The Tyrant Can Read Minds, So He Dotes Only on Me, His Mouthy Favorite

[Two male leads, no logic, minister x emperor, switch, monogamous. Don’t bother reading, it’s already a total mess] Ever since a transmigrated woman gave Zhuang Xu a one-way mind-reading System, his good days were over. After hearing his thoughts, the tyrant learned that Prince Duan would usurp the throne in a few years. He promptly gave up, saying he wanted to abdicate in favor of a worthier candidate. The ministers panicked and tried to talk him out of it as politely as they could, never understanding why the emperor had become increasingly apathetic. In court, Zhuang Xu stood to one side, recording every word the tyrant said, while thinking about lunch. [Looks like today’s morning court will drag on until the afternoon. I wonder what the imperial kitchens are making for lunch. Crystal-braised pork knuckle? Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish? Or Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?] Upon hearing someone’s thoughts, Wu Huaijin’s stomach growled. The court fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The tyrant calmly waved his hand. “If you have business, speak. Otherwise, court is dismissed.” There’s still an hour until lunch! Zhuang Xu thought: [No! If court ends now, my braised pork won’t even have started simmering at home!] But after court was dismissed early, the tyrant kept Zhuang Xu behind. “My dear minister, why not stay for lunch? Chengxi told me the imperial kitchens are making Eight-Treasure Duck today.” Zhuang Xu practically drooled with sorrow. He didn’t want to stay late at the palace! But the imperial kitchens’ food was just too good! Lu Qingwan transmigrated to ancient times and planned to make a name for herself with the help of a System and her modern knowledge. She never expected the spoiled wastrel she disliked to become the emperor’s favorite minister. She gave the emperor a mind-reading System, didn’t she? Not a love-struck System! Why was the emperor planning to abdicate in favor of someone else and run off with the wastrel?