Yuan Ruan: [Huh? No way. He’s been lurking in Daxia for so long.]

System: [It’s true. The entire family of the Director of the water affairs bureau was in Chu, building canals. Because of a dam breach during a flood, they were scapegoated and exiled 3,000 miles away. The old emperor of Chu wanted to squeeze value out of him and used his sister’s life as leverage, forcing him to become a spy in Daxia. Three months ago, he secretly brought his sister back to Daxia and killed the liaison from Chu. But it was his actions that aroused his wife’s suspicions.]

Yuan Ruan: [Oh dear! This… I don’t even know what to say. How tragic.]

The Crown Prince quickly glanced at the emperor, his eyes alight with excitement.

Ministers Li and Wang also turned to look at the emperor, their faces practically shouting, “Your Majesty! We can use this to our advantage!”

The emperor squinted his eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and handed Yuan Ruan to Minister Li. Minister Li, startled, quickly took her into his arms.

The emperor glanced at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince understood immediately—it was time for his intelligence department to make an appearance. He stepped forward and handed over a folded blank memorial. “Father, your son has temporarily uncovered some information.”

The emperor feigned interest and examined it.

Moments later, his face showed surprise, doubt, confusion, and hesitation.

Those who knew the inside story couldn’t help but silently praise: Your Majesty, such great acting skills.

The emperor then approached the numb-looking Director of the Water affairs bureau and said, “I have learned that the King of Chu used your sister as a hostage to make you infiltrate Daxia. Three months ago, you secretly brought your sister back to Daxia and killed the Chu liaison. By doing this, are you seeking to become a Daxia citizen and live a peaceful life here?”

Yuan Ruan covered her little mouth in astonishment:

[System, wow! How impressive! They found out all of this.]

The system sounded slightly deflated: [Ruan, your eldest brother and nephew really hide things deeply! Even my predictive algorithms were fooled. No wonder they’re the kind of men who survive repeated plot kills. My melon was totally wasted.]

Yuan Ruan giggled smugly: [Hmph, my big brother is amazing.]

The emperor chuckled lightly, clearly in a good mood. But his smile stiffened when Yuan Ruan added:

[And my nephew, Seventh Sister, Minister Li, and Minister Wang are all very impressive too.]

The emperor’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help pinching Yuan Ruan’s cheek. For such a young age, you sure know how to balance relationships.

The Crown Prince held back his laughter.

Minister Wang glanced at Yuan Ruan, then at Minister Li, and muttered under his breath, “Hah, she’s younger than you and even sweeter-tongued. Looks like you’ve got competition; your usual trick won’t work anymore.”

Minister Li smiled thinly and replied in a low voice, “I don’t understand what Wang Xiang is referring to. The little princess is both Daxia’s national preceptor and the emperor’s cherished jewel. How could I bear any rivalry with her?”

Minister Wang chuckled softly. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Minister Li was momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, the Director, kneeling on the ground in a daze, suddenly spoke: “Not execution by dismemberment? I must be dreaming in my prison cell.”

The emperor raised an eyebrow.

The Crown Prince stepped forward and said firmly, “Director, have you truly considered your decision?”

The director finally snapped out of his daze, his body trembling. He half-rose and said, “Your Majesty, do you truly still want me in Daxia?!”

The emperor replied, “I spent all of last night deliberating how to deal with you. Heaven wishes to spare you, but I don’t. Originally, I wanted…”

Here, the emperor glanced at Yuan Ruan and then changed his tone. “But since Heaven favors you, I am willing to give you a chance to decide for yourself. If you sincerely wish to become a Daxia citizen, then in half an hour, tell me what you hear here.”

The director was stunned: “Of course I want to become a Daxia citizen, but… hear what?”

The emperor smiled cryptically.

The Crown Prince and the two prime ministers understood immediately. Yuan Ruan’s inner voice—only those ranked sixth or higher and who sincerely identified as Daxia citizens could hear it.

If the Director could hear it, it would prove his loyalty to Daxia. Such a talent would undoubtedly be worth keeping.

Yuan Ruan and the Director were both baffled:

[System, hear what? Heaven’s will? But isn’t that me? Could Daxia’s national fortune have two manifestations?]

System: [Let me check! Nope, the previous national fortune was fully transferred to you… Wait, could someone have deceived the emperor?!]

The emperor smirked smugly. You’re always surprising me—time to let you have a taste of astonishment.

The Crown Prince, noticing his father’s playful expression, was both surprised and amused.

Prime Ministers Li and Wang, however, focused intently on the Director of the water affairs bureau.

Minister Li, especially, was so anxious he wanted to give the man a secret hand signal, fearing that he might not hear Yuan Ruan’s voice. After all, his daughter and grandson’s lives hung in the balance.

The Director: !!!

Suddenly, his eyes widened in terror. “Did you… hear…”

Minister Li’s eyes lit up with joy. He rushed forward, covered the man’s mouth, and whispered, “Good, very good! Remember what you just heard and repeat it before the emperor later. Prove yourself!”

The director blinked in confusion, then hesitantly asked, “So… all of you can…”

Minister Li smiled slightly. “Welcome to a new world.”

The director froze. Looking up, he caught sight of the emperor’s softened expression and the Crown Prince’s friendly nod.

So that mysterious voice signified Daxia’s acknowledgment of him?

The Director exhaled heavily, then nodded vigorously.

System: [Ruan! Oh my gosh! Something just happened! You’ve completed a mission.]

[National Fortune Mission: Prevent the Director of the water affairs bureau from drinking poison (completed). National Fate +8. Ah Ruan, you now have 8 additional points of National Fortune!]

Yuan Ruan: [Whatever. People should live with a bit of insensitivity! System, how many points do I still need for my next divine ability?]

System: [Not much, just 22 more! Stick close to your brother and get involved in political events—you’ll gather them quickly. But honestly, your big brother seems a little too trusting of people.]

The emperor frowned slightly. He wasn’t being naïve; his actions were based on careful verification.

Yuan Ruan shared a similar concern but immediately countered: [No way! My big brother is confident in his judgment. He definitely has his reasons.]

System: […]

The emperor nodded in satisfaction. His little sister understood his thoughts and knew he always acted with purpose.

The emperor’s gaze lingered on Yuan Ruan. Reflecting on the system’s earlier mention of “triggering National Fortune missions through political events,” he seemed to fall into deep thought.

The next day, the Daxia court assembly convened in the grand hall.

With a resounding announcement of “His Majesty has arrived!” the court officials knelt in unison, shouting, “Long live the Emperor!”

The emperor entered from the side, ascended the throne, and sat down after adjusting his robe. “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the officials responded, standing up.

As they rose, they noticed with shock that the director of the water affairs bureau had somehow been reinstated and was standing in the hall. Though his face was pale, his official robes were unchanged. It seemed he had gone straight from prison to resuming his post.

The officials exchanged hushed whispers. Even those who had once been on good terms with the director hesitated to approach him, fearing that the emperor might be testing their loyalty.

Before they could voice their confusion, the emperor dropped another bombshell.

The emperor declared, “Starting tomorrow, the National Preceptor will attend court with me.”

The officials: !!!

What?!

Wouldn’t that mean collective humiliation every day?!

This… this is outrageous!