If it had been Pei Chiyan, Pei Yuheng, or Shen Sushang instead of Pei Yuesheng, Yu Miaohua wouldn’t have been so shocked. After all, those three were her targets for the mission, and she often interacted with them—so their relationship couldn’t be called entirely innocent. At the very least, Pei Yuheng’s feelings for her were far from pure.
But Pei Yuesheng?
Rather than anger, Yu Miaohua felt more absurdity and amusement.
[I never thought my second scandal would involve Yuesheng.]
[The Crown Prince and Shen Sushang are slacking—how did they not even make it to scandal status?]
The system’s tone was practically dripping with exasperation, and it decided to side with Pei Yuheng for a few seconds.
Yu Miaohua compared the options…
[Then I’d rather have Yuesheng as my scandal partner.]
The ministers, who had been speechless moments ago, looked up at Yu Miaohua’s words and immediately spiraled into chaos.
Jiang Kangyou and the others were used to this, but the officials who had just had their worldview shattered today felt their hearts leap into their throats.
What? Since when were the Crown Prince and Shen Sushang involved?
Yu Miaohua’s father, Yu Weixu, clutched his chest—was his daughter really this bold?
He suddenly remembered Yaning once mentioning that the Crown Prince had accompanied Miaohua to her birthday banquet. Back then, he had simply marveled at how close the Empress and his daughter were. Only now did he realize how strange that had been.
The recollection sent a cold sweat down his spine.
His gaze shifted to the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress, who had apparently known about this for a long time. Their expressions were eerily calm, as if none of this surprised them. The Empress Dowager, in particular, looked doting and indulgent, as if thinking, Our child just loves to joke around.
Yu Weixu was even more bewildered—was it really so commonplace for a consort and the Crown Prince to be embroiled in scandal?
Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one stunned. A few of his colleagues were equally wide-eyed, which gave him some twisted comfort.
Given how often Yu Miaohua spouted such outrageous remarks—and was even granted the title of Noble Consort—Yu Weixu gained a deeper understanding of his daughter’s standing in the palace.
The hall fell into an eerie silence.
This was not the reaction Princess Consort Zhuang had hoped for.
She wanted to see everyone scorn them, to watch Noble Consort Yu and Pei Yuesheng abandoned by all.
Through gritted teeth, she hissed, "Your Majesty, did you not hear? Do you think Noble Consort Yu treats Pei Yuesheng so well out of kindness? She’s broken so many rules for her, kept her in the palace for so long—do you really believe it’s for nothing?"
"Because Miaohua is kind-hearted," the Empress said with a smile, though her words were sharp as knives. "Of course, someone as malicious as you would never understand that there are people in this world who help others without expecting anything in return."
Yu Miaohua blushed at the Empress’s praise.
Truthfully, she had kept Pei Yuesheng partly out of sympathy and partly for the mission—she wasn’t as noble as the Empress made her out to be.
Princess Consort Zhuang hadn’t expected the Empress to be the first to defend Yu Miaohua—and even insult her in the process.
Fuming, she spat, "How virtuous of you, Sister-in-Law. I wonder if you’ll regret speaking up for her when you’re deposed one day."
The Empress sighed, sounding almost bored. "You people always say the same things. Can’t you at least be creative?"
If they weren’t tired of repeating themselves, she was certainly tired of hearing it.
Yu Miaohua scowled. "Her Majesty’s position is unshakable—no need for you to worry. Do you think the Emperor is as gullible, cruel, selfish, and tyrannical as Prince Zhuang? His Majesty is wise and mighty—why would he ever depose the Empress?"
Pei Lingyue: "…"
If making Yu Miaohua Empress could ensure Great Qi a century of prosperity, he might actually consider it.
But judging by her reaction, that was nothing more than a pipe dream. He suspected that if he ever tried to depose the Empress, she wouldn’t even be the one protesting—Yu Miaohua would be the first to lose her temper.
[Princess Consort Zhuang slanders you, and you stay silent. She insults the Empress, and you immediately go on the offensive. The Empress is clearly your true love! I ship it!]
[Host, are you really criticizing Prince Zhuang, and not the late Emperor?] After fangirling, the system got back to business.
[Of course, I’m reminding everyone to learn from the late Emperor’s mistakes and not repeat them.]
Yu Miaohua hastily "clarified," afraid people might miss her veiled jab. "I’m talking about Prince Zhuang, not the late Emperor. Don’t tarnish his reputation by projecting onto him. The late Emperor was not that kind of tyrant."
She wore an expression of utmost righteousness, as if defending the late Emperor’s honor.
But everyone knew she was insulting him.
Even the more oblivious attendees caught on after her "reminder."
To mock the late Emperor in the ancestral temple—Noble Consort Yu’s audacity knew no bounds. If the late Emperor hadn’t reincarnated yet, he’d probably be rolling in his coffin.
The Empress Dowager nearly laughed out loud—Miaohua was truly the most considerate young woman in her life. Who else would stand up for her like this?
Left Censor Lv Wanjiang’s emotions were complicated.
From Noble Consort Yu’s inner monologue, her relationship with the Empress was genuinely harmonious, not just for show.
Most people, blessed with such status and divine favor, would grow arrogant and covetous.
But Noble Consort Yu never coveted what wasn’t hers—her mindset was almost saintly in that regard.
She was flawless in every way… except for her blatant disrespect toward the late Emperor. (Though, to be fair, the late Emperor had been a terrible ruler.)
Lv Wanjiang glanced at the Emperor, whose lips were twitching with suppressed amusement, and decided to pretend he saw nothing.
If the late Emperor’s own son didn’t care about someone insulting his father, why should he intervene?
Pei Jiamao, the second son of Prince Zhuang’s household, gaped. "Noble Consort Yu, how dare you slander our late grandfather!"
Princess Consort Zhuang nearly coughed up blood—how had she given birth to such an idiot? He was practically jumping into the trap himself. As much as she loathed Pei Yueli and her sister’s cunning, she’d gladly trade her son’s brain for Pei Yueli’s in a heartbeat.
Pei Chiyan frowned slightly. "When did Noble Consort Yu slander the late Emperor? She was clearly referring to Prince Zhuang the entire time. Don’t twist her words."
He sighed deeply, his expression tinged with sorrow. "Father often reminisces about the late Emperor’s wisdom and valor in front of me. I’ve always envied him and Uncle for having the chance to learn from the late Emperor in their youth—I wish I’d been born earlier to experience it myself. I assumed my cousin felt the same, but it seems you consider the late Emperor a heartless, unjust ruler. Did Uncle say something to give you that impression?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Pei Jiamao’s face flushed crimson.
If he admitted his father’s influence, Prince Zhuang’s household would be in even deeper trouble.
If admitting fault would only bring additional punishment with no difference in outcome, then there was no point in doing so.
Yu Miaohua silently gave the Crown Prince some credit in her heart. Now this was what she called the art of persuasion—this was how you subtly influenced someone.
Pei Lingyue calmly issued his decree, "Pei Jiamao has maliciously slandered the late Emperor, showing not an ounce of respect. Drag him out and give him fifty strokes of the rod."
Pei Jiamao was hauled away, and soon the sound of the rod striking flesh mixed with his agonized wails echoed from outside.
Princess Consort Zhuang felt as if her heart were being torn apart.
The one who had truly insulted the late Emperor was now surrounded by supporters, while the one who had defended him was being beaten. Was there no justice left in this world?
Justice…
Recalling the terrifying experience of being flung into the air earlier, Princess Consort Zhuang’s face grew even paler.
Even the heavens seemed to be on Yu Miaohua’s side.
She had thought that exposing the affair between the Imperial Noble Consort and Pei Yuesheng would drag them down, but things had turned out completely opposite to her expectations. Where had she gone wrong?
Lost in her grief and indignation, she suddenly heard Pei Yuesheng’s voice.
"The Imperial Noble Consort treats me like her own sister. Her kindness, in your eyes, is nothing but ulterior motives. It seems a dirty mind sees filth everywhere."
Princess Consort Zhuang glared at her hatefully. Now that she had fallen from grace, even Pei Yuesheng dared to insult her openly.
Pei Yuesheng continued, "Did you really think I didn’t know why you sent me and Liuwan into the palace? You wanted to use a honey trap to win the Imperial Noble Consort over to your side. But she saw through your scheme from the start. She was merely playing along with your charade."
"From beginning to end, you were nothing but a ridiculous clown."
Better to expose Princess Consort Zhuang’s slander herself than let her spread those lies about the Imperial Noble Consort.
Princess Consort Zhuang’s face turned ashen. Had even those four maids defected long ago?
No wonder they had never sent back any truly useful intelligence.
She had thought Pei Yuesheng was as stupid as a pig, but it turned out she had misjudged her.
Meanwhile, Yu Miaohua, whom Pei Yuesheng had praised as "seeing through everything," was utterly stunned.
[What? I thought Princess Consort Zhuang sent them into the palace as spies, but it was actually a honey trap?]
[So when Liuwan kept trying to get close to me, she was trying to seduce me? What the hell! What kind of image does Princess Consort Zhuang have of me? Does she really think I like women?]
Yu Miaohua’s mind was in turmoil. Who said ancient people were rigid? Their ideas and methods were far too flexible.
[So Host, you’d better protect yourself. From now on, beware of seduction by women.]
[...The world is so treacherous!]
Seriously, who could have guessed? Now she had to guard against not just handsome men’s schemes, but beautiful women’s too.
As usual, the system was biased—it encouraged handsome men’s advances since they brought energy gains, but rejected women’s.
Pei Lingyue found it rather regrettable. The divine spirit’s thinking was still not flexible enough in this regard.
His gaze fell on Princess Consort Zhuang, whose face was twisted with resentment. "Take them all away."
As the Zhuang household was escorted out, the Imperial Ancestral Temple fell into silence once more.
[Host, are we still doing the Ancestral Temple gift today?]
Originally, Yu Miaohua had planned to place the rewards she’d recently received in the temple. But who could have predicted how things would unfold?
Hearing the system’s question, she was speechless.
[Does this look like the right atmosphere for that? The Ancestral Temple has been defiled!]
It no longer deserved her pristine rewards. She might as well just materialize them by her pillow instead.
At first, with Yu Miaohua not mentioning it and everyone distracted by the Zhuang household’s drama, they could ignore the presence of the vomit.
But now…
Pei Lingyue felt unbearably uncomfortable. He couldn’t stand this wretched place a moment longer. Clearing his throat, he announced, "All of you, accompany Us back to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to pay respects to the Imperial Noble Consort."
This step hadn’t been completed before the "dragon’s tail swing" interrupted earlier.
Upon hearing this, the ministers and noble ladies brightened visibly. Finally, they could leave this place.
In the past, entering the Imperial Ancestral Temple would have been considered an honor. But now…
The mere thought of the temple brought back vivid memories of Prince Zhuang and his consort vomiting.
The temple was grand, but perhaps it was best not to return. Such excitement was best experienced only once.
Everyone hurried out, while the Empress ordered the palace servants to clean up the mess.
By the time the officials and noble ladies finished their ceremonial bows, it was already late at night.
There was no banquet, but the Emperor, in his consideration for the officials and noblewomen, had the imperial kitchen prepare midnight snacks.
Worried that her mother and sister might be too exhausted, Yu Miaohua had them stay overnight in her Guanju Palace, allowing them to rest before returning home the next day.
As for her father… well, he’d just have to endure the trip back alone.
Her investiture ceremony had taken place just a couple of days before the New Year’s banquet.
Only after the New Year’s banquet could Yu Miaohua finally get some proper rest.
The events at Yu Miaohua’s investiture spread like wildfire through the capital. Stories filled with twists, turns, and supernatural elements were always the people’s favorite, and gossip ran rampant. Teahouses and taverns were packed to the brim.
"Prince Zhuang and his consort were really swept into the sky by the wind?"
"Absolutely true! The third young master of the Shen family saw it with his own eyes when he entered the palace with his father."
"To conspire with Daliang for the throne, trying to bury our armies on the battlefield—how wicked! No wonder the late Emperor’s spirit was so furious his memorial tablet split."
"It really split? My great-great-grandfather’s tablet has been standing for decades without a crack."
"Rumor has it Prince Zhuang skimped on silver and used shoddy wood for the tablets."
"What a disgraceful lack of filial piety!"
After discussing the Zhuang household, the conversation shifted to Yu Miaohua.
"So, does the Imperial Noble Consort really like women?"
"Slander! That’s just Princess Consort Zhuang’s malicious slander!"
"What a shame. If the Imperial Noble Consort did prefer women, I’d gladly serve her."
"Honestly, her side would be the better choice. She’s pure and kind-hearted. Rather than marrying a man and slaving for his whole family, why not serve the Imperial Noble Consort?"
"If only the Emperor would hold a selection for her. As a divine maiden, she ought to have attendants."
"..."
Pei Yuesheng overheard these discussions and laughed heartily. When she next entered the palace, she recounted them to Yu Miaohua as a joke.
Yu Miaohua was at a loss for words.
She thought she was bold, but the common folk’s wild imaginations surpassed even hers—they actually wanted to hold a selection for her!
Was this even reasonable?
"If Her Highness had to choose from the palace, who would you pick?" Pei Yuesheng asked curiously.
Now adopted into the household of Prince Zhao, Pei Yuesheng had shed the gloom in her eyes. Thanks to her and her sister, the Zhao household had gained an additional noble title, and the family treated them well. She now carried the natural liveliness of a young girl, no longer forcing a facade of naive cheerfulness.
Yu Miaohua thought for a moment. "Sisters are fine, but romantic partners? No thanks."
She really wasn’t into women.
Damn that Princess Consort Zhuang, ruining her reputation!
"Choose what?"
Pei Lingyue's voice rang out, and judging by his light footsteps, he was clearly in quite a cheerful mood.
Indeed, Pei Lingyue was feeling rather pleased. The palace servants had cleaned the ancestral temple spotless the night before, and naturally, the late emperor’s memorial tablet had been tidied up as well.
Pei Lingyue decided to feign ignorance about the tablet and not have a new one made. That way, he wouldn’t have to bow to the late emperor every time he visited the temple for worship—what a nuisance.
Yu Miaohua glanced at Hong Xing beside her. Even if she didn’t say anything, the Emperor had plenty of ways to find out.
So she said, "It’s just some idle gossip among the common folk."
She casually mentioned a few lines, downplaying the matter.
Things like selecting consorts for her? It sounded like pure fantasy—there was no way the Emperor would take it seriously.
However, as Pei Lingyue listened, his expression gradually grew solemn.
Yu Miaohua, who had been smiling, tensed up at his change in demeanor.
[Oh no, System! Does the Emperor think I’m coveting his throne?]
[Host, calm down! If anything, he’d sooner suspect you’re after his empress or the dowager empress!]
[...]
Pei Lingyue’s lips twitched.
Rather than spouting nonsense, the gods might as well actually issue a relevant mission.
He cleared his throat and said gravely, "I was just reminded of something. Last night, I dreamed of the late emperor..."
Yu Miaohua put on an attentive expression. She was curious to hear what the Emperor would fabricate this time under the guise of the late emperor’s will.
"The late emperor said that as the Divine Maiden of Great Qi, you shouldn’t be bound by trivial mortal conventions."
Yu Miaohua quite liked that. The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Pei Lingyue continued, "In the dream, the late emperor scolded me for neglecting you—for failing to select a few Divine Consorts to attend to you."
Pei Lingyue saw this as an excellent opportunity to lay the groundwork, so he decided to go all in.
Yu Miaohua’s smile froze. Divine Consorts? Was the Emperor serious?
[Holy crap, holy crap! The Emperor’s actually on board with this? Host, go for it! Ugh, the Emperor’s just too good to us.]
[Ahhh, pick three thousand Divine Consorts! If other emperors get harems, our host deserves one too!]
[This must be what they call boundless love. Sometimes love means letting go, ending eternity for the sake of love~]
The system excitedly played a BGM in the background.
Yu Miaohua weakly protested, "Your Majesty, this isn’t funny."
"I’ve given it much thought and believe the late emperor’s words hold merit. As his son, I can’t defy his decree. After my coronation, my first consort selection brought twelve concubines into the palace. To avoid overshadowing me, you may have nine."
Yu Miaohua screamed internally.
[Ahhh, help! The Emperor’s lost his mind!!]
