There were two women, one named Chunlan and the other Xiahe—sisters by birth.
Originally, they were just ordinary daughters of a common family. Blessed with beauty, they were doted on at home and spared from the hard labor their siblings endured. Their family even hired the village scholar to give them elegant names, unlike others who were simply called "Eldest Girl" or "Second Girl."
They understood well that their relatives pinned their hopes on their looks to climb the social ladder, perhaps becoming concubines to wealthy men. If they could enter the household of an official, it would be an unimaginable stroke of luck.
Yet, half a year ago, someone sought them out, offering their family hundreds of taels of silver to take the sisters away. They were brought to a magnificent mansion, dressed in silks and satins, feasting on delicacies, and spending their days learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—living a life they had never dared dream of. The estate housed not just them but over a dozen other women.
Eventually, the sisters and Lanhua were selected. At that time, Yu Miaohua was not yet the Imperial Noble Consort but merely the Consort Hui, yet her reputation had already spread throughout Great Qi.
She was the emperor’s beloved, a goddess many admired.
The noble patrons told them that their resemblance to Consort Hui was striking. From then on, they were to mimic her every mannerism. The more they resembled her, the easier it would be to gain favor in the palace—perhaps even replace her. After all, they were more willing to lower themselves, more adept at reading moods, and more tender in their affections.
These words ignited a spark of ambition in their hearts, driving them to study with even greater fervor.
Soon after, the steward of the Qin Marquisate came to inspect them and was quite satisfied with the three.
The noble who first found them revealed their true goal: not just to replace Consort Hui but to bear a child. They would assist in raising that child to become the next emperor. For now, they could feign allegiance to the Qin Marquisate and later win Consort Hui’s trust.
Before the steward took them away, all three were forced to swallow a poison that required an annual antidote—or else they would suffer a gruesome death.
Chunlan, sharper than the others, sensed that the noble who first recruited them and the Qin Marquisate were not aligned.
When the three were presented to the Qin Marquis—the father of the empress—he was pleased. He summoned palace matrons to refine their etiquette, teach them courtly manners, and continue their imitation of Consort Hui.
The Qin Marquis ordered them to seize Consort Hui’s favor once they entered the palace.
Then, they were taken away by Lu Lingyun, the famed God of War of Great Qi.
They had assumed their path to the palace would be smooth, but the Marquis of Wulie dumped them on a cotton plantation, seemingly forgetting their existence. Though they were well-fed and clothed, with only light labor required, such a life was a far cry from the luxury they had tasted. Once draped in robes worth hundreds of taels, how could they endure this rustic existence?
Their former patron reconnected with them, arranging an escape.
Lanhua, the fool, was content tending cotton, oblivious to the poison’s threat. The sisters, however, were different.
With their patron’s help, they fled and waited for Consort Hui on her return to the palace.
Chunlan reasoned that since the Marquis of Wulie clearly had no intention of sending them to the palace—even wasting their youth—they would use him as a stepping stone to gain Consort Hui’s trust.
Consort Hui enjoyed the emperor’s undivided favor but remained childless—a perfect opportunity for the sisters.
Her plan was meticulous, but she overlooked one detail: the Crown Prince was present.
Chunlan’s composure shattered—why was His Highness at Lady Cihui’s birthday banquet?
Pei Chiyan regarded her coldly. "Why so silent? This prince would like to hear how I’m supposed to send you to the palace."
Yu Miaohua watched the sisters’ expressions, as colorful as an overturned dye vat, and nearly laughed aloud.
Would laughing now be too rude?
But it was truly hilarious.
Unable to resist, she burst into laughter.
The tense atmosphere shifted awkwardly at her mirth.
Pei Chiyan sighed in resignation.
Yu Miaohua wiped her tears. "Was it really the Marquis of Wulie and the Crown Prince?"
She wanted to see if they’d dare spin lies in front of His Highness.
Xiahe, Chunlan’s sister, gritted her teeth and spoke. "It—it was the Qin Marquis who found us. The Marquis of Wulie took us to the plantation and abandoned us."
She sobbed. "We refused to become the steward’s concubines, so we ran away. Please, Noble Consort, take us with you. Even as maids, we beg for shelter. We never meant to steal your favor—we just wanted a place to belong."
Chunlan exhaled in relief. Her sister’s half-truths were more convincing. The Qin Marquis had indeed intended for them to divert Consort Hui’s favor—they weren’t lying. With their beauty, what man wouldn’t be tempted? Even if the steward claimed innocence, who would believe him?
Yu Miaohua couldn’t be sure of their honesty, but she wasn’t foolish enough to bring potential threats into the palace.
Whatever the truth, the Qin Marquis was certainly guilty.
After a pause, she asked, "Anywhere but the plantation?"
Xiahe glanced fearfully at the Crown Prince. "Yes. Please, Noble Consort, spare us."
Yu Miaohua turned to Qingluo. "Escort them to the estate. Have my mother assign them to the dye workshop."
The Wang family owned several dye workshops in the capital, some staffed solely by women.
Xiahe blinked. "Your Grace won’t take us to the palace?"
Pei Chiyan interjected, "Palace maids undergo rigorous selection. A clean background is the bare minimum."
"If you insist, this prince can arrange your entry into this year’s minor selection."
Yu Miaohua added, "But my palace quota is full. Even if you pass, you won’t be assigned to me—nor the Empress’s or Dowager’s palaces."
How delusional, to think their faces alone could vault them to glory.
She knew her beauty, but her enduring favor stemmed from her divine reputation.
Pretty as she was, she’d once been cast into the cold palace without a second thought.
She instructed Qingluo and two guards to escort the sisters to the estate. Qingluo wouldn’t make it back to the palace tonight and could return tomorrow.
Without another glance, Yu Miaohua boarded her carriage.
The next day, Qingluo returned and reported to her, "Those two have already been sent to the dye workshop. The madam said she would have people keep an eye on them."
Yu Miaohua replied, "Someone must have helped them."
When the Marquis of Wulie sent them to the estate, he must have also had them watched. Yet they still managed to escape smoothly—even knowing that she had left the palace to attend her mother’s birthday celebration at the estate. Their information was remarkably well-informed. Yu Miaohua refused to believe the estate servants would casually mention her mother’s birthday banquet for no reason.
She went to Fengyi Palace to discuss the matter with the Empress.
Of course, she believed the Crown Prince would also inform Her Majesty.
She trusted that the Empress was not the type to scheme and had no intention of letting misunderstandings fester between them.
When Empress Yang Zhaopei saw her arrival, she smiled directly. "I knew you would come."
She waved her hand, and palace attendants promptly served pastries and drinks—all of Yu Miaohua’s favorites, clearly prepared in advance.
Yu Miaohua watched as the Empress dismissed the others, then cut straight to the point. "Was it really Marquis Qin who sought them out?"
Yang Zhaopei nodded. "An hour ago, I met with my uncle. He said my father deliberately found three young beauties resembling you, hoping to persuade my uncle to act as an intermediary and send them into the palace."
Yu Miaohua continued, "The Marquis of Wulie refused to engage in such a scheme, so he sent the three women to his estate. But who would have thought that pair of sisters would be resourceful enough to escape?"
A faint smile appeared on Yang Zhaopei’s face. "You really do trust my uncle. This morning, he personally visited the estate. The remaining girl who didn’t escape said she was quite content growing cotton there and had no intention of leaving."
Yu Miaohua said matter-of-factly, "Because Your Majesty trusts him, and I trust those whom Your Majesty trusts."
[...Damn it, why isn’t the Empress a romanceable target? If she were, Host, you could’ve easily completed so many missions!]
The palace intrigue system watched this scene, feeling that their Transmigration Bureau’s thinking was far too narrow-minded—they should have listed the Empress and the Empress Dowager as romanceable targets. The more it thought about it, the angrier it became. Their host could have achieved so much more if not for the bureau’s limitations.
[Exactly! Familial love and friendship are no less valuable than romance. Your bureau’s mindset is just too rigid.]
Yu Miaohua joined in the criticism.
[During court assembly, the Marquis of Wulie even gave false testimony to help me. He’s a good man!]
[I’m not foolish enough to be used as a weapon against him.]
Seeing both the deity and Yu Miaohua practically wishing she were a romanceable target, even the composed Empress nearly choked on her own saliva.
If she were a romanceable target, wouldn’t that mean she’d have to personally teach Yu Miaohua how to woo her?
Just imagining the scene made her want to burst into laughter.
Yang Zhaopei said, "There must be another faction that delivered these three women to my father. Still, in this matter, my father is far from innocent. He sees you as an enemy, single-mindedly determined to steal your favor."
Her previously gentle expression faded, replaced by indifference.
She had given her maternal family multiple chances. Time and again, her leniency proved unnecessary.
Had it been anyone else, they would never believe she was uninvolved in this affair.
Yu Miaohua thought for a moment, then comforted her, "Perhaps the heavens thought Your Majesty was too perfect, so they decided to add some imperfections to balance things out."
Hearing her directly refer to her father as an "imperfection," Yang Zhaopei couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing her laugh, Yu Miaohua sighed in relief.
Once her laughter subsided, Yang Zhaopei’s expression turned solemn. "I will give you an answer for this matter."
If her father was dissatisfied with his marquis title, then he need not keep it.
[Marquis Qin’s reliance is his connection to the Empress and the Crown Prince. As long as this bond remains, he’ll keep finding opportunities to stir trouble. Host has triggered Main Mission 4.6: Sever the familial ties between the Empress, the Crown Prince, and Yang Lishen! Upon completion, the reward will be a treasure map left behind by the previous dynasty.]
[...]
[System, do you think this mission is reasonable? No matter how close my relationship with Her Majesty is, I can’t just encourage her to cut ties with her birth father.]
[Especially since the Empress, as the nation’s mother, is held to even higher standards. If she does this, she’ll undoubtedly be branded as unfilial.]
Some people wouldn’t care what wrongs Yang Lishen had committed. As long as he bore the title of "father," it seemed his children were expected to forgive him unconditionally.
[But this treasure vault holds countless valuables! Half of the previous dynasty’s gold reserves are stored there—tens of millions of taels. The remnants of the fallen dynasty have been searching for this vault, intending to use it as funds for their restoration.]
[...So the ones who actually groomed these three lookalikes were the remnants of the previous dynasty?]
[Unknown, Host. You’ll need to progress further in the main missions to unlock more investigative permissions.]
Yu Miaohua was almost certain her guess was correct. Due to the system’s low clearance level, its investigative capabilities were limited. However, its background data collection wasn’t restricted by rank. Since it issued this mission, it was highly likely they would cross paths with the remnants of the previous dynasty.
The previous dynasty had fallen two centuries ago, yet they still refused to give up, clinging to their dream of restoration.
Yu Miaohua had read some historical records—the fall of the previous dynasty was anything but undeserved. The emperor, obsessed with immortality, recklessly ordered the construction of a celestial tower, draining the treasury and exploiting the people until they were left destitute.
In the name of sacrificial rituals, he even had officials alter waterways, flooding entire provinces overnight, leaving millions dead and sparking rebellions across the land.
Was there any need to restore such a regime?
Over the years, not every emperor of Great Qi had ruled flawlessly, but compared to the previous dynasty, they were saints. The remnants dared not act openly, fearing exposure—lest the common people report them to the authorities themselves.
After discussing the matter of the three lookalikes with the Empress, Yu Miaohua stayed for lunch before returning to rest.
As for the newly triggered mission, she pretended not to see it.
While she enjoyed a peaceful nap, the Empress could not afford to ignore it.
She understood all too well—once this mission appeared, her familial ties with her father would have to be severed, whether she willed it or not.
Tens of millions of taels of gold—Great Qi’s annual tax revenue didn’t even come close to that sum. The national treasury currently held mostly silver and copper, with only about three million taels of gold in reserve.
The Emperor would undoubtedly be tempted. For the sake of missions, hadn’t he executed his own maternal uncle without hesitation?
Compared to that, her father merely losing his status as the Crown Prince’s grandfather was already lenient. Without this privilege, he would no longer be able to exploit his connections for personal gain.
In the end, after repeated warnings, he still dared to act on his own—wasn’t it precisely because of this very reliance?
After steadying her emotions, Yang Zhaopei headed to Qian Yuan Palace.
Pei Lingyue took a sharp breath upon learning the mission’s reward. "Is my father-in-law really worth this much?"
Ten million taels of gold!
Pei Lingyue’s eyes nearly turned red with greed, itching to claim the reward immediately.
Glancing at the virtuous and dignified empress, he cleared his throat. "Empress."
The empress replied gently, "This matter is entirely at Your Majesty’s discretion. Since my father has acted improperly, he must face the consequences."
Pei Lingyue was relieved once again that the empress could see the mission details—it saved him the trouble of explaining.
He summoned the ministers who could also see the mission into the palace for a small court meeting. After all, while he personally disliked his father-in-law, he couldn’t let his grudge harm the empress or the crown prince.
When the task of severing ties between the empress and Yang Lishen was announced, Grand Tutor Yuan Xinji voiced his concern: "He is, after all, the empress’s birth father and the crown prince’s maternal grandfather. Stripping him of his title is one thing, but cutting ties entirely may invite public criticism—"
Pei Lingyue remarked coolly, "The reward is the former dynasty’s treasure vault, containing ten million taels of gold."
Yuan Xinji immediately changed his tune: "I’ve long believed Marquis Qin is unworthy of his position and unfit to be the crown prince’s grandfather."
The Right Vice Censor declared righteously, "Marquis Qin has repeatedly meddled in palace affairs, disregarding imperial authority and showing no respect for hierarchy. He should be stripped of his title, demoted to commoner status, and severed from Her Majesty the Empress."
Everyone agreed that trading Yang Lishen for ten million taels of gold was an absolute steal.
If the late emperors of Great Qi knew, they’d rise from their graves to cast a vote in favor.
The officials debated back and forth, swiftly sealing Yang Lishen’s fate.
As they left the palace, their faces still bore traces of excitement—any outsider might assume they’d all taken some invigorating tonic.
Ten million taels of gold! None of them had ever seen such wealth in their lives, and they were determined to witness it firsthand.
As for the remnants of the former dynasty? They were dismissed outright—mere rats hiding in the shadows, incapable of causing any real trouble.
Ge Chengrong, the Minister of Revenue, was the most exhilarated. The emperor had implemented numerous reforms this year—promoting new technologies, revising education—all beneficial to the people, but the staggering expenses had pained Ge Chengrong deeply. Now, with this windfall, he walked with renewed vigor.
He recalled the emperor mentioning the acquisition of glassmaking techniques, ensuring Great Qi would no longer pay exorbitant prices for imported glass but instead sell it abroad…
Money, money, money—more was on the way.
Ge Chengrong was so thrilled he nearly danced on the spot.
…
At the Qin Marquis Estate, Yang Lishen sat stiffly in his chair, his face dark.
The three beauties he had placed high hopes on had all betrayed his expectations. Lu Lingyun had deceived him—none had been sent to the palace. One was now farming cotton in the countryside, while the other two had been sent by Yu Miaohua to the Wang family’s dye workshop.
His secret schemes had now reached Yu Miaohua’s ears.
How would the emperor’s favored consort retaliate?
Would she strip him of his title and position?
No, the emperor surely wouldn’t be so foolish as to humiliate the empress just to appease a concubine.
If Yu Miaohua went that far, his daughter the empress would surely recognize her ambition, ending any pretense of harmony between them.
Yang Lishen’s thoughts were in turmoil—he didn’t even know which outcome he dreaded more.
All he knew was that Lu Lingyun had entered the palace again.
Lu Lingyun had always enjoyed the emperor’s favor, and since returning to the capital, his summonses had outnumbered Yang Lishen’s lifetime total.
"Master, Marquis Lu has arrived."
Yang Lishen shuddered violently. He took a deep breath, forcing his expression into calm. "Show him in."
Moments later, Lu Lingyun strode in, and Yang Lishen’s gaze locked onto the imperial edict in his hand.
So it had come.
Had the emperor really sent Lu Lingyun to deliver the verdict?
Would he still retain his marquis title?
"Leave us," Lu Lingyun commanded, sweeping his eyes over the servants as if he owned the estate. The attendants hastily withdrew.
Yang Lishen stared at him, jaw clenched. "How does His Majesty intend to punish me?"
His voice turned bitter. "Is he truly willing to trample my dignity underfoot for Consort Hui’s sake, proving his devotion to her?"
"What of the empress and the crown prince? Does he feel nothing for them?"
"I warned you all—Consort Hui would be our greatest threat. Yet none of you listened."
Yang Lishen wallowed in self-righteous isolation, convinced he alone had foreseen the danger.
Lu Lingyun gave him a cold look. This had nothing to do with Consort Hui—it was about ten million taels of gold!
She was just the convenient scapegoat.
No wonder his niece treated Consort Hui so kindly—partly out of affection, partly out of pity.
"Consort Hui said nothing," Lu Lingyun stated icily. "The emperor cannot tolerate your repeated interference in palace affairs or your constant undermining of the crown prince and empress."
"Did you know the last man who meddled in the inner court was Duke Li? You’re aware of his fate."
Yang Lishen’s pupils shrank—Duke Li Gu Jinghui had been publicly accused by his own brother of impregnating a concubine during mourning, losing even his life. So the real reason had been his intrusion into palace matters.
If even Gu Jinghui had met such an end, what hope did he have?
His earlier boldness had stemmed from his reliance on the empress and crown prince, believing the emperor would show mercy for their sake. Even if stripped of rank, once the crown prince ascended the throne, he’d surely restore his grandfather’s honor.
But now, that delusion lay shattered.
Lu Lingyun produced a small vial, tapping it lightly with a finger. His voice was frosty. "This contains a lethal poison. Choose—drink this, or accept the edict."
He already knew his brother-in-law’s answer. Yang Lishen loved to posture as unyielding, but in truth, he clung to life above all else.
Sure enough.
Yang Lishen dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the floor, voice trembling. "This subject… accepts the edict."
Lu Lingyun unfurled the imperial decree, reciting each word with precision.
Yang Lishen knelt numbly, each syllable like a blade carving into his flesh.
As expected, his title was revoked, his meager official position stripped away. In an instant, he fell from esteemed marquis to commoner.
His fists clenched so tightly his nails drew blood, as if the pain could anchor him. He repeated to himself: Endure… just endure… until the crown prince takes the throne.
And once word spread, Consort Hui’s carefully cultivated reputation would crumble.
"……Yang Lishen’s fate is lowly and cannot bear the honor of being the father of the Empress. If he insists on clinging to wealth and status, his lifespan will be cut short, leaving him with little time left. Our heart aches with grief. To preserve his life, We hereby decree the severance of the father-daughter bond between Yang Lishen and the Empress. The estate of Marquis Qin shall be confiscated, and Yang Lishen shall be sent to a Taoist temple to live in austerity. May Heaven show mercy, and in light of his repayment of worldly fortunes, grant him longevity to live out his years in peace."
Lu Lingyun closed the imperial edict and lowered his gaze to Yang Lishen, whose face had turned ashen. "Accept the decree."
He couldn’t help but marvel at how ruthlessly cunning the Emperor could be—this was truly adding insult to injury.
What kind of logic was it to claim that forcing him into poverty would prolong his life?
Well, brother-in-law, hurry up and say your thanks. The sooner he accepted the decree, the sooner they could obtain the treasure map.
"Though you have failed His Majesty’s expectations, he has magnanimously chosen to forgive you and gone to great lengths to secure a path for your survival. Such boundless grace—shouldn’t you express your gratitude?"
Yang Lishen was stunned.
No matter how grandly worded the edict was, it ultimately gave him only two choices.
Either drink poison and die swiftly, or have his home seized, his ties to the Empress severed, and never again taste the luxuries of nobility.
With this decree in place, even if the Crown Prince ascended the throne in the future, he would never be able to reclaim any privilege—his downfall would be permanent.
A quick death, or a wretched, lingering existence—which path would he choose?
Yang Lishen spat out a mouthful of blood. Had Lu Lingyun not dodged swiftly, it would have splattered all over his robes.
His body swayed unsteadily, his voice feeble, his face pallid. "This subject… thanks His Majesty for his boundless grace."
Everyone present thought this deal was far too favorable—they almost wished they could experience it a few more times.
Oh, looks like the lottery results are out! Everyone, check your backends to see if you’ve won.
