Chapter 11: The Days of Being Unable to Speak (Part 1)

The first to notice Yao Yao waking up was Consort Shu.

She had kept watch all night and was originally drowsy, but she woke up instantly upon hearing the familiar little milky voice.

【So thirsty.】

Consort Shu hurriedly brought over a cup of warm water and carefully helped Yao Yao sit up. "Drink slowly."

After relieving her throat, which felt as dry as smoke, Yao Yao wanted to say thank you, but no matter how she opened her mouth, she couldn't make a sound.

Consort Shu realized this as well. She gripped Yao Yao’s small shoulders and looked at her nervously. "Yao'er, why aren't you speaking? Quickly, call out to Mother."

Chu Yao Yao opened her mouth and tried several times, but it was no use.

"Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!"

Consort Shu hurriedly ran out to find the physician.

【System, what’s going on? I haven't become a mute, have I!】

System: This is the punishment for the host attempting to violate the rules.

【Didn't you already lock me in the "small dark room"?】

System: That was only one part of it. The host cannot speak for forty-eight hours after waking up.

【What?!】

System: Given that this is the host's first offense, this is already the lightest punishment.

Chu Yao Yao: I wasn't speaking very clearly to begin with, so it doesn't seem to have much of an impact. Then next time...

System: The host's thoughts are very dangerous. This time, the protection program reacted quickly, but you might not have such good luck next time! If your soul is crushed, the host will be completely gone.

【Aiya, I know. I suddenly fainted yesterday, and I don't know how my cheap father arranged things in the end. With fast horses and whips, Protector Zhao should be able to arrive with the grain and fodder, right?】

Protector Zhao? Going where?

At this moment, Consort Shu returned with the Imperial Physician. Although she was puzzled, her daughter's health was the most important thing right now.

"Imperial Physician Zhang, Yao'er suddenly cannot speak. Please, take a look and see what is going on."

Imperial Physician Zhang carefully took her pulse and checked Chu Yao Yao’s throat.

"Judging by the pulse, the little princess has no major issues." It was, in fact, as good as it could possibly be.

"There is no damage to the throat either; this situation should not be happening."

Imperial Physician Zhang was completely baffled.

【It’s the system’s punishment. Mother looks so haggard; she must have watched over me all night. Go get some rest, I’m really fine.】

Chu Yao Yao patted her beautiful mother’s hand and shook her head to indicate she was fine.

To increase her credibility, she even stood up from the bed, lifted her little arms and legs, and performed a set of radio calisthenics on the spot.

She even kept the beat in her heart.

【One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...】

【I’m really fine, it’s just a system punishment, I’ll be better in two days.】

Consort Shu stared blankly at Yao Yao’s strange movements.

"Sys... tem"?

Could it be the name of an immortal?

What a strange name.

Were these movements also taught by the immortal?

This... is this too strange?

After playing for a while, Chu Yao Yao couldn't keep going.

【So hungry. I didn't eat my fill yesterday, and I've been hungry all night. I want to eat braised pork, braised duck... cured meat and sausages... *slurp*... so hungry, so hungry...】

"Good!" Watching Yao Yao’s movements, Imperial Physician Zhang stroked his beard in admiration.

Originally, upon hearing the news that Yao Yao had lost her voice, Emperor Qixuan and the Crown Prince were extremely worried, but as soon as they entered the room and heard the little milky voice reciting a menu, they both felt relieved.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Crown Prince."

【The tyrant daddy and Crown Prince brother are here!】

Imperial Physician Zhang looked at Emperor Qixuan excitedly: "Your Majesty, I observed the little princess's exercise just now; it is truly marvelous. It looks simple, but in reality, it stretches all the meridians in the body. If one persists, there are many benefits."

Then he looked at Yao Yao with a smile, "I wonder if the little princess would be willing to teach this exercise to others?"

Chu Yao Yao gave a silent, awkward smile.

"Oh?" Hearing him say this, Emperor Qixuan became interested as well.

Imperial Physician Zhang nodded, "In my opinion, it is especially suitable for those like Your Majesty, who work long hours at their desks."

Now, Emperor Qixuan was even more interested. Heaven knows how uncomfortable he felt every day after finishing the memorials; his shoulders and neck were almost stiff.

If this could provide relief, that would be perfect.

If the officials also practiced this, their bodies would be healthier, and wouldn't they be more efficient in their work?

The more Emperor Qixuan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. "Yao Yao, since Imperial Physician Zhang has said so, another day, have a painter draw these movements, print them into booklets, and let every court official have a copy as soon as possible. If it is effective, we will promote it further."

Thinking about the entire court of civil and military officials doing radio calisthenics before the morning assembly, Chu Yao Yao felt so embarrassed her toes curled into the floor.

If she had known, she wouldn't have done those radio calisthenics.

System: Detected that a blood relative has punished a corrupt official. Counterattack progress +2, current progress 15, reward 10 points, point balance 65.

【Who is it?】

Yao Yao suddenly remembered yesterday's events, and her eyes sparkled.

【Could it be that my cheap father caught Li Yan? Not bad, my daddy! This should drop quite a few gold coins, right!】

Drop gold coins?

Emperor Qixuan and his son were confused. Why gold coins? Are gold ingots not good enough?

Chu Yao Yao scrolled through the panel, 【This Li Yan has been an official for only seven or eight years, and between corruption and bribery, he actually has 300,000 taels of silver!】

Emperor Qixuan:!

I have seen the account books; wasn't it 200,000 taels?

Continuing to read, Yao Yao looked disgusted.

【Tsk tsk, he’s actually a scumbag. Behind his wife's back, he kept a mistress. He gave the mistress whatever she wanted; not only did he buy her a house and shops, but he also gave her 100,000 taels of silver from his bribes to keep for him.

The key is that Lady Li didn't know about that money at all. Poor Lady Li, in order to maintain the household, not only pawned all her dowry but also spent day and night mending clothes for others to earn money. She didn't even dare to buy new clothes, let alone rouge or powder. Such a good woman, yet she was despised by Li Yan for being old and withered.】

【What a scumbag!】

Right! A scumbag!

Emperor Qixuan and the Crown Prince nodded in agreement.

【But what Li Yan didn't expect is that the mistress isn't a simple character either. She has a "true love" white moonlight, and she even gave him a green hat. Hahahaha, truly, the way of heaven is a cycle of retribution; evil people are punished by other evil people.】

Hearing this, the mood of Emperor Qixuan and his son improved significantly.

Emperor Qixuan secretly gave the Crown Prince a look, signaling him to ask.

The Crown Prince said casually: "We have already sent people to search Li Yan's house, but found nothing. Where exactly did this Li Yan hide the silver?"

【I know this one, I have the answer key.】

【Let me see... oh my god, he actually...】

Where?

Emperor Qixuan’s eyes brightened slightly.

【Li Yan actually hid the silver under the latrine!】

Yao Yao wrinkled her little nose.

【Excessive! What kind of weird habit is this? With so much money underneath, how could he bear to...】

The father and son looked at each other; they really hadn't thought of that place.

【Sigh, I hope my cheap father finds it quickly. Every second late is a sign of disrespect to those 200,000 taels of silver!】

【It's a pity I can't speak now, I can't remind Father.】

Emperor Qixuan was deeply moved. Yao Yao had already been punished for reminding him about the spy in the military camp, yet she was still thinking about helping him.

But this emotion didn't last long, because—

Chu Yao Yao thought of a good idea.

【Otherwise, should I grab my cheap father's money bag and throw it into the latrine?】

Emperor Qixuan hurriedly took a step back.

That is absolutely unnecessary!

(End of chapter)