"Did you hear that?" Lu Tianhao whispered, his eyes wide with "realization."

  "It was profound," Lu Chenyi, the strategist, replied.

  I stopped barking. Wait, what?

  "‘Poo-poo big stinky cloud,’" Chenyi repeated to the stunned nobles. "He is clearly referring to the Heavenly Tribulation Clouds that gather over the Mid-Size Empires. He’s warning us of the upcoming war with the Five Empires! He’s calling our enemies 'stinky'—a classic display of psychological warfare!"

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  "And 'Gabba-gabba ducky'?" the Prime Minister asked, sweating.

  "It’s a code!" Lu Lingshu shouted. "The 'Ducky' floats on water but stays dry. He’s telling us to invest in our Naval Defenses! Our brother is a military genius!"

  I banged my head against my mother’s shoulder. I was talking about a rubber duck from my past life! Stop it!

  From the corner of my eye, I saw my mother and the Empress, Fu Meyar, hiding their faces behind their fans. They weren't hiding tears of shame—they were shaking with laughter. They knew exactly what I was doing, and they found my struggle against my siblings' "interpretations" to be the best entertainment in the palace.

  My father, the Emperor, leaned forward, his face a mask of stone, though his Qi was leaking out in happy little ripples. "A truly... unique perspective, Seventh Prince. Truly, your wisdom transcends human language."