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!Th.ê most uptod/ate novels a/re published on n(0)velbj)n(.)c/o/m
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.
"???"
"!"
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?]