Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The Hundred Flowers Banquet to select a prince consort had been in preparation for three months, and it finally opened. My mother, the Empress, had gathered all the handsome young lords from the entire capital and invited many noble ladies to join me in scouting them out.

We sat amidst the blossoms, our faces partially hidden behind silk fans, discreetly observing those noble young men.

The young lords were sensible enough to dress impeccably, carrying themselves with an air of refined elegance and charm.

I was quite pleased with the view and whispered back and forth with Princess Yunyang.

Everyone was having a wonderful time admiring the handsome men, until I heard the inner thoughts of my little palace maid, Hongxiao. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so good anymore.

[Let me use the Simulated Life System to test the Princess and see which man is her fated match.]

[The Princess glanced at the son of Minister Li. Let’s start with Young Master Li, then!]

[Huh? This despicable scumbag! He actually thinks that marrying a princess will hinder his official career? Not only will he neglect the Princess after marriage, but he’ll also gaslight her, making her serve him like a hardworking old drudge?]

I looked up at Hongxiao. Her face was expressionless, yet I saw pity in her eyes.

I fell into thought.

This Simulated Life System seemed to be able to predict a person’s future destiny.

But would I really be that easy to bully in the future?

That couldn’t possibly be me!

This thing must not be very accurate.

I shifted my gaze away from Young Master Li and let it fall upon the graceful Young Master Zhao.

Hongxiao noticed immediately.

[As expected of the Princess, she never stays focused on just one man.]

Me: “…” You flatter me.

[Let me check out Young Master Zhao.]

[Holy crap, holy crap! This guy actually has five childhood sweethearts. He promised four of them that he’d marry them when they grew up-the Princess is the only one he didn’t make a promise to! Ugh, my poor Princess. Why didn’t he make a promise to her? This indiscriminate flirt deserves to be exiled to the borderlands to do hard labor for the rest of his life.]

Me: “…”

Privately, I had my doubts about this.

Duke Zhao and my Imperial Father shared a close bond. When we were young, Young Master Zhao often followed his father into the palace to play with me; it was only as he grew older that his visits became less frequent.

Not to mention that Imperial Father held Duke Zhao in the highest regard. Even if Duke Zhao committed an error, Imperial Father would never punish him so severely out of consideration for their old friendship. How could he possibly disregard Duke Zhao’s dignity and exile Young Master Zhao to the borderlands?

This matter couldn’t be verified yet.

However, whether Young Master Zhao truly had four other childhood sweethearts was something that could be investigated.

I feigned getting up to change my clothes and ordered my secret guards to look into it. I only returned after changing into a fresh outfit.

Hongxiao was still standing there with that same blank look. Seeing me return, she hastily lowered her head in greeting.

I sat down, let my gaze fall on one person, intentionally lingered for a long time, and then moved on to the next.

Hongxiao’s inner thoughts blared like a loudspeaker.

[How can I tell the Princess that she can’t choose this guy? He’s a total scumbag! He’ll subject the Princess to cold violence in the future, take concubines, and keep mistresses. The Princess absolutely must not choose him.]

[Aaaah, she can’t choose this one either! He’s a mama’s boy. You’ll be tormented to death by your mother-in-law, and even the Empress won’t be able to protect you.]

Me: …

I immediately ordered someone to write down that man’s name.

That was the youngest son of Grand Tutor Zhang, who was renowned for his talent.

Grand Tutor Zhang is a leader among the empire’s scholars. If he were to use the concept of filial piety to pressure someone, it was true that even my Mother might not be able to refute him, and the officials’ criticisms would drown her alive.

But there had to be another reason.

Investigate! I must have it investigated!

My mind was in a chaotic whirl as my gaze unconsciously landed on another person.

Hongxiao’s inner voice changed, screaming frantically.

[Princess, pick him! Pick him! He will protect you, ensuring the country’s prosperity and the safety of our lands!]

I looked up. I didn’t recognize him.

A nanny immediately whispered in my ear, “That is Long Zhao, the eldest son of Long Zhenglun, an Erudite of the Five Classics at the Imperial Academy. He is currently serving as an Official-in-Waiting at the Hanlin Academy.”

Oh!

A mere rank-nine Official-in-Waiting is going to protect me and keep the mountains and rivers safe in the future?

Me: “…”

That’s a bit hard to believe.