The golden light of the prize pool flashed across Yun Shu's face.
【Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Tide of All Things Set - Tail Fin Piece (7/8): Shark-Moon Illusion Tail.】
【Piece Description: After equipping, the legs will automatically transform into a flowing light shark tail, allowing movement in water at three times the speed of sound. As tail scales scatter, undersea earthquakes and turbid currents can all be pacified.】
【...】
【Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Tide of All Things Set - Pendant Piece (8/8): Tide Sound Shell Bell.】
【Piece Description: Suspended from the waist, celestial sounds of the tide will slowly flow as you walk.】
【...】
【Current Shock Value: 82,660,000】
Looking at her remaining Shock Value, Yun Shu thought about it and spent 14,600,000 Shock Value to upgrade the Tide of All Things Set from level 0 to max level, then clicked to draw again.
【Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Attracting Wealth and Treasure Set - Bracelet Piece (4/6): Tongbao Ruyi Bracelet.】
【Piece Description: Wearing this bracelet can turn a losing business into a profitable one (48-hour cooldown).】
【...】
【Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Dunhuang Flying Apsaras Set - Robe Piece (1/6): Scattering Flowers Brushing the Moon.】
【Piece Description: Light as a cicada's wing, thin as morning mist. When draped over the body, moonlight and starlight will automatically flow around you, condensing into a dazzling seven-colored halo.】
【...】
【Current Shock Value: 67,760,000】
Having indulged in another massive shopping spree to expand her wardrobe's outfits, Yun Shu finally closed the prize pool.
She turned to look at the little fox. “System, bring up the monitor on the Child Emperor's side. Let me see.”
The little fox sat cross-legged on the table in front of Yun Shu. It raised its fluffy paw and lightly tapped the air.
In the next second, the monitoring screen appeared before Yun Shu's eyes.
Inside the dimly lit cabin, an oil lamp flickered on the table, stretching and shortening their shadows.
The Child Emperor squatted in front of a low table, carefully picking up a bowl of medicinal soup, and turned toward the Marquis of Ningyuan and his daughter.
The rim of the bowl was hot to the touch, so he padded it with his sleeve, his other hand loosely cupping the bottom, terrified of spilling even half a drop.
Just moments ago, General Wang had forced him to take the drug, and the Marquis of Ningyuan and his daughter had fought another round with the soldiers.
The Marquis of Ningyuan leaned against the cabin wall with a sallow complexion. The wound on his shoulder had torn open, blood soaking through half his clothes.
Shen Ying was not doing any better. She was curled up on a straw mat on the other side, a strip of cloth wrapped around her temple.
After feeding half a bowl of medicine to each of them, the Child Emperor sat down beside them, his mind in a whirl.
Ultimately, the Marquis of Ningyuan and his daughter were dragged down by him. If they hadn't fought to protect him, a powerless Son of Heaven, they wouldn't have been severely injured by General Wang and his men.
At this moment, he was not only worried about their injuries but also filled with anxiety about his own future.
He dared not imagine what he would do if the Marquis of Ningyuan and his daughter could not survive the journey to Zhenbei Prefecture due to their severe wounds.
Putting himself in others' shoes, he was merely a mortal emperor. If anyone dared to arrogantly claim they wanted to marry him, he would consider it a humiliating insult—let alone proposing to a deity!
No wonder back in court, the moment the State Preceptor mentioned sending envoys to Zhenbei Prefecture to propose to the northern Divine Lady, Grand Tutor Xu Nan and the others immediately clamored to resign using all sorts of bizarre excuses, as if staying in office would cost them their lives.
Thinking about it now, wouldn't it indeed cost them their lives?
Knowing they would offend a deity, anyone would pack their bags overnight and run as far as possible.
“Your Majesty.”
The Marquis of Ningyuan's voice suddenly came from the side.
The Child Emperor turned his head to see that the Marquis of Ningyuan had sat up at some point, his back against the cabin wall, a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. He was clearly gritting his teeth and forcing himself to endure.
He hurriedly went over to help him lie down. “Beloved Official Shen, you are so heavily injured. Quickly lie down and rest, do not move around.”
The Marquis of Ningyuan looked ashamed. “It is this old official's uselessness that has forced Your Majesty to swallow your pride and beg a rebel like Wang Qun for medicine, even condescending to care for me and A'ying.”
The Child Emperor shook his head. “Beloved Official Shen, do not say such things. If not for you and Third Miss Shen risking your lives to save me, I would have died on that island long ago and would not be alive today.”
“Your Majesty, A'ying...” The Marquis of Ningyuan looked with concern at his sleeping younger daughter.
“Third Miss Shen is fine. I have already applied medicine to her head wound. She just needs to rest for a couple of days.”
Hearing this, the Marquis of Ningyuan withdrew his gaze from Shen Ying and looked at the Child Emperor. “Your Majesty, since you had General Wang escort you to Zhenbei Prefecture, do you have some plan?”
Recalling his imperial mother's instructions that no one else must know she was secretly helping him, the Child Emperor could only say vaguely, “Beloved Official Shen, I do not know whether this trip to Zhenbei Prefecture is a blessing or a curse. We can only take it one step at a time.”
At this point, a hint of envy appeared in his eyes as he looked at the Marquis of Ningyuan. The Marquis of Ningyuan had truly fathered two excellent sons. It was said that they were highly valued under the Divine Lady's command. Once the Marquis of Ningyuan arrived in Zhenbei Prefecture, he would likely be able to enjoy a life of ease.
Wait, on second thought, if he could establish some connection with the Marquis of Ningyuan, wouldn't he also be able to bask in their reflected glory?
Third Miss Shen did not care for him, so marrying into the family was out of the question. He could only bow to the Marquis of Ningyuan as his foster father!
Having made up his mind, the Child Emperor constantly showed his helplessness in front of the Marquis of Ningyuan. Through a mix of playing the victim and persistent wheedling, he finally got the Marquis of Ningyuan to accept him as his foster son.
“Big Sister, I fetched some hot water. Since you're a girl, you should use it first.” The Child Emperor clumsily brought over a basin of water.
Shen Ying raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “Why do I feel like you've been exceptionally attentive to my father and me lately?”
“Hahaha, have I?” The Child Emperor played dumb.
Shen Ying said no more. She took the cloth and washed her face with the water in the basin held by the Child Emperor.
As the massive ship sailed at full speed, the Child Emperor and the others quickly arrived at the ferry crossing and would enter the territory of Zhenbei Prefecture in a few days.
...
Zhenbei Prefecture, Yecheng Academy.
The sun slanted westward, and fragmented, golden spots of light filtered through the leaves of the roadside peach trees, casting patterns on the bluestone path.
Classes had just ended at the academy, and students walked out in twos and threes cradling scrolls, their laughter and chatter echoing along the way.
Shen Yu walked behind the crowd of students. He held a book in his hand, which contained some of his own insights after reading the book from the future bestowed by the Divine Lady.
He always remembered the words that had flashed across the wall when the Divine Lady first visited Yecheng Academy and posed three questions, and Madam Ye had conversed with that Mr. Xiaoming in a strange room.
“If the youth are strong, the nation will be strong.”
These words had moved him deeply, which was why he had remained at Yecheng Academy to teach.
The future, after all, belonged to the youth.
Just then, Shen Da ran over in a frantic rush.
“Second Young Master, news has come from Xindu City. The Yong Dynasty has sent another group of envoys to Zhenbei Prefecture.”
Shen Yu raised his eyes to look at him. “Peace talks again?”
Shen Da swallowed hard, his gaze shifting uneasily.
“Second Young Master, I heard that they didn't come for peace talks this time. They came to propose marriage to the Divine Lady...”
“Outrageous!” Shen Yu could not suppress his fury.
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