There was perhaps no moment more enlightening for Yun Shu than this one—finally, she could truly empathize with Yun Chuhuan, who had once been fined by the Emperor simply for choosing the wrong foot to step forward with.
In fact, she suspected that Imperial Father was being even more unreasonable this time.
Even if she truly had to compensate the people of the capital for that minor difference of two wen per dou of grain, how much could it really amount to? The profits from Tian Waitian Restaurant and Xianting far surpassed such a paltry sum.
And yet, he dared to wager it all on a simple game of "guess the teacup"?
Absolutely not.
She would never allow it.
Yun Shu's expression changed instantly.
"This daughter refuses! Father Emperor, this is nothing short of bullying!"
"How have We bullied you?"
Though Emperor Xuanwu had long known that Xiao Wu was never one to follow rules blindly, being accused so bluntly to his face still gave him a rare twinge of guilt.
But his curiosity over this little rascal's so-called "Simulation Life Selection System" had long since overridden all hesitation. Even with his guilt gnawing at him, he forced himself to remain stern.
"We have said this already. Since you are capable of prophetic dreams, such a trivial test should pose no difficulty. We merely seek proof—nothing more."
"How can it be guaranteed I would choose correctly? If I truly possessed such a gift, would I not be making my fortune in the gambling dens by now?"
Why had she never noticed before just how utterly unreasonable this cheap Imperial Father of hers could be?
Was it simply that, in the past, she had been too poor to question him? And now that she had finally built some wealth, he thought she was fattened up just enough to slaughter?
Yun Shu was furious. Her eyes rounded with indignation.
"Has that so-called ancient text ever recorded tales of people using 'keen intuition' to win big in the gambling halls? No? Then clearly that nonsense about a sixth sense is nothing but a pack of lies!"
She had even begun cursing now. She was truly incensed.
Emperor Xuanwu grew even more uncertain.
Perhaps he could let her try once more, and if she still refused, then he would let the matter go?
But before he could speak, a flicker of light flashed before his eyes. Without warning, a familiar translucent screen materialized before him.
[Simulation Life Selection System at your service.]
[Please select your next course of action.]
Emperor Xuanwu: "…"
This trivial incident warranted a decision prompt?
Could it be… he had guessed correctly? She truly did have a system?
His spirits lifted immediately. With renewed focus, he looked down to read further.
[A. Insist that Yun Shu prove herself.
B. Laugh it off as a jest.
C. Say you only wished to test the validity of the ancient text, and sincerely attempt to placate Yun Shu.]
Emperor Xuanwu: "???"
What was with that last option?
Had he, the Emperor, become so lowly that even his daughter's affection now required such humble groveling?
Surely Option B was enough. This little brat—was her temper so volatile that she would truly hold a grudge over something so small?
Was he not the ruler of the realm?
Did his dignity mean nothing now?
Emperor Xuanwu stared at Option C, especially the final line, for a solid three seconds. For the first time in his life, even Option A gave him a strange feeling of unease.
[You have chosen Option A. Yun Shu is fortunate and guesses correctly, thus preserving Tian Waitian Restaurant's profits. However, she remains deeply angered and begins to suspect that you are targeting her wealth. She quietly begins transferring her assets.
Two years later, Yun Shu's overseas holdings multiply. Due to various circumstances, she begins contemplating founding a new nation abroad.]
"...?"
What in the world?
What kind of temper was this?
Was she truly so outraged that she would consider fleeing overseas to establish her own country over such a trivial matter?
… Wait. Founding a country?
This brat was actually capable of something like that?
Choosing to ignore the vague phrase "due to various circumstances", Emperor Xuanwu fell into deep thought.
Though he firmly believed that Tian Sheng was unmatched and that even Bei Xiang and the surrounding nations were nothing but rubble, the act of founding a nation… was not something just anyone could do.
This girl… Hm. Best not to think further on it.
The future Crown Princess he had pinned all his hopes on, fleeing to build her own country abroad? Absurd.
Next option. Quickly!
He immediately tapped Option B.
[You have chosen Option B. Yun Shu does not believe your explanation. She is enraged and begins to suspect that you are targeting her wealth. She quietly begins transferring her assets.
Two years later, Yun Shu's overseas holdings multiply. Due to various circumstances, she begins contemplating founding a new nation abroad.]
"…"
This was absurd.
If Yun Shu were not standing right in front of him at this very moment, Emperor Xuanwu might well have slapped his own thigh and shouted aloud—
"What kind of rotten temper is that? So quick to rage!"
He was at his wits' end. Finally, he opened the third option.
[You have chosen Option C. Yun Shu, still fuming, begrudgingly believes your words.]
Emperor Xuanwu: "?"
That's it?
The first two options had her plotting overseas conquest out of sheer anger. But with this one, the temper vanished. Was that not a bit too anticlimactic?
Surely someone as full of ideas and ambitions as Yun Shu would stir up at least some movement within Tian Sheng itself.
But this time—nothing?
He felt like a fish left dangling on a line. So close, yet unable to bite.
Yun Shu, standing before him in stiff silence, was growing angrier by the second. Still hearing no apology or explanation, she finally couldn't help but speak, her voice dripping with cold sarcasm.
"This daughter is merely a princess. No matter how capable, how could I possibly surpass Father Emperor? If such things lie beyond even your reach, how could you expect them of me?"
"Enough."
He had barely recovered from his own train of thought before hearing her voice rise again, practically trembling with righteous anger.
The corner of Emperor Xuanwu's mouth twitched. He sighed and lowered his tone to coax her.
"We merely thought it curious after reading the account in that ancient text, and wished to test it. Your reaction has been far too severe."
"If this daughter were to suggest a simple guessing game to Father Emperor—guess correctly and receive nothing, guess wrongly and you must surrender all profits from Tian Waitian and Xianting—would you not find that excessive?"
From any angle, this so-called guessing game of his had been utterly absurd.
Yun Shu, knowing she was in the right, showed not the slightest hesitation in pressing forward.
"If Father Emperor truly wishes to take over Tian Waitian and Xianting, then speak plainly. Though this daughter founded both enterprises and has always handled the accounts alone, you are still the Emperor. When the order is given, can this daughter defy it?"
"…"
Even he had to admit—those words made him sound utterly shameless.
But Heaven be his witness, that had never been his intent.
Had he known things would go this way, he never would have tried to test her like this.
Was this truly his daughter?
No. This was clearly his ancestor.
Emperor Xuanwu, who had never in his life been trained to coax or placate, let out a long, beleaguered sigh.
And thus, he began the awkward process of appeasing the small but furious ancestor standing before him.
===
To placate someone means to calm them down or make them less angry or upset, usually by saying something nice, giving an explanation, or making a concession.
"Say you only wished to test the validity of the ancient text, and sincerely attempt to placate Yun Shu."
Basically it means: "Try to explain yourself gently and sincerely so that Yun Shu won't stay angry."
Why did I not use 'coax' in this sentence? Well because placate and coax is similar but different.
The definition of placate is to calm someone down, especially when they're angry, offended, or upset. While coax is to gently persuade someone to do something, often using affection, flattery, or patience.
So they are not interchangeable. The point is:
You placate someone who is angry.
You coax someone who is resisting but not necessarily angry.
So, "placate" isn't just a fancier version of "coax"—they have different emotional focuses.
You can think of it like this:
If someone is mad at you and you try to calm them = placate
If someone doesn't want to do something and you sweet-talk them into it = coax
-
In Chinese, calling someone your ancestor in a dramatic or exasperated tone is a comedic and exaggerated expression of submission, frustration, or power imbalance, especially when dealing with a younger person (like a child or grandchild) who is being overly difficult, willful, or hard to handle.
In traditional Chinese culture, ancestors are sacred and occupy the highest level of respect in the family hierarchy. People burn incense to them, honor them, and never disobey them. So when someone refers to another person (especially a child) as their ancestor, they're ironically acknowledging how much deference and effort they're having to show—almost as if they're worshipping them.
In everyday modern Chinese, especially in a joking or exasperated context, you'll hear parents, grandparents, or even teachers say things like:
"哎呀,我的小祖宗啊!" (Aiyah, my little ancestor!)
"你就是我的祖宗!" (You're my ancestor!)
This is often used when someone is being a handful: fussy, spoiled, or unexpectedly dominant in the interaction.
It means: You're so much trouble that I have to treat you like you're above me.