The words Shu Pavilion may seem unremarkable, but it is actually a hall large enough to accommodate over a hundred people.

When Yuan Ruan was carried in by the emperor, her attention was immediately drawn to two groups inside, arguing fiercely with flushed faces.

The two sides sat facing each other, their numbers nearly equal.

A young man dressed in a Confucian scholar’s robe slapped the table and declared, “If our Great Xia cannot succeed in curbing the power of the feudal lords, we will face national destruction!”

A handsome man in luxurious attire sneered, “The late emperor once said, ‘Brothers united are as strong as steel.’ Great Xia is surrounded by wolves. If the capital were to face danger, the feudal lords would rise to our aid. If we suppress them, that will lead to Great Xia’s destruction!”

A seated official at the main table rose and said, “Gentlemen, I remind you that today we are not here to consider rank or age. The topic of discussion concerns the upcoming Heaven and Earth Sacrificial Ceremony for Great Xia’s National Preceptor in seven days. Speak freely.”

The Confucian scholar in a blue robe smirked. “Don’t even bring it up! An eight-month-old child overseeing national affairs? As a humble commoner, my personal embarrassment pales in comparison to the shame it brings to Great Xia. Even the ancestors’ coffins must be rattling from this!”

The well-dressed man actually nodded in agreement for once. “I must admit, I find it distasteful as well. I received a letter from a classmate in Shu Kingdom asking if Great Xia is exhibiting the madness of a dying empire.”

…

Yuan Ruan: 【Wow! These officials sure love to spout nonsense. Every sentence ends with, ‘Great Xia will perish.’ Great Xia’s national fortune is thriving! Shoo, shoo, shoo!】

The officials in the pavilion: !!!

What voice was that?

Which neutral party dared to ridicule both sides so openly?

Several young officials jumped up, slapping their desks. But when they turned around, they saw the emperor and the crown prince watching them with unreadable expressions.

“Greetings to His Majesty!” “Greetings to the Crown Prince!” A synchronized chorus of greetings erupted as forty to fifty people knelt in unison. The scholars who had just mocked Great Xia’s impending doom broke into cold sweats.

Curious, Yuan Ruan peeked her head out to take a look. Dozens of people, and not a single one was unattractive or overweight.

Yuan Ruan: 【What a handsome gathering! All young people, too! Brother Emperor must really love good looks.】

The officials: !!!

Several kneeling officials anxiously glanced around before quickly lowering their heads again.

The emperor observed carefully. It appeared that some of these individuals could hear Yuan Ruan’s inner voice.

He gestured subtly to the chief eunuch, signaling him to take note of the names, ranks, and positions of those who had looked up.

System: 【Yuan Ruan, not a single unattractive person here. You know, I just remembered, emperors throughout history have been known to indulge in “dragon’s grace.” They love late-night discussions. Look at that official in green and the one in white—don’t their postures seem unusually… inviting?】

A few of the kneeling officials coughed uncontrollably.

The white-robed official remained unresponsive, but the one in green froze for a moment before shifting into an even more exaggerated S-curve as he knelt.

System: 【See? I wasn’t wrong, was I, Yuan Ruan?】

The emperor coughed, his expression one of mild disgust. He waved his hand. “Rise, all of you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The officials stood up.

The emperor’s arrival cast a slight pall over the Shu Pavilion.

Scanning the room, the emperor said, “If you are unwilling to discuss the National Preceptor’s sacrificial ceremony, then speak instead about how the Crown Prince cleverly thwarted the Xiongnu and Chen Kingdom’s joint opposition to Great Xia.”

Yuan Ruan: 【Haha, even the emperor can’t resist bragging about his son!】

The emperor: …

The crown prince: …

Some of the officials exchanged uneasy glances, while others, quicker on the uptake, recalled the instructions they had received before entering: “No matter how strange the words you hear, do not question them outright.”

Realizing what was happening, they cooperatively praised, “As expected of the Crown Prince—valiant in battle, wise beyond compare, and capable of anticipating the enemy’s moves from a thousand miles away.”

The crown prince shook his head. “It is not truly resolved. The problem stems from the eldest prince’s tyranny. His greed and exploitation of the people have led to his own undoing.”

Yuan Ruan: 【Tyranny? Does he have a reputation as a tyrant like Brother Emperor?】

The emperor: …

The crown prince froze mid-sentence.

The room once again erupted in a chorus of coughs. Many of those present wiped sweat from their foreheads. Who on earth was responsible for this mysterious voice? How could they dare to speak so boldly?

Yuan Ruan curiously glanced at the crown prince. Why had he stopped talking?

At that moment, a man in green robes suddenly cupped his hands in salute and said, “The crown prince is absolutely right! I would like to add that His Majesty has never exploited the people for personal gain. At most, he is strict in punishing wrongdoers. The citizens of Great Xia should speak up for His Majesty. The title of ‘tyrant’ should be given to the eldest prince instead.”

The emperor: …

The crown prince: ?

Everyone else: Tch, sycophant!

Yuan Ruan looked at the man in green with surprise:

【Is this what professional officials are like? Spouting nonsense with a straight face, using any opportunity to pledge loyalty to my Brother Emperor. I wonder if Brother Emperor buys into this…】

The man in green felt a pang of panic: I didn’t mean it that way! Your Majesty, please don’t believe such absurdities!

The others cast mocking glances at the man in green: Caught brown-nosing, huh? Now you’ll face the consequences.

The crown prince ignored the distraction and continued with the main topic.

“The eldest prince, by plundering resources from the tribes, enraged several respected elder chiefs. While their tribes are small, their influence is significant. These elders have now rallied nearly half the tribes to support the second prince. Furthermore, with our covert financial assistance, the second prince’s power has skyrocketed and now rivals the eldest prince’s. The second prince has even sent an envoy seeking an alliance with Great Xia.”

“Excellent!” the audience rose to their feet in applause.

“However, there is one issue—money,” the crown prince said softly. “The Xiongnu are incredibly greedy. Chen Kingdom withdrew because they couldn’t tolerate the eldest prince’s endless demands. My return this time is to ask whether the Ministry of Revenue can provide more funds to continue supporting the second prince.”

The Assistant Minister of Revenue stepped forward, cupping his hands. “Your Highness, with the numerous wars in recent years, the Ministry of War has already consumed a significant portion of the treasury. The national coffers are truly running dry.”

The Assistant Minister of War also stepped forward, his tone dissatisfied. “And how does this concern us?”

Yuan Ruan had come here hoping to find clues to complete her national fortune side mission. However, after arriving, no triggers appeared. Resting in the emperor’s arms, she yawned, showing little interest in these national matters.

System: 【Hey, speaking of money, Yuan Ruan! I’ve just found some gossip about the crown prince that might solve this financial issue.】

The emperor and crown prince: !!!

The crown prince, in particular, felt a sense of impending doom.

Others who could hear the voice: ???

Gossip? What kind of solution could this mysterious voice possibly offer?

Yuan Ruan: 【What is it?】

System: 【When the crown prince was in the Xiongnu region setting up coal briquette production, he caught the eye of a super-rich female mine owner. She’s forty years old, has weathered many storms, and absolutely adores the crown prince. She’s completely smitten with him! If the crown prince spends a couple more nights with her, forget money—she’d probably even give her life for him.】

Many people turned to look at the crown prince in unison, their gazes tinged with sympathy. To think he had caught the attention of someone old enough to be a grandmother.

The crown prince: …

Why does this system share such things with my little sister?!

The emperor cleared his throat, frowning. The system’s remarks were utterly unbecoming. Did it think so little of the Great Xia royal family?

Yuan Ruan: 【Huh? A female version of a domineering CEO? Is she rich?】

System: 【Very! She owns two massive mines and earns approximately 20 million taels a year!】

Everyone: !!!

How much?! Did it just say 20 million taels?

That’s far more than Great Xia’s annual tax revenue!

Some individuals in the room immediately had subtle shifts in their expressions, a few even glancing downward as if sizing themselves up for comparison.

At that moment, the voice echoed again:

System: 【Whoa, this is wild! The domineering CEO has actually come to the capital for love. She’s standing outside the palace walls, ready to strike the injustice drum! Wait, not quite—she’s using the drum to summon the crown prince!】

Yuan Ruan: 【What?! So decisive?!】

System: 【Exactly! She’s brought her dowry and is preparing to beat the drum to demand justice. She wants the crown prince to take responsibility!】

The emperor: !!!

Striking the injustice drum?!

Wouldn’t that make it the talk of all Great Xia—or even the five neighboring kingdoms?!

The crown prince staggered with a clattering sound, then bolted out of the room in a flash.

Yuan Ruan: 【Why did my dear nephew run off?】

Everyone else: …

Probably to stop the woman before the entire capital learns about it.