[1] The Whole Family Is Insanely Eavesdropping on My Thoughts

"Chao Chao wanna draw sword," declared the soft, sweet voice, brimming with an unexpected confidence.

The Marquis Zhongyong, seated at the outermost ring, sneered audibly.

"Ridiculous."

"Your Majesty, no matter how much you dote on Princess Sunshine, you cannot indulge such nonsense," added Consort Xiao with a light chuckle. "A child not yet two years old—barely as tall as the sword itself—how could she possibly draw it? It's laughable."

Princess Yi Ning, lounging by Consort Xiao's side, chimed in. "Father, if she can draw the sword, then so can Yi Ning. After all, I am your real daughter. Am I not even her equal?"

"Your Majesty, this cannot be allowed. It would bring shame upon North Zhao," the Marquis Zhongyong rose and declared.

At his words, the entire court stood, protesting in unison.

"Your Majesty, this is unthinkable."

"Absurd! An utter farce," they muttered.

[Hmph! In this entire world, only I can draw the Sunshine Sword!]

Lu Chao Chao planted her tiny hands on her hips, her face glowing with pride. Madam Xu's heart filled with worry, but before she could intervene, the Crown Prince stepped forward.

"Father, let Chao Chao try."

The prince's firm tone steadied the Emperor's heart. He looked at Chao Chao, and she stared back with resolute seriousness.

The Emperor knelt before her. "Chao Chao, then... Emperor Papa entrusts the fate of North Zhao to you."

The ministers rose again, kneeling before the throne. "Your Majesty, the Sunshine Sword is North Zhao's treasure, vital to the nation's destiny. How can you treat this so lightly?"

"Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

The hall was soon filled with kneeling officials. Amid the clamor, the Protectorate Duke remained composed. He had seen Lu Chao Chao protect even the Fourth Prince; her abilities were evident to him. The debt-ridden ministers present, though aware of her peculiarities, could not fathom her drawing the damaged sword that neither North Zhao nor Western Yue could claim—a sword left untouched for ages. After all, she was merely a toddler.

Ignoring the uproar, the Emperor declared, "For the final round, my daughter, Princess Sunshine, shall take the stage."

The Divine Maiden of Western Yue chuckled softly. "Indeed, the Emperor of North Zhao is bold."

The court's ministers, their mouths dry from anxious protests, could only kneel in exasperation.

The Crown Prince personally carried Lu Chao Chao down the steps.

"Big Brother Prince, you not worried?" she asked, surprised by his amused expression.

He set her on the ground. "Cheng Xi isn't worried. Chao Chao, you can do it. You're the only one who can draw the Sunshine Sword."

Lu Chao Chao stepped forward, heading toward the sword. The Western Yue entourage could no longer hide their smirks. North Zhao had already lost, they thought. After all, what could a two-year-old accomplish?

"Such foolishness. The Emperor pampers Princess Sunshine too much. Even Lu Jing Yao is better than her," sneered Madam Pei, eager to see the child humiliated.

But just as her voice faded, the ground suddenly trembled violently. Tables shook uncontrollably, wine cups toppling and spilling across the floor.

Lu Chao Chao placed her tiny hands on the sword's hilt. The Sunshine Sword, sensing her presence, seemed to quiver with anticipation. With the slightest effort, she lifted it.