“Ninth Princess! Ninth Princess!”

“Someone! Call the imperial physician immediately…”

“Cough, cough, cough!” Yuan Ruan poked her head out from under the stream, her wet face glowing with vitality as she chirped lively sounds of “ya ya ya.”

The palace maids finally calmed down and rushed over to dry her off. “Ninth Princess, don’t move around too much! If water gets in your ears, it’ll feel very uncomfortable.”

Yuan Ruan pretended to be lively, but her voice was filled with grievance as she addressed the system:

【System, you said this power was supposed to control lightning!】

System: 【…Ah Ruan, it is lightning! It’s just… a little finer, a little smaller! But look at that radiant purple glow—it’s…】

Yuan Ruan’s eyes filled with discontent: 【Smaller? You call that smaller? It’s barely three centimeters! I was expecting a dazzling display of fireworks like a Gatling gun. Instead, I didn’t even get a sparkler—this is just a dead lighter in my hand.】

The system began sweating profusely: 【Well, um, this lightning must have its uses…】

Yuan Ruan wanted to grumble more, but suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

“Is Ah Ruan alright?”

Yuan Ruan looked up and found herself gently scooped up by the Crown Prince, who examined her with a face full of concern. She immediately started patting his cheeks with her tiny hands, chirping, “Ya ya ya.”

【I’m fine, I’m just a little embarrassed!】

The Crown Prince froze. Embarrassed?

He carefully checked Yuan Ruan’s body to ensure she was unharmed, then thought for a moment before realization dawned.

Tentatively, he said, “Ninth Sister, you’re about to make your appearance at the Heaven and Earth Altar, aren’t you?”

【Ahhhhhhh! Nervous! I’m going to embarrass myself!】

Understanding her unease, the Crown Prince suppressed a laugh and sighed deliberately. “It’s such a pity that the Heaven and Earth Altar is built so high and far away. Even if I sit in the front row, I probably won’t get to admire your grand display.”

【What?! That’s a thing? Fantastic!】

The Crown Prince stroked Yuan Ruan’s little head as he held her. “Don’t be scared being up there alone. Once the head priest finishes reciting the prayer to Heaven and Earth, you’ll be able to come back down.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the tiny figure in his arms visibly relax.

He couldn’t help smiling wryly: Our little Nation Preceptor may be young, but her pride is immense.

Thinking of this, the Crown Prince added, “Ninth Sister, you are unquestionably the Nation Preceptor. You just need to stay up there peacefully—you have nothing to fear. Father set up the Heaven and Earth Altar for you to enjoy the honor you deserve, not to prove yourself.”

“Ya ya ya!” Yuan Ruan hugged the Crown Prince tightly.

The palace maids quickly helped Yuan Ruan change into ceremonial robes for the Heaven and Earth Altar. Finally, they wrapped her in a white fox fur cloak, making her look like an adorable, fluffy little fox.

At that moment, deep ceremonial music echoed from outside the door.

Yuan Ruan, bundled tightly in the fox fur and barely able to move, struggled to sit up and saw the eight-panel main doors being slowly pulled open.

Outside, on both sides, stood palace guards wearing white fox hats and silver armor.

Hundreds of officials, each wearing high mountain hats, ceremonial book knives at their waists, and red or green wide-sleeved robes, lined up in formation.

At the center stood the Emperor in his imperial yellow dragon robe and crown, directly opposite Yuan Ruan. Behind him was an eight-person ceremonial palanquin.

The music stopped.

The Chief Astronomer of the Astronomical Bureau stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, and recited a blessing to Heaven and Earth in a loud, clear voice.

When he finished, he bowed to Yuan Ruan first, then to the Emperor.

The music resumed, deep and resonant.

The Emperor strode forward, smiling as he heard Yuan Ruan’s inner voice:

【So many people!】

You call this many? he thought, chuckling.

The Emperor picked Yuan Ruan up in one swift motion and said, “Let’s go.” He then stepped onto the ceremonial palanquin.

The Chief Eunuch called out, “Lift the palanquin!”

As the palanquin was raised, hundreds of officials bowed in unison. “May His Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!”

After bowing, the officials boarded different ox carts, following behind the palanquin as it moved forward.

Having never seen such a grand scene before, Yuan Ruan stood in the Emperor’s arms, leaning forward to peer outside.

She saw black-armored knights escorting the palanquin on both sides. Their carts were painted jet black, with canopies adorned with blue curtains and decorated with fearsome beast claws, fangs, and Xia Dynasty weapons.

As the gates of the imperial palace opened completely, Yuan Ruan noticed that the streets of Chang’an on both sides were packed with people. The sea of black-haired heads bowed low, creating an eerily quiet scene save for the sounds of carriage wheels and horses’ hooves.

The majestic procession moved in an orderly manner through the crowd, exuding an air of solemnity and awe-inspiring power.

Yuan Ruan was speechless for a moment, taking in the spectacle. When she turned back, she noticed that as the palanquin passed, a large portion of the people behind it rose and began following the procession.

【This is incredible! So grand!】

The Emperor adjusted her slightly askew hat and said softly, “Ah Ruan, take a good look. You will enjoy even greater scenes than this in the future!”

Yuan Ruan: 【Wow! Brother, you’re my number one!】

System: 【No wonder the plot keeps trying to kill off your big brother. Look at this ambition and style. He’s clearly meant for greatness!】

Yuan Ruan: 【No way! With such a grand stage, I can’t mess up! System, help me think of creative ways to use lightning.】

The Emperor, hearing this, became intrigued. In the next cart, the Crown Prince, Minister Li, and Minister Wang also showed surprised expressions.

Minister Li lowered his voice and said, “Your Highness, is this the person my son mentioned, who saved the Li family from disaster and prevented us from being wiped out?”

The Crown Prince sighed and cupped his hands respectfully. “Indeed, she is our Nation Preceptor. But Minister Li, rest assured, the matter of confiscating your family’s property was never going to happen…”

“Minister Li,” Minister Wang, the elder of the two, interrupted with a stern look. “Watch your words in front of His Highness. Do not overstep.”

Minister Li paused before grinning, “No wonder you’ve survived three reigns and remain impeccable in conduct, Minister Wang. Even the Second Prince wouldn’t dare confiscate your estate.”

The Crown Prince sighed at the tension between the two and was about to mediate when Yuan Ruan’s inner voice rang out again:

System: 【Creative ways with lightning… even a tiny spark can ignite a wildfire! How about performing a ‘Burning Mount Jiujun’ show for them? It’d look spectacular!】

The Crown Prince and the two Ministers tilted forward in shock: !!!

That wouldn’t look spectacular—it’d be disastrous!

Minister Li and Minister Wang stopped arguing and stared in the direction of the front cart.

Yuan Ruan: 【It’s winter and dry. Everyone would burn to ashes. No, no, absolutely not.】

The three men sighed in relief.

System: 【Lightning… let me think! Oh, right! There are already clouds forming. In two hours, it’ll rain. Since water conducts electricity, why not give the people of Da Xia a taste of lightning’s power? That’ll surely leave an impression!】

Everyone: !!!

Absurd!

We want to see divine power, not die under it!

Minister Wang nervously looked at the Crown Prince, his brows deeply furrowed. “This system is truly detestable. Your Highness, while the Nation Preceptor is extraordinary, she is still young and needs careful guidance.”

The Crown Prince quickly responded, “Ninth Sister was born with wisdom and won’t act recklessly.”

At that moment, Yuan Ruan’s inner voice echoed again:

【What?! That would wipe everyone out!】

The Crown Prince gave Minister Wang a reassuring look, as if to say, See? No problem.

But in the next second, his smile froze.

【Wait… a thunderstorm? Hiss, your suggestion gave me an idea! Perfect, let’s do it!】

Minister Li and Minister Wang, who had never dealt with Yuan Ruan before, turned pale.

The Crown Prince’s hair stood on end: !!!

What idea?

Fire? Lightning strikes?

Ninth Sister, playful or not, don’t mess with people’s lives!