Minister Li suddenly knelt on the ground and said, “Your Majesty, I, your minister, am utterly loyal to Da Xia and harbor not a shred of disrespect. However, recently, I discovered that my eldest son-in-law, the Director of the Water Affairs Bureau, has been acting suspiciously. I dare not falsely accuse anyone, but I fear that the interests of Da Xia might be compromised. Therefore, I had my wife keep an eye on him. This morning… my daughter informed me that she wanted to sacrifice family ties for the sake of the state. I… I…”

At this point, tears welled up in Minister Li’s eyes.

The other officials: !!!

As expected of someone who could rise to the position of prime minister!

What a clever use of the young national preceptor’s prophecy! On one hand, he expressed his loyalty; on the other, he portrayed himself and his daughter as righteous and selfless figures for the nation in front of the young national preceptor.

Given how much His Majesty values the young national preceptor, he wouldn’t easily punish those whom the preceptor considers virtuous.

At the same time, Yuan Ruan’s inner voice echoed:

[System, I didn’t expect Minister Li to have his own daughter monitor his son-in-law upon discovering something was amiss… Say what you will, this man truly has great love and loyalty for Da Xia!]

System: […I didn’t see this coming either. It seems the saying that everyone has a conscience holds true.]

After hearing this, Minister Li quickly looked at the Emperor and noticed that the stern expression on his face had indeed softened.

The Emperor then said, “Hmm. I understand.”

The officials: As expected, His Majesty let Minister Li off the hook.

Minister Li silently offered his thanks: Thank you, little national preceptor! Thankfully, you were here to save my life!

He wasted no time in making a swift exit.

Yuan Ruan: [System, they’ve already identified the spy. Why hasn’t the national fortune mission been triggered? Is it because the spy isn’t significant enough?]

System: [No, the national fortune mission is triggered by specific conditions. You must personally observe the individual in question for the task to activate. If the person isn’t in your presence or you haven’t noticed them, the task won’t trigger.]

Yuan Ruan: [What?! Then I absolutely have to see this person! I must go! I must!]

With this in mind, Yuan Ruan pointed at Minister Li’s departing figure and babbled, “Yi ya, yi ya.”

Wu Yue, hearing her thoughts, immediately said, “Father, Ninth Sister will soon be moving to the Empress’s Kunning Palace. I’d like to spend more time with her. May we leave the palace for a while?”

Yuan Ruan immediately fixed her round, glistening eyes on the Emperor, clasping her little hands together like a beckoning cat.

[Ahhh! Big Brother Emperor, I want to leave the palace!]

The Emperor hesitated. Yuan Ruan had gained much fame as Da Xia’s new national preceptor, naturally drawing attention from adversaries. He was concerned that letting her leave the palace might put her in danger.

Just then, the Crown Prince arrived with his officials. Although he hadn’t heard everything, he sensed Yuan Ruan’s eagerness to undertake the national fortune mission.

Lowering his voice, the Crown Prince said, “Father, Ninth Sister seems very eager to go out and play. With so many people accompanying her, surely we can’t keep her confined to the palace forever.”

The Emperor had indeed considered keeping her in the palace indefinitely, but upon seeing Yuan Ruan’s eager eyes, he couldn’t bear to refuse.

The Emperor said, “Then I shall accompany the little princess on this outing.”

[Yay! Big Nephew, you’re the best! Hugs and kisses!]

The other officials: No wonder the Crown Prince is the heir apparent. He’s quick-witted and adaptable—his skills are invaluable.

The Crown Prince chuckled softly and gently held Yuan Ruan’s outstretched hand, lifting her into his arms.

Hmm? She didn’t budge.

Looking down, the Crown Prince saw Wu Yue clinging tightly to Yuan Ruan’s legs, glaring at him with deadpan eyes.

[Eep! That hurts!]

The Crown Prince and Wu Yue released her at the same time. As Yuan Ruan nearly fell, Wu Yue, thanks to her rigorous training, quickly caught her and pulled her back into her embrace.

System: [Ruan! Are you okay?!]

The Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Wu Yue all stared anxiously at Yuan Ruan’s tiny trembling hands.

Yuan Ruan: [Thrilling! No wonder kids love being tossed in the air. I want to try again.]

The trio sighed in relief.

Minister Li led the way, with the Emperor and his entourage following closely behind. The officials trailed in a single file.

Yuan Ruan: [System, can you check if his ‘melon’ reveals the daughter’s location?]

Minister Li suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

The other officials perked up their ears: Another melon?! Here it comes—the part we’re most excited about.

System: [Let me check! The first melon indeed involves his eldest daughter. On the third day of the month—hmm? That’s today. She and her husband are dining at the Changjiu Tavern. Wait, isn’t that next to the cosmetics shop to the left of Minister Li? Then she says, ‘Husband, it’s time for your medicine.’]

Yuan Ruan: [??? Wait a minute, why does that sound like a scene straight out of a play about Wu Dalang and Pan Jinlian?]

The officials: ???

Wu Dalang and Pan Jinlian—who are they?

By now, the officials had followed Yuan Ruan’s thoughts to the cosmetics shop on Chang’an Street. Just as described, they heard the exact same line.

“Husband, it’s time for your medicine.”

Everyone turned their heads simultaneously, spotting a graceful and beautiful woman carrying a basket. In front of her stood a man purchasing a woman’s hairpin. When the man turned and smiled, he said, “My dear, you’ve worked hard.”

It was none other than the Director of the Water Affairs Bureau and Prime Minister Li’s eldest daughter.

Yuan Ruan: [System! Has the national fortune mission been triggered?!]

System: [Yes! Let me see… Huh, this is strange.]

Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. Strange?

Did something go wrong with the national fortune mission?

System: [National Fortune Main Mission: Prevent the Director of the Water Affairs Bureau from dying after drinking poisoned medicine (incomplete). National Fortune +8.]

System: [Ruan, this is so strange! Isn’t he a spy? Why would the national fortune mission involve protecting him? And it’s worth eight points! How absurd!]

The Emperor: ???

The officials: ???

Absurd indeed! National Fortune, have you stopped loving Da Xia?

Yuan Ruan was equally stunned:

[Are you serious? Protecting a spy? Wait, the medicine has already been handed over. Ahhh! My national fortune mission!]

The officials were still confused and hesitant. Should they intervene? His Majesty hated foreign spies the most, and while he wouldn’t blame the young national preceptor afterward, he might vent his anger on those who helped.

The Emperor was torn, but when he saw the Crown Prince move, he didn’t object.

At that moment, Wu Yue discreetly flicked a small pebble, causing the medicine bowl to spill onto the ground. The prime minister’s daughter-in-law exclaimed, “Ah!” The Director of the Water Affairs Bureau quickly stepped forward to hold her hand, concerned. “Are you burned?”

The beautiful woman trembled slightly but shook her head.

The Director then escorted his wife to greet the Emperor.

Yuan Ruan’s inner voice echoed:

[System, check out the Director’s ‘melon.’ Let’s see what makes him so special to the national fortune.]

System: [Okay, let me see! Whoa… This guy is impressive!]

Everyone: !!!

What’s impressive?!