Your Majesty, this common girl is young and ignorant. How can she handle such responsibility?"
The Emperor smiled faintly.
"Because she doesn't speak lies."
Minister Qian laughed nervously.
"K-Knowing secrets is not proof of loyalty—"
The Gossip System suddenly chimed.
[DING. Host. This man has stolen grain funds for seven years.]
Lei Hua's pupils shrank.
(*SEVEN YEARS?! SEVEN?! THIS IS NOT CORRUPTION THIS IS FARMVILLE—*)
Lei Hua's mouth moved faster than her brain.
"Minister Qian keeps two secret storage records, one real, one fake. The real one is hidden beneath his concubine's tea shelf."
The hall EXPLODED.
Minister Qian's legs went weak.
"Y-Your Majesty! This is slander!"
Lei Hua's thoughts kept spilling.
(*Your third warehouse is empty, your fourth is fake grain, and your fifth one is already sold to bandits—*)
Minister Qian shrieked.
"That's impossible!!"
The Emperor's smile vanished.
"Search."
Guards rushed out.
Minutes later—
They returned.
Carrying black account books.
Minister Qian collapsed like rotten fruit.
The entire court trembled.
The Emperor stood up slowly.
"Execute him."
Minister Qian screamed as he was dragged away.
Lei Hua sat frozen.
(*I just sent someone to his death. I just executed a man with my mouth.*)
Lei Yue glanced at her.
"Do not soften your heart."
Lei Hua nodded weakly.
(*YES MA'AM I WILL HARDEN IT IN THE OVEN—*)
---
### THE FIRST MALE LEAD STEPS FORWARD
As the execution decree echoed, a deep voice suddenly sounded.
"Your Majesty."
A man stepped forward from the military line.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Eyes sharp like a predator.
General Bo Qiang.
"I request permission to guard Lady Lei Hua during her inspections."
The court stirred.
Zhen Wu looked up.
Zhen Ruo narrowed his eyes.
Lei Hua nearly passed out.
(*WHY IS EVERYONE RUSHING TO ATTACH THEMSELVES TO ME I AM JUST A SPEAKER NOT A TREASURE—*)
The Emperor studied Bo Qiang for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Approved."
Bo Qiang looked at Lei Hua.
His lips curved slightly.
Lei Hua felt pressure crush her chest.
(*HE IS NOT FRIENDLY. HE IS A WAR MACHINE WITH A FACE—*)
Lei Yue's gaze flicked toward Bo Qiang.
Cold.
Unfriendly.
Bo Qiang strangely felt goosebumps crawl up his spine.
---
### THE SECOND TRAP BEGINS
Outside the palace.
Hidden inside a carriage.
Zhen Ruo crushed a teacup in his hand.
"So she really works for Father now…"
Shen Wu stood beside him.
"She is dangerous."
Zhen Ruo smiled thinly.
"Then we erase her."
Far away—
Jun Lin sat in a luxurious room, flipping a fan.
"So she really returned…"
He smiled gently.
"But she was never meant to live long."
And in the shadows—
Xiao Long sharpened his blade.
"Tian Yu should have been the chosen one… not her."
---
### BACK WITH LEI HUA
After court adjourned, Lei Hua stumbled outside like she had lost her soul.
General Bo Qiang stood beside her.
Lei Yue watched from a distance.
Lei Hua whispered weakly:
"…Is the palace always this scary?"
Bo Qiang looked down at her.
"Yes."
Lei Hua almost cried.
(*I WANT TO GO BACK TO MY OFFICE JOB—*)
Lei Yue's cold voice came from behind.
"You survived your first strike."
Lei Hua turned immediately.
Eyes shining like a rescued kitten.
"I DIDN'T DIE—!"
Lei Yue paused.
"…That is indeed a success."
Lei Hua felt like she had just been praised by a god.
And inside the shadows—
Five pairs of eyes were now completely locked onto the same target.
Lei Hua.
END OF CHAPTER 11