Entering the Eastern Palace to serve the Crown Prince.

Such a privilege was enticing, not just for the son of a criminal but also for many children of minor nobility.

The soldiers were envious, whispering among themselves:

“Serving the Crown Prince? And he’s just the son of a criminal?”

“Following the dragon brings glory. He’ll rise to the heavens one day.”

…

Yuan Ruan felt a headache coming on:

[Little Yue Yue, wait! That’s your real brother. You don’t need to rely on him. But, well, you can go first. I’ll find a way to restore your identity as a princess.]

Wu Yue glanced at Yuan Ruan, her eyes flashing with a trace of warmth. Then, without hesitation, she untied her hair and knelt before the emperor, her voice hoarse as she declared:

“I am a woman.”

Everyone: !!!

What?! General Wu’s adopted son is a girl?!

Whether or not General Wu had committed treason, the crime of deceiving the emperor was undeniable.

Yuan Ruan: !!!

Stunned. Why reveal her gender now?!

What about her future?!

“Hahaha! Excellent!” After a brief moment of surprise, the emperor burst into hearty laughter, his tone softening. “Go wash up and take her to learn the palace rules and etiquette immediately.”

The palace maid’s bow stiffened slightly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wu Yue kept a cold expression as she obediently followed the maid. Only when she passed Yuan Ruan did she reveal a faint smile.

The emperor, in high spirits, picked up Yuan Ruan and left as well.

Not long after, Yuan Ruan heard a sudden uproar from the previously silent military camp.

She could vaguely make out malicious comments about Wu Yue’s revelation.

Yuan Ruan frowned:

[These people are so annoying! Big brother, go scold them!]

The emperor: …

He looked down at Yuan Ruan, who was frowning and babbling while pointing at the gossiping officers like she was commanding a dog.

The emperor was both amused and exasperated.

Who else dared order him around like this, and in such a casual, commanding tone?

But…

The emperor turned back and waved his hand.

His guards stormed over, shouting, “Who allowed you to gossip in front of the emperor?! Disturbing His Majesty—drag them all out!”

The officers immediately fell to their knees, crying and kowtowing.

“Your Majesty, forgive us! Please have mercy!”

The emperor was about to leave coldly when Yuan Ruan’s inner thoughts surfaced again:

[A single glance scared them into submission. Could my gentle brother really be a tyrant? Terrifying!]

The emperor, who was just about to order executions: …

He coughed lightly and said, “Take them away and give them thirty lashes each!”

The guards were momentarily stunned.

The kneeling officers were overjoyed, repeatedly kowtowing in gratitude.

“Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!”

The emperor sent Yuan Ruan back to her room to rest before resuming his work with memorials.

As he read through them, his expression darkened when he reached one specific report, his teeth faintly aching.

He summoned Song Wei.

The moment Song Wei entered and saluted, a memorial came flying at him, hitting his head squarely.

Blood trickled down Song Wei’s forehead, but he dared not move.

The emperor’s cold voice came from above.

“When did this happen?”

Song Wei was stunned, his mind racing, but he couldn’t figure it out. Finally, he stammered, “Your Majesty, it’s all my fault. Next time, I’ll—”

“Don’t admit to things you don’t know!” The emperor suppressed the urge to smash another cup, mindful that Yuan Ruan was sleeping nearby. Pointing at Song Wei, he growled, “Why is there a woman’s letter mixed in with these memorials?!”

Song Wei was thunderstruck, kneeling and banging his head on the ground. “Your Majesty, I swear I didn’t—”

“Go receive fifty lashes. Investigate everyone involved—no matter their rank or title, confiscate their property and execute their entire clan!”

Song Wei quickly responded, “Understood.”

The emperor added, “Wu Yue is my biological daughter. Dispatch troops to thoroughly investigate the Wu family estate! Notify the Ministry of Rites to prepare two new jade records for the princesses.”

Song Wei’s jaw dropped. That little beggar was the emperor’s biological daughter?! How had he missed this?!

But he quickly composed himself and saluted in awe of the emperor’s far-reaching intelligence network.

At that moment, a eunuch announced that General Wu Yi sought an audience.

The emperor nodded.

Wu Yi strode in and saluted. “Your Majesty, the honeycomb coal test was a great success. The same-sized coal blocks, when shaped into honeycombs, burn for three additional hours.”

“Really?!” Despite expecting the result, the emperor was delighted. “Good. Where is the Crown Prince?”

“Your Majesty, news from the west suggests imminent unrest. His Highness has already departed.”

The emperor nodded, his brows furrowing slightly. “A bit rushed. I’ll linger in this area for a few more days to divert attention. General Wu, accompany him westward.”

“But Your Majesty, I must protect you—”

“This place is less than a hundred miles from the capital. If danger arises, reinforcements can arrive swiftly. However, it’s the Crown Prince’s first journey west, and it’s fraught with dangers. Consider it my command for you to watch over him.”

Wu Yi bowed. “As you command.”

To cover for the Crown Prince, the emperor’s entourage lingered nearby for days.

After another snowfall, they finally began their slow return to the capital.

Yuan Ruan, bundled warmly, leaned against the window, marveling at the snowy landscape.

System: [Do you like snow so much?]

Yuan Ruan: [I’m from the south.]

System: [But wasn’t it snowing heavily when you first arrived? Why didn’t you admire it then?]

Yuan Ruan: [I was on the brink of death then! Now it’s different—I’m warm and full, so I want to play in the snow, roll on the ground, and make giant snowmen.]

The emperor, reviewing memorials in the carriage, paused thoughtfully.

An hour later, after lunch, the carriage was knocked on.

A guard entered and bowed. “Your Majesty, everything is ready.”

The emperor nodded, placed a leather hat on Yuan Ruan’s head, and carried her out of the carriage.

Yuan Ruan gasped.

In front of her stood two towering snowmen, each as tall as two people, wearing scarves and seemingly warming themselves by a giant snow furnace.

Nearby, a soldier was pressing snowballs into honeycomb coal shapes and stacking them around the snowmen.

The emperor carried the delighted Yuan Ruan closer.

She dived face-first into a snowman, rolling and flailing her limbs joyfully.

Watching her, the emperor’s frustrations from the day vanished entirely.

Then, he heard the system’s voice.

System: [Great news! The National Fortune mission—returning the lost pearl to Great xia—is complete (+1 National Fortune).]

Yuan Ruan: [What?! How is it completed? Little Yue Yue haven’t even been formally recognized as a princess!]

System: [No idea, but it’s done.]

The emperor mused, his smile deepening. The official letter must have arrived, and the Ministry of Rites was likely updating the records.

Yuan Ruan: [Great! With three National Fortune points, I can activate a divine ability! Let’s see what my first power is!]

The emperor’s eyes gleamed.

A divine ability?

What would it be?