Everyone listening to the drama was on the edge of their seats.

【Uh… it says here that the mastermind is someone from the imperial harem, but it doesn’t specify who.】

The eavesdroppers nearly fell backward.

The crown prince almost rushed forward, shouting, System, how could you fail at such a crucial moment?!

Yuan Ruan puffed up her cheeks like a steamed bun. 【Ah, hearing half a story is like eating a bitter melon! Look deeper!】

【Sniffle, sniffle… Host, the only identifier given is ‘mastermind.’ But no worries! Once I interact with a few more people in the palace, I’ll definitely unlock this scoop! This palace seems to have a lot of loopholes, and there must be a lot of melons.】

The emperor’s lips twitched: …

This system… What kind of nonsense is it teaching my child? How dare it describe Great Xia like this!

Just then, a thunderous boom! rolled across the sky in broad daylight, startling countless warhorses into neighing and rearing.

Wu Yi was about to step out to investigate when the system suddenly emitted an explosive roar that nearly deafened everyone:

【Ahhh! Host! Something huge just happened! You’ve been bound to the National Fortune of Great Xia!】

Everyone: !!!

What?! Bound to the national fortune? Is that even possible?!

Yuan Ruan was equally dumbfounded.

【System, what are you saying? How could I possibly be tied to Great Xia’s national fortune?!】

【Host! In the original storyline, Great Xia is doomed to fall—a disposable kingdom. The emperor, General Wu Yi, and the crown prince were all set to die soon. But this time, the emperor survived, and the shattered national fortune of Great Xia somehow awakened sentience. To save itself, it chose you and autonomously bound itself to you!】

Yuan Ruan grew nervous. 【Can’t it be unbound?】

【Impossible. The thunderclap just now was the declaration of heaven and earth, marking the dissipation of the old national fortune and the birth of the new.】

【Dissipation I get, but what does ‘birth’ mean…?】

【Exactly what you’re thinking. You’ve become the human embodiment of Great Xia’s national fortune.】

The trio: !!!

Did we hear that right? Humanized national fortune?!

The emperor, the crown prince, and Wu Yi all stared at Yuan Ruan in shock.

Yuan Ruan looked at the system in disbelief. 【No way! Does this mean that if Great Xia thrives, I’ll thrive, and if it collapses, I’ll die?! Like some kind of novel plot device?】

【Don’t worry, Ruan Ruan! You won’t die easily. As long as there’s even one person who identifies as a citizen of Great Xia, you’ll survive. But… it will be excruciatingly painful. Every time the nation loses part of its fortune, you’ll feel physical pain—worse than childbirth at its most intense.】

Yuan Ruan shuddered. 【That painful?! I might as well end it now.】

The emperor, the crown prince, and Wu Yi all stretched out their hands.

No! Don’t!

You’re our Great Xia’s national fortune! Hang in there a little longer!

【Host, don’t be rash! Being the human embodiment of national fortune comes with a lot of perks. For instance, as Great Xia grows stronger, the national fortune will feed back into you. Beauty enhancements are just the basics—wait until you see the power to summon storms and even fly!】

The emperor, the crown prince, and Wu Yi: !!!

Yuan Ruan’s heart raced. She couldn’t help but ask, 【Fly?】

Everyone dreams of flying. The temptation was undeniable.

The system continued: 【Yes! You can fly. You can even break through dimensional barriers and ascend to any world. If you want to return home, you’ll basically be a god!】

【What?! I can go back?】 Yuan Ruan’s heart thudded in her chest. Flying home? That sounds like a dream come true!

The system delivered the final blow: 【Absolutely. If you grow strong enough, you can even take the entire territory and population of Great Xia with you, ascending as a nation! Imagine carrying a whole country with you.】

Yuan Ruan: !!!

Holy moly!

This… This is beyond absurd! It’s glorious!

Even though she suspected the system was exaggerating, the allure was irresistible. Better to gamble than escape through cowardice!

The emperor, the crown prince, and Wu Yi were equally electrified.

Every piece of information they heard left them stunned. But when the system mentioned that Great Xia’s growth could lead to ascension as immortals, the trio couldn’t contain themselves.

Wu Yi let out an excited howl, bolted out of the tent, and returned minutes later drenched in sweat, panting as he reclaimed his seat.

The emperor remained stoic, but the deep grooves of his nails had drawn blood from his palm, drops pooling on the ground.

The crown prince buried his face in the table, his body heaving with deep breaths.

Meanwhile, Yuan Ruan and the system were busy planning their next steps.

When she looked back at the trio, their peculiar states left her puzzled.

【Weird. What’s wrong with Big Bro, Big Nephew, and Male Mommy?】

【Maybe they’re just overwhelmed? Ignore them. Let’s explore what tasks can boost Great Xia’s national fortune and see what skills you might gain in return!】

Yuan Ruan’s little head bobbed enthusiastically. 【Do it, do it!】

The emperor and his companions watched her intently.

So curious!

Yuan Ruan glanced at the options. 【Oh no. None of these are doable.】

The trio panicked: ???

Don’t give up, little fortune! We’ll help you do anything!

【These tasks are absurd. What emperor would agree to being ridden like a horse? Which court minister would wear women’s clothing? What prince would expose his rear end in public for a spanking?!】

The trio collectively averted their gazes, exchanging awkward glances.

Maybe… those rewards aren’t necessary after all.

【Host, come on! Look at the rewards—aren’t they amazing? Check out this improved crop seed. It yields 3,000 catties per acre! You’d be hailed as the Goddess of Agriculture!】

The trio: !!!

3,000 catties per acre? That’s ten times the current yield!

Wu Yi nearly spat out his tea.

The crown prince’s heart pounded as he glanced at the emperor, who remained expressionless.

【Not into agriculture? There’s also coal technology, or… a body rejuvenation elixir that makes you ten years younger!】

The trio: !!!

Ten years younger?! What kind of divine miracle is this?!

Wu Yi began pacing excitedly, his face flushed.

The crown prince almost slammed the table in enthusiasm, only to be subdued by the emperor’s steady hand.

【Hmm, these tasks can wait until I grow up a bit. I can’t even talk yet—how can I wheedle Big Bro and Big Nephew into helping? Refresh the list tomorrow.】

The system agreed, and Yuan Ruan, satisfied, promptly fell asleep.

But the trio remained restless.

Once Yuan Ruan was settled, they convened in a neighboring tent.

Wu Yi spoke first, his voice brimming with excitement. “Your Majesty! Heaven truly blesses Great Xia! If we can gain access to these miraculous items… Your Majesty, I’ll even wear women’s clothing! Should I try it now? See if we can complete a task!”

The emperor and crown prince: !!!