Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 176

“Host Daddy, it’s said that every time the King of Hell ascends to his throne, he ########**********”

The system’s voice turned into a garbled mess halfway through.

Lu Tang furrowed her brow in confusion, standing still, puzzled by the situation.

Holding the iron pill in her hand, she waited for the system to speak again, but it remained silent. After a deep breath, Lu Tang addressed the Crown Princess and the four court officials in front of her with a small question, “Do you know about the iron pill in front of the King of Hell’s hall?”

Everyone: Huh?

Everyone was stunned by Lu Tang’s previous violent outburst. Who would have thought that the young master of the Qiao family, who was warmly entertained by the princesses, would be such a person?

And now, her first question after the fight was this?

Fortunately, the Crown Princess was well-read. She only hesitated for a moment before saying, “There are records in supernatural books. It is said that when the underworld is busy and short-staffed, they select some highly qualified officials from the living world to replace the King of Hell and the judges in their work.”

Lu Tang: Walk the path of Impermanence?

But in her memory, weren’t the ones walking the path of Impermanence those fortune-tellers? How did it become highly qualified officials? Imagine a dignified court official walking the path of Impermanence, wearing red and green, waving a peach wood sword, and holding yellow talismans while running around the courtyard, chanting solemnly. The thought gave Lu Tang chills.

The Crown Princess continued, “If upright and honest officials are selected, the King of Hell sends ghost messengers to fetch their souls every night. Considering the usual bad habits of officials in the living world, each selected official is made to swallow an iron pill before ascending to the throne. This specially forged iron pill can suppress all kinds of evil thoughts, making them speak only their most truthful thoughts. When their work is done by dawn, they spit the iron pill out.”

The Crown Princess finished speaking and looked at Lu Tang with a puzzled expression. “Why did you suddenly think of asking this?”

Lu Tang, clutching the small iron pill in her hand, instinctively wanted to hide her hand. “Oh, nothing, I just suddenly remembered.”

Suddenly remembered?

The Crown Princess raised an eyebrow. Before she could speak, the Minister of Justice turned to Magistrate Zhao and asked, “Lord Zhao, have you felt unwell while handling cases recently?”

Magistrate Zhao looked puzzled. “Why do you ask me this?”

The Minister of Justice awkwardly smiled. “Oh, nothing, I just suddenly remembered.”

Lu Tang: ?

Magistrate Zhao stared at the Minister of Justice for a moment before sneering. “Do you think I haven’t read that supernatural book? It says that if an official bends the law for personal gain, the iron pill will take effect, causing unbearable heartache until they stop their corrupt practices.”

The Minister of Justice: You knew!

Magistrate Zhao flicked his sleeve. “What, do you suspect that I’ve swallowed an iron pill to be so upright?”

The Minister of Justice: Doesn’t it seem that way?

Magistrate Zhao, with a stern face, said, “Absurd! I act with a clear conscience, always mindful of the heavens, the earth, and the people! Being an official means thinking of the people, or my conscience wouldn’t let me rest!”

Everyone else: Other people saying this would be fine, but you… don’t you know your own past?

It wasn’t just the Minister of Justice who suspected he’d swallowed an iron pill; even the Crown Princess, usually wise and calm, thought it might be true.

However, no one said anything more, since if the iron pill did exist and he had taken it, wasn’t that a good thing?

Nearby, He Yujiao was lying weakly and gasped, “Do you remember why you all gathered here? I’m the main character, aren’t I? You’re not interrogating me but talking about the King of Hell. Are you all idle?”

After being beaten up, He Yujiao was barely able to speak, “I just want to know one thing. Tell me, and I’ll tell you where the person is.”

Her trembling words pulled everyone back to reality from the supernatural story.

The Sixth Princess, who was closest to her, lowered her eyes and asked, “What is it?”

He Yujiao said, “I just want to know why Ninth Brother didn’t choose me.”

The Sixth Princess made a sincere but mocking expression, crossing her arms. “First of all, let me correct you. It’s not Ninth Brother, dear. Qin Mo is twenty-one this year, and you, dear old lady, are twenty-seven. Who are you calling brother every day?”

Tears welled up in He Yujiao’s eyes. “Is it because I’m older that you all obstruct our love?”

The Sixth Princess thought this woman was simply insane.

At such a time, can’t you think of anything else? Is it only love in your head? Did you do everything for this so-called love?

Ugh! Don’t tarnish our Little Nine!

Glancing quickly at Lu Tang, the Sixth Princess, fearing Lu Tang might misunderstand, immediately explained, “Little Tang, Little Nine’s heart belongs to you. I can vouch for that.”

Four court officials: There’s no need for that!

Lu Tang shrank her neck and then looked at He Yujiao. “I might be able to answer your question.”

He Yujiao looked at Lu Tang with wide eyes.

Lu Tang smiled at her. “Perhaps the ones obstructing your earth-shattering love are not Qin Mo’s brothers, sisters, or anyone else. It’s you.”

He Yujiao’s eyes turned red. “I want him more than anyone else!”

“But you are Miss He, not Master He. I am different. I am the young master of the Qiao family, not the young miss.”

Lu Tang shrugged and spread her hands.

“So, this is an insurmountable gap. If you truly like him, remember to come back as a boy in your next life, then you might have a chance.”

He Yujiao, who hadn’t vomited blood from the beating, now spewed a mouthful of blood.

She glared at Lu Tang. “Don’t think I don’t know your true identity!”

Lu Tang’s face changed instantly.

Only her mother, sister, and a few close friends knew she was a girl. Even Qin Mo didn’t know.

Even though it wouldn’t matter much if He Yujiao revealed it, Lu Tang couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.

Seeing Lu Tang’s tension, He Yujiao gave an evil smile. She almost roared with a mixture of venting and schadenfreude, “You’re a girl! You’re also a girl! Qin Mo will never choose you, just like he didn’t choose me. You’re just like me. You’re a girl!”

The four court officials nearly popped their eyes out.

A girl?

However, seeing the two princesses so calm, they realized that they had been selected for their positions through rigorous exams and processes, proving their intelligence. So, a quick realization dawned on them.

The princesses already knew.

Moreover, judging by the princesses’ reactions and the recent words from the young master—no, young miss—of the Qiao family, it seemed that the royal family knew she was a girl, but she didn’t know they knew.

So…

Perhaps the Ninth Prince himself didn’t know either?