Bang!
A sharp thud rang out.
Perhaps it was because Ji Yongxing and the others hesitated for a moment too long. The guards behind them stepped forward again, ruthlessly forcing their heads down, slamming their faces into the ground with brutal force. Not even their masks were removed first.
The impact was fierce, and the edges of the metal masks dug into their faces.
Just one blow, and Ji Yongxing nearly passed out.
Young Master Ji, pampered his whole life, had never suffered such humiliation. He could feel a warm liquid trickling slowly from his forehead.
Princess Sheng An clearly had no intention of showing the slightest mercy. She didn't care what consequences might arise from offending the Ji, Wang, or Li families.
Perhaps she had overheard him earlier—when he mentioned that the Ji family would side with the Crown Prince in the future. That must have been what pushed her to act with such utter disregard.
The hand pressing down on the back of his head seemed ready to strike again.
Ji Yongxing didn't dare hesitate. With two loud thuds, he kowtowed of his own accord.
"I admit my wrongs! I apologize! I was ignorant and short-sighted. I envied Her Highness the Princess's talent and spoke slanderously out of jealousy. I beg Princess Sheng An and... this gentleman here not to take it to heart."
"You're yielding this quickly?"
Yun Shu clicked her tongue, a trace of disappointment in her tone. These people were always speaking of noble lineage and unbending virtue. She had been prepared to witness first-hand the so-called backbone of the great aristocratic clans.
But now?
They gave in rather fast, didn't they?
With a flick of her hand, she gestured for the guards to make sure Ji Yongxing repeated his apology three times in full.
Then Yun Shu turned away, instructing the attendants to bring forth the prize prepared for the poetry gathering's first-place winner—a calligraphy scroll penned personally by Emperor Xuanwu.
She presented it—directly to Emperor Xuanwu himself.
"Congratulations!" she said with a straight face.
Emperor Xuanwu: "..."
What exactly was there to congratulate in receiving something he had casually scribbled?
Expressionless, he accepted the scroll. He didn't even need to unroll it to know that it bore the words "Never Forget Your Original Aspiration."
Without a word, he passed it to Zheng Qiaozhang, who was standing nearby.
"A gift for you."
"This will not do!"
Zheng Qiaozhang was taken aback. He had never imagined someone would so readily give away an imperial calligraphy piece.
Startled, he quickly declined.
"This was awarded to you for your merit. Such a rare treasure—how could I possibly accept it?"
"Father Emperor never said it couldn't be given away. Since he's offered it, you may keep it."
Yun Shu was more than familiar with Emperor Xuanwu's identity, even if others weren't. And Zheng Qiaozhang happened to be one of the new spring exam passers she had high hopes for.
Meeting Emperor Xuanwu's gaze, Yun Shu cleared her throat, then said to Zheng Qiaozhang in an even tone: "You, come with This Princess."
"Eh..."
Zheng Qiaozhang had wanted to say more, but Princess Sheng An had already turned and strode away, her pace urgent, as if something important demanded her attention.
He could only watch her disappear and sigh softly.
"Seems the Marquis Xuanping's household misjudged him. This gentleman's identity is... far from ordinary."
After leaving Xianting, Emperor Xuanwu boarded a carriage with Yun Shu and Yun Chuhuan. He casually removed his mask and tossed it aside, then lifted a cup of tea and took a sip.
"The poetry gathering was not bad," he remarked lightly.
"I think so too!" Yun Shu replied without a hint of modesty, scooting closer with an eager expression. "So, Father Emperor, do you have a reward for me?"
"A reward?"
Emperor Xuanwu chuckled faintly, just about to say no.
But before the words could leave his mouth, the light screen he hadn't seen in some time suddenly popped up without warning.
[Simulation Life Selection System at your service.]
[Please choose your next course of action:
A. Tell Yun Shu there is no reward.
B. Reward her with gold and silver.
C. Appoint her to the Ministry of Works, Department of Waterworks.]
His gaze paused on the third option.
Knowing the Simulation Life Selection System's pattern, the optimal choice was undoubtedly C.
And without a doubt, this little rascal before him would once again accomplish something extraordinary.
Department of Waterworks... Could it be that somewhere in the south was about to experience torrential rain and flooding?
Fingers tapping lightly on the small table before him, Emperor Xuanwu decided to explore all available outcomes as usual.
He selected Option A first.
[You chose Option A. Yun Shu accuses you of being stingy and throws a small tantrum. One and a half months later, torrential rains strike the capital. The levees collapse. The capital is submerged. Tens of thousands of commoners die or are injured.]
The capital?!
Emperor Xuanwu's pupils contracted.
The capital, situated in the north, had always been dry. Floods were virtually unheard of—perhaps once in a hundred years.
He had never even considered the possibility.
But now: the capital submerged.
Had these words not come from the infallible Simulation Life Selection System, he would have dismissed them as utter nonsense.
Thank heavens for the system's warning.
He exhaled slowly, heart pounding, then proceeded to test Option B.
As expected, the details shifted slightly, but the key point remained unchanged.
[You chose Option B. Yun Shu is overjoyed and slaps your imperial backside. One and a half months later, torrential rains strike the capital. The levees collapse. The capital is submerged. Tens of thousands of commoners die or are injured.]
This brat... so mercenary.
Yet time was pressing. Emperor Xuanwu had no leisure to dwell on her antics.
He quickly selected Option C.
[You chose Option C. You trip and fall. One and a half months later, torrential rains strike the capital, but the levees hold firm. Some areas experience minor flooding. Deaths and injuries are limited to a few dozen.]
Indeed, this little rascal never let him down.
With a single decision, she had reduced potential casualties from tens of thousands to mere dozens.
A merit of immeasurable worth.
The tension that had gripped his heart since learning of the impending disaster finally eased.
As his relief settled in, Emperor Xuanwu's gaze fell on a curious phrase tucked in the description of Option C:
[You trip and fall.]
What did that mean?
It was just a levee. Did he trip while inspecting it?
If he simply watched his step…
No. If that were all it took to avoid it, the Simulation Life Selection System wouldn't have flagged it.
So he would fall, then. What was a stumble compared to the lives of thousands?
Closing the light screen without concern, Emperor Xuanwu turned to Yun Shu, as though he had only now reached a decision.
"We do, in fact, have a reward for you."