Madam Shangguan was stunned, looking at the adorable and auspicious little celestial child in her dream, who resembled a New Year's painting. She heard the celestial child call her name, and then mention her young daughter.
Madam Shangguan almost wanted to call her husband, Shangguan Ming, into the dream to listen together. There really was a celestial child!
"Wise celestial child, my young daughter is indeed on the list of Imperial Concubine Candidates for the next selection," Madam Shangguan said anxiously. "Is there something wrong? This humble servant kneels and begs for your guidance!"
Xiao Chuchu, who had entered Madam Shangguan's dream, smiled slightly. "It seems you're already aware of the danger."
Madam Shangguan was startled, her admiration growing. "The celestial child is truly impressive!"
Indeed, she had previously been reluctant to let her young daughter participate in the selection.
This time, the Yuan King had insisted on attacking Jing, resulting in a crushing defeat. It was highly likely that he would issue an edict of self-blame for this matter. If so, holding an extravagant selection of concubines would be inappropriate.
Recently, Madam Shangguan had watched her husband, Shangguan Ming, struggle with the aftermath of the military defeat. Secretly, she felt somewhat relieved, praying to gods and Buddhas in hopes that this year's selection would be canceled.
Then her young daughter wouldn't have to participate in the selection!
Madam Shangguan didn't know why she felt this way, perhaps because the Yuan King had already had four Empresses.
A Yuan King who had lost three Empresses seemed destined to bring misfortune to his wives!
Who knew if the Yuan King would bring misfortune to her daughter? Madam Shangguan felt that no amount of glory and riches was worth risking her daughter's well-being.
"This humble servant indeed does not want her young daughter to participate in the selection. I do not wish for her to enter the palace. I implore the celestial child to show me a clear path!" Madam Shangguan immediately knelt before Xiao Chuchu's five-year-old dream form.
Xiao Chuchu smiled gently. "It's not that you have no options; you simply lack the courage to take a desperate gamble."
Hearing this, Madam Shangguan's whole body trembled.
As expected of a celestial child, even this was known!
She could indeed have her daughter feign illness to avoid the selection, but if the Yuan King discovered the ruse, it would be a grave offense.
Madam Shangguan dared not take the risk, and she didn't know how to convince her husband, Shangguan Ming.
So the celestial child was absolutely right—it wasn't that she had no options, but that she lacked sufficient resolve!
Xiao Chuchu nodded, then waved her sleeve.
Madam Shangguan soon found herself alone in the imperial palace, seemingly in the quarters of the palace ladies.
Before long, as Madam Shangguan was still confused, she witnessed a shocking scene!
She saw the first Empress from several years ago, shortly after the Yuan King had ascended to the throne. This poor child, who had long since passed away from illness, appeared in her dream.
Madam Shangguan was stunned, hesitating whether to pay respects to the 'Former Empress' when she was frightened by what she saw next.
The Yuan King was also in the room.
Dressed in his inner robes, he turned, his expression calm, yet he reached out and directly grasped the Former Empress's neck as she lay on the bed!
Madam Shangguan covered her mouth in terror, stumbling back half a step.
"I don't want to kill you, but you know my secret!"
"It's all your fault—you're the Empress, yet you're useless, unable to provide me with heirs. You deserve to die!"
In the dream, the Yuan King, much younger than he was now, spoke with a cold and vicious voice.
Madam Shangguan was shocked, watching the suffocating Empress struggle on the bed. Her whole body shook, cold sweat pouring down her face.
But in the blink of an eye, just as she was too terrified to breathe, the scene before her vanished.
The adorable and exquisite celestial child appeared before her again. "Madam, do you now have the courage to resist?"
Madam Shangguan was deeply shaken. Looking at the celestial child again, her eyes filled with tears.
A warning.
This was the celestial child entering her dream to warn her!
If her young daughter participated in the selection and was chosen by the Yuan King, she might face a future like the Former Empress—dying an unclear and pitiful death, with no way to seek justice!
Madam Shangguan's teeth chattered uncontrollably. The Yuan King had lost three Empresses, and they were likely all victims.
Her maternal instinct was strong—her young daughter must not enter the palace!
Even if this year's selection was postponed for a year, her daughter must not participate!
"This humble servant kneels in gratitude for the celestial child's guidance. Starting tomorrow, I am willing to fast and pray to Buddha in appreciation. For your great kindness and virtue, this servant is willing to offer incense and oil in this life and the next, to repay you for generations to come!"
Madam Shangguan was about to kowtow to the celestial child in her dream.
But just as she began to bow, a mysterious force lifted her arms.
"There's no need."
"I entered your dream not to seek repayment. But know that the power of women should not be underestimated. You should unite and help the Yuan Dynasty welcome a truly enlightened ruler."
"Let the evil Yuan King receive his just deserts."
The adorable and exquisite celestial child reached out and tapped Madam Shangguan's brow. "Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed. Repay me with your actions."
Madam Shangguan suddenly felt filled with strength!
Not only was she unafraid of knowing heaven's secrets, but she felt honored that the celestial child was willing to guide her and let her contribute.
She wasn't lacking in wisdom as her husband, Shangguan Ming, had claimed!
"Celestial child, rest assured, I will definitely succeed!" Madam Shangguan said excitedly.
Amidst the ethereal sound of an ancient zither, the celestial child's figure gradually blurred in the mist and clouds.
"This humble servant bids farewell to the celestial child!" Madam Shangguan called out loudly, so excited that she instantly woke up!
Her shout woke up Shangguan Ming, who was sleeping beside her.
"Why are you shouting in your sleep? What's all the fuss about?" Shangguan Ming had just woken up and hadn't clearly heard his wife's words. He was still frustrated that he had slept half the night without dreaming of new guidance from the celestial child.
"If you hadn't woken me up, I might have dreamed of the celestial child again, sigh."
Madam Shangguan had intended to tell him about her dream of the celestial child, but hearing this, she became angry. "You lack wisdom yourself, yet you blame me."
"The celestial child doesn't seek you out because you're foolish. She must have given you a task that you failed to complete. She's very disappointed in you, so she won't come to you anymore."
Shangguan Ming was stunned and a bit guilty. "What do you know?"
"I may not know much! But the celestial child gave me guidance tonight and told me to take action!" Madam Shangguan proudly raised her head, no longer sleepy. She immediately got up and put on her clothes.
"I need to plan carefully how to carry out the celestial child's instructions."
"???"
"!"
Shangguan Ming was shocked. "What? The celestial child came to you too? Is that true? What did she ask you to do?"
How could this be?
How did it change to entering his wife's dream?
"What else could it be? Of course it's because you men can't be relied upon!"
"That's why the celestial child came to me."
Shangguan Ming: "!"
No, carrying out heaven's will was clearly a man's job. What could women do?
But no matter what he thought, Madam Shangguan left early the next morning.
Several wives of first-rank officials gathered at the home of the Prefect of the Capital City's wife.
Before long, Madam Shangguan dismissed the servants and gave the group a knowing look.
"Do you remember the death of the Minister of War's daughter, the Former Empress?"
"!"
As soon as this topic came up, five or six of the ladies present had changing expressions, while most looked confused.
Madam Shangguan couldn't help but look at those with unusual expressions. "Isn't our Ping also on the list for this selection of Imperial Concubine Candidates?"
"I went to offer incense yesterday, praying for Buddha to bless Ping."
"And guess what? The incense broke, and the fire wouldn't even light."
"!!!"
Madam Shangguan was clearly experienced in these gatherings of ladies and knew best what everyone liked to hear. She immediately captured the attention of all present.
Then she dropped the bombshell, "I donated a hundred taels for oil money, and that night, I dreamed of a celestial child."
"!"
"She told me that the Former Empress's death was suspicious. Participating in the selection would bring great misfortune."
"!!!"
All the ladies' expressions changed.
[Oh my, the system says I've recruited Xue Li, Madam Shangguan, as an elite.]
[Her personal skill is a silver tongue.]
[She can make listeners believe deeply, and there's a certain chance of uncovering new gossip.]
Xiao Chuchu, separated by mountains and rivers spanning two countries, watched the scene of gossip unfolding around Madam Shangguan.
Before long, she raised her little neck.
[Wow, could it be that Madam Shangguan has uncovered evidence of the Yuan King killing the Empress?]