Emperor Xuanwu had always found it a little far-fetched, the way his daughter's prophetic dream helped the people of the capital avoid the flood. It was miraculous, yes, but perhaps too miraculous to sit comfortably with reason.
At one point, he had even wondered if this little rascal had her own Simulation Life Selection System.
But after a few discreet tests, he realized he had been mistaken. So he let the matter go.
Now, however, after hearing Yun Shu say she had prepared a gift in the sky for him, Emperor Xuanwu could not help but let his imagination run wild once again.
Could it be that this daughter of his was truly a celestial being, descended to the mortal world?
Perhaps she had simply not regained her immortal memories until recently.
That prophetic dream in early summer had not been mere coincidence, but the first stirrings of her divine consciousness returning.
And now, with her memories fully restored, even those immortal techniques had come back to her.
Maybe this so-called gift was merely a pretense, a grand excuse to unveil her true identity before the court, dazzling all who still dared to question her and silencing the dissenters once and for all.
If that was truly the case, then…
While Emperor Xuanwu's thoughts drifted higher and higher into the clouds, the Eldest Prince was still staring up at the sky. Seeing nothing unusual even after all this time, he could not help but let out a snide remark.
"Is Her Highness the Crown Princess trying to say that your gift to Father Emperor is... the stars?"
He chuckled. "Tonight is hardly the right time for stargazing, is it?"
"No, it is indeed not a night for watching stars."
Yun Shu tucked her hands into her sleeves, then looked up calmly and began to count down.
"Three, two, one."
Bang!
The deep night sky erupted into light.
Fireworks exploded across the heavens, each one dazzling and brilliant, ripping open the blanket of night with color and thunder. It was as though the stars themselves had descended, forming a bridge between heaven and earth.
The spectacle lit up every face in the imperial court, and for a fleeting moment, all were suspended in a shared, dreamlike awe.
Jiang Yuanbao and the others, who had been tasked with setting off the display, were utterly dumbfounded.
Now they finally understood why Her Highness had told them, back when they were still outside the city, that only on the night of the Wanshou Festival would they grasp the true wonder of this creation.
It had nothing to do with the specific date, and everything to do with the timing.
Only at night could these fireworks reveal their full splendor.
This was nothing short of a divine miracle.
Knowing Yun Shu had crafted this display herself only deepened their astonishment.
Outside the palace walls, the citizens who had rushed out upon hearing the commotion were even more shaken.
At first, some feared that the strange lights might be an omen of misfortune.
But they were quickly met with rebuttals.
"Are you blind? Look at it! It's like flowers blooming in the sky!"
"It really is beautiful. And by the look of it, the fireworks are coming from the palace. It must be for the Wanshou Festival. Even the heavens are celebrating. What an auspicious sign!"
"Never before has there been such a sign on the Wanshou Festival. Do you think it's because the Crown Princess was appointed this year?"
"Could be! Her Highness truly is someone extraordinary!"
"Who cares why it's happening? Hurry and make a wish! You won't get another moment like this!"
"Exactly! Make a wish while you can!"
Outside the palace, the air was filled with reverent prayers from a city that sparkled with joy.
Inside the imperial palace, in front of Linde Hall, the scene was starkly different.
Silence, struck dumb by awe.
Yun Shu had always loved fireworks.
Not only because they were beautiful, but because whenever she watched them, something inside her would quiet.
As a child, she had never understood why. She only knew that when her eyes were full of fireworks, her mind was too.
It wasn't until she grew older that she realized what it meant.
It was the peace of a prosperous world.
Whoosh—Bang!
One firework after another soared into the sky. They bloomed, then fell like cascading stars, a waterfall of light from the heavens.
The visual feast lasted a full incense stick's time. When the final burst faded and the night regained its former stillness, Yun Chuhuan finally returned to his senses.
He shut his mouth, which had been hanging open the entire time, and rubbed his aching jaw.
"Fifth Sister, are you an Immortal?"
Immortal?
The word struck a chord in Emperor Xuanwu's heart.
He turned to look at Yun Shu, lips pressed tightly, already preparing himself to hear her admit it aloud.
But instead, she raised a hand and gave Yun Chuhuan a light knock on the head.
"You've been reading too many storybooks. If I were really an Immortal, would certain people still dare to speak ill of me in secret?"
"...True."
Yun Chuhuan rubbed his head with a wounded expression.
"With how petty you are, if you really had immortal powers, you'd have magicked those people's mouths right off by now."
"...?"
Yun Shu narrowed her eyes and gave him a chilly smile.
"I may not be able to make their mouths disappear, but yours? I can still shut it if you want to try me."
Yun Chuhuan: "..."
Emperor Xuanwu: "..."
The officials who had spoken ill of Yun Shu in secret: "!!!"
Was it just them, or did the air suddenly feel cold behind them?
(╥╯^╰╥)
After Yun Shu's spectacular gift, the rest of the evening banquet paled in comparison.
Even by the end of the feast, as the guests began to disperse, the fireworks remained the hot topic of conversation.
Yun Shu strolled leisurely out of Linde Hall, intending to return directly to Fengyang Palace.
She had only taken a few steps when a soft, clear voice sounded behind her.
"Your Highness, please wait."
"Wait your head!"
The moment Yun Shu heard that voice, not only did she refuse to stop, she walked faster.
"Your Highness!"
Seeing her flee without even a glance, Huyan Mingchuan blinked, then let out a quiet laugh before quickly giving chase.
He caught up in a few strides, clearly having steeled his heart. This was a do-or-die effort.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Yun Shu: "..."
She should have sprinted full speed just now.
It was already night.
Late night, did he understand that?
Forced to stop, Yun Shu curled her lips into a practiced, insincere smile.
"It is quite late. You and I are, after all, man and woman. Whatever you wish to say, might it not wait for another day?"
"It will take only a moment."
Huyan Mingchuan glanced at the Second Prince of Bei Xiang and Princess Baza, both of whom were watching from a distance.
There was an unmistakable look of earnest pleading on his face.
"There is something I must tell Your Highness."
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow.
"This Princess wonders if refusing to listen is an option?"
"Your Highness…"
Huyan Mingchuan stood firm in front of her, his manner fragile yet unyielding.
Yun Shu sighed silently.
Fine. She understood.
This was the kind of man who simply had to say what was on his mind.
If she refused now, who knew what kind of mess he might stir up later?
With a flick of her fingers, she gestured for Ting Xue and the others to move farther away.
Once it was just the two of them, Yun Shu lifted her chin slightly, her false smile vanishing.