Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Eh…
Huijun’s face suddenly turned red. She knitted her brows, as if she was bearing an enormous amount of pain.
She grabbed Jiang Pengji’s sleeves with both hands. Her entire body curled up as if it were a prawn roll, and her skin was covered in a layer of sweat. She looked helpless and pitiful, such that no one could help but empathise with her… Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes. Her heart had no time to be moved before it became calm again.
The System said, “Host, you are digging your own grave. You have seen her at her worst. Aren’t you afraid she will harm you when she gains power one day?
“You must know that, in the world, there are some trustworthy people, while others do not deserve your trust. Jiang Pengji smirked and calmly replied, “It is obvious that Huijun is deserving of my trust. I do not ever suspect the people I choose to trust, unless they betray me.
It was not easy to scheme and harm Jiang Pengji.
The System said coldly, “You say such naïve words, which proves that you do not fully understand human hearts. Human nature is very complex. The person before us is not of noble character, nor does she possess any integrity. The host indeed rescued her from the depths of the valley. She is indeed grateful and moved to tears; she desperately wishes to give herself in marriage to you. But once she reaches the top, this experience will become a dark past she urgently wants to erase.
Jiang Pengji laughed mockingly. “You are a System, and you’re teaching me what human nature is like?
The System cruelly choked at her words. If it had an expression, its face would’ve turned dark as ink and heavy until drops of water leaked down its cheeks.
After a while, the System eccentrically opened its mouth. “Actually, the host shouldn’t have agreed to her request. She knows your gender now.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Why?
The System said, “Based on the System’s critical analysis, this woman is in love with, and idolizes, you. If the host did not reveal her gender, she would have fallen deeper in love. With numerous pieces of evidence abound, controlling a woman who is emotionally attached to you is far easier than one without. If she is truly in love with you, she will serve you unconditionally. Unfortunately, the host ruined the opportunity, unafraid that she will become evil and seize the chance to stab you.
At that, Jiang Pengji laughed. She originally thought she was shameless enough, but she never thought the System’s true nature was so detestable.
“I think you are mistaken. Jiang Pengji shook her finger and said seriously, “Firstly, I am making this deal with Huijun on equal terms. I will give her unending wealth, and make the path to rise to a high status smooth, while she works for me and helps me achieve my goal. It is fair. If I used fake feelings to deceive her, that would be emotional blackmail. From my point of view, that is the exact method a piece of scum would choose.
The System mentioned that Huijun had feelings of attraction for her; Jiang Pengji just noticed it. It was precisely that reason that Jiang Pengji agreed to Huijun’s request, using it to dash her hopes.
It’d be good if she was ignorant, but she knew that Huijun was interested in her. If she feigned ignorance and led her on while she accompanied the bride, the daughter of the concubine of the Liu manor, in marriage, and then followed the plan of being the “beauty who would bring misfortune to the country, wouldn’t that have made her a piece of scum?
Jiang Pengji truly did not have many values, but bullying the weak and cheating their feelings she could not do.
Contrarily, the System… Its capacity to think, and its schemes, were so shallow. There was nothing to fear.
Huijun slept soundly through the night. She had no dreams until daylight dawned. She never knew she could sleep so peacefully and be so relaxed.
She woke up in a daze. The foreign blanket on her body slid down with her actions, causing her to be inevitably shocked.
She surveyed her surroundings and noticed the layout around was neat and tidy. The air was filled with a mild scent.
She was surely not in the lady’s chambers.
“Has the lady awoken? An unfamiliar woman’s voice drifted to her ears.
Huijin pursed her lips and carefully said, “Eh. She guessed whose room it was.
Taxue pushed open the door. Following behind her were a few maids. Some carried copper basins, towels, and related items. They served Huijun as she washed up in silence.
“You look so pretty, my lady. One maid stared at her until she was in a daze. She was somewhat mesmerized.
Huijun twisted her brows. Her heart was doubtful. She had known she was pretty from birth… But was she so beautiful to the extent that the servants from the Liu manor were mesmerized?
She looked at herself in the mirror. Huijun had some hesitation in her eyes.
The face was the same… Her facial features were the same, but unexplainably, they had something more than yesterday. It made her more enticing and charming.
After washing up, Huijun secretly speculated in her heart and felt uneasy.
“I imposed on you yesterday. Please forgive me. When Huijun appeared on the screen in the streaming room, Jiang Pengji heard many cat calls.
She smiled, and was not moved or attracted by the charming disposition. Her eyes were still pure and clear. “You did no wrong. Why do you need forgiveness? Do you want to sit and have breakfast with me?
“Since you have extended a grand invitation, I boldly accept.
In the past, breakfast was not exquisite, even for the scholars. At most they ate somewhat delicately. However, the audience from the streaming room said, even if one saw a few more years, they would not be tired of it. Needless to say, there was an ancient beauty that day––a feast for the eyes. Just looking at her wet the appetite for a few meat buns.
Both are them ate their breakfast quietly. Jiang Pengji dismissed the other servants. “Do you know what to do hereafter?
Huijun thought it through and said, “Help the second niangzi gain favor and win the affection of the Fourth Prince? Since she was the accompanying maiden to the bride, she really didn’t know what else to do besides that. But if it was only that, it did not explain why the Liu manor had invested so much effort in her.
“No, the truth is that this has nothing to do with my sister getting married, Jiang Pengji told her plainly.
No relationship at all? Huijun heard what was said. Her heart was moved, and she vaguely understood something.
She did not know about the fight for the throne, nor did she know which prince was mostly likely to ascend the throne. Since she was the “beauty who would bring misfortune to the country, however, she naturally would be by the king’s side, attracting all the attention from him. She would cause him to be mesmerized and sink deeper to the point of neglecting state affairs.
The Liu manor arranged for her to be the maiden who accompanied the bride in marriage. It wasn’t to invest in the Fourth Prince.
“I heard that the Emperor’s body is very healthy… she attempted to inquire. A healthy Emperor’s body suggested that there were many more years in the Emperor’s life. The princes had no chance of eyeing the throne.
If one predicted correctly, then her task was to seduce the Fourth Prince, then step on Wuma Jun to reach the Emperor’s side.
Huijun’s eyes flashed and her expression changed slightly, then Jiang Pengji knew the other party had deciphered the truth. She slowly nodded her head. “I understand. She took a deep breath, revealing the expression of a warrior who had just broken an arm.
“The Second Princess Consort is the princess of the Northern Borderline. Her name is An Yina. This lady’s age is close to yours, but she is very conniving.
Jiang Pengji purposely mentioned it, and Huijun began to understand. “I will be careful in dealing with this person.
Jiang Pengji said, “There’s no need to be afraid. You just need to enjoy yourself. As for the rest, we will take it as it comes.
“I am unafraid. Another day of enjoyment is bought with blood…
“No, that is not what I wanted to say… Jiang Pengji said one word at a time, “I wanted to say––you don’t have to be afraid. When all is settled, I will protect you.
