"Is this for real?"
Was his daughter always this... unbelievable?
It was one thing for her to predict the torrential rains in the capital through a dream. But to even foresee, with shocking precision, the number of civilian casualties reaching over ten thousand?
Could it truly have been just a dream? Or—did Xiao Wu also possess a Simulation Life Selection System?
If so, what need had he to worry about the prosperity of Great Tian Sheng's realm?
The more Emperor Xuanwu pondered, the more elated he became. The recent string of court scandals stemming from the Crown Prince's corruption had weighed heavily on his heart, but at this moment, those vexations seemed to scatter like smoke before the wind.
Heart aflame with urgency, Emperor Xuanwu summoned Li Dehai and ordered him to bring Yun Shu to the imperial study immediately.
Indeed, this daughter of his did not appear to be an ordinary child.
Just look at that proud little posture, the clear black eyes that held no fear, the unmistakable bearing of one born to rule...
Yes, this one was no ordinary girl.
"…Father Emperor?"
Yun Shu's voice cut through his reverie. Under her gaze, Emperor Xuanwu realized his intense stare was probably making her uneasy.
"You summoned this daughter. May I ask what the matter is?"
"Mm."
Returning to himself, Emperor Xuanwu collected his expression and pushed a memorial across the desk toward her.
"Take a look."
…She knew that tone far too well.
Could it be another impeachment?
With the ease of someone all too familiar with the process, Yun Shu accepted the document and flipped it open. As expected, the accusations within were delivered in the most righteous, impassioned, and relentless manner possible. Each sentence brimmed with moral outrage and lofty condemnation. The tone was so righteous it practically screamed down from the heavens.
After skimming through a few more lines, she gave up on deciphering the rest.
Enough righteousness already.
Yun Shu shut the memorial with a firm snap and frowned.
"Father Emperor, did you not say the court is currently undergoing rectification? That the officials are too preoccupied with protecting themselves to meddle in other matters? Then who has the leisure to compose this nonsense?"
"…?"
She's not even pretending anymore, is she?
Emperor Xuanwu slapped the table and stared her down.
"You are the one being impeached right now!"
"But the accusations are baseless!"
Yun Shu replied without hesitation.
"This daughter owns and manages a restaurant. Naturally, I review the accounts regularly. If nothing else, would I not understand the grain market?
Grain prices always fluctuate. It's normal for coarse rice to sell between twelve to fifteen wen per dou. If it snows or rains, eighteen or nineteen wen is still within reason.
If you want to talk about unreasonable, think back to the famine in Pengzhou four years ago. Grain shot up to over two hundred wen per dou. That was true exploitation!"
"But there are officials claiming this recent two-wen increase is your doing."
Emperor Xuanwu gave a low chuckle, withholding any comment on his stance.
Then, as if in passing, he asked the question that had truly brought her here.
"This report says you told Tang Muzhi that you dreamed of a great flood in the capital. Is that true?"
"…It is."
Yun Shu's voice was subdued, clearly displeased.
"The dream felt real. And then so many coincidences began to follow. If it were you, Father Emperor, would you truly ignore it?"
"So you deliberately said those things to Tang Muzhi in public, so the surrounding commoners would hear you?"
Emperor Xuanwu's gaze grew sharp.
"Did you not consider, should grain prices rise and your flood dream prove false, you would face not only the officials' ire, but the resentment of the people as well—those who spent extra silver on grain due to your warning?"
"When this daughter had the message spread in secret, I made sure to clarify that the flood in my dream would occur within one or two months.
At most, those who believed me would stockpile two or three months' worth of food.
The capital's grain stores are ample. Even if every household buys extra, the price increase would remain within acceptable bounds.
If they complain, it will be mild at best. Well within this daughter's tolerance."
Lowering her head, Yun Shu began fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. By the end of her explanation, her tone had softened into something almost aggrieved—like she, too, was unsure whether the storm would truly come.
Was he overthinking it?
Had she really only dreamed?
Emperor Xuanwu stared at Yun Shu, lost in thought. Just as he was about to speak, she lifted her head again, solemn and determined.
"This daughter has considered it carefully.
If the dream is real, and this flood is truly destined to bring great suffering to the people of the capital, then perhaps Heaven itself took pity and sent me this warning.
If I, out of fear that the dream may be false, chose to stay silent and do nothing…
Then the day that flood arrives, I will regret it for the rest of my life."
…Impressive.
Far more responsible than that useless Crown Prince.
She truly cared for the people, and she had thought through all the consequences, even if the flood did not come to pass.
Emperor Xuanwu nodded ever so slightly. He was, on the whole, pleased with his daughter's foresight and sense of duty.
Still… did she truly not have a Simulation Life Selection System?
Suspicion had not yet left his heart.
With narrowed eyes, he leaned back in his chair, his tone turning cryptic.
"Your words hold merit.
But the ministers of the court will not be placated by your claim of a vivid dream alone.
If you wish to convince them, you must first prove yourself."
"Prove…?"
Yun Shu blinked.
"How does one prove a dream? I cannot very well ask the ministers to dream it with me."
"Prophetic dreams are not granted to just anyone."
Emperor Xuanwu's voice deepened.
"Before summoning you, We consulted several ancient texts. Those with foresight like yours often possess sharper intuition than most.
Soon, We shall prepare two teacups. In one, We will conceal a jade thumb ring.
You will tell Us, based on your intuition, which cup it is in.
If you guess correctly, We will dismiss all these impeachment memorials on your behalf.
But if you are wrong… then as recompense, you shall forfeit all profits from the Tian Waitian Restaurant and Xianting for the year and distribute them to the people."
That amount of silver was no small sum. For Xiao Wu, it was undeniably significant.
If she truly possessed a Simulation Life Selection System, then at such a critical juncture, surely it would tell her which cup held the ring.
Emperor Xuanwu believed his strategy was flawless.
But Yun Shu, upon hearing his words, was utterly stunned.
This…
Though it might be disrespectful to say so…
What nonsense was her Imperial Father spouting?
How could anyone say something so ridiculous with a straight face?
Even the most shameless swindlers wouldn't dare to pull off something like this. This wasn't a test.
This was blatant, barefaced robbery!