Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The Second Daughter

The sky was clear, the blue sky as pristine as if washed by water. This was a rare sunny day since the beginning of winter, and Jiang Su lay back comfortably on a lounge chair, squinting her eyes for a nap.

V0 came out of her consciousness and transformed into a chubby guinea pig, sitting beside a small table eating pastries. It said, while eating, that the pastries were not as delicious as those made by Lin Le.

Jiang Su chuckled lightly, "It's good to have something to eat. Who knows, in the next world we might not even have this much."

V0 thought about it too. The worlds they visited for missions were random, and being of low level and having limited access, it only received information about the next mission after Jiang Su completed one, so V0 had no idea where they would go next.

If it was some remote ravine or impoverished mountain area, having anything to eat would be hard to say, let alone gourmet food.

No more being picky.

V0 gobbled down half a piece of pastry in one bite, chewed it, swallowed, then leaned back against the dish in imitation of Jiang Su, slightly reclining to let the warm sunshine fall on its body.

Then, in the consciousness space, it communicated with Jiang Su, "What do you plan to do about Ye Tong, Su Su?"

"Dismissive." Jiang Su, without opening her eyes or showing much interest, coolly uttered two words.

VO, startled, "…Squeak?"

Jiang Su: "Ye Tong and Lin Le are not the same. Lin Le has already given up on the scoundrel after seeing his true colors; what she lacks is the courage to leave him and the confidence to confront him directly, making it easy to help her."

"But Ye Tong is different. Ye Tong has both the capability and status, and leaving Chu Mu would be easy for her if she wished. Yet, despite years of torment by Chu Mu, she hasn’t left him. Do you know what that signifies?"

VO looked at her, bewildered.

Jiang Su's lips parted slightly, and she said in a calm tone, "It means she truly degrades herself."

V0：“……QAQ”

VO: "Is there really no way, Su Su?"

VO's voice carried a tinge of sadness. As a system that valued its pride, being unwanted at the reincarnation platform until finally pairing with Jiang Su, and then completing the last world so smoothly, it couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened at the prospect of failing the mission in the second world.

Jiang Su could sense VO's unease and depression. Opening her eyes to look directly at it, she said, "To say there isn't a way, that's not exactly true."

"!!!" VO's drooping little head shot up immediately.

Jiang Su reached out to stroke its fluffy head and said, "The female protagonists in these mission settings, despite their poor judgment in men, have many virtues—like Lin Le, who is gentle, pragmatic, strong, kind, and filial; and Ye Tong, who is upright, resilient, kind, and powerful. These virtues are indeed their shining points, but they are also their weaknesses."

"The reason these trashy tactics are labeled as such is precisely because, despite being mistreated by scumbags, the female protagonists still stay with them. The reason they end up together is that these scumbags exploit these weaknesses. So, if we want to break this pattern, we need to start with the protagonists' personalities."

"..." VO, somewhat understanding, "So... what exactly should we do now to separate Ye Tong from Chu Mu?"

Jiang Su: "Wait."

VO: "...Squeak?"

The Eastern Palace of the Great Jin Dynasty.

The maid Bi Rou hurried back to the main hall from outside the courtyard, calling out at the entrance, "Your Majesty."

The palace quickly responded, allowing her entry.

Bi Rou entered the hall slowly and approached the woman lying sideways on a soft couch.

"What news?" the woman on the couch asked slowly.

Maid Bi Rou pulled a letter from her sleeve and handed it to her, prompting the woman to open her eyes.

She possessed a stunning beauty, naturally resembling a classical painting of a lady when lying still, and even more breathtaking when her eyes were open.

Her eyes were like stars, not only dazzlingly beautiful but also clear and pure, reminiscent of an innocent child, embodying naivety and a disarming naturalness.

Jing Xiangyao took the envelope from Bi Rou and opened it. Upon reading that Chu Mu might have feelings for General Ye, she clenched the letter, her face turning cold.

"…Your Highness?" Bi Rou called out cautiously. She hadn't seen the letter's content but knew that only matters regarding the Northern King's Mansion could elicit such a reaction from Jing Xiangyao. Bi Rou couldn't understand why her mistress was so interested in a seemingly insignificant Northern King's Mansion.

She didn't believe the rumors that her mistress and Chu Mu were in love before she entered the palace. Despite Chu Mu's title, he lacked any commendable qualities. How could her mistress, of all people, fancy him?

Bi Rou still felt the issue might have something to do with Ye Tong.

What exactly did General Ye do to make her mistress care so much? After all these years, her mistress still went to great lengths to sabotage Ye's marriage with the Northern King.

As Bi Rou pondered, Jing Xiangyao finished reading the letter, slowly rose from the couch, and walked to a desk to write a response swiftly.

Jing Xiangyao was ordering Xiao Yao to do whatever it took to deepen the conflict between Chu Mu and Ye Tong. After four years of effort, she would not allow any accidents—feelings?

You... are worthy?

Jing Xiangyao handed the letter to Bi Rou. Shortly after, a servant reported the Crown Prince's arrival.

Jing Xiangyao lowered her gaze slightly, and as she began to rise, a maid by her side immediately assisted her.

Soon, the doors to the chamber opened, and the Crown Prince, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, strode in.

"Your Highness." Jing Xiangyao began to bow but didn't complete the gesture, as the Crown Prince quickly grasped her wrist.

"The elixir!" The Crown Prince's expression was frantic, his eyes showing a desperate longing and even a hint of madness, "Xiangyao, quick! Give me the elixir! I've run out of my medicine! I need the elixir!"

Jing Xiangyao was held tightly by him, causing her pain, yet her face showed no sign of distress. Instead, she gently embraced the crown prince, soothing him in a soft voice, "Your Highness, don't be anxious. Xiangyao still has many divine medicines. I'll have someone fetch them for you right away, Your Highness."

Her voice seemed to possess a magical power that calmed the crown prince's frenzied mood due to the lack of medicine. As the attending maid went to get the medicine, the crown prince, being held by Jing Xiangyao, felt reassured. He pressed his face against Jing Xiangyao's neck, his tongue caressing her skin as white as jade, his hand roaming freely over her body.

He murmured, "Xiaoyao is the best... Xiaoyao, you smell so good."

Jing Xiangyao's lips curved into a slight smile, as if tickled by the kiss, and she gently shifted her body, then said softly, "Your Highness, be gentler. Xiangyao still has to meet with the Emperor later."

The crown prince paused, then buried his face in Jing Xiangyao's shoulder, ceasing his kisses but not the movements of his hands.

The maid brought the medicine, and Jing Xiangyao called out gently, "Your Highness, the medicine is here."

Hearing her, the crown prince slowly lifted his head. Upon seeing the white medicine packet in the maid's hand, he excitedly snatched it and tore it open, licking the white powder inside like a dog starved for too long.

Jing Xiangyao watched him tenderly for a moment, then softly said, "Your Highness, Xiangyao must go to see the Emperor now."

Rarely stopping his licking of the powder, he fixedly looked at Jing Xiangyao, his expression wilting, guilt-ridden, and somewhat pained: "Xiangyao..."

This woman had sacrificed far too much for him.

When he was harmed by traitors and accidentally forced himself upon her, she did not blame him and even tried her best to cover it up for him.

Afterward, they married. He had always been frail and sickly from a young age, which had been a source of distress for him. It was she who found the medicine that allowed him to regain his health.

And then, when the Emperor coveted her beauty, and she, in order to solidify his position as the heir apparent, had no choice but to submit to others, winning over the Emperor's heart...

Jing Xiangyao raised a finger to gently press against his lips as if sealing the rest of his words: "Your Highness, say no more... All was willingly done by Xiangyao."

She looked at the crown prince, her clear, bright eyes reflecting only him. The crown prince, warmed by her gaze that seemed to see only him in the entire world, embraced her tightly and whispered promises into her ear: "Xiangyao, I will never fail you! Just wait for the day I ascend to the throne, and I will make you the noblest woman in the world!"

Jing Xiangyao smiled softly at his words, her voice still tender and gentle.

"Xiangyao believes in Your Highness."

Jing Xiangyao traveled from the Eastern Palace to the Emperor's sleeping quarters, the Qianqing Palace, by palanquin. Along the way, the court attendants showed her utmost respect.

The imperial palace is the most prestigious place in the land, yet also the most sordid.

But even the most sordid matters cease to be subjects for their discussion once they involve the Emperor.

When Jing Xiangyao entered the Emperor's sleeping chamber, all attendants had already withdrawn. Emperor Jiayang, lying on the dragon bed, brightened immediately upon seeing the approaching Jing Xiangyao.

"Xiangyao..."

He reached out to her, his hand, aged over fifty years, was loose and cracked like tree bark, showing his advanced age.

"Your Majesty." Jing Xiangyao took his hand and slowly sat beside the dragon bed.

Emperor Jiayang watched her fondly, then couldn't resist pulling her onto him. He trembled as he looked at her fair, jade-like face and her vibrant, delicately textured skin.

She was so beautiful, young, and gentle.

Holding her, Emperor Jiayang felt as if the woman in his arms was made for him, as if possessing her, embracing her, made him feel as young as she was.

"Xiangyao..." Emperor Jiayang, nibbling on Jing Xiangyao's earlobe, elicited a soft exclamation from her, and he whispered into her ear with pride, "Your birthday is coming up soon. What do you wish for?"

Jing Xiangyao turned, smiling softly, "Xiangyao wishes for nothing. The rewards Your Majesty has given over the years are already plentiful."

"Not enough," Emperor Jiayang insisted. "Even if I gave all the treasures of the world to Xiangyao, it would not be too much for me."

Fascinated by Jing Xiangyao, he believed she was a fairy bestowed upon him by the heavens. From the moment he saw her at the Crown Prince's wedding, he felt she should belong to him.

He was the Son of Heaven, the master of the world; all the best things should be his!

"Your Majesty..." Jing Xiangyao looked at Emperor Jiayang.

Enthralled by her gaze, Emperor Jiayang couldn't resist kissing her eyes...

"Xiangyao, my fairy. Tell me what you want, and I will give you anything!"

Jing Xiangyao closed her eyes, "Xiangyao wants nothing. If Your Majesty insists on rewarding me, then let me have a birthday banquet in the palace."

"What kind of request is that? I would do it even without you asking. Think again, Xiangyao, what else do you want?"

"Your Majesty..." Jing Xiangyao seemed troubled, her voice soft, "Please don't make it difficult for Xiangyao."

Emperor Jiayang's heart softened, and he laughed warmly.

Late at night, with the moon high in the sky, Jing Xiangyao slowly walked out of the Qianqing Palace.

The waiting maids quickly approached to drape her in a cloak, while the fawning eunuchs told her the carriage was ready.

Jing Xiangyao, with the maid's assistance, slowly walked to the carriage and sat down.

By the time she returned to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was no longer in the sleeping chamber. Bi Rou brought the still-warm pregnancy tonic, but Jing Xiangyao, her face slightly pale, waved her hand to have the medicine taken away.

"Your Highness..." Bi Rou wanted to persuade her, knowing that Jing Xiangyao was only recently pregnant and the risk involved with not taking care.

However, Jing Xiangyao indifferently said, "Whether it survives depends on its own fate."

Saying this, Bi Rou saw Jing Xiangyao looking at her abdomen with a trace of disgust.

A chill ran through Bi Rou, and she dared not say anything further.

The night outside grew denser. When Jing Xiangyao went to sleep, no one was allowed inside the chamber, so the night-shift palace maids and eunuchs mostly waited outside.

Surrounded by darkness, Jing Xiangyao, closing her eyes to sleep, began to have a nightmare.

In the dream, she became that orphan girl again.

Her father's indifference and preference for sons over daughters made life difficult for her and her weak mother in the inner court. Then, in the year she turned ten, her mother, who had been depressed for years, passed away, making her days in the mansion even harder.

The year after her mother's death, her father remarried. The new stepmother's conflicts with the concubines in the inner court gave her a few years of peace, but as she grew into her beauty, her father harbored other intentions, and the people of the inner court noticed her again.

Thus, on a night when she was fourteen, she was thrown into a temple outside the city filled with beggars.

That was her most desperate night, and it was then she realized that in this world, no one but herself could save her.

After spending a night in the temple, her father, in a fit of rage, executed the concubine who had relied on giving birth to three sons. She, on the other hand, was sent to the Crown Prince's bed by her father's scheming.

"Huh."

Jing Xiangyao woke from her nightmare, staring into the darkness of the room, her restless heart gradually calming.

The Jing family, the royal family... they are all just places that hide filth.

Men... are the most disgusting existence in this world.

One day.

...One day, she will trample them all under her feet.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't expect to write so much about Sister Yao. I thought I could get to Jiang Su starting to train Sister Tong. But the next chapter should have it! Don't worry, Sister Tong will become very cool in the end! Sister Yao too!!