From the moment Da Xia finalized the Spring Festival and relayed the news to the other three nations, to the days leading up to the festival, the capital of Da Xia was bustling with activity.

The Guest House

The National Preceptor of Shu had subtly mentioned in a letter that he was being “threatened” by Da Xia. Now, he spent his days counting the days until his sworn brother’s reply, wondering how the other would react—whether they would join him in espionage or abandon him entirely. The National Preceptor of Shu, consumed by anxiety, ate more than usual, and even his iron-like muscles had softened somewhat.

The National Preceptor of Chen spent his days verifying the messages sent by his subordinates, repeatedly confirming the small tricks they planned to pull. Seeing that everything was going smoothly, he occasionally hid under his blankets, chuckling to himself.

The Grand Preceptor of Chu spent his days in meditation, contemplating how to take advantage of the chaos during the Spring Festival to secure benefits for the fourth prince.

The Da Xia Palace

The court officials passionately discussed how to turn the tables on the schemes of the Grand Preceptors of Chen and Chu, maximizing the benefits while ensuring the other side would suffer a significant setback.

The emperor initially disagreed, stating bluntly: “Just kill them and be done with it.”

The court officials unanimously objected, offering various examples: “Killing won’t solve the root of the problem.”

The emperor sneered: “Exterminate their three clans, kill until they fear us.”

The court officials collectively choked, then all turned to sneak a glance at the crown prince.

After a moment of thought, the crown prince said: “Killing them would affect the little national fortune’s ability to show off.”

The emperor fell silent and agreed to spare their lives.

…

In the capital, while the court officials were filled with schemes, Yuan Ruan’s emotions were a mix of relaxation and excitement.

Since the date for the Spring Festival was set, Yuan Ruan had been brainstorming with the System every day, imagining what kind of divine powers the Da Xia national fortune could manifest.

The day before the Spring Festival, after completing the final purification and bathing ritual, Yuan Ruan was so excited that she couldn’t sleep at all.

Her mind was abuzz with chatter with the System about how to strike first the next day, how to cleverly use her divine powers to thoroughly humiliate the National Preceptor of Chen, who dared to provoke her.

Her inner thoughts were so loud that even the emperor, not far away, couldn’t rest.

The emperor helplessly sat up, pinching the bridge of his nose.

At this moment, the empress reached out and patted the emperor’s shoulder, saying softly: “Your Majesty, perhaps you should sleep in another palace tonight.”

The emperor shook his head: “Today is a special day. If I don’t stay in the Kunning Palace, rumors of discord between the emperor and empress will spread throughout the palace tomorrow.”

The empress yawned: “Then, shall I fetch the ear muffs? They can block some of the outside noise.”

The emperor sighed: “The little national fortune isn’t just ‘outside noise.’ It’s fine. You go ahead and rest. I’ll get up and review some memorials.”

The empress said gently: “Your Majesty, I can’t bear to see you overworked.”

The emperor smiled: “It’s alright. I have to get up at Yin hour (3-5 AM) for the Spring Festival anyway. It’s only a few hours difference.”

The empress murmured softly: “Mhm.”

The emperor: “Of course, I appreciate the sentiment. By the way, don’t send me any soup from the small kitchen. It’s too late to drink anything. You should rest well… sleep now.”

The emperor looked down and, upon seeing the empress already fast asleep, his smiling lips stiffened slightly.

The emperor: “…”

Finally, he quietly got up and carefully tucked the empress in.

…

Spring Festival Day, Yin Hour

Yuan Ruan, who had barely slept, sat up with a start. The maid sleeping in the outer room hurried in to help her wash and change.

Just as her hair was being combed, the emperor strode in.

A eunuch followed closely behind, carrying a food box.

Yuan Ruan was surprised: [System, I remember the Imperial Astronomer saying that to show piety, we shouldn’t eat before the ceremony.]

The System: [It’s better not to follow that. You’re still young.]

The emperor thought the same. The little princess was still young. The ceremony would involve enduring wind and water, and if she didn’t eat something, she might get sick.

Moreover, the little princess was the national fortune, the embodiment of heaven. Harming heaven for the sake of formalities would be an unforgivable sin.

With this in mind, the emperor began feeding Yuan Ruan spoonful by spoonful.

At this moment, the eunuch bowed and said: “Your Majesty, the auspicious hour is approaching. The court officials are waiting outside.”

The emperor wiped Yuan Ruan’s mouth and leisurely stood up: “Let’s go. To the Spring Festival.”

The doors of the Kunning Palace were pulled open.

Guards in armor and the Imperial Guards stood in four rows, solemnly facing each other.

As the emperor passed through, the guards and Imperial Guards quickly formed two columns, following in an orderly manner behind the emperor.

At this time, the sun had yet to rise.

But the scattered torches in the distance and the sound of gongs and drums outside the palace walls all demonstrated the people’s enthusiasm for the Spring Festival.

Yuan Ruan sat on the emperor’s arm, boarding the familiar four-horse royal carriage.

After a few turns, the carriage entered the arched bridge in front of the massive palace gate that had yet to open.

Once the carriage stopped, over a hundred Da Xia officials in casual attire emerged from the side halls. They hurried along the four stone paths, bowing and standing behind the carriage.

Yuan Ruan was puzzled: [System, why aren’t there any ox carts or horse carriages behind us this time? Are the court officials just seeing us off? Or are they all walking?]

The System: [Yes, they’re all walking. This is the Spring Festival, also known as the Agricultural Festival, which worships the earth and farmland. The people of Da Xia believe that riding carriages to the ceremony would show disrespect to the agricultural deity. It’s better to walk there step by step.]

Yuan Ruan: [I think I understand. So riding a carriage is the emperor’s privilege?]

The System: [The emperor doesn’t have any special privileges. The emperor actually has to walk too. Not only that, but once they arrive, they have to personally plow a small piece of land to show respect. Your brother can ride a carriage this time entirely because of you. Only the National Preceptor presiding over the ceremony can ride a carriage. And only the main officiant can ride a four-horse carriage, while the deputy officiants can only ride two-horse carriages.]

Yuan Ruan: [I see. Good, good. Finally, my brother can benefit from me and save some energy.]

A faint smile appeared on the emperor’s stern face: Truly my own child.

At this moment, the flag bearers in front of the palace gate began vigorously waving the massive Da Xia national flag, signaling that the auspicious hour had arrived.

The emperor glanced over and waved his hand: “Open the city gates.”

The eunuch shouted at the top of his lungs: “Pass the order, open the gates!”

“Open the gates!”

“Open the gates!”

…

The commands echoed, and the massive gates slowly began to open.

Yuan Ruan was surprised to learn for the first time that the Da Xia palace gates weren’t just four doors, but actually nine.

As the creaking of the rollers sounded, the four-horse royal carriage slowly moved forward.

When the gates fully opened, Yuan Ruan was astonished to see that both sides outside the palace gates were packed with people—a sea of humanity.

They held torches high, their eyes fixed on the carriage. As the carriage passed by, the common people knelt and kowtowed.

Yuan Ruan: [System, why does the Spring Festival atmosphere feel so heavy?]

The System: [Sigh, actually, the Spring Festival used to be very lively and cheerful. The common people would look forward to a bountiful harvest in the coming year amidst the gentle spring rain. The elderly would often sit on the grass, singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Young men and women would develop feelings for each other while outings, and many stories of childbirth would occur.]

At this point, the System added: [But Da Xia has been suffering from drought for several years, especially this year. Let me put it this way: last year, Da Xia was also short on water, but at this time, the farmland was lush and green. This year, the farmland is only sparsely dotted with green shoots, and these shoots are wilting day by day, with some even showing signs of turning yellow. How can farmers who rely on the land for their livelihood smile under such circumstances?]

Yuan Ruan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said: [Activate the divine power.]

The System: [Huh?! Now? But didn’t you already plan to wait for the National Preceptor of Chen to make the first move, so we could counterattack and humiliate him? If we act first, they might change their plans or not dare to make a move during the Spring Festival ceremony. Then you won’t be able to humiliate them or show off.]

Yuan Ruan smiled: [Haha, I just suddenly feel that compared to the ‘rise after a fall’ approach, the unstoppable, face-slapping style might suit me better.]

After all, she was now the part-time national fortune of Da Xia.

Rather than just humiliating one fool, she wanted the people of Da Xia to get excited because of her presence.

Wouldn’t that be even more satisfying?

The System fell silent for a moment, then said seriously: [Noted. This is the true mindset of a show-off king. I’ll share this with my fellow Systems right away!]

Yuan Ruan’s lips twitched slightly, hoping she hadn’t just doomed other System hosts.

The System continued: [Sent it. Alright! Yuan Ruan, I’m activating it now!]