Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Upon hearing Xiao Xiao's words, Mu Mu's eyes widened in shock. His glare at Yun Songzhang instantly shifted to Xiao Xiao as he huffed angrily, "My mom isn't your brother's! No one can take my mom away!" he protested.

Xiao Xiao put her hands on her hips, her chubby cheeks puffing out. "I'm not taking your mom! Pretty sister is going to be my sister-in-law!"

Mu Mu stomped his foot in frustration. "She won't be your sister-in-law!"

Xiao Xiao glared at him. "She will be my sister-in-law!"

The two kids debated like they were arguing for hours. The usually composed Mu Mu was so worked up his face turned red and his neck bulged. With an exasperated "Aiya!", he suddenly buried himself in Wen Zhi's arms—probably overwhelmed—and started clinging to her while whining.

"Mom—" His little head nuzzled into her chest.

How unusual! Her son was actually acting spoiled!

Wen Zhi patted his head soothingly. "Don't be mad, don't be mad. Mom is Mu Mu's mom, and no one can take me away."

The previously tense atmosphere suddenly turned amusing.

After comforting him, Wen Zhi gently pulled him away. "Mu Mu, stand here for a bit. I need to talk to Ji Yao."

Mu Mu blinked, a little reluctant, but ultimately nodded obediently.

Wen Zhi jerked her chin at Lin Jiyao, signaling him to follow as she headed back to the private room. Lin Jiyao closed his eyes, dejected, and trailed behind her. Liu Yiru and Yun Songzhang exchanged knowing smiles.

Once inside, Lin Jiyao closed the door behind him and asked irritably, "What's your problem today?"

Wen Zhi nodded. "I still haven’t settled the score with you for kicking my hairpin under the bed before. What's gotten into you?"

Lin Jiyao’s face flushed instantly, his cool act falling apart as he stammered, "Y-You... knew about that?"

That spelled it out clearly.

Lin Jiyao was so embarrassed he wanted to run, but though his feet twitched, he couldn’t bring himself to move.

His expression was a mix of complexity and conflict. Wen Zhi got right to it. "Alright, your 'white moonlight' has nothing to do with the current me, and you probably don’t like the current me either. Let’s just clear the air. We can still be friends—no need to be weird about it."

Lin Jiyao: "Who said I was awkward? I only kept it a secret because I was worried you’d feel awkward!" He muttered under his breath—who didn’t have a cringy phase in their youth?

Wen Zhi: "Back to the main point—why were you targeting Yun Songzhang?"

Lin Jiyao: "First of all, I wasn’t targeting him. I just think he’s too sneaky. Given what happened before, it’s necessary to make sure you don’t get fooled."

"You said it yourself—we’re friends." To him, Wen Zhi was a special kind of friend. Not a romantic interest, just... special.

Wen Zhi: This idiot is still worried about me getting scammed.

"Relax, being a wealthy single lady rocks. I’m not that hard up."

Lin Jiyao scratched his head. "T-That’s not what I meant. If there’s a good one, you should still go for it. Just... maybe let Sister Liu check them out first."

Wen Zhi couldn’t hold back a laugh. The weight on Lin Jiyao’s shoulders finally lifted, and he felt much more at ease around her. He cracked a small smile—only for it to freeze the next second.

Because Wen Zhi then said, "So... can you give back that bedazzled hairpin you took? It’s really expensive!"

The person before him no longer matched the "white moonlight" from his memories, but that hairpin represented all his youthful longing.

A little reluctant to leave.

Wen Zhi smiled and said, "Just kidding—I’m heading out." With that, she walked out first.

Lin Jiyao froze for a moment before following her out.

He’d return it to her, just not now.

When they stepped outside, they only saw Liu Yiru with the four kids. Wen Zhi looked around and asked curiously, "Where’s Yun Songzhang?"

Liu Yiru replied, "He got a call just now and said he had company matters to attend to, so he left first. He asked us to send Xiao Wen home after we’re done playing."

Wen Zhi sighed in relief: Thankfully, she didn’t have to reject two people in one day—that would’ve made her seem heartless.

The three of them took the four kids to the largest zoo in Jiangcheng. It was November, and the weather was chilly, so the zoo wasn’t very crowded.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, they all wore masks and hats. The ticket-taker glanced at Wen Zhi, then at Mu Mu, initially suspicious. But when she saw Liu Yiru, her eyes widened slightly, and upon spotting Lin Jiyao, she barely contained her excitement. After they entered, she grabbed her colleague’s arm and squealed softly, "OMG! It’s Wen Zhi, Lin Jiyao, and Movie Queen Liu, plus four adorable kids!"

Her colleague was equally thrilled and pulled out her phone to take a photo, but the inspector quickly stopped her. "Don’t! They’re just here to see the animals."

The colleague thought about it and agreed, putting her phone away but still craning her neck for another look.

Their tour guide led the group of three adults and four kids onto a sightseeing cart heading toward the south gate. Their first stop was Dinosaur Park, where the ultra-realistic dinosaurs even roared. Wen Xiaowen imitated them, baring his teeth and growling, making the other three kids burst into laughter.

Next, they saw giraffes, flamingos, swans, golden monkeys, lions, tigers… so many animals. The four kids even got to feed apples to the red pandas. Those fluffy little red pandas were so cute that Xiao Xiao kept murmuring how much she wanted to keep one.

From the moment they entered the zoo, Mu Mu’s smile never faded. He was nothing like his usual self in Great Yong (the historical dynasty).

He’d seen many animals on TV, but this was his first time encountering so many real ones. The lions and tigers looked so powerful and regal, and the giant pandas munching on bamboo were unbearably adorable. He really wanted to touch one.

After touring around, as they were about to leave, fans finally recognized them and excitedly asked for photos. The group was very accommodating, posing while still enjoying the animals.

Weibo blew up. After two months, Wen Zhi was trending again—this time alongside Lin Jiyao, Liu Yiru, and the four kids.

The hashtag #SurpriseZooTrip climbed from the bottom of the trending list all the way to the top. Netizens were baffled—what was so special about a zoo? Everyone’s been to one.

Curious, they clicked in and saw photos of Wen Zhi, Liu Yiru, Lin Jiyao, and four adorable little kids petting red pandas.

"OMG! After all this time, the first-season guests of *Baby! 2* are finally reunited! So touching!"

"OMG, is this the surprise finale gift from *Baby! 2*? What am I seeing? The kids’ friendship lives on!"

"Hahaha, while the kids pet the pandas, we get to admire the kids. I just wanna hug them—they’re so cute!"

"Exactly! Comparing the episodes, I still prefer the ones with Wen Zhi. So fun and lively!"

"Sob—Sister Zhi and Mu Mu are finally back!"

"Quick, which zoo is this? Can I still buy tickets and rush over now?"

"Hahaha, it’s the one near my place! I’m already on my way—five minutes till I’m there!"

"So jealous right now.jpg"

"So jealous right now +101."

Even if fans sprinted there, Wen Zhi and the group had already left the zoo.

When they said goodbye, Wen Xiaowen cried so hard that snot bubbles popped out. Sniffling, he said, "I’ll call you guys whenever I get the chance. I’ll miss you all so, so much. You better miss me too, okay?"

Xiao Xiao nodded eagerly, "Don't worry, Xiao Wen, I will miss you very, very much."

Sen Sen said enviously, "Xiao Wen gets to skip English lessons when he goes abroad. That’s so nice."

Xiao Wen saw her point and suddenly felt less sad.

After parting ways, Wen Zhi called Wen Bingchun to ask where she was. Wen Bingchun said she was at the shop, so Wen Zhi immediately told the driver to swing by the dessert store on the commercial street. As soon as Xiao Wen arrived, he pulled Mu Mu inside, bragging as they walked, "This is my sister’s shop! You can have anything you want—my treat!"

Mu Mu was drawn in by the sweet aroma in the shop, his eyes darting between the brightly colored pastries.

Wen Zhi waited outside the store while Wen Bingchun, tying her apron, asked, "Aren’t you coming in? Today's cake is on me too."

"You think I came just for free cake?" Wen Zhi rolled her eyes. "You pinch pennies with me but are generous with Xiao Wen—even willing to give him shares."

Wen Bingchun scoffed, "Do you really think I’m the selfless type? I just wanted to annoy Madam Zhou Li. The thought of her throwing a tantrum makes me happy."

Wen Zhi gave a tsk, "Still holding grudges, I see."

Wen Bingchun replied, "You know me by now." She had seethed over Wen Zhi with all her heart, and gritted her teeth at the thought of her parents. Anything that upset them delighted her.

Before her father got out, she would keep all the proxy-held shares firmly in her grasp. Watching them kowtow and walk on eggshells, just as she had for so many years, would be her revenge.

That was just the kind of person she was!

Wen Zhi let it drop. When Mu Mu came out, she took his hand and got into the car.

Back home, she had intended to clarify things with Yun Songzhang, but Secretary Xia informed her that the boss was unreachable and couldn’t take calls. Wen Zhi initially thought it was just a temporary matter, but after four or five days of unanswered calls, it was clear he was avoiding her.

She wasn’t one to force things, so she let it go. While she couldn’t reach him, someone else called her. Chen Yuyao bubbled that she had worked for two days and found prison life surprisingly great—no office politics, no endless schedules, friendly colleagues, and best of all, seeing Lu Xun's face screw up while eating spicy food.

Whenever she felt unhappy, she could scold him or even wave the baton at him. Life was pretty sweet.

It was something she had never imagined before.

Wen Zhi said, "Then keep a close eye on him. Try to catch his mistakes early so he stays longer."

"Don’t worry," Chen Yuyao's voice sobered. "There’s one more thing I need to tell you." She paused briefly. "Lu Xun said he wants to see you—he has something to say about Senior Tutor Shen." If it weren’t about Senior Tutor Shen, she wouldn’t have bothered relaying the message.

"Shen Yizhi?" Wen Zhi’s breath hitched. "When can the meeting be arranged?"

Chen Yuyao gave a knowing chuckle, "Still saying there’s nothing between you two? The moment he’s mentioned, you’re even willing to see Lu Xun."

Wen Zhi’s voice turned cold, "Why so much nonsense?"

Chen Yuyao replied, "Tomorrow at 10 AM. You’ll only have fifteen minutes—don’t be late."

Wen Zhi hung up with a click.

The next morning at nine, Wen Zhi set out on time and arrived at the prison gate by 9:45. Chen Yuyao personally opened the door for her, cutting a sharp figure in uniform.

She smiled, "You’re early. He hasn’t been brought out yet. I’ll take you to the visitation room first."

Wen Zhi waited in the reception room for about ten minutes. The officers serving tea came and went three or four times—though all stern, their steps were noticeably light and cheerful.

At ten o’clock, Lu Xun, handcuffed, was brought out. After half a month in prison, he was scruffy and hollow-eyed. The blue-gray striped prison uniform made him look utterly worn out. Only when he saw her did his eyes flash with hate.

After the officer escorted him in, he reminded them, "You only have fifteen minutes. Talk quickly."

Once the officer left, Lu Xun eagerly picked up the phone and gritted his teeth, "Meet one demand, and I’ll tell you a piece of news about Shen Yizhi."

Wen Zhi's expression remained calm. "First tell me what you know, then I'll decide if it's worth agreeing to your condition."

Lu Xun: "You agree first."

Wen Zhi held the phone without moving or speaking, the two locked in a standoff through the glass door. After a minute, Lu Xun caved—the once-proud emperor had already bowed his head countless times in prison; one more made little difference.

He spoke: "We both fell into the lake together. After a swirling rainbow current, he was swept away first. I saw him vanish with my own eyes, and caught a glimpse of what looked like a mirage—it resembled a hospital. He must have arrived earlier than me, likely in a hospital."

Wen Zhi: "How can you be sure it was a hospital?"

Lu Xun: "Because I saw nurses, and Shen Yizhi lying on a bed with short hair. He must be in the same situation as Chen Yuyao."

In other words, he had already been stabbed through the heart by Lu Xun in ancient times, and his soul had traveled to this time.

Though his current name was unknown, with her resources, she could surely find him.

Wen Zhi: "What do you want?"

Lu Xun's face went through a series of contortions, as if struggling between shame and fury, before he finally forced out the words: "I don’t want to eat any more dishes with chili peppers." The emperor of Great Yong had never imagined a day when chili peppers would be his downfall.

Wen Zhi: "Fine." With that, she hung up immediately, snatched up her bag, and left.

At lunch that day, Lu Xun lined up in the cafeteria. When he saw the food on his tray, his ghostly pale face for weeks finally regained some color. After finishing his first full meal in ages, he let out a satisfied sigh and took a sip of water—only for a burning, gag-inducing sensation to shoot straight to his skull, making him spit it out instantly.

It was pepper water!

From then on, his meals were normal, but all his water was replaced with pepper water—far worse than just spicy food.

Driven half-mad, Lu Xun spent his nights cursing in his dreams.

When Wen Zhi heard Chen Yuyao’s retelling, she burst out laughing, slapping the table. But after hanging up, a weight settled in her chest again.

That night, she had a dream.

She stood alone in a desolate forest, withered trees and broken branches stretching endlessly in her vision. After walking for a day and night, she was ready to burst into tears. Then, a white dot appeared in the distance, moving toward her under the morning sun. When she saw his refined, handsome features, his face lit up.

Finally, another person.

She ran over to ask where this was, but the gaunt scholar’s first words were: "May I ask, miss, where is this? Could you lead me out?"

He had been tricked here by jealous classmates.

The two walked through the barren woods for a long, long time, a lone wolf trailing them at a distance, its eyes glowing eerily green.

The young man hid her in a tree hollow, hissing urgently, "Stay here. Don’t come out until the wolf is gone."

Then both he and the wolf vanished.

The scene shifted.

She was now in a carriage, personally escorted by the Magistrate of Wen County to join the chosen court ladies in the prefectural city. A fleeting glance caught a group of scholars passing by, led by an exceptionally handsome scholar with a limp, who turned to look her way.

Her maidservant gossiped: "That’s the county’s top scholar—so handsome our mistress has taken a liking to him. Pity his leg was mauled by a wolf in the western woods last year. He survived, but it left him crippled. The master says no matter how brilliant he is, he’ll never rank in the top three at the palace exams. He forbade the young lady from seeing him."

Yet this man came out as the top scholar.

On the day of his victory procession, she stood atop the high city walls, their eyes met. Recognition flashed in his eyes—until he saw Lu Xun, and it faded.

"Your Majesty, from this day forth, my life is yours." Wen Zhi woke with a start. Blinking away sleep, she turned on the bedside lamp and started pawing through her things for a snack.

Why am I dreaming about when I first transmigrated?

And of all people, Shen Yizhi?

Where the hell is Shen Yizhi?

On the day she returned, she drew a portrait and had someone estimate his current appearance based on it. Then she sent the photo to the email inboxes of all Wen Nuan hotel managers worldwide, instructing them to keep an eye out for the person in the photo. Days went by with no leads.

She began donating large sums of money, contributing over a billion yuan in just half a month. Industry insiders were floored—she outdid even the late Chairman Wen’s charity work.

Mid-snack, her phone rang. She glanced at it—5 a.m., and Liu Yiru was calling.

She answered weakly, "What kind of ungodly hour is this to call? What do you want?"

Liu Yiru sounded excited, "Listen, Director Zhou just messaged me asking for your contact info. He somehow saw your *Flying Apsaras Playing the Pipa* painting and said he has a script he wants you to star in as the female lead."

Wen Zhi: "No. Interest. Whatsoever."

Liu Yiru: "Director Zhou! An internationally renowned director! Any actress he casts as the lead is guaranteed fame and fortune!"

Wen Zhi: "No—interest."

Liu Yiru, puzzled: "Why not?"

Wen Zhi: "The industry’s just a fame and money game. I'm already rich and a well-known philanthropist—why should I work?"

Liu Yiru, exasperated: "Don’t you have any ambition? Success, glory, admiration—isn’t that good?"

Wen Zhi: "Nope. If I’m this rich and still hustling, what’s left for everyone else?"

Liu Yiru: "..."

"Anyway, I gave him your number. Director Zhou said no one else could play this role but you."

Wen Zhi: "Then tell him not to make the film." Nothing was gonna mess with her lazy life.

Liu Yiru: "You’re impossible." She hung up in frustration.

At noon that day, Wen Zhi received a call from someone claiming to be Director Zhou, inviting her to star as the female lead in a big-budget film. He rambled about the film being a smash hit, Oscar bait, and how she’d be the next best actress.

If not for Liu Yiru’s heads-up, she’d have pegged him as a scammer.

Wen Zhi politely declined, but he kept calling. She blew off his follow-ups, figuring it was done—until Director Zhou landed on her doorstep.

Wen Zhi: Do directors always stalk their leads now?

Well, he was here now—no kicking him out... Otherwise, his future award speech would surely include, "Some ungrateful Wen what’s-her-name turned me down."

She invited him into the living room and said politely, "Director Zhou, seriously, find another actress. I absolutely won’t take the role."

Director Zhou handed her a script and said dead serious, "Ms. Wen, don’t dismiss it yet. Please read the script first. It’s a phenomenal, razor-sharp story. I hope you’ll consider it seriously. Besides, the female lead shares your surname—it’s fate."

Ugh. Fine. She’d glance at it since it was shoved at her.

Wen Zhi took the script. On the cover was written: *Dream Lock Palace*.

Wen Zhi: A *palace* drama? How original...

Director Zhou explained beside her, "This isn't just a simple palace drama. It's a young woman's coming-of-age story, a romance between a favored consort and a minister."

Wen Zhi: "...A romance between a favored consort and a minister?" Classic Director Zhou—always breaking the mold.

Director Zhou quickly added, "Though calling it a romance isn't entirely accurate. It also includes themes of homeland, sweeping landscapes, and heartfelt family ties."

What a hodgepodge!

She flipped open the first page, initially indifferent, but as she read on, her hand gave an almost imperceptible tremble. Then she turned to the second page, the third, the fourth—until she reached the end.

Director Zhou's smile deepened as he watched. Things were looking good.

"Miss Wen, what do you think of the script?"

Wen Zhi’s eyes gleamed. She took a deep breath and asked, "Where did this script come from? Who's the screenwriter?" The story’s framework mirrored her and Shen Yizhi’s exactly—their first meeting, their reunion, their acquaintance, and their mutual support.

Their straightforward bond had been dramatized into a romance.

The romance between Noble Consort Wen of Great Yong and Grand Tutor Shen Zhi.

The difference was, this book was told from the male lead's perspective. Wen Zhi found it ridiculous—yet thrilling.

She had reason to suspect that the person who wrote this script was connected to Shen Yizhi.

Director Zhou beamed. "You like the script too, don’t you, Miss Wen? The emotions are so finely crafted."

Wen Zhi frowned and repeated, "Who is the screenwriter of this script?"

Director Zhou cheerfully introduced, "This story was sent to me by an author surnamed Shen. I thought it was excellent, so I asked the collaborating screenwriter to preserve the original draft with a light polish..."

Before he could finish, Wen Zhi asked again, "Do you have a way to reach the author?"

Director Zhou was puzzled. "Is there a problem with the script?"

Wen Zhi shook her head. "No, I’m in. I just have a few things to ask the author."

Director Zhou shook his head. "Just an email—no other way to reach him. He didn’t even want payment—just wanted to see it made."

Wen Zhi’s heart sank, but Director Zhou quickly added, "However, Mr. Shen mentioned that he would return to the country during filming and come to set to hash out details with the writers."

Wen Zhi’s eyes brightened. She pressed, "When, exactly, would that be?"

Director Zhou: "It’s not certain yet. Miss Wen...?" Why the strange reaction?

Wen Zhi immediately declared, "I think this script is outstanding. I’m in. But before filming, I’d also like to discuss some specifics with Mr. Shen. Can you nudge him to hurry?"

Hearing her acceptance, Director Zhou lit up and immediately agreed, "Of course, of course! I’ll definitely help push for it. Then, Miss Wen, can you join the crew tomorrow?"

Wen Zhi: "Alright."

To meet Mr. Shen, she’d not just learn etiquette—she’d teach it herself.

After all, nobody knew Great Yong’s palace rules like she did.

Author's Note: