After a period of chaos, it was ultimately the Crown Prince who took the initiative. Using clever wordplay, he guided the young general into opening the chest.

In the end, they successfully obtained a few prepared honeycomb briquettes and a set of instructions on how to make the adhesive for them.

The Crown Prince was thrilled. He was just about to tell the Emperor his plans to experiment with the briquettes when Yuan Ruan’s inner voice revealed a trace of confusion:

[I can’t shake the feeling that my brother and nephew aren’t easily deceived. How did they so readily believe the words inside the chest? Especially after just experiencing an assassination attempt. Isn’t this all too coincidental?]

Crown Prince: …

His words caught in his throat.

The system interjected: [It is quite coincidental, but aren’t you the walking embodiment of the Great Xia’s destiny? A bit of fortune is perfectly normal. Besides, if their experiment with the chest fails, it only wastes some time. If it succeeds, it strengthens Great Xia’s power.]

[Hmm, true. Why overthink things? I’m going to sleep.]

The Emperor and the Crown Prince exchanged glances.

The Crown Prince extended his hand, but the Emperor spoke: “It’s getting late. You handle this task. I’ll take Ah Ruan’ back to rest.”

The Crown Prince froze, watching as the Emperor gently carried Yuan Ruan away, patting her back as he walked off. Once again, he couldn’t help but complain inwardly: Was this truly the father who used to review three hundred kilograms of memorials daily?

Yuan Ruan slept soundly through the night.

When she woke, the system immediately bombarded her with good news:

[Host, the Crown Prince has successfully received the honeycomb briquettes and is very impressed. He even led craftsmen overnight to prepare the adhesive.]

[Although the Emperor didn’t link the chest’s footprint to you, he believes his fortunes have improved since meeting you. As a result, he decreed the reward of three hundred households to you. Haha, Host, you’ll earn dividends every year now!]

[Your contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. Amazing! Let’s celebrate!]

The Emperor, entering the tent at that moment, overheard these words.

He wholeheartedly agreed: Whoever brought benefits deserved credit. Everything Yuan Ruan gained was well-earned.

Yet, deep down, he hesitated, wondering if gold and silver would truly please the little Divine child. Perhaps he should offer exquisite silk or rare books instead…

[Wow, earning money while lying down? This is too fun!]

[Why worship the God of Wealth when I can worship my brother? I’ll hang his portrait at home and pray to it every day!]

The Emperor: …

Who knew the little Divine child would be so fond of him? It seemed he was starting to understand her preferences.

As Yuan Ruan joyfully chatted with the system, a sudden notification popped up:

[Oh no, Host! I just scanned a shocking development. Remember the human trafficker who attacked Wu Yue earlier? He had three shadow guards under his command. Those guards are planning to infiltrate the camp and kill little Yue Yue!]

Yuan Ruan was stunned:

[Unbelievable! Sending shadow guards to assassinate a child? Did Little Yue Yue break some heavenly law? Quick, we must save her!]

The Emperor’s expression darkened.

Someone in Great Xia dared to send shadow guards into the Emperor’s camp? And to harm his child?

This time, Yuan Ruan didn’t even need to cry to grab the Emperor’s attention.

The Emperor directly picked her up and exited the tent. “General Wu mentioned finding a peace token, one that only my children possess, on that child. It is really strange. I will investigate personally.”

[Yay! A breakthrough! This must be why the national destiny side quest was completed!]

A cup of tea later, they arrived at General Wu Yi’s military tent.

As they approached, the Emperor suddenly stopped, his right hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.

[System, have we finally reached the right place? Quickly, where is she?]

[Host, Little Yue Yue is in a small tent behind this large one.]

[Let’s go! Wait, why isn’t my brother moving? What’s he looking at?]

Before Yuan Ruan could figure it out, she was abruptly thrown into the air.

Caught off guard, she flailed her limbs, wanting to scream: [I’m afraid of heights!]

In the next moment, she saw the Emperor draw his sword. With a graceful sweep, he struck at his surroundings. A thin, masked man clutching his wounded right shoulder tumbled out.

Yuan Ruan was stunned, forgetting to scream as she was caught by the Emperor, who twirled his sword stylishly.

[System: Ruan’er, are you okay?]

[Yuan Ruan: My brother is so cool! Look at his swordsmanship! Wow, so amazing!]

The Emperor chuckled, steadying his sword.

At that moment, two more masked men rolled out from behind the tent.

Startled, Yuan Ruan recoiled, but the masked men didn’t attack the Emperor. Instead, they reached toward their injured companion. The Emperor raised an eyebrow and flung his sword to block their path.

The two exchanged glances before escaping through the window.

The Emperor’s face turned grim. He rushed toward the kneeling man but paused after seeing black blood trickling from the man’s lips.

He had poisoned himself.

Yuan Ruan’s excitement froze, replaced by a sense of dread.

“Guards!” The Emperor’s voice boomed as armored soldiers flooded the tent. “Take him away for treatment and interrogation. Search the entire camp. Don’t let any strangers escape.”

“Yes!” the soldiers responded in unison.

Yuan Ruan’s unease deepened. Could it be that they failed to save her in time?

[System: No need to cry, Host! Wu Yue is still alive. Head forward, turn right, and look down. Though, I suggest you cover your nose—it’s smelly.]

The Emperor gave a sweeping glance, and palace guards moved to search.

Yuan Ruan craned her neck, adamantly stating: [Where? I’m not afraid of the smell. Didn’t I handle it well last time?]

A scraping sound echoed as a stone cover was dragged aside.

A figure covered in black mud crawled out—barely recognizable as human. Only a pair of bright, clear eyes stood out amidst the filth, though the stench was overpowering.

[She’s alive! Amazing!]

The Emperor immediately took three steps back with Yuan Ruan in his arms.

Wu Yue hesitated to approach further.

[It stinks, but I’m so happy! Yay!]

The Emperor and Wu Yue: …

Both turned to look at Yuan Ruan, whose small face, though scrunched up, radiated a sweet smile in the foul environment.

Wu Yue, whose heart had long been cold, felt a ripple of warmth again.

Moved by Yuan Ruan’s concern and willingness to save her, she realized this was the kind little “Bodhisattva” her wet nurse had mentioned—a compassionate savior who truly cared for her.

The Emperor, meanwhile, took a damp cloth from a servant and handed one to Wu Yue before wiping Yuan Ruan’s hands and face.

[My brother is so considerate! They must have slandered him by calling him a tyrant!]

The Emperor paused for a moment before continuing to clean her face, quietly swallowing his previous order to execute the intruder’s entire family.

Wu Yue, holding the cloth nervously, felt her hands shake slightly. A tyrant? Was this man, the one Yuan Ruan referred to, the current Emperor?

As she speculated, Yuan Ruan’s soft voice rang out again:

[By the way, System, can you find out who’s behind the three shadow guards?]

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

Wu Yue’s expression darkened.

[System: Of course!]

Both of them: !!!