[Host, seeing your father diligently studying, forgetting to eat and sleep, don’t you feel heartache?]
[Thinking about how my father squandered the family fortune, causing the whole family to end up on the streets, freezing and starving to death, I can’t bring myself to feel heartache.]
Not only did she not feel heartache, she was positively gleeful.
Tang Li played with the silver in her hand, her mood exceptionally cheerful. In all the years since transmigrating to this era, this was the first time she had gotten her hands on silver. The two taels of silver she held—one was the makeup exam fee, the other was the mission reward—now they were all hers!
Especially since this silver could be stored with the system, so there was no need to worry about it being discovered. This system was actually somewhat useful.
After basking in her joy for a while, Tang Li thought of a problem. She was young and a girl; her family would never trust her to go into the city alone. Even if she had money, how could she spend it?
She began rummaging through the skills in her package. The Virtuous Empress Cultivation System also had requirements for its host. First, the soul must be a transmigrator; second, the host must be a woman under twenty years old. Additionally, the host must be an original character from this world, in order to minimize this world’s resistance and suppression toward the system and host.
Tang Li was the only one in this world who met the system’s binding requirements. If Tang Li absolutely refused to cooperate, it would mean not only mission failure for the system, resulting in the deduction of most Energy Points, but also the need to spend additional energy to search for a suitable host in another world. This was why the system was so accommodating.
Currently, the true binding target of the host was still Tang Li. Tang Li’s father, Tang Xun, was only allowed into the space as an assistant, and his own permissions were far inferior to Tang Li’s. This also gave Tang Li considerable room to maneuver, allowing her to get the system to cooperate with her in modifying mission rewards.
Of course, the system’s cooperation wasn’t just because it didn’t want to lose the Energy Points it had painstakingly accumulated, but also because…
[Hosts as cunning, deceitful, and ruthless as you are rare. For the benefits you can gain, I believe the host will also strive to spur on the assistant!]
[The host knows the assistant inside out and can control him. With the host here, we can easily complete our missions.]
Tang Li took the system’s words as praise for her intelligence and decisiveness—she was cut out for great things! People with vision were just like this, not sweating the small stuff!
After searching through her package, she recalled that the newcomer’s gift pack she had drawn contained three one-time Dream-Visitation Skills (valid for one year) and one Heavenly Thunderstrike Skill that could be used on outsiders (also limited to one year).
Since these were time-limited skills and couldn’t be hoarded indefinitely, they had to be used when appropriate, lest they expire and go to waste.
Although urging her father to complete tasks was important, improving her own living conditions was even more crucial. No one should suffer, least of all herself!
Tang Li decided to first use one Dream-Visitation Skill on her grandmother. Her grandmother was in good health; if she hadn’t been angered to death by her father, she could have lived at least another ten years. Moreover, she held the family’s financial power, and aside from matters related to the imperial examinations and Second Uncle, she basically made all major and minor decisions.
Tang Li stored the silver in her system package.
“System, use one Dream-Visitation Skill on my grandmother.”
Hmm, given her grandmother’s temperament, if she were to have a dream visitation, she might very well take her to the temple. There’s a master named Liaoran at the temple who is said to be highly respected and well-renowned. When the time comes, I can use the second Dream-Visitation Skill on him.
…
The next day.
“Mother, what’s wrong with Daya’s face?”
Seeing her mother-in-law staring at her daughter during the meal, Song Cuiyu couldn’t help but ask.
Old Mrs. Tang, Yang Taohua, withdrew her gaze and said, “Nothing, I was just noticing that Daya looks much better today. I’m happy for her.”
She couldn’t very well say that she had dreamed of the old ghost last night. The old ghost told her that their Daya was blessed. Originally, Buddha intended for her to pass away early from illness so she could be taken to enjoy blessings sooner. But Daya couldn’t bear to leave them and stubbornly stayed behind. To ensure Daya wouldn’t suffer at home, Buddha decided to enlighten their eldest son, making him more sensible, and also grant their second son a stroke of fortune.
At first, Old Mrs. Tang didn’t believe it. But after waking up, she realized this dream was different from before—every detail remained clear, and she could even recount every word the old man had said.
Thinking back, Daya had indeed been gravely ill recently. The doctor had said they could only do their best and leave the rest to fate, advising her to prepare for the worst. Yet now, she was recovering so quickly—it truly might be Buddha’s protection.
At this thought, her feelings grew complicated. Child, what’s so good about staying in this mortal world? Wouldn’t it be better to go to Buddha’s side early and enjoy blessings? Yet this child, unable to bear parting from them, stubbornly stayed. Well, at least they hadn’t doted on her in vain.
She only hoped the old man’s words were true—that their eldest would truly become sensible and no longer be lazy and gluttonous as before. But… thinking of how their eldest had lain in bed all day yesterday, Yang Taohua felt a mix of frustration and disappointment.
If only Daya were their second son’s child.
Unaware of her mother-in-law’s complicated thoughts, Song Cuiyu smiled and said, “Yes, I was thinking it might really be Buddha’s blessing. I plan to go to the temple to pray and donate some incense money.”
Tang Li grumbled inwardly: The reason she recovered so quickly was clearly the system’s doing. She was the system’s master, so by extension, it was her own merit. Wouldn’t it be better if that incense money were given to her instead?
She thought this and said as much to the system.
[System, can you secretly pocket that incense money? It’s our merit, after all. We can’t let the temple not only gain a false reputation but also take the benefits, right?]
She couldn’t stand the thought of being shortchanged!
The system was left speechless.
[…Fine.]
Yang Taohua had been dwelling on the old man’s dream visitation, and upon hearing this, immediately said, “Alright, let’s go together!”
Tang Li had no objections. In fact, her mother’s suggestion suited her perfectly, allowing her to better solidify her identity as the Blessed Daughter.
Yang Taohua didn’t forget to call her eldest son along.
Today, the system had scheduled another twenty lessons for Tang Xun, leaving him utterly drained. He had been looking for an opportunity to go to the temple to ward off evil spirits, so when he heard his mother and daughter-in-law were going, his eyes lit up.
[System, I’ll accompany them to worship first and continue studying when I return. After all, they’re all women—I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting them go out alone. The temple isn’t too far, just half an hour’s walk away.]
He pondered that as long as he could make it to the temple smoothly and have the Buddha drive away the demons and monsters clinging to him, he wouldn’t have to study desperately every day or get struck by lightning at the drop of a hat. These past couple of days had truly felt like an eternity.
Tang Xun had originally thought he’d need to expend more effort to persuade the system, but to his surprise, the system agreed without hesitation.
【No problem, whatever makes you happy.】
Tang Xun inexplicably sensed a hint of schadenfreude in its tone. Probably just his imagination, right?
……
Concerned that Tang Li hadn’t fully recovered, Yang Taohua specially spent three coins to rent an ox cart from the neighbor for a day, letting Tang Li ride on it.
Tang Xun also wanted to ride. He had already climbed onto the cart.
The ox cart only had two seats. Tang Li occupied one, and if Tang Xun took the other, Yang Taohua and Song Cuiyu would have to walk.
Before he could even settle his bottom, Tang Xun heard the system’s voice.
【As someone possessing the virtues of a virtuous empress, how can you stand by and watch your mother, wife, and daughter suffer? Please, host, give up your seat on the ox cart to your mother, wife, and daughter, and clean the cart thoroughly. Task reward: one tael of silver.】
So this was the so-called Side Quest?
Originally planning to turn a deaf ear, Tang Xun perked up immediately upon hearing the reward of one tael of silver. He used his sleeve to wipe the long bench on the ox cart again and again.
After cleaning it, he flashed a somewhat ingratiating smile at Yang Taohua. “Mother, the three of you can sit. I’ve already wiped it clean for you.”
Initially, Yang Taohua had been ready to scold her son for snatching a seat, but she never expected he had climbed onto the cart to clean the seats for them. Her words stuck in her throat, neither coming out nor staying down.
She looked at her eldest son as if seeing him for the first time, muttering to herself: Could he really have changed his ways?
After pondering for a moment, she said to Tang Li, “Eldest girl, get on the cart and sit properly.”
She herself also climbed on.
Tang Li didn’t stand on ceremony with her grandmother either. Her body hadn’t fully recovered yet, and she really couldn’t afford to overexert herself.
Once they were both seated, Tang Xun successfully received the reward of one tael of silver.
Hidden under his sleeve, his hand gently rubbed the silver. If his wife hadn’t been right beside him, he would have taken it out and bitten it already.
Silver, hehe, his silver!
For a fleeting moment, Tang Xun felt that this system wasn’t so bad after all.
But as soon as this thought surfaced, he immediately shook his head to dismiss it.
How could he think that? Wasn’t getting struck by lightning every day harsh enough?
He comforted himself: Master Liaoran of Qingniu Temple was said to have come from the capital and possessed real skills. He would surely be able to exorcise the evil entity attached to him and restore him to his previous normal life.
In the past, he had complained that his life was too uneventful. Only now did he realize that a peaceful life was truly better.
……
Qingniu Temple.
A young novice monk around ten years old clasped his hands together and whispered to the abbot, “The capital has sent several cartloads of goods to Master Liaoran again.”
Ever since Master Liaoran came to their Qingniu Temple, their living conditions had improved dramatically. Every month, nobles from the capital would send food. In the past, these young novices had to farm for several hours a day just to eat their fill. Now, they only needed to fetch water and sweep the grounds, making life much easier.
For this reason alone, they hoped Master Liaoran would stay at their temple forever.
A faint smile appeared on the abbot’s face. “Take the list to your Master Liaoran.”
Junior Brother Liaoran himself did not suffer from the typical aristocratic flaws. He was amiable and approachable, without any airs, and often shared the food and fine silks sent from his family with everyone. Therefore, the monks usually taught him Buddhist principles with great dedication. Unfortunately, Junior Brother Liaoran truly had no talent in this area. No matter how thoroughly they broke down the teachings for him, it was like explaining to someone with seven apertures who understood only six—utterly incomprehensible.
To avoid discouraging his enthusiasm, they often resorted to flattery, praising his insight against their better judgment. They also frequently commended Liaoran in front of the temple visitors, which earned him considerable fame.
Although Liaoran lacked talent, his devotion to the Buddha was genuine. Presumably, the Buddha would not hold his little deception against him.
Not long after the list was sent over, Liaoran strode in, his fair face flushed with excitement.
The abbot was puzzled: Could there be something wrong with the items sent this time? They certainly hadn’t embezzled anything!
Liaoran walked up to the abbot with an excited expression, gripping his hand tightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. “Senior Brother! I have just received the Buddha’s teachings and obtained a Divine Oracle!”
The abbot was stunned—What? Really? He had been ordained for over forty years and had never truly heard the Buddha’s voice. Liaoran had been a monk for less than a year and couldn’t even recite the sutras by heart. How could he have heard the Buddha’s voice?
His gaze fell on the red marks on Liaoran’s face from sleeping. Could he have been confused from sleep?
His expression was too easy to read, and Liaoran instantly understood. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I really heard it!”
“The Buddha told me that a family will arrive soon. The man’s surname is Tang, and his name is Tang Xun!”
“The Buddha wishes to temper him and will send down thunder to refine his body!”
What Liaoran didn’t mention was that, according to the Buddha, the one with the greatest affinity for Buddhism was Tang Xun’s daughter. However, the Tang family was of low status, and if the Tang girl gained fame too early, it could easily bring about their downfall. As a member of the aristocracy himself, Liaoran understood the nature of those nobles all too well. Therefore, he focused only on Tang Xun, planning to speak privately with the Tang family about their daughter.
Initially, upon hearing the earlier part, the abbot suspected that Liaoran might have strayed from the path, colluding with this Tang family to boost his own reputation. But when he heard about the thunder, he wavered.
Even if Liaoran could bribe the Tang family, he couldn’t possibly summon thunder!
Could it truly be that the Buddha had bestowed a Divine Oracle?
The Buddha was playing favorites—why didn’t He give him a Divine Oracle too?
Author’s Note:
Tang Li: The Dream-Visitation Skill must be used sparingly. Liaoran is famous and surely holds a high status, so it’s best to use it on him.
Chapter Three is complete!