However, things progressed far beyond the Daoists’ expectations.

One day, three days, seven days…

The Daoists drank tea, drank a lot of tea, and continued drinking tea until they were about to vomit…

By the tenth day, the Daoists couldn’t hold back any longer.

Daoist Wen slammed the table suddenly and said, “I’m so full from drinking tea. And every time, all they serve us is tea. What’s this supposed to mean? Are they trying to serve tea and send us away?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the other Daoists froze in realization. Crap, that really seems to be what’s happening!

Daoist Wen’s face darkened even more, and he angrily said, “Bah! We came here to cleanse the sect and save the Great Xia from peril, but we’re being treated like this. Great Xia truly doesn’t appreciate goodwill. Do they not want to hold the Spring Sacrifice in the future?”

Hearing this, the Daoists grew even angrier. Some huffed that they should just leave and stop caring about the Xia Kingdom altogether.

Suddenly, Daoist Zhou spoke, “No, we can’t leave just like this. If we leave now, that fraud might spread rumors claiming that we, the Longhu Temple, lost and fled in disgrace.”

The Daoists who had just been clamoring to leave immediately fell silent.

Daoist Zhou stood up and said, “That so-called National Preceptor is too afraid to show his face. His reluctance to meet us proves his guilt. There’s nothing to fear about him. Rest assured, I have a way to get into the palace and expose that fraud.”

The other Daoists looked at him curiously and asked, “What’s the plan?”

Daoist Zhou replied, “Previously, I visited a certain household to treat an illness and saved an elder. That elder happens to be the father of Consort De. I’ll ask him for help with an introduction. I refuse to believe this won’t work.”

The Daoists suddenly understood and nodded. “But what reason will you use to meet them? And how will you expose him?” someone asked.

Daoist Zhou chuckled coldly, exuding confidence. “That person managed to have a baby declared the National Preceptor. This proves that the Xia Kingdom is willing to accept such absurd claims. I’ve found a fair-skinned pregnant woman from the countryside and will claim that the baby she’s carrying is the true divine child. I’ll stir up some momentum and—ha!—how could their so-called infant National Preceptor possibly compare? I’m basically stealing their meal ticket. There’s no way they won’t come out to face me!”

The Daoists collectively gave him a thumbs-up. “Brilliant, truly brilliant! Go quickly!”

Daoist Zhou tidied up his appearance, full of confidence, and said, “Just wait for me. One day—no, three days at most.”

The Daoists all nodded in trust.

Daoist Zhou, brimming with fighting spirit, went to find Consort De’s father, the prefect of the capital.

As mentioned before, the Emperor, Crown Prince, and several ministers had decided to ignore the Daoists and investigate the truth secretly. However, this decision had not been openly announced in court, so the prefect was unaware of it.

Coincidentally, the capital prefect had long been troubled by his inability to secure a promotion to governor of the capital.

Now, hearing Daoist Zhou claim that the pregnant woman he brought was carrying the true divine child, conceived through divine will, the prefect was instantly tempted. He didn’t doubt Yuan Ruan; instead, he thought to himself that if the Emperor valued the Daoist sect and divine children so much, wouldn’t presenting a genuine divine child to the Emperor earn him the Emperor’s favor—and perhaps a promotion?

With this thought, the prefect asked his wife to request an audience at the palace, planning to discuss the matter with his daughter, Consort De.

Yi Lan Hall

The prefect’s wife had just entered the main hall when she encountered the Fifth Prince throwing a tantrum, rolling on the floor and crying. “I want a panda! I want that panda—the newest one!”

Nearby, palace maids tried to calm him, but their efforts only earned them disheveled hair as the Fifth Prince struck them. Helpless, they could only kneel and beg.

At that moment, Consort De massaged her temples as she approached gently. “Mother, is everything at home well?”

The prefect’s wife quickly nodded. “Everything is well. And how are you, Your Highness? As for the Fifth Prince…”

Consort De, clearly exasperated, rubbed her temples again. “After the banquet to choose a consort for the Second Princess, more people have been sending gifts to the Ninth Princess. The line of carriages in front of Kun Ning Palace seems endless. My Son saw it and wanted some gifts as well, but the Ninth Princess is stingy and wouldn’t share, leaving my son feeling wronged.”

The prefect’s wife frowned. “The Ninth Princess? The so-called Little National Preceptor? This…” She paused, then handed the letter in her hand to Consort De. “Your father asked me to make this trip, and I was hesitant at first, but seeing the situation in the palace, why not give it a try?”

Reading phrases like “conceived through divine will” and “divine child,” Consort De froze for a moment and felt a twinge of interest.

“Mother, is this true?” Consort De asked.

“Daoist Zhou treated your father’s illness before. As a highly respected Daoist from the Longhu Temple, he shouldn’t be lying,” replied the prefect’s wife.

Consort De nodded thoughtfully and saw her mother off.

Just as Consort De returned to the palace, the Fifth Prince’s sharp cries erupted again.

Rubbing her temples in frustration, she turned to her trusted maid and said, “The Fifth Prince is closest to the Third Prince. Summon the Third Prince to take him out for some fresh air.”

The maid hesitated and whispered, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince specifically arranged for the Third Prince to study with the Grand Tutor. Calling him back now might anger the Crown Prince and disrupt the Third Prince’s progress.”

Consort De calmly massaged her temples and said, “He is his brother. It’s his duty.”

The maid didn’t dare argue further.

Consort De’s gaze returned to the letter describing the “divine child.” In a soft voice, she mused, “If this is true, having some competition for that one will at least force her to restrain herself a little and stop bullying my Son.”

With that thought, Consort De stood up and said, “I’m going to see His Majesty. Watch over the Fifth Prince. Let him smash whatever he wants, but make sure he doesn’t hurt himself.”

The maids all bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Moments later, Consort De arrived at Yangxin Hall, carrying a delicately crafted box of freshly made desserts.

She entered just in time to see the Emperor walking out with the Empress, who was holding Yuan Ruan.

Consort De hurriedly saluted and instinctively avoided meeting Yuan Ruan’s gaze.

At that moment, Yuan Ruan’s thoughts rang out:

[Big Brother is so busy! Hmm? What’s that delicious smell?]

The Emperor and Empress both turned to look at Consort De’s dessert box.

The system chimed in: [Smells good, doesn’t it? Hey, do you know how Consort De got promoted? Your big brother has a sweet tooth but thinks eating sweets damages his image. Consort De discovered this secret and often made desserts to lure him in. He happily indulged, enjoying his “freedom to eat sweets” in private.]

Yuan Ruan: [Pfft, Big Brother is a sweet tooth? And he eats so much without gaining weight. So lucky.]

The system laughed: [Haha, lucky indeed. How could he gain weight? Producing offspring takes a lot out of him—just today alone…]

The Emperor coughed awkwardly, pinching his brow, and turned to Consort De. “Are you trying to have me deliver this box to the library in Wenhua Hall again? I’ve told you before, the Department of Internal Affairs will never let the princes go without food or drink. You don’t need to worry so much about the Third Prince. Don’t bring this anymore.”

Consort De: “?”

The Empress: “?”

Both women froze momentarily, then quickly understood.

The Empress lowered her head, stifling laughter, while Consort De clenched her teeth in frustration and stiffly said, “This… This was because I was afraid the prince would study too hard and get hungry… If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, why don’t you…”

“I don’t like sweets. Empress,” the Emperor said seriously, turning to her, “take it back and share it.”

Yuan Ruan: [Huh? That doesn’t add up. Consort De clearly brought this for her son, and Big Brother doesn’t even like sweets. But oh well, I’m the only one who can hear this, so it’s kind of funny.]

The system wailed: [Sob, thank goodness you don’t hate me. I’ll work harder to dig up more juicy stories about the Emperor.]

The Emperor, who had just been feeling relieved, suddenly choked.

The Empress, recalling her own hardships, barely managed to suppress her laughter as she watched the Emperor’s antics backfire.

The system added: [Haha, I just found another juicy story about the Emperor’s harem—and it’s connected to the Empress!]

Yuan Ruan: [What? Now I’m intrigued!]

The Empress’s smile froze.

The Emperor glanced at her with a sly smile: Why aren’t you laughing now?