Yu Miaohua had spent considerable time copying and reciting Buddhist scriptures with the Empress Dowager, so much so that she had memorized most of them by heart. Even if she hadn’t, she had her system to rely on.
Now, she could play the role of a divine maiden with remarkable ease. Sitting there, her demeanor was indistinguishable from the compassionate Buddha enshrined in temples. The dappled sunlight falling upon her obscured her features slightly, enhancing her ethereal, otherworldly aura.
When Yu Miaohua declared that they had a karmic connection with Buddhism, Qu Chengyi, the crown prince of Fan Kingdom, nearly scoffed. He had heard of Consort Hui’s reputation, but no matter how favored or revered she was, did she truly believe she could force a foreign prince to embrace Buddhism? She must think too highly of herself.
To secure Great Qi’s emperor’s approval for the marriage alliance, Qu Chengyi had privately resolved to cede two border cities to Great Qi—territories that nominally belonged to Fan Kingdom but were already under Great Qi’s control. To him, these cities were as useless as "chicken ribs"—better traded away for gain. He was certain Emperor Pei Lingyue wouldn’t refuse such an offer, nor would he allow a mere consort to meddle in affairs of state.
At first, when Yu Miaohua began reciting the scriptures, Qu Chengyi almost laughed aloud—was this all she had?
But as the verses flowed into his ears, his amusement vanished.
Her voice, unhurried and serene, trickled like a clear spring into the hearts of all present, so close it seemed to whisper directly into his ear.
The disdain and hostility in his heart dissipated, leaving only tranquility.
Before him, the towering shadow of a Buddha materialized, seated upon a blooming lotus, eyes lowered, bathed in radiant light.
Qu Chengyi saw himself finally ascending the throne after his father’s death, having eliminated his brothers. Yet at the peak of his triumph, the dragon throne beneath him transformed into an abyss, plunging him into its depths. He struggled helplessly as he fell, shattered beyond recognition.
He saw himself entangled with a beautiful concubine, her lips stained with wine as she fed him, her enchanting gaze intoxicating. But in the blink of an eye, she withered before him—her hair turned white, her youthful beauty crumbling into a skeleton draped in silk.
He saw himself counting his treasures, the imperial vault filled with glittering gold—until the gold morphed into venomous snakes, sinking their fangs into his flesh.
"All phenomena are illusory."
The desires for power, lust, and wealth that had once consumed Qu Chengyi scattered like mist, leaving only emptiness.
Yes, all of it was transient, fleeting as clouds.
Why had he sought to marry a Great Qi princess? There was no need. He had been wrong from the very beginning.
By the time Yu Miaohua finished, everyone present felt as though their souls had been cleansed, their expressions blank with detachment.
Pei Lingyue, though prepared, hadn’t anticipated the skill’s terrifying potency.
[Damn, System, this skill is insane! It’s practically a brainwashing tool!]
Even Yu Miaohua was stunned by the effect—it seemed everyone was on the verge of renouncing the world.
[Host, the skill’s effectiveness varies. Since you’ve spent so much time reciting and copying Buddhist texts with the Empress Dowager, your proficiency in scripture is maxed out. That’s why "Echoing Melody" had such an impact. Try reciting a horror story, and the effect won’t be nearly as strong.]
Yu Miaohua understood—this was a special case. The enhancement only applied when she chanted Buddhist texts.
Since she hadn’t targeted Pei Lingyue with "Echoing Melody," he quickly snapped out of the trance.
Qu Chengyi and the Fan Kingdom envoys, however, weren’t so lucky. Yu Miaohua had marked them—along with the official Zhang Xian, who had advocated for the marriage alliance—for special treatment.
Standing before Pei Lingyue, Qu Chengyi wore an expression of serene detachment. "After hearing the Buddha’s teachings, I’ve realized the baseness of my desires. I beg the esteemed emperor’s forgiveness for my earlier folly in seeking the princess’s hand."
Pei Lingyue glanced at Yu Miaohua, the corner of his lips quirking slightly. "The crown prince’s profound enlightenment proves his deep connection with Buddhism."
"Witnessing such awakening is a rare blessing. Escort the crown prince and his retinue to Hongkong Temple, where they may meditate undisturbed by worldly affairs."
Dare to covet his princess? Let them all become monks.
His gaze shifted to Zhang Xian. "Zhang Xian is also fated with Buddhism. He shall be tonsured at an auspicious date."
If he became a monk, he could no longer serve as an official. Pei Lingyue had worked too hard to let his reign be reduced to sending daughters off for political marriages. What was the point of being emperor otherwise?
Zhang Xian accepted the decree with peaceful resignation. "This humble servant obeys."
Concubine Yuan watched the scene with immense satisfaction. This was all thanks to Miaohua! She hadn’t expected scripture recitation to be so effective—it had literally driven these men to monastic life.
She resolved to raid the treasury later, preparing lavish gifts to thank Miaohua properly. The eldest princess, meanwhile, decided to gift Consort Hui her favorite horsewhip. Hmph! Some in the palace had claimed Consort Hui’s friendship with her mother was a pretense. This proved otherwise.
Still under the skill’s influence, Qu Chengyi and his retinue thanked Pei Lingyue for his "mercy."
But the moment Qu Chengyi returned to his seat, he shuddered violently, clarity returning.
His face darkened with fury—he had been bewitched, stripped of all worldly desires like a man possessed!
He had even voluntarily rejected the marriage alliance!
No, this wasn’t him!
He had to tell the emperor—this wasn’t his true will!
Just then, the hypnotic chanting echoed in his ears again.
Gritting his teeth, Qu Chengyi stabbed his finger with a dagger, using pain to break free.
"Stop it!" he roared, his voice ragged with desperation. "No more scriptures!"
"Consort Hui, I order you to stop! Cease this at once!"
All eyes turned to him as if he’d lost his mind.
Yu Miaohua blinked innocently. "But I’m not reciting anything."
Qu Chengyi snarled, "Yet I hear your voice chanting right now!"
The other Fan Kingdom envoys nodded frantically—they heard it too!
The envoys from Yue Kingdom beside them frowned. "Consort Hui hasn’t spoken a word. Are you hallucinating?"
"She only chanted earlier. I wouldn’t mind hearing it again, though."
Qu Chengyi and his men paled. She… wasn’t chanting? But the verses rang clear in their ears!
Yu Miaohua smiled beatifically. "As I said, you are fated with Buddhism. Perhaps this is the Buddha’s special grace—to let His teachings resonate within you eternally. You should be grateful."
"Quickly thank the Buddha!"
Qu Chengyi and his companions felt as though they had been struck by lightning, nearly on the verge of tears.
Did this mean they would now be constantly surrounded by Buddhist scriptures?
Was this truly the Buddha's blessing—or a punishment?
"You are so fortunate to be able to listen to the Buddha's teachings at all times," said Madam Li, a devout noblewoman, gazing at them with envy.
Qu Chengyi nearly coughed up blood—if this was a blessing, he’d rather not have it.
……
A princess from Liang and the eldest prince of Fan had both witnessed the divine power of Great Qi’s goddess firsthand.
As a result, the subsequent tribute presentations proceeded without further incidents.
Next, the imperial princes and princesses presented their birthday gifts to Pei Lingyue in public.
Crown Prince Pei Chiyan’s offerings included the usual gifts—longevity peaches, jade carvings—as well as a small booklet tucked inside a box.
When Pei Lingyue opened the box and flipped through the booklet, his expression brightened with delight. "Excellent! Well done!"
After acquiring the incubation techniques for chicken, goose, and duck eggs, Pei Chiyan had immediately recruited a group of experienced poultry farmers from the common folk. These people, having worked with poultry for generations, understood the habits of fowl far better than ordinary citizens.
After months of dedicated research and repeated experimentation, the team had finally achieved results. Not only had they mastered every step of the process, but they had also refined certain techniques, increasing the hatching rate by twenty percent and the survival rate of hatchlings by ten percent.
Moreover, they had simplified some of the more challenging steps to make the process more accessible to ordinary people.
The booklet Pei Chiyan presented was the culmination of their efforts, each page densely packed with experimental data and key technical points highlighted in red ink.
To Pei Lingyue, this manual—imbued with the promise of improving people’s livelihoods—was far more valuable than any treasure.
"This gift pleases me greatly. The Crown Prince has worked hard these past months." During this time, Pei Chiyan had frequently visited the estates. Since he was occupied with important matters, Pei Lingyue had refrained from disturbing him—otherwise, he would have already assigned him some romantic rendezvous.
Pei Chiyao, on the other hand, presented half a bag of rice.
"Your son personally sought out one hundred elders known for their longevity and asked each for a handful of rice. I only hope that after consuming this rice, Father Emperor will live a hundred years."
Pei Chiyao had chosen this gift partly because he lacked the funds for something more extravagant. Rather than embarrass himself with a meager offering, he decided to compete on sincerity, confident that no one else’s gift could match his heartfelt effort.
This approach would have worked well with the previous emperor.
But Pei Lingyue, a pragmatist, felt nothing. His son had no money for a proper birthday gift yet somehow had funds to bribe officials and build connections—how filial indeed.
Glancing at the rice, he said mildly, "Your mother has been unwell this past year. This gift suits her perfectly."
"Attendants, deliver this rice to Concubine Xian. Prepare a bowl for her with every meal."
Concubine Xian was stunned. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to immediately pass the gift to her. The rice from commoners was hardly of good quality—eating it would likely scratch her throat raw.
Pei Lingyue added kindly, "With this longevity rice specially gathered by Chiyao, Concubine Xian is sure to recover swiftly."
Concubine Xian’s heart sank, but she forced a grateful expression. "This concubine thanks His Majesty for his care."
If the Emperor truly cared for them, he would have restored her position long ago and assigned Chiyao to a different ministry.
Pei Lingyue was satisfied—the gift had been successfully redirected.
The younger princes mostly presented handwritten scriptures or calligraphy, while the princesses offered embroidered items like pouches, handkerchiefs, and small screens.
Next came the imperial consorts’ tributes. The Empress had personally sewn a set of casual robes suitable for fieldwork. Other gifts included golden Buddha statues and potted plants.
After the Empress presented her gift, all eyes turned to Yu Miaohua.
Truth be told, Pei Lingyue himself was eager to see what she would offer. Yu Miaohua had rarely discussed her gifts with the divine spirits, so he only knew one of them was Champa rice. The other two remained a mystery.
Yu Miaohua stood, her voice clear and bright. "This concubine’s first gift is Champa rice. Last year, I happened upon these seeds and planted them in August, harvesting the first crop by November. This year, I sowed them again in February, and they are now ready for harvest. This rice yields two crops per season."
The envoys from other nations could no longer remain seated. The ambassador from Yue immediately spoke up, "Most benevolent and generous Son of Heaven, might you grant us such divine seeds?"
Pei Lingyue’s expression turned peculiar—the Champa rice had originally been found on a deserted island in Yue. The Yue people had been unaware of its existence, and now they were asking him for it.
He had already sent trusted aides to collect large quantities of the rice from that island last year, planting them in his estates.
With a slight nod, he said, "Granted."
The Yue envoys were overjoyed. Bringing Champa rice back would make them national heroes!
Pei Lingyue smiled warmly at Yu Miaohua. "This is the finest birthday gift I have received this year. I am deeply pleased."
He then recalled that Yu Miaohua still had an unfinished task—one requiring him to publicly declare her as his most beloved on his birthday. The reward for this task was an optimized cultivation technique that could increase Champa rice’s yield from two crops to three per season.
Clearing his throat, he was about to speak when Yu Miaohua continued, "This concubine’s second gift is an Elixir of Longevity."
She had enough points to spare, so she decided to splurge a little to complete the mission.
"It appeared beside my pillow when I awoke. It can extend one’s life by ten years, but Your Majesty must consume it within three days."
She was certain this gift would win Pei Lingyue over.
The suddenness of this blessing left Pei Lingyue almost overwhelmed. He had always known that in Yu Miaohua’s heart, he ranked below the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and her own family. He had resigned himself to waiting until they had all received their share before it was his turn.
Yet here was this unexpected delight.
Ten extra years of life!
The announcement sent a wave of excitement through the hall.
All eyes fixed on the cyan bottle Yu Miaohua produced—its surface wreathed in mist.
Even the skeptics were convinced at the sight of that ethereal fog. Such a thing could only come from the gods.
Yu Miaohua’s voice, amplified by the system, rang clear and soft in everyone’s ears.
"This concubine, acting on behalf of Heaven, presents the gift prepared by the gods for Your Majesty—one Elixir of Longevity."
After all, she had already stated it was from the gods. If others wanted it, they could try asking the gods themselves.
"Your Majesty?" Seeing Pei Lingyue remain silent, Yu Miaohua couldn't help but call out to him.
[System, what if the Emperor doesn’t believe me? This Longevity Pill is the real deal!]
[Can we even complete our mission now? I was planning to offer the triple-harvest rice cultivation technique as the third birthday gift.]
[System detects the Emperor’s heart rate has spiked. Host, should we give him a little shock to snap him out of it?]
Pei Lingyue immediately regained his composure, gazing at Yu Miaohua with deep affection. "This is one of the best birthday gifts We have received this year."
He had initially wanted to say it was the best, but considering the Champa rice and its cultivation technique were equally impressive, he couldn’t choose between them—so they would share the top spot.
Pei Lingyue continued, "It must be because Heaven has taken note of Consort Hui’s unwavering devotion to Us that such a gift was bestowed."
Overcome with emotion, he declared, "Consort Hui is Our most beloved, irreplaceable in Our heart!"
Yes! Mission accomplished!
[Congratulations, Host, for completing Main Mission 3.8: Give Pei Lingyue a grand surprise on his birthday and make him publicly declare you as his most cherished. Reward: Champa Rice Optimization Technique has been issued.]
Yu Miaohua beamed with joy. "This humble consort wishes Your Majesty boundless blessings and a long, prosperous life."
As she handed the pill to Pei Lingyue, she didn’t forget to whisper to her system.
[System, quickly check the lifespans of my second uncle, youngest uncle, the Empress, my master, and grandmaster! We can’t waste this chance to peek at their fates!]
The previous Longevity Pill had been used to check the lifespans of her parents, maternal grandmother, eldest uncle, and the Empress Dowager.
[I thought you’d check the Emperor’s lifespan.]
[Why bother? No matter how long he’s got, this pill guarantees him at least ten more years. No need to waste the opportunity.]
Pei Lingyue, who had been deeply moved just moments ago, felt a flicker of disappointment—he had actually wanted to know how many years he had left.
Meanwhile, the Empress, Jiang Kangyou, and others who caught wind of this exchange couldn’t help but smirk.
The system swiftly listed the lifespans of the requested individuals.
Yu Miaohua scanned the results and noted that her youngest uncle had the shortest lifespan—only forty-nine years—while the others were blessed with longevity. With eleven years left before his passing, she wasn’t the least bit worried.
The Empress, who had inadvertently received a spoiler about her own lifespan, was pleasantly surprised to learn she would live past sixty.
Pei Lingyue took the bottle and swallowed the Longevity Pill without hesitation.
"Your Majesty, your hair is turning black!" Concubine Yuan Huirou exclaimed, sharp-eyed as ever.
She knew some might doubt the authenticity of Yu Miaohua’s pill, so she made sure to point out the immediate effect. The visible darkening of the Emperor’s hair was undeniable proof.
Pei Lingyue laughed heartily. "Truly an elixir of the gods."
Pei Chiyao’s eyes burned with envy—this was the legendary Longevity Pill! How had Consort Hui even obtained such a treasure?
If he kept opposing her, would he end up with no place to bury his corpse?
At this moment, Pei Chiyao felt genuine fear. Ever since he’d targeted Consort Hui, his own fortunes had plummeted. Was this Heaven’s warning?
His father had always been healthy, with no signs of a short life. Now, with the Longevity Pill, his lifespan was practically incalculable. Pei Chiyao might very well die before his father did.
After a year of repeated setbacks, the existence of the Longevity Pill became the final straw, making him reconsider his ambitions.
The envoys from the grasslands stared with covetous eyes, their jealousy practically piercing Pei Lingyue like daggers.
The Emperor of Great Qi’s luck was simply too unfair!
The Divine Maiden—she was their Divine Maiden!
They had to find a way to contact Consort Hui. Whatever Great Qi’s Emperor could give her, the grasslands could offer even more!
Yu Miaohua continued, "My third gift is the Champa Rice Optimization Technique, which can produce rice that yields three harvests a year."
She had planned this meticulously—using the Longevity Pill to shock the Emperor into completing her mission, with the reward serving as the third gift.
As for the fertilizer technique, improved steelmaking methods, and refined iron-forging techniques… she’d just have the system drop those directly onto the Emperor’s pillow later.
Especially the iron-forging techniques—those weren’t suitable for public display.
Three harvests a year!
The foreign envoys grew even more restless—they wanted this technology too. They stared pleadingly at Pei Lingyue.
Pei Lingyue observed their expressions with a cold inner smirk. He might share some seeds—after all, they’d steal them if he didn’t.
But the cultivation techniques? If they wanted those, they’d have to trade something valuable. Free handouts were out of the question.
By now, Pei Lingyue had forgiven Yu Miaohua for the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" spectacle at his banquet—what fault was it of hers? It was entirely that Liang princess’s doing. Yu Miaohua had only been completing her mission and defending Great Qi’s dignity.
Remembering the Empress Dowager’s words, Pei Lingyue immediately issued an edict ennobling Yu Miaohua’s father, Yu Weixu, as the Earl of Ruian—a title clearly inspired by Yu Miaohua’s auspicious reputation.
Her mother, Zhang Yaning, was granted the title of First-Rank Lady Cihui.
Her younger sister, Yu Miaoping, was promoted from County Lady to County Princess.
Yu Weixu, Zhang Yaning, and Yu Miaoping hurried forward to receive the decree and express their gratitude, though their expressions remained slightly dazed.
The onlookers gazed at them with envy—how they wished they had a daughter like Consort Hui!
Every gift she presented was something they could never hope to match in their lifetimes. The Yu family’s rewards were well-deserved.
Yu Miaohua was delighted—the Emperor certainly knew how to play along.
With her gifts setting such an impossibly high standard, the subsequent offerings from others paled in comparison and were swiftly forgotten.
Once all the gifts had been presented, the Liang envoys—now changed out of their bird-stained robes and freshly groomed—returned to their seats.
On her way back, the Princess of Liang had heard of Consort Hui’s latest miracles and gifts.
She realized they had gravely underestimated this Consort Hui—she was the real deal, a true Divine Maiden.
As long as she remained, the princess’s chances of rising to prominence were slim to none.
Her maid, Wu, tried to console her. "The Great Witch is all-powerful. He will surely find a way to aid you, Your Highness."
The Princess of Liang could only pin her hopes on her kingdom’s Grand Sorcerer. Perhaps he could curse Consort Hui to death and remove this obstacle.
But first, she needed to enter Great Qi’s imperial harem.
Removing her veil, she held out a box with a graceful smile. "This humble one has long admired Your Majesty and wishes to serve by your side."
Pei Lingyue studied her intently.
The other concubines nearly shredded their handkerchiefs in frustration.
This Liang princess was clearly trouble. She’d already caused such a scene upon arrival—who knew what chaos she’d unleash once inside the palace?
Compared to her, Consort Hui seemed almost harmless. At the very least, Consort Hui never actively vied for favor—it was mostly the Emperor who sought her out on his own. As long as one didn’t provoke her, she was the easiest person to get along with.
Yet deep down, they all knew the Emperor wouldn’t refuse.
Pei Lingyue gazed at the Princess of Liang, his expression calm.
The Princess of Liang felt uneasy under his scrutiny—the Emperor of Great Qi didn’t look at her with admiration, but rather as if she were a finely crafted object, or as if he were weighing her value.
Would he really reject her?
If she were turned away, her standing upon returning home would plummet.
At this thought, the Princess of Liang couldn’t help but feel aggrieved: How could anyone refuse a beauty like her when she offered herself so willingly?
Pei Lingyue studied the Princess of Liang for a long while, but no new task was triggered by the system.
He sighed inwardly—it seemed triggering missions still depended on luck.
Well, once this princess entered the harem, tasks—and rewards—would surely follow.
He withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly. "To earn Your Highness’s favor is my honor. With such peerless beauty, you shall be granted the title of Consort Hua."
The Liang delegation was dissatisfied with this rank. Their nation’s princess deserved at least the title of Consort, not some paltry Consort Hua.
The Princess of Liang knelt in gratitude. "This humble one thanks Your Majesty for your grace. I am endlessly grateful."
She couldn’t show even a hint of displeasure. The Princess of Liang suspected the Emperor’s restraint stemmed from the psychological shadow cast by the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" incident, hence the lower rank.
No matter. Once she entered the harem, she would slowly but surely capture the Emperor’s heart.
She opened a box, her melodious voice carrying clearly. "This is our Great Qi’s sacred treasure, the Iceheart Pill. Placed in a chamber, it emits a fragrance that soothes the mind and calms the spirit. It also repels venomous insects and strengthens the body."
She had originally intended to claim it could prolong life, but then she remembered Consort Hui’s rumored pill that extended one’s lifespan by ten years. Her gaze drifted to the faintly mist-veiled blue vial on Pei Lingyue’s desk.
The Princess of Liang bit her lower lip and swallowed the boast—with a genuine life-extending pill already in play, others would only think her a braggart.
Suppressing her tangled thoughts, she continued, "I heard Her Majesty the Empress Dowager suffers from sleepless nights. This Iceheart Pill will surely ease her insomnia."
The pill contained an antidote. Once placed in the Empress Dowager’s palace, it would neutralize the poison afflicting her. With such a contribution, the Empress Dowager would surely favor her, just as she did Consort Hui.
She could even spread rumors that her birth chart harmonized with the Empress Dowager’s, bringing her fortune.
The Empress Dowager must have been suffering terribly under the effects of the secret poison.
Or so the Princess of Liang thought—until her eyes landed on the Empress Dowager herself. Earlier, she had been too far away to see clearly, but now, stepping forward to express gratitude, the distance closed. To her shock—wait, why did the Empress Dowager look so radiant?
Wasn’t she supposed to be poisoned?
The Empress smiled. "Consort Hui has been attending to Her Majesty daily. The Empress Dowager’s insomnia has long since been cured."
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Indeed. Consort Hui’s filial devotion moved the heavens. Thanks to her, I’ve received the Buddha’s protection and now sleep soundly every night."
Once this princess entered the palace, she would have someone teach her proper manners—how dare she plot to poison her!
The Princess of Liang wanted to scream. Were the gods of Great Qi so idle they meddled in such trivial matters?
The Empress turned to Pei Lingyue. "Your Majesty, Concubine Xian has recently developed headaches and insomnia. Though she’s taken several doses of calming soup, the effects have been mediocre. Perhaps she could try the Iceheart Pill?"
Pei Lingyue inclined his head slightly. "Very well. Let the Iceheart Pill be bestowed upon Concubine Xian. Consort Hua, do you consent?"
The Princess of Liang absolutely did not consent. Wasting it on some insignificant Concubine Xian was a travesty. What she wanted was the Empress Dowager’s gratitude!
Yet despite her reluctance, she forced a gracious smile. "If it can truly help Sister Concubine Xian, then it is the Iceheart Pill’s honor."
Pei Lingyue said to Concubine Xian, "Concubine Xian, if your headaches are cured, remember to credit Consort Hua for it."
Concubine Xian’s teeth ached—this Princess of Liang was the very culprit behind her suffering. Now she had to treat the mastermind as her benefactor? The injustice was unbearable.
She replied gently, "Thank you, Sister Consort Hua."
Their eyes met—both feeling utterly shortchanged.
Pei Lingyue was pleased. "Since you share such a bond, let Consort Hua reside in Qiongming Palace. The two of you can keep each other company."
Yu Miaohua was astounded. Just when she thought the Emperor couldn’t possibly be more shameless, he outdid himself.
[System, is the Emperor raising these two in the same palace to pit them against each other?]
This was practically the ultimate showdown between venomous women.
