The gossiping crowd was stunned: !!!

They couldn’t understand why Cheng Yian was so feared by the national fortune.

To put it bluntly, even the Second Prince, who had caused significant harm to the Da Xia’s imperial court, wasn’t treated this way.

The officials couldn’t help but glance at the Marquis of Chengguo again.

What kind of monstrous villain would this eldest son become in the future to warrant gaining +2 national fortune points just by stripping him of his rights?!

The system spoke up:

[Let me check… My goodness, Cheng Yian is truly a walking disaster! To make a name for himself, he led 30,000 soldiers to their deaths by sending them to fill a swamp! They were buried alive!]

The crowd: !!!

What?!

He caused 30,000 soldiers to be buried alive?!

The emperor, sitting atop his throne, suddenly stood up. His sharp eyes burned like those of a hawk, his entire body trembling in fury.

The generals hiding behind the bushes and artificial hills flushed with rage, instinctively clenching and unclenching their fists.

Cheng Yian felt a wave of dizziness and collapsed onto the ground, his face pale with terror.

The Marquis of Chengguo was equally terrified. He didn’t even spare his usually beloved eldest son a glance. Instead, he trembled as he peeked at the emperor, only to be met with a murderous glare that made his knees buckle. This was it—he was doomed!

The commotion caught Yuan Ruan’s attention, and she wondered aloud:

[Why did Big Brother suddenly stand up? What’s he looking at? System, do you hear anything unusual?]

The system replied:

[No, let me check to see what’s going on…]

The officials shuddered collectively: !!!

Please don’t look into it!

If the system reveals that we’ve been eavesdropping nearby, so many secrets will be exposed!

At that moment, several officials shifted their gaze to the Crown Prince, and coincidentally, the emperor also looked at him.

The Crown Prince: …

Got it. Time to take the blame again.

The Crown Prince suddenly stepped forward and said, “Father, this son has something to report. The noise just now was made by the officials.

“Earlier, the sounds of the guards selecting weapons caught the officials’ attention. When I arrived, I saw that they were deeply concerned about the performance of the suitors, so I took the liberty of having them wait outside the gallery. I beg for your forgiveness.”

The emperor looked at his son with satisfaction. Not bad—his ability to fabricate stories is improving.

He nodded and said, “Let them come in.”

The officials quickly adjusted their postures, brushing off leaves and dirt from one another and circling back through a side gallery. When they entered, they bowed respectfully, saying, “Your Majesty, we have intruded without permission and beg for your pardon.”

Yuan Ruan suddenly understood:

[No wonder Big Brother stood up to look. Ah, it’s all for the children. Truly, parents’ hearts are full of love.]

The system silently looked at the the bushes and rocks before finally nodding:

[Indeed, they are adaptable.]

The officials let out a collective sigh of relief.

Yuan Ruan continued:

[System, how was Cheng Yian able to lead 30,000 soldiers to their deaths? Tell me—I might be able to find a way to warn Big Brother!]

Hearing this, the emperor’s anger subsided by half. Worthy of my child. I’m moved.

The system explained:

[Based on the system’s deduction, this occurred during preparations for a war with the Shu Kingdom.

The Emperor devised a plan to expand the recruitment of generals and called for a meeting of talented young men from military families.

Being the heir of the Marquis of Chengguo, Cheng Yian also attended. Cheng Weining, who had previously fled to Shu, became a key point of discussion. Cheng Yian, eager to stand out, falsely claimed that Cheng Weining was a spy he had planted in Shu and that he had detailed information about Shu’s defenses.]

Yuan Ruan: [What? So Big Brother believed him and entrusted him with a heavy responsibility?]

The system:

[Not entirely. The Emperor didn’t fully trust him but gave him a minor role out of respect for the Marquis of Chengguo.

However, the marquis had complete faith in his son and ordered his late father’s old generals to follow Cheng Yian’s lead.

But when the old general refused to obey, Cheng Yian held a grudge and secretly drugged him with sleeping pills.

While the general was resting, Cheng Yian took 30,000 troops and sneaked into Shu through a swamp, claiming it was a surprise attack.

Unfortunately, heavy rains led to the swamp flooding, trapping the soldiers. A landslide buried them alive.]

Everyone: !!!

Even though they had already heard this once, the story still enraged them.

The few officials who had initially sympathized with the Marquis of Chengguo now looked at him coldly. Some even mouthed, “You brainless accomplice.”

Cheng Weining was particularly furious. Those soldiers were his childhood friends, and now they were gone because of this!

Seizing a moment when Yuan Ruan had her back turned, Cheng Weining grabbed Cheng Yian, covered his mouth, and dragged him aside. Discreetly but firmly, he stomped on him and delivered several slaps. Cheng Yian passed out instantly.

Cheng Weining’s expression was fierce, his aura imposing. Even Li Dongyang, who initially wanted to intervene, only made a token effort to stop him before stepping aside.

The nearby suitors, who could also hear the inner voices, quietly formed a wall around them, both to shield the scene from Yuan Ruan’s view and to land a few kicks of their own.

Yuan Ruan sighed:

[He’s a completely talentless, arrogant scoundrel!

To prevent this disaster, the key isn’t Big Brother—it’s the Marquis of Chengguo.]

The system: [Exactly! Let me check… Tsk, tsk. The marquis is also a classic case of spoiling a concubine while neglecting his wife. Let’s skip the messy details for now.

But, Ah Ruan, the marquis is planning to submit a memorial after the royal consort selection, asking for his eldest son to inherit the title. You should intervene and block it. If he dares to bring it up, strike him with lightning!]

Yuan Ruan: [Absolutely! If he mentions it ten times, strike him ten times! Let’s see if he’s stubborn enough to persist!]

The gossiping crowd still felt unsatisfied: Not enough! Why not just strike the troublemaker dead?!

The Marquis of Chengguo was secretly relieved to have escaped with his life. Outwardly, he maintained a pitiful expression to avoid drawing attention and potentially getting beaten up by the outraged crowd.

Yuan Ruan sighed again:

[System, maybe we should abandon the idea of Cheng Weining marrying the princess.

With such a father who spoils concubines and neglects his wife, and a brainless older brother, no matter how good Cheng Weining is, he doesn’t seem like a good match.]

The empress finally smiled and turned to look at the emperor.

The emperor frowned slightly, seemingly swayed.

Some officials believed the princess should marry him. After all, the union would bring a national fortune point, and given what they’d overheard, the princess wouldn’t suffer as she had in the past.

But others held reservations, whispering, “Ultimately, the Little National Preceptor’s happiness matters most.”

Hearing this, the pro-marriage officials hesitated. The argument was too compelling—after all, the national fortune mission centered around Yuan Ruan.

Meanwhile, Cheng Weining’s expression grew dim, his face showing a mix of disappointment and anxiety.

The system suddenly interjected:

[What?! Without the marriage, the most advanced farming tools won’t be invented ahead of time! Cheng Weining is destined to become the greatest agricultural inventor of his era! Do you really not want it?]

Everyone was stunned: !!!

Wait, what?!

Advanced farming tools?! The greatest agricultural inventor?!

Cheng Weining was equally baffled, especially as he noticed the ravenous looks from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue officials nearby. He wanted to protest: Wait… I’ve never farmed a day in my life! I’m not even strong enough to catch a chicken!

Yuan Ruan was also shocked: [Huh? He has such an impressive persona? Wait, but why does he need to marry? Can’t he just work in the Ministry of Works and focus on agricultural tools?]

The officials from the Ministry of Work grinned from ear to ear, nodding vigorously.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue, however, wanted to shout: You’ve got it wrong! Agriculture falls under our jurisdiction!

The system objected:

[No! He won’t realize his potential unless he marries. Let me explain why…]

Everyone leaned in, ears perked.

For the first time, they were eager to hear why marriage was supposedly essential.