The results of the choices were not immediately announced. After everyone had made their selections, Princess Shunyang still had one page displayed on the light screen before her—something no one else possessed.
“One-Click Triple Action?”
Duke Shen, Wang Zhan, Lu Fengqiu, and others gathered around Princess Shunyang.
Duke Shen stroked his beard: “This light screen appears only before Your Highness and no one else. This clearly indicates that Your Highness is the chosen one!”
Wang Zhan expressed agreement: “Absolutely! The term ‘chosen one’ used by the Duke is most fitting!”
On the light screen, there were three symbols: a thumbs-up, a circle with the character “coin,” and a five-pointed star.
Princess Shunyang looked at Lu Fengqiu.
Wang Zhan and Duke Shen also turned their gaze to Lu Fengqiu.
Lu Fengqiu suddenly felt the pressure intensify. How was one supposed to operate this celestial object?
He ventured a guess: “The character ‘key’ can refer to a linchpin, a key, or a vertical door bolt, implying a locking mechanism. ‘Triple Action’ corresponds perfectly with the three symbols on the screen. I wonder if finding one crucial element—something akin to a key or possessing a locking function—might trigger all three simultaneously?”
Princess Shunyang replied: “Your reasoning makes sense, Teacher. But which symbol is the most crucial?”
Lu Fengqiu suggested: “The central position is most honored. Coincidentally, the middle symbol is a circle, subtly echoing the concept of the round heaven and square earth. Could it be this one?”
Wang Zhan and Duke Shen found this plausible.
However, Lin Zhitong slightly furrowed her brows. Noticing this, Princess Shunyang asked: “Zhitong, what are your thoughts?”
Lin Zhitong clasped her hands in salute: “Your Highness, I believe the left holds precedence. Moreover, since this light screen appears only before you, it must share a special connection with you. The character ‘Yi’ in your name shares pronunciation with the number ‘one.’ Perhaps the leftmost symbol—the thumbs-up—is the key?”
Princess Shunyang nodded: “Both of you make valid points.”
After some contemplation, she ultimately believed the Sky Screen shared a unique bond with her. Thus, she pressed the first thumbs-up symbol. Unsure of how to operate it, she held it down. Gradually, red light traced a circle around all three symbols. Once the circle completed, the three symbols instantly turned the same shade of red.
Duke Shen exclaimed in amazement: “Ah! So this is the One-Click Triple Action?”
Wang Zhan added: “One-Click Triple Action—such an apt description! Truly worthy of the Sky Screen!”
Lu Fengqiu praised: “It was Lieutenant Lin who demonstrated true cleverness!”
Lin Zhitong hurriedly demurred: “I dare not claim credit—it was merely a fortunate guess.”
Her gaze inadvertently swept past Princess Shunyang’s ear: “Ah! Your Highness, your earring is missing!”
“Oh?” Princess Shunyang showed little concern. “It must have fallen off.”
Lin Zhitong had been standing beside the princess all along. Before the One-Click Triple Action, the earring was still there.
At that moment, the light screen before the princess displayed: “Thank you, Princess Shunyang Zhu Xuanyi, for donating a pair of white jade inlaid with gold earrings!”
“Bullet Screen privileges have been activated for you. You may enjoy them in the next video.”
So the white jade and gold earrings had been offered to the heavens?
“Earlier, the middle symbol was a circle containing ‘coin,’ implying currency. Perhaps activating that one requires presenting an item to the heavens.”
“To take an item so silently and seamlessly—this is truly a divine method! I wonder what criteria the heavens use for selecting objects?”
“What do the other two symbols represent, especially the five-pointed star?”
“And what is Bullet Screen?”
…
That night, at the Princess Manor.
Princess Shunyang sat upright, reviewing a small booklet by the bright candlelight.
The princess was attended by two maids—one skilled in civil arts, the other in martial arts.
The martial maid was Lin Zhitong, a peerless warrior tasked with ensuring the princess’s safety.
Zhong Lingyun possessed a photographic memory and was in charge of documents and seals at the Princess Manor.
After the Sky Screen first appeared, Zhong Lingyun began carrying ink, brush, and paper wherever she went, determined to record every word spoken by the Sky Screen should it appear again.
After reviewing the notes, Princess Shunyang handed the booklet to Lu Fengqiu and instructed her maid: “Make a copy of this and deliver it to the Deputy Censor-in-chief.”
Zhong Lingyun acknowledged the order.
Every word from the Sky Screen deserved careful scrutiny. The voice calling itself Qing Ju casually revealed names that were precious treasures to the Great Yin Dynasty.
Names like Cai Tian, Cai Boxi, and Meng Wenruo.
Even the eunuch Wang En—through the Sky Screen—revealed to Princess Shunyang that this eunuch, deeply trusted by Emperor Hui, was actually Prince Chen’s agent.
This was something Queen Wang hadn’t discovered, and Princess Shunyang hadn’t known either.
“Your Highness, the appearance of the Sky Screen is truly a blessing for the Great Dynasty and greatly benefits you.” Today we witnessed its astonishing ability to silently retrieve objects across space. However, I suspect this Qing Ju who narrates for the common people is not a celestial immortal or goddess.”
Princess Shunyang shared this feeling. She nodded slightly and said, “Please elaborate, Mentor.”Lu Fengqiu opened the booklet and presented it to the princess, pointing to the line: ‘Based on thorough research of official histories like ‘History of Yinz’ and ‘Records of Zhaowen,’ as well as unofficial histories.’..”
“From watching the videos and listening to the narration, we can see that without historians present to record events, Qing Ju doesn’t know the specific conversation between His Majesty and Your Highness in the inner chamber. Everything she narrates relies on official and even unofficial historical records.”
“The term ‘world’ encompasses all mortal realms and wilderness. If Qing Ju were a celestial immortal or goddess capable of projecting videos of past and future, why wouldn’t she know every word and action between His Majesty and Your Highness in the inner chamber? Why would she need to reference official and unofficial histories?”
Princess Shunyang nodded in agreement. Lu Fengqiu’s thoughts mirrored her own.
Under what circumstances would one reference official and unofficial histories?
When people of the present are unclear about past events, they turn to official and unofficial histories.
“So, Qing Ju is someone from the future.” Princess Shunyang paused. “We don’t know how many years later she lives, whether she’s aware of these video projections, whether she can control them, or how long this Sky Screen will remain…”
The young princess, lacking extensive experience, grew deeply worried at the thought that the Sky Screen might disappear, feeling somewhat anxious and unsettled.
Lu Fengqiu bowed and said, “Your Highness, do not worry. Gains and losses follow heaven’s will. I will certainly assist you in seizing the opportunity to achieve great deeds!”
Princess Shunyang helped Lu Fengqiu rise: “Thank you, Mentor!”
Lately, her emotions had been fluctuating constantly. After composing herself, she carefully reviewed the Sky Screen’s words with Lu Fengqiu, searching for useful information.
“The defeat in the Yunzhou battle in the summer of the 29th year of Emperor Hui’s reign indicates the Northern Barbarians had long-standing ambitions. Our court should make preparations early.”
“I’ve already ordered the search for Cai Tian. We should have good news soon. After finding her, we should let her continue training and not let this breed arrogance. And her sister Cai Boxi…”
“Minister Xue rose to become chancellor, suggesting he must have diligently assisted Your Highness in the future.”
“‘Healthy and strong’—well said! Women are inherently disadvantaged. If we’re as frail as willow trees, we’ll inevitably remain passive! The Sky Screen is reminding me that when I govern someday, I must strengthen the physical fitness of women across the land.”
“His Majesty damaged his health foundation through elixirs. The Taoists of the Celestial Master Palace won’t escape punishment.”
“Bullet Screen, Bullet Screen—could it mean the sky screen pops up? What makes it pop up? How does it pop up? What happens when it pops up? This time, the Bullet Screen permission is unlocked. If we perform the One-Click Triple Action again next time, will other permissions be opened?”
…
That night, some were seeing physicians, like Emperor Hui; some shut themselves in their rooms, like the Crown Prince; some were raging mad, like Prince Chen…
Everyone had a thoroughly eventful and rewarding day and night.