After The Child’s Mind Was Read, The Tyrant, With a Dark Face, Dragged Out The Male Empress Dowager
After The Child’s Mind Was Read, The Tyrant, With a Dark Face, Dragged Out The Male Empress Dowager Chapter 47: The Five Nations Are in Uproar

In less than two days, news of the new National Preceptor of Daxia being able to summon lightning and deliver divine punishment spread across the lands.

The people of the five nations were in an uproar.

Since ancient times, sorcerers have always demonstrated supernatural feats to prove their authenticity. But never before had anyone displayed the ability to control the heavens and command lightning. What made this more extraordinary was how, for centuries, books and legends had imbued lightning with divine and mystical connotations.

As a result, when someone emerged who could control lightning, people from all nations became intensely curious about Yuan Ruan.

Among the wealthy elites who pursued immortality and the Way of the Dao, anyone with connections in Daxia hurriedly packed their bags, eager to visit and see if they could become a disciple and bask in some of that celestial aura.

Ordinary citizens, especially those living near the Daxia border, stopped their usual bickering and greeted each other with questions about the young National Preceptor.

They always began with the same three inquiries:
“Is your National Preceptor really only nine months old?”
“Can she really control lightning? Did tens of thousands of people witness it?”
“Can she still summon divine punishment?”

When Daxia citizens saw their smiling neighbors asking these questions, they proudly described the scene in vivid detail: phrases like “silver dragons soaring amidst the clouds” and “with a single stroke of her little hand, the rebel was struck by divine punishment and sent straight to the eighteenth level of hell.”

Listeners were utterly captivated.

Occasionally, a jealous detractor would try to counter:
“Hmph, our National Preceptor can pray for rain.”

The Daxia citizens would reply indifferently, “Our National Preceptor can strike your National Preceptor dead.”

The detractor would be stunned, then say, “Our National Preceptor can summon soldiers from beans.”

The Daxia citizens would nonchalantly respond, “Hmph, she can strike them all down.”

This back-and-forth would repeat a few times until the detractor, frustrated by the Daxia citizens’ calm confidence, finally retorted, “Hah, as the saying goes, the heavens are jealous of geniuses. Who knows how long such a person will live…”

This remark genuinely infuriated the Daxia citizens. They swarmed the detractor and gave him a thorough beating.

While the common folk were abuzz with excitement, the upper echelons of the other four nations were also deliberating over this matter.

In Xiongnu, the internal power struggle continued. The crown prince scoffed at the notion of divine punishment, while the second prince, who maintained private communication with the crown prince of Daxia, dispatched an envoy to deliver gifts to Daxia’s National Preceptor. This gesture also subtly urged the crown prince to send money.

In the neighboring nations of Chen and Shu, there were several Daxia feudal lords with whom they had good relations. When they eagerly sought information, the lords claimed ignorance and even expressed disapproval of Daxia’s royal family appointing a baby as National Preceptor. Reassured, the leaders of Chen and Shu paid little attention to the young National Preceptor.

In the distant Chu Kingdom, the fourth prince sought counsel from their bald-headed National Preceptor.

The bald-headed National Preceptor began with a firm stance:
“I have practiced Daoism for many years. Long life and lightning magic are mere tricks to deceive the senses. Your Highness, just because your attempts to assassinate the Daxia emperor have failed does not mean you should focus on such mystical nonsense. You must concentrate on completing the trial set by His Majesty and swiftly conquer Daxia to earn your place as crown prince.”

The fourth prince, deep in thought, sighed. “Thank you, National Preceptor. I’ve been too impatient after my repeated failures.”

The bald-headed National Preceptor narrowed his eyes and said, “Your Highness possesses rare good fortune, and your endeavors have always succeeded. To have failed twice now is indeed troubling. I will write to the Dragon-Tiger Daoist Academy and inquire if any Daoists have recently entered Daxia. Additionally, in four months, during the spring festival that Daxia hosts for the Five Nations, I will personally visit Daxia to investigate.”

The fourth prince, delighted, bowed deeply. “I leave this matter in your capable hands, National Preceptor.”

While the other four nations were in turmoil, the capital of Daxia was abuzz with joy.

Having witnessed the miracles firsthand, citizens enthusiastically shared their accounts, holding the young National Preceptor in the highest regard.

Some clever painters even created portraits of Yuan Ruan and sold them to others, who hung them in their homes as objects of reverence.

Even when discussions turned to concerns about Yuan Ruan’s young age, it wasn’t about doubting her capabilities but rather worrying that she might wield her power like an unruly child.

These debates weren’t limited to the common folk.

The following day, Daxia’s officials submitted numerous memorials to the emperor, expressing their concerns.

The emperor quickly skimmed through the documents in silence.

Moments later, he closed the memorials and threw them onto the ground with a loud thud.

The previously eloquent officials proposing that the young National Preceptor be sent to the Astronomical Bureau for strict supervision immediately shrank back.

“Hah, look at your suggestions. Send the National Preceptor to the Astronomical Bureau? To the Grand Ritualist’s Office? … Or even have her stationed in the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Revenue?” The emperor sneered.

Pausing, he slammed his hand on the desk. “What’s this? Are you all in a rush to snatch our National Fortune to guard your own homes? If you rely on the National Fortune for everything, does that make you all useless? Should any of you harbor ulterior motives to exploit the National Fortune, don’t blame me for charging you with treason.”

The officials immediately knelt, trembling as they kowtowed. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

The emperor stood, his gaze cold as it swept over them. “AhRuan is Daxia’s National Fortune and my daughter. How I raise her is not for you to interfere with.”

The officials fell silent.

The emperor, his face dark with anger, declared, “Court dismissed.”

The officials exchanged glances, wary of leaving the emperor alone to stew in his anger, fearing he might grow even angrier and start demoting officials.

The most favored official, Minister Li, was the first to follow the emperor. Minister Wang quickly joined, followed by the six department heads. Thus, the emperor strode ahead, while the ministers trailed behind in small, hurried steps.

The head eunuch, accustomed to this scene, hurried to the emperor’s side, choosing to remain silent.

The group resembled a flock of chicks trailing after their mother hen as they circled the palace corridors repeatedly.

By the third lap, the emperor suddenly stopped.

The officials also halted immediately, watching as a small sedan chair came into view ahead.

[Ah! Big Brother! You’re as heroic and handsome as ever today!]

Hearing this voice, the officials instantly understood why the emperor smiled.

Minister Li stepped forward and bowed. “Your servant greets the Seventh Princess. Your servant pays respects to the National Preceptor. May the National Preceptor enjoy good fortune.”

Wu Yue nodded slightly in return, while Yuan Ruan waved her chubby little hand and babbled:

[This man has such a cheerful smile!]

The system chimed in: [Don’t underestimate him, Ah Ruan. In history, this man was known as ‘Half the Court Li’ in Daxia!]

The emperor’s deep gaze turned toward the minister Li.

Minister Li stumbled and nearly fell, frantically signaling with his eyes that he meant no harm.

The other ministers, who had been jealous of his attentiveness, now took pleasure in his misfortune. Serves you right, Half the Court Li! Let’s see how much the emperor fears your influence.

Yuan Ruan: [Wow! I didn’t expect my big brother to tolerate such a powerful official.]

The system chuckled: [He’s not the kind of power-hungry official you’re imagining. Minister Li has only one son, so he took many concubines and had over twenty daughters. Almost all of them married into the court, creating alliances with officials. Even your big brother will marry one of his daughters in the future. That’s why he’s called ‘Half the Court Li.’]

The emperor: …

The ministers: …

Minister Li awkwardly exhaled in relief. Though disappointed to hear he’d have only one son, at least he wouldn’t lose his head.

Yuan Ruan: [Hahaha! Half the court’s father-in-law! Doesn’t that make the officials all in-laws? Minister Li single-handedly turned Daxia’s court into one big family. Impressive. He must be having the time of his life.]

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, especially political rivals who nearly gagged at the thought.

Minister Li: Little ancestor, please stop! You’re scaring away potential in-laws!

The system added: [Not quite. His eldest daughter will kill her husband. Afterward, he’ll retire to the countryside…]

Minister Li nearly spat out blood: Impossible! That’s impossible!

Everyone: !!!

What?

Another scandal?

The Li family’s daughter killed her husband?

Just as Yuan Ruan was absorbing this, Minister Li suddenly knelt before the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, your servant has urgent matters to attend to.”

The emperor nodded understandingly. “You may go.”

Minister Li bolted.

Yuan Ruan: [This might be the last time we see him.]

The system replied: [Possibly. Though his daughter acted righteously by killing a spy and turning herself in, she tainted his reputation since he recommended her husband to the emperor.]

The emperor: !!!

The ministers: !!!

Minister Li, running at full speed, tripped and fell face-first.

Yuan Ruan: [Oh no! Why did he fall? And is he crying?]

Everyone: …

It’s extreme fear mixed with utter despair.

Dreamy Land[Translator]

Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying what I'm translating. As an unemployed adult with way too much time on my hands and a borderline unhealthy obsession with novels, I’m here to share one of my all-time favorites. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into this story together—because I’ve got nothing better to do!

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