Yuan Ruan: [Huh? System, no fooling around now.]

System: [Absolutely not, no wonder it took 40 points to unlock. It’s truly worth it. The only drawback is that it can only be used for one day.]

Hearing this, Yuan Ruan became even more intrigued.

She knew that initial divine abilities often came with some limitations, but since this ability had a time restriction, its power must be formidable.

The Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince shared the same sentiment.

The three of them simultaneously stood up and walked into the side room, wanting to get closer so as not to miss any crucial information.

The palace maids in the Kun Ning Palace were astonished to see the Empress personally dressing the Ninth Princess, and the Emperor adorning her with jewelry. Even the Crown Prince, who tried to get closer to help, was pushed aside.

Some palace maids with connections in the Imperial Household Department took mental notes, thinking of securing a good position for their friends or relatives—perhaps a role in the soon-to-be-built National Preceptor’s Palace in the inner court.

The System continued: [Hehe, the reward is that you can use the Authority of National Fortune and become the true National Fortune for a day!]

The Emperor and the others: “!!!”

What? Become the true National Fortune for a day?!

Their breathing unconsciously became lighter.

Yuan Ruan’s eyes widened, eager: [Amazing! A limited-time experience card as the true National Fortune?! My goodness, I never expected the reward to be this awesome. Wow, tell me more!]

The System was confused: [Huh? That’s it.]

Everyone, already excited and ready for a bombardment of details: “…”

Yuan Ruan: [Explain in detail! Like, what divine abilities does the true National Fortune have? What’s special about it? What can I showcase after becoming the National Fortune? You can tell me all that!]

The Emperor and the others nodded in agreement. The little National Fortune was indeed clever, hitting all the right points.

The System: [Oh, that stuff!]

Yuan Ruan: [Yeah, yeah.]

The Emperor and the others: “Yeah, yeah.”

The System: [I’ve never been the National Fortune, so I don’t know.]

Everyone: Collapsed in disbelief.

Seeing Yuan Ruan’s wavering attitude, the System quickly added: [Although I don’t know the details, I do know it will be incredibly powerful. For example, the previous thunderbolt’s power will increase. A Ruan, you won’t need to rely on thunderstorms to summon thunderbolts in broad daylight. Also, you can fly higher and faster. And…]

The more it spoke, the more uncertain the System became, ending weakly: [Wuwu, maybe I should go and upgrade my code now.]

Everyone else: “…”

Yuan Ruan was momentarily stunned but then smiled: [Hehe, actually, it’s not bad. I love surprises. There are still about ten days left, so I can look forward to it.]

The System was moved: [Wuwu, Ah Ruan, you’re so kind.]

The Emperor gently pinched Yuan Ruan’s chubby cheeks, deep in thought.

As Yuan Ruan was taken by the palace maids to wash up, the Crown Prince sighed: “The little National Fortune has such a good attitude.”

The Empress lazily yawned and glared at him: “What little National Fortune? Call her Ninth Sister.”

The Crown Prince was startled and quickly corrected himself: “Mother Empress, my mistake. Ninth Sister, of course, Ninth Sister.”

The Empress nodded slightly, then turned to the Emperor, noticing his furrowed brow.

After a pause, the Empress whispered: “Your Majesty, are you worried about the little National Fortune? Afraid that her easygoing nature might lead to her being deceived or bullied? Your Majesty, rest assured, I will keep a close eye on her.”

The Emperor’s expression softened: “You truly understand me. In that case, keep a close watch on Ninth Sister from now on. Before she moves into the National Preceptor’s Palace, she will stay in the Kun Ning Palace and not move elsewhere.”

The Empress hesitated, about to mention Consort De’s Yilan Palace, which had already been delayed for some time.

Just then, the twin Eighth Princess and Eighth Prince were brought over after their wash, and Consort Rong arrived with the Seventh Princess to join them for a meal.

The Empress swallowed her words.

…

At the same time, the Grand Preceptor of Chu was traveling through Shu, making his way to the border of Xia.

While traveling through Shu, the carriage felt damp and musty, but as soon as they entered Xia’s territory, the Grand Preceptor felt his skin tighten.

When they arrived at the guesthouse Xia used to accommodate foreign envoys, the Grand Preceptor of Chu stepped out of the carriage, revealing his shiny bald head. As he touched his head, a gust of wind blew by, carrying a thick cloud of yellow sand.

Not only did the Chu entourage cough repeatedly, but their clothes and banners were also covered in a layer of yellow dust. They quickly retreated into the guesthouse. The Grand Preceptor of Chu drank a large pot of tea to soothe his itchy throat.

A Chu attendant gloated: “I heard that Xia had southern winds during the fourth period of winter this year. Judging by the current situation, there will surely be a great drought after spring.”

“Silence,” the Grand Preceptor of Chu said softly.

The Chu attendant immediately bowed in apology.

Once the sandstorm subsided, the Grand Preceptor of Chu ventured outside. Knowing one’s enemy was crucial, and understanding the sentiments of Xia’s people before the spring sacrifice was one of his goals in coming to Xia.

A few hundred meters from the guesthouse, he saw a group of seven or eight farmers with their families, pulling and tugging at each other.

A deep voice shouted: “Brother Shi, we are people of Xia! Don’t go to Shu!”

The Grand Preceptor of Chu raised an eyebrow and stopped in his tracks.

Another voice said: “Brother Jin! Xia has already suffered two years of drought. This winter was not only cold, but the fourth period also brought southern winds. Next year will surely be another drought. I can’t bear it anymore. Let my family find a way to survive.”

The first voice continued: “This year is different. This year, our National Preceptor will preside over the spring sacrifice. Things will definitely improve. She is powerful, she is reliable!”

Brother Shi paused, hesitating: “She is indeed powerful.”

The first voice stopped for a moment.

The Grand Preceptor of Chu was slightly surprised. This little National Preceptor of Xia had only been in power for a short time, yet even the border people trusted her.

Brother Shi continued: “She is powerful, but look at her deeds—crushing boulders with her chest, controlling thunderbolts to kill enemies. What use is that? She’s clearly a fierce deity… Ah, Ugh, ugh, ugh, Brother, don’t hit me! I misspoke! Not a fierce deity, but a war deity! Anyway, her position clearly has nothing to do with farming or agriculture.”

Brother Jin was stunned for a moment, then defended the little National Preceptor: “What do you mean thunderbolts are useless? Don’t we burn the fields to fertilize them before planting?”

“Yeah, yeah, that makes sense,” Brother Shi said, not wanting to argue further. “Actually, it’s just a mountain away. Although it’s Shu, it’s still very close…”

Brother Jin: “You know it’s just a mountain away, but it hasn’t rained there either.”

Brother Shi: “But the rivers there haven’t dried up yet. If it rains later…”

…

The Grand Preceptor of Chu had gathered enough information and was about to leave when a sharp voice suddenly rang out from nearby: “Brother Shi, you’re late! Brother Jin, are you coming too? I told you to come together. Xia has been in drought for years, and now with a child National Preceptor, it’s just not working…”

Brother Jin was furious, shouting: “Who says the National Preceptor of Xia is no good?!”

The newcomer dodged a punch, mocking: “Brother, why are you so stubborn? Many Xia farmers have already fled to Shu. Isn’t it because the National Preceptor is no good? Why are you still stubbornly holding on…”

“If you say one more word about the little National Preceptor, I’ll kill you!” Brother Jin roared, with the men and women behind him glaring in anger.

Even Brother Shi, who had initially been ready to leave, rushed over, glaring: “Don’t you dare insult the little National Preceptor, or I’ll teach you a lesson too!”

The newcomer stiffened, muttered “unbelievable,” and hurried away.

Noticing Brother Shi’s defense, the Grand Preceptor of Chu fell silent.

He suddenly felt a strong curiosity about the soon-to-be-met National Preceptor of Xia: This child is probably not simple.