Yu Miaohua recalled that the system had mentioned once she reached Level 5, the in-game store would begin offering previously earned mission rewards.
Additionally, she would unlock the "My Domain, My Rules" privilege, though for now, this domain was limited to the Guanju Palace.
This meant every move within Guanju Palace would be under her surveillance. If anyone was bribed, she’d discover it immediately—a highly practical feature.
Just these two perks alone made leveling up worthwhile.
Yu Miaohua continued selecting jewelry to match her New Year attire, deliberating over several sets before the system returned from its upgrade.
[I’m back!]
Yu Miaohua noticed the system had finally ditched its blinding rainbow font. Of course, it still couldn’t settle for a plain black typeface. Its dialogue box now featured sleek black lettering dusted with gold flakes, framed by cascading, animated blood-red borders. The stark contrast between the pure red and black was punctuated by a crimson crown emblem at the center.
[What’s this?]
[Hehe, isn’t it cool? I’m a Level 5 system now—no longer a kid! Those rainbow fonts were so childish.]
[So what’s this new theme called?]
[Dark Night Sovereign! Perfect for my noble, majestic, powerful, and icy image.]
Yu Miaohua shuddered: such an antiquated aesthetic! It reminded her of the style she’d loved back in middle school. The system’s mental age had, at most, evolved from elementary to middle schooler.
[So edgy! It suits you perfectly.]
Having spent over a year with the system, despite its earlier annoyances, it had grown more considerate and even offered emotional support. Yu Miaohua didn’t mind indulging it—after all, everyone went through a cringey phase. Frankly, seeing the system like this gave her a weird sense of nostalgia.
[Hehe.]
After basking in her praise, the system began explaining the new features.
Yu Miaohua immediately opened the store to search for the Dragon King skill and Disaster Mitigation skill.
The Dragon King skill cost 2,000 points, while Disaster Mitigation demanded a whopping 5,000. The Weather Control skill was priced at 3,000.
So expensive!
She’d thought her 20,000+ points were substantial, but now realized they’d barely cover four Disaster Mitigation skills.
Her daily points mainly came from missions and check-ins. Main missions offered modest rewards, but hidden tasks were the real jackpot.
After browsing the store’s new additions, Yu Miaohua clicked on the newly added "My Domain" tab and gasped.
Every servant in Guanju Palace was marked on a map: green for allies, red for enemies, yellow for neutrals.
Her eyes landed on a half-green, half-yellow dot—Hong Xing.
Tapping the name revealed a detailed profile: "One of Pei Lingyue’s covert guards."
Though she’d suspected as much, this confirmed it. Someone as skilled in medicine as Hong Xing could’ve risen to any concubine’s inner circle long ago. No wonder the Emperor had sent her here.
Yu Miaohua wasn’t bothered. She rarely had secrets worth hiding. Hong Xing’s presence probably reassured the Emperor, and her sharpness had saved Yu Miaohua plenty of trouble.
Besides, the half-green status showed Hong Xing did hold some loyalty to her.
Scanning the map, Guanju Palace fared well—only two red dots among the staff: one tending the courtyard, another managing flowers. Neither could enter her chambers, limiting them to trivial gossip.
Further checks revealed one served Beauty Concubine Zhao, the other Concubine Shen—both low-profile figures with minimal imperial favor.
The page’s bottom displayed weekly updates.
For instance, Zisu (loyal to Beauty Concubine Zhao) grew sullen after missing her bribe this month and was considering overtures from Consort Jiang.
Consort Jiang? Her mahjong buddy?
Consort Jiang, along with Consort Fu and Consort Lao, often kept Yu Miaohua company over mahjong.
Consort Jiang played the zither exquisitely, her melodies soothing worries away.
Yu Miaohua, ever generous, frequently gifted them jewelry and silks under the guise of mahjong rewards. Their frequent visits to Guanju Palace ensured even the lowest servants dared not slight them, despite their lack of favor.
Why would Consort Jiang bribe her staff?
Each servant’s profile included a month’s worth of activities—an overwhelming deluge of intel.
No wonder the system had raved about this feature. It documented every move, far more comprehensively than she’d imagined. Now, no scheming in her palace could escape her notice.
[System, filter Zisu’s suspicious activities for me.]
[On it, Host!]
Results appeared in seconds.
Twenty-two days prior, Zisu had accepted Consort Jiang’s silver and leaked that the Emperor would dine at Guanju Palace at noon.
Yu Miaohua viewed the Emperor more as a boss—his whereabouts hardly concerned her. Had Consort Jiang won his favor through her own charms, she’d have applauded the ambition. But using her palace as a stepping stone? That crossed a line.
The memory of Consort Jiang’s gentle demeanor during her first visit surfaced, drawing a mental sigh.
A year ago, Yu Miaohua might’ve made a scene. Now? She couldn’t be bothered.
[System, alert me immediately to any future anomalies.]
[Got it!]
She summoned Qingluo. "Is there a maid named Zisu in our palace?"
As head maid, Qingluo knew every servant’s name and role by heart.
"Yes, she tends to the flowers."
Guanju Palace had four gardeners. Since abandoning the rice paddies, Yu Miaohua had repurposed the space for chili peppers and peonies.
Coolly, Yu Miaohua said, "I heard Consort Jiang’s taken an interest in gardening. Zisu’s talents are wasted here—send her over."
"If Consort Jiang declines, redirect her to Beauty Concubine Zhao."
Qingluo’s face darkened with anger. "She was bribed by Beauty Concubine Zhao and Consort Jiang?"
"Beauty Concubine Zhao is one thing, but Consort Jiang? After all Your Majesty’s kindness?"
Qingluo appeared even angrier than Yu Miaohua, her fists clenched tightly as if she were itching to throw a punch. Yu Miaohua soothed her, "Enough, there’s no need to waste your energy on insignificant people. Don’t work yourself into a rage—it’s not worth it."
Qingluo immediately went to find Zisu, who was at the time trimming withered branches with a pair of scissors.
When Zisu saw Qingluo—Yu Miaohua’s trusted maid—her eyes lit up. If she could win Qingluo’s favor, she might be assigned to serve in the inner chambers, where the monthly wages were higher and rewards more frequent.
The gold plum blossom hairpin Qingluo wore, for instance, had been a gift from the Consort. The Consort was truly generous to those close to her.
"Sister Qingluo, the plum blossoms in the courtyard are in full bloom. Shall I pick a few to place in the Consort’s study?"
Qingluo replied coldly, "The Consort isn’t fond of plum blossoms today. Consort Jiang, however, adores them. You may go and serve her instead."
Zisu felt as if she had been struck over the head, her mind blank and limbs turning cold.
After a moment, she stammered, "Is this... temporary? Will I return after some time?"
Even now, she clung to a sliver of hope.
Perhaps the Consort merely wanted to accommodate Consort Jiang, not because she had discovered Zisu had accepted silver from her.
"If you’d rather not serve Consort Jiang, you may go to Beauty Concubine Zhao instead."
At these words, Zisu’s last shred of hope shattered. Her face turned deathly pale, and she instinctively moved to kneel and beg for mercy.
Seeing through her intentions, Qingluo said sharply, "Don’t kneel before me—I’d rather not have my lifespan shortened. If neither option suits you, I’ll have no choice but to send you back to the Palace Domestic Service."
Being sent back meant an investigation into Zisu’s misconduct. She would likely receive twenty lashes, be expelled from the palace, and stripped of all her savings.
She might not even make it out alive.
The Emperor had revised palace regulations—disgraced maids expelled from the palace were to be sent to the fields to grow cotton or Champa rice.
Zisu remembered this and swallowed back the sob rising in her throat.
Qingluo then escorted Zisu to Consort Jiang’s quarters.
When Consort Jiang saw them arrive, she stepped out personally. But the moment her gaze landed on Zisu trailing behind Qingluo, her smile froze.
Qingluo bowed slightly and said, "The Consort noticed that you’ve taken a liking to flowers and plants recently and that you share a special rapport with Zisu. She didn’t wish to keep what you favor, so she sent Zisu to serve you. This is an act of goodwill—please don’t misunderstand."
Consort Jiang’s heart sank like a stone. Forcing composure, she replied, "I merely spoke with her a few times because her accent reminded me of home."
Qingluo continued, "If you’d rather not keep her, you may send her to Beauty Concubine Zhao. Zisu also shares a rapport with her, and I doubt she’d refuse."
Consort Jiang: "..."
It was precisely because she had seen Beauty Concubine Zhao’s people interacting with Zisu that she had attempted to bribe her.
Regret was inevitable.
She had once been content to live quietly, untouched by palace intrigues. But when Noble Lady Sun announced her pregnancy, lavish gifts began pouring into her quarters. Consort Jiang’s resolve had wavered.
Noble Lady Sun was years older than her—if she could conceive, surely Consort Jiang could too, with proper care. Once she bore a child, she planned to offer it to Consort Hui for rearing.
She never dared to steal Consort Hui’s favor—only to gather information about the Emperor’s whereabouts and "accidentally" cross his path, leaving an impression.
She hadn’t expected Consort Hui to uncover her schemes so soon—even her dealings with Beauty Concubine Zhao.
She wanted to explain herself, but where could she begin? The moment she concealed Zisu’s bribery from Consort Hui, she had already betrayed her trust.
Would the Guanju Palace ever welcome her again?
A pang of remorse twisted in her chest as she watched Qingluo depart, her expression bleak.
Her maid fretted, "My lady, why not plead with Consort Hui? She is kind-hearted—she’ll surely forgive you."
Consort Jiang shook her head. "She won’t. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent Zisu to me so openly."
Any further attempts would only humiliate her.
Her maid, envisioning their future without Consort Hui’s protection—a life of dwindling privileges—grew increasingly agitated. "Why must Consort Hui be so petty? You only wished to share her burdens—there was no ill intent."
If she could tolerate Noble Lady Sun, why not Consort Jiang? Her lady held a lower rank—shouldn’t she be easier to control?
"Enough!" Consort Jiang snapped. "If you speak such treason again, even I won’t be able to shield you."
Rubbing her throbbing temples, she drifted back inside like a lost spirit.
As Yu Miaohua’s confidante, Qingluo’s every move was scrutinized by the palace.
Consort Jiang held neither status nor favor, so her servants’ loyalty was easily bought. Other concubines soon learned of the incident through silver-lined channels.
Pondering Qingluo’s words, they gasped.
Had Consort Jiang and Beauty Concubine Zhao really bribed someone from Guanju Palace to spy? How audacious!
Beauty Concubine Zhao was one thing, but Consort Jiang owed her peaceful life to Consort Hui’s protection. Her betrayal was especially contemptible.
When Consort Fu heard the news from her maid, she set aside the handkerchief she was embroidering, picked up her scissors, and sliced it apart without expression.
She, Consort Jiang, and Consort Lao had all aligned themselves with Consort Hui, often joining her for mahjong. Over time, a semblance of sisterhood had formed. The handkerchief had been intended for Consort Jiang.
Yet Consort Jiang had secretly bribed Consort Hui’s maid—a blatant betrayal.
If she could stab Consort Hui in the back for favor, she would do the same to others.
Those who walked different paths could not conspire together.
Consort Hui must be heartbroken.
Consort Fu stood abruptly. "Come, we’re visiting Consort Lao."
She needed to discuss how to lift Consort Hui’s spirits and distract her from the pain.
……
Many assumed Yu Miaohua would be devastated by the betrayal.
In Guanju Palace, Qingluo and Cuiwei fussed over her.
But Yu Miaohua remained remarkably composed. Among her many close associates, only Consort Jiang had betrayed her—her judgment was still sound.
It simply meant she and Consort Jiang were never destined to be true friends. The loss was Consort Jiang’s, not hers.
Yu Miaohua refused to dwell on it.
Noticing Qingluo and Cuiwei’s cautious expressions, she chuckled. "Really, I’m fine."
Come to think of it, the Marquis of Wulie would soon depart for Shancheng.
Yu Miaohua held a favorable impression of him.
Fortunately, the recent hidden quest rewards had yielded useful items—some even suited for military use.
She retrieved two jars of Black Jade Trauma Ointment, a Body-Strengthening Pill, and a vial of Luck Elixir.
She had read the instructions for the Potion of Luck—one bottle could be taken three times. A single dose granted a day's worth of luck enhancement, making it easier for wishes to come true.
On the battlefield, victory depended not just on skill but also heavily on fortune. As a commander, with enough luck, one could turn the tide of battle.
She stored these items in a sandalwood box, which Cuiwei carefully carried.
By the Empress's pillow, small bottles and jars often appeared—clearly gifts from the heavens.
Who knew what treasures were inside this time?
As the New Year approached, the weather grew colder. Yu Miaohua checked the forecast and saw that light snow was expected in the afternoon.
Noticing the wind picking up outside, she decided not to endure the chill and opted to take a palanquin instead.
When she arrived at Fengyi Palace, Consort Hui, Yuan Huirou, was already there.
Yuan Huirou was discussing matters concerning Beauty Concubine Zhao with the Empress.
Though Yu Miaohua hadn’t intended to escalate the situation, as the Empress in charge of the imperial harem, it was her duty to maintain order.
Privately, the Empress also didn’t want Consort Hui to suffer such indignity. Her kindness wasn’t an excuse for others to take advantage of her.
Yuan Huirou remarked, "As for Consort Jiang, given what happened, His Majesty will surely avoid her palace from now on—if only to preserve Miaohua’s dignity."
Without favor and having offended a high-ranking consort, even if they did nothing, Consort Jiang’s "good days" were numbered.
Though the Empress ensured the inner court wouldn’t withhold her rightful provisions, the same allocation could vary greatly in quality depending on which palace received it.
"Beauty Concubine Zhao can’t be ignored—this isn’t her first offense," Yuan Huirou added, surprised. "I didn’t expect Miaohua to uncover the spy in her palace."
This made her view Yu Miaohua in a new light.
The Empress nodded slightly and had someone bring out the bright yellow silk reserved for imperial edicts, preparing to reprimand Beauty Concubine Zhao with a punishment of house arrest. Just then, Yu Miaohua arrived.
"Let her in at once," the Empress said.
The delay meant the Empress didn’t get to write the edict, pushing the silk aside instead.
Yang Zhaopei had been worried Yu Miaohua might be in low spirits, but the moment she entered the hall, Yu Miaohua beamed and announced, "Your Majesty, look what I’ve brought for you!"
Not a trace of gloom lingered on her face—clearly, the matters with Consort Jiang and Beauty Concubine Zhao hadn’t weighed on her.
Yang Zhaopei couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at Yu Miaohua’s carefree nature. She smiled warmly. "What is it?"
Spotting Yuan Huirou, Yu Miaohua grinned even wider. "Sister Yuan, you’re here too!"
Not wanting to dampen her mood, Yuan Huirou avoided mentioning Consort Jiang.
"We were just discussing the New Year’s banquet preparations," she said instead.
Yu Miaohua felt a pang of guilt. As a high-ranking consort, she should’ve been helping, but she’d been too lazy and had instead coaxed the Empress Dowager into lending her Nanny Zhou to handle the arrangements.
Now that she looked closely, Yuan Huirou did seem thinner.
Clearing her throat, she made an excuse. "I’ve been preoccupied with Noble Lady Sun’s pregnancy lately. I’ve been so worried I barely slept last night."
Fortunately, her rewards included a Safe Delivery Pill for Noble Lady Sun. The Longevity Pill could be saved for later.
[Host, you stayed up binge-watching that drama last night—too excited to sleep.]
Lately, Yu Miaohua had been hooked on a cross-dressing romance series, especially the scene where the heroine’s identity was revealed. The chemistry between the leads, though not exceptionally attractive, was electric, making it her favorite show in months.
[I much prefer you when you’re muted—so serene and elegant.]
[Ah, I see. The host was so anxious about Noble Lady Sun that she needed the drama to distract herself.]
[Exactly! That’s it.]
Yuan Huirou, about to praise Yu Miaohua, suddenly saw lines of text floating above her head.
Who was speaking?
And what was this "drama"?
"Miaohua, there are words above your head!"
The Empress’s gentle smile froze at Yuan Huirou’s outburst.
Wait—could Consort Hui see it too?
And she just blurted it out?
Yu Miaohua blinked in confusion. "What words?"
Yuan Huirou opened her mouth to explain, only to yelp when a sharp pinch struck her waist.
She turned to see the Empress had done it.
Bewildered, Yuan Huirou rubbed her side. "Your Majesty, why did you pinch me?"
The Empress smiled. "There was a mosquito."
Yuan Huirou: "..."
She was bundled in thick winter robes—mosquitoes couldn’t possibly bite through.
Yu Miaohua, still puzzled, pressed, "Sister Yuan, what words?"
[Sister Yuan saw something? Is she unwell?]
[Host, maybe she’s lightheaded from skipping meals? She has lost weight lately—probably from dieting. You’re already slim; no need to follow her example.]
[True. But Sister Yuan isn’t overweight either. I should talk to her about this.]
Yuan Huirou finally grasped it—Yu Miaohua was conversing with something invisible!
She wasn’t dieting! She’d lost weight from overwork!
And what was that other voice? A ghost?!
How bold of Miaohua to befriend a ghost! What if it drained her vitality?
Weren’t spirits in folktales always luring humans to steal their life force?
Why hadn’t Buddha struck this ghost down already?
Panicked, Yuan Huirou tried to warn Yu Miaohua—only for her foot to be stomped on before she could speak.
She shrieked like a startled hen.
Yang Zhaopei feigned remorse. "Huirou, my apologies—I didn’t mean to step on you."
"Come, let’s get you a fresh pair of shoes inside."
After the earlier pinch, Yuan Huirou suspected the Empress was doing this on purpose.
She wasn’t completely dense—she caught on.
Was Her Majesty trying to silence her? Could she see it too?
Surely the Empress wouldn’t harm Miaohua...?
Yang Zhaopei ushered Yuan Huirou into the inner chamber.
Yu Miaohua stood there, even more bewildered.
They’d left mid-conversation!
[System, do Her Majesty and Sister Yuan have secrets now? Are they excluding me?]
[Host, should I play "Always Silent" for you?]
["In this trio’s story, I’m the one without a name."]
[Ugh, you’re annoying. Play "God of Wealth Arrives" instead—at least it’s festive!]
The Empress caught this exchange before entering.
She’d need a convincing excuse later—she couldn’t let Miaohua feel left out.
......
Inside, Yuan Huirou listened as the Empress explained, her worldview shattering and reforming.
Dazed, she murmured, "So... it’s a guardian spirit protecting Miaohua?"
"And the deity even assigns tasks to Yu Miaohua?"
All those fine things Yu Miaohua brought out were rewards for completing tasks.
"So when I was confined earlier, was that also a task issued by the deity?"
"Correct. Yu Miaohua didn’t want to carry out the task or frame you, so she chose to abandon it. But your father was too tempted by the reward..."
Yuan Huirou’s emotions grew even more complicated. She decided then that next year, she wouldn’t gift her father the clothes she’d sewn herself for his birthday!
"What was the reward?"
The Empress thought for a moment before answering, "The formula for cement."
Many of the palace’s walkways had been paved with cement, and Yuan Huirou had seen firsthand how beneficial it was.
In an instant, she forgave her father. No wonder he’d taken the initiative to complete the task—who wouldn’t be tempted by such a prize?
If locking her father up for a while could secure the cement formula, she might have been tempted to make him suffer a little too.
And yet, Yu Miaohua had been willing to refuse the task just to spare her any hardship.
Yuan Huirou was so moved she could barely contain herself.
The Empress said, "It seems the System Deity has leveled up again. I wonder who else can see it now besides you?"
They’d have to find a way to test this—they couldn’t risk another near-slip like today.
After coordinating their stories, Yang Zhaopei stepped out first.
She gave Yu Miaohua a knowing look. "Earlier, Huirou’s skirt got stained with blood, so I made up an excuse to warn her. Later, pretend you don’t know—she’d be too embarrassed otherwise."
Yu Miaohua suddenly understood. So they hadn’t been excluding her!
Sister Yuan must have gotten her monthly cycle. People in this era seemed too shy to mention such things openly.
She nodded vigorously. "Understood. I’ll act like I noticed nothing."
She opened a chest, her voice bright with excitement. "Your Majesty, these items can be given to the Marquis of Wulie to carry with him—they might come in handy."
Afraid the Empress wouldn’t understand, she explained each one in detail before adding with a playful smile, "May the Marquis return victorious."
The Empress’s eyes reddened—Yu Miaohua’s kindness toward her uncle stemmed mostly from her affection for Yuan Huirou, a case of loving the crow for the sake of the dove.
"I don’t know how to thank you enough."
Yang Zhaopei, who could usually weave warm words effortlessly, now found her throat strangely tight, her usual eloquence failing her.
Yu Miaohua waved it off. "Your Majesty has always been so good to me."
"If you really want to thank me, perhaps the Marquis could bring back a few stalks of Moyun Grass for me when he returns?"
Moyun Grass was a plant native to Daliang.
Mid-conversation, Yuan Huirou reappeared.
To keep up appearances, she had changed out of her original outfit, and the Empress had lent her an unworn set of casual robes.
Yuan Huirou sat down as if nothing had happened.
Yu Miaohua’s gaze drifted to the bright yellow cloud-patterned silk before her.
"Oh? Is this the silk used for imperial edicts?" Was Her Majesty about to issue a decree?
Before Yang Zhaopei could answer, a line of text appeared above Yu Miaohua’s head.
[To stand unshaken in the harem, one must master the art of palace intrigue. Host has triggered Main Quest 5.6: Feign grievance before the Empress and Yuan Huirou, using them as weapons to punish rival consorts. Reward: Blueprint for a three-spindle treadle spinning wheel.]
[With cotton now widespread, it’s time to promote the three-spindle treadle spinning wheel, boost cotton cloth production, and advance the textile industry!]
Yuan Huirou was thrilled—she had finally witnessed the divine phenomenon the Empress had spoken of.
All they had to do was act as Yu Miaohua’s weapons to earn rewards?
Such opportunities should come as often as possible.
Ah, when would the deity issue a task related to her father?
Not that she wanted petty revenge—she simply wished to contribute to the Great Qi’s prosperity.
