Jiu Yue flipped onto the roof and lay down on the ridge, resting her head on her hands, though unlike usual, she didn’t sprawl out carelessly with her feet propped up.
The system activated late at night and couldn’t help but ask, "Host, what’s wrong?"
Jiu Yue rolled her eyes.
The system’s voice softened. "I’m just concerned about you… Are you still thinking about the family reunion?"
Jiu Yue scoffed and ignored it.
The system continued on its own, "Ah, we’re following the plot just fine now, so there’s no need to worry!"
Jiu Yue turned over and finally asked, "In the original storyline, did the original host reunite with the Fu Family the same way?"
"Pretty much." The system clattered as it pulled up data. "If the original host hadn’t gained self-awareness, she would’ve left Tianqi and returned to Great Yan after seeing Muling appear by Prince Ping’s side. Back then, Old Master Fu hadn’t yet moved to the estate, and Fu Yan'an wasn’t traveling everywhere seeking medical treatment."
"The original host also coincidentally ran into the old master and recognized her family through the hairpin… It’s the same outcome as ours, just a different path!" The system sounded rather pleased.
Jiu Yue: "…Can’t you just send me the entire original plot to read?"
The system refused. "It’s not that I won’t, but right now, you can only see the parts that have already happened—like the original host’s experiences with Prince Ping, learning the truth about why your Master took you away, and now the family reunion."
"As for future events, like the marriage alliance or the final outcome, you don’t have access yet."
Jiu Yue insisted, "What if I demand to see it?"
The system: "…Fine, I’ll send it."
Jiu Yue snorted coldly, only to see a string of garbled code flood her mind.
Jiu Yue: "…"
Before the system could beg for mercy, Jiu Yue’s calm voice cut in, "Don’t bother. I know—it’s that damn main system again, isn’t it?"
The system: "…Ahem. Yeah."
Jiu Yue waved her hand, accepting the reality.
If she couldn’t see it, so be it… After all, the original plot was already derailed. At this point, Jiu Yue believed the future wouldn’t unfold in the same melodramatic way.
The family reunion concluded, but Old Madam Fu’s words still left Jiu Yue shaken.
She truly hadn’t expected Doctor Tang’s claim that her Master was soft-hearted to extend this far—
Back then, her Master had accepted Consort Ning’s order to strangle the original host at birth, but the Empress fought desperately to protect the child, and her Master’s resolve wavered.
A premature infant in the palace wouldn’t have required much effort to kill—just the slightest nudge would’ve sufficed. Knowing her days were numbered and that she couldn’t shield her daughter forever, the Empress made a ruthless decision: she entrusted the baby to Jiu Yue’s Master.
Shamefully, her Master found himself drawn to the role of a foster father. He even went so far as to find a stillborn infant to replace the original host.
To prevent any mishaps, he took her away from Great Yan.
The Empress kept this secret until her death, never revealing it even to the emperor—only to her parents.
On her deathbed, the Empress left Old Madam Fu with one final plea: "If she’s living well, don’t drag her into the filth of the palace."
Jiu Yue couldn’t help but agree.
The imperial court was like a prison of desire, devouring lives one after another without a sound… Yet, this murky water was one she could never escape.
Damn that main system! Jiu Yue resolved to curse it a hundred times a day from now on!!!
The name "Consort Ning" flashed through her mind, and Jiu Yue’s heart sank.
This woman was no simple foe.
Over a decade ago, she had effortlessly targeted the Empress’s eldest daughter, driving the Empress to desperation without leaving a single trace of evidence. She had even managed to enlist the help of someone as skilled as Jiu Yue’s Master. Clearly, Consort Ning had powerful backing.
The moon emerged from behind the clouds, illuminating the cold glint of murder in Jiu Yue’s eyes.
And so, propelled by the unseen forces of the plot, the family reunion progressed at supersonic speed.
The very next day, Old Master Fu and Old Madam Fu brought Jiu Yue back to the Fu Residence, leaving Meng Danruo and La Ba behind at the estate.
Danruo had once been a maid in Muling’s palace. If she entered the imperial court now, Consort Ning would undoubtedly silence her.
Until they uncovered Consort Ning’s full hand, Jiu Yue didn’t dare gamble with Danruo’s life—so, for now, she remained at the Fu Family’s estate.
That night, Jiu Yue sought out Fu Yan'an on her own.
Though their identities had been clarified, the two shared no deep sibling bond. Fu Yan'an seemed surprised. "What brings my cousin to seek me out?"
Jiu Yue cut straight to the point. "Cousin, help me take down Consort Ning!"
Fu Yan'an: "…"
Expressionless, Fu Yan'an stood to close the windows, then sat back down with perfect posture, eyeing her disapprovingly.
"Fortunately, there are no servants around at this hour. In the future, cousin, you must choose your words more carefully." He paused, then asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Jiu Yue raised a brow. "Does that mean you agree?"
Fu Yan'an leisurely poured himself tea. "I know Consort Ning had a hand in Muling’s death, but I lack evidence. If you have a better method, of course I’ll assist. As family, I won’t let Muling’s death go unavenged."
"Noble indeed, cousin!" Jiu Yue clasped her hands in salute. "Tomorrow, our grandparents will take me to the palace. From then on, I’ll operate in the open, while you work in the shadows."
Fu Yan'an gave her a sidelong glance. "For someone who’s spent so much time in the jianghu, you’re surprisingly well-versed in court tactics."
Jiu Yue: "…"
Nothing special—just experience.
"What’s your next move?" Fu Yan'an asked.
Jiu Yue’s expression darkened. "I still don’t know why Consort Ning targeted Muling. I’ll contact you again once I learn more."
Fu Yan'an nodded. "Then I wish you smooth sailing, cousin."
The next day.
For the first time in ages, Grand Tutor Fu attended court.
From his throne, Emperor Yan expressed concern. "Grand Tutor, your health hasn’t fully recovered. You should be resting at home."
Grand Tutor Fu stepped forward and knelt in formal salute.
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern."
Emperor Yan waved a hand. "What’s this? We’ve already exempted you from kneeling—"
The eunuch beside him hurried to assist, but Grand Tutor Fu declined.
He lifted his head, meeting Emperor Yan’s gaze squarely, and declared in a firm voice: "This old subject has a matter of utmost importance to report!"
Knowing his temperament, Emperor Yan dismissed the eunuch with a wave and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "What is it, Grand Tutor?"
Grand Tutor Fu spoke gravely. "This old subject has discovered the whereabouts of a princess."
The court erupted in murmurs.
A princess’s whereabouts—
There was only one princess Great Yan had lost: Princess Muling!
Emperor Yan straightened, eyes alight with eagerness. "Is this true? You’ve found Muling? Where is she?"
Yet Grand Tutor Fu remained kneeling, his expression unreadable as he enunciated each word: "The one this old subject found… is not Princess Muling."
The court fell silent.
Emperor Yan’s joy dimmed. "Grand Tutor, have you fallen ill again?"
Grand Tutor Fu held his gaze steadily. "Your Majesty, have you forgotten the first child Her Majesty the Empress bore?"
Emperor Yan abruptly stood up, his face expressionless, but the ministers knew—His Majesty was displeased.
A voice, laced with schadenfreude, emerged from the crowd of officials. "What does Grand Tutor Fu mean by this? Everyone knows the first child born to the late Empress was stillborn. Bringing this up now is not just reopening old wounds—it’s rubbing salt in them!"
"Stillborn?" Fu Yan'an stepped forward, smiling faintly. "What if that ‘stillborn’ child was swapped?"
"Swapped? How preposterous! Has Young Master Fu lost his mind from investigating cases all day?"
"My, how strange—why does this minister seem so unhappy at the possibility that the Empress’s first child might still be alive?" Fu Yan'an tilted his head toward the source of the voice.
The speaker fell silent.
Everyone knew the late Empress was Emperor Yan’s untouchable scar. To speak ill of her in his presence was no different from seeking death.
The Emperor’s expression shifted several times before he finally sat back down, his voice low and heavy.
"Since Grand Tutor Fu is so certain, why not present this person directly?"
The Grand Tutor bowed. "My wife has been waiting outside with the princess for some time."
Emperor Yan lifted his gaze, and the eunuch at his side immediately called out, "Summon—"
Outside, Old Madam Fu turned to Jiu Yue.
For this audience, Old Madam Fu had donned her formal court attire, dignified and solemn. In contrast, Jiu Yue was dressed simply, her hair adorned only with a single silver hairpin.
"Don’t be afraid. Your grandmother is here." Old Madam Fu squeezed Jiu Yue’s hand, her gaze fixed ahead. "Come. Let me take you to meet your father."
Jiu Yue took a deep breath, her eyes equally resolute.
"Alright," she said.
