After speaking with them, Yu Miaohua felt as though a layer of restraint had been lifted from her, leaving her refreshed and invigorated.
With the addition of the Crown Prince and two others, the current roster now held thirty-three names. The ministers continued their thorough investigations into these candidates.
Yu Miaohua heard from Yuan Huirou that they planned to narrow the selection down to no more than sixteen, after which Yu Miaohua herself would personally choose nine.
Her emotions were complicated—was she really expected to pick nine?
Yuan Huirou, however, was brimming with enthusiasm. "You can start thinking of tests for them," she said.
"If you can't come up with any ideas, we can help brainstorm. For example, you could choose someone who can pull a carriage with their tongue..."
The gleam in Yuan Huirou's eyes told Yu Miaohua that this was definitely not a good suggestion.
Pulling a carriage with one's tongue? What kind of nonsense was that?
[That’s a great idea! If someone can pull a carriage with their tongue, it means their tongue is strong. Hehehe!]
The system suddenly chimed in, its laughter sounding particularly wicked.
Yu Miaohua had a bad feeling and decided not to ask what exactly the system found so amusing.
After some thought, she came up with her own criteria.
Aside from the three key targets—Pei Chiyan, Pei Yuheng, and Shen Sushang—she would also select a few handsome candidates, as well as some skilled storytellers.
Speaking of which, she had always been fond of the works of a certain storyteller known as "Plum Blossom Hermit," but for the past six months, no new writings had appeared.
Every time she visited the library, she checked for new works, only to be disappointed.
Because of her frequent visits to read stories, the ministers were well aware of her preference. Some even wrote tales specifically to place on the shelves she frequented. Yet none of them, in Yu Miaohua’s opinion, could compare to the Plum Blossom Hermit.
The nickname came from the small plum blossom seal stamped on the final page of each of the storyteller’s works.
Yu Miaohua told Yuan Huirou, "Alright, I have my own ideas. Don’t make things more complicated."
She had come to realize that these people were just here for the spectacle, and even Miaoping was more reliable than them.
Miaoping’s two subordinates, Chunlan and Xiahe, were sisters with a real talent for gathering information. They had even uncovered that one of the candidates had a child bride back in his hometown. Yu Miaohua passed this information to the Emperor, and the man was promptly removed from the list—stripped of his status for attempting to deceive the court.
Originally, the Emperor had considered arranging a marriage between the man and his child bride, but Yu Miaohua worried he might take his anger out on her. Instead, she sent someone to his hometown to assist the woman if she wished to establish her own household.
News of the Divine Consort selection had spread not only throughout Great Qi but also to neighboring nations. While other countries remained indifferent, the grasslands and Daliang were the first to stir.
The Emperor of Daliang had surrendered to Great Qi in February and now resided in the capital, granted the title of Duke of Annan.
Daliang’s swift defeat and the staggering casualty ratio had left neighboring nations in awe, prompting them to adopt a more conciliatory tone. The grasslands, in particular, sent ten thousand head of cattle and horses as a gesture of goodwill, reaffirming their alliance.
The grassland envoy declared righteously, "The grasslands and Great Qi are brothers of one heart and mind. How can the selection of the Divine Consort exclude us?"
Many of their heroes were eager to serve the Divine Maiden.
Daliang echoed the sentiment, though their stance was even more assertive—after all, Daliang was now part of Great Qi.
The ministers debated fiercely over whether to allow their participation.
Before they could reach a decision, the grasslands had already chosen their candidates and set off for the capital. Their envoys were of high status, each bringing a dowry of a thousand fine horses—a clear display of their eagerness.
A small faction that had previously opposed the inclusion of Pei Chiyan and Pei Yuheng now panicked upon hearing that the grasslands had sent three of their princes. They prayed fervently that the Divine Maiden would choose the Crown Prince and not the "scheming grassland men," convinced that their enthusiasm hid ulterior motives.
Yu Miaohua learned that among the three grassland princes was an old acquaintance—the fifth prince, Ceren.
Unbidden, the image of him half-naked in a pool flashed through her mind.
Ahem. She couldn’t be blamed—the system kept inviting her to watch clips of Ceren soaking wet, insisting that someone of her status deserved such "delicacies."
How could she refuse? After so many viewings, just hearing his name made her cheeks flush.
"If you’re unwilling, I can reject the grasslands’ proposal," Pei Lingyue said, personally coming to discuss the matter with her.
As for Daliang, a refusal was simple—there were already enough candidates.
[Based on current data analysis, unification is the inevitable future. Whether it’s Great Qi or the grasslands, all will one day be united. As the Divine Maiden, you must not show favoritism—give the grasslands a chance. Host has triggered Main Quest 6.3: Appoint a grassland candidate as Divine Consort. Reward: One year of favorable weather for both the grasslands and Great Qi.]
[Ahhh! My Prince Ceren, go for it!]
With the new quest activated, the system switched sides, cheering for the grasslands. After all, the targets in Great Qi had been too reserved—after a steady diet of bland fare, the system was eager for something more exciting.
Yu Miaohua was stunned.
Huh?
She really had to choose one?
Daliang’s absence from the system’s considerations was likely because they had already surrendered, automatically being grouped with Great Qi and thus receiving no special treatment.
A year of favorable weather… that was a reward too good to refuse.
Pei Lingyue had originally intended to subtly badmouth the "cunning grassland people" in front of Yu Miaohua—until he saw the new quest.
Well… as a wise and mighty emperor, who could resist such a reward?
Especially when the system had also hinted at Great Qi’s future unification of the world!
As for the possibility of the grasslands conquering Great Qi? That thought never crossed Pei Lingyue’s mind.
Preposterous. Great Qi possessed gunpowder—a devastating weapon—and its national power was only growing stronger. If they were still overtaken by the grasslands, future generations would be utterly useless.
Besides, the Divine Maiden was from Great Qi—proof that their nation was destined for greatness.
Thus, Pei Lingyue’s view of the grasslands underwent a complete reversal. They were future subjects of Great Qi—as emperor, he ought to be magnanimous.
He immediately changed his tone. "The grasslands have shown great sincerity this time. I believe we should give them a chance."
Yu Miaohua: "..."
Just moments ago, the Emperor had been ready to reject them, his expression clearly hoping she would agree. What had gone through his mind in those few seconds?
Pei Lingyue quickly added, "The horses they’ve brought could be useful for breeding."
Yu Miaohua suddenly understood and said, "Then let’s give them a chance."
Considering the new task just assigned, she wasn’t particularly inclined to refuse anyway.
As for Daliang, Yu Miaohua couldn’t even be bothered to mention it.
Compared to the grassland, the candidates Daliang had privately selected showed no sincerity at all. One of them was the grandson of the Duke of Annan—handsome, yes, but utterly useless otherwise, with at least seven or eight acknowledged children already.
How dare Daliang send such a person? Did they think she was a garbage disposal site?
Pei Lingyue also didn’t bring up Daliang. Instead, he eagerly summoned his trusted ministers.
The ministers had initially intended to oppose the idea, but after learning about the new task, they all fell silent.
A year of favorable weather—whoever refused would be a traitor to Great Qi. This deal was simply too good to pass up.
Especially when they considered that the grasslands might one day become part of Great Qi’s territory, they found the grassland envoys much more agreeable.
After the private meeting, these ministers changed their previously resistant stance during the court session and decided to grant the grassland three spots—whether they could win the Divine Maiden’s favor would depend on their own merits.
The other confused ministers: ???
Damn it! They realized they’d been quietly excluded by the Emperor and the Grand Tutor’s faction—these people always held secret meetings without them.
How could they become part of the inner circle?
One official cautiously approached Marquis Xuan, who seemed the most approachable.
Marquis Xuan pondered and said, "Perhaps one must have good character."
So far, those who could see the spirits had committed no major moral failings. Their governance was sound, earning at least an upper-tier evaluation every year. No wonder the Emperor was growing increasingly superstitious about this.
The inquiring official’s face darkened. Was he being subtly told his character wasn’t good enough?
...
The grassland envoys were overjoyed to learn they had secured three spots. Immediately afterward, they nearly came to blows among themselves fighting over those spots.
The Daliang delegation was furious at being excluded.
But when Great Qi presented a list of their candidates’ scandals, they had nothing to say.
For the Daliang royal family, they needed to send trustworthy men to win the Divine Maiden’s heart—only then could they hope for a resurgence.
Thus, their selections were all insiders, with striking looks capable of deploying charm offensives. This severely limited their options, and most had questionable morals.
Hearing rumors that Yu Miaohua had once been linked to Pei Yuesheng, they even prepared a backup plan: a retinue of beautiful maids as dowry. But now, they couldn’t even make the list, leaving them sighing in frustration.
In everyone’s eyes, since Great Qi had granted the grassland three spots, the ever-principled Divine Maiden would surely reserve at least one—maybe even all three—for them.
Adding the Crown Prince, Prince Feng’s heir, and Shen Sushang, they gloomily realized the competition had grown even fiercer.
How could they reduce the number of rivals?
They didn’t dare touch the grassland’s spots—any interference could spark diplomatic incidents.
The Crown Prince? Absolutely untouchable.
Prince Feng’s heir? Though the current Prince Feng held a lower rank, his family enjoyed the Emperor’s greater trust than ever. Another no-go.
That left Shen Sushang, who seemed the easiest target.
Shen Sushang’s father had died young, leaving only his elderly mother, Madam Gao.
So, some began introducing Madam Gao to potential brides—all noble ladies of outstanding lineage and beauty.
Madam Gao refused outright. "Sushang is on the list now. His marriage isn’t something I can decide."
A matchmaker who’d been bribed pressed, "Don’t you care about the Shen family’s legacy? Three generations of single heirs—will the line end with Sushang?"
Madam Gao thought to herself: I’m a Gao, not a Shen. That deadbeat husband treated me poorly. Why should I care if the Shen line continues? I’ve been generous enough not making Sushang take my surname.
Of course, she couldn’t say that aloud.
Instead, she replied, "I don’t understand these matters. A widow follows her son’s lead. I’ll listen to whatever he decides."
The matchmaker grew desperate. "Being chosen as a Divine Consort isn’t a good position. Think carefully!"
Madam Gao countered, "If it’s such a bad deal, why is everyone fighting for it? Even the grassland prince is rushing over with herds of fine horses as betrothal gifts."
Did they take her for a fool?
Anything this sought-after had to be valuable.
Her son making the list was an honor—she was bursting with pride!
The matchmaker, out of arguments, finally invoked the Crown Prince. "Sushang is young and naive, but you shouldn’t be. If he becomes the Crown Prince’s rival in love and actually wins, won’t you fear His Highness’s wrath in the future?"
Madam Gao didn’t grasp the politics, but she trusted that if this were harmful, her son’s mentor would have stopped him.
Surely the Crown Prince wasn’t that petty?
For matters beyond her understanding, she knew better than to interfere.
So she smiled. "If he can outshine the Crown Prince, that just proves how exceptional Sushang is! What an honor! I’ll buy fireworks and set them off for three whole days!"
