Daoist Li remained silent for a long time before pretending to calculate something with his fingers.

Then, he tossed a divination stick into the air, letting it fall to the ground.

He looked down, nodded slightly, and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness’s question concerns the legitimacy of Da Xia’s lineage, but the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. This humble Daoist can only speak about the future fortunes of Da Xia. The signs are auspicious—prosperity under a clear sky, vitality everywhere, and a flourishing revival of all things. Your Majesty’s name contains the character ‘昇,’ which means rising, like a brilliant sunrise. Your Highness’s name contains the character ‘榮,’ symbolizing the vigorous growth of all things. Together, they complement each other perfectly, foretelling great fortune.”

Yuan Ruan: [This Taoist is quite clever, answering the deadly question in such an auspicious and indirect manner.]

System: [A master of Daoist rhetoric, truly skilled in talking his way out of trouble.]

The officials: Exactly, exactly!

The Crown Prince smiled faintly and clapped his hands naturally. “Well said! Daoist Li has spoken most wisely!”

Beside him, Daoist Fang narrowed his eyes slightly before chiming in, “Indeed, it is auspicious. This humble Daoist dares not comment on the Crown Prince’s future, but I can reveal a little about his past. When His Highness was a child, he once encountered a ferocious beast but was rescued by a soldier who now serves in the Eastern Palace. Am I correct?”

Yuan Ruan: [This Daoist is pushing his luck a bit. Although nobles in ancient times loved hunting, and it’s likely the Crown Prince was rescued at some point, making up stories like this can easily backfire. If the Crown Prince doesn’t respond, it could ruin the good impression created earlier by Daoist Li.]

System: [You’re right, Yuan Ruan. The Crown Prince doesn’t seem like someone who’d fall for such tricks.]

The officials all nodded in agreement. Given the Crown Prince’s ability to hear thoughts, he was even less likely to tolerate such nonsense.

But unexpectedly, the Crown Prince did not refute him.

Instead, he clapped again and said, “Correct! Daoist Fang is absolutely correct!”

The crowd stared at the Crown Prince in shock. What?! You can hear thoughts—why are you agreeing with him?!

The emperor, too, was momentarily stunned by the Crown Prince’s unexpected reaction.

Meanwhile, Daoist Fang, who couldn’t hear thoughts, felt smug. As expected, hunting-loving nobles often experience such incidents.

Just as he was about to press his advantage and outshine Daoist Li, the Crown Prince stopped clapping and said, “As expected of two esteemed Daoists who have led the Shenxiao Sect. Your insights into fortune-telling and celestial phenomena are remarkable. Father, the positions of Chief Astrologer and Chief Spring Official are currently vacant. Why not appoint these two Daoists to fill them?”

The officials: ???

What? Crown Prince, have you lost your mind? Just because they flattered you a bit, you want to give them official positions?

Yuan Ruan: [Huh? My nephew asked such a deadly question just to recruit them? This… I don’t even know what to say.]

System: [Your nephew’s emotional intelligence could use some work. These two Daoists may not say it out loud, but they must be feeling conflicted inside.]

—“They must be feeling conflicted inside.”

Hearing this, the officials immediately understood the Crown Prince’s intentions.

By appointing the Daoists to sixth-rank official positions, he was testing whether they could hear the National Preceptor’s thoughts—determining if they were worth recruiting.

The emperor fell silent for a moment before saying, “Very well.” He turned to the head eunuch and said, “The Crown Prince rarely recommends talent. Bring the robes and insignias for the Chief Astrologer and Chief Spring Official.”

The chief eunuch promptly obeyed.

Daoist Li and Daoist Fang were dumbfounded. They had come to rescue their fellow disciples, not to get themselves dragged into government positions!

Yuan Ruan: [They’re being made officials just like that? No imperial exams or anything?]

System: [Well, let me check… Oh, right, there’s no paper yet. Da Xia doesn’t have imperial exams—they still use the recommendation system. So, this isn’t surprising. Yuan Ruan, should I trigger a daily mission to introduce paper-making? That might boost national fortune.]

The officials: !!!

Paper? The imperial examination system?

Could this really enhance national fortune?!

Yuan Ruan thought for a moment and declined. “No, let’s not.”

System: [Huh? Why not? Isn’t introducing paper one of the most popular moves among transmigrators?]

Yuan Ruan: [That’s because those transmigrators are adults—they don’t have to suffer through studying anymore. Think about it: before paper, mastering the classics required memorizing content equivalent to 800,000 characters, just five cartloads of bamboo slips. But once paper is invented, the amount of material needed for high-ranking officials increases by tens of times!]

As she spoke, Yuan Ruan’s bun-like face took on a serious expression. [I’ve seen the study schedules for the princes and princesses of Da Xia. My elder brother is a strict parent. If paper gets invented, I’ll have to study so much more. Isn’t that just making things harder for myself?]

System: …Fair point.

At that moment, a stark contrast emerged between the scholarly and non-scholarly officials.

The Minister of War and others who hated studying crossed their arms and nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly with Yuan Ruan. Let’s put this on hold for now.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Revenue and other academics were intrigued, eagerly glancing at the emperor. This is a great idea! It would help us recruit more talent and lighten our workload!

The emperor was especially tempted. As the nation’s leader, he wished for a flourishing pool of talent. But after glancing at the yawning Yuan Ruan, he suppressed his impulse, deciding to take it slow—perhaps by first cultivating her interest in reading.

At this moment, the head eunuch returned, carrying the robes and insignias of office.

Daoist Li and Daoist Fang stared at the official attire in bewilderment.

Then they noticed a piece of cloth with writing on it:

—No matter what you hear, do not show surprise or speak rashly.

The two Daoists were dumbfounded. What?

Just then, the insignia for Chief Astrologer was placed in Daoist Li’s hand.

Suddenly, he heard a soft voice:

[Regardless of the system, it seems my elder brother truly loves my nephew. He agreed so easily. It looks like the transition of power will be smooth in the future.]

System: [Not necessarily! Even Emperor Kangxi loved the Crown Prince, but in the end, he deposed and imprisoned him. Father-son conflicts and family betrayal are common in the palace!]

Yuan Ruan: [That won’t do! My elder brother and nephew must get along. If anyone tries to sow discord, I’ll strike them with lightning. Whether they support or oppose it, I’ll strike!]

System: [Exactly! You’re the national fortune, essentially the will of heaven. The emperor is the son of heaven. Haha… Wait, isn’t your seniority messed up? Technically, you could be your elder brother’s mother… haha…]

Daoist Li was horrified. What?! Who’s speaking?! How dare they say such treasonous things?!

“Cough, cough!” Clang!

Daoist Li jerked his head up, only to see a minister bending down to pick something up. Many other officials were looking down or clutching their chins, seemingly trying to suppress their expressions.

When he looked at the emperor and crown prince, he saw that the emperor appeared completely at ease, while the crown prince’s expression briefly faltered before returning to calm. Noticing his gaze, the crown prince discreetly wiggled his fingers in a subtle wave.

A thunderbolt of realization struck Daoist Li’s mind. Could everyone hear it? Wait, so… this is the National Preceptor! This must be her divine ability! She’s the embodiment of the nation’s fortune?!

He suddenly recalled all the things he had said earlier and felt as if he had committed blasphemy in the presence of heaven itself.

Daoist Li’s legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground with a thud.