He smiled sheepishly and said, "Due to the effects of the Body Strengthening Pill, my sense of smell has improved significantly. I can confidently say there are at least five distinct fruit fragrances."

Emperor Mingxi, upon hearing their exchange, pondered for a moment before tentatively suggesting, "What if, since we cannot see it, we try to feel for it?"

The ministers exchanged glances, unsure of the emperor's intent.

Really, Your Majesty, isn’t it enough to confirm the truth of their claims? Must you insist on finding physical proof?

They wanted to say, "Your Majesty, there’s no need to be so persistent, truly!"

After all, they already believed the words of the Seventh Miss Yu to be genuine—there was no need to risk provoking anyone.

They were genuinely afraid of angering those two. Hadn’t they heard the phrase "mortals are but ants"?

Though the words were infuriating, they had to admit there was some truth to them.

It wasn’t that they were cowardly—everyone present was a learned and astute individual, well-versed in recognizing when to yield.

Finally, the elder statesman Chai Jing stepped forward and cautiously asked, "Might Your Majesty clarify your intentions?"

Emperor Mingxi smiled. "The Yu family’s reunion with their long-lost granddaughter is a joyous occasion. The Empress Dowager has always adored young maidens—it’s only fitting she meets her."

Like mother, like son. Before the emperor’s words had fully settled, the Empress Dowager, who had been silently observing the entire exchange, chimed in warmly, "The emperor speaks truly. This old one does wish to meet this granddaughter of the Yu family, said to possess an otherworldly grace."

Seeing that the imperial mother and son had already decided, the ministers bowed and retreated to their seats, awaiting the emperor’s summons for the Seventh Miss Yu to appear.

Yue Fuguang was happily indulging in the feast when suddenly the eunuch’s voice rang out: "Summon the seventh granddaughter of Elder Yu Chongshan for an audience."

Seventh granddaughter? That would be her.

Yue Fuguang had been waiting to see how the emperor would react once he confirmed the unusual nature of her table.

She hadn’t expected him to summon her directly—no subtlety at all!

But perhaps this was better. The sooner they accepted the truth, the sooner she could complete her mission and earn points.

Though she thought this, the show must go on.

As she rose, she mused inwardly, "Little Pearl, the emperor wants to see me. Should I kneel… or kneel?"

Hearing her thoughts, the others suddenly remembered this formality, and Emperor Mingxi flustered slightly.

By the time Yue Fuguang reached the base of the hall’s steps, the emperor spoke with a blend of authority and warmth, "Today, all formalities shall be simplified. The Seventh Miss may stand while addressing us."

Truthfully, they had considered offering her a seat, but given her status, it might seem improper.

Outright fawning would appear too deliberate.

For now, this would suffice. They could always elevate her standing later.

Emperor Mingxi smiled kindly. "Do not be nervous, young one. Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, and she adores lovely young maidens. We heard Elder Yu’s granddaughter, who arrived in the capital barely a month ago, is exceptionally fair and charming—hence this summons."

The Empress Dowager studied Yue Fuguang with a grandmotherly gaze and added, "Indeed, this child of the Yu family has caught this old one’s eye at first sight."

The Empress Dowager was well-preserved, appearing younger than Old Madame Yu.

With a gentle smile, she asked, "Dear child, what is your name? I’ve heard the south differs greatly from here. Have you adjusted well since coming to the capital?"

Yue Fuguang replied, "In response to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, this humble girl, Yue Fuguang, has grown accustomed to living in the capital."

Yet inwardly, she grumbled, Ugh, no heating in winter, no air conditioning in summer—living in ancient times is suffering no matter where you are.

The Empress Dowager ignored her internal complaints and didn’t dwell on the unfamiliar terms "air conditioning" and "heating." Instead, she remarked, "Yu Fuguang—'Fragrant mist glows in the warm light'—what a lovely name."

Yue Fuguang smiled and corrected, "Your Majesty, it’s Yue Fuguang—'Moonlight dances on golden waves, silent shadows sink like jade.'"

The Empress Dowager looked puzzled. "Isn’t Fuguang the granddaughter of Minister Yu? Why the surname Yue instead of Yu?"

Yue Fuguang maintained her gentle smile. "Your Majesty, this humble girl is an adopted daughter of the Yu family, so I’ve kept my original surname."

Her system chimed in with its own commentary: Exactly! The master is only an adopted daughter—no need to change her surname. Besides, 'Yue Fuguang' was a name bestowed upon her by the Divine Lord!

The Empress Dowager’s smile didn’t waver. In fact, she praised, "Hmm, Yue Fuguang does sound more pleasing than Yu Fuguang. Paired with your ethereal beauty, you truly resemble a celestial maiden descended from the moon palace!"

Yue Fuguang accepted the compliment without false modesty.

She could be courteous and refined, but she refused to appear overly submissive or rigid. It was important to reveal glimpses of her "true nature"—otherwise, she’d be trampled underfoot later.

The system added approvingly: Master, this old Empress Dowager has good taste! Aren’t you practically a goddess walking among mortals?

Hearing the system’s words, the Empress Dowager was inwardly delighted, her expression growing even more affectionate.

With just a few exchanges, she had discerned that this "divine artifact" behaved much like a fiercely loyal attendant.

Her own trusted aides, whenever someone sincerely praised her as Empress Dowager, would beam with even greater pride than she did.

Naturally, she felt more favorably inclined toward such people.

Now she knew exactly how to treat Yue Fuguang moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Yu family members listening to the conversation paled, especially Patriarch Yu Chongshan and his wife, who were seething at their third son and daughter-in-law.

Despite having brought the girl home long ago, the couple had yet to change her name!

Thankfully, the girl already had one—had she kept the Zhou family’s surname, it would’ve been an outright slap to their faces!

They had investigated: in the Zhou household, the child had no proper name, just "Zhou Fifth Girl." At the Taoist temple, she’d been given the temporary monastic name "Qixuan," since she hadn’t formally taken vows.

They had explicitly informed their third son and his wife that the girl would be added to the family registry at the start of next month—yet they still hadn’t chosen a name for her!

The elder couple regretted not overstepping the parents entirely and naming their granddaughter themselves.

Moreover, they’d agreed to enroll her as a legitimate daughter, but Madame Sun clearly hadn’t explained this to the girl, who still introduced herself as an adopted child.

Now, with the Empress Dowager’s implicit endorsement, they dared not change it!

The patriarch and his wife glared at Yu Qinchun and Madame Sun, their faces dark with fury. The couple flushed and paled in turn, realizing their blunder.

This public humiliation had exposed them before the entire upper crust of the capital.

They could already feel the sidelong glances from nobles, ladies, and young misses—especially those privy to the family’s affairs, whose disdainful eyes accused them of mistaking glass for gemstones.

In other words: blind fools.

Yu Qinchun harbored resentment not only toward his wife but also felt deep remorse toward himself. They had neglected the child, and it was true that no one had ever thought to give her a proper name.

Since the elders in the family were accustomed to calling the children by their birth order, he and his wife had overlooked the fact that she still hadn’t been renamed.

He knew these were nothing but excuses—the root of it all was simply their lack of care.

Inwardly, Yu Qinchun cursed Madame Sun, that foolish woman, for failing to manage even the simplest matters within their own household.