The system’s prompt exploded in her mind.
【Hehe, Host, once we catch this small one, we’ll go catch the big one next!】
Feng Zeyuan’s eyes lit up instantly.
【The old emperor should still be sleeping soundly in the main camp, right?】
【Perfect—pair him with Sun Mao. One impersonating the court in his place, the real Dragon Emperor himself, both of them going to the fields to reclaim wasteland and farm together…】
The moment those words fell—
On the opposite bank, Xiao Juechen’s body suddenly stiffened.
Just moments ago, he had been furious over Sun Mao’s crime of deceiving the emperor. Now, a chill crept up his neck.
Wait.
What did that girl just say?
Catch… catch me?
And make me go farm in the fields?!
His fingers tightened around his robe until his knuckles turned white.
No. This place is not safe. He must leave immediately!
As long as he returns to the main tent and stays protected by the Imperial Guards, even Feng Zeyuan wouldn’t dare act so recklessly.
He shifted his weight slightly, preparing to retreat silently.
But just as his center of gravity moved back—
Crack!
A dry branch snapped beneath his foot.
The system immediately rang out an alarm.
【Host! There’s someone across the bank!】
Feng Zeyuan’s eyes sharpened.
【Who? Besides that fake old man, there’s someone else hiding here?】
【Could it be… a fellow “gossip eater”?】
Xiao Juechen closed his eyes for a brief moment, forcing himself to stay calm.
He was the Emperor of Great Xia.
Even if Feng Zeyuan was bold, she would not dare attack him in broad daylight.
And Feng Huainan was still here—she would surely have to consider her father’s reputation.
With that thought, he steadied himself slightly.
But Feng Zeyuan had already moved.
With a light step, she crossed the riverbank in a few flashes and arrived at the opposite shore.
She stopped before the bushes, lips curling.
“Come out.”
“You’ve already heard everything. There’s no point hiding anymore.”
Silence.
Xiao Juechen’s back was already soaked in cold sweat, his hands clenched tightly.
After a moment, he slowly stood up, adjusting his collar as his knees wobbled slightly.
He pushed aside the bushes. Sunlight fell across his black martial robe.
He straightened his spine, lifting his chin, forcing the bearing of an emperor.
But his eyes flickered for a split second.
Clearing his throat, Xiao Juechen spoke calmly:
“I was out hunting this morning and happened to pass by.”
His gaze swept over the waterfall.
“This waterfall has quite the majestic scenery, so I brought Feng Aiqing here to take a look.”
Feng Huainan immediately stood up from the grass, brushing off the leaves from his robes.
“Your Majesty has refined taste. This minister was just about to report yesterday’s hunting results.”
He looked at his son and daughter, emotions tangled in his chest.
The two children had been missing for a day and night. He and the Emperor had set out early to search for them.
Who would have thought they’d meet here?
And even more unexpected—those terrifying words about “dragging the Emperor to farm”…
He glanced at Xiao Juechen, then at Feng Zeyuan’s bright, dangerous eyes.
His heart sank.
Don’t tell him… it’s actually true?
Feng Zeyuan looked at the two suddenly appearing men and froze for a moment.
Then her eyes lit up again.
Her smile could no longer be suppressed.
【No need to search—what I wanted came straight to me!】
【I was just thinking of catching the Emperor, and he delivered himself on a silver platter?】
【And he even brought my father along… what luck! Perfect!】
The system screamed in excitement.
【Host! Opportunity! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!】
【No Imperial Guards, no eunuchs, no attendants—this is the perfect isolated setting!】
【It’s literally tailor-made for bringing them into the farm space!】
Feng Zeyuan looked at Xiao Juechen, who was still pretending to be calm, and felt her blood boil.
【Since you’re here… you’re not leaving.】
【Your Majesty, I’ll personally invite you to experience the most advanced “agricultural civilization” of Great Xia!】
Xiao Juechen met her gaze and was about to speak—
Feng Zeyuan had already walked forward with a bright, innocent smile, each step steady and confident.
“Your Majesty, Father, what a coincidence—what are you doing here?”
Her tone was gentle, even caring.
But Xiao Juechen felt, inexplicably, like a hunter staring at prey.
At the riverside, Sun Mao—who had been washing his face—finally noticed the commotion and turned around blankly.
The moment he saw the man in black robes—
His entire body froze.
Water dripped from his hands.
Then—
“Em… Em… Empe—”
His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed straight to the ground.
【Tch, fainted already? Weak mental resilience.】
Feng Zeyuan clicked her tongue and continued walking forward.
【Doesn’t matter. Once he’s in the space, there are plenty of ways to wake him up.】
【First—handle the big one!】
Feng Zeyuan’s brother Feng Zeyang stood on a rock, watching helplessly.
This time… they really were going to poke a hole in the heavens.
But the faintest smile curved his lips.
Your Majesty.
Since you’re already here…
Then let’s all enjoy it together.
Feng Zeyuan stopped three steps in front of Xiao Juechen.
Her smile remained unchanged.
“Your Majesty, I have a good place I’d like to show you.”
Xiao Juechen frowned.
“What place?”
“You’ll know when you arrive.”
The moment she finished speaking, her thought moved.
The world twisted.
In an instant—
Xiao Juechen felt his vision blur. The forest, the river, everything dissolved.
When he came back to his senses—
He was no longer on muddy ground, but standing on soft black farmland.
Above him, an impossibly blue sky stretched endlessly.
In the distance stood eighteen straw figures in neat formation, each holding a swaying rattan whip.
“Where… is this place?!”
Feng Huainan was stunned as well. He looked around and saw court officials working in the fields nearby.
Feng Zeyang and Feng Zeyuan also arrived instantly afterward, along with Sun Mao.
Feng Zeyang nodded slightly toward his father and the Emperor.
“Father, Your Majesty—welcome to…”
He paused, lips curling.
“—the Labor Reform Trial Ground.”
Xiao Juechen’s pupils shrank sharply.
Golden words appeared across the sky:
“New students have entered. Please prepare for reclamation work!”
“Task: Cultivate 10 mu of land and plant designated crops.”
“Reward: Hair growth tonic, calming tea.”
“Penalty: Straw whip discipline.”
Xiao Juechen: “……”
He, the Emperor of Great Xia, was actually being threatened into farming?!
The officials nearby turned their heads in unison.
When they saw the Emperor and Feng Huainan standing there—
They froze completely.
The shovel in Chu Heng’s hand dropped with a loud clang.
The grass stem in Cheng Ying’s mouth fell too.
Only one thought filled everyone’s mind:
The Emperor… has been dragged here too?!
Feng Zeyuan clapped her hands in satisfaction.
“All right, everyone’s here.”
She turned to Xiao Juechen, smiling innocently.
“Your Majesty, didn’t you say you wanted to reform the court’s laziness?”
“I’m helping you achieve your dream.”
She pointed around.
“Look, we’ve got farmland, tools, and even…”
She pointed to a newly appeared straw figure, taller than the others.
“This is your personal supervisor.”
Xiao Juechen’s mouth twitched.
He looked at the swaying whips, then at the exhausted officials, then finally at Feng Zeyuan’s smiling face.
“Feng Zeyuan.”
“Do you know what crime it is… to force the Emperor into labor?”
She tilted her head.
“Your Majesty, that’s not forcing.”
“This is—”
She smiled even brighter.
“An invitation.”
“And it’s an invitation to become stronger, healthier, more energetic… and even grow more hair.”
Xiao Juechen: “……”
He could not even find the words.
Footsteps approached.
Liu San arrived carrying two brand-new hoes.
“Your Majesty, Minister Feng—your tools.”
He respectfully handed them over.
“His Highness said you’re newcomers, so you start with five mu of land.”
“Once you’re used to it… you can increase to ten.”
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