The emperor hesitated.

His daughter was important, his reputation was important, but the empire should matter most.

Half an hour later, the emperor first sent Yuan Ruan back to Kunning Palace. After ensuring she was asleep, he sought out the empress and asked, “Empress, can our second daughter hear Ah Ruan’s inner voice?”

The empress lazily propped her chin with her hand and replied, “She can. None of the princes or princesses under ten years old in the palace can hear inner voices. Those over ten, with the exception of two, can hear them. I’ve already ordered those who can to keep it a secret. As for the consorts and some younger princesses, many of them haven’t even met her, so it’s hard to say.”

The empress had initially wanted to mention that the two who couldn’t hear inner voices seemed to have displayed hostility toward the Little National Preceptor before. However, since she didn’t have sufficient evidence, she swallowed her words.

The emperor held the empress’s hand. “You’ve always been my capable companion. It must be hard on you. Also, I have a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”

The emperor then recounted the events of the court that day, especially how the officials wanted to use the banquet for selecting a consort for the second princess as a way to trigger a national fortune mission.

The empress frowned slightly. Involving the Little National Preceptor in the second princess’s consort selection? And with court officials potentially eavesdropping nearby? What about her daughter’s privacy?

“Your Majesty, I object.” The empress couldn’t help but sit up straight, given that this was a matter concerning her daughter’s future happiness. “While the Little National Preceptor may possess boundless power, she’s only nine months old. If she starts gossiping, she won’t distinguish between good and bad…”

Wait… indiscriminate revelations.

The empress suddenly thought of something crucial: the greatest fear in consort selection was choosing the wrong person.

But how could any scoundrel’s secrets escape the detection of the divine system? Wouldn’t this be far more reliable and comprehensive than her sending people to investigate? Most importantly, the Little National Preceptor was kind-hearted and untainted by worldly customs—a celestial being in every sense. Her involvement would be purely for her daughter’s best interests, without any political motivations that might lead to grievances.

With this realization, the empress’s eyes brightened, and her tone shifted. “Your Majesty, you’re truly wise. I think we should go one step further and let the Little National Preceptor directly choose the second princess’s consort!”

This time, it was the emperor’s turn to be stunned.

“What?” The empress’s sudden change of stance left the emperor wondering if he’d misheard.

After a moment, the emperor asked, “Are you suggesting we let Ah Ruan directly decide Xiao’er’s consort? Without my involvement?”

The empress nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperor almost laughed in exasperation. “Absurd! Parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words—where does that leave me?”

The empress lazily reclined again and said, “It’s true that parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words are the norm, but isn’t there also the saying that true love is a match made in heaven? Ah Ruan represents the national fortune of Da Xia—she is the will of the heavens. If she grants a marriage to Xiao’er, it’s equivalent to the heavens bestowing it. Isn’t that more…” prestigious for you, Your Majesty?

Of course, fearing for her life, the empress didn’t finish that last sentence. But the emperor had already caught on to the subtext, his expression now tinged with exasperation.

The emperor asked, “Empress, are you truly willing to entrust Xiao’er’s future happiness entirely to Ah Ruan?”

The empress rose, massaging the emperor’s shoulders as she yawned. “Your Majesty, I trust that our daughter will understand my good intentions.”

The emperor pondered for a while. When he turned to continue the discussion, he realized the empress had already fallen asleep.

The emperor: …

In the end, he agreed.

Yuan Ruan was unaware of the heated debates in the court surrounding her.

She spent her days in the palace happily and was approaching her eleventh month.

One morning, just after waking up, she found herself being snuggled by the empress and the second princess. Before she could fully awaken, the second princess scooped her up and seated her on a two-person sedan chair.

Still drowsy, Yuan Ruan watched as the second princess sneakily handed her an exquisitely precious pair of jade bracelets, pressed her palms together in a prayer gesture, and whispered, “I beg you, little National Preceptor, please bless me and help me choose someone I fancy as my match! Please!”

Yuan Ruan: ?

Seeing the princess’s sincerity, Yuan Ruan felt, for the first time, that such a valuable gift was hard to accept! The title of “Little National Preceptor” seemed unworthy of her.

However, Yuan Ruan didn’t expect that the second princess’s abrupt behavior was just an appetizer.

When they dismounted the carriage, the empress’s actions and words left her completely dumbfounded.

The empress handed her a floral crown, pressed her palms together as the second princess had done, and prayed, “May I borrow the Little National Preceptor’s blessings to help my second daughter choose a husband she’s happy with.”

Afterward, the empress turned to the palace maid holding Yuan Ruan and instructed, “This floral crown—whomever the Little Princess gives it to, you are to hand it to that person immediately! No mistakes. Because that person will be the future consort.”

The palace maids, who couldn’t hear Yuan Ruan’s inner voice, were utterly baffled. What? Did they hear that right? Was the consort selection going to be this careless?

One of the palace maids hesitated as she took the floral crown and couldn’t help but ask, “Your Grace, are you saying… whoever the Little Princess hands it to, I give it to them? Do I need to at least check who it is?”

The maid was already preparing to secretly cheat if necessary.

But the empress shook her head calmly. “Everything is up to Ah Ruan. You don’t need to listen to anyone else but her.”

The maid trembled. Really, Your Grace? Am I being used as a pawn in some palace intrigue?

Yuan Ruan was equally baffled: ?

No way! Are you serious?!

Are you really letting me throw this floral crown at random? Is the second princess’s lifelong happiness being entrusted to me so casually?!

She couldn’t help but vent to the system:

[A single floral crown, and I can just toss it at anyone? What if the palace maid misunderstands me and accidentally gives it to a eunuch?!]

The second princess grew a little anxious and quickly looked at the empress.

The empress’s eye twitched slightly. She immediately replaced the previous palace maid with one who was known for her perceptiveness and accuracy, particularly in winning at pitch-pot games.

System: [You’re right, Ah Ruan. These ancient people are incredibly superstitious! Just because you’re the National Preceptor, they trust you this much. Fortunately, they’re trusting someone reliable. You’re dependable!]

Hearing this, the empress nodded slightly. She thought so too.

At this moment, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the imperial garden.

Before stepping inside, the sound of instruments and a deep, magnetic male voice reached their ears.

Even Yuan Ruan, was momentarily charmed by the tone. Her tiny head shot up, and she looked around curiously.

Noticing Yuan Ruan’s sudden liveliness, the empress saw the bushes behind the imperial garden trembling slightly, as if someone was hiding. The shadows around the rockery behind the bridge also seemed to flicker with movement.

Her lips twitched slightly. These officials had really found the most secluded spots to spy on the proceedings in the imperial garden.

The three of them then walked through the corridor and into the garden.

Inside, around thirty or forty handsome young men were either seated or standing.

Seeing the empress, the princess, and Yuan Ruan enter, they all rose gracefully and bowed with utmost decorum.

Once they stood upright again, Yuan Ruan took a closer look. Wow! Each one was tall and at least 1.8 meters. Their features were impeccable, each uniquely attractive.

Yuan Ruan: “Wow. Picking one from this group feels so nerve-wracking! Exciting! I need to choose carefully. System, bring me all the juicy gossip!”

System: “On it!”

The empress and the second princess exchanged a glance and sighed softly.

The young men and officials who could hear Yuan Ruan’s inner voice tensed, ready for anything. They both hoped the Little National Preceptor would favor them and dreaded that she might expose their scandals. Their hearts were in turmoil.