228: Chapter 229 So intelligent, a child's words are innocent.

She didn't directly judge right or wrong, but instead cleverly redefined the scope of "one's own people."

She defined who was "one's own" by whose clothes they wore, whose food they ate, and whose orders they followed.

Those who did not meet these criteria, even if they were once of the same clan, were now merely "disobedient stumbling blocks."

This answer not only avoided the sensitive trap of ethnic identity but also perfectly aligned with the Ming Dynasty's current expansion strategy of "those who submit shall prosper, and those who resist shall perish."

More importantly, these words coming from the mouth of a six-year-old Mongol princess carried far more weight and significance than if they had come from any Han official!

In an instant, the surrounding air seemed to loosen.

Wang Baobao quietly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his back already soaked with cold sweat.

The look he gave his sister was filled with amazement.

Yin Susu let out a soft chuckle and whispered to Fang Yanqing beside her, "This little girl is quite the talent."

Fang Yanqing remained expressionless, merely giving a faint "Mhm."

Lu Chen looked at the porcelain-like little child before him. A fleeting flash of surprise crossed his eyes, which then transformed into deep approval.

He didn't press further or offer a judgment; he simply reached out and gently patted Princess Shao Min's fluffy little head again.

The movement carried a hint of imperceptible solemnity.

“Well said.”

His voice remained gentle, even carrying a hint of a smile, but his gaze deepened slightly.

“Minmin is so intelligent and clever. I wonder what kind of husband I should find for you when you grow up.”

Lu Chen spoke half-jokingly and half-seriously, his gaze sweeping over Wang Baobao, who was so nervous he could barely stand.

“After all, you are the Princess Shao Min of the Ming Dynasty personally titled by me. Your husband cannot be an ordinary man; he must be worthy of our Princess Shao Min.”

These words sounded like praise, but they made Wang Baobao's heart leap into his throat again.

What does the Emperor... mean by this?

Could it be that he is still dissatisfied with his sister's answer?

Or is he... implying something else?

Who would have thought that while he was trembling with fear, the little princess would be the one to get upset.

Princess Shao Min puffed out her pink cheeks and shook her little head like a rattle.

“I don't want to!”

Her crisp voice carried a hint of charming opposition.

“Minmin doesn't want Your Majesty to choose a husband!”

She tilted her small face up, looking at Lu Chen, who far exceeded her in height. Her eyes were as serious as if she were announcing a major state affair.

“If Minmin is to marry, she will only marry the world's greatest hero!”

The childish voice rang out powerfully, echoing across the silent wilderness.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze once again.

Even Yin Susu, who had been smiling just now, slightly retracted the curve of her lips, her gaze becoming playful.

Fang Yanqing remained cold, but her fingers gripping the sword hilt seemed to move unconsciously.

Ji Xiaofu looked at the outspoken little princess with worry, softly biting her lower lip.

Wang Baobao felt his vision go dark, nearly fainting on the spot.

My goodness!

Do you even know what you're saying?!

The world's greatest hero?

If these words came from anyone else, they might just be nonsense.

But coming from you, Princess Shao Min with your special status, especially after the Emperor has just finished suppressing various Mongol forces...

This is practically dancing on the edge of a blade!

Lu Chen was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

He looked down at the little tot who hadn't even reached his waist. In those crystal-clear eyes, there flickered an unquestionable determination.

It was as if "the world's greatest hero" truly existed and she had already made up her mind.

Lu Chen was amused by her.

He laughed out loud, his laughter hearty and dispelling the heavy atmosphere around them.

“Hahahaha!”

“Good, good, good!” He said the word 'good' three times with a doting smile. “I promise you! In the future, I will marry our clever Princess Minmin to the world's greatest hero!”

He intentionally drew out his voice with a hint of teasing.

“Only...”

His tone shifted as he leaned down, getting a bit closer to the little princess, his eyes full of curiosity.

“Can Minmin tell me, this world's greatest hero you speak of... where is he now?”

As soon as this question was asked, everyone's hearts hung in suspense again.

Wang Baobao held his breath even more. Cold sweat slid down his temples, dripping onto the dry ground and spreading into a small dark patch.

It's over, it's all over...

Sister, oh sister, please don't say anything reckless again!

However, Princess Shao Min seemed completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere.

She blinked her large eyes, looking at the Emperor who was inches away.

That young and valiant face wore a gentle smile, and his eyes were as deep as the starry sky.

Without hesitation, she extended her fair little finger and pointed firmly at Lu Chen's nose.

“Your Majesty is the world's greatest hero!”

The little princess's voice was crisp and loud, carrying a hint of pride.

“The world's greatest hero I want to marry is Big Brother Emperor!”

Her little face was filled with natural pride, as if she were stating an indisputable fact.

“Big Brother Emperor possesses civil brilliance and martial virtue, has unified the world, and his prestige spreads across the seas. From ancient times to the present, in heaven or on earth, Big Brother Emperor is the world's greatest hero!”

“...”

“...”

“...”

Dead silence.

A silence so profound that a pin drop could be heard.

Time seemed to stagnate at this moment.

The wind stopped, the clouds paused, and even the neighing of distant warhorses vanished.

Everyone's gaze was focused on that small figure and the Ming Emperor she was pointing at.

The smile on Lu Chen's face froze.

He looked at that little finger almost poking his nose, then at those clear, bright eyes filled with "admiration" and "certainty."

A strange heat surged uncontrollably from his neck to his cheeks.

This Ming Emperor, who remained calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him and who could take a general's head from among a million troops as easily as reaching into a pocket, actually...

Actually, for once, his old face turned red!

Although that redness was fleeting, so fast that one might think it an illusion.

But he was indeed... "teased" by a six-year-old girl?

And in front of all the civil and military officials and the imperial concubines?

Lu Chen felt his Adam's apple bob involuntarily and subconsiously let out a light cough, trying to hide this sudden embarrassment.

“Ahem...”

However, this cough of his was like breaking some kind of seal.

“Thud!”

A dull thud was exceptionally clear.

Wang Baobao, this seventeen-year-old General of Manifest Valor, felt his knees go weak and knelt heavily on the ground.

“Your Majesty!”

His voice carried a sob, filled with terror and despair.

“Your Majesty, please forgive us! My little sister is young and ignorant, she is speaking nonsense!”

“She... she doesn't understand anything! She has no intention of overstepping!”

“To have offended Your Majesty and the four Empresses, she deserves ten thousand deaths!”

“Please punish your humble servant, Your Majesty! Do not blame my little sister!”

He spoke while kowtowing vigorously.

He was truly terrified!

Terrified to the extreme!

What did his sister just say?

She said she wanted to "marry" Big Brother Emperor!

Marry! What did that word mean for a princess, especially a Mongol princess?

Saying she wanted to marry the Emperor in front of the four Empresses?

Isn't this coveting the position of the head of the harem?!

After all, every official in the court knew that the position of Empress was still vacant!