Chu Yunxia sensed something amiss, her expression flickering with unease—could they really trace this back to their people?
She forced her voice to sound casual, "How can we rely on a beast's judgment? What does it know? This might unjustly tarnish innocent officials' reputations."
Yu Miaohua smiled faintly, pressing her lips together. "What are you implying, Consort Hua? Naturally, we wouldn’t rely solely on the black bear’s accusation. Do you truly believe His Majesty is so foolish?"
Pei Lingyue: "..."
He very well might be that "foolish" emperor. After all, he knew Yu Miaohua could genuinely communicate with the bear.
Yu Miaohua continued, "This is merely to expedite the search for clues before the culprit can destroy evidence."
Pei Lingyue ordered all implicated officials and guards from the hunting grounds to be summoned.
Yu Miaohua addressed the black bear, "If you recognize the one who drugged you, howl three times."
The officials stepped forward one by one, ordered by rank.
Xu Feng was eleventh in line. Though he maintained a composed facade, his heart pounded with dread.
Five days prior, someone had approached him, bribing him to grant them access to the hunting grounds. According to them, they intended to drug the black bear, weakening it for an easier hunt.
After the winter hunt roster was announced, many had sought him out, hoping to secretly release extra prey to cheat their way to a higher ranking.
Xu Feng, tempted by the substantial bribe, agreed. He hadn’t thought much of it—just reckless hunters willing to risk their lives against a weakened bear.
For minor officials like him, the triennial winter hunt was the only chance to pocket bribes; otherwise, they were invisible nobodies.
Never had he imagined they’d lied—their true target was Consort Hui.
Now, he could only pray the bear wouldn’t recognize him.
But bears remembered scents. Though its sense of smell had dulled after being struck by lightning, when Xu Feng drew near, the bear recognized him and let out three distinct howls.
The ten before him had elicited no reaction.
Xu Feng’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees, stammering, "N-not me!"
[It’s him! There are five others!]
Through her empathic connection, Yu Miaohua received the bear’s reply.
"If you’re certain it’s him, howl once more."
The bear howled once and fell silent.
Pei Lingyue’s gaze turned icy as he observed the trembling Xu Feng. "Take him away."
Witnessing the bear’s uncanny responsiveness, no one dared argue that an animal’s accusation held no weight.
This bear truly understood Consort Hui’s words!
Chu Yunxia bit her lip, silently pleading that Great Liang’s spies had covered their tracks well enough to avoid exposure by Xu Feng.
Four more officials were identified by the bear and promptly detained.
Fu Congbai’s vision darkened when he spotted one of the arrested men.
The tiger today had been his own setup—Zhuang Manor had bribed one official for it. Yet instead of appearing before him, the tiger had ambushed Consort Hui, dragging him into an assassination plot.
If this led back to him, he’d be shouldering blame again.
Why was he so unlucky? This hunting ground was cursed for him.
The urge to vomit blood surged once more.
For a fleeting moment, he considered confessing. But admitting to cheating would ruin his reputation. His aunt doted on him as the legitimate heir, the future head of the Fu family. Yet if he brought disgrace, both the Fu clan and Zhuang Manor would discard him.
He’d once scorned Pei Yuesheng, viewing her as a mere pet despite her noble status. Now, he realized he wasn’t much better.
His hesitation cost him the chance to speak.
Pei Lingyue’s voice was calm but firm. "Consort Hui is Great Qi’s divine maiden, her status paramount. Harming her is tantamount to treason."
Great Qi had been blessed beyond measure to gain a true divine maiden. Losing her would be an irreplaceable loss.
The thought infuriated him.
If Great Liang was behind this, it would justify war.
At the mention of poisoning, Pei Lingyue’s first suspicion fell on Great Liang—they had a history of such tactics.
The declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd.
The Emperor had placed Consort Hui on equal footing with himself.
Eyes darted between the Empress and General Yu behind Consort Hui. How could they tolerate this?
The Empress nodded slightly. "Your Majesty is wise. Consort Hui is Great Qi’s treasure, deserving of the highest honor."
Had the Emperor decreed this earlier, perhaps none of this would’ve happened.
General Yu surveyed the room, his voice grave. "Why the silence? Do you oppose His Majesty’s decree?"
None dared object in the Emperor’s presence.
They were merely stunned the Empress showed no jealousy.
The Grand Tutor and other high-ranking ministers wore expressions of approval, as if this were only natural.
No one was foolish enough to play the righteous critic now.
To prove their loyalty, the assembly knelt in unison, chanting, "Your Majesty is wise!"
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the hidden quest: "Holding a Status Above the Empress Without the Title." Reward: Gold mine locations in Great Liang and 1,000 points.]
[Host, you’ve outdone yourself! This is historic, blatant favoritism!]
The system declared it could still fangirl over this.
Yu Miaohua was no longer the naive girl she’d been. The Emperor didn’t crave her—he coveted her divine maiden identity.
If someone offered her such benefits, she’d treasure them too.
Honestly, this transactional devotion put her more at ease.
The black bear, already gravely wounded with untreated injuries, soon succumbed after its efforts.
Pei Lingyue felt no pity for the beast that had nearly killed him. "Record the bear under Consort Hui’s tally."
With the highest-scoring black bear added to her already impressive haul, Yu Miaohua’s lead became insurmountable.
[Ahhh, Host, our victory is sealed! Unless someone hunts five black bears tomorrow, no one can surpass you!]
The system celebrated with virtual fireworks.
Yu Miaohua was also delighted, as her reward would soon be in hand.
...
Due to the black bear's identification, the five implicated officials had no time to destroy the related evidence.
Even with a hundred times the courage, they would never dare to plot against Consort Hui. They had merely accepted bribes as usual.
To prove they truly had no ill intentions and were merely deceived, they dared not conceal anything regarding the bribes.
They confessed freely, revealing every family that had offered them money.
Thus, one scandal after another exploded, satisfying the public's appetite for gossip.
On the first day, the antelope herd Consort Hui encountered had been arranged by Fu Congbai for himself.
Fu Congbai had also prepared the tiger.
The deer herd was brought in by the Earl of Tianyi to gild the reputation of his beloved youngest son.
The wolves were transported by General Yu to prove his strength remained undiminished.
...
Yet all these prey ended up near Consort Hui, leaving the onlookers both amused and exasperated. They gathered with friends and relatives, whispering and exchanging rumors.
"General Yu, why bother? His past achievements speak for themselves—who would doubt him?"
"The old general is just a bit vain, not malicious, so the Emperor merely scolded him before letting him go. But Fu Congbai is in real trouble this time. The tiger and black bear he arranged attacked Consort Hui, even injuring the Emperor's hand. Do you think this has anything to do with Prince Zhuang's estate?"
"Who knows? I once heard Fu Congbai was a prodigy, both scholarly and martial, but now it seems all hype. My son may lack talent, but at least he’s upright—he’d never do such a thing."
"Exactly. If I were Fu Congbai, I wouldn’t dare show my face anymore."
As the discussion heated up, they suddenly lowered their voices. "How do you think the Emperor will deal with Daliang this time?"
Investigations revealed that the person who drugged the black bear was a Daliang envoy who had secretly returned to the capital. The envoy had also smeared a substance on the horses of Consort Hui’s guards—a drug that not only attracted the bear but, combined with the bear’s own sedation, drove it into a frenzy.
If mishandled, this could severely damage diplomatic relations.
The Emperor had declared that harming Consort Hui was tantamount to rebellion. If Great Qi failed to respond, wouldn’t it appear weak and easily bullied?
Thanks to Consort Hui’s influence over the past two years, Great Qi’s treasury overflowed. Soldiers now received higher monthly pay and better rations.
While confident of victory against Daliang, they were less certain of a crushing, overwhelming defeat.
Had it been anyone but Consort Hui, launching a war over a concubine would have branded her a femme fatale.
Meanwhile, the subject of their gossip, Yu Miaohua, was meeting with Lady Yao, the wife of the Earl of Tianyi.
"This red fox fur suits you perfectly, Consort Hui. With your striking beauty, a crimson fox cloak would be exquisite."
"My family also has a snow fox pelt. If you don’t mind, I’ll send it to the palace later."
"And I have an intact tiger skin—would Lady Qingyan like it?" Lady Yao didn’t neglect Yu Miaoping, eagerly offering the tiger pelt.
Her maiden family dealt in furs, so she had no shortage of premium pelts.
Not only Yu Miaoping but even Pei Yuesheng received lavish gifts.
Yu Miaohua, noting the woman’s irrepressible smile, said lightly, "You’ve given so much—I feel undeserving."
Lady Yao replied earnestly, "Because of my husband’s foolishness, you suffered a fright. Yet you, in your generosity, forgave him. But we cannot presume on your kindness without making amends. These are but tokens of apology."
Her words were so polished and sincere that refusal seemed rude, so Yu Miaohua accepted.
Lady Yao, adept at reading moods, saw Consort Hui’s faint weariness and soon excused herself.
After she left, Pei Yuesheng frowned. "The Earl of Tianyi erred, yet his wife seems positively gleeful. This wasn’t an apology—it was a thank-you gift. Are they estranged?"
Lady Yao had practically floated out, nearly humming.
She’d even struggled to suppress laughter when mentioning her husband.
Yu Miaoping knew the answer!
Since recruiting those sisters to gather capital gossip, she’d become a walking encyclopedia of noble scandals. Eagerly, she explained, "The Earl dotes on his concubine and, by extension, her youngest son. He even tried to bypass his rightful heir to pass the title to the boy."
Yu Miaohua concluded, "He’s lost his mind."
With no fault in the eldest son and no exceptional talent in the younger, favoring the latter would only breed strife.
"Exactly. I’ve met his heir—a decent man. The younger son, spoiled rotten, once rode recklessly through the streets, wrecking stalls and nearly trampling people. I made him pay and apologize on the spot."
Yu Miaohua understood. "He likely hoped a strong hunting performance would bolster the boy’s standing for the title."
Without the black bear incident—and without Yu Miaohua’s uncanny magnetism for wildlife—his scheme might have worked.
But now...
The Emperor had reprimanded the Earl, decreeing the eldest son as heir.
The Earl lost his title, imperial favor, and reputation.
With her husband disgraced, her son inheriting, and her rival powerless, no wonder Lady Yao couldn’t hide her joy—or bother trying.
Pei Yuesheng cheered, "My cousin Fu Congbai is next in line for ruin!"
She’d considered gloating but reconsidered.
With such a colossal blunder, the Fu family would abandon him. Cornered, he might lash out dangerously.
She and her sister had bright futures—why risk it for fleeting satisfaction?
...
On the hunt’s third day, Yu Miaohua noticed several absent faces.
Chu Yunxia, for one, was under house arrest.
Yu Miaohua couldn’t fathom her obsession. It was as if her mere existence offended the woman.
Perhaps it did. Some wounds were self-inflicted. Not her problem.
Fu Congbai was also gone—reportedly escorted back in chains.
Yu Miaohua suspected that the Emperor likely intended to use Fu Congbai to pry open a rift between the Zhuang Prince's estate and the Fu family.
Those courtly affairs had little to do with her, so she set aside her concerns and cheerfully resumed her hunt.
[System, it seems there won’t be any "gifts from nature" today. Thanks to Fu Congbai, thanks to the Tianyi Count, thanks to…]
Yu Miaohua expressed gratitude to everyone involved—turns out, it wasn’t nature’s bounty but gifts sent by them.
[…I doubt they’d appreciate your thanks, Host.]
[But I’m genuinely thankful! I’m good. If they can’t appreciate my sincerity, they’re the bad ones—ill-mannered and ungrateful.]
Playing judge and jury, Yu Miaohua ruled in her own favor and gave herself a mental pat on the back.
Lu Lingyun couldn’t help but marvel: Being with Consort Hui was never dull. Her mindset was truly admirable—spending time with her made all worries vanish.
As expected, Yu Miaohua’s hunting results that day fell short of the previous two days, though they weren’t bad either—after all, many animals still willingly wandered into her path.
Moreover, her horse, Xue Luo, was remarkably clever, even more useful than a hound, often guiding her toward areas teeming with game.
Yu Miaohua wrapped up an hour early—the past few days’ exertion had been a bit much for her.
The officials tallying her score dutifully recorded the day’s results on paper while she headed straight for tea and rest, planning to reappear when the time came.
By nightfall, the winter hunt’s final rankings were announced.
Yu Miaohua claimed first place, her prize being a lightweight yet impenetrable armor.
Surprisingly supple yet incredibly durable, the armor was said to be crafted from the hide of a rare fire salamander, processed through dozens of intricate methods.
In all of Great Qi’s imperial history, only four such pieces had ever been obtained.
Not a bad prize. With her system, Yu Miaohua hardly needed it for herself, so she decided it would go to her younger sister, Yu Miaoping.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing Main Quest 5.5: Rank among the top three in the winter hunt, astounding the world. The reward—a one-time disaster mitigation skill—has been issued.]
With the long-awaited reward finally in hand, Yu Miaohua couldn’t suppress a radiant smile.
Pei Lingyue and the other officials who had been closely watching her collectively exhaled in relief—success at last! The snowstorm two years hence was now manageable!
Even the Duke of Pinghuai couldn’t resist grinning broadly, baring his front teeth—worth taking that deliberate fall earlier.
Others, noticing his glee, exchanged puzzled glances: Had the Duke lost his wits from the fall? He hadn’t even made the top ten—why so thrilled?
Yu Miaoping also made her family proud, securing second place.
Her prize was a Ferghana horse—though she’d have to wait two years to receive it.
Yu Miaohua knew the reason: Her own mission reward of a thousand Ferghana horses had already been brought back, likely including pregnant mares that might’ve already foaled.
Her sister’s prize was probably one of those foals.
Before the results were announced, the Emperor hadn’t disclosed the prizes. Yu Miaoping was just as surprised.
At the sight of her reward, her eyes widened—a Ferghana horse! An actual Ferghana horse!
She wrestled with herself briefly before declaring, "Sister, this prize is yours. I promised I’d give it to you."
Even if it meant missing out this time, she’d strive to earn another through her own efforts later.
Watching her sister’s reluctant but determined sacrifice, Yu Miaohua chuckled. "No need. Keep this for yourself."
"But I can’t go back on my word. It’s decided—don’t try to change my mind."
Her sister had always been so good to her; this was the least she could offer in return.
Yu Miaohua already had Xue Luo, a horse prone to jealousy—it sulked whenever she fed other steeds. Adding another would surely send it into a rage.
Still, this was her sister’s heartfelt gesture.
After some thought, Yu Miaohua settled on a plan: If, in two years, Yu Miaoping still aspired to be a general, she’d return the Ferghana horse to her then.
Seeing her sister relent, Yu Miaoping felt both wistful and delighted.
As for the third to tenth placers, Yu Miaohua didn’t know them well, but their joy as they received their rewards lifted her spirits too.
The hunt’s outcome left many dumbfounded. Favored contenders had faltered, while the Yu sisters—Yu Miaohua in first, Yu Miaoping in second—stole the spotlight, earning praise as women who rivaled men in prowess.
Within days of their return to the capital, word spread through every street and alley.
From the drugged black bear’s attack to the heaven-sent lightning strike—even storytellers wouldn’t dare spin such tales!
Fu Congbai and his co-conspirators became infamous overnight.
The public mocked their schemes as futile against divine will—their preparations had unwittingly blessed the goddess instead.
As for the Liang Kingdom, already disliked by Great Qi’s people, the revelation of their involvement in the bear incident sparked outright fury.
Those damned Liang scum, daring to harm the goddess! They must pay!
Amid public outcry, court officials debated fiercely.
After the hunt, the Emperor had imprisoned Liang’s Princess Chu Yunxia in the dungeons, seemingly awaiting Liang’s response.
His motives puzzled many ministers.
Lu Lingyun, however, had an inkling: The Emperor had finally secured a righteous casus belli, with the people’s fervor behind him—he wouldn’t let this chance slip.
Not all officials favored war, though, and arguments raged.
Some insisted the Liang princess might’ve acted alone out of jealousy—no reason to escalate to war over one woman’s scheme.
Others countered that harming Consort Hui, Great Qi’s pride, was an affront to the nation itself. Leniency would invite disrespect; a brutal example was necessary.
Then Chai Xiu delivered a pivotal report.
"Your Majesty, Princess Chu Yunxia has confessed. The Liang Witch-God ordered them to harm Consort Hui and obtain her blood or hair—intending to curse her into an eternal slumber."
Opposition crumbled. The Witch-God’s status in Liang rivaled their emperor’s. If the princess couldn’t represent Liang, the Witch-God certainly could. This was an assault on Great Qi’s very destiny.
Pei Lingyue commanded Lu Lingyun to lead fifty thousand troops to Shancheng—the border between Great Qi and Liang.
After court, the Emperor summoned Lu Lingyun privately, instructing him to bring black powder for "a small surprise" to humble Liang.
Lu Lingyun accepted promptly. "Your Majesty need only await good news."
Pei Lingyue posed a final question: "If, after seizing a few cities, the Liang emperor surrenders, offering land for peace—what then?"
Lu Lingyun declared without hesitation, "The people of Liang are cunning beyond measure. This is undoubtedly their ploy to buy time. Unless they surrender and pledge allegiance, declaring Liang as territory of Great Qi, I shall not halt my advance. I am willing to fight for Great Qi until my last breath."
He was no longer young, and barring unforeseen circumstances, this would likely be his final campaign. His ambition was to expand Great Qi's borders even further.
Pei Lingyue was pleased.
What ruler wouldn’t desire to expand their domain? At last, he saw the dawn of hope.
......
In the imperial prison.
Chu Yunxia leaned weakly against the cold wall in the corner, her mind adrift in despair.
After her imprisonment, envoys from Liang had secretly delivered a message, urging her to shoulder all blame—to publicly claim she had acted out of jealousy and ambition to win favor. They promised to fake her death and devise a way to rescue her.
At first, she obeyed. Then, the people of Great Qi locked her in a pitch-black chamber.
The room was devoid of light, terrifyingly silent. Time lost all meaning within those walls. She had no idea how long she had been trapped. No matter how she wept or raged, no one answered. Food arrived at irregular intervals, leaving her unable to even count the passing days.
Just as she teetered on the brink of madness, she finally overheard voices.
The guards were discussing her fate—how spring had arrived, and the Emperor had decreed her execution by waist-cutting. Many citizens of the capital were eagerly paying for prime viewing spots to witness the spectacle.
They whispered that Liang had sent treasures in apology, and her own father had written a scathing letter denouncing her as a jealous, venomous wretch unworthy of her royal title, stripping her name from the imperial lineage.
Her birth mother, condemned by association, had been forced to drink poisoned wine. Her siblings had perished without graves.
The Witch-God himself had performed rites to scatter their souls, ensuring they would never find peace in the afterlife.
Liang would also erect temples in honor of Yu Miaohua, praying for her blessings across the land.
Chu Yunxia seethed with hatred. Why must only she and her kin suffer such a fate?
She had believed they would save her. It was all a lie.
With a frail voice, she summoned the guards. She had a new confession—the Witch-God had commanded her to harm Consort Hui!
If she could not live, then all of Liang would burn with her.
Had they not fed her false hope, had they not sent her as a peace bride, how could she have fallen this far?
......
News of the morning court swiftly reached Yu Miaohua.
She had been selecting jewelry for the New Year’s banquet when word came—Great Qi was marching to war against Liang. The shock sent her bracelet clattering to the floor.
Was Great Qi truly going to attack Liang?
Because Liang had tried to kill her?
[Ahhh, it’s really happening!!]
[Oh my god, we weren’t even going for the "beauty topples kingdoms" route! "In the north lives a peerless maiden, whose smile fells cities, whose laughter topples nations. Would you not know—cities and nations may fall, but never again shall such a maiden be found."] [Note 1]
The system was so exhilarated it even serenaded her with a parody of the classic "Beauty Topples Cities and Kingdoms," leaving Yu Miaohua utterly dumbfounded.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the legendary hidden quest "Toppling Cities and Kingdoms." Reward: three Life-Extending Pills, three Antidote Pills, three Vitality Tonics, three Beauty Enhancers, three Safe-Delivery Pills, three bottles of Luck Elixir, three Truth Serums, three jars of Black Jade Bone Salve.]
Holy—! Yu Miaohua, still reeling, was nearly bowled over by the sheer bounty.
So... so much!! Truly a legendary-tier reward, enough to make anyone drool.
Good heavens, she was about to strike it rich!
[Sniffles, energy levels sufficient for upgrade. Off to upgrade now, see you soon, bye~]
Note 1: An online meme riffing on the "toppling cities and kingdoms" trope, referenced here.
Hehe, time for another upgrade!
